Kinetic theory of turbulent compressible flows and comparison with classical theory

Abstract

A complete set of turbulent correlations is given in terms of expansion coefficients in a double series of Hermite polynomials of a two-particle correlation in phase space. Only two of these coefficients, corresponding to Reynolds’ stress and turbulent heat flux, are shown to appear in gasdynamic equations of turbulence. This is accomplished by incorporating the phase-space correlation in the collision integral of Boltzmann’s equation, and by deriving generalized Navier–Stokes and Fourier transport relations. In contrast to the classical formalism, the simple expression remains invariant in form whether the flow is compressible or not. Nevertheless, a bilinear transformation of fluctuating quantities shows that the two formalisms are identical with regard to terms of double correlations. The kinetic theory justifies nonexistence of the higher order correlations characteristic of compressible turbulence equations of the classical regime.