Lagrangian statistics for fluid particles and bubbles in turbulence

Abstract

The dispersion of bubbles in homogeneous and isotropic turbulence is numerically examined. The fluid velocity field evolves according to the Navier¿ Stokes equations that are solved by direct numerical simulation. The bubble paths are followed by Lagrangian tracking. The aim of thework is to quantify dispersion properties of bubbles in a regime ranging from low- to high-turbulence velocity fluctuations as compared to the bubble velocity scale, and to compare them to those of fluid particles. Moreover, the forces that are relevant for the bubble dispersion are analysed and their probability density functions, as well as their intermittency characteristics, are compared to those of fluid particle accelerations.