Taming Turbulence
in [Physics]
|
Prev: Quantum effect spotted in a visible obj
Next: In principle, quantum mechanics can be used to predict the analogousimpact of the angular momentum of reagents on the outcome of a chemical reaction
From: Sam Wormley on 18 Mar 2010 23:38 Taming Turbulence When fluid flows through a pipe, if the inertial forces are increased or the viscosity is decreased, the flow will become increasing noisy and will shift from being laminar to turbulent. Turbulence can be triggered by roughness in the pipe or other irregularities, which cause local eddies that grow into full-scale disruption of the otherwise smooth flow. Hof et al. (p. 1491; see the Perspective by McKeon) show that a continuous turbulent eddy, downstream, eliminates the growth of upstream disturbances and can prevent the overall flow from becoming turbulent. Unlike many other control methods, the energy cost for implementing this strategy is less than the benefit gained by maintaining a laminar flow. See: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/327/5972/1491 |