Statistical modelling of passive-scalar diffusion in turbulent shear flows

Abstract

Modelling of turbulent passive-scalar diffusion is studied using the statistical results from a two-scale direct-interaction approximation. In this model, the mean scalar, the scalar variance and the dissipation rate of scalar variance constitute fundamental diffusion quantities. The turbulent scalar flux is written in the form of an anisotropie eddy-diffusivity representation. This representation, paving the way for explaining anisotropic heat transport, is tested against typical experimental data. The present model equation for the dissipation rate of scalar variance also gives a theoretical justification for the existing equations that are adopted in the second-order models. © 1988, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.