THE SPECTRAL RELAXATION MODEL OF THE SCALAR DISSIPATION RATE IN HOMOGENEOUS TURBULENCE

A model for the effect of scalar spectral relaxation on the scalar dissipation rate of an inert, passive scalar (Sc≥1) in fully developed homogeneous turbulence is presented. In the model, wave-number space is divided into a finite number [the total number depending on the turbulence Reynolds number Reλ and the Schmidt number (Sc)] of intermediate stages whose time constants are determined from the velocity spectrum. The model accounts for the evolution of the scalar spectrum from an arbitrary initial shape to its fully developed form and its effect on the scalar dissipation rate for finite Reλ and Sc≥1. Corrsin's result [AIChE J. 10, 870 (1964)] for the scalar mixing time is attained for large Reλ in the presence of a constant mean scalar gradient and a stationary, isotropic turbulence field. Comparisons with DNS results for stationary, isotropic turbulence and experimental data for decaying, homogeneous grid turbulence demonstrate the satisfactory performance of the model. © 1995 American Institute of Physics.