Identification of a particle collision as a finite-time blowup in turbulence

Sci Rep. 2023 Jan 5;13(1):181. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-27305-5.

Abstract

We propose an Eulerian approach to investigate the motion of particles in turbulence under the assumption that the motion of particles remains smooth in space and time until a collision between particles occurs. When the first collision happens, particle velocity loses [Formula: see text] continuity, resulting in a finite-time blowup. The corresponding singularities in particle velocity gradient, particle number density, and particle vorticity for various Stokes numbers and gravity factors are numerically investigated for the first time in a simple two-dimensional Taylor-Green vortex flow, two-dimensional decaying turbulence, and three-dimensional isotropic turbulence. In addition to the critical Stokes number above which a collision begins to occur, the flow condition leading to collision is revealed; particles tend to collide in very thin shear layer constructed by two parallel same-signed vortical structures when Stokes number is above the critical one.