Abstract
A theoretical analysis of viscous vortex reconnection is developed based on scale separation, and the Reynolds number, Re (= circulation/viscosity), scaling for the reconnection time Trec is derived. The scaling varies continuously as Re increases from T rec ~Re -T rec ~Re. This theoretical prediction agrees well with direct numerical simulations by Garten et al. [J. Fluid Mech.426, 1 (2001)]10.1017/S0022112000002251 and Hussain and Duraisamy [Phys. Fluids23, 021701 (2011)]10.1063/1.3532039. Moreover, our analysis yields two Re's, namely, a characteristic Re Re0.75 ε[o(10 3O(10 3)for the T rec Re 0.75scaling given by Hussain and Duraisamy and the critical Re Re cO(10 4) for the transition after which the first reconnection is completed. For >, a quiescent state follows, and then, a second reconnection may occur.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 105102 |
Journal | Physics of Fluids |
Volume | 24 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 3 2012 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Computational Mechanics
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Mechanics of Materials
- Mechanical Engineering
- Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes