Ratio of average equilibrium vibrational and translational-rotational energy. Stronger turbulent fluctuations change the distribution of energy across molecular modes! See more here.
The importance of properly accounting for internal molecular structure of gaseous flows is well established across a number of disciplines including high-temperature aerodynamics and combustion.
Using massive Direct Numerical Simulations we have investigated the complex two-way coupling between turbulent fluctuations and molecular energy modes in and out of equilibrium. We found that turbulence can indeed alter the distribution of mean energy across molecular modes (translational-rotational-vibrational), a phenomenon that becomes stronger as turbulent fluctuations become stronger (see figure) and can have important practical consequences in, for example, high-speed flight.
Collaborators: R. Bowersox (TAMU), S. North (TAMU), W. Hase (Texas Tech).
Interested in studying full velocity, density, pressure and temperature fields or any other derived quantity from these DNS? Contact Dr. Donzis to get access.
Check also our collaborative work as part of the National Aerothermochemistry Lab.