Lagrangian flow statistics in experimental homogeneous isotropic turbulence

Abstract

We report on Lagrangian flow statistics from experimental measurements of homogeneous isotropic turbulence. The investigated flow is driven by 12 impellers inside an icosahedral volume. Seven impeller rotation rates are considered resulting in seven Reynolds numbers with $205 \leq \text{Re}_\lambda \leq 602$. We perform high-speed imaging using 3 cameras to record a total of $8.2\times10^6$ frames, and using high resolution three dimensional (3D) particle tracking velocimetry position, velocity, and acceleration of particle tracks are obtained in the vicinity of the center of the device. From these tracks, we obtain the Eulerian and Lagrangian flow statistics, mainly based on second-order structure functions and autocorrelation functions. The universal constants $C_0^*$ (for the Lagrangian second order structure function), $C_\varepsilon$ (for the energy injection rate) and $a_0$ (for the acceleration fluctuations) are determined, as well as all the relevant Lagrangian and Eulerian flow time scales. Analytical relations between these constants and time scales are experimentally verified.