Enhanced inverse-cascade of energy in the averaged Euler equations

Abstract

For a particular choice of the smoothing kernel, it is shown that the system of partial differential equations governing the vortex-blob method corresponds to the averaged Euler equations. These latter equations have recently been derived by averaging the Euler equations over Lagrangian fluctuations of length scale $\a$, and the same system is also encountered in the description of inviscid and incompressible flow of second-grade polymeric (non-Newtonian) fluids. While previous studies of this system have noted the suppression of nonlinear interaction between modes smaller than $\a$, we show that the modification of the nonlinear advection term also acts to enhance the inverse-cascade of energy in two-dimensional turbulence and thereby affects scales of motion larger than $\a$ as well. This latter effect is reminiscent of the drag-reduction that occurs in a turbulent flow when a dilute polymer is added.