Applicability of the isotropic vorticity theory to an adverse pressure gradient flow

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Abstract
An examination of the isotropic vorticity theory was made in an adverse pressure gradient flow based on experimental data obtained in a conical diffuser having a total divergence angle of 8° and an area ratio of 4:1 with fully-developed pipe flow at entry. The results showed that the rates and the ratio of production and dissipation of the turbulent vorticity were constant in the core region of the diffuser but increase significantly in the wall layer. The overall vorticity balance was essentially the same at all axial stations. The analysis of Batchelor & Townsend (1947) for isotropic vorticity was found to be valid in the core region of the diffuser for an order-of-magnitude higher Rλ (200 [les ] Rλ 600) than in grid turbulence. The magnitude of the skewness of ∂u1/∂t was constant in the core region and comparable to that for grid turbulence. Also, this region of constant skewness extended over a larger portion of the flow cross-section compared to pipe flow. On the basis of these results, it was concluded that assumptions of isotropy in the fine structure are valid in the core region of the diffuser.

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