Experimental investigation into Lagrangian statistics of droplets in homogeneous isotropic turbulence
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: We experimentally investigate the Lagrangian dynamics of finite-sized, neutrally buoyant droplets in homogeneous isotropic turbulence. The droplet size follows a log-normal distribution whose average value decreases with increasing Reynolds number, reflecting enhanced turbulent breakup. While size-conditioned velocity and acceleration statistics show only weak finite-size dependence, temporal measures reveal clear size-dependent dynamics: larger droplets exhibit longer Lagrangian velocity integral times and an extended ballistic regime in their mean squared displacement. These findings indicate that though droplets exhibit mild deformation and internal circulation, they behave similarly to finite-size rigid particles in terms of Lagrangian dynamics. Our study opens the way to study droplet-laden turbulence and droplet-flow interactions.
Source: Europhysics Letters (EPL)
Institutions: Tsinghua University, Eindhoven University of Technology
Language: English
Subfield: Ocean Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $1,895
OpenAlex ID: W7127605271