New Formulas for Mean Temperature Profiles in Turbulent Flows

Recent research by Sergio Pirozzoli and Davide Modesti has introduced explicit formulas for mean temperature profiles in turbulent internal flows, as detailed in their paper titled "Mean temperature profiles in turbulent internal flows" (arXiv:2403.17689). The authors focus on forced turbulent convection, modeling temperature as a passive scalar, and derive their findings based on the Reynolds and Prandtl numbers.

The study highlights the universality of thermal eddy diffusivity across various flows, which allows for a consistent approach to understanding temperature profiles. By matching expressions from both the inner and outer layers of flow, the researchers present a smooth compound mean temperature profile that aligns closely with data from direct numerical simulations of pipe and channel flows.

Key findings indicate that the analytical profiles developed show excellent agreement with simulation data under different thermal forcing conditions, suggesting that these formulas could enhance predictive models in fluid dynamics. This research has implications for various applications, including engineering and environmental science, where understanding turbulent flows is crucial.

The paper can be accessed for further details at arXiv:2403.17689.