These two CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) animations illustrate the contrasting characteristics of turbulent and laminar mixing, two different flow regimes that occur within fluid systems, playing critical roles in various applications. The key differences between these two types of mixing lie in their flow patterns, energy dissipation, and mixing effectiveness.
Laminar mixing, also known as streamline flow, is characterized by smooth, parallel layers of fluid that glide past one another with minimal interaction. This type of flow occurs at low Reynolds numbers, typically below 2000. Laminar mixing is highly ordered and predictable, with low levels of kinetic energy dissipation.
On the other hand, turbulent mixing is characterized by chaotic and disordered flow patterns that occur at high Reynolds numbers, typically above 4000. Turbulent flow consists of swirling eddies and vortices that generate a complex, three-dimensional mixing pattern. The chaotic nature of turbulent mixing causes a rapid increase in kinetic energy dissipation, resulting in more effective mixing.
Turbulent Modelling: Large Eddy Simulation