Scalar mixing in an urban canyon

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

21 Scopus Citations
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Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)911-939
Journal / PublicationEnvironmental Fluid Mechanics
Volume19
Issue number4
Online published9 May 2019
Publication statusPublished - 15 Aug 2019

Abstract

The scalar dynamics within a unit-aspect-ratio street canyon are studied using large-eddy simulation. The key processes of ventilation and mixing are analysed with the canyon-averaged concentration, mean tracer age and variance. The results are sensitive to the source location and can be classified according to the streamline geometry. The canyon-averaged concentrations for the corner vortices, vortex sea and central vortex do not converge to the same value at large times, though the mean decay rates do. The variance measured with respect to the canyon average shows two distinct decay regimes: the early regime reflects large-scale straining and enhanced diffusion across streamlines, while the late regime is associated with escape from the canyon, i.e., ventilation. Analytical predictions for the variance-decay or mixing time scales are verified for the early regime. It is argued that the presence of an open boundary at the roof level suppresses rapid mixing of the scalar field and is responsible for differences with respect to scalar dynamics within closed domains.

Research Area(s)

  • Effective diffusivity, Large-eddy simulation, Pollutant dispersion, Scalar decay, Ventilation

Citation Format(s)

Scalar mixing in an urban canyon. / Duan, G.; Jackson, J. G.; Ngan, K.
In: Environmental Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 19, No. 4, 15.08.2019, p. 911-939.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review