Recent developments in multiscale forcing for enhanced mixing

We discuss methods of multiscale forcing to enhance the mixing efficiency of an incompressible flow. To introduce a variety of length- and time-scales into a flow, we focus on two methods. First, we concentrate on effects due to guiding a fluid over a complex-shaped object placed in the flow domain. Specifically, we apply direct numerical simulation to predict flow through a cylindrical pipe in which a periodic array of orifice plates with a fractal perimeter is mounted. To represent the complex orifice, a volume penalisation immersed boundary method is used. Adding a periodic array of fractal orifice plates, derived from the Koch snowflake, to a cylindrical pipe is shown to increase the average laminar stretching rate by a factor of up to five, compared to pipe flow without orifice plates. Second, we consider the inclusion of multiple length- and time scales at inflow boundaries to enhance mixing efficiency for combustion in Bunsen-type flames. By using a combination of large- and small-scale flow perturbations at an inflow, a two-fold increase of flame wrinkling and flame intensity could be realised. The scale-dependency of the intensification of the combustion is investigated, showing a narrow range of length-scales with strongest response, reminiscent of ‘resonant turbulence’ conditions.