Targeted mixing in an array of alternating vortices

Romain Bachelard (1, 2) , Tounsia Benzekri (1, 2) , Cristel Chandre (1, 2) , Xavier Leoncini (3, 1, 2) , Michel Vittot (1, 2)

1 CPT - Centre de Physique Théorique - UMR 6207
2 CPT - Centre de Physique Théorique - UMR 7332
3 CPT - Ex E7 Systèmes dynamiques et théorie ergodique

Transport and mixing properties of passive particles advected by an array of vortices are investigated. Starting from the integrable case, it is shown that a special class of perturbations allows one to preserve separatrices which act as effective transport barriers, while triggering chaotic advection. In this setting, mixing within the two dynamical barriers is enhanced while long range transport is prevented. A numerical analysis of mixing properties depending on parameter values is performed; regions for which optimal mixing is achieved are proposed. Robustness of the targeted mixing properties regarding errors in the applied perturbation are considered, as well as slip/no-slip boundary conditions for the flow.

Domaines: Dynamique Chaotique [nlin.CD]

Romain Bachelard, Tounsia Benzekri, Cristel Chandre, Xavier Leoncini, Michel Vittot. Targeted mixing in an array of alternating vortices. Physical Review E : Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics, 2007, 76, pp.046217. ⟨10.1103/PhysRevE.76.046217⟩. ⟨hal-00160746v2⟩