24-26 mars 2026 Paris (France)
Decoupling between inertial and gravitational effects in the dynamics of particles in turbulence
Jérémie Auzoux, Facundo Cabrera-Booman  1, 2, 3  , Cheng Wang  2  , Karl Cardin  1, 4  , Romain Volk  2  , Nicolas Plihon  2  , Mickaël Bourgoin  2  , Raúl Bayoán Cal  1  
1 : Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, Portland State University
2 : Laboratoire de Physique de l'ENS Lyon
Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
3 : Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nevada
4 : Aix Marseille Université, Centrale Méditerranée
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - CNRS, Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Centrale Marseille, IRPHE

Volcanic ash transport, atmospheric pollution, and aeolian dust are examples of turbulent flows laden with particles. Understanding the dynamics of heavy inertial particles in turbulence remains a major challenge, particularly due to the coupling between inertial and gravitational effects. In this study, we experimentally investigate the dynamics of heavy spherical particles in turbulence by exploring several particle-to-fluid density ratios and particle diameters, corresponding to different Stokes numbers. To isolate inertial effects from gravitational settling, experiments are conducted under micro-gravity conditions. A dedicated experimental facility was designed and implemented in the Dryden Drop Tower at Portland State University, providing 2.1 seconds of micro-gravity. Particle Tracking Velocimetry (PTV) enables simultaneous measurement of inertial and tracer particle trajectories, allowing direct access to one-point and two-point statistics as well as slip velocity dynamics. This approach provides new insight into the role of inertia in particle–turbulence interactions in the absence of gravitational bias.



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