A statistical mechanics approach to mixing in stratified fluids

TL;DR

This paper introduces a statistical mechanics framework to predict the overall mixing efficiency in stratified fluids, accounting for energy input and buoyancy profiles, addressing a complex longstanding problem in turbulence modeling.

Contribution

It develops a novel statistical mechanics method to estimate mixing efficiency in stratified turbulence based on global parameters.

Findings

Predicts mixing efficiency as a function of Richardson number

Provides a global estimate of mixing in stratified fluids

Addresses the complexity of turbulence with a new theoretical approach

Abstract

Predicting how much mixing occurs when a given amount of energy is injected into a Boussinesq fluid is a longstanding problem in stratified turbulence. The huge number of degrees of freedom involved in those processes renders extremely difficult a deterministic approach to the problem. Here we present a statistical mechanics approach yielding prediction for a cumulative, global mixing efficiency as a function of a global Richardson number and the background buoyancy profile.