In earlier papers we have studied the turbulent flow exponents $\zeta_p$, where $\langle|\Delta{ \bf v}|^p\rangle\sim\ell^{ \zeta_p}$ is the contribution to the fluid velocity at small scale $\ell$. Using ideas of non-equilibrium statistical mechanics we have found $$ \zeta_p={ p\over3}-{ 1\over\ln\kappa}\ln\Gamma({ p\over3}+1) $$ where $1/ln\kappa$ is experimentally $\approx 0.32\pm 0.01$. The purpose of the present note is to propose a somewhat more physical derivation of the formula for $\zeta_p$. We also present an estimate $\approx 100$ for the Reynolds number at the onset of turbulence.

Categories: physics.flu-dyn

A theory of hydrodynamic turbulence based on non-equilibrium statistical mechanics