Abstract
Understanding the falling velocity of cloud droplets and ice crystals in
a nonuniform flow is fundamental to cloud physics and precipitation. In
this study, the mean settling velocity of a hydrometeor falling into a
non-stationary fluid is examined. To investigate the possible
particle-fluid interaction, a homogeneous and isotropic turbulent flow
fields is considered. The study covers a wide range of flow velocities
and hydrometeor density and size. The results show initially reduction
of hydrometeor settling velocity and then enhancement in strong
turbulence. The mean settling velocity depends on a) mean flow and
turbulent intensity i.e., standard deviation of flow and b) particle
terminal velocity i.e., the shape and size of hydrometeor, its density,
the dynamic viscosity and the density of the fluid, and the
gravitational acceleration. The non-dimensional parameters that are
important in characterization of hydrometeor settling velocities are
estimated using dimensional analysis. These non-dimensional parameters
are then used to formulate the mean settling velocity.