Dispersion of contaminant in oscillatory flows (Q1113765)

An extension of the Aris-Barton method of moments [see \textit{N. G. Barton}, J. Fluid Mech. 126, 205-218 (1983; Zbl 0523.76084)] is presented for the study of statistical behaviour of dispersion of contaminant molecules in oscillatory flows inside uniform conduits. The main idea is to replace the constant pressure gradient which causes the flow simply by the time-dependent one, and then investigate the effects of the amplitude and frequency of the pressure pulsations on the dispersion process. The technique incorporates the case of the time-independent flow also, and gives an exact analysis of the central moments of the distribution of the cloud of contaminant, which are valid for all times after the injection. The general theory is applied to oscillatory laminar flow in tubes, and between parallel plates.