Escape probability and mean residence time in random flows with unsteady drift (Q5933554)

Summary: We investigate fluid transport in random velocity fields with unsteady drift. First, we propose to quantify fluid transport between flow regimes of different characteristic motions, by escape probability and mean residence time. Then we develop numerical algorithms to solve for escape probability and mean residence time, which are described by backward Fokker-Planck type partial differential equations. A few computational issues are also discussed. Finally, we apply these numerical algorithms to a tidal flow model.