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Experimental study of clustering of floaters on the free surface of a turbulent flow

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We present an experimental study of the statistical properties of particles floating at the surface of a turbulent flow. Two random flows with different properties are generated in a layer of liquid metal by an electromagnetic forcing. The forcing is strong enough to generate a 3D flow deforming the surface. The motion of hundreds of milimetrical particles floating at the interface between the liquid metal and diluted acid solution is followed by means of a particle tracking technique. Surface level is recorded independently along a line. A statistical procedure is proposed to evidence the clustering of floaters. Some dynamical properties of the cluster are exposed.

Author(s):

Pablo Gutierrez    
CEA-Saclay
France

Sebastien Aumaitre    
CEA-Saclay; ENS-Lyon
France