A thermodynamic approach to the boundary layer flow system

A thermodynamic approach to the boundary layer flow system is used to inves tigate the control rule underlying the how field. Application of Pontryagin 's Maximum Principle from control theory shows minimum rate of entropy prod uction to be the control rule for the how field, in common with other dissi pative processes. This result is used to investigate possible organised mot ion in the turbulent boundary layer and the generation of longitudinal vort ices which is known to be an intrinsic characteristic of turbulence. (C) 20 01 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.