Turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection in an annular cell

2019 ◽  
Vol 869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xu Zhu ◽  
Lin-Feng Jiang ◽  
Quan Zhou ◽  
Chao Sun
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Azimuthal Angle ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Thermal Plumes ◽  
Rayleigh Range ◽  
Annular Geometry ◽  
Local Properties ◽  
Global And Local ◽  
Rayleigh Benard Convection ◽  
Rayleigh Benard

We report an experimental study of turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard (RB) convection in an annular cell of water (Prandtl number $Pr=4.3$) with a radius ratio $\unicode[STIX]{x1D702}\simeq 0.5$. Global quantities, such as the Nusselt number $Nu$ and the Reynolds number $Re$, and local temperatures were measured over the Rayleigh range $4.2\times 10^{9}\leqslant Ra\leqslant 4.5\times 10^{10}$. It is found that the scaling behaviours of $Nu(Ra)$, $Re(Ra)$ and the temperature fluctuations remain the same as those in the traditional cylindrical cells; both the global and local properties of turbulent RB convection are insensitive to the change of cell geometry. A visualization study, as well as local temperature measurements, shows that in spite of the lack of the cylindrical core, there also exists a large-scale circulation (LSC) in the annular system: thermal plumes organize themselves with the ascending hot plumes on one side and the descending cold plumes on the opposite side. Near the upper and lower plates, the mean flow moves along the two circular branches. Our results further reveal that the dynamics of the LSC in this annular geometry is different from that in the traditional cylindrical cell, i.e. the orientation of the LSC oscillates in a narrow azimuthal angle range, and no cessations, reversals or net rotation were detected.

Exploring the severely confined regime in Rayleigh–Bénard convection

2016 ◽  
Vol 805 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Leong Chong ◽  
Ke-Qing Xia
Keyword(s):  
Rayleigh Number ◽  
Flow Topology ◽  
Thermal Plumes ◽  
Bénard Convection ◽  
Benard Convection ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Classical Boundary ◽  
Global And Local ◽  
Rayleigh Benard Convection ◽  
Rayleigh Benard

We study the effect of severe geometrical confinement in Rayleigh–Bénard convection with a wide range of width-to-height aspect ratio $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$, $1/128\leqslant \unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}\leqslant 1$, and Rayleigh number $Ra$, $3\times 10^{4}\leqslant Ra\leqslant 1\times 10^{11}$, at a fixed Prandtl number of $Pr=4.38$ by means of direct numerical simulations in Cartesian geometry with no-slip walls. For convection under geometrical confinement (decreasing $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$ from 1), three regimes can be recognized (Chong et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 115, 2015, 264503) based on the global and local properties in terms of heat transport, plume morphology and flow structures. These are Regime I: classical boundary-layer-controlled regime; Regime II: plume-controlled regime; and Regime III: severely confined regime. The study reveals that the transition into Regime III leads to totally different heat and momentum transport scalings and flow topology from the classical regime. The convective heat transfer scaling, in terms of the Nusselt number $Nu$, exhibits the scaling $Nu-1\sim Ra^{0.61}$ over three decades of $Ra$ at $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}=1/128$, which contrasts sharply with the classical scaling $Nu-1\sim Ra^{0.31}$ found at $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}=1$. The flow in Regime III is found to be dominated by finger-like, long-lived plume columns, again in sharp contrast with the mushroom-like, fragmented thermal plumes typically observed in the classical regime. Moreover, we identify a Rayleigh number for regime transition, $Ra^{\ast }=(29.37/\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4})^{3.23}$, such that the scaling transition in $Nu$ and $Re$ can be clearly demonstrated when plotted against $Ra/Ra^{\ast }$.

Plume emission statistics in turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection

2015 ◽  
Vol 772 ◽  
pp. 5-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erwin P. van der Poel ◽  
Roberto Verzicco ◽  
Siegfried Grossmann ◽  
Detlef Lohse
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Thermal Boundary Layer Thickness ◽  
Thermal Plumes ◽  
Plume Emission ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Log Normal ◽  
Rayleigh Benard Convection ◽  
Rayleigh Benard ◽  
Large Wind ◽  
Log Normal Distribution

Direct numerical simulations (DNS) of turbulent thermal convection in a $\mathit{Pr}=0.7$ fluid up to $\mathit{Ra}=10^{12}$ are used to study the statistics of thermal plumes. At various vertical locations in a cylindrical set-up with aspect ratio ${\it\Gamma}=\text{width}/\text{height}=1/3$, plumes are identified and their properties extracted. It is found that plumes are much less likely to be emitted from plate regions with large wind shear. Close to the plates, the plumes have a unimodal log–normal distribution, whereas at more central locations the distribution becomes weakly bimodal, which can be traced back to clustering of the plumes and influence of the large-scale circulation. The number of hot plumes decreases with height. The width of the plumes scales with $\mathit{Ra}$ approximately as $\mathit{Nu}^{-1}$, indicating that it is determined by the thermal boundary layer thickness.

scholarly journals Large-scale mean patterns in turbulent convection

2015 ◽  
Vol 776 ◽  
pp. 96-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad S. Emran ◽  
Jörg Schumacher
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Finite Amplitude ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Turbulent Fluctuations ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Prandtl Numbers ◽  
Rayleigh Benard Convection ◽  
Rayleigh Numbers ◽  
Rayleigh Benard

Large-scale patterns, which are well-known from the spiral defect chaos (SDC) regime of thermal convection at Rayleigh numbers $\mathit{Ra}<10^{4}$, continue to exist in three-dimensional numerical simulations of turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection in extended cylindrical cells with an aspect ratio ${\it\Gamma}=50$ and $\mathit{Ra}>10^{5}$. They are revealed when the turbulent fields are averaged in time and turbulent fluctuations are thus removed. We apply the Boussinesq closure to estimate turbulent viscosities and diffusivities, respectively. The resulting turbulent Rayleigh number $\mathit{Ra}_{\ast }$, that describes the convection of the mean patterns, is indeed in the SDC range. The turbulent Prandtl numbers are smaller than one, with $0.2\leqslant \mathit{Pr}_{\ast }\leqslant 0.4$ for Prandtl numbers $0.7\leqslant \mathit{Pr}\leqslant 10$. Finally, we demonstrate that these mean flow patterns are robust to an additional finite-amplitude sidewall forcing when the level of turbulent fluctuations in the flow is sufficiently high.

scholarly journals Convectively driven shear and decreased heat flux

2014 ◽  
Vol 759 ◽  
pp. 360-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Goluskin ◽  
Hans Johnston ◽  
Glenn R. Flierl ◽  
Edward A. Spiegel
Keyword(s):  
Heat Flux ◽  
Heat Transport ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Nusselt Numbers ◽  
Bénard Convection ◽  
Benard Convection ◽  
Rayleigh Benard Convection ◽  
Rayleigh Benard ◽  
Scale Shear

AbstractWe report on direct numerical simulations of two-dimensional, horizontally periodic Rayleigh–Bénard convection between free-slip boundaries. We focus on the ability of the convection to drive large-scale horizontal flow that is vertically sheared. For the Prandtl numbers ($\mathit{Pr}$) between 1 and 10 simulated here, this large-scale shear can be induced by raising the Rayleigh number ($\mathit{Ra}$) sufficiently, and we explore the resulting convection for $\mathit{Ra}$ up to $10^{10}$. When present in our simulations, the sheared mean flow accounts for a large fraction of the total kinetic energy, and this fraction tends towards unity as $\mathit{Ra}\rightarrow \infty$. The shear helps disperse convective structures, and it reduces vertical heat flux; in parameter regimes where one state with large-scale shear and one without are both stable, the Nusselt number of the state with shear is smaller and grows more slowly with $\mathit{Ra}$. When the large-scale shear is present with $\mathit{Pr}\lesssim 2$, the convection undergoes strong global oscillations on long timescales, and heat transport occurs in bursts. Nusselt numbers, time-averaged over these bursts, vary non-monotonically with $\mathit{Ra}$ for $\mathit{Pr}=1$. When the shear is present with $\mathit{Pr}\gtrsim 3$, the flow does not burst, and convective heat transport is sustained at all times. Nusselt numbers then grow roughly as powers of $\mathit{Ra}$, but the growth rates are slower than any previously reported for Rayleigh–Bénard convection without large-scale shear. We find that the Nusselt numbers grow proportionally to $\mathit{Ra}^{0.077}$ when $\mathit{Pr}=3$ and to $\mathit{Ra}^{0.19}$ when $\mathit{Pr}=10$. Analogies with tokamak plasmas are described.

Numerical simulations of Rayleigh–Bénard convection for Prandtl numbers between 10−1 and 104 and Rayleigh numbers between 105 and 109

2010 ◽  
Vol 662 ◽  
pp. 409-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. SILANO ◽  
K. R. SREENIVASAN ◽  
R. VERZICCO
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Nusselt Number ◽  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Multiple Solutions ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Prandtl Numbers ◽  
Rayleigh Benard Convection ◽  
Rayleigh Numbers ◽  
Rayleigh Benard

We summarize the results of an extensive campaign of direct numerical simulations of Rayleigh–Bénard convection at moderate and high Prandtl numbers (10−1 ≤ Pr ≤ 104) and moderate Rayleigh numbers (105 ≤ Ra ≤ 109). The computational domain is a cylindrical cell of aspect ratio Γ = 1/2, with the no-slip condition imposed on all boundaries. By scaling the numerical results, we find that the free-fall velocity should be multiplied by $1/\sqrt{{\it Pr}}$ in order to obtain a more appropriate representation of the large-scale velocity at high Pr. We investigate the Nusselt and the Reynolds number dependences on Ra and Pr, comparing the outcome with previous numerical and experimental results. Depending on Pr, we obtain different power laws of the Nusselt number with respect to Ra, ranging from Ra2/7 for Pr = 1 up to Ra0.31 for Pr = 103. The Nusselt number is independent of Pr. The Reynolds number scales as ${\it Re}\,{\sim}\,\sqrt{{\it Ra}}/{\it Pr}$, neglecting logarithmic corrections. We analyse the global and local features of viscous and thermal boundary layers and their scaling behaviours with respect to Ra and Pr, and with respect to the Reynolds and Péclet numbers. We find that the flow approaches a saturation state when Reynolds number decreases below the critical value, Res ≃ 40. The thermal-boundary-layer thickness increases slightly (instead of decreasing) when the Péclet number increases, because of the moderating influence of the viscous boundary layer. The simulated ranges of Ra and Pr contain steady, periodic and turbulent solutions. A rough estimate of the transition from the steady to the unsteady state is obtained by monitoring the time evolution of the system until it reaches stationary solutions. We find multiple solutions as long-term phenomena at Ra = 108 and Pr = 103, which, however, do not result in significantly different Nusselt numbers. One of these multiple solutions, even if stable over a long time interval, shows a break in the mid-plane symmetry of the temperature profile. We analyse the flow structures through the transitional phases by direct visualizations of the temperature and velocity fields. A wide variety of large-scale circulation and plume structures has been found. The single-roll circulation is characteristic only of the steady and periodic solutions. For other regimes at lower Pr, the mean flow generally consists of two opposite toroidal structures; at higher Pr, the flow is organized in the form of multi-jet structures, extending mostly in the vertical direction. At high Pr, plumes mainly detach from sheet-like structures. The signatures of different large-scale structures are generally well reflected in the data trends with respect to Ra, less in those with respect to Pr.

scholarly journals Numerical simulation of helical-vortex effects in Rayleigh-Bénard convection

2006 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. V. Levina ◽  
I. A. Burylov
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Internal Heat ◽  
Main Idea ◽  
Numerical Approach ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Forcing Function ◽  
Bénard Convection ◽  
Benard Convection ◽  
Rayleigh Benard Convection ◽  
Rayleigh Benard

Abstract. A numerical approach is substantiated for searching for the large-scale alpha-like instability in thermoconvective turbulence. The main idea of the search strategy is the application of a forcing function which can have a physical interpretation. The forcing simulates the influence of small-scale helical turbulence generated in a rotating fluid with internal heat sources and is applied to naturally induced fully developed convective flows. The strategy is tested using the Rayleigh-Bénard convection in an extended horizontal layer of incompressible fluid heated from below. The most important finding is an enlargement of the typical horizontal scale of the forming helical convective structures accompanied by a cells merging, an essential increase in the kinetic energy of flows and intensification of heat transfer. The results of modeling allow explaining how the helical feedback can work providing the non-zero mean helicity generation and the mutual intensification of horizontal and vertical circulation, and demonstrate how the energy of the additional helical source can be effectively converted into the energy of intensive large-scale vortex flow.

Plume formation and resonant bifurcations in porous-media convection

1994 ◽  
Vol 272 ◽  
pp. 67-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Graham ◽  
Paul H. Steen
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Porous Media ◽  
Rayleigh Number ◽  
Scaling Laws ◽  
Thermal Plumes ◽  
Scaling Behaviour ◽  
Parametric Resonances ◽  
Classical Boundary ◽  
Rayleigh Benard Convection ◽  
Rayleigh Benard

The classical boundary-layer scaling laws proposed by Howard for Rayleigh–Bénard convection at high Rayleigh number extend to the analogous case of convection in saturated porous media. We computationally study two-dimensional porous-media convection near the onset of this scaling behaviour. The main result of the paper is the observation and study of instabilities that lead to deviations from the scaling relations.At Rayleigh numbers below the scaling regime, boundary-layer fluctuations born at a Hopf bifurcation strengthen and eventually develop into thermal plumes. The appearance of plumes corresponds to the onset of the boundary-layer scaling behaviour of the oscillation frequency and mean Nusselt number, in agreement with the classical theory. As the Rayleigh number increases further, the flow undergoes instabilities that lead to ‘bubbles’ in parameter space of quasi-periodic flow, and eventually to weakly chaotic flow. The instabilities disturb the plume formation process, effectively leading to a phase modulation of the process and to deviations from the scaling laws. We argue that these instabilities correspond to parametric resonances between the timescale for plume formation and the characteristic convection timescale of the flow.

The large-scale flow structure in turbulent rotating Rayleigh–Bénard convection

2011 ◽  
Vol 688 ◽  
pp. 461-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Weiss ◽  
Guenter Ahlers
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Flow Mode ◽  
Unexpected Result ◽  
Vertical Sidewall ◽  
Number Range ◽  
Bénard Convection ◽  
Benard Convection ◽  
Rayleigh Benard Convection ◽  
Rayleigh Benard

AbstractWe report on the influence of rotation about a vertical axis on the large-scale circulation (LSC) of turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection in a cylindrical vessel with aspect ratio $\Gamma \equiv D/ L= 0. 50$ (where $D$ is the diameter and $L$ the height of the sample). The working fluid is water at an average temperature ${T}_{av} = 40{~}^{\ensuremath{\circ} } \mathrm{C} $ with a Prandtl number $\mathit{Pr}= 4. 38$. For rotation rates $\Omega \lesssim 1~\mathrm{rad} ~{\mathrm{s} }^{\ensuremath{-} 1} $, corresponding to inverse Rossby numbers $1/ \mathit{Ro}$ between 0 and 20, we investigated the temperature distribution at the sidewall and from it deduced properties of the LSC. The work covered the Rayleigh-number range $2. 3\ensuremath{\times} 1{0}^{9} \lesssim \mathit{Ra}\lesssim 7. 2\ensuremath{\times} 1{0}^{10} $. We measured the vertical sidewall temperature gradient, the dynamics of the LSC and flow-mode transitions from single-roll states (SRSs) to double-roll states (DRSs). We found that modest rotation stabilizes the SRSs. For modest $1/ \mathit{Ro}\lesssim 1$ we found the unexpected result that the vertical LSC plane rotated in the prograde direction (i.e. faster than the sample chamber), with the rotation at the horizontal midplane faster than near the top and bottom. This differential rotation led to disruptive events called half-turns, where the plane of the top or bottom section of the LSC underwent a rotation through an angle of $2\lrm{\pi} $ relative to the main portion of the LSC. The signature of the LSC persisted even for large $1/ \mathit{Ro}$ where Ekman vortices are expected. We consider the possibility that this signature actually is generated by a two-vortex state rather than by a LSC. Whenever possible, we compare our results with those for a $\Gamma = 1$ sample by Zhong & Ahlers (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 665, 2010, pp. 300–333).

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