Effect of aspect-ratio on vortex distribution and heat transfer in rotating Rayleigh-Bénard convection

Details Effect of aspect-ratio on vortex distribution and heat transfer in rotating Rayleigh-Bénard convection Effect of aspect-ratio on vortex distribution and heat transfer in rotating Rayleigh-Bénard convection

2011-09-30

arxiv.org/abs/1109.6866v1

Phys. Rev. E 84, 056313 (2011)

Physics

Fluid Dynamics

13 pages, 8 figures

Scientific paper

10.1103/PhysRevE.84.056313

Numerical and experimental data for the heat transfer as function of the Rossby number Ro in turbulent rotating Rayleigh-B\'enard convection are presented for Prandtl number Pr=4.38 and Rayleigh number $Ra=2.91\times10^8$ up to $Ra=4.52\times10^9$. The aspect ratio \Gamma = D/L, where L is the height and D the diameter of the cylindrical sample, is varied between \Gamma=0.5 and \Gamma=2.0. Without rotation, where the aspect ratio influences the global large scale circulation, we see a small aspect-ratio dependence in the Nusselt number for $Ra=2.91\times10^8$. However, for stronger rotation, i.e. $1/Ro \gg 1/Ro_c$, the heat transport becomes independent of the aspect-ratio. We interpret this finding as follows: In the rotating regime the heat is mainly transported by vertically-aligned vortices. Since the vertically-aligned vortices are local, the aspect ratio has a negligible effect on the heat transport in the rotating regime. Indeed, a detailed analysis of vortex statistics shows that the fraction of the horizontal area that is covered by vortices is independent of the aspect ratio when $1/Ro \gg 1/Ro_c$. In agreement with the results of Weiss et al. Phys. Rev. Lett., vol 105, 224501 (2010) we find a vortex-depleted area close to the sidewall. Here, we in addition show that there is also an area with enhanced vortex concentration next to the vortex-depleted edge region and that the absolute widths of both regions are independent of the aspect ratio.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Effect of aspect-ratio on vortex distribution and heat transfer in rotating Rayleigh-Bénard convection does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Effect of aspect-ratio on vortex distribution and heat transfer in rotating Rayleigh-Bénard convection, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Effect of aspect-ratio on vortex distribution and heat transfer in rotating Rayleigh-Bénard convection will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-669637