Improved low-order model for shear flow driven by Rayleigh-Benard convection

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.51.325· OSTI ID:6692601

Hermiz, K B ^[1]; Guzdar, P N; Finn, J M ^[2]

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1. Department of Mathematics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742-3511 (United States)
2. Institute for Plasma Research, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742-3511 (United States)

An analysis of the low-order model for two-dimensional fluid flow with shear proposed by Drake [ital et] [ital al]. [Phys. Fluids B 4, 488 (1992)] is undertaken. Their two-term model for the shear is an extension of the model put forth by Howard and Krisnamurti [J. Fluid Mech. 170, 385 (1986)], and is shown to be an improved model in the sense that it respects certain conditions for vorticity conservation arising directly from the Boussinesq equations. In so doing, it provides a more realistic model of the physics involved. An important consequence of the improved model is the appearance of cutoff values for the shear instability that are dependent upon the aspect ratio of the interacting Rayleigh-Taylor cell. Numerical results are presented as confirmation of this prediction.

• OSTI ID: 6692601
• Journal Information: Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics; (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics; (United States) Vol. 51:1; ISSN PLEEE8; ISSN 1063-651X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

665000* -- Physics of Condensed Matter-- (1992-)
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
ASPECT RATIO
CONVECTIVE INSTABILITIES
FLUID FLOW
INSTABILITY
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PRANDTL NUMBER
SHEAR
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
VORTICES