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The role of Stewartson and Ekman layers in turbulent rotating Rayleigh–Bénard convection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 October 2011

Rudie P. J. Kunnen ,
Richard J. A. M. Stevens ,
Jim Overkamp ,
Chao Sun ,
GertJan F. van Heijst  and
Herman J. H. Clercx
Rudie P. J. Kunnen*
Affiliation:
Department of Physics and J.M. Burgers Centre for Fluid Dynamics, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Richard J. A. M. Stevens
Affiliation:
Department of Science and Technology and J.M. Burgers Centre for Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
Jim Overkamp
Affiliation:
Department of Physics and J.M. Burgers Centre for Fluid Dynamics, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Chao Sun
Affiliation:
Department of Science and Technology and J.M. Burgers Centre for Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
GertJan F. van Heijst
Affiliation:
Department of Physics and J.M. Burgers Centre for Fluid Dynamics, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Herman J. H. Clercx
Affiliation:
Department of Physics and J.M. Burgers Centre for Fluid Dynamics, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
*
†Email address for correspondence: r.p.j.kunnen@tue.nl
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Abstract

When the classical Rayleigh–Bénard (RB) system is rotated about its vertical axis roughly three regimes can be identified. In regime I (weak rotation) the large-scale circulation (LSC) is the dominant feature of the flow. In regime II (moderate rotation) the LSC is replaced by vertically aligned vortices. Regime III (strong rotation) is characterized by suppression of the vertical velocity fluctuations. Using results from experiments and direct numerical simulations of RB convection for a cell with a diameter-to-height aspect ratio equal to one at () and we identified the characteristics of the azimuthal temperature profiles at the sidewall in the different regimes. In regime I the azimuthal wall temperature profile shows a cosine shape and a vertical temperature gradient due to plumes that travel with the LSC close to the sidewall. In regimes II and III this cosine profile disappears, but the vertical wall temperature gradient is still observed. It turns out that the vertical wall temperature gradient in regimes II and III has a different origin than that observed in regime I. It is caused by boundary layer dynamics characteristic for rotating flows, which drives a secondary flow that transports hot fluid up the sidewall in the lower part of the container and cold fluid downwards along the sidewall in the top part.

JFM classification

Boundary Layers: Boundary layer structure Geophysical and Geological Flows: Rotating flows
Type
Papers
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 688 , 10 December 2011 , pp. 422 - 442
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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