Prime modes of fluid circulation in large-aspect-ratio turbulent Rayleigh-Bénard convection

Journal article (2009)
Department
Multi-Scale Physics (AS) (TU Delft)
Copyright: American Physical Society
DOI: https://doi.org/doi:10.1103/PhysRevE.80.037301
OA-Fund TU Delft
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Published Date

29-09-2009

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Source:

Physical Review E, 80 (3 Pt 2), 2009

ISSN:

1539-3755

Faculty

Applied Sciences

Department

Multi-Scale Physics

Abstract

Based on a detailed experimental investigation in an aspect-ratio-4 rectangular cell in the range 3.7×107?Ra?3.7×109, we present evidence of possible scenarios of the long-term dynamics of large-scale circulations (LSC) in bounded large-aspect-ratio turbulent Rayleigh-Bénard convection. Karhunen-Loève analysis of instantaneous velocity fields from long-time particle image velocimetry measurements suggests two different states, but both appear to be produced by a single large-scale flow structure. The measurements provide a three-dimensional picture of LSC in the ?=4 cell. A modified scaling relation between the LSC peak frequency ?p and Ra is proposed.