Finite-volume models with implicit subgrid-scale parameterization for the differentially heated rotating annulus

Journal article (2014)

Authors

Sebastian Borchert Goethe University
Ulrich Achatz Goethe University
Sebastian Remmler Technische Universität München
S. Hickel Technische Universität München
Uwe Harlander BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg
Miklos Vincze BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg
Kiril D. Alexandrov BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg
Felix Rieper Goethe University
Tobias Heppelmann Goethe University
Stamen I. Dolaptchiev Goethe University
Affiliation
External organisation
Principal component analysis Baroclinic waves Differentially heated rotating annulus Finite-volume models Implicit subgrid-scale parameterization
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Published Date

01-01-2014

Language

English

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Abstract

The differentially heated rotating annulus is a classical experiment for the investigation of baroclinic flows and can be regarded as a strongly simplified laboratory model of the atmosphere in mid-latitudes. Data of this experiment, measured at the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, are used to validate two numerical finite-volume models (INCA and cylFloit) which differ basically in their grid structure. Both models employ an implicit parameterization of the subgrid-scale turbulence by the Adaptive Local Deconvolution Method (ALDM). One part of the laboratory procedure, which is commonly neglected in simulations, is the annulus spin-up. During this phase the annulus is accelerated from a state of rest to a desired angular velocity. We use a simple modelling approach of the spin-up to investigate whether it increases the agreement between experiment and simulation. The model validation compares the azimuthal mode numbers of the baroclinic waves and does a principal component analysis of time series of the temperature field. The Eady model of baroclinic instability provides a guideline for the qualitative understanding of the observations.