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

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Abstract

Numerical and experimental data for the heat transfer as function of the Rossby number Ro in rotating Rayleigh-Benard are presented for Pr = 4:38 and up to Ra = 4:52 109. The aspect ratio is varied between \Gamma = 0:5 and \Gamma = 2:0. Without rotation, where the aspect ratio influences the global flow structure, we see a small aspect-ratio dependence in the Nusselt number. For stronger rotation, i.e. 1=Ro \gg 1=Roc, 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 these vortices are local, the aspect ratio has a negligible eect on the heat transport in the rotating regime. Indeed, an analysis of the vortex statistics shows that the fraction of the horizontal area that is covered by vortices is aspect-ratio independent when 1=Ro 1=Roc. In agreement with the results of Weiss & Ahlers (2011) we find a vortex-depleted area close to the sidewall. Here, we 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. This proceeding is a summary of Stevens et al. (2011).
Original languageUndefined
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 13th European Turbulence Conference (ETC13)
Place of PublicationBristol
PublisherInstitute of Physics
Pages082009
Number of pages9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011
Event13th European Turbulence Conference, ETC 2011 - Warsaw, Poland
Duration: 12 Sept 201115 Sept 2011
Conference number: 13

Publication series

NameJournal of Physics: Conference Series
PublisherInstitute of Physics
Number8
Volume318
ISSN (Print)1742-6588

Conference

Conference13th European Turbulence Conference, ETC 2011
Abbreviated titleETC13
Country/TerritoryPoland
CityWarsaw
Period12/09/1115/09/11

Keywords

  • METIS-282025
  • EWI-21198
  • EC Grant Agreement nr.: FP7/222919
  • IR-79478

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