87 research outputs found
Destabilization of free convection by weak rotation
This study offers an explanation of a recently observed effect of
destabilization of free convective flows by weak rotation. After studying
several models where flows are driven by a simultaneous action of convection
and rotation, it is concluded that the destabilization is observed in the cases
where centrifugal force acts against main convective circulation. At relatively
low Prandtl numbers this counter action can split the main vortex into two
counter rotating vortices, where the interaction leads to instability. At
larger Prandtl numbers, the counter action of the centrifugal force steepens an
unstable thermal stratification, which triggers Rayleigh-B\'enard instability
mechanism. Both cases can be enhanced by advection of azimuthal velocity
disturbances towards the axis, where they grow and excite perturbations of the
radial velocity. The effect was studied considering a combined
convective/rotating flow in a cylinder with a rotating lid and a parabolic
temperature profile at the sidewall. Next, explanations of the destabilization
effect for rotating magnetic field driven flow and melt flow in a Czochralski
crystal growth model were derived
On the role of vortex stretching in energy optimal growth of three dimensional perturbations on plane parallel shear flows
The three dimensional optimal energy growth mechanism, in plane parallel
shear flows, is reexamined in terms of the role of vortex stretching and the
interplay between the span-wise vorticity and the planar divergent components.
For high Reynolds numbers the structure of the optimal perturbations in
Couette, Poiseuille, and mixing layer shear profiles is robust and resembles
localized plane-waves in regions where the background shear is large. The waves
are tilted with the shear when the span-wise vorticity and the planar
divergence fields are in (out of) phase when the background shear is positive
(negative). A minimal model is derived to explain how this configuration
enables simultaneous growth of the two fields, and how this mutual
amplification reflects on the optimal energy growth. This perspective provides
an understanding of the three dimensional growth solely from the two
dimensional dynamics on the shear plane
Structure of the Wake of a Magnetic Obstacle
We use a combination of numerical simulations and experiments to elucidate
the structure of the flow of an electrically conducting fluid past a localized
magnetic field, called magnetic obstacle. We demonstrate that the stationary
flow pattern is considerably more complex than in the wake behind an ordinary
body. The steady flow is shown to undergo two bifurcations (rather than one)
and to involve up to six (rather than just two) vortices. We find that the
first bifurcation leads to the formation of a pair of vortices within the
region of magnetic field that we call inner magnetic vortices, whereas a second
bifurcation gives rise to a pair of attached vortices that are linked to the
inner vortices by connecting vortices.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, corrected two typos, accepted for PR
On the analogy between streamlined magnetic and solid obstacles
Analogies are elaborated in the qualitative description of two systems: the
magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow moving through a region where an external local
magnetic field (magnetic obstacle) is applied, and the ordinary hydrodynamic
flow around a solid obstacle. The former problem is of interest both
practically and theoretically, and the latter one is a classical problem being
well understood in ordinary hydrodynamics. The first analogy is the formation
in the MHD flow of an impenetrable region -- core of the magnetic obstacle --
as the interaction parameter , i.e. strength of the applied magnetic field,
increases significantly. The core of the magnetic obstacle is streamlined both
by the upstream flow and by the induced cross stream electric currents, like a
foreign insulated insertion placed inside the ordinary hydrodynamic flow. In
the core, closed streamlines of the mass flow resemble contour lines of
electric potential, while closed streamlines of the electric current resemble
contour lines of pressure. The second analogy is the breaking away of attached
vortices from the recirculation pattern produced by the magnetic obstacle when
the Reynolds number , i.e. velocity of the upstream flow, is larger than a
critical value. This breaking away of vortices from the magnetic obstacle is
similar to that occurring past a real solid obstacle. Depending on the inlet
and/or initial conditions, the observed vortex shedding can be either symmetric
or asymmetric.Comment: minor changes, accepted for PoF, 26 pages, 7 figure
Core of the Magnetic Obstacle
Rich recirculation patterns have been recently discovered in the electrically
conducting flow subject to a local external magnetic termed "the magnetic
obstacle" [Phys. Rev. Lett. 98 (2007), 144504]. This paper continues the study
of magnetic obstacles and sheds new light on the core of the magnetic obstacle
that develops between magnetic poles when the intensity of the external field
is very large. A series of both 3D and 2D numerical simulations have been
carried out, through which it is shown that the core of the magnetic obstacle
is streamlined both by the upstream flow and by the induced cross stream
electric currents, like a foreign insulated insertion placed inside the
ordinary hydrodynamic flow. The closed streamlines of the mass flow resemble
contour lines of electric potential, while closed streamlines of the electric
current resemble contour lines of pressure. New recirculation patterns not
reported before are found in the series of 2D simulations. These are composed
of many (even number) vortices aligned along the spanwise line crossing the
magnetic gap. The intensities of these vortices are shown to vanish toward to
the center of the magnetic gap, confirming the general conclusion of 3D
simulations that the core of the magnetic obstacle is frozen. The implications
of these findings for the case of turbulent flow are discussed briefly.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figures, submitted to Journal of Turbulenc
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