Flow reversals in turbulent convection via vortex reconnections
Fluid Dynamics
2015-06-05 v1
Abstract
We employ detailed numerical simulations to probe the mechanism of flow reversals in two-dimensional turbulent convection. We show that the reversals occur via vortex reconnection of two attracting corner rolls having same sign of vorticity, thus leading to major restructuring of the flow. Large fluctuations in heat transport are observed during the reversal due to this flow reconfiguration. The flow configurations during the reversals have been analyzed quantitatively using large-scale modes. Using these tools, we also show why flow reversals occur for a restricted range of Rayleigh and Prandt numbers.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.1207.4521,
title = {Flow reversals in turbulent convection via vortex reconnections},
author = {Mani Chandra and Mahendra K. Verma},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1207.4521},
year = {2015}
}