scholarly journals Transition to the ultimate regime in a radiatively driven convection experiment

2019 ◽  
Vol 861 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Bouillaut ◽  
Simon Lepot ◽  
Sébastien Aumaître ◽  
Basile Gallet

We report on the transition between two regimes of heat transport in a radiatively driven convection experiment, where a fluid gets heated up within a tunable heating length $\ell$ in the vicinity of the bottom of the tank. The first regime is similar to that observed in standard Rayleigh–Bénard experiments, the Nusselt number $Nu$ being related to the Rayleigh number $Ra$ through the power law $Nu\sim Ra^{1/3}$. The second regime corresponds to the ‘ultimate’ or mixing-length scaling regime of thermal convection, where $Nu$ varies as the square root of $Ra$. Evidence for these two scaling regimes has been reported in Lepot et al. (Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA, vol. 115, 2018, pp. 8937–8941), and we now study in detail how the system transitions from one to the other. We propose a simple model describing radiatively driven convection in the mixing-length regime. It leads to the scaling relation $Nu\sim (\ell /H)Pr^{1/2}Ra^{1/2}$, where $H$ is the height of the cell and $Pr$ is the Prandtl number, thereby allowing us to deduce the values of $Ra$ and $Nu$ at which the system transitions from one regime to the other. These predictions are confirmed by the experimental data gathered at various $Ra$ and $\ell$. We conclude by showing that boundary layer corrections can persistently modify the Prandtl number dependence of $Nu$ at large $Ra$, for $Pr\gtrsim 1$.

2000 ◽  
Vol 419 ◽  
pp. 325-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROBERT M. KERR ◽  
JACKSON R. HERRING

The dependence of the Nusselt number Nu on the Rayleigh Ra and Prandtl Pr number is determined for 104 < Ra < 107 and 0.07 < Pr < 7 using DNS with no-slip upper and lower boundaries and free-slip sidewalls in a 8 × 8 × 2 box. Nusselt numbers, velocity scales and boundary layer thicknesses are calculated. For Nu there are good comparisons with experimental data and scaling laws for all the cases, including Ra2/7 laws at Pr = 0.7 and Pr = 7 and at low Pr, a Ra1/4 regime. Calculations at Pr = 0.3 predict a new Nu ∼ Ra2/7 regime at slightly higher Ra than the Pr = 0.07 calculations reported here and the mercury Pr = 0.025 experiments.


2010 ◽  
Vol 662 ◽  
pp. 409-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. SILANO ◽  
K. R. SREENIVASAN ◽  
R. VERZICCO

We summarize the results of an extensive campaign of direct numerical simulations of Rayleigh–Bénard convection at moderate and high Prandtl numbers (10−1 ≤ Pr ≤ 104) and moderate Rayleigh numbers (105 ≤ Ra ≤ 109). The computational domain is a cylindrical cell of aspect ratio Γ = 1/2, with the no-slip condition imposed on all boundaries. By scaling the numerical results, we find that the free-fall velocity should be multiplied by $1/\sqrt{{\it Pr}}$ in order to obtain a more appropriate representation of the large-scale velocity at high Pr. We investigate the Nusselt and the Reynolds number dependences on Ra and Pr, comparing the outcome with previous numerical and experimental results. Depending on Pr, we obtain different power laws of the Nusselt number with respect to Ra, ranging from Ra2/7 for Pr = 1 up to Ra0.31 for Pr = 103. The Nusselt number is independent of Pr. The Reynolds number scales as ${\it Re}\,{\sim}\,\sqrt{{\it Ra}}/{\it Pr}$, neglecting logarithmic corrections. We analyse the global and local features of viscous and thermal boundary layers and their scaling behaviours with respect to Ra and Pr, and with respect to the Reynolds and Péclet numbers. We find that the flow approaches a saturation state when Reynolds number decreases below the critical value, Res ≃ 40. The thermal-boundary-layer thickness increases slightly (instead of decreasing) when the Péclet number increases, because of the moderating influence of the viscous boundary layer. The simulated ranges of Ra and Pr contain steady, periodic and turbulent solutions. A rough estimate of the transition from the steady to the unsteady state is obtained by monitoring the time evolution of the system until it reaches stationary solutions. We find multiple solutions as long-term phenomena at Ra = 108 and Pr = 103, which, however, do not result in significantly different Nusselt numbers. One of these multiple solutions, even if stable over a long time interval, shows a break in the mid-plane symmetry of the temperature profile. We analyse the flow structures through the transitional phases by direct visualizations of the temperature and velocity fields. A wide variety of large-scale circulation and plume structures has been found. The single-roll circulation is characteristic only of the steady and periodic solutions. For other regimes at lower Pr, the mean flow generally consists of two opposite toroidal structures; at higher Pr, the flow is organized in the form of multi-jet structures, extending mostly in the vertical direction. At high Pr, plumes mainly detach from sheet-like structures. The signatures of different large-scale structures are generally well reflected in the data trends with respect to Ra, less in those with respect to Pr.


1967 ◽  
Vol 89 (4) ◽  
pp. 295-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Catton ◽  
D. K. Edwards

Experimental results are presented giving the Rayleigh number at which convection initiates in a closed cell and the Nusselt number versus Rayleigh number relationship which prevails after convection is initiated. Over 700 data points were obtained for two types of cells heated from below, one a phenolic-fiberglass hexcell of low thermal conductivity and the other aluminum hexcell of high thermal conductivity. Relations based upon the Malkus-Veronis power integral technique and a concept of an equivalent wave number are shown to give good correlation of the experimental data for both the low and high conductivity side walls.


1968 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 426-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. C. Lockwood

The momentum equation is solved numerically for a suggested ramp variation of the Prandtl mixing length across an equilibrium-turbulent boundary layer. The predictions of several important boundary-layer functions are compared with the equilibrium experimental data. Comparisons are also made with some recent universal recommendations for turbulent boundary layers since the equilibrium experimental data are limited. Good agreement is found between the predictions, the experimental data, and the recommendations.


Author(s):  
Anthony J. Hanford ◽  
Dennis E. Wilson

A phenomenological model is proposed which relates the effects of freestream turbulence to the increase in stagnation point heat transfer. The model requires both turbulence intensity and energy spectra as inputs to the unsteady velocity at the edge of the boundary layer. The form of the edge velocity contains both a pulsation of the incoming flow and an oscillation of the streamlines. The incompressible unsteady and time-averaged boundary layer response is determined by solving the momentum and energy equations. The model allows for arbitrary two-dimensional geometry, however, results are given only for a circular cylinder. The time-averaged Nusselt number is determined theoretically and compared to existing experimental data.


2011 ◽  
Vol 676 ◽  
pp. 5-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
STEPHAN WEISS ◽  
GUENTER AHLERS

Measurements of the Nusselt number and properties of the large-scale circulation (LSC) are presented for turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection in water-filled cylindrical containers (Prandtl number Pr = 4.38) with aspect ratio Γ = 0.50. They cover the range 2 × 108 ≲ Ra ≲ 1 × 1011 of the Rayleigh number Ra. We confirm the occurrence of a double-roll state (DRS) of the LSC and focus on the statistics of the transitions between the DRS and a single-roll state (SRS). The fraction of the run time when the SRS existed varied continuously from about 0.12 near Ra = 2 × 108 to about 0.8 near Ra = 1011, while the fraction of the run time when the DRS could be detected changed from about 0.4 to about 0.06 over the same range of Ra. We determined separately the Nusselt number of the SRS and the DRS, and found the former to be larger than the latter by about 1.6% (0.9%) at Ra = 1010 (1011). We report a contribution to the dynamics of the SRS from a torsional oscillation similar to that observed for cylindrical samples with Γ = 1.00. Results for a number of statistical properties of the SRS are reported, and some are compared with the cases Γ = 0.50, Pr = 0.67 and Γ = 1.00, Pr = 4.38. We found that genuine cessations of the SRS were extremely rare and occurred only about 0.3 times per day, which is less frequent than for Γ = 1.00; however, the SRS was disrupted frequently by roll-state transitions and other less well-defined events. We show that the time derivative of the LSC plane orientation is a stochastic variable which, at constant LSC amplitude, is Gaussian distributed. Within the context of the LSC model of Brown & Ahlers (Phys. Fluids, vol. 20, 2008b, art. 075101), this demonstrates that the stochastic force due to the small-scale fluctuations that is driving the LSC dynamics has a Gaussian distribution.


2011 ◽  
Vol 673 ◽  
pp. 603-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. SAMEEN ◽  
RAHUL BALE ◽  
RAMA GOVINDARAJAN

During an attempt to work on a stratified flow problem envisaged as a sequel of the paper by Sameen & Govindarajan (2007), it was found that the original paper contained errors in §§ 3.4 and 4.3 due to a factor of iα, which was inadvertently missed in two places in the code (i) in the buoyancy term due to the use of vertical velocity and streamfunction interchangeably, and (ii) in the apportionment between kinetic and potential energy in the Gmax calculation. Because of this, there were significant differences in the effect of Grashof number on stability. Figure 1 is the modified figure 9 of the original paper, for Pr =7 and ΔT = 25 K. The Poiseuille–Rayleigh–Bénard mode appears at Gr = 39.12 and is seen not to merge with the Poiseuille mode, unlike the conclusion made earlier. This modification applies at any Prandtl number from 10−2 to 102. The corrected versions of figures 17 and 21, showing Gmax contours for different Pr at Gr = 0 and different Gr for Pr = 1, are plotted in figures 2 and 3, respectively. The large growth reported at β = 0 was thus erroneous. The other main conclusions of the paper, that Prandtl number changes transient growth qualitatively, but not the least stable eigenmode, whereas viscosity stratification, which has a huge impact on exponential growth/decay, does not change transient growth much, remain the same. The secondary instabilities also remain unchanged. The stability equations (3.2) to (3.4) in the paper should read (for explanation, please refer to Sameen & Govindarajan 2007) (1)(2)(3)


Author(s):  
Dawid Taler

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop new semi-empirical heat transfer correlations for turbulent flow of liquid metals in the tubes, and then to compare these correlations with the experimental data. The Prandtl and Reynolds numbers can vary in the ranges: 0.0001 ≤ Pr ≤ 0.1 and 3000 ≤ Re ≤ 106. Design/methodology/approach The energy conservation equation averaged by Reynolds was integrated using the universal velocity profile determined experimentally by Reichardt for the turbulent tube flow and four different models for the turbulent Prandtl number. Turbulent heat transfer in the circular tube was analyzed for a constant heat flux at the inner surface. Some constants in different models for the turbulent Prandtl number were adjusted to obtain good agreement between calculated and experimentally obtained Nusselt numbers. Subsequently, new correlations for the Nusselt number as a function of a Peclet number was proposed for different models of the turbulent Prandtl number. Findings The inclusion of turbulent Prandtl number greater than one and the experimentally determined velocity profile of the fluid in the tube while solving the energy conservation equation improved the compatibility of calculated Nusselt numbers, with Nusselt numbers determined experimentally. The correlations proposed in the paper have a sound theoretical basis and give Nusselt number values that are in good agreement with the experimental data. Research limitations/implications Heat transfer correlations proposed in this paper were derived assuming a constant heat flux at the inner surface of the tube. However, they can also be used for a constant wall temperature, as for the turbulent flow (Re > 3,000), the relative difference between the Nusselt number for uniform wall heat flux and uniform wall temperature is very low. Originality/value Unified, systematic approach to derive correlations for the Nusselt number for liquid metals was proposed in the paper. The Nusselt number was obtained from the solution of the energy conservation equation using the universal velocity profile and eddy diffusivity determined experimentally, and various models for the turbulent Prandtl number. Four different relationships for the Nusselt number proposed in the paper were compared with the experimental data.


2019 ◽  
Vol 870 ◽  
pp. 519-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zi Li Lim ◽  
Kai Leong Chong ◽  
Guang-Yu Ding ◽  
Ke-Qing Xia

We present a numerical study of quasistatic magnetoconvection in a cubic Rayleigh–Bénard (RB) convection cell subjected to a vertical external magnetic field. For moderate values of the Hartmann number $Ha$ (characterising the strength of the stabilising Lorentz force), we find an enhancement of heat transport (as characterised by the Nusselt number $Nu$). Furthermore, a maximum heat transport enhancement is observed at certain optimal $Ha_{opt}$. The enhanced heat transport may be understood as a result of the increased coherence of the thermal plumes, which are elementary heat carriers of the system. To our knowledge this is the first time that a heat transfer enhancement by the stabilising Lorentz force in quasistatic magnetoconvection has been observed. We further found that the optimal enhancement may be understood in terms of the crossing of the thermal and the momentum boundary layers (BL) and the fact that temperature fluctuations are maximum near the position where the BLs cross. These findings demonstrate that the heat transport enhancement phenomenon in the quasistatic magnetoconvection system belongs to the same universality class of stabilising–destabilising (S–D) turbulent flows as the systems of confined Rayleigh–Bénard (CRB), rotating Rayleigh–Bénard (RRB) and double-diffusive convection (DDC). This is further supported by the findings that the heat transport, boundary layer ratio and temperature fluctuations in magnetoconvection at the boundary layer crossing point are similar to the other three cases. A second type of boundary layer crossing is also observed in this work. In the limit of $Re\gg Ha$, the (traditionally defined) viscous boundary $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{v}$ is found to follow a Prandtl–Blasius-type scaling with the Reynolds number $Re$ and is independent of $Ha$. In the other limit of $Re\ll Ha$, $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{v}$ exhibits an approximate ${\sim}Ha^{-1}$ dependence, which has been predicted for a Hartmann boundary layer. Assuming the inertial term in the momentum equation is balanced by both the viscous and Lorentz terms, we derived an expression $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{v}=H/\sqrt{c_{1}Re^{0.72}+c_{2}Ha^{2}}$ (where $H$ is the height of the cell) for all values of $Re$ and $Ha$, which fits the obtained viscous boundary layer well.


1997 ◽  
Vol 335 ◽  
pp. 111-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. CIONI ◽  
S. CILIBERTO ◽  
J. SOMMERIA

An experimental study of Rayleigh–Bénard convection in the strongly turbulent regime is presented. We report results obtained at low Prandtl number (in mercury, Pr = 0.025), covering a range of Rayleigh numbers 5 × 106 < Ra < 5 × 109, and compare them with results at Pr∼1. The convective chamber consists of a cylindrical cell of aspect ratio 1.Heat flux measurements indicate a regime with Nusselt number increasing as Ra0.26, close to the 2/7 power observed at Pr∼1, but with a smaller prefactor, which contradicts recent theoretical predictions. A transition to a new turbulent regime is suggested for Ra ≃ 2 × 109, with significant increase of the Nusselt number. The formation of a large convective cell in the bulk is revealed by its thermal signature on the bottom and top plates. One frequency of the temperature oscillation is related to the velocity of this convective cell. We then obtain the typical temperature and velocity in the bulk versus the Rayleigh number, and compare them with similar results known for Pr∼1.We review two recent theoretical models, namely the mixing zone model of Castaing et al. (1989), and a model of the turbulent boundary layer by Shraiman & Siggia (1990). We discuss how these models fail at low Prandtl number, and propose modifications for this case. Specific scaling laws for fluids at low Prandtl number are then obtained, providing an interpretation of our experimental results in mercury, as well as extrapolations for other liquid metals.


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