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arXiv · 2001.11889

Frictional boundary layer effect on vortex condensation in rotating turbulent convection

Andrés J. Aguirre Guzmán·Matteo Madonia·Jonathan S. Cheng·Rodolfo Ostilla-Mónico·Herman J. H. Clercx·Rudie P. J. Kunnen
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Abstract

We perform direct numerical simulations of rotating Rayleigh--B\'enard convection of fluids with low ($Pr=0.1$) and high ($Pr=5$) Prandtl numbers in a horizontally periodic layer with no-slip top and bottom boundaries. At both Prandtl numbers, we demonstrate the presence of an upscale transfer of kinetic energy that leads to the development of domain-filling vortical structures. Sufficiently strong buoyant forcing and rotation foster the quasi-two-dimensional turbulent state of the flow, despite the formation of plume-like vertical disturbances promoted by so-called Ekman pumping from the viscous boundary layer.

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Andrés J. Aguirre Guzmán, Matteo Madonia, Jonathan S. Cheng, Rodolfo Ostilla-Mónico, Herman J. H. Clercx, Rudie P. J. Kunnen. 2020-01-31. Frictional boundary layer effect on vortex condensation in rotating turbulent convection. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.125.214501

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