FULLY 3D FLUID OUTFLOW FROM A SPHERICAL SOURCE

We consider fully three-dimensional time-dependent outflow from a source into a surrounding fluid of different density. The source is distributed over a sphere of finite radius. The nonlinear problem is formulated using a spectral approach in which two streamfunctions and the density are represented as a Fourier-type series with time-dependent coefficients that must be calculated. Linearized theories are also discussed and an approximate stability condition for early stages in the outflow is derived. Nonlinear solutions are presented and different outflow shapes adopted by the fluid interface are investigated.

Automated summary

This study considers the fully three-dimensional time-dependent outflow from a source into a surrounding fluid with different density. A spectral approach is used to formulate the nonlinear problem, where two streamfunctions and the density are represented as Fourier-type series with time-dependent coefficients that need to be calculated. Linearized theories are also discussed, and an approximate stability condition for the early stages of the outflow is derived. Nonlinear solutions are presented, and the different outflow shapes adopted by the fluid interface are investigated.