Structural variety of developing and equilibrium horizontal convection confined in a rectangular vessel resulting from different heating plate arrangements

Flow structures formed in a rectangular fluid layer with an aspect ratio of four driven by a horizontal temperature gradient along the top boundary, so-called horizontal convection in both developing and equilibrium cases, were investigated via flow visualization using thermochromic liquid crystal microcapsules. Four separated heating panels on the top of the vessel allowed the influence of the heating plate arrangement on the determination of the flow structure to be examined. The velocity vector fields averaged in local space and time showed that the flow structures in the developing cases with an initial stable temperature stratification consisted of shallow circulation beneath the top boundary, with the time development of the structures being independent of the plate arrangement. The number of circulations along the top boundary is associated with locations having horizontal temperature gradients. In the equilibrium state, however, the flow structures are more complex because of the influence of the unstable temperature stratification, which is modified by the circulation.

Automated summary

Flow structures in a rectangular fluid layer driven by a horizontal temperature gradient along the top boundary were investigated using flow visualization techniques. The influence of the heating plate arrangement on the determination of the flow structure was examined. In developing cases with initial stable temperature stratification, the flow structures consisted of shallow circulation beneath the top boundary, while in the equilibrium state, the flow structures were more complex due to the influence of the unstable temperature stratification modified by circulation.