Mixed convection instability in a viscosity stratified flow in a vertical channel

The present study examines the linear instability characteristics of double-diffusive mixed convective flow in a vertical channel with viscosity stratification. The viscosity of the fluid is modeled as an exponential function of temperature and concentration, with an activation energy parameter determining its sensitivity to temperature variation. Three scenarios are considered: buoyancy force due to thermal diffusion only, buoyancy force due to temperature and solute acting in the same direction, and buoyancy force due to temperature and solute acting in opposite directions. A generalized eigenvalue problem is derived and solved numerically for the linear stability analysis via the Chebyshev spectral collocation method. The results indicate that higher values of the activation energy parameter lead to an increased flow stability. Additionally, when both buoyant forces act in opposite directions, the Schmidt number has both stabilizing and destabilizing effects across the range of activation energy parameters, similar to the case of pure thermal diffusion. Furthermore, the solutal-buoyancy-opposed base flow is found to be the most stable, while the solutal-buoyancy-assisted base flow is the least stable. As expected, an increase in the Reynolds number is shown to decrease the critical Rayleigh number.

Automated summary

The study investigates the instability characteristics of double-diffusive mixed convective flow with viscosity stratification in a vertical channel. The viscosity of the fluid is modeled as an exponential function of temperature and concentration, with an activation energy parameter determining its sensitivity. Three scenarios are considered: thermal diffusion only, temperature and solute acting in the same direction, and temperature and solute acting in opposite directions. The results show that higher activation energy parameters lead to increased flow stability.