A Laboratory Modeling of the Velocity Field in the Convective Boundary Layer with the Particle Image Velocimetry Technique

Based on the research of the convective boundary layer (CBL) temperature field in a convective tank, this paper studies the characteristics of the CBL velocity field in the convective tank. Aluminium powder (400 orders) is used as a tracer particle in the application of the particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique. The experiment demonstrates: the velocity distribution in the mixed layer clearly possesses the characteristics of CBL thermals; the velocity distribution in the top zone of the mixed layer shows entrainment layer characteristics; the vertical distribution of turbulent characteristic variables is reasonable, which is similar to field observations and other tank results; the error analysis demonstrates the validity of aluminium powder, which implies the reliability of the results.

Development of the Convective Boundary Layer Capping with a Thick Neutral Layer in Badanjilin:Observations and Simulations

In this study, the development of a convective boundary layer （CBL） in the Badaujilin region was investigated by comparing the observation data of two cases. A deep neutral layer capped a CBL that occurred on 30 August 2009. This case was divided into five sublayers from the surface to higher atmospheric elevations： surface layer, mixed layer, inversion layer, neutral layer, and sub-inversion layer. The development process of the CBL was divided into three stages： S1, S2, and S3. This case was quite different from the development of the three-layer CBL observed on 31 August 2009 because the mixed layer of the five-layer CBL （CBL5） eroded the neutral layer during S2. The specific initial structure of the CBL5 was correlated to the synoptic background of atmosphere during nighttime. The three-stage development process of the CBL5 was confirmed by six simulations using National Center for Atmospheric Research （USA） large-eddy simulation （NCAR-LES）, and some of its characteristics are presented in detail.

A Diagnostic Analysis on the Effect of the Residual Layer in Convective Boundary Layer Development near Mongolia Using 20th Century Reanalysis Data

Although the residual layer has already been noted in the classical diurnal cycle of the atmospheric boundary layer, its effect on the development of the convective boundary layer has not been well studied. In this study, based on 3-hourly 20th century reanalysis data, the residual layer is considered as a common layer capping the convective boundary layer. It is identified dally by investigating the development of the convective boundary layer. The region of interest is bounded by （30^-60~N, 80^-120~E）, where a residual layer deeper than 2000 m has been reported using radiosondes. The lapse rate and wind shear within the residual layer are compared with the surface sensible heat flux by investigating their climatological means, interannual variations and daily variations. The lapse rate of the residual layer and the convective boundary layer depth correspond well in their seasonal variations and climatological mean patterns. On the interannual scale, the correlation coefficient between their regional averaged （40°-50°N, 90°-110°E） variations is higher than that between the surface sensible heat flux and convective boundary layer depth. On the daily scale, the correlation between the lapse rate and the convective boundary layer depth in most months is still statistically significant during 1970-2012. Therefore, we suggest that the existence of a deep neutral residual layer is crucial to the formation of a deep convective boundary layer near the Mongolian regions.

Footprint Characteristics of Scalar Concentration in the Convective Boundary Layer

Footprint characteristics for passive scalar concentration in the convective boundary layer （CBL） are investigated. A backward Lagrangian stochastic （LS） dispersion model and a large eddy simulation （LES） model are used in the investigation. Typical characteristics of the CBL and their responses to the surface heterogeneity are resolved from the LES. Then the turbulence fields are used to drive the backward LS dispersion. To remedy the spoiled description of the turbulence near the surface, MoninObukhov similarity is applied to the lowest LES level and the surface for the modeling of the backward LS dispersion. Simulation results show that the footprint within approximately 1 km upwind predominates in the total contribution. But influence from farther distances also exists and is even slightly greater than that from closer locations. Surface heterogeneity may change the footprint pattern to a certain degree. A comparison to three analytical models provides a validation of the footprint simulations, which shows the possible influence of along-wind turbulence and the large eddies in the CBL, as well as the surface heterogeneity.

A Laboratory Study of the Turbulent Velocity Characteristics in the Convective Boundary Layer

Based on the measurement of the velocity field in the convective boundary layer （CBL） in a convection water tank with the particle image velocimetry （PIV） technique, this paper studies the characteristics of the CBL turbulent velocity in a modified convection tank. The experiment results show that the velocity distribution in the mixed layer clearly possesses the characteristics of the CBL thermals, and the turbulent eddies can be seen obviously. The comparison of the vertical distribution of the turbulent velocity variables indicates that the modeling in the new tank is better than in the old one. The experiment data show that the thermal＇s motion in the entrainment zone sometimes fluctuates obviously due to the intermittence of turbulence. Analyses show that this fluctuation can influence the agreement of the measurement data with the parameterization scheme, in which the convective Richardson number is used to characterize the entrainment zone depth. The normalized square velocity wi^2/w＊^2. at the top of the mixed layer seems to be time-dependent, and has a decreasing trend during the experiments. This implies that the vertical turbulent velocity at the top of the mixed layer may not be proportional to the convective velocity （w＊）.

Similarity Solutions of Unsteady Convective Boundary Layer Flow along Isothermal Vertical Plate with Porous Medium

Similarity solution of unsteady convective boundary layer flow along isothermal vertical plate with porous medium is analyzed. The plate surface is reactive with the fluid and generates inert specie which diffuses inside the boundary. The flux of the specie at the plate is proportional to specie concentration at the plate. The governing equations of continuity, momentum, energy and specie diffusion are transformed into ordinary differential equation by using the similarity transformation and solved numerically by using free parameter method along with shooting technique. The dimensionless velocity, temperature and concentration profiles are obtained and presented through figures for different parameters entering into the problem. The local Skin-friction co-efficient, Nusselt number and Sherwood number at the plate for physical interest are also discussed through tables.

On similarity profiles predicted in the convective marine boundary layer

On the basis of the ideal of local scale similarity theory, the profile equations of wind, temperature and humidity for the eonvective marine boundary layer have been obtained. The marine boundary layer measurements were made over the western Pacific Ocean as past of the Tropical Ocean and Global Atmosphere (TOGA) Programme during Nov. 1986-Feb. 1987. The similarity profiles predicledfor wind. temperature and humidity in the MBL are in good agreement with the observational data.

Convective Boundary Layer in the Region of the Monsoon Trough-A Case Study

A case study of the convectively driven monsoon boundary layer has been carried out using the aerological observations at four stations in the region of monsoon trough during Monsoon Trough Boundary Layer Experiment (MONTBLEX) 1988. The Convective Boundary Layer (CBL) in the region of monsoon trough did not show double mixing line structure. A single mixing line representing the CBL with different stabilities with respect to the convective activities was observed.

Similarity Solutions of Unsteady Mixed Convective Boundary Layer Flow of Viscous Incompressible Fluid along Isothermal Horizontal Plate

Unsteady mixed convective boundary layer flow of viscous incompressible fluid along isothermal horizontal plate is analyzed through Similarity Solutions. The governing partial differential equations are transformed into ordinary differential equations using the similarity transformation and solved numerically along with shooting technique. The flow field for the fluid velocity, temperature and concentration at the plate surface are significantly influenced by the governing parameters such as unsteadiness parameter, permeability parameter, Prandtl number, Schmidt number and the other driving parameters. The results show that both fluid velocity and temperature decrease but no significant effect on concentration for the increasing values of Prandtl number. It is also exposed that velocity and concentration is higher at lower Schmidt number for low Prandtl fluid. Finally, the dependency of the Skin-friction co-efficient, Nusselt number and Sherwood number, which are of physical interest, are also illustrated in tabular form for the governing parameters.

Summer atmospheric boundary layer structure in the hinterland of Taklimakan Desert, China

Understanding the characteristics of the structure of desert atmospheric boundary layer and its land surface process is of great importance to the simulations of regional weather and climate. To investigate the atmospheric boundary layer structure and its forming mechanism of Taklimakan Desert, and to improve the accuracy and precision of regional weather and climate simulations, we carried out a GPS radiosonde observation experiment in the hinterland of Taklimakan Desert from 25 June to 3 July, 2015. Utilizing the densely observed sounding data, we analyzed the vertical structures of daytime convective boundary layer and nighttime stable boundary layer in summer over this region, and also discussed the impacts of sand-dust and precipitation events on the desert atmospheric boundary layer structure. In summer, the convective boundary layer in the hinterland of Taklimakan Desert developed profoundly and its maximum height could achieve 4,000 m; the stable boundary layer at nighttime was about 400-800-m thick and the residual mixing layer above it could achieve a thickness over 3,000 m. Sand-dust weather would damage the structures of nighttime stable boundary layer and daytime convective boundary layer, and the dust particle swarm can weak the solar radiation absorbed by the ground surface and further restrain the strong development of convective boundary layer in the daytime. Severe convective precipitation process can change the heat from the ground surface to the atmosphere in a very short time, and similarly can damage the structure of desert atmospheric boundary layer remarkably. Moreover, the height of atmospheric boundary layer was very low when raining. Our study verified the phenomenon that the atmospheric boundary layer with supernormal thickness exists over Taklimakan Desert in summer, which could provide a reference and scientific bases for the regional numerical models to better represent the desert atmospheric boundary layer structure.

Strong coupling between height of gaps and thickness of thermal boundary layer in partitioned convection system

A direct numerical simulation(DNS) method is used to calculate the partitioned convection system with Ra number ranging from 10^7 to 2×10^9.Using the boundary layer thickness to normalize the height of gaps d, we find a strong consistency between the variation of the TD number(the average value of the temperature in each heat transfer channel is averaged after taking the absolute values) with the change of the height of gaps and the variation of the TD number with the change of Ra number in partitioned convection.For a given thickness of partition, heights of gaps are approximately equal to 0.5 or 1 time of the thermal boundary layer thickness λθ at different Ra numbers.TD number representing temperature characteristics is almost the constant value, which means that TD number is a function of d/λθ only.Analysis of local temperature field of area in gaps shows that the temperature distribution in the gaps are basically the same when d/λθ is certain.The heat transfer Nu number of the system at d/λθ≈ 0.5 is larger than that of d/λθ≈ 1, both of them have the same scaling law with Ra number and Nu^Ra^0.25.

Mixed convection boundary layer flow past vertical flat plate in nanofluid: case of prescribed wall heat flux

An analysis is carried out to investigate the steady mixed convection bound- ary layer flow of a water based nanofluid past a vertical semi-infinite flat plate. Using an appropriate similarity transformation, the governing partial differential equations are transformed into the coupled, nonlinear ordinary （similar） differential equations, which are then solved numerically for the Prandtl number Pr = 6.2. The skin friction coeffi- cient, the local Nusselt number, and the velocity and temperature profiles are presented graphically and discussed. Effects of the solid volume fraction φ and the mixed convection parameter λ on the fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics are thoroughly examined. Different from an assisting flow, it is found that the solutions for an opposing flow are non-unique. In order to establish which solution branch is stable and physically realizable in practice, a stability analysis is performed.

Boundary layer flow and heat transfer of a micropolar fluid near the stagnation point on a stretching vertical surface with prescribed skin friction

The steady laminar mixed convection boundary layer flow and heat transfer of a micropolar fluid near the stagnation point on a stretched vertical surface with prescribed skin friction were considered.The governing partial differential equations were transformed into a system of ordinary differential equations,which were then solved numerically using the shooting method.Results for the stretching velocity,the local Nusselt number,the temperature,and the velocity profiles are presented for various values of the mixed convection parameter λ and material parameter K when the Prandtl number is equal to 1.Both assisting（heated plate） and opposing（cooled plate） flow regions are considered.It is found that dual solutions exist for both assisting and opposing flows.

AN EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH ON THE INSTABILITY OF NATURAL CONVECTION BOUNDARY LAYER AROUND A VERTICAL HEATED FLAT PLATE

Experimental results on the instability of the isothermal natural-convection boundary layer around a vertical heated flat plate are presented. It is demonstrated that the characteristics of the instability wave in the outer layer is consistent with the calculation of Brewster & Gebhart. Aft;er an initial growth of its low frequency components at the downstream side of the turning point of the neutral curve (Gr approximate to 120) its comparatively higher frequency components develop and become turbulent subsequently with a buoyancy subrange in its power spectra. Simultaneously, in the measurement at the inner layer near the wail a viscous instability signal the same as the Tollmien-Schlichting waves in ordinary boundary layer and its subharmonics in a much higher frequency domain is discovered and an inertial subrange can be observed in the spectra at Gr approximate to 378.6.

Optimal Homotopy Analysis of MHD Natural Convection Flow of Thixotropic Fluid under Subjection of Thermal Stratification: Boundary Layer Analysis

In this article, the model of a non-Newtonian fluid (Thixotropic) flow past a vertical surface in the presence of exponential space and temperature dependent heat source in a thermally stratified medium is studied. It is assumed that free convection is induced by buoyancy and exponentially decaying internal heat source across the space. The dynamic viscosity is taken to be constant and thermal conductivity of this particular fluid model is assumed to vary linearly with temperature. Thermal stratification has been properly incorporated into the governing equation so that its effect can be revealed and properly reported. The governing partial differential equations describing the model are transformed and parameterized to a system of non-linear ordinary differential equation using similarity transformations. Approximate analytic solutions were obtained by adopting Optimal Homotopy Analysis Method (OHAM). The results show that for both cases of non-Newtonian parameters (Thixotropic) (K1=K2=0?& K1=K2=1.0), increasing stratification parameters, relate to decreasing in the heat energy entering into the fluid region and thus reducing the temperature of the Thixotropic fluid as it flows.

Secondary flows in statistically unstable turbulent boundary layers with spanwise heterogeneous roughness

Large-scale secondary motions are known to occur in turbulent flows over surfaces with spanwise roughness heterogeneity.Numerical studies often use adjacent high-and low-roughness longitudinal strips to investigate these secondary rolls in boundary layers without any thermal stratification.In the present study,the effect of unstable thermal stratification on secondary rolls in a very high-Reynolds-number turbulent flow with spanwise-heterogeneous roughness is investigated by means of large-eddy simulation.The strength of the unstable stratification is systematically changed from L/h=−20 to L/h=−1,where L and h are Monin-Obukhov length and boundary-layer height,respectively.This range covers the transition from neutral stratification to unstable stratification.The results show that the positive buoyancy associated with the unstable thermal stratification acts against the roughness-induced secondary rolls.In the case of unstable stratification,secondary rolls are completely canceled out by buoyancy and replaced by new stronger convection-induced rolls rotating in opposite directions.

Quantitative Visualization of the Thermal Boundary Layer of Forced Convection on a Heated or Cooled Flat Plate with a 30°Leading Edge Using a Mach-Zehnder Interferometer

This study focuses on the experimental measurements of the heat transfer coefficient over a flat plate with a 30° leading edge. Under forced convection by a hot/cold air and flow over a cooled/heated flat plate, the thermal boundary layer and its thickness are quantitatively visualized and measured using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. In addition, the variation in the local heat transfer coefficient is evaluated experimentally with respect to the air flow velocity and temperature. Differences within the heat transfer performance between the plates are confirmed and discussed. As a result, the average heat transfer performance is about the same for the heated plate and the cooled plate under all air velocity conditions. This contrasts with the theoretical prediction in the case of low air velocity, the reason considered was that the buoyancy at the 30° leading edge blocked air from flowing across the surface of the plate.

Investigation of Wall Pressure Fluctuations in a Turbulent Boundary Layer by Large Eddy Simulation

Large eddy simulation (LES) was used to investigate the space-time field of the low Mach number, fully developed turbulent boundary layer on a smooth, rigid flat plate. The wall-pressure field simulated by LES was analyzed to obtain the pressure statistics, including the wall-pressure root-mean square, skewness and flatness factors, which show the wall pressure distribution was not Gaussian. The profile of the auto-power spectral density and the contour of the streamwise wavenumber-frequency spectral density of wall-pressure were plotted. The "convection ridge" can be observed clearly and the convection velocity can be calculated from the location of the convection peak.

THE UNSTABLE MODES OF NATURAL CONVECTION BOUNDARY LAYER

The instability of natural convection boundary layer around a vertical heated flat plate is analyzed theoretically in this paper. The results illustrate that the 'loop' in the neutral curve is not a real loop but a twist of the curve in the frequency-wave number-Grashof number space, and there is only one unstable mode at small Prandtl numbers. Specially, when the Prandtl number is large enough two unstable modes will be found in the 'loop' region. Along the amplifying surface intersection the two unstable modes have the same Grashof number, wave number and frequency but different amplifying rates. Their instability characteristics are analyzed and the criterion for determining the existence of the multi-unstable modes is also discussed.

A Mixed Convection Boundary Layer Flow over a Vertical Wall in a Porous Medium, with Exponentially Varying Fluid Viscosity

This study investigates a mixed convection boundary layer flow over a vertical wall embedded in a highly porous medium. The fluid viscosity is assumed to decrease exponentially with temperature. The boundary layer equations are transformed into a non-similar form using an appropriate non-similar variable ξ and a pseudo-similar variable η. The non-similar equations are solved using an efficient local non-similarity method. The effect of viscosity variation parameter on the heat transfer, skin friction and the velocity and temperature distribution within the boundary layer is investigated. The viscosity variation parameter, the viscous dissipation parameter and non-simi-larity variable are shown to have a significant effect on velocity and thermal boundary layer and also on the skin friction coefficient and heat transfer at the wall.