Effect of viscosity contrast on plume formation in density stratified fluids

Nipin, L and Tomar, Gaurav (2015) Effect of viscosity contrast on plume formation in density stratified fluids. In: CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE, 134 . pp. 510-520.

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Abstract

We perform two and three dimensional numerical simulations of plume formation in density and viscosity stratified fluid systems. We show that the ambient to plume fluid viscosity ratio strongly affects the near wall plume structures (line or sheet plumes) such as plume spacing and shape of plumes. We observe that where mushroom-like plumes are observed for lower viscosity ratios, taller plumes with bulbous heads form for high viscosity ratios. Plume structure and spacing are in good agreement with experimental results. By studying the geometry of the line plumes and the flow in the circulation cells, we discuss the mechanisms of their formation and the dynamics of merging. We show that an increase in the viscosity ratio decreases the total length of line plumes in the planform which indicates a decreased mixing at higher viscosity ratios. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
Publisher:	PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
Additional Information:	Copy right for this article belongs to the PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD, THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, ENGLAND
Keywords:	Convection; Viscosity contrast; Rayleigh-Taylor instability; Plume Dynamics
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Mechanical Engineering
Date Deposited:	03 Sep 2015 04:49
Last Modified:	03 Sep 2015 04:49
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/52270

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