Mantle convection on modern supercomputers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weismüller, Jens; Gmeiner, Björn; Mohr, Marcus; Waluga, Christian; Wohlmuth, Barbara; Rüde, Ulrich; Bunge, Hans-Peter

2015-04-01

Mantle convection is the cause for plate tectonics, the formation of mountains and oceans, and the main driving mechanism behind earthquakes. The convection process is modeled by a system of partial differential equations describing the conservation of mass, momentum and energy. Characteristic to mantle flow is the vast disparity of length scales from global to microscopic, turning mantle convection simulations into a challenging application for high-performance computing. As system size and technical complexity of the simulations continue to increase, design and implementation of simulation models for next generation large-scale architectures demand an interdisciplinary co-design. Here we report about recent advances of the TERRA-NEO project, which is part of the high visibility SPPEXA program, and a joint effort of four research groups in computer sciences, mathematics and geophysical application under the leadership of FAU Erlangen. TERRA-NEO develops algorithms for future HPC infrastructures, focusing on high computational efficiency and resilience in next generation mantle convection models. We present software that can resolve the Earth's mantle with up to 1012 grid points and scales efficiently to massively parallel hardware with more than 50,000 processors. We use our simulations to explore the dynamic regime of mantle convection assessing the impact of small scale processes on global mantle flow.

Numerical simulation of nonstationary dissipative structures in 3D double-diffusive convection at large Rayleigh numbers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kozitskiy, Sergey

2018-06-01

Numerical simulation of nonstationary dissipative structures in 3D double-diffusive convection has been performed by using the previously derived system of complex Ginzburg-Landau type amplitude equations, valid in a neighborhood of Hopf bifurcation points. Simulation has shown that the state of spatiotemporal chaos develops in the system. It has the form of nonstationary structures that depend on the parameters of the system. The shape of structures does not depend on the initial conditions, and a limited number of spectral components participate in their formation.

Numerical simulation of nonstationary dissipative structures in 3D double-diffusive convection at large Rayleigh numbers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kozitskiy, Sergey

2018-05-01

Numerical simulation of nonstationary dissipative structures in 3D double-diffusive convection has been performed by using the previously derived system of complex Ginzburg-Landau type amplitude equations, valid in a neighborhood of Hopf bifurcation points. Simulation has shown that the state of spatiotemporal chaos develops in the system. It has the form of nonstationary structures that depend on the parameters of the system. The shape of structures does not depend on the initial conditions, and a limited number of spectral components participate in their formation.

Effects of convection electric field on the distribution of ring current type protons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grebowsky, J. M.; Chen, A. J.

1975-01-01

The topology of the boundaries of penetration (or, inversely, the boundaries of the forbidden regions) of 90-deg pitch-angle equatorial protons with energies less than 100 keV are explored for an equatorial convection E-field which is directed in general from dawn to dusk. Due to the dependence of drift path on energy (or magnetic moment), complex structural features are expected in the proton energy spectra detected by satellites since the penetration distance of a proton is not a monotonically increasing or decreasing function of energy. During a storm when the convection E is enhanced, model calculations predict elongations of the forbidden regions analogous to tail extensions of the plasmasphere. Following a reduction in the convection field, spiral-structured forbidden regions can occur. Structural features inherent to large-scale convection field changes may be seen in the nose-like proton spectrograms observed near dusk by instrumentation on Explorer 45. These nose events are modelled by using an electric field model developed originally by Volland (1973). The strength of the field is related to the Kp index through night-time equatorial plasmapause measurements.

Stochastic Convection Parameterizations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Teixeira, Joao; Reynolds, Carolyn; Suselj, Kay; Matheou, Georgios

2012-01-01

computational fluid dynamics, radiation, clouds, turbulence, convection, gravity waves, surface interaction, radiation interaction, cloud and aerosol microphysics, complexity (vegetation, biogeochemistry, radiation versus turbulence/convection stochastic approach, non-linearities, Monte Carlo, high resolutions, large-Eddy Simulations, cloud structure, plumes, saturation in tropics, forecasting, parameterizations, stochastic, radiation-clod interaction, hurricane forecasts

The interactive role of subsynoptic scale jet streak and planetary boundary layer processes in organizing an isolated convective complex

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaplan, M. L.; Zack, J. W.; Wong, V. C.; Coats, G. D.

1984-01-01

Surface analyses and numerical simulation sensitivity studies are compared in order to determine the role played by deep, well-mixed, and well-heated boundary layers in perturbing a weak jet streak in proximity to the development of an isolated but intense convective complex associated with the Grand Island, Nebraska tornado outbreak of June 3-4, 1980. A brief description of the case is first presented, emphasizing three-hourly surface analyses, radar, and satellite data. The results of numerical experiments comparing differences in the runs with and without diurnal surface sensible heating are discussed and related to observations. The dynamical processes responsible for these simulation differences are discussed, and the significance of these differences are considered in terms of their effect on the preconvective environment.

Global 3D radiation-hydrodynamics models of AGB stars. Effects of convection and radial pulsations on atmospheric structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Freytag, B.; Liljegren, S.; Höfner, S.

2017-04-01

Context. Observations of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars with increasing spatial resolution reveal new layers of complexity of atmospheric processes on a variety of scales. Aims: To analyze the physical mechanisms that cause asymmetries and surface structures in observed images, we use detailed 3D dynamical simulations of AGB stars; these simulations self-consistently describe convection and pulsations. Methods: We used the CO5BOLD radiation-hydrodynamics code to produce an exploratory grid of global "star-in-a-box" models of the outer convective envelope and the inner atmosphere of AGB stars to study convection, pulsations, and shock waves and their dependence on stellar and numerical parameters. Results: The model dynamics are governed by the interaction of long-lasting giant convection cells, short-lived surface granules, and strong, radial, fundamental-mode pulsations. Radial pulsations and shorter wavelength, traveling, acoustic waves induce shocks on various scales in the atmosphere. Convection, waves, and shocks all contribute to the dynamical pressure and, thus, to an increase of the stellar radius and to a levitation of material into layers where dust can form. Consequently, the resulting relation of pulsation period and stellar radius is shifted toward larger radii compared to that of non-linear 1D models. The dependence of pulsation period on luminosity agrees well with observed relations. The interaction of the pulsation mode with the non-stationary convective flow causes occasional amplitude changes and phase shifts. The regularity of the pulsations decreases with decreasing gravity as the relative size of convection cells increases. The model stars do not have a well-defined surface. Instead, the light is emitted from a very extended inhomogeneous atmosphere with a complex dynamic pattern of high-contrast features. Conclusions: Our models self-consistently describe convection, convectively generated acoustic noise, fundamental-mode radial pulsations, and atmospheric shocks of various scales, which give rise to complex changing structures in the atmospheres of AGB stars.

Mixed convection flow of nanofluid in a square enclosure with an intruded rectangular fin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cong, Ran; Zhou, Xuanyu; De Souza Machado, Bruno; Das, Prodip K.

2016-07-01

Mixed convection flow in enclosures has been a subject of interest for many years due to their ever increasing applications in solar collectors, electronic cooling, lubrication technologies, food processing, and nuclear reactors. In comparison, little effort has been given to the problem of mixed convection in enclosures filled with nanofluids, while the addition of nanoparticles in a fluid base to alter specific material properties is considered a feasible solution for many heat transfer problems. Mixed convection of nanofluids is a challenging problem as the addition of nanoparticles changes the fluid's thermo-physical properties as well as due to the complex interactions among inertia, viscous, and buoyancy forces. In this study, a two-dimensional steady-state numerical model has been developed to investigate mixed convection flow of nanofluids in a square enclosure with an intruded rectangular fin and to optimize the fin geometry for maximizing the heat transfer using the Constructal design. The model has been developed using ANSYS-FLUENT for various fin geometries. Flow fields, temperature fields, and heat transfer rates are examined for different values of Rayleigh and Reynolds numbers for several geometries of the fin with the aim of maximizing the heat transfer from the fin to the surrounding flow. Outcome of this study provides important insight into the heat transfer behavior of nanofluids, which will help in developing novel geometries with enhanced and controlled heat transfer for solar collectors and electronic devices.

Mixed convection flow of nanofluid in a square enclosure with an intruded rectangular fin

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cong, Ran; Zhou, Xuanyu; De Souza Machado, Bruno

Mixed convection flow in enclosures has been a subject of interest for many years due to their ever increasing applications in solar collectors, electronic cooling, lubrication technologies, food processing, and nuclear reactors. In comparison, little effort has been given to the problem of mixed convection in enclosures filled with nanofluids, while the addition of nanoparticles in a fluid base to alter specific material properties is considered a feasible solution for many heat transfer problems. Mixed convection of nanofluids is a challenging problem as the addition of nanoparticles changes the fluid’s thermo-physical properties as well as due to the complex interactionsmore » among inertia, viscous, and buoyancy forces. In this study, a two-dimensional steady-state numerical model has been developed to investigate mixed convection flow of nanofluids in a square enclosure with an intruded rectangular fin and to optimize the fin geometry for maximizing the heat transfer using the Constructal design. The model has been developed using ANSYS-FLUENT for various fin geometries. Flow fields, temperature fields, and heat transfer rates are examined for different values of Rayleigh and Reynolds numbers for several geometries of the fin with the aim of maximizing the heat transfer from the fin to the surrounding flow. Outcome of this study provides important insight into the heat transfer behavior of nanofluids, which will help in developing novel geometries with enhanced and controlled heat transfer for solar collectors and electronic devices.« less

Introductory Analysis of Benard-Marangoni Convection

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maroto, J. A.; Perez-Munuzuri, V.; Romero-Cano, M. S.

2007-01-01

We describe experiments on Benard-Marangoni convection which permit a useful understanding of the main concepts involved in this phenomenon such as, for example, Benard cells, aspect ratio, Rayleigh and Marangoni numbers, Crispation number and critical conditions. In spite of the complexity of convection theory, we carry out a simple and…

Forced convection in the wakes of sliding bubbles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meehan, O'Reilly; Donnelly, B.; Persoons, T.; Nolan, K.; Murray, D. B.

2016-09-01

Both vapour and gas bubbles are known to significantly increase heat transfer rates between a heated surface and the surrounding fluid, even with no phase change. However, the complex wake structures means that the surface cooling is not fully understood. The current study uses high speed infra-red thermography to measure the surface temperature and convective heat flux enhancement associated with an air bubble sliding under an inclined surface, with a particular focus on the wake. Enhancement levels of 6 times natural convection levels are observed, along with cooling patterns consistent with a possible hairpin vortex structure interacting with the thermal boundary layer. Local regions of suppressed convective heat transfer highlight the complexity of the bubble wake in two-phase applications.

3D features of delayed thermal convection in fault zones: consequences for deep fluid processes in the Tiberias Basin, Jordan Rift Valley

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Magri, Fabien; Möller, Sebastian; Inbar, Nimrod; Siebert, Christian; Möller, Peter; Rosenthal, Eliyahu; Kühn, Michael

2015-04-01

It has been shown that thermal convection in faults can also occur for subcritical Rayleigh conditions. This type of convection develops after a certain period and is referred to as "delayed convection" (Murphy, 1979). The delay in the onset is due to the heat exchange between the damage zone and the surrounding units that adds a thermal buffer along the fault walls. Few numerical studies investigated delayed thermal convection in fractured zones, despite it has the potential to transport energy and minerals over large spatial scales (Tournier, 2000). Here 3D numerical simulations of thermally driven flow in faults are presented in order to investigate the impact of delayed convection on deep fluid processes at basin-scale. The Tiberias Basin (TB), in the Jordan Rift Valley, serves as study area. The TB is characterized by upsurge of deep-seated hot waters along the faulted shores of Lake Tiberias and high temperature gradient that can locally reach 46 °C/km, as in the Lower Yarmouk Gorge (LYG). 3D simulations show that buoyant flow ascend in permeable faults which hydraulic conductivity is estimated to vary between 30 m/yr and 140 m/yr. Delayed convection starts respectively at 46 and 200 kyrs and generate temperature anomalies in agreement with observations. It turned out that delayed convective cells are transient. Cellular patterns that initially develop in permeable units surrounding the faults can trigger convection also within the fault plane. The combination of these two convective modes lead to helicoidal-like flow patterns. This complex flow can explain the location of springs along different fault traces of the TB. Besides being of importance for understanding the hydrogeological processes of the TB (Magri et al., 2015), the presented simulations provide a scenario illustrating fault-induced 3D cells that could develop in any geothermal system. References Magri, F., Inbar, N., Siebert, C., Rosenthal, E., Guttman, J., Möller, P., 2015. Transient simulations of large-scale hydrogeological processes causing temperature and salinity anomalies in the Tiberias Basin. Journal of Hydrology, 520(0), 342-355. Murphy, H.D., 1979. Convective instabilities in vertical fractures and faults. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 84(B11), 6121-6130. Tournier, C., Genthon, P., Rabinowicz, M., 2000. The onset of natural convection in vertical fault planes: consequences for the thermal regime in crystalline basementsand for heat recovery experiments. Geophysical Journal International, 140(3), 500-508.

A case study of microphysical structures and hydrometeor phase in convection using radar Doppler spectra at Darwin, Australia

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Riihimaki, Laura D.; Comstock, Jennifer M.; Luke, Edward

To understand the microphysical processes that impact diabatic heating and cloud lifetimes in convection, we need to characterize the spatial distribution of supercooled liquid water. To address this observational challenge, vertically pointing active sensors at the Darwin Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) site are used to classify cloud phase within a deep convective cloud in a shallow to deep convection transitional case. The cloud cannot be fully observed by a lidar due to signal attenuation. Thus we develop an objective method for identifying hydrometeor classes, including mixed-phase conditions, using k-means clustering on parameters that describe the shape of the Doppler spectramore » from vertically pointing Ka band cloud radar. This approach shows that multiple, overlapping mixed-phase layers exist within the cloud, rather than a single region of supercooled liquid, indicating complexity to how ice growth and diabatic heating occurs in the vertical structure of the cloud.« less

The Cool Flames Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pearlman, Howard; Chapek, Richard; Neville, Donna; Sheredy, William; Wu, Ming-Shin; Tornabene, Robert

2001-01-01

A space-based experiment is currently under development to study diffusion-controlled, gas-phase, low temperature oxidation reactions, cool flames and auto-ignition in an unstirred, static reactor. At Earth's gravity (1g), natural convection due to self-heating during the course of slow reaction dominates diffusive transport and produces spatio-temporal variations in the thermal and thus species concentration profiles via the Arrhenius temperature dependence of the reaction rates. Natural convection is important in all terrestrial cool flame and auto-ignition studies, except for select low pressure, highly dilute (small temperature excess) studies in small vessels (i.e., small Rayleigh number). On Earth, natural convection occurs when the Rayleigh number (Ra) exceeds a critical value of approximately 600. Typical values of the Ra, associated with cool flames and auto-ignitions, range from 104-105 (or larger), a regime where both natural convection and conduction heat transport are important. When natural convection occurs, it alters the temperature, hydrodynamic, and species concentration fields, thus generating a multi-dimensional field that is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to be modeled analytically. This point has been emphasized recently by Kagan and co-workers who have shown that explosion limits can shift depending on the characteristic length scale associated with the natural convection. Moreover, natural convection in unstirred reactors is never "sufficiently strong to generate a spatially uniform temperature distribution throughout the reacting gas." Thus, an unstirred, nonisothermal reaction on Earth does not reduce to that generated in a mechanically, well-stirred system. Interestingly, however, thermal ignition theories and thermokinetic models neglect natural convection and assume a heat transfer correlation of the form: q=h(S/V)(T(bar) - Tw) where q is the heat loss per unit volume, h is the heat transfer coefficient, S/V is the surface to volume ratio, and (T(bar) - Tw ) is the spatially averaged temperature excess. This Newtonian form has been validated in spatially-uniform, well-stirred reactors, provided the effective heat transfer coefficient associated with the unsteady process is properly evaluated. Unfortunately, it is not a valid assumption for spatially-nonuniform temperature distributions induced by natural convection in unstirred reactors. "This is why the analysis of such a system is so difficult." Historically, the complexities associated with natural convection were perhaps recognized as early as 1938 when thermal ignition theory was first developed. In the 1955 text "Diffusion and Heat Exchange in Chemical Kinetics", Frank-Kamenetskii recognized that "the purely conductive theory can be applied at sufficiently low pressure and small dimensions of the vessel when the influence of natural convection can be disregarded." This was reiterated by Tyler in 1966 and further emphasized by Barnard and Harwood in 1974. Specifically, they state: "It is generally assumed that heat losses are purely conductive. While this may be valid for certain low pressure slow combustion regimes, it is unlikely to be true for the cool flame and ignition regimes." While this statement is true for terrestrial experiments, the purely conductive heat transport assumption is valid at microgravity (mu-g). Specifically, buoyant complexities are suppressed at mu-g and the reaction-diffusion structure associated with low temperature oxidation reactions, cool flames and auto-ignitions can be studied. Without natural convection, the system is simpler, does not require determination of the effective heat transfer coefficient, and is a testbed for analytic and numerical models that assume pure diffusive transport. In addition, mu-g experiments will provide baseline data that will improve our understanding of the effects of natural convection on Earth.

Sensitivity of Precipitation in Coupled Land-Atmosphere Models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neelin, David; Zeng, N.; Suarez, M.; Koster, R.

2004-01-01

The project objective was to understand mechanisms by which atmosphere-land-ocean processes impact precipitation in the mean climate and interannual variations, focusing on tropical and subtropical regions. A combination of modeling tools was used: an intermediate complexity land-atmosphere model developed at UCLA known as the QTCM and the NASA Seasonal-to-Interannual Prediction Program general circulation model (NSIPP GCM). The intermediate complexity model was used to develop hypotheses regarding the physical mechanisms and theory for the interplay of large-scale dynamics, convective heating, cloud radiative effects and land surface feedbacks. The theoretical developments were to be confronted with diagnostics from the more complex GCM to validate or modify the theory.

A time fractional convection-diffusion equation to model gas transport through heterogeneous soil and gas reservoirs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Ailian; Sun, HongGuang; Zheng, Chunmiao; Lu, Bingqing; Lu, Chengpeng; Ma, Rui; Zhang, Yong

2018-07-01

Fractional-derivative models have been developed recently to interpret various hydrologic dynamics, such as dissolved contaminant transport in groundwater. However, they have not been applied to quantify other fluid dynamics, such as gas transport through complex geological media. This study reviewed previous gas transport experiments conducted in laboratory columns and real-world oil-gas reservoirs and found that gas dynamics exhibit typical sub-diffusive behavior characterized by heavy late-time tailing in the gas breakthrough curves (BTCs), which cannot be effectively captured by classical transport models. Numerical tests and field applications of the time fractional convection-diffusion equation (fCDE) have shown that the fCDE model can capture the observed gas BTCs including their apparent positive skewness. Sensitivity analysis further revealed that the three parameters used in the fCDE model, including the time index, the convection velocity, and the diffusion coefficient, play different roles in interpreting the delayed gas transport dynamics. In addition, the model comparison and analysis showed that the time fCDE model is efficient in application. Therefore, the time fractional-derivative models can be conveniently extended to quantify gas transport through natural geological media such as complex oil-gas reservoirs.

Mantle Convection on Modern Supercomputers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weismüller, J.; Gmeiner, B.; Huber, M.; John, L.; Mohr, M.; Rüde, U.; Wohlmuth, B.; Bunge, H. P.

2015-12-01

Mantle convection is the cause for plate tectonics, the formation of mountains and oceans, and the main driving mechanism behind earthquakes. The convection process is modeled by a system of partial differential equations describing the conservation of mass, momentum and energy. Characteristic to mantle flow is the vast disparity of length scales from global to microscopic, turning mantle convection simulations into a challenging application for high-performance computing. As system size and technical complexity of the simulations continue to increase, design and implementation of simulation models for next generation large-scale architectures is handled successfully only in an interdisciplinary context. A new priority program - named SPPEXA - by the German Research Foundation (DFG) addresses this issue, and brings together computer scientists, mathematicians and application scientists around grand challenges in HPC. Here we report from the TERRA-NEO project, which is part of the high visibility SPPEXA program, and a joint effort of four research groups. TERRA-NEO develops algorithms for future HPC infrastructures, focusing on high computational efficiency and resilience in next generation mantle convection models. We present software that can resolve the Earth's mantle with up to 1012 grid points and scales efficiently to massively parallel hardware with more than 50,000 processors. We use our simulations to explore the dynamic regime of mantle convection and assess the impact of small scale processes on global mantle flow.

A Mediterranean derecho: Catalonia (Spain), 17th August 2003

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

López, J. Manuel

2007-02-01

At approximately 6:10 UTC in the morning of 17th August 2003, a squall line developed over south Catalonia (the northeast region of Spain). During the next 9 h, the squall moved rapidly northeast and crossed Catalonia and the French regions of Languedoc-Roussillon and Province, damaging and uprooting hundreds of trees and blocking trains in the region. Wind gusts reached were recoded up to 52 m/s with evidence of F2 intensity damage. This case study shows the characteristics of a derecho (widespread convectively induced windstorm). Radar observations of the evolving squall line show signatures often correlated with damaging surface winds, including: Bow echoes, Rear inflow notches, Rear inflow jets, Medium altitude radial convergence, Narrow gradient of very marked reflectivity, Development of isolated cells ahead of the convective line, A band of convection off the northern end of the line known as a "warm advection wing". When examining the different surface observations, satellite, radar imagery and cloud-to-ground lightning data, this case shows many similarities to those investigated in the United States. The derecho is a hybrid case, but has many characteristics of warm season derechoes. This emanates from a mesoscale convective complex (MCC) moving along a quasi-stationary, low-level thermal boundary in an environment characterized by high potential instability and relatively strong mid-tropospheric winds.

Mantle dynamics in the Mediterranean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faccenna, Claudio; Becker, Thorsten W.

2016-04-01

The Mediterranean offers a unique avenue to study the driving forces of tectonic deformation within a complex mobile belt. Lithospheric dynamics are affected by slab rollback and collision of two large, slowly moving plates, forcing fragments of continental and oceanic lithosphere to interact. Here, we review the rich and growing set of constraints from geological reconstructions, geodetic data, and crustal and upper mantle heterogeneity imaged by structural seismology. We discuss a conceptual and quantitative framework for the causes of surface deformations. Exploring existing and newly developed tectonic and numerical geodynamic models, we illustrate the role of mantle convection on surface geology. A coherent picture emerges which can be outlined by two, almost symmetric, upper mantle convection cells. The down-wellings are found in the centre of the Mediterranean, and are associated with the descent of the Tyrrhenian and the Hellenic slabs. During plate convergence, these slabs migrated, driving return flow of the asthenosphere from the backarc regions. These currents can be found at large distance from the subduction zones, and are at present expressed in two upwellings beneath Anatolia and eastern Iberia. This convection system provides an explanation for the general pattern of seismic anisotropy in the Mediterranean, the first-order Anatolia and Adria microplate kinematics, and the positive dynamic topography of Anatolia and Eastern Iberia. More generally, it is an illustration of upper mantle, small-scale convection leading to intraplate deformation and complex plate boundary reconfiguration at the westernmost terminus of the Tethyan collision.

The effect of supercritical helium natural convection on the temperature stabilityin a cryogenic system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Y.; Zhou, G.; Li, K. R.; Li, Q.; Pan, W.

2017-12-01

With high specific heat and density, supercritical helium can be used to reduce the temperature oscillationand improve temperature stabilityin the low temperature conditions. However, the natural convection ofthe supercritical helium has a complex influence on the suppression of the temperature oscillation. In this paper,a transient three-dimensional numerical simulation is carried out for the natural convection in the cylinder to analyze the effect of natural convection on transferring of temperature oscillation.According to the results of numerical calculation, a cryogenic system cooled by GM cryocooler is designed tostudy the influence of natural convection of supercritical helium on temperature oscillation suppression.

Prototype Mcs Parameterization for Global Climate Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moncrieff, M. W.

2017-12-01

Excellent progress has been made with observational, numerical and theoretical studies of MCS processes but the parameterization of those processes remain in a dire state and are missing from GCMs. The perceived complexity of the distribution, type, and intensity of organized precipitation systems has arguably daunted attention and stifled the development of adequate parameterizations. TRMM observations imply links between convective organization and large-scale meteorological features in the tropics and subtropics that are inadequately treated by GCMs. This calls for improved physical-dynamical treatment of organized convection to enable the next-generation of GCMs to reliably address a slew of challenges. The multiscale coherent structure parameterization (MCSP) paradigm is based on the fluid-dynamical concept of coherent structures in turbulent environments. The effects of vertical shear on MCS dynamics implemented as 2nd baroclinic convective heating and convective momentum transport is based on Lagrangian conservation principles, nonlinear dynamical models, and self-similarity. The prototype MCS parameterization, a minimalist proof-of-concept, is applied in the NCAR Community Climate Model, Version 5.5 (CAM 5.5). The MCSP generates convectively coupled tropical waves and large-scale precipitation features notably in the Indo-Pacific warm-pool and Maritime Continent region, a center-of-action for weather and climate variability around the globe.

Defect chaos and bursts: hexagonal rotating convection and the complex Ginzburg-Landau equation.

PubMed

Madruga, Santiago; Riecke, Hermann; Pesch, Werner

2006-02-24

We employ numerical computations of the full Navier-Stokes equations to investigate non-Boussinesq convection in a rotating system using water as the working fluid. We identify two regimes. For weak non-Boussinesq effects the Hopf bifurcation from steady to oscillating (whirling) hexagons is supercritical and typical states exhibit defect chaos that is systematically described by the cubic complex Ginzburg-Landau equation. For stronger non-Boussinesq effects the Hopf bifurcation becomes subcritical and the oscillations exhibit localized chaotic bursting, which is modeled by a quintic complex Ginzburg-Landau equation.

Interactions of Twisted Ω-loops in a Model Solar Convection Zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jouve, L.; Brun, A. S.; Aulanier, G.

2018-04-01

This study aims at investigating the ability of strong interactions between magnetic field concentrations during their rise through the convection zone to produce complex active regions at the solar surface. To do so, we perform numerical simulations of buoyant magnetic structures evolving and interacting in a model solar convection zone. We first produce a 3D model of rotating convection and then introduce idealized magnetic structures close to the bottom of the computational domain. These structures possess a certain degree of field line twist and they are made buoyant on a particular extension in longitude. The resulting twisted Ω-loops will thus evolve inside a spherical convective shell possessing large-scale mean flows. We present results on the interaction between two such loops with various initial parameters (mainly buoyancy and twist) and on the complexity of the emerging magnetic field. In agreement with analytical predictions, we find that if the loops are introduced with opposite handedness and same axial field direction or the same handedness but opposite axial field, they bounce against each other. The emerging region is then constituted of two separated bipolar structures. On the contrary, if the loops are introduced with the same direction of axial and peripheral magnetic fields and are sufficiently close, they merge while rising. This more interesting case produces complex magnetic structures with a high degree of non-neutralized currents, especially when the convective motions act significantly on the magnetic field. This indicates that those interactions could be good candidates to produce eruptive events like flares or CMEs.

The influence of terrain forcing on the initiation of deep convection over Mediterranean islands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barthlott, Christian; Kirshbaum, Daniel

2013-04-01

The influence of mountainous islands on the initiation of deep convection is investigated using the Consortium for Small-scale Modeling (COSMO) model. The study day is 26 August 2009 on which moist convection occurred over both the Corsica and Sardinia island in the Mediterranean Sea. Sensitivity runs with systematically modified topography are explored to evaluate the relative importance of the land-sea contrast and the terrain height for convection initiation. Whereas no island precipitation is simulated when the islands are completely removed, all simulations that represent these land surfaces develop convective precipitation. Although convection initiates progressively earlier in the day over taller islands, the precipitation rates and accumulations do not show a fixed relationship with terrain height. This is due to the competing effects of different physical processes. First, whereas the forcing for low-level ascent increases over taller islands, the boundary-layer moisture supply decreases, which diminishes the conditional instability and precipitable water. Second, whereas taller islands enhance the inland propagation speeds of sea-breeze fronts, they also mechanically block these fronts and prevent them from reaching the island interior. As a result, the island precipitation is rather insensitive to island terrain height except for one particular case in which the island precipitation increases considerably due to an optimal superposition of the sea breeze and upslope flow. These results demonstrate the complexity of interactions between sea breezes and orography and reinforce that an adequate representation of detailed topographic features is necessary to account for thermally induced wind systems that initiate deep convection.

Mixed convection of nanofluids in a lid-driven rough cavity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Zhimeng; Wang, Jinyu; Mozumder, Aloke K.; Das, Prodip K.

2017-06-01

Mixed convection heat transfer and fluid flow of air, water or oil in enclosures have been studied extensively using experimental and numerical means for many years due to their ever-increasing applications in many engineering fields. In comparison, little effort has been given to the problem of mixed convection of nanofluids in spite of several applications in solar collectors, electronic cooling, lubrication technologies, food processing, and nuclear reactors. Mixed convection of nanofluids is a challenging problem due to the complex interactions among inertia, viscous, and buoyancy forces. In this study, mixed convection of nanofluids in a lid-driven square cavity with sinusoidal roughness elements at the bottom is studied numerically using the Navier-Stokes equations with the Boussinesq approximation. The numerical model is developed using commercial finite volume software ANSYS-FLUENT for Al2O3-water and CuO-water nanofluids inside a square cavity with various roughness elements. The effects of number and amplitude of roughness elements on the heat transfer and fluid flow are analysed for various volume concentrations of Al2O3 and CuO nanoparticles. The flow fields, temperature fields, and heat transfer rates are examined for different values of Rayleigh and Reynolds numbers. The outcome of this study provides some important insight into the heat transfer behaviour of Al2O3-water and CuO-water nanofluids inside a lid-driven rough cavity. This knowledge can be further used in developing novel geometries with enhanced and controlled heat transfer for solar collectors, electronic cooling, and food processing industries.

On the impact of spatial heterogeneous permeability distributions on the development of free convection cells in the Perth Basin, Australia.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niederau, Jan; Ebigbo, Anozie; Freitag, Sebastian; Marquart, Gabriele; Clauser, Christoph

2014-05-01

Recent increase in exploration of the geothermal energy potential of the Perth Metropolitan Area (PMA) results in the need for reliable and robust reservoir models in order to explore rock properties and temperature distributions in the subsurface, where free convection in the main reservoir (Yarragadee Aquifer) is likely to occur [1]. While the structure of the Perth Basin has been refined recently, the heterogeneity and spatial complexity of permeability was up till now mainly neglected. An integrated, three dimensional tectonostratigraphic model of the PMA is constructed, using the modeling software '3D GeoModeller' and data of numerous artesian and petroleum wells. Comprising the region around the city of Perth, the model covers an area of about 5000 km2 up to a depth of 4.5 km, with focus on adequate representation of the main reservoir. We further construct a numerical model for fluid flow and heat transport in the Yarragadee Aquifer. Porosity distributions are deduced from well logs and linked to permeability by a calibrated correlation, based on a fractal approach. Three different cases are simulated using the FD code SHEMAT-Suite, in order to assess the influence of spatial heterogeneity of porosity and permeability on the development of free convection cells. constant porosity and permeability for the entire aquifer porosity and permeability decreasing with depth, thus reflecting compaction a conditional random permeability field within prescribed limits and for given correlation length In order to improve understanding of model correctness, as well as identification and comparison of convection cells in different simulations, we are developing a specialized visualization tool tailored to this purpose. The three different scenarios show distinctions in the distribution of convection cells. Where the Yarragadee Aquifer is in contact with overlying aquifers, regions of downflow develop. These in turn have a strong impact on the regional flow field and therefore temperature. The heterogeneous distribution of permeability seems to control the convection pattern on a smaller scale. References [1] Schilling, O., Sheldon, H.A., Reid, L.B., Corbel, S. 2013. Hydrothermal models of the Perth metropolitan area, Western Australia: implications for geothermal energy. Hydrogeology Journal, Vol. 21, 605-621.

The Contribution of Mesoscale Convective Weather Systems to the Warm-Season Precipitation in the United States.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fritsch, J. M.; Kane, R. J.; Chelius, C. R.

1986-10-01

The contribution of precipitation from mesoscale convective weather systems to the warm-season (April-September) rainfall in the United States is evaluated. Both Mesoscale Convective Complexes (MCC's) and other large, long-lived mesoscale convective systems that do not quite meet Maddox's criteria for being termed an MCC are included in the evaluation. The distribution and geographical limits of the precipitation from the convective weather systems are constructed for the warm seasons of 1982, a `normal' year, and 1983, a drought year. Precipitation characteristics of the systems are compared for the 2 years to determine how large-scale drought patterns affect their precipitation production.The frequency, precipitation characteristics and hydrologic ramifications of multiple occurrences, or series, of convective weather systems are presented and discussed. The temporal and spatial characteristics of the accumulated precipitation from a series of convective complexes is investigated and compared to that of Hurricane Alicia.It is found that mesoscale convective weather systems account for approximately 30% to 70% of the warm-season (April-September) precipitation over much of the region between the Rocky Mountains and the Mississippi River. During the June through August period, their contribution is even larger. Moreover, series of convective weather systems are very likely the most prolific precipitation producer in the United States, rivaling and even exceeding that of hurricanes.Changes in the large-scale circulation patterns affected the seasonal precipitation from mesoscale convective weather systems by altering the precipitation characteristics of individual systems. In particular, for the drought period of 1983, the frequency of the convective systems remained nearly the same as in the `normal' year (1982); however, the average precipitation area and the average volumetric production significantly decreased. Nevertheless, the rainfall that was produced by mesoscale convective weather systems in the drought year accounted for most of the precipitation received during the critical crop growth period.It is concluded that mesoscale convective weather systems may be a crucial precipitation-producing deterrent to drought and an important mechanism for enhancing midsummer crop growth throughout the midwestern United States. Furthermore, because mesoscale convective weather systems account for such a large fraction of the warm-season precipitation, significant improvements in prediction of such systems would likely translate into significant improvements in quantitative precipitation forecast skill and corresponding improvements in hydrologic forecasts of runoff.

Mantle dynamics in the Mediterranean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faccenna, Claudio; Becker, Thorsten W.; Auer, Ludwig; Billi, Andrea; Boschi, Lapo; Brun, Jean Pierre; Capitanio, Fabio A.; Funiciello, Francesca; Horvåth, Ferenc; Jolivet, Laurent; Piromallo, Claudia; Royden, Leigh; Rossetti, Federico; Serpelloni, Enrico

2014-09-01

The Mediterranean offers a unique opportunity to study the driving forces of tectonic deformation within a complex mobile belt. Lithospheric dynamics are affected by slab rollback and collision of two large, slowly moving plates, forcing fragments of continental and oceanic lithosphere to interact. This paper reviews the rich and growing set of constraints from geological reconstructions, geodetic data, and crustal and upper mantle heterogeneity imaged by structural seismology. We proceed to discuss a conceptual and quantitative framework for the causes of surface deformation. Exploring existing and newly developed tectonic and numerical geodynamic models, we illustrate the role of mantle convection on surface geology. A coherent picture emerges which can be outlined by two, almost symmetric, upper mantle convection cells. The downwellings are found in the center of the Mediterranean and are associated with the descent of the Tyrrhenian and the Hellenic slabs. During plate convergence, these slabs migrated backward with respect to the Eurasian upper plate, inducing a return flow of the asthenosphere from the back-arc regions toward the subduction zones. This flow can be found at large distance from the subduction zones and is at present expressed in two upwellings beneath Anatolia and eastern Iberia. This convection system provides an explanation for the general pattern of seismic anisotropy in the Mediterranean, first-order Anatolia, and Adria microplate kinematics and may contribute to the high elevation of scarcely deformed areas such as Anatolia and eastern Iberia. More generally, the Mediterranean is an illustration of how upper mantle, small-scale convection leads to intraplate deformation and complex plate boundary reconfiguration at the westernmost terminus of the Tethyan collision.

Skylab M518 multipurpose furnace convection analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bourgeois, S. V.; Spradley, L. W.

1975-01-01

An analysis was performed of the convection which existed on ground tests and during skylab processing of two experiments: vapor growth of IV-VI compounds growth of spherical crystals. A parallel analysis was also performed on Skylab experiment indium antimonide crystals because indium antimonide (InSb) was used and a free surface existed in the tellurium-doped Skylab III sample. In addition, brief analyses were also performed of the microsegregation in germanium experiment because the Skylab crystals indicated turbulent convection effects. Simple dimensional analysis calculations and a more accurate, but complex, convection computer model, were used in the analysis.

Modeling condensation with a noncondensable gas for mixed convection flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liao, Yehong

2007-05-01

This research theoretically developed a novel mixed convection model for condensation with a noncondensable gas. The model developed herein is comprised of three components: a convection regime map; a mixed convection correlation; and a generalized diffusion layer model. These components were developed in a way to be consistent with the three-level methodology in MELCOR. The overall mixed convection model was implemented into MELCOR and satisfactorily validated with data covering a wide variety of test conditions. In the development of the convection regime map, two analyses with approximations of the local similarity method were performed to solve the multi-component two-phase boundary layer equations. The first analysis studied effects of the bulk velocity on a basic natural convection condensation process and setup conditions to distinguish natural convection from mixed convection. It was found that the superimposed velocity increases condensation heat transfer by sweeping away the noncondensable gas accumulated at the condensation boundary. The second analysis studied effects of the buoyancy force on a basic forced convection condensation process and setup conditions to distinguish forced convection from mixed convection. It was found that the superimposed buoyancy force increases condensation heat transfer by thinning the liquid film thickness and creating a steeper noncondensable gas concentration profile near the condensation interface. In the development of the mixed convection correlation accounting for suction effects, numerical data were obtained from boundary layer analysis for the three convection regimes and used to fit a curve for the Nusselt number of the mixed convection regime as a function of the Nusselt numbers of the natural and forced convection regimes. In the development of the generalized diffusion layer model, the driving potential for mass transfer was expressed as the temperature difference between the bulk and the liquid-gas interface using the Clausius-Clapeyron equation. The model was developed on a mass basis instead of a molar basis to be consistent with general conservation equations. It was found that vapor diffusion is not only driven by a gradient of the molar fraction but also a gradient of the mixture molecular weight at the diffusion layer.

A microphysical pathway analysis to investigate aerosol effects on convective clouds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heikenfeld, Max; White, Bethan; Labbouz, Laurent; Stier, Philip

2017-04-01

The impact of aerosols on ice- and mixed-phase processes in convective clouds remains highly uncertain, which has strong implications for estimates of the role of aerosol-cloud interactions in the climate system. The wide range of interacting microphysical processes are still poorly understood and generally not resolved in global climate models. To understand and visualise these processes and to conduct a detailed pathway analysis, we have added diagnostic output of all individual process rates for number and mass mixing ratios to two commonly-used cloud microphysics schemes (Thompson and Morrison) in WRF. This allows us to investigate the response of individual processes to changes in aerosol conditions and the propagation of perturbations throughout the development of convective clouds. Aerosol effects on cloud microphysics could strongly depend on the representation of these interactions in the model. We use different model complexities with regard to aerosol-cloud interactions ranging from simulations with different levels of fixed cloud droplet number concentration (CDNC) as a proxy for aerosol, to prognostic CDNC with fixed modal aerosol distributions. Furthermore, we have implemented the HAM aerosol model in WRF-chem to also perform simulations with a fully interactive aerosol scheme. We employ a hierarchy of simulation types to understand the evolution of cloud microphysical perturbations in atmospheric convection. Idealised supercell simulations are chosen to present and test the analysis methods for a strongly confined and well-studied case. We then extend the analysis to large case study simulations of tropical convection over the Amazon rainforest. For both cases we apply our analyses to individually tracked convective cells. Our results show the impact of model uncertainties on the understanding of aerosol-convection interactions and have implications for improving process representation in models.

Diurnal Cycle of Convection and Air-Sea-Land Interaction Associated with MJO over the Maritime Continent

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Savarin, A.; Chen, S. S.

2016-12-01

The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is a dominant mode of intraseasonal variability in the tropics. Large-scale convection fueling the MJO is initiated over the tropical Indian Ocean and propagates eastward across the Maritime Continent (MC) and into the western Pacific as a pattern of alternating phases of active and suppressed convection. As an eastward-propagating MJO convective event encounters the MC, its nature is altered due to the complex interactions with the landmass and topography as well as the warm coastal ocean. In turn, the passage of a large-scale MJO event modulates local conditions over the MC. Previous studies have shown a strong and distinct diurnal cycle of convection over the land and nearby ocean, with an afternoon maximum over land, and a morning maximum over water. These complex interactions are still not well understood. This study aims to improve our understanding on how the resolution of distinct topographic features affects the diurnal cycle of convection in the active and suppressed MJO regimes. We use the Unified Wave Interface - a Coupled Model (UWIN-CM), a fully coupled atmosphere-ocean model to examine the effects that varying model resolution has on the representation of the MJO, the diurnal cycle of convection, and their interaction. Three model simulations of the November-December 2011 MJO event were carried out with resolutions of 12-, 4-, and 1.3-km in the fully coupled setting, and verified against TRMM and DYNAMO field campaign observations. Primary results indicate that increasing model resolution provides a better representation of the MC topography that not only improves the pattern of the diurnal cycle of convection over land. It also increases the amount of precipitation over water to values comparable to TRMM, possibly aiding the MJO's eastward propagation as shown in observational studies.

Mesoscale Convective Complex versus Non-Mesoscale Convective Complex Thunderstorms: A Comparison of Selected Meteorological Variables.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-08-01

mean square errors for selected variables . . 34 8. Variable range and mean value for MCC and non-MCC cases . . 36 9. Alpha ( a ) levels at which the...Table 9. For each variable, the a level is listed at which the two mean values are determined to be significantly 38 Table 9. Alpha ( a ) levels at...vorticity advection None 700 mb vertical velocity forecast .20 different. These a levels express the probability of erroneously con- cluding that the

Heating-insensitive scale increase caused by convective precipitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haerter, Jan; Moseley, Christopher; Berg, Peter

2017-04-01

The origin of intense convective extremes and their unusual temperature dependence has recently challenged traditional thermodynamic arguments, based on the Clausius-Clapeyron relation. In a sequence of studies (Lenderink and v. Mejgaard, Nat Geosc, 2008; Berg, Haerter, Moseley, Nat Geosc, 2013; and Moseley, Hohenegger, Berg, Haerter, Nat Geosc, 2016) the argument of convective-type precipitation overcoming the 7%/K increase in extremes by dynamical, rather than thermodynamic, processes has been promoted. How can the role of dynamical processes be approached for precipitating convective cloud? One-phase, non-precipitating Rayleigh-Bénard convection is a classical problem in complex systems science. When a fluid between two horizontal plates is sufficiently heated from below, convective rolls spontaneously form. In shallow, non-precipitating atmospheric convection, rolls are also known to form under specific conditions, with horizontal scales roughly proportional to the boundary layer height. Here we explore within idealized large-eddy simulations, how the scale of convection is modified, when precipitation sets in and intensifies in the course of diurnal solar heating. Before onset of precipitation, Bénard cells with relatively constant diameter form, roughly on the scale of the atmospheric boundary layer. We find that the onset of precipitation then signals an approximately linear (in time) increase in horizontal scale. This scale increase progresses at a speed which is rather insensitive to changes in surface temperature or changes in the rate at which boundary conditions change, hinting at spatial characteristics, rather than temperature, as a possible control on spatial scales of convection. When exploring the depth of spatial correlations, we find that precipitation onset causes a sudden disruption of order and a subsequent complete disintegration of organization —until precipitation eventually ceases. Returning to the initial question of convective extremes, we conclude that the formation of extreme events is a highly nonlinear process. However, our results suggest that crucial features of convective organization throughout the day may be independent of temperature - with possible implications for large-scale model parameterizations. Yet, the timing of the onset of initial precipitation depends strongly on the temperature boundary conditions, where higher temperatures, or earlier, moderate heating, lead to earlier initiation of convection and hence allow for more time for development and the production of extremes.

Observational and numerical analysis of the genesis of a mesoscale convective system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nachamkin, Jason Edward

1998-11-01

A high resolution observational and numerical study was conducted on a mesoscale convective system (MCS) that developed in northeastern Colorado on 19 July 1993. Convection was followed from its origins in the Rockies west of Denver as it grew to near mesoscale convective complex (MCC) proportions over the plains. Five-minute surface data was collected from 48 mesonet stations over eastern Colorado, and six-minute dual Doppler data were collected from the CSU-CHILL and Mile High radars. The Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) was then used to simulate this case. Initialization with variable topography, soil moisture, and atmospheric conditions facilitated the simulation of the inhomogeneous environment and its interactions with the MCS. Convection was explicitly resolved on the finest of four telescopically nested, moving grids. Storms developed consistently within the model without any artificial triggers such as warm bubbles or cold pools. Comparisons with the observations showed strong agreement down to the scale of the individual Doppler scans. The results show that convective position was deterministically focused by thermally driven solenoidal circulations and their interaction with a preexisting surface front. Away from the mountains, convection was fed by an intense low level jet less than 200 km across. The jet formed over southeastern Colorado in a region of localized thermal contrasts on either side of the plains inversion. Interactions between convection and its surrounding environment existed in two modes. When the upward mass flux was of moderate strength, continuity was maintained by linear, low frequency gravity waves. Most of the wave energy propagated rearward from the convective line, even though strong upper tropospheric shear advected most of the condensate ahead of the line. Almost all of the environmental compensating motions propagated rearward with the waves, inducing upper tropospheric front-to-rear and mid tropospheric rear-to-front perturbations in their wake. Most of the subsidence heating was also restricted to the narrow zone of wave propagation. When the convective mass flux became intense near sunset, condensate, heat and momentum were advected directly into the upper troposphere in a nonlinear outflow. The oval- shaped cold cloud top was defined by the leading edge of the outflow, and unlike the gravity waves, gradients of heat and momentum only slowly dispersed. This suggests that intense MCSs and MCCs with well defined anvils are more likely to produce a balanced disturbance because proportionately less energy is lost to gravity waves.

Finite Element Modeling of Magnetically-Damped Convection during Solidification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

deGroh, H. C.; Li, B. Q.; Lu, X.

1998-01-01

A fully 3-D, transient finite element model is developed to represent the magnetic damping effects on complex fluid flow, heat transfer and electromagnetic field distributions in a Sn- 35.5%Pb melt undergoing unidirectional solidification. The model is developed based on our in- house finite element code for the fluid flow, heat transfer and electromagnetic field calculations. The numerical model is tested against numerical and experimental results for water as reported in literature. Various numerical simulations are carried out for the melt convection and temperature distribution with and without the presence of a transverse magnetic field. Numerical results show that magnetic damping can be effectively applied to stabilize melt flow, reduce turbulence and flow levels in the melt and over a certain threshold value a higher magnetic field resulted in a greater reduction in velocity. Also, for the study of melt flow instability, a long enough running time is needed to ensure the final fluid flow recirculation pattern. Moreover, numerical results suggest that there seems to exist a threshold value of applied magnetic field, above which magnetic damping becomes possible and below which the 0 convection in the melt is actually enhanced.

The occurrence of convective systems with a bow echo in warm season in Poland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Celiński-Mysław, Daniel; Palarz, Angelika

2017-09-01

The characteristics of occurrence of convective systems with a bow echo in Poland in the warm season between 2007 and 2014 were presented. Using the identification criteria proposed by Fujita (1978), Burke and Schultz (2004), Klimowski et al. (2000, 2004), and supplemented by Gatzen (2013), 91 bow echo cases were identified in the analysed period. Depending on the year, the maximum number of cases usually occurred in July or August. From the multi-annual perspective, 28 and 30 cases occurred in those months. The diurnal variation of bow echo occurrences showed that it developed, or entered the Polish territory, usually between the hours of 13:00 UTC and 21:00 UTC, while it disappeared or receded beyond the country border in the hours between 15:00 UTC and 23:00 UTC. The areas most exposed to the occurrence of bow echo included the northern part of Lubuskie and Wielkopolska provinces, the southern part of West Pomerania province, Łódź province and Silesia province. In the period studied, the south-western direction of movement of convective systems with a bow echo was prevalent. This direction changed, however, depending on the region and the month of occurrence. The type and development mode of a bow echo, as well as synoptic conditions conducive to its occurrence were defined for selected cases. The results showed that BECs (bow-echo complex) and BEs (classic bow echo) were the predominant types (respectively 43 and 29 cases). Bow echoes developed most frequently from a squall line, or from a combination of a few, often weakly organized convective cells.

Dynamics of the Stratiform Sector of a Tropical Cyclone Rainband

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Didlake, A. C.; Houze, R.

2013-12-01

Airborne Doppler radar collected observations of the stationary rainband complex of Hurricane Rita (2005) in exceptional detail. Dynamics of the stationary rainband complex play a large role in the evolution of the tropical cyclone's internal structure. The stratiform sector of the stationary rainband complex occurs on the downwind end of the complex. This stratiform rainband is a mesoscale feature consisting of nearly uniform precipitation and weak vertical velocities from collapsing convective cells. Upward transport and associated latent heating occur within the stratiform cloud layer in the form of rising radial outflow. Below the cloud layer, descending radial inflow was driven by horizontal buoyancy gradients, and thus horizontal vorticity generation, introduced by regions of sublimational and melting cooling. The organization of this transport initially is robust but fades downwind as the convection dissipates. This descending inflow advected higher angular momentum inward, which resulted in the development of a midlevel tangential jet and broadening of the tangential wind field. This circulation may have also contributed to ventilation of the eyewall as inflow of low-entropy air continued past the rainband in both the boundary layer and midlevels. Given the expanse of the stratiform rainband region, its thermodynamic and kinematic impacts likely help to modify the structure and intensity of the overall storm.

Gravity Waves Generated by Convection: A New Idealized Model Tool and Direct Validation with Satellite Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alexander, M. Joan; Stephan, Claudia

2015-04-01

In climate models, gravity waves remain too poorly resolved to be directly modelled. Instead, simplified parameterizations are used to include gravity wave effects on model winds. A few climate models link some of the parameterized waves to convective sources, providing a mechanism for feedback between changes in convection and gravity wave-driven changes in circulation in the tropics and above high-latitude storms. These convective wave parameterizations are based on limited case studies with cloud-resolving models, but they are poorly constrained by observational validation, and tuning parameters have large uncertainties. Our new work distills results from complex, full-physics cloud-resolving model studies to essential variables for gravity wave generation. We use the Weather Research Forecast (WRF) model to study relationships between precipitation, latent heating/cooling and other cloud properties to the spectrum of gravity wave momentum flux above midlatitude storm systems. Results show the gravity wave spectrum is surprisingly insensitive to the representation of microphysics in WRF. This is good news for use of these models for gravity wave parameterization development since microphysical properties are a key uncertainty. We further use the full-physics cloud-resolving model as a tool to directly link observed precipitation variability to gravity wave generation. We show that waves in an idealized model forced with radar-observed precipitation can quantitatively reproduce instantaneous satellite-observed features of the gravity wave field above storms, which is a powerful validation of our understanding of waves generated by convection. The idealized model directly links observations of surface precipitation to observed waves in the stratosphere, and the simplicity of the model permits deep/large-area domains for studies of wave-mean flow interactions. This unique validated model tool permits quantitative studies of gravity wave driving of regional circulation and provides a new method for future development of realistic convective gravity wave parameterizations.

A model for Entropy Production, Entropy Decrease and Action Minimization in Self-Organization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Georgiev, Georgi; Chatterjee, Atanu; Vu, Thanh; Iannacchione, Germano

In self-organization energy gradients across complex systems lead to change in the structure of systems, decreasing their internal entropy to ensure the most efficient energy transport and therefore maximum entropy production in the surroundings. This approach stems from fundamental variational principles in physics, such as the principle of least action. It is coupled to the total energy flowing through a system, which leads to increase the action efficiency. We compare energy transport through a fluid cell which has random motion of its molecules, and a cell which can form convection cells. We examine the signs of change of entropy, and the action needed for the motion inside those systems. The system in which convective motion occurs, reduces the time for energy transmission, compared to random motion. For more complex systems, those convection cells form a network of transport channels, for the purpose of obeying the equations of motion in this geometry. Those transport networks are an essential feature of complex systems in biology, ecology, economy and society.

Some bifurcation routes to chaos of thermocapillary convection in two-dimensional liquid layers of finite extent

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, K., E-mail: likai@imech.ac.cn; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190; Xun, B.

2016-05-15

As a part of the preliminary studies for the future space experiment (Zona-K) in the Russian module of the International Space Station, some bifurcation routes to chaos of thermocapillary convection in two-dimensional liquid layers filled with 10 cSt silicone oil have been numerically studied in this paper. As the laterally applied temperature difference is raised, variations in the spatial structure and temporal evolution of the thermocapillary convection and a complex sequence of transitions are observed. The results show that the finite extent of the liquid layer significantly influences the tempo-spatial evolution of the thermocapillary convection. Moreover, the bifurcation route ofmore » the thermocapillary convection changes very sensitively by the aspect ratio of the liquid layer. With the increasing Reynolds number (applied temperature difference), the steady thermocapillary convection experiences two consecutive transitions from periodic oscillatory state to quasi-periodic oscillatory state with frequency-locking before emergence of chaotic convection in a liquid layer of aspect ratio 14.25, and the thermocapillary convection undergoes period-doubling cascades leading to chaotic convection in a liquid layer of aspect ratio 13.0.« less

NMRI Measurements of Flow of Granular Mixtures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nakagawa, Masami; Waggoner, R. Allen; Fukushima, Eiichi

1996-01-01

We investigate complex 3D behavior of granular mixtures in shaking and shearing devices. NMRI can non-invasively measure concentration, velocity, and velocity fluctuations of flows of suitable particles. We investigate origins of wall-shear induced convection flow of single component particles by measuring the flow and fluctuating motion of particles near rough boundaries. We also investigate if a mixture of different size particles segregate into their own species under the influence of external shaking and shearing disturbances. These non-invasive measurements will reveal true nature of convecting flow properties and wall disturbance. For experiments in a reduced gravity environment, we will design a light weight NMR imager. The proof of principle development will prepare for the construction of a complete spaceborne system to perform experiments in space.

High accuracy mantle convection simulation through modern numerical methods - II: realistic models and problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heister, Timo; Dannberg, Juliane; Gassmöller, Rene; Bangerth, Wolfgang

2017-08-01

Computations have helped elucidate the dynamics of Earth's mantle for several decades already. The numerical methods that underlie these simulations have greatly evolved within this time span, and today include dynamically changing and adaptively refined meshes, sophisticated and efficient solvers, and parallelization to large clusters of computers. At the same time, many of the methods - discussed in detail in a previous paper in this series - were developed and tested primarily using model problems that lack many of the complexities that are common to the realistic models our community wants to solve today. With several years of experience solving complex and realistic models, we here revisit some of the algorithm designs of the earlier paper and discuss the incorporation of more complex physics. In particular, we re-consider time stepping and mesh refinement algorithms, evaluate approaches to incorporate compressibility, and discuss dealing with strongly varying material coefficients, latent heat, and how to track chemical compositions and heterogeneities. Taken together and implemented in a high-performance, massively parallel code, the techniques discussed in this paper then allow for high resolution, 3-D, compressible, global mantle convection simulations with phase transitions, strongly temperature dependent viscosity and realistic material properties based on mineral physics data.

The Role of Atmospheric Aerosol Concentration on Deep Convective Precipitation: Cloud-resolving Model Simulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tao, W.-K.; Li, X.; Khain, A.; Mastsui, T.; Lang, S.; Simpson, J.

2007-01-01

Aerosols and especially their effect on clouds are one of the key components of the climate system and the hydrological cycle [Ramanathan et al., 20011. Yet, the aerosol effect on clouds remains largely unknown and the processes involved not well understood. A recent report published by the National Academy of Science states "The greatest uncertainty about the aerosol climate forcing - indeed, the largest of all the uncertainties about global climate forcing - is probably the indirect effect of aerosols on clouds NRC [2001]." The aerosol effect on clouds is often categorized into the traditional "first indirect (i.e., Twomey)" effect on the cloud droplet sizes for a constant liquid water path and the "semi-direct" effect on cloud coverage. The aerosol effect on precipitation processes, also known as the second type of aerosol indirect effect, is even more complex, especially for mixed-phase convective clouds. ln this paper, a cloud-resolving model (CRM) with detailed spectral-bin microphysics was used to examine the effect of aerosols on three different deep convective cloud systems that developed in different geographic locations: South Florida, Oklahoma and the Central Pacific. In all three cases, rain reaches the ground earlier for the low CCN (clean) case. Rain suppression is also evident in all three cases with high CCN (dirty) case. However, this suppression only occurs during the first hour of the simulations. During the mature stages of the simulations, the effects of increasing aerosol concentration range from rain suppression in the Oklahoma case, to almost no effect in the Florida case, to rain enhancement in the Pacific case. These results show the complexity of aerosol interactions with convection.

Formation and dynamics of hazardous convective weather events in Ukraine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balabukh, Vera; Malytska, Liudmyla; Bazalieieva, Iuliana

2013-04-01

Atmospheric circulation change observed from the middle of the 70s of the twentieth century in the Northern Hemisphere resulted in changes of weather events formation conditions in different regions. The degree of influence of various factors on the formation of weather events also has changed. This eventually led to an increase in number and intensity of weather events and their variations in time and space. Destructions and damages associated with these events have increased recently and the biggest damages are mainly results of complex convective weather events: showers, hail, squall. Therefore, one of the main tasks of climatology is to study the mechanisms of change repeatability and intensity of these events. The paper considers the conditions of formation of hazardous convective weather phenomena (strong showers, hail, squalls, tornadoes) in Ukraine and their spatial and temporal variability during 1981 - 2010. Research of convection processes was based on daily radiosonde data for the warm season (May-September 1981 - 2010s), reanalysis ERA-Interim ECMWF data for 1989 - 2010 years , daily observations at 187 meteorological stations in Ukraine, as well as observations of the natural phenomena in other regions (different from the meteorological stations). Indices of atmospheric instability, the magnitude of the Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE), the moisture, the height of the condensation and equilibrium level was used to quantify the intensity of convection. The criteria for the intensity of convection for Ukrainian territory were refined on the basis of these data. Features of the development of convection for various hazardous convective weather events were investigated and identified the necessary conditions for the occurrence of showers, hail, tornadoes and squall in Ukraine. Spatio-temporal variability of convection intensity in Ukraine, its regional characteristics and dynamics for the past 30 year was analyzed. Significant tendency to an increase the average temperature and moisture of the troposphere is observed during 90s of the twentieth century in Ukraine in the warm season that led to the growth of CAPE of the atmosphere, the speed of updrafts, raising the level of condensation and convection, and have increased the instability of the atmosphere. The number and intensity of strong showers, hail, squalls, tornadoes and the number of days with thunderstorms have increased due to such changes in Ukraine. The obtained quantitative criteria of convection will clarify their forecasting methodology, increase forecast accuracy and reduce the amount of uncertainty in predicting type of phenomena for various dangerous convective events.

Strong convective storm nowcasting using a hybrid approach of convolutional neural network and hidden Markov model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Wei; Jiang, Ling; Han, Lei

2018-04-01

Convective storm nowcasting refers to the prediction of the convective weather initiation, development, and decay in a very short term (typically 0 2 h) .Despite marked progress over the past years, severe convective storm nowcasting still remains a challenge. With the boom of machine learning, it has been well applied in various fields, especially convolutional neural network (CNN). In this paper, we build a servere convective weather nowcasting system based on CNN and hidden Markov model (HMM) using reanalysis meteorological data. The goal of convective storm nowcasting is to predict if there is a convective storm in 30min. In this paper, we compress the VDRAS reanalysis data to low-dimensional data by CNN as the observation vector of HMM, then obtain the development trend of strong convective weather in the form of time series. It shows that, our method can extract robust features without any artificial selection of features, and can capture the development trend of strong convective storm.

Investigation of Vibrational Control of the Bridgman Crystal Growth Technique

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fedoseyev, Alexandre I.; Alexander, J. I. D.; Feigelson, R. S.; Zharikov, E. V.; Ostrogorsky, A. G.; Marin, C.; Volz, M. P.; Kansa, E. J.; Friedman, M. J.

2001-01-01

The character of natural buoyant convection in rigidly contained inhomogeneous fluids can be drastically altered by vibrating the container. Vibrations are expected to play a crucial influence on heat and mass transfer onboard the International Space Station (ISS). It is becoming evident that substantial vibrations will exist on the ISS in the wide frequency spectrum. In general, vibrational flows are very complex and governed by many parameters. In many terrestrial crystal growth situations, convective transport of heat and constituent components is dominated by buoyancy driven convection arising from compositional and thermal gradients. Thus, it may be concluded that vibro-convective flow can potentially be used to influence and even control transport in some crystal growth situations.

Comparative Simulations of 2D and 3D Mixed Convection Flow in a Faulted Basin: an Example from the Yarmouk Gorge, Israel and Jordan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Magri, F.; Inbar, N.; Raggad, M.; Möller, S.; Siebert, C.; Möller, P.; Kuehn, M.

2014-12-01

Lake Kinneret (Lake Tiberias or Sea of Galilee) is the most important freshwater reservoir in the Northern Jordan Valley. Simulations that couple fluid flow, heat and mass transport are built to understand the mechanisms responsible for the salinization of this important resource. Here the effects of permeability distribution on 2D and 3D convective patterns are compared. 2D simulations indicate that thermal brine in Haon and some springs in the Yamourk Gorge (YG) are the result of mixed convection, i.e. the interaction between the regional flow from the bordering heights and thermally-driven flow (Magri et al., 2014). Calibration of the calculated temperature profiles suggests that the faults in Haon and the YG provides paths for ascending hot waters, whereas the fault in the Golan recirculates water between 1 and 2 km depths. At higher depths, faults induce 2D layered convection in the surrounding units. The 2D assumption for a faulted basin can oversimplify the system, and the conclusions might not be fully correct. The 3D results also point to mixed convection as the main mechanism for the thermal anomalies. However, in 3D the convective structures are more complex allowing for longer flow paths and residence times. In the fault planes, hydrothermal convection develops in a finger regime enhancing inflow and outflow of heat in the system. Hot springs can form locally at the surface along the fault trace. By contrast, the layered cells extending from the faults into the surrounding sediments are preserved and are similar to those simulated in 2D. The results are consistent with the theory from Zhao et al. (2003), which predicts that 2D and 3D patterns have the same probability to develop given the permeability and temperature ranges encountered in geothermal fields. The 3D approach has to be preferred to the 2D in order to capture all patterns of convective flow, particularly in the case of planar high permeability regions such as faults. Magri, F., et al., 2014. Potential salinization mechanisms of drinking water due to large-scale flow of brines across faults in the Tiberias Basin. Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 16, Abstract No: EGU2014-8236-1, Wien, AustriaZhao, C., et al., 2003. Convective instability of 3-D fluid-saturated geological fault zones heated from below. Geophysical Journal International, 155, 213-220

A Lagrangian stochastic model to demonstrate multi-scale interactions between convection and land surface heterogeneity in the atmospheric boundary layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parsakhoo, Zahra; Shao, Yaping

2017-04-01

Near-surface turbulent mixing has considerable effect on surface fluxes, cloud formation and convection in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). Its quantifications is however a modeling and computational challenge since the small eddies are not fully resolved in Eulerian models directly. We have developed a Lagrangian stochastic model to demonstrate multi-scale interactions between convection and land surface heterogeneity in the atmospheric boundary layer based on the Ito Stochastic Differential Equation (SDE) for air parcels (particles). Due to the complexity of the mixing in the ABL, we find that linear Ito SDE cannot represent convections properly. Three strategies have been tested to solve the problem: 1) to make the deterministic term in the Ito equation non-linear; 2) to change the random term in the Ito equation fractional, and 3) to modify the Ito equation by including Levy flights. We focus on the third strategy and interpret mixing as interaction between at least two stochastic processes with different Lagrangian time scales. The model is in progress to include the collisions among the particles with different characteristic and to apply the 3D model for real cases. One application of the model is emphasized: some land surface patterns are generated and then coupled with the Large Eddy Simulation (LES).

The Impact of Microphysics on Intensity and Structure of Hurricanes and Mesoscale Convective Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tao, Wei-Kuo; Shi, Jainn J.; Jou, Ben Jong-Dao; Lee, Wen-Chau; Lin, Pay-Liam; Chang, Mei-Yu

2007-01-01

During the past decade, both research and operational numerical weather prediction models, e.g. Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model, have started using more complex microphysical schemes originally developed for high-resolution cloud resolving models (CRMs) with a 1-2 km or less horizontal resolutions. WRF is a next-generation mesoscale forecast model and assimilation system that has incorporated modern software framework, advanced dynamics, numeric and data assimilation techniques, a multiple moveable nesting capability, and improved physical packages. WRF model can be used for a wide range of applications, from idealized research to operational forecasting, with an emphasis on horizontal grid sizes in the range of 1-10 km. The current WRF includes several different microphysics options such as Purdue Lin et al. (1983), WSM 6-class and Thompson microphysics schemes. We have recently implemented three sophisticated cloud microphysics schemes into WRF. The cloud microphysics schemes have been extensively tested and applied for different mesoscale systems in different geographical locations. The performances of these schemes have been compared to those from other WRF microphysics options. We are performing sensitivity tests in using WRF to examine the impact of six different cloud microphysical schemes on precipitation processes associated hurricanes and mesoscale convective systems developed at different geographic locations [Oklahoma (IHOP), Louisiana (Hurricane Katrina), Canada (C3VP - snow events), Washington (fire storm), India (Monsoon), Taiwan (TiMREX - terrain)]. We will determine the microphysical schemes for good simulated convective systems in these geographic locations. We are also performing the inline tracer calculation to comprehend the physical processes (i.e., boundary layer and each quadrant in the boundary layer) related to the development and structure of hurricanes and mesoscale convective systems.

Introductory analysis of Bénard Marangoni convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maroto, J. A.; Pérez-Muñuzuri, V.; Romero-Cano, M. S.

2007-03-01

We describe experiments on Bénard-Marangoni convection which permit a useful understanding of the main concepts involved in this phenomenon such as, for example, Bénard cells, aspect ratio, Rayleigh and Marangoni numbers, Crispation number and critical conditions. In spite of the complexity of convection theory, we carry out a simple and introductory analysis which has the additional advantage of providing very suggestive experiments. As a consequence, we recommend our device for use as a laboratory experiment for undergraduate students of the thermodynamics of nonlinear and fluid physics.

A Multi-Variable Approach to Diagnosing the Monthly Covariability of the Amazonian Radiative and Convective Diurnal Cycles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dodson, J. B.; Taylor, P. C.

2016-12-01

The diurnal cycle of convection (CDC) greatly influences the water, radiative, and energy budgets in convectively active regions. For example, previous research of the Amazonian CDC has identified significant monthly covariability between the satellite-observed radiative and precipitation diurnal and multiple reanalysis-derived atmospheric state variables (ASVs) representing convective instability. However, disagreements between retrospective analysis products (reanalyses) over monthly ASV anomalies create significant uncertainty in the resulting covariability. Satellite observations of convective clouds can be used to characterize monthly anomalies in convective activity. CloudSat observes multiple properties of both deep convective cores and the associated anvils, and so is useful as an alternative to the use of reanalyses. CloudSat cannot observe the full diurnal cycle, but it can detect differences between daytime and nighttime convection. Initial efforts to use CloudSat data to characterize convective activity showed that the results are highly dependent on the choice of variable used to characterize the cloud. This is caused by a series of inverse relationships between convective frequency, cloud top height, radar reflectivity vertical profile, and other variables. A single, multi-variable index for convective activity based on CloudSat data may be useful to clarify the results. Principal component analysis (PCA) provides a method to create a multivariable index, where the first principal component (PC1) corresponds with convective instability. The time series of PC1 can then be used as a proxy for monthly variability in convective activity. The primary challenge presented involves determining the utility of PCA for creating a robust index for convective activity that accounts for the complex relationships of multiple convective cloud variables, and yields information about the interactions between convection, the convective environment, and radiation beyond the previous single-variable approaches. The choice of variables used to calculate PC1 may influence any results based on PC1, so it is necessary to test the sensitivity of the results to different variable combinations.

Level of Neutral Buoyancy, Deep Convective Outflow, and Hot Tower: New Perspectives Based on the A-Train Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takahashi, H.; Luo, J.; Stephens, G. L.

2016-12-01

Deep convective cores, or "hot towers (HTs)", play a significant role in controlling the energy budgets and hydrological cycles. The vertical convective transport by HTs is like an express elevator transporting the near-surface air directly into the upper troposphere or lower stratosphere (e.g., Riehl and Malkus, 1958; Sun and Lindzen, 1993; Soden and Fu, 1995). The vertical convective transport will eventually make a transition to horizontal outflows where widespread cirrus anvils develop, which also play an important role in radiative-convective feedbacks (e.g., Stephens et al. 2008). In this study, we introduce two proxies to evaluate the strength of vertical and horizontal convective mass transport by hot towers. Result shows that HTs tend to have wider horizontal mass transport over land than ocean. In addition, an important aspect of the deep convection-to-outflow transition is the altitude where the outflow occurs, which can be conveniently summarized into a single parameter called level of neutral buoyancy (LNB). LNB is a critical parameter for understanding convection because it sets the potential vertical extent for convective development. This study develops a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between LNB and deep convective outflow, including regional variations. To this end, a useful proxy to estimate convective dilution is introduced. Results show that active convective dilution can be seen over the Warm Pool throughout the year, while deep convection over tropical Africa and Amazonia tends to be less diluted.

Urban Modification of Convection and Rainfall in Complex Terrain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Freitag, B. M.; Nair, U. S.; Niyogi, D.

2018-03-01

Despite a globally growing proportion of cities located in regions of complex terrain, interactions between urbanization and complex terrain and their meteorological impacts are not well understood. We utilize numerical model simulations and satellite data products to investigate such impacts over San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina. Numerical modeling experiments show urbanization results in 20-30% less precipitation downwind of the city and an eastward shift in precipitation upwind. Our experiments show that changes in surface energy, boundary layer dynamics, and thermodynamics induced by urbanization interact synergistically with the persistent forcing of atmospheric flow by complex terrain. With urbanization increasing in mountainous regions, land-atmosphere feedbacks can exaggerate meteorological forcings leading to weather impacts that require important considerations for sustainable development of urban regions within complex terrain.

Balanced and Unbalanced Circulations in a Primitive Equation Simulation of a Midlatitude MCC. Part I: The Numerical Simulation.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Olsson, Peter Q.; Cotton, William R.

1997-02-01

A midlatitude mesoscale convective complex (MCC), which occurred over the central United States on 23-24 June 1985, was simulated using the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS). The multiply nested-grid simulation agreed reasonably well with surface, upper-air, and satellite observations and ground-based radar plots. The simulated MCC had a typical structure consisting of a leading line of vigorous convection and a trailing region of less intense stratiform rainfall. Several other characteristic MCC circulations were also simulated: a divergent cold pool in the lower troposphere, midlevel convergence coupled with a relatively cool descending rear-inflow jet, and relatively warm updraft structure, and a cold divergent anticyclone in the tropopause region. Early in the MCC simulation, a mesoscale convectively induced vortex (MCV) formed on the eastern edge of the convective line. While frequently associated with MCCs and other mesoscale convective systems (MCSs), MCVs are more typically reported in the mature and decaying stages of the life cycle. Several hours later, a second MCV formed near the opposite end of the convective line, and by the mature phase of the MCC, these MCVs were embedded within a more complex system-wide vortical flow in the lower troposphere.Analysis of the first MCV during its incipient phase indicates that the vortex initially formed near the surface by convergence/stretching of the large low-level ambient vertical vorticity in this region. Vertical advection appeared largely responsible for the upward extension of this MCV to about 3.5 km above the surface, with tilting of horizontal vorticity playing a secondary role. This mechanism of MCV formation is in contrast to recent idealized high-resolution squall line simulations, where MCVs were found to result from the tilting into the vertical of storm-induced horizontal vorticity formed near the top of the cold pool.Another interesting aspect of the simulation was the development of a banded vorticity structure at midtropospheric levels. These bands were found to be due to the apparent vertical transport of zonal momentum by the descending rear-to-front circulation, or rear-inflow jet. An equivalent alternative viewpoint of this process, deformation of horizontal vorticity filaments by the convective updrafts and rear-inflow jet, is discussed.Part II of this work presents a complementary approach to the analysis presented here, demonstrating that the circulations seen in this MCC simulation are, to a large degree, contained within the nonlinear balance approximation, the related balanced omega equation, and the PV as analyzed from the PE model results.

Multiphase Dynamics of Magma Oceans

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boukaré, Charles-Edouard; Ricard, Yanick; Parmentier, Edgar M.

2017-04-01

Since the earliest study of the Apollo lunar samples, the magma ocean hypothesis has received increasing consideration for explaining the early evolution of terrestrial planets. Giant impacts seem to be able to melt significantly large planets at the end of their accretion. The evolution of the resulting magma ocean would set the initial conditions (thermal and compositionnal structure) for subsequent long-term solid-state planet dynamics. However, magma ocean dynamics remains poorly understood. The major challenge relies on understanding interactions between the physical properties of materials (e.g., viscosity (at liquid or solid state), buoyancy) and the complex dynamics of an extremely vigorously convecting system. Such complexities might be neglected in cases where liquidus/adiabat interactions and density stratification leads to stable situations. However, interesting possibilities arise when exploring magma ocean dynamics in other regime. In the case of the Earth, recent studies have shown that the liquidus might intersect the adiabat at mid-mantle depth and/or that solids might be buoyant at deep mantle conditions. These results require the consideration of more sophisticated scenarios. For instance, how does bottom-up crystallization look with buoyant crystals? To understand this complex dynamics, we develop a multiphase phase numerical code that can handle simultaneously phase change, the convection in each phase and in the slurry, as well as the compaction or decompaction of the two phases. Although our code can only run in a limited parameter range (Rayleigh number, viscosity contrast between phases, Prandlt number), it provides a rich dynamics that illustrates what could have happened. For a given liquidus/adiabat configuration and density contrast between melt and solid, we explore magma ocean scenarios by varying the relative timescales of three first order processes: solid-liquid separation, thermo-chemical convective motions and magma ocean cooling.

The interactive role of subsynoptic scale jet sreak and planetary boundary layer adjustments in organizing an apparently isolated convective complex

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaplan, M. L.; Zack, J. W.; Wong, V. C.; Tuccillo, J. J.; Coats, G. D.

1982-01-01

A mesoscale atmospheric simulation system is described that is being developed in order to improve the simulation of subsynoptic and mesoscale adjustments associated with cyclogenesis, severe storm development, and significant atmospheric transport processes. Present emphasis in model development is in the parameterization of physical processes, time-dependent boundary conditions, sophisticated initialization and analysis procedures, nested grid solutions, and applications software development. Basic characteristics of the system as of March 1982 are listed. In a case study, the Grand Island tornado outbreak of 3 June 1980 is considered in substantial detail. Results of simulations with a mesoscale atmospheric simulation system indicate that over the high plains subtle interactions between existing jet streaks and deep well mixed boundary layers can lead to well organized patterns of mesoscale divergence and pressure falls. The amplitude and positioning of these mesoscale features is a function of the subtle nonlinear interaction between the pre-existing jet-streak and deep well mixed boundary layers. Model results for the case study indicate that the model has the potential for forecasting the precursor mesoscale convective environment.

Vorticity imbalance and stability in relation to convection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Read, W. L.; Scoggins, J. R.

1977-01-01

A complete synoptic-scale vorticity budget was related to convection storm development in the eastern two-thirds of the United States. The 3-h sounding interval permitted a study of time changes of the vorticity budget in areas of convective storms. Results of analyses revealed significant changes in values of terms in the vorticity equation at different stages of squall line development. Average budgets for all areas of convection indicate systematic imbalance in the terms in the vorticity equation. This imbalance resulted primarily from sub-grid scale processes. Potential instability in the lower troposphere was analyzed in relation to the development of convective activity. Instability was related to areas of convection; however, instability alone was inadequate for forecast purposes. Combinations of stability and terms in the vorticity equation in the form of indices succeeded in depicting areas of convection better than any one item separately.

Experimental study of the convection in a rotating tangent cylinder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aujogue, Kélig; Pothérat, Alban; Sreenivasan, Binod; Debray, François

2018-05-01

This paper experimentally investigates the convection in a fast rotating Tangent Cylinder (TC), for Ekman numbers down to $E=3.36\\times10^{-6}$, in a configuration relevant to the liquid core of the Earth. In the apparatus, the TC results from the Proudman-Taylor constraint incurred by rotating a hemispherical fluid vessel heated in its centre by a protruding heating element of cylindrical shape. The resulting convection that develops above the heater, i.e within the TC, is shown to set in for critical Rayleigh numbers and wavenumbers respectively scaling as $Ra_c\\sim E^{4/3}$ and $a_c\\sim E^{1/3}$ with the Ekman number $E$. Though exhibiting the same exponents as for plane rotating convection, these laws are indicative of much larger convective plumes at onset. The structure and dynamics of these plumes are in fact closer to those found in solid rotating cylinders heated from below, suggesting that the confinement within the TC induced by the Taylor-Proudman constraint influences convection in a similar way as solid walls would do. There is further similarity in that the critical modes in the TC all exhibit a slow retrograde precession at onset. In supercritical regimes, the precession evolves into a thermal wind with a complex structure featuring retrograde rotation at high latitude and either prograde or retrograde rotation at low latitudes (close to the heater), depending on the criticality and the Ekman number. Nevertheless the intensity of the thermal wind measured by the Rossby number scales as $Ro\\sim 0.85(Ra_q^*)^{0.41}$ with the Rayleigh number based on the heat flux $Ra_q^*$. This scaling suggests that the convection in the TC is driven by quasi-geostrophic dynamics, a finding supported by the scaling for the rotation-normalised Nusselt number $Nu^{*} \\sim (Ra_{q}^{*})^{5/9}$.

Stability Analysis and Internal Heating Effect on Oscillatory Convection in a Viscoelastic Fluid Saturated Porous Medium Under Gravity Modulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhadauria, B. S.; Singh, M. K.; Singh, A.; Singh, B. K.; Kiran, P.

2016-12-01

In this paper, we investigate the combined effect of internal heating and time periodic gravity modulation in a viscoelastic fluid saturated porous medium by reducing the problem into a complex non-autonomous Ginzgburg-Landau equation. Weak nonlinear stability analysis has been performed by using power series expansion in terms of the amplitude of gravity modulation, which is assumed to be small. The Nusselt number is obtained in terms of the amplitude for oscillatory mode of convection. The influence of viscoelastic parameters on heat transfer has been discussed. Gravity modulation is found to have a destabilizing effect at low frequencies and a stabilizing effect at high frequencies. Finally, it is found that overstability advances the onset of convection, more with internal heating. The conditions for which the complex Ginzgburg-Landau equation undergoes Hopf bifurcation and the amplitude equation undergoes supercritical pitchfork bifurcation are studied.

Double-Diffusive Convection at Low Prandtl Number

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garaud, Pascale

2018-01-01

This work reviews present knowledge of double-diffusive convection at low Prandtl number obtained using direct numerical simulations, in both the fingering regime and the oscillatory regime. Particular emphasis is given to modeling the induced turbulent mixing and its impact in various astrophysical applications. The nonlinear saturation of fingering convection at low Prandtl number usually drives small-scale turbulent motions whose transport properties can be predicted reasonably accurately using a simple semi-analytical model. In some instances, large-scale internal gravity waves can be excited by a collective instability and eventually cause layering. The nonlinear saturation of oscillatory double-diffusive convection exhibits much more complex behavior. Weakly stratified systems always spontaneously transition into layered convection associated with very efficient mixing. More strongly stratified systems remain dominated by weak wave turbulence unless they are initialized into a layered state. The effects of rotation, shear, lateral gradients, and magnetic fields are briefly discussed.

Large Eddy Simulations of Severe Convection Induced Turbulence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ahmad, Nash'at; Proctor, Fred

2011-01-01

Convective storms can pose a serious risk to aviation operations since they are often accompanied by turbulence, heavy rain, hail, icing, lightning, strong winds, and poor visibility. They can cause major delays in air traffic due to the re-routing of flights, and by disrupting operations at the airports in the vicinity of the storm system. In this study, the Terminal Area Simulation System is used to simulate five different convective events ranging from a mesoscale convective complex to isolated storms. The occurrence of convection induced turbulence is analyzed from these simulations. The validation of model results with the radar data and other observations is reported and an aircraft-centric turbulence hazard metric calculated for each case is discussed. The turbulence analysis showed that large pockets of significant turbulence hazard can be found in regions of low radar reflectivity. Moderate and severe turbulence was often found in building cumulus turrets and overshooting tops.

Growth kinetics of physical vapor transport processes: Crystal growth of the optoelectronic material mercurous chloride

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, N. B.; Duval, W. M.

1991-01-01

Physical vapor transport processes were studied for the purpose of identifying the magnitude of convective effects on the crystal growth process. The effects of convection on crystal quality were were studied by varying the aspect ratio and those thermal conditions which ultimately affect thermal convection during physical vapor transport. An important outcome of the present study was the observation that the convection growth rate increased up to a certain value and then dropped to a constant value for high aspect ratios. This indicated that a very complex transport had occurred which could not be explained by linear stability theory. Better quality crystals grown at a low Rayleigh number confirmed that improved properties are possible in convectionless environments.

Evidence for Tropopause Layer Moistening by Convection During CRYSTAL-FACE

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ackerman, A.; Fridlind, A.; Jensen, E.; Miloshevich, L.; Heymsfield, G.; McGill, M.

2003-01-01

Measurements and analysis of the impact of deep convection on tropopause layer moisture are easily confounded by difficulties making precise observations with sufficient spatial coverage before and after convective events and difficulties distinguishing between changes due to local convection versus large-scale advection. The interactions between cloud microphysics and dynamics in the convective transport of moisture into the tropopause layer also result in a sufficiently complex and poorly characterized system to allow for considerable freedom in theoretical models of stratosphere-troposphere exchange. In this work we perform detailed large-eddy simulations with an explicit cloud microphysics model to study the impact of deep convection on tropopause layer moisture profiles observed over southern Florida during CRYSTALFACE. For four days during the campaign (July 11, 16, 28, and 29) we initialize a 100-km square domain with temperature and moisture profiles measured prior to convection at the PARSL ground site, and initiate convection with a warm bubble that produces an anvil at peak elevations in agreement with lidar and radar observations on that day. Comparing the moisture field after the anvils decay with the initial state, we find that convection predominantly moistens the tropopause layer (as defined by minimum temperature and minimum potential temperature lapse rate), although some drying is also predicted in localized layers. We will also present results of sensitivity tests designed to separate the roles of cloud microphysics and dynamics.

Global lightning and severe storm monitoring from GPS orbit

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Suszcynsky, D. M.; Jacobson, A. R.; Linford, J

Over the last few decades, there has been a growing interest to develop and deploy an automated and continuously operating satellite-based global lightning mapper [e.g. Christian et al., 1989; Weber et al., 1998; Suszcynsky et al., 2000]. Lightning is a direct consequence of the electrification and breakdown processes that take place during the convective stages of thunderstorm development. Satellite-based lightning mappers are designed to exploit this relationship by using lightning detection as a proxy for remotely identifying, locating and characterizing strong convective activity on a global basis. Global lightning and convection mapping promises to provide users with (1) an enhancedmore » global severe weather monitoring and early warning capability [e.g. Weber et al., 1998] (2) improved ability to optimize aviation flight paths around convective cells, particularly over oceanic and remote regions that are not sufficiently serviced by existing weather radar [e.g. Weber et al., 1998], and (3) access to regional and global proxy data sets that can be used for scientific studies and as input into meteorological forecast and global climatology models. The physical foundation for satellite-based remote sensing of convection by way of lightning detection is provided by the basic interplay between the electrical and convective states of a thundercloud. It is widely believed that convection is a driving mechanism behind the hydrometeor charging and transport that produces charge separation and lightning discharges within thunderclouds [e.g. see chapter 3 in MacGorman and Rust, 1998]. Although cloud electrification and discharge processes are a complex function of the convective dynamics and microphysics of the cloud, the fundamental relationship between convection and electrification is easy to observe. For example, studies have shown that the strength of the convective process within a thundercell can be loosely parameterized (with large variance) by the intensity of the electrical activity within that cell as measured by the lightning flash rate. Williams [2001] has provided a review of experimental work that shows correlations between the total lightning flash rate and the fifth power of the radar cloud-top height (i.e. convective strength) of individual thunder cells. More recently, Ushio et al., [2001] used a large statistical sampling of optical data from the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) in conjunction with data provided by the Precipitation Radar (PR) aboard the Tropical Rainfall Monitoring Mission (TRMM) satellite to conclude that the total lightning flash rate increases exponentially with storm height. Lightning activity levels have also been correlated to cloud ice content, a basic product of the convective process. For example, Blyth et al. [2001] used the Thermal Microwave Imager (TMI) aboard the TRMM satellite to observe a decrease in the 37 and 85 GHz brightness temperatures of upwelling terrestrial radiation during increased lightning activity. This reduction in brightness temperature is believed to be the result of increased ice scattering in the mixed phase region of the cloud. Toracinta and Zipser [2001] have found similar relationships using the Optical Transient Detector (OTD) satellite instrument and the Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) aboard the DMSP satellites.« less

Asymmetric distribution of convection in tropical cyclones over the western North Pacific Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Lu; Fei, Jianfang; Huang, Xiaogang; Cheng, Xiaoping; Yang, Xiangrong; Ding, Juli; Shi, Wenli

2016-11-01

Forecasts of the intensity and quantitative precipitation of tropical cyclones (TCs) are generally inaccurate, because the strength and structure of a TC show a complicated spatiotemporal pattern and are affected by various factors. Among these, asymmetric convection plays an important role. This study investigates the asymmetric distribution of convection in TCs over the western North Pacific during the period 2005-2012, based on data obtained from the Feng Yun 2 (FY2) geostationary satellite. The asymmetric distributions of the incidence, intensity and morphology of convections are analyzed. Results show that the PDFs of the convection occurrence curve to the azimuth are sinusoidal. The rear-left quadrant relative to TC motion shows the highest occurrence rate of convection, while the front-right quadrant has the lowest. In terms of intensity, weak convections are favored in the front-left of a TC at large distances, whereas strong convections are more likely to appear to the rear-right of a TC within a 300 km range. More than 70% of all MCSs examined here are elongated systems, and meso- β enlongated convective systems (M βECSs) are the most dominant type observed in the outer region of a TC. Smaller MCSs tend to be more concentrated near the center of a TC. While semi-circular MCSs [M βCCSs, MCCs (mesoscale convective complexes)] show a high incidence rate to the rear of a TC, elongated MCSs [M βECSs, PECSs (persistent elongated convective systems)] are more likely to appear in the rear-right quadrant of a TC within a range of 400 km.

Convective scale interaction: Arc cloud lines and the development and evolution of deep convection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Purdom, James Francis Whitehurst

1986-01-01

Information is used from satellite data and research aircraft data to provide new insights concerning the mesoscale development and evolution of deep convection in an atmosphere typified by weak synoptic-scale forcing. The importance of convective scale interaction in the development and evolution of deep convection is examined. This interaction is shown to manifest itself as the merger and intersection of thunderstorm outflow boundaries (arc cloud lines) with other convective lines, areas or boundaries. Using geostationary satellite visible and infrared data convective scale interaction is shown to be responsible for over 85 percent of the intense convection over the southeast U.S. by late afternoon, and a majority of that area's afternoon rainfall. The aircraft observations provided valuable information concerning critically important regions of the arc cloud line: (1) the cool outflow region, (2) the density surge line interface region; and (3) the sub-cloud region above the surge line. The observations when analyzed with rapid scan satellite data, helped in defining the arc cloud line's life cycle as 3 evolving stages.

On the Influence of Surface Heterogeneities onto Roll Convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gryschka, M.; Drüe, C.; Raasch, S.; Etling, D.

2009-04-01

Roll convection is a common phenomenon in atmospheric convective boundary layers (CBL) with background wind. Roll convection is observed both over land and over sea for different synoptic situations. There is still some debate about the different types of roll convection and their causes or rather the necessary conditions for their appearance. The stability parameter ζ = -zi•L (zi: boundary layer height, L: Monin-Obukhov stability length) is widely used as a predictor for roll convection, since numerous studies suggest that convective rolls only appear when 0 < ζ < 20. In other words, roll development becomes unlikely for strong surface heating and weak vertical wind shear. In contrast to those studies the presence of roll convection in almost any polar cold air outbreak (as can be seen in numerous satellite images as cloud streets) reveals that even for large ζ roll convection can develop. Some studies report roll convection in cold air outbreaks for ζ = 250. Our large eddy simulations (LES) on roll convection suggests that the contrasting results concerning the dependency of roll convection on ζ are due to two different types of roll convection: One type which develops purely by self organization if ζ < 20 ("free rolls") and another type which is triggered by heterogeneities in surface temperature and develops also for large ζ ("forced rolls"). We think that most of the cloud streets observed in polar cold air outbreaks over open water are due to rolls of forced type which are tied to upstream located heterogeneities in the sea-ice distribution. The results of this study suggests that the omission of surface inhomogeneities in previous LES is the reason for the absence of rolls in all LES with strong surface heating and weak vertical wind shear so far. In this contribution we will present a large eddy simulation which successfully represents forced rolls under such conditions.

Absolute/convective secondary instabilities and the role of confinement in free shear layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arratia, Cristóbal; Mowlavi, Saviz; Gallaire, François

2018-05-01

We study the linear spatiotemporal stability of an infinite row of equal point vortices under symmetric confinement between parallel walls. These rows of vortices serve to model the secondary instability leading to the merging of consecutive (Kelvin-Helmholtz) vortices in free shear layers, allowing us to study how confinement limits the growth of shear layers through vortex pairings. Using a geometric construction akin to a Legendre transform on the dispersion relation, we compute the growth rate of the instability in different reference frames as a function of the frame velocity with respect to the vortices. This approach is verified and complemented with numerical computations of the linear impulse response, fully characterizing the absolute/convective nature of the instability. Similar to results by Healey on the primary instability of parallel tanh profiles [J. Fluid Mech. 623, 241 (2009), 10.1017/S0022112008005284], we observe a range of confinement in which absolute instability is promoted. For a parallel shear layer with prescribed confinement and mixing length, the threshold for absolute/convective instability of the secondary pairing instability depends on the separation distance between consecutive vortices, which is physically determined by the wavelength selected by the previous (primary or pairing) instability. In the presence of counterflow and moderate to weak confinement, small (large) wavelength of the vortex row leads to absolute (convective) instability. While absolute secondary instabilities in spatially developing flows have been previously related to an abrupt transition to a complex behavior, this secondary pairing instability regenerates the flow with an increased wavelength, eventually leading to a convectively unstable row of vortices. We argue that since the primary instability remains active for large wavelengths, a spatially developing shear layer can directly saturate on the wavelength of such a convectively unstable row, by-passing the smaller wavelengths of absolute secondary instability. This provides a wavelength selection mechanism, according to which the distance between consecutive vortices should be sufficiently large in comparison with the channel width in order for the row of vortices to persist. We argue that the proposed wavelength selection criteria can serve as a guideline for experimentally obtaining plane shear layers with counterflow, which has remained an experimental challenge.

Heat Flux Sensors for Infrared Thermography in Convective Heat Transfer

PubMed Central

Carlomagno, Giovanni Maria; de Luca, Luigi; Cardone, Gennaro; Astarita, Tommaso

2014-01-01

This paper reviews the most dependable heat flux sensors, which can be used with InfraRed (IR) thermography to measure convective heat transfer coefficient distributions, and some of their applications performed by the authors' research group at the University of Naples Federico II. After recalling the basic principles that make IR thermography work, the various heat flux sensors to be used with it are presented and discussed, describing their capability to investigate complex thermo-fluid-dynamic flows. Several applications to streams, which range from natural convection to hypersonic flows, are also described. PMID:25386758

Improving Representation of Convective Transport for Scale-Aware Parameterization – Part I: Convection and Cloud Properties Simulated with Spectral Bin and Bulk Microphysics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fan, Jiwen; Liu, Yi-Chin; Xu, Kuan-Man

2015-04-27

The ultimate goal of this study is to improve representation of convective transport by cumulus parameterization for meso-scale and climate models. As Part I of the study, we perform extensive evaluations of cloud-resolving simulations of a squall line and mesoscale convective complexes in mid-latitude continent and tropical regions using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with spectral-bin microphysics (SBM) and with two double-moment bulk microphysics schemes: a modified Morrison (MOR) and Milbrandt and Yau (MY2). Compared to observations, in general, SBM gives better simulations of precipitation, vertical velocity of convective cores, and the vertically decreasing trend of radar reflectivitymore » than MOR and MY2, and therefore will be used for analysis of scale-dependence of eddy transport in Part II. The common features of the simulations for all convective systems are (1) the model tends to overestimate convection intensity in the middle and upper troposphere, but SBM can alleviate much of the overestimation and reproduce the observed convection intensity well; (2) the model greatly overestimates radar reflectivity in convective cores (SBM predicts smaller radar reflectivity but does not remove the large overestimation); and (3) the model performs better for mid-latitude convective systems than tropical system. The modeled mass fluxes of the mid latitude systems are not sensitive to microphysics schemes, but are very sensitive for the tropical case indicating strong microphysics modification to convection. Cloud microphysical measurements of rain, snow and graupel in convective cores will be critically important to further elucidate issues within cloud microphysics schemes.« less

Mechanisms initiating deep convection over complex terrain during COPS.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kottmeier, C.; Kalthoff, N.; Barthlott, C.

2008-12-01

Precipitating convection in a mountain region of moderate topography is investigated, with particular emphasis on its initiation in response to boundary-layer and mid- and upper-tropospheric forcing mechanisms. The data used in the study are from COPS (Convective and Orographically-induced Precipitation Study) that took place in southwestern Germany and eastern France in the summer of 2007. It is found that the initiation of precipitating convection can be roughly classified as being due to either: (i) surface heating and low-level flow convergence; (ii) surface heating and moisture supply overcoming convective inhibition during latent and/or potential instability; or (iii) mid-tropospheric dynamical processes duemore » to mesoscale convergence lines and forced mean vertical motion. These phenomena have to be adequately represented in models in order to improve quantitative precipitation forecast. Selected COPS cases are analyzed and classified into these initiation categories. Although only a subset of COPS data (mainly radiosondes, surface weather stations, radar and satellite data) are used here, it is shown that convective systems are captured in considerable detail by sensor synergy. Convergence lines were observed by Doppler radar in the location where deep convection is triggered several hours later. The results suggest that in many situations, observations of the location and timing of convergence lines will facilitate the nowcasting of convection. Further on, forecasting of the initiation of convection is significantly complicated if advection of potentially convective air masses over changing terrain features plays a major role. The passage of a frontal structure over the Vosges - Rhine valley - Black Forest orography was accompanied by an intermediate suppression of convection over the wide Rhine valley. Further downstream, an intensification of convection was observed over the Black Forest due to differential surface heating, a convergence line, and the flow generated by a gust front.« less

A Method to Retrieve Rainfall Rate over Land from TRMM Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prabhakara, C.; Iacovazzi, R., Jr.; Yoo, J.-M.

2002-01-01

Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Precipitation Radar (PR) observations over mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) reveal that there are localized maxima in the rain rate with a scale of about 10 to 20 km that represent thunderstorms (Cbs). Some of these Cbs are developing or intense, while others are decaying or weak. These Cbs constitute only about 20 % of the rain area of a given MCS. Outside of Cbs, the average rain rate is much weaker than that within Cbs. From an analysis of the PR data, we find that the spatial distribution of rain and its character, convective or stratiform, is highly inhomogeneous. This complex nature of rain exists on a scale comparable to that of a Cb. The 85 GHz brightness temperature, T85, observations of the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) radiometer taken over an MCS reflect closely the PR rain rate pattern over land. Local maxima in rain rate shown by PR are observed as local minima in T85. Where there are no minima in T85, PR observations indicate there is light rain. However, the TMI brightness temperature measurements (Tbs) have poor ability to discriminate convective rain from stratiform rain. For this reason, a TMI rain retrieval procedure that depends primarily on the magnitude of Tbs performs poorly. In order to retrieve rain rate from TMI data on land one has to include the spatial distribution information deduced from the T85 data in the retrieval method. Then, quantitative estimation of rain rate can be accomplished. A TMI rain retrieval method developed along these lines can yield estimates of rain rate and its frequency distribution which agree closely with that given by PR. We find the current TRMM project TMI (Version 5) rain retrieval algorithm on land could be improved with the retrieval scheme developed here. To support the conceptual frame work of the rain retrieval method developed here, a theoretical analysis of the TMI brightness temperatures in convective and stratiform regions is presented.

Comparisons of RELAP5-3D Analyses to Experimental Data from the Natural Convection Shutdown Heat Removal Test Facility

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bucknor, Matthew; Hu, Rui; Lisowski, Darius

2016-04-17

The Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS) is an important passive safety system being incorporated into the overall safety strategy for high temperature advanced reactor concepts such as the High Temperature Gas- Cooled Reactors (HTGR). The Natural Convection Shutdown Heat Removal Test Facility (NSTF) at Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne) reflects a 1/2-scale model of the primary features of one conceptual air-cooled RCCS design. The project conducts ex-vessel, passive heat removal experiments in support of Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy’s Advanced Reactor Technology (ART) program, while also generating data for code validation purposes. While experiments are being conducted at themore » NSTF to evaluate the feasibility of the passive RCCS, parallel modeling and simulation efforts are ongoing to support the design, fabrication, and operation of these natural convection systems. Both system-level and high fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses were performed to gain a complete understanding of the complex flow and heat transfer phenomena in natural convection systems. This paper provides a summary of the RELAP5-3D NSTF model development efforts and provides comparisons between simulation results and experimental data from the NSTF. Overall, the simulation results compared favorably to the experimental data, however, further analyses need to be conducted to investigate any identified differences.« less

Electrical Resistivity Imaging and Hydrodynamic Modeling of Convective Fingering in a Sabkha Aquifer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Van Dam, Remke; Eustice, Brian; Hyndman, David; Wood, Warren; Simmons, Craig

2014-05-01

Free convection, or fluid motion driven by density differences, is an important groundwater flow mechanism that can enhance transport and mixing of heat and solutes in the subsurface. Various issues of environmental and societal relevance are exacerbated convective mixing; it has been studied in the context of dense contaminant plumes, nuclear waste disposal, greenhouse gas sequestration, the impacts of sea level rise and saline intrusion on drinking water resources. The basic theory behind convective flow in porous media is well understood, but important questions regarding this process in natural systems remain unanswered. Most previous research on this topic has focused on theory and modeling, with only limited attention to experimental studies and field measurements. The few published studies present single snapshots, making it difficult to quantify transient changes in these systems. Non-invasive electrical methods have the potential to exploit the relation between solute concentrations and electrical conductance of a fluid, and thereby estimate fluid salinity differences in time and space. We present the results of a two-year experimental study at a shallow sabkha aquifer in the United Arab Emirates, about 50 km southwest of the city of Abu Dhabi along the coast of the Arabian Gulf, that was designed to explore the transient nature of free convection. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) data documented the presence of convective fingers following a significant rainfall event. One year later, the complex fingering pattern had completely disappeared. This observation is supported by analysis of the aquifer solute budget as well as hydrodynamic modeling of the system. The transient dynamics of the gravitational instabilities in the modeling results are in agreement with the timing observed in the time-lapse ERT data. Our experimental observations and modeling are consistent with the hypothesis that the instabilities arose from a dense brine that infiltrated into the aquifer from a surficial source and that the finite nature of this brine and dispersive mixing led to the decay of the complex fingers with time. Our work provides direct field measurements in a discipline where such data are quite rare. This work is likely the first to provide such direct evidence, coupled with time series data from numerical modeling, to allow quantification of the speed and the dynamics of complex free convective fingering in a field setting. This is a major step forward for this field.

Influence of spring snowpack melting on thunderstorm activity in the Catalan Pyrenees

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pascual, R.; Callado, A.; Terradelles, E.; Téllez, B.

2009-09-01

Catalan Pyrenees, the eastern half of the Pyrenees range, is a very popular area for tourism, hiking and climbing. This sector of the range is 200 km long and, on average, 80 km wide. Its highest peaks reach 3000 m ASL and there are many summits above 2500 m ASL. Two of the main climatic characteristics of the region are the very frequent summer convective storms and the late autumn, winter and spring snow-cover. Both characteristics have normally been studied from different points of view, and weather forecasts in late spring have not normally considered the plausible relationship between them. The snowpack melting from April to June, especially rapid in May, leads to important changes on the surface energy balance since the evolution from snow-covered ground to bare soil or canopy, significantly alters the surface albedo and the turbulent, latent and sensible, heat fluxes. These modifications have a noticeable influence in developing or inhibiting thermally-induced mesoscale circulations such as upslope winds, valley breezes or plane-mountain breezes, and could condition the triggering of convection, showers and storm activity. In order to gain insight into the relationship between the spring snowpack melting and the location of thunderstorm activity, a comparison between seasonal snow-cover and thunderstorm frequency evolution (using lightning network data) for a period of 5 years has been carried out, showing a progressive transition from a non-convective to a convective precipitation regime in areas where the snowpack has melted recently Furthermore, a meso-beta scale non-hydrostatic numerical weather prediction model at a 2.5-km horizontal resolution is used to study the sensitivity of snowpack extension on the thunderstorms development over the complex orography of the Catalan Pyrenees. A spring case with thunderstorm activity restricted to snow-free areas has been selected and accurately simulated. A number of sensitivity runs with different initial snow fields has been performed, so allowing evaluation of the influence of snow-cover on the triggering of convection.

Natural Convection Cooling of the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator Engineering Unit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lewandowski, Edward J.; Hill, Dennis

2011-01-01

After fueling and prior to launch, the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) will be stored for a period of time then moved to the launch pad for integration with the space probe and mounting on the launch vehicle. During this time, which could be as long as 3 years, the ASRG will operate continuously with heat rejected from the housing and fins. Typically, the generator will be cooled by forced convection using fans. During some of the ground operations, maintaining forced convection may add significant complexity, so allowing natural convection may simplify operations. A test was conducted on the ASRG Engineering Unit (EU) to quantify temperatures and operating parameters with natural convection only and determine if the EU could be safely operated in such an environment. The results show that with natural convection cooling the ASRG EU Stirling convertor pressure vessel temperatures and other parameters had significant margins while the EU was operated for several days in this configuration. Additionally, an update is provided on ASRG EU testing at NASA Glenn Research Center, where the ASRG EU has operated for over 16,000 hr and underwent extensive testing.

Convective transport of reactive constituents to the tropical and mid-latitude tropopause region: I. Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ridley, B.; Atlas, E.; Selkirk, H.; Pfister, L.; Montzka, D.; Walega, J.; Donnelly, S.; Stroud, V.; Richard, E.; Kelly, K.

2004-01-01

Measurements of ozone, reactive carbon and nitrogen, and other trace constituents from flights of the NASA WB-57F aircraft in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere reveal that convection in the tropics can present a complex mix of surface-emitted constituents right up to the altitude of the lapse rate tropopause. At higher latitudes over the southern US, the strongest transport signal, in terms of constituent mixing ratios, occurred in the potential temperature range of 340-350K or approximately over the altitude range of 9-11km. Weaker convective signals were also seen up to near the tropopause. There was no evidence of convective transport directly into the lower stratosphere from these flights. $CPY 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Using Satellite Observations to Infer the Relationship Between Cold Pools and Subsequent Convection Development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elsaesser, Gregory

2015-01-01

Cold pools are increasingly being recognized as important players in the evolution of both shallow and deep convection; hence, the incorporation of cold pool processes into a number of recently developed convective parameterizations. Unfortunately, observations serving to inform cold pool parameterization development are limited to select field programs and limited radar domains. However, a number of recent studies have noted that cold pools are often associated with arcs-lines of shallow clouds traversing 10 100 km in visible satellite imagery. Boundary layer thermodynamic perturbations are plausible at such scales, coincident with such mesoscale features. Atmospheric signatures of features at these spatial scales are potentially observable from satellites. In this presentation, we discuss recent work that uses multi-sensor, high-resolution satellite products for observing mesoscale wind vector fluctuations and boundary layer temperature depressions attributed to cold pools produced by antecedent convection. The relationship to subsequent convection as well as convective system longevity is discussed. As improvements in satellite technology occur and efforts to reduce noise in high-resolution orbital products progress, satellite pixel level (10 km) thermodynamic and dynamic (e.g. mesoscale convergence) parameters can increasingly serve as useful benchmarks for constraining convective parameterization development, including for regimes where organized convection contributes substantially to the cloud and rainfall climatology.

On the mathematical modeling of the Reynolds stress's equations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lin, Avi

1990-01-01

By considering the Reynolds stress equations as a possible descriptor of complex turbulent fields, pressure-velocity interaction and turbulence dissipation are studied as two of the main physical contributions to Reynolds stress balancing in turbulent flow fields. It is proven that the pressure interaction term contains turbulence generation elements. However, the usual 'return to isotropy' element appears more weakly than in the standard models. In addition, convection-like elements are discovered mathematically, but there is no mathematical evidence that the pressure fluctuations contribute to the turbulent transport mechanism. Calculations of some simple one-dimensional fields indicate that this extra convection, rather than the turbulent transport, is needed mathematically. Similarly, an expression for the turbulence dissipation is developed. The end result is a dynamic equation for the dissipation tensor which is based on the tensorial length scales.

Numerical investigations of passive scalar transport in Taylor-Couette flows: Counter-rotation effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ouazib, Nabila; Salhi, Yacine; Si-Ahmed, El-Khider; Legrand, Jack; Degrez, G.

2017-07-01

Numerical methods for solving convection-diffusion-reaction (CDR) scalar transport equation in three-dimensional flow are used in the present investigation. The flow is confined between two concentric cylinders both the inner cylinder and the outer one are allowed to rotate. Direct numerical simulations (DNS) have been achieved to study the effects of the gravitational and the centrifugal potentials on the stability of incompressible Taylor-Couette flow. The Navier-Stokes equations and the uncoupled convection-diffusion-reaction equation are solved using a spectral development in one direction combined together with a finite element discretization in the two remaining directions. The complexity of the patterns is highlighted. Since, it increases as the rotation rates of the cylinders increase. In addition, the effect of the counter-rotation of the cylinders on the mass transfer is pointed out.

The influence of horizontally non-uniform heating upon the development of strong convective mesoscale disturbances

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Zhihao; Chen, Liangdong

1985-08-01

It is shown by observational data and synoptic analysis that the development of strong convective echo is influenced by the horizontally non-uniform heating, such as the one caused by lake-land distribution. In this paper, a simple linear cell-convection model is established using an appropriate heating field, and the instability of heating convection is theoretically studied. It is found that the heating convection development will be unstable if the heating-caused temperature gradient dT 0/ dy is greater than the critical value ( dT 0/ dy) c which is approximately 0.64°C/10 km, and that the development of convective band has a preferred width of 12.5 km. It will take 25 min for the initial disturbance to increase intensity by 10 times. All these results are in rather good agreement with the squall line process in the lake-land region of Jiangsu Province on June 8, 1979.

Fluid convection, constraint and causation

PubMed Central

Bishop, Robert C.

2012-01-01

Complexity—nonlinear dynamics for my purposes in this essay—is rich with metaphysical and epistemological implications but is receiving sustained philosophical analysis only recently. I will explore some of the subtleties of causation and constraint in Rayleigh–Bénard convection as an example of a complex phenomenon, and extract some lessons for further philosophical reflection on top-down constraint and causation particularly with respect to causal foundationalism. PMID:23386955

Thermosolutal convection in high-aspect-ratio enclosures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, L. W.; Chen, C. T.

1988-01-01

Convection in high-aspect-ratio rectangular enclosures with combined horizontal temperature and concentration gradients is studied experimentally. An electrochemical system is employed to impose the concentration gradients. The solutal buoyancy force either opposes or augments the thermal buoyancy force. Due to a large difference between the thermal and solutal diffusion rates the flow possesses double-diffusive characteristics. Various complex flow patterns are observed with different experimental conditions.

Influence of Offshore Initial Moisture Field and Convection on the Development of Coastal Convection in a Heavy Rainfall Event over South China during the Pre-summer Rainy Season

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Rong; Sun, Jianhua; Fu, Shenming

2017-04-01

This paper utilizes the observation data from the Southern China Monsoon Rainfall Experiment (SCMREX) and the numerical experiments to investigate the influence of moisture amount and convection development over the northern South China Sea on a heavy rainfall event in coastal South China on May 8, 2014. Intensive sounding and wind profiles data reveal that there existed a convergence region formed by the southwesterly and easterly jet in the Pearl River delta, which provided favorable conditions for the development of convection. Whether the initial relative humidity field was increased or decreased in the offshore area, or turning off sensible and latent heat release from the cumulus and microphysical processes, had significant effects on the intensity and movement of convection in the coastal areas of Guangdong owing to the adjustment of temperature and wind fields. Especially, when increasing offshore initial humidity, prosperous sea convection modified the circulation in the entire simulation area, and suppressed the development of convection over land. Moreover, if sensible and latent heat from cumulus and microphysical processes was turned off, the low-level jets could reach further north, and the convective system moved to the northeast in the later stage. These experiments indicate that offshore initial moisture filed and convection activity are indeed important for precipitation forecast in the coastal areas, therefore it's necessary to enhance offshore observation and data assimilation methods in the future.

Analysis of the electrolyte convection inside the concentration boundary layer during structured electrodeposition of copper in high magnetic gradient fields.

PubMed

König, Jörg; Tschulik, Kristina; Büttner, Lars; Uhlemann, Margitta; Czarske, Jürgen

2013-03-19

To experimentally reveal the correlation between electrodeposited structure and electrolyte convection induced inside the concentration boundary layer, a highly inhomogeneous magnetic field, generated by a magnetized Fe-wire, has been applied to an electrochemical system. The influence of Lorentz and magnetic field gradient force to the local transport phenomena of copper ions has been studied using a novel two-component laser Doppler velocity profile sensor. With this sensor, the electrolyte convection within 500 μm of a horizontally aligned cathode is presented. The electrode-normal two-component velocity profiles below the electrodeposited structure show that electrolyte convection is induced and directed toward the rim of the Fe-wire. The measured deposited structure directly correlates to the observed boundary layer flow. As the local concentration of Cu(2+) ions is enhanced due to the induced convection, maximum deposit thicknesses can be found at the rim of the Fe-wire. Furthermore, a complex boundary layer flow structure was determined, indicating that electrolyte convection of second order is induced. Moreover, the Lorentz force-driven convection rapidly vanishes, while the electrolyte convection induced by the magnetic field gradient force is preserved much longer. The progress for research is the first direct experimental proof of the electrolyte convection inside the concentration boundary layer that correlates to the deposited structure and reveals that the magnetic field gradient force is responsible for the observed structuring effect.

Characterizing convective cold pools: Characterizing Convective Cold Pools

DOE PAGES

Drager, Aryeh J.; van den Heever, Susan C.

2017-05-09

Cold pools produced by convective storms play an important role in Earth's climate system. However, a common framework does not exist for objectively identifying convective cold pools in observations and models. The present study investigates convective cold pools within a simulation of tropical continental convection that uses a cloud-resolving model with a coupled land-surface model. Multiple variables are assessed for their potential in identifying convective cold pool boundaries, and a novel technique is developed and tested for identifying and tracking cold pools in numerical model simulations. This algorithm is based on surface rainfall rates and radial gradients in the densitymore » potential temperature field. The algorithm successfully identifies near-surface cold pool boundaries and is able to distinguish between connected cold pools. Once cold pools have been identified and tracked, composites of cold pool evolution are then constructed, and average cold pool properties are investigated. Wet patches are found to develop within the centers of cold pools where the ground has been soaked with rainwater. These wet patches help to maintain cool surface temperatures and reduce cold pool dissipation, which has implications for the development of subsequent convection.« less

Characterizing convective cold pools: Characterizing Convective Cold Pools

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Drager, Aryeh J.; van den Heever, Susan C.

Cold pools produced by convective storms play an important role in Earth's climate system. However, a common framework does not exist for objectively identifying convective cold pools in observations and models. The present study investigates convective cold pools within a simulation of tropical continental convection that uses a cloud-resolving model with a coupled land-surface model. Multiple variables are assessed for their potential in identifying convective cold pool boundaries, and a novel technique is developed and tested for identifying and tracking cold pools in numerical model simulations. This algorithm is based on surface rainfall rates and radial gradients in the densitymore » potential temperature field. The algorithm successfully identifies near-surface cold pool boundaries and is able to distinguish between connected cold pools. Once cold pools have been identified and tracked, composites of cold pool evolution are then constructed, and average cold pool properties are investigated. Wet patches are found to develop within the centers of cold pools where the ground has been soaked with rainwater. These wet patches help to maintain cool surface temperatures and reduce cold pool dissipation, which has implications for the development of subsequent convection.« less

The Grell-Freitas Convection Parameterization: Recent Developments and Applications Within the NASA GEOS Global Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Freitas, Saulo R.; Grell, Georg; Molod, Andrea; Thompson, Matthew A.

2017-01-01

We implemented and began to evaluate an alternative convection parameterization for the NASA Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) global model. The parameterization is based on the mass flux approach with several closures, for equilibrium and non-equilibrium convection, and includes scale and aerosol awareness functionalities. Recently, the scheme has been extended to a tri-modal spectral size approach to simulate the transition from shallow, mid, and deep convection regimes. In addition, the inclusion of a new closure for non-equilibrium convection resulted in a substantial gain of realism in model simulation of the diurnal cycle of convection over the land. Here, we briefly introduce the recent developments, implementation, and preliminary results of this parameterization in the NASA GEOS modeling system.

Antarctic warming driven by internal Southern Ocean deep convection oscillations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, Torge; Pedro, Joel B.; Steig, Eric J.; Jochum, Markus; Park, Wonsun; Rasmussen, Sune O.

2016-04-01

Simulations with the free-running, complex coupled Kiel Climate Model (KCM) show that heat release associated with recurring Southern Ocean deep convection can drive centennial-scale Antarctic temperature variations of 0.5-2.0 °C. We propose a mechanism connecting the intrinsic ocean variability with Antarctic warming that involves the following three steps: Preconditioning: heat supplied by the lower branch of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) accumulates at depth in the Southern Ocean, trapped by the Weddell Gyre circulation; Convection onset: wind and/or sea-ice changes tip the preconditioned, thermally unstable system into the convective state; Antarctic warming: fast sea-ice-albedo feedbacks (on annual to decadal timescales) and slower Southern Ocean frontal and sea-surface temperature adjustments to the convective heat release (on multi-decadal to centennial timescales), drive an increase in atmospheric heat and moisture transport towards Antarctica resulting in warming over the continent. Further, we discuss the potential role of this mechanism to explain climate variability observed in Antarctic ice-core records.

Preliminary observations of the effect of solutal convection on crystal morphology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Broom, M. Beth H.; Witherow, William K.; Snyder, Robert S.; Carter, Daniel C.

1988-01-01

Studies to examine the effect of solutal convection on crystal morphology using sucrose as a model system were initiated. Aspect ratios, defined as the width of the 100-plane-oriented face over the width of the 001-plane-oriented face, were determined for oriented crystals which were grown with either the 001-oriented or the 100-oriented face perpendicular to the convective flow. The dependence of the crystal morphology on orientation is much greater for crystals grown with one face occluded than for crystals grown suspended in solution. Many factors appear to interact in a complex fashion to influence crystal morphology.

Multi-day convective-environmental evolution prior to tropical cyclone formation from geostationary satellite measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Minhee; Ho, Chang-Hoi; Park, Myung-Sook

2016-04-01

Tropical cyclones (TCs) are developed through persistent latent heating taken from deep convective process. By analyzing aircraft and polar-orbit satellite observations, distinct upper-level warm-core induced by strong updraft was found in pre-TCs while vertically uniform temperature profile is found in non-developers. Precipitation is also broader and more frequent in developing disturbances than in nondeveloping ones. However, large uncertainties remain in determining which disturbance will develop into TC by using observation snap-shots. Here, five-day systematic evolution of deep convection and environments in developing (80) and non-developing (491) disturbances are examined over the western North Pacific for 20072009 by using geostationary satellite observation. Daily, positive tendencies in the hourly time series of the area of the MTSAT-1R infrared (IR) and water vapor (WV) brightness temperature difference < 0 are used to define single diurnal convective burst (CB) event. In terms of single CB properties (duration, expanded convective area, maximum convective area, and expanding rate), developing and nondeveloping disturbances shows significantly different mean values in the statistics, but it is not effective to estimate TC genesis. The presence of continuous CB events more than two days (i.e. multi-day CB; mCB), however, is generally found in developing disturbances. Based on the presence and absence mCB in the IR-WV time series, two different evolutions from Day 1 to Day 5 of TC formation (non-development) are explored, in which Day 6 is set to be a TC formation day (Day5 as non-development vortex decaying day). The majority of developing disturbances with mCB (83 %) initially have stronger large-scale vorticity with low-level maxima, tend to have gradually increasing deep convective area and vorticities at low-to-upper troposphere. By contrast, few developing disturbances (17 %) without mCB are pre-conditioned by much weaker large-scale vorticity. Due to adjacent dry air, resultant intensification was driven only after from Day 3 with rapid increase in relative vorticity and abrupt convective burst. There also exist many non-developing cases with mCB (54 %), which appear to candidates of TC formation as gradually increasing their convective area from Day 1 to Day 4. Due to the initially weak large-scale vorticity, they eventually decay on Day 5. For nondeveloping disturbances without mCB (46%), initially weak large-scale vorticity as well as dry atmosphere resulted in one-time deep convection and decay. Thus, this study suggests that the multiple days of convective burst, which initially accompanies strong low- to mid-troposphere large-scale vorticity, is important in TC formation.

Two-Flux and Green's Function Method for Transient Radiative Transfer in a Semi-Transparent Layer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Siegel, Robert

1995-01-01

A method using a Green's function is developed for computing transient temperatures in a semitransparent layer by using the two-flux method coupled with the transient energy equation. Each boundary of the layer is exposed to a hot or cold radiative environment, and is heated or cooled by convection. The layer refractive index is larger than one, and the effect of internal reflections is included with the boundaries assumed diffuse. The analysis accounts for internal emission, absorption, heat conduction, and isotropic scattering. Spectrally dependent radiative properties are included, and transient results are given to illustrate two-band spectral behavior with optically thin and thick bands. Transient results using the present Green's function method are verified for a gray layer by comparison with a finite difference solution of the exact radiative transfer equations; excellent agreement is obtained. The present method requires only moderate computing times and incorporates isotropic scattering without additional complexity. Typical temperature distributions are given to illustrate application of the method by examining the effect of strong radiative heating on one side of a layer with convective cooling on the other side, and the interaction of strong convective heating with radiative cooling from the layer interior.

The terminal area simulation system. Volume 2: Verification cases

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Proctor, F. H.

1987-01-01

The numerical simulation of five case studies are presented and are compared with available data in order to verify the three-dimensional version of the Terminal Area Simulation System (TASS). A spectrum of convective storm types are selected for the case studies. Included are: a High-Plains supercell hailstorm, a small and relatively short-lived High-Plains cumulonimbus, a convective storm which produced the 2 August 1985 DFW microburst, a South Florida convective complex, and a tornadic Oklahoma thunderstorm. For each of the cases the model results compared reasonably well with observed data. In the simulations of the supercell storms many of their characteristic features were modeled, such as the hook echo, BWER, mesocyclone, gust fronts, giant persistent updraft, wall cloud, flanking-line towers, anvil and radar reflectivity overhang, and rightward veering in the storm propagation. In the simulation of the tornadic storm a horseshoe-shaped updraft configuration and cyclic changes in storm intensity and structure were noted. The simulation of the DFW microburst agreed remarkably well with sparse observed data. The simulated outflow rapidly expanded in a nearly symmetrical pattern and was associated with a ringvortex. A South Florida convective complex was simulated and contained updrafts and downdrafts in the form of discrete bubbles. The numerical simulations, in all cases, always remained stable and bounded with no anomalous trends.

Models for Convectively Coupled Tropical Waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Majda, A. J.

2001-05-01

\\small{The tropical Western Pacific is a key area with large input on short-term climate. There are many recent observations of convective complexes feeding into equatorially trapped planetary waves [5], [6] which need a theoretical explanation and also are poorly treated in contemporary General Circulation Models (GCM's). This area presents wonderful new research opportunities for applied mathematicians interested in nonlinear waves interacting over many spatio-temporal scales. This talk describes some ongoing recent activities of the speaker related to these important issues. A simplified intermediate model for analyzing and parametrizing convectively coupled tropical waves is introduced in [2]. This model has two baroclinic modes of vertical structure, a direct heating mode and a stratiform mode. The key essential parameter in these models is the area fraction occupied by deep convection, σ c. The unstable convectively coupled waves that emerge from perturbation of a radiative convective equilibrium are discussed in detail through linearized stability analysis. Without any mean flow, for an overall cooling rate of 1 K/day as the area fraction parameter increases from σ c=0.001 to σ c=0.0014 the waves pass from a regime with stable moist convective damping (MCD) to a regime of ``stratiform'' instability with convectively coupled waves propagating at speeds of roughly 15~m~s-1,instabilities for a band wavelengths in the super-cluster regime, O(1000) to O(2000) km, and a vertical structure in the upper troposphere lags behind that in the lower troposphere - thus, these convectively coupled waves in the model reproduce several key features of convectively coupled waves in the troposphere processed from recent observational data by Wheeler and Kiladis ([5], [6]). As the parameter σ c is increased further to values such as σ c=0.01, the band of unstable waves increase and spreads toward mesoscale wavelengths of O(100) km while the same wave structure and quantitative features mentioned above are retained wave structure and quantitative features mentioned above are retained for O(1000) km. A detailed analysis of the temporal development of instability of these convectively coupled waves is presented here. In the first stage of instability, a high CAPE region generates deep convection and front-to-rear ascending flow with enhanced vertical shear in a stratiform wake region. Thus, these intermediate models may be useful prototypes for studying the parametrization of upscale convective momentum transport due to organized convection [4], [3]. In the second stage of instability, detailed analysis of the CAPE budget establishes that the effects of the second baroclinic mode in the stratiform wake produce new CAPE, which regenerates the first half of the wake cycle. Finally, since these convectively coupled stratiform waves do not require a barotropic mean flow, a barotropic mean flow which alters the surface fluxes, is added to study the effect of their stability. These effects of a barotropic mean flow are secondary; an easterly mean flow enhances instability of the eastward propagating convectively coupled waves and diminishes the instability of the westward propagating waves through a WISHE mechanism. Finally, new models for treating the equatorial wave guide [1], [8] which are intermediate between full meriodonal resolution and the equatorial long wave approximation will be discussed. If time permits, the use of these models in efficient numerical schemes which allow for cloud resolving modeling [7], but also include large scale interaction in the equatorial wave guide will be outlined [8].}

Convection-induced distortion of a solid-liquid interface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schaefer, R. J.; Coriell, S. R.

1984-01-01

Measurements of convective flow fields and solid-liquid interface shapes during the solidification of a pure and a slightly alloyed transparent material reveal that the convective transport of solute can cause a macroscopic depression to develop in the solid-liquid interface. This effect occurs under conditions close to those which are predicted to produce morphological instability of a planar interface. A cellular or dendritic microstructure later develops within the interface depression. The convection is attributed to the effect of radial temperature gradients in the crystal growth apparatus.

Role of upper-level wind shear on the structure and maintenance of derecho-producing convective systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coniglio, Michael Charles

Common large-scale environments associated with the development of derecho-producing convective systems from a large number of events are identified using statistical clustering of the 500-mb geopotential heights as guidance. The majority of the events (72%) fall into three main patterns that include a well-defined upstream trough (40%), a ridge (20%), and a zonal, low-amplitude flow (12%), which is defined as an additional warm-season pattern that is not identified in past studies of derecho environments. Through an analysis of proximity soundings, discrepancies are found in both low-level and deep-tropospheric shear parameters between observations and the shear profiles considered favorable for strong, long-lived convective systems in idealized simulations. To explore the role of upper-level shear in derecho environments, a set of two-dimensional simulations of density currents within a dry, neutrally stable environment are used to examine the ability of a cold pool to lift environmental air within a vertically sheared flow. The results confirm that the addition of upper-level shear to a wind profile with weak to moderate low-level shear increases the vertical displacement of low-level parcels despite a decrease in the vertical velocity along the cold pool interface, as suggested by previous studies. Parcels that are elevated above the surface (1-2 km) overturn and are responsible for the deep lifting in the deep-shear environments. This deep overturning caused by the upper-level shear helps to maintain the tilt of the convective systems in more complex two-dimensional and three dimensional simulations. The overturning also is shown to greatly increase the size of the convective systems in the three-dimensional simulations by facilitating the initiation and maintenance of convective cells along the cold pool. When combined with estimates of the cold pool motion and the storm-relative hodograph, these results may best be used for the prediction of the demise of strong, linear mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) and may provide a conceptual model for the persistence of strong MCSs above a surface nocturnal inversion in situations that are not forced by a low-level jet.

Limit of Predictability in Mantle Convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bello, L.; Coltice, N.; Rolf, T.; Tackley, P. J.

2013-12-01

Linking mantle convection models with Earth's tectonic history has received considerable attention in recent years: modeling the evolution of supercontinent cycles, predicting present-day mantle structure or improving plate reconstructions. Predictions of future supercontinents are currently being made based on seismic tomography images, plate motion history and mantle convection models, and methods of data assimilation for mantle flow are developing. However, so far there are no studies of the limit of predictability these models are facing. Indeed, given the chaotic nature of mantle convection, we can expect forecasts and hindcasts to have a limited range of predictability. We propose here to use an approach similar to those used in dynamic meteorology, and more recently for the geodynamo, to evaluate the predictability limit of mantle dynamics forecasts. Following the pioneering works in weather forecast (Lorenz 1965), we study the time evolution of twin experiments, started from two very close initial temperature fields and monitor the error growth. We extract a characteristic time of the system, known as the e-folding timescale, which will be used to estimate the predictability limit. The final predictability time will depend on the imposed initial error and the error tolerance in our model. We compute 3D spherical convection solutions using StagYY (Tackley, 2008). We first evaluate the influence of the Rayleigh number on the limit of predictability of isoviscous convection. Then, we investigate the effects of various rheologies, from the simplest (isoviscous mantle) to more complex ones (plate-like behavior and floating continents). We show that the e-folding time increases with the wavelength of the flow and reaches 10Myrs with plate-like behavior and continents. Such an e-folding time together with the uncertainties in mantle temperature distribution suggests prediction of mantle structure from an initial given state is limited to <50 Myrs. References: 1. Lorenz, B. E. N., Norake, D. & Meteorologiake, I. A study of the predictability of a 28-variable atmospheric model. Tellus XXVII, 322-333 (1965). 2. Tackley, P. J. Modelling compressible mantle convection with large viscosity contrasts in a three-dimensional spherical shell using the yin-yang grid. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors 171, 7-18 (2008).

A Method for Obtaining High Frequency, Global, IR-Based Convective Cloud Tops for Studies of the TTL

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pfister, Leonhard; Ueyama, Rei; Jensen, Eric; Schoeberl, Mark

2017-01-01

Models of varying complexity that simulate water vapor and clouds in the Tropical Tropopause Layer (TTL) show that including convection directly is essential to properly simulating the water vapor and cloud distribution. In boreal winter, for example, simulations without convection yield a water vapor distribution that is too uniform with longitude, as well as minimal cloud distributions. Two things are important for convective simulations. First, it is important to get the convective cloud top potential temperature correctly, since unrealistically high values (reaching above the cold point tropopause too frequently) will cause excessive hydration of the stratosphere. Second, one must capture the time variation as well, since hydration by convection depends on the local relative humidity (temperature), which has substantial variation on synoptic time scales in the TTL. This paper describes a method for obtaining high frequency (3-hourly) global convective cloud top distributions which can be used in trajectory models. The method uses rainfall thresholds, standard IR brightness temperatures, meteorological temperature analyses, and physically realistic and documented corrections IR brightness temperature corrections to derive cloud top altitudes and potential temperatures. The cloud top altitudes compare well with combined CLOUDSAT and CALIPSO data, both in time-averaged overall vertical and horizontal distributions and in individual cases (correlations of .65-.7). An important finding is that there is significant uncertainty (nearly .5 km) in evaluating the statistical distribution of convective cloud tops even using lidar. Deep convection whose tops are in regions of high relative humidity (such as much of the TTL), will cause clouds to form above the actual convection. It is often difficult to distinguish these clouds from the actual convective cloud due to the uncertainties of evaluating ice water content from lidar measurements. Comparison with models show that calculated cloud top altitudes are generally higher than those calculated by global analyses (e.g., MERRA). Interannual variability in the distribution of convective cloud top altitudes is also investigated.

Physics, stability, and dynamics of supply networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Helbing, Dirk; Lämmer, Stefan; Seidel, Thomas; Šeba, Pétr; Płatkowski, Tadeusz

2004-12-01

We show how to treat supply networks as physical transport problems governed by balance equations and equations for the adaptation of production speeds. Although the nonlinear behavior is different, the linearized set of coupled differential equations is formally related to those of mechanical or electrical oscillator networks. Supply networks possess interesting features due to their complex topology and directed links. We derive analytical conditions for absolute and convective instabilities. The empirically observed “bullwhip effect” in supply chains is explained as a form of convective instability based on resonance effects. Moreover, it is generalized to arbitrary supply networks. Their related eigenvalues are usually complex, depending on the network structure (even without loops). Therefore, their generic behavior is characterized by damped or growing oscillations. We also show that regular distribution networks possess two negative eigenvalues only, but perturbations generate a spectrum of complex eigenvalues.

A Wildfire-relevant climatology of the convective environment of the United States

Treesearch

Brian E. Potter; Matthew A. Anaya

2015-01-01

Convective instability can influence the behaviour of large wildfires. Because wildfires modify the temperature and moisture of air in their plumes, instability calculations using ambient conditions may not accurately represent convective potential for some fire plumes. This study used the North American Regional Reanalysis to develop a climatology of the convective...

Active control of convection

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bau, H.H.

Using stability theory, numerical simulations, and in some instances experiments, it is demonstrated that the critical Rayleigh number for the bifurcation (1) from the no-motion (conduction) state to the motion state and (2) from time-independent convection to time-dependent, oscillatory convection in the thermal convection loop and Rayleigh-Benard problems can be significantly increased or decreased. This is accomplished through the use of a feedback controller effectuating small perturbations in the boundary data. The controller consists of sensors which detect deviations in the fluid`s temperature from the motionless, conductive values and then direct actuators to respond to these deviations in such amore » way as to suppress the naturally occurring flow instabilities. Actuators which modify the boundary`s temperature/heat flux are considered. The feedback controller can also be used to control flow patterns and generate complex dynamic behavior at relatively low Rayleigh numbers.« less

The Unusual Evolution of Hurricane Arthur 2014

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Folmer, Michael; Line, William; Cangialosi, John; Halverson, Jeffery; Berndt, Emily; Sienkiewicz, Joseph; Goodman, Steve; Goldberg, Mitch

2015-01-01

Hurricane Arthur (2014) was an early season hurricane that had its roots in a convective complex in the Southern Plains of the U.S. As the complex moved into northern Texas, a Mesoscale Convective Vortex (MCV) formed and drifted towards the east of the southern U.S. for a few days before emerging over the southwest Atlantic near South Carolina. The MCV drifted south and slowly acquired tropical characteristics, eventually becoming a Category 2 hurricane that would affect much of eastern North Carolina prior to the 4th of July holiday weekend. Arthur continued up the coast, brushing portions of southeast New England and merged with an upper-level low, completing a full tropical to extratropical-transition in the process, producing damaging wind gusts in portions of the Canadian Maritimes. As part of the GOES-R and JPSS Satellite Proving Grounds, multiple proxy and operational products were available to analyze and forecast this complex evolution. The Storm Prediction Center had products available to monitor the initial severe thunderstorm aspect, while the National Hurricane Center and Ocean Prediction Center were able to monitor the tropical and extratropical transition of Arthur using various convective and red, green, blue (RGB) products that have been introduced in recent years. This paper will discuss Arthur's evolution through the eyes of the various Satellite Proving Ground demonstrations.

The development of convective instability, wind shear, and vertical motion in relation to convection activity and synoptic systems in AVE 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, J. G.; Scoggins, J. R.

1981-01-01

Data from the Fourth Atmospheric Variability Experiment were used to investigate conditions/factors responsible for the development (local time rate-of-change) of convective instability, wind shear, and vertical motion in areas with varying degrees of convective activity. AVE IV sounding data were taken at 3 or 6 h intervals during a 36 h period on 24-25 April 1975 over approximately the eastern half of the United States. An error analysis was performed for each variable studied.

AN ANALYTIC RADIATIVE-CONVECTIVE MODEL FOR PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Robinson, Tyler D.; Catling, David C., E-mail: robinson@astro.washington.edu

2012-09-20

We present an analytic one-dimensional radiative-convective model of the thermal structure of planetary atmospheres. Our model assumes that thermal radiative transfer is gray and can be represented by the two-stream approximation. Model atmospheres are assumed to be in hydrostatic equilibrium, with a power-law scaling between the atmospheric pressure and the gray thermal optical depth. The convective portions of our models are taken to follow adiabats that account for condensation of volatiles through a scaling parameter to the dry adiabat. By combining these assumptions, we produce simple, analytic expressions that allow calculations of the atmospheric-pressure-temperature profile, as well as expressions formore » the profiles of thermal radiative flux and convective flux. We explore the general behaviors of our model. These investigations encompass (1) worlds where atmospheric attenuation of sunlight is weak, which we show tend to have relatively high radiative-convective boundaries; (2) worlds with some attenuation of sunlight throughout the atmosphere, which we show can produce either shallow or deep radiative-convective boundaries, depending on the strength of sunlight attenuation; and (3) strongly irradiated giant planets (including hot Jupiters), where we explore the conditions under which these worlds acquire detached convective regions in their mid-tropospheres. Finally, we validate our model and demonstrate its utility through comparisons to the average observed thermal structure of Venus, Jupiter, and Titan, and by comparing computed flux profiles to more complex models.« less

The importance of perivitelline fluid convection to oxygen uptake of Pseudophryne bibronii eggs.

PubMed

Mueller, Casey A; Seymour, Roger S

2011-01-01

The ciliated epithelium of amphibian embryos produces a current within the perivitelline fluid of the egg that is important in the convective transfer of oxygen to the embryo's surface. The effects of convection on oxygen uptake and the immediate oxygen environment of the embryo were investigated in Pseudophryne bibronii. Gelatin was injected into the eggs, setting the perivitelline fluid and preventing convective flow. Oxygen consumption rate (M(.)o₂) and the oxygen partial pressure (Po₂) of the perivitelline fluid were measured in eggs with and without this treatment. M(.)o₂ decreased in eggs without convection at Gosner stages 17-19 under normoxia. The lack of convection also shifted embryos from regulators to conformers as environmental Po₂ decreased. A strong Po₂ gradient formed within the eggs when convection was absent, demonstrating that the loss of convection is equivalent to decreasing the inner radius of the capsule, an important factor in gas exchange, by 25%. M(.)o₂ also declined in stage 26-27 embryos without cilia-driven convection, although not to the extent of younger stages, because of muscular movements and a greater skin surface area in direct contact with the inner capsule wall. This study demonstrates the importance of convective flow within the perivitelline fluid to gas exchange. Convection is especially important in the middle of embryonic development, when the perivitelline space has formed, creating a barrier to gas exchange, but the embryos have yet to develop muscular movements or have a large surface area exposed directly to the jelly capsule.

The Interplay between Proto--Neutron Star Convection and Neutrino Transport in Core-Collapse Supernovae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mezzacappa, A.; Calder, A. C.; Bruenn, S. W.; Blondin, J. M.; Guidry, M. W.; Strayer, M. R.; Umar, A. S.

1998-01-01

We couple two-dimensional hydrodynamics to realistic one-dimensional multigroup flux-limited diffusion neutrino transport to investigate proto-neutron star convection in core-collapse supernovae, and more specifically, the interplay between its development and neutrino transport. Our initial conditions, time-dependent boundary conditions, and neutrino distributions for computing neutrino heating, cooling, and deleptonization rates are obtained from one-dimensional simulations that implement multigroup flux-limited diffusion and one-dimensional hydrodynamics. The development and evolution of proto-neutron star convection are investigated for both 15 and 25 M⊙ models, representative of the two classes of stars with compact and extended iron cores, respectively. For both models, in the absence of neutrino transport, the angle-averaged radial and angular convection velocities in the initial Ledoux unstable region below the shock after bounce achieve their peak values in ~20 ms, after which they decrease as the convection in this region dissipates. The dissipation occurs as the gradients are smoothed out by convection. This initial proto-neutron star convection episode seeds additional convectively unstable regions farther out beneath the shock. The additional proto-neutron star convection is driven by successive negative entropy gradients that develop as the shock, in propagating out after core bounce, is successively strengthened and weakened by the oscillating inner core. The convection beneath the shock distorts its sphericity, but on the average the shock radius is not boosted significantly relative to its radius in our corresponding one-dimensional models. In the presence of neutrino transport, proto-neutron star convection velocities are too small relative to bulk inflow velocities to result in any significant convective transport of entropy and leptons. This is evident in our two-dimensional entropy snapshots, which in this case appear spherically symmetric. The peak angle-averaged radial and angular convection velocities are orders of magnitude smaller than they are in the corresponding ``hydrodynamics-only'' models. A simple analytical model supports our numerical results, indicating that the inclusion of neutrino transport reduces the entropy-driven (lepton-driven) convection growth rates and asymptotic velocities by a factor ~3 (50) at the neutrinosphere and a factor ~250 (1000) at ρ = 1012 g cm-3, for both our 15 and 25 M⊙ models. Moreover, when transport is included, the initial postbounce entropy gradient is smoothed out by neutrino diffusion, whereas the initial lepton gradient is maintained by electron capture and neutrino escape near the neutrinosphere. Despite the maintenance of the lepton gradient, proto-neutron star convection does not develop over the 100 ms duration typical of all our simulations, except in the instance where ``low-test'' intial conditions are used, which are generated by core-collapse and bounce simulations that neglect neutrino-electron scattering and ion-ion screening corrections to neutrino-nucleus elastic scattering. Models favoring the development of proto-neutron star convection either by starting with more favorable, albeit artificial (low-test), initial conditions or by including transport corrections that were ignored in our ``fiducial'' models were considered. Our conclusions nonetheless remained the same. Evidence of proto-neutron star convection in our two-dimensional entropy snapshots was minimal, and, as in our fiducial models, the angle-averaged convective velocities when neutrino transport was included remained orders of magnitude smaller than their counterparts in the corresponding hydrodynamics-only models.

Differential Rotation in Solar-like Convective Envelopes: Influence of Overshoot and Magnetism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beaudoin, Patrice; Strugarek, Antoine; Charbonneau, Paul

2018-05-01

We present a set of four global Eulerian/semi-Lagrangian fluid solver (EULAG) hydrodynamical (HD) and magnetohydrodynamical (MHD) simulations of solar convection, two of which are restricted to the nominal convection zone, and the other two include an underlying stably stratified fluid layer. While all four simulations generate reasonably solar-like latitudinal differential rotation profiles where the equatorial region rotates faster than the polar regions, the rotational isocontours vary significantly among them. In particular, the purely HD simulation with a stable layer alone can break the Taylor–Proudman theorem and produce approximately radially oriented rotational isocontours at medium to high latitudes. We trace this effect to the buildup of a significant latitudinal temperature gradient in the stable fluid immediately beneath the convection zone, which imprints itself on the lower convection zone. It develops naturally in our simulations as a consequence of convective overshoot and rotational influence of rotation on convective energy fluxes. This favors the establishment of a thermal wind balance that allows evading the Taylor–Proudman constraint. A much smaller latitudinal temperature gradient develops in the companion MHD simulation that includes a stable fluid layer, reflecting the tapering of deep convective overshoot that occurs at medium to high latitudes, which is caused by the strong magnetic fields that accumulate across the base of the convection zone. The stable fluid layer also has a profound impact on the large-scale magnetic cycles developing in the two MHD simulations. Even though both simulations operate in the same convective parameter regime, the simulation that includes a stable layer eventually loses cyclicity and transits to a non-solar, steady quadrupolar state.

How cold pool triggers deep convection?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yano, Jun-Ichi

2014-05-01

The cold pool in the boundary layer is often considered a major triggering mechanism of convection. Here, presented are basic theoretical considerations on this issue. Observations suggest that cold pool-generated convective cells is available for shallow maritime convection (Warner et al. 1979; Zuidema et al. 2012), maritime deep convection (Barnes and Garstang 1982; Addis et al. 1984; Young et al. 1995) and continental deep convection (e.g., Lima and Wilson 2008; Flamant 2009; Lothon et al. 2011; Dione et al. 2013). Moreover, numerical studies appear to suggest that cold pools promote the organization of clouds into larger structures and thereby aid the transition from shallow to deep convection (Khairoutdinov and Randall 2006, Boing et al. 2012, Schlemmer and Hohenegger, 2014). Even a cold--pool parameterization coupled with convection is already proposed (Grandpeix and Lafore 2010: but see also Yano 2012). However, the suggested link between the cold pool and deep convection so far is phenomenological at the best. A specific process that the cold pool leads to a trigger of deep convection must still to be pinned down. Naively, one may imagine that a cold pool lifts up the air at the front as it propagates. Such an uplifting leads to a trigger of convection. However, one must realize that a shift of air along with its propagation does not necessarily lead to an uplifting, and even if it may happen, it would not far exceed a depth of the cold pool itself. Thus, the uplifting can never be anything vigorous. Its thermodynamic characteristics do help much either for inducing convection. The cold-pool air is rather under rapid recovering process before it can induce convection under a simple parcel-lifting argument. The most likely reason that the cold pool may induce convection is its gust winds that may encounter an air mass from an opposite direction. This induces a strong convergence, also leading to a strong uplifting. This is an argument essentially developed by Moncrieff and Liu (1999). As a whole, in attempting a statistical description of boundary-layer processes, the cold pool is essentially nothing other than an additional contribution to a TKE (turbulent kinetic energy) budget. Significance of trigger of convection by cold pool in context of convection parameterization must also be seen with much caution. Against a common misunderstanding, current convection parameterization is not designed to describe a trigger process of individual convection. In this respect, process studies on cold pool do not contribute to improvements of convection parameterization until a well-defined parameterization formulation for individual convection processes is developed. Even before then a question should also be posed whether such a development is necessary. Under a current mass-flux convection parameterization, a more important process to consider is re-evaporative cooling of detrained cloudy air, which may also be associated with downdraft, possibly further leading to a generation of a cold pool. Yano and Plant (2012) suggest, from a point of view of the convective-energy cycle, what follows would be far less important than the fact the re-evaporation induces a generation of convective kinetic energy (though it may initially be considered TKE). Both well-focused convective process studies as well as convection parameterization formulation would be much needed.

A Numerical Study of Nonlinear Nonhydrostatic Conditional Symmetric Instability in a Convectively Unstable Atmosphere.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seman, Charles J.

1994-06-01

Nonlinear nonhydrostatic conditional symmetric instability (CSI) is studied as an initial value problem using a two-dimensional (y, z)nonlinear, nonhydrostatic numerical mesoscale/cloud model. The initial atmosphere for the rotating, baroclinic (BCF) simulation contains large convective available potential energy (CAPE). Analytical theory, various model output diagnostics, and a companion nonrotating barotropic (BTNF) simulation are used to interpret the results from the BCF simulation. A single warm moist thermal initiates convection for the two 8-h simulations.The BCF simulation exhibited a very intricate life cycle. Following the initial convection, a series of discrete convective cells developed within a growing mesoscale circulation. Between hours 4 and 8, the circulation grew upscale into a structure resembling that of a squall-line mesoscale convective system (MCS). The mesoscale updrafts were nearly vertical and the circulation was strongest on the baroclinically cool side of the initial convection, as predicted by a two-dimensional Lagrangian parcel model of CSI with CAPE. The cool-side mesoscale circulation grew nearly exponentially over the last 5 h as it slowly propagated toward the warm air. Significant vertical transport of zonal momentum occurred in the (multicellular) convection that developed, resulting in local subgeostrophic zonal wind anomalies aloft. Over time, geostrophic adjustment acted to balance these anomalies. The system became warm core, with mesohigh pressure aloft and mesolow pressure at the surface. A positive zonal wind anomaly also formed downstream from the mesohigh.Analysis of the BCF simulation showed that convective momentum transport played a key role in the evolution of the simulated MCS, in that it fostered the development of the nonlinear CSI on mesoscale time scales. The vertical momentum transport in the initial deep convection generated a subgeostrophic zonal momentum anomaly aloft; the resulting imbalance in pressure gradient and Coriolis forces accelerated the meridional outflow toward the baroclinically cool side, transporting zonal momentum horizontally. The vertical (horizontal) momentum transport occurred on a convective (inertial) time scale. Taken together, the sloping convective updraft/cool side outflow represents the release of the CSI in the convectively unstable atmosphere. Further diagnostics showed that mass transports in the horizontal outflow branch ventilated the upper levels of the system, with enhanced mesoscale lifting in the core and on the leading edge of the MCS, which assisted in convective redevelopments on mesoscale time scales. Geostrophic adjustment acted to balance the convectively generated zonal momentum anomalies, thereby limiting the strength of the meridional outflow predicted by CSI theory. Circulation tendency diagnostics showed that the mesoscale circulation developed in response to thermal wind imbalances generated by the deep convection.Comparison of the BCF and BTNF simulations showed that baroclinicity enhanced mesoscale circulation growth. The BTNF circulation was more transient on mesoscale time and space scales. Overall, the BCF system produced more rainfall than the BTNF.Based on the present and past work in CSI theory, a new definition for the term `slantwise convection' is proposed.

Noble gas models of mantle structure and reservoir mass transfer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harrison, Darrell; Ballentine, Chris J.

Noble gas observations from different mantle samples have provided some of the key observational data used to develop and support the geochemical "layered" mantle model. This model has dominated our conceptual understanding of mantle structure and evolution for the last quarter of a century. Refinement in seismic tomography and numerical models of mantle convection have clearly shown that geochemical layering, at least at the 670 km phase change in the mantle, is no longer tenable. Recent adaptations of the mantle-layering model that more successfully reconcile whole-mantle convection with the simplest data have two common features: (i) the requirement for the noble gases in the convecting mantle to be sourced, or "fluxed", by a deep long-lived volatile-rich mantle reservoir; and (ii) the requirement for the deep mantle reservoirs to be seismically invisible. The fluxing requirement is derived from the low mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB)-source mantle 3He concentration, in turn calculated from the present day 3He flux from mid-ocean ridges into the oceans (T½ ˜ 1,000 yr) and the ocean crust generation rate (T½ ˜ 108 yr). Because of these very different residence times we consider the 3He concentration constraint to be weak. Furthermore, data show 3He/22Ne ratios derived from different mantle reservoirs to be distinct and require additional complexities to be added to any model advocating fluxing of the convecting mantle from a volatile-rich mantle reservoir. Recent work also shows that the convecting mantle 20Ne/22Ne isotopic composition is derived from an implanted meteoritic source and is distinct from at least one plume source system. If Ne isotope heterogeneity between convecting mantle and plume source mantle is confirmed, this result then excludes all mantle fluxing models. While isotopic heterogeneity requires further quantification, it has been shown that higher 3He concentrations in the convecting mantle, by a factor of 3.5, remove the need for the noble gases in the convecting mantle to be sourced from such a deep hidden reservoir. This "zero paradox" concentration [Ballentine et al., 2002] is then consistent with the different mantle source 3He/22Ne and 20Ne/22Ne heterogeneities. Higher convecting mantle noble gas concentrations also eliminate the requirement for a hidden mantle 40Ar rich-reservoir and enables the heat/4He imbalance to be explained by temporal variance in the different mechanisms of heat vs. He removal from the mantle system—two other key arguments for mantle layering. Confirmation of higher average convecting mantle noble gas concentrations remains the key test of such a concept.

Mantle dynamics and seismic tomography

PubMed Central

Tanimoto, Toshiro; Lay, Thorne

2000-01-01

Three-dimensional imaging of the Earth's interior, called seismic tomography, has achieved breakthrough advances in the last two decades, revealing fundamental geodynamical processes throughout the Earth's mantle and core. Convective circulation of the entire mantle is taking place, with subducted oceanic lithosphere sinking into the lower mantle, overcoming the resistance to penetration provided by the phase boundary near 650-km depth that separates the upper and lower mantle. The boundary layer at the base of the mantle has been revealed to have complex structure, involving local stratification, extensive structural anisotropy, and massive regions of partial melt. The Earth's high Rayleigh number convective regime now is recognized to be much more interesting and complex than suggested by textbook cartoons, and continued advances in seismic tomography, geodynamical modeling, and high-pressure–high-temperature mineral physics will be needed to fully quantify the complex dynamics of our planet's interior. PMID:11035784

Thermal modeling of phase change solidification in thermal control devices including natural convection effects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ukanwa, A. O.; Stermole, F. J.; Golden, J. O.

1972-01-01

Natural convection effects in phase change thermal control devices were studied. A mathematical model was developed to evaluate natural convection effects in a phase change test cell undergoing solidification. Although natural convection effects are minimized in flight spacecraft, all phase change devices are ground tested. The mathematical approach to the problem was to first develop a transient two-dimensional conduction heat transfer model for the solidification of a normal paraffin of finite geometry. Next, a transient two-dimensional model was developed for the solidification of the same paraffin by a combined conduction-natural-convection heat transfer model. Throughout the study, n-hexadecane (n-C16H34) was used as the phase-change material in both the theoretical and the experimental work. The models were based on the transient two-dimensional finite difference solutions of the energy, continuity, and momentum equations.

SToRM: A Model for Unsteady Surface Hydraulics Over Complex Terrain

USGS Publications Warehouse

Simoes, Francisco J.

2014-01-01

A two-dimensional (depth-averaged) finite volume Godunov-type shallow water model developed for flow over complex topography is presented. The model is based on an unstructured cellcentered finite volume formulation and a nonlinear strong stability preserving Runge-Kutta time stepping scheme. The numerical discretization is founded on the classical and well established shallow water equations in hyperbolic conservative form, but the convective fluxes are calculated using auto-switching Riemann and diffusive numerical fluxes. The model’s implementation within a graphical user interface is discussed. Field application of the model is illustrated by utilizing it to estimate peak flow discharges in a flooding event of historic significance in Colorado, U.S.A., in 2013.

Large granulation cells on the surface of the giant star π1 Gruis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paladini, C.; Baron, F.; Jorissen, A.; Le Bouquin, J.-B.; Freytag, B.; van Eck, S.; Wittkowski, M.; Hron, J.; Chiavassa, A.; Berger, J.-P.; Siopis, C.; Mayer, A.; Sadowski, G.; Kravchenko, K.; Shetye, S.; Kerschbaum, F.; Kluska, J.; Ramstedt, S.

2018-01-01

Convection plays a major part in many astrophysical processes, including energy transport, pulsation, dynamos and winds on evolved stars, in dust clouds and on brown dwarfs. Most of our knowledge about stellar convection has come from studying the Sun: about two million convective cells with typical sizes of around 2,000 kilometres across are present on the surface of the Sun—a phenomenon known as granulation. But on the surfaces of giant and supergiant stars there should be only a few large (several tens of thousands of times larger than those on the Sun) convective cells, owing to low surface gravity. Deriving the characteristic properties of convection (such as granule size and contrast) for the most evolved giant and supergiant stars is challenging because their photospheres are obscured by dust, which partially masks the convective patterns. These properties can be inferred from geometric model fitting, but this indirect method does not provide information about the physical origin of the convective cells. Here we report interferometric images of the surface of the evolved giant star π1 Gruis, of spectral type S5,7. Our images show a nearly circular, dust-free atmosphere, which is very compact and only weakly affected by molecular opacity. We find that the stellar surface has a complex convective pattern with an average intensity contrast of 12 per cent, which increases towards shorter wavelengths. We derive a characteristic horizontal granule size of about 1.2 × 1011 metres, which corresponds to 27 per cent of the diameter of the star. Our measurements fall along the scaling relations between granule size, effective temperature and surface gravity that are predicted by simulations of stellar surface convection.

On the controls of deep convection and lightning in the Amazon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Albrecht, R. I.; Giangrande, S. E.; Wang, D.; Morales, C. A.; Pereira, R. F. O.; Machado, L.; Silva Dias, M. A. F.

2017-12-01

Local observations and remote sensing have been extensively used to unravel cloud distribution and life cycle but yet their representativeness in cloud resolve models (CRMs) and global climate models (GCMs) are still very poor. In addition, the complex cloud-aerosol-precipitation interactions (CAPI), as well as thermodynamics, dynamics and large scale controls on convection have been the focus of many studies in the last two decades but still no final answer has been reached on the overall impacts of these interactions and controls on clouds, especially on deep convection. To understand the environmental and CAPI controls of deep convection, cloud electrification and lightning activity in the pristine region of Amazon basin, in this study we use long term satellite and field campaign measurements to depict the characteristics of deep convection and the relationships between lightning and convective fluxes in this region. Precipitation and lightning activity from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite are combined with estimates of aerosol concentrations and reanalysis data to delineate the overall controls on thunderstorms. A more detailed analysis is obtained studying these controls on the relationship between lightning activity and convective mass fluxes using radar wind profiler and 3D total lightning during GoAmazon 2014/15 field campaign. We find evidences that the large scale conditions control the distribution of the precipitation, with widespread and more frequent mass fluxes of moderate intensity during the wet season, resulting in less vigorous convection and lower lightning activity. Under higher convective available potential energy, lightning is enhanced in polluted and background aerosol conditions. The relationships found in this study can be used in model parameterizations and ensemble evaluations of both lightning activity and lightning NOx from seasonal forecasting to climate projections and in a broader sense to Earth Climate System Modeling.

Large granulation cells on the surface of the giant star π1 Gruis.

PubMed

Paladini, C; Baron, F; Jorissen, A; Le Bouquin, J-B; Freytag, B; Van Eck, S; Wittkowski, M; Hron, J; Chiavassa, A; Berger, J-P; Siopis, C; Mayer, A; Sadowski, G; Kravchenko, K; Shetye, S; Kerschbaum, F; Kluska, J; Ramstedt, S

2018-01-18

Convection plays a major part in many astrophysical processes, including energy transport, pulsation, dynamos and winds on evolved stars, in dust clouds and on brown dwarfs. Most of our knowledge about stellar convection has come from studying the Sun: about two million convective cells with typical sizes of around 2,000 kilometres across are present on the surface of the Sun-a phenomenon known as granulation. But on the surfaces of giant and supergiant stars there should be only a few large (several tens of thousands of times larger than those on the Sun) convective cells, owing to low surface gravity. Deriving the characteristic properties of convection (such as granule size and contrast) for the most evolved giant and supergiant stars is challenging because their photospheres are obscured by dust, which partially masks the convective patterns. These properties can be inferred from geometric model fitting, but this indirect method does not provide information about the physical origin of the convective cells. Here we report interferometric images of the surface of the evolved giant star π 1 Gruis, of spectral type S5,7. Our images show a nearly circular, dust-free atmosphere, which is very compact and only weakly affected by molecular opacity. We find that the stellar surface has a complex convective pattern with an average intensity contrast of 12 per cent, which increases towards shorter wavelengths. We derive a characteristic horizontal granule size of about 1.2 × 10 11 metres, which corresponds to 27 per cent of the diameter of the star. Our measurements fall along the scaling relations between granule size, effective temperature and surface gravity that are predicted by simulations of stellar surface convection.

Orographic enhancement of rainfalls in the Rio San Francisco valley in southern Ecuador

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trachte, K.; Rollenbeck, R.; Bendix, J.

2012-04-01

In a tropical mountain rain forest in southern Ecuador diurnal dynamics of cloud development and precipitation behavior is investigated in the framework of the DFG research unit 816. With automatic climate stations and rain radar rainfalls in the Rio San Francisco valley are recorded. The observations showed the typical tropical late afternoon convective precipitation as well as local events such as mountain valley breezes and luv-lee effects. Additionally, the data revealed an unusually early morning peak that could be recognized as convective rainfalls. On the basis of GOES-E satellite imagery these rainfalls could be traced back to nocturnal convective clouds at the eastern Andes Mountains. There are some explanations for the occurrence of the clouds: One already examined mechanism is a katabatic induced cold front at the foothills of the Andes in the Peruvian Amazon basin. In this region the mountains form a quasi-concave configuration that contributes to a convergence of cold air drainage with subsequent convective activities. Another explanation for the events is the orographic enhancement by a local seeder-feeder mechanism. Mesoscale convective systems from the Amazon basin are transported to the west via the trade winds. At the Andes Mountains the complex and massive orography acts like a barrier to the clouds. The result is a disconnection of the upper part of the cloud from the lower part. The latter rains out at the eastern slopes and the upper cloud is transported further to the west. There it acts like a seeder to lower level clouds, i. e. the feeder. With the numerical model ARPS (Advanced Regional Prediction System) this procedure is investigated on the basis of two case studies. The events are detected and selected through the analysis of GOES-E brightness temperatures. They are also used to compare and validate the results of the model. Finally, the orographic enhancement of the clouds is examined. By using a vertically pointing radar the development of the resulting precipitation is analyzed and discussed in the context of a seeder-feeder mechanism.

Roles of divergent and rotational winds in the kinetic energy balance during intense convective activity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fuelberg, H. E.; Browning, P. A.

1983-01-01

Contributions of divergent and rotational wind components to the synoptic-scale kinetic energy balance are described using rawinsonde data at 3 and 6 h intervals from NASA's fourth Atmospheric Variability experiment. Two intense thunderstorm complexes occurred during the period. Energy budgets are described for the entire computational region and for limited volumes that enclosed storm-induced, upper level wind maxima located poleward of convection. Although small in magnitude, the divergent wind component played an important role in the cross-contour generation and horizontal flux divergence of kinetic energy. The importance of V(D) appears directly related to the presence and intensity of convection. Although K(D) usually comprised less than 10 percent of the total kinetic energy content, generation of kinetic energy by V(D) was a major factor in the creation of upper-level wind maxima to the north of the storm complexes. Omission of the divergent wind apparently would lead to serious misrepresentations of the energy balance. A random error analysis is presented to assess confidence limits in the various energy parameters.

Evaluating Cloud Initialization in a Convection-permit NWP Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jia; Chen, Baode

2015-04-01

In general, to avoid "double counting precipitation" problem, in convection permit NWP models, it was a common practice to turn off convective parameterization. However, if there were not any cloud information in the initial conditions, the occurrence of precipitation could be delayed due to spin-up of cloud field or microphysical variables. In this study, we utilized the complex cloud analysis package from the Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS) to adjust the initial states of the model on water substance, such as cloud water, cloud ice, rain water, et al., that is, to initialize the microphysical variables (i.e., hydrometers), mainly based on radar reflectivity observations. Using the Advanced Research WRF (ARW) model, numerical experiments with/without cloud initialization and convective parameterization were carried out at grey-zone resolutions (i.e. 1, 3, and 9 km). The results from the experiments without convective parameterization indicate that model ignition with radar reflectivity can significantly reduce spin-up time and accurately simulate precipitation at the initial time. In addition, it helps to improve location and intensity of predicted precipitation. With grey-zone resolutions (i.e. 1, 3, and 9 km), using the cumulus convective parameterization scheme (without radar data) cannot produce realistic precipitation at the early time. The issues related to microphysical parametrization associated with cloud initialization were also discussed.

The Impact of Parameterized Convection on Climatological Precipitation in Atmospheric Global Climate Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maher, Penelope; Vallis, Geoffrey K.; Sherwood, Steven C.; Webb, Mark J.; Sansom, Philip G.

2018-04-01

Convective parameterizations are widely believed to be essential for realistic simulations of the atmosphere. However, their deficiencies also result in model biases. The role of convection schemes in modern atmospheric models is examined using Selected Process On/Off Klima Intercomparison Experiment simulations without parameterized convection and forced with observed sea surface temperatures. Convection schemes are not required for reasonable climatological precipitation. However, they are essential for reasonable daily precipitation and constraining extreme daily precipitation that otherwise develops. Systematic effects on lapse rate and humidity are likewise modest compared with the intermodel spread. Without parameterized convection Kelvin waves are more realistic. An unexpectedly large moist Southern Hemisphere storm track bias is identified. This storm track bias persists without convection schemes, as does the double Intertropical Convergence Zone and excessive ocean precipitation biases. This suggests that model biases originate from processes other than convection or that convection schemes are missing key processes.

Life Cycle of Tropical Convection and Anvil in Observations and Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McFarlane, S. A.; Hagos, S. M.; Comstock, J. M.

2011-12-01

Tropical convective clouds are important elements of the hydrological cycle and produce extensive cirrus anvils that strongly affect the tropical radiative energy balance. To improve simulations of the global water and energy cycles and accurately predict both precipitation and cloud radiative feedbacks, models need to realistically simulate the lifecycle of tropical convection, including the formation and radiative properties of ice anvil clouds. By combining remote sensing datasets from precipitation and cloud radars at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Darwin site with geostationary satellite data, we can develop observational understanding of the lifetime of convective systems and the links between the properties of convective systems and their associated anvil clouds. The relationships between convection and anvil in model simulations can then be compared to those seen in the observations to identify areas for improvement in the model simulations. We identify and track tropical convective systems in the Tropical Western Pacific using geostationary satellite observations. We present statistics of the tropical convective systems including size, age, and intensity and classify the lifecycle stage of each system as developing, mature, or dissipating. For systems that cross over the ARM Darwin site, information on convective intensity and anvil properties are obtained from the C-Pol precipitation radar and MMCR cloud radar, respectively, and are examined as a function of the system lifecycle. Initial results from applying the convective identification and tracking algorithm to a tropical simulation from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model run show that the model produces reasonable overall statistics of convective systems, but details of the life cycle (such as diurnal cycle, system tracks) differ from the observations. Further work will focus on the role of atmospheric temperature and moisture profiles in the model's convective life cycle.

Application of Ground Based Microwave Radiometry for Characterizing Tropical Convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Renju, R.; Raju, C. S.

2016-12-01

The characterization of the microphysical and thermodynamical properties of convective events over the tropical coastal station Thiruvananthapuram (TVM, 8.5o N 76.9oE) has been carried out by utilizing multiyear Microwave Radiometer Profiler (MRP) observations. The analyses have been extended to develop a methodology to identify convective events, based on the radiometric brightness temperature (Tb) differences, at 30 GHz and 22.5 GHz channels and are compared using reflectivity and rainfall intensity deduced from concurrent and collocated disdrometer measurements. In all 84 such convections were identified using the above methodology over the station for a period of years, 2010-2013; both during pre- and post- Indian summer monsoon months and further evaluated by computing their stability indices. The occurrence of convection over this coastal station peaks in the afternoon and early morning hours with genesis, respectively, over the land and the sea. The number of occurrence of convective events are less during monsoon deficit year whereas strong and more during heavy monsoon rainfall year. These findings are further evaluated with the percentage occurrence of fractional convective clouds derived from microwave payload SAPHIR observations on Megha-Tropique satellite. Based on the analyses the frequency of occurrence of convection can be related to the monsoonal rainfall obtaining over the region. The analyses also indicate that the microwave radiometric brightness temperature of humidity channels depicts the type of convection and respond two hours prior to the occurrence of rainfall. In addition to that the multi-angle observations of microwave radiometer profiler have been utilized to study the propagation of convective systems. This study and the methodology developed for identifying convection have significance in microwave (Ka- and W-band) satellite propagation characterization since convection and precipitation are the major hindrance to satellite communication over the tropical region.

Convective boundary layer heights over mountainous terrain - A review of concepts -

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Wekker, Stephan; Kossmann, Meinolf

2015-12-01

Mountainous terrain exerts an important influence on the Earth's atmosphere and affects atmospheric transport and mixing at a wide range of temporal and spatial scales. The vertical scale of this transport and mixing is determined by the height of the atmospheric boundary layer, which is therefore an important parameter in air pollution studies, weather forecasting, climate modeling, and many other applications. It is recognized that the spatio-temporal structure of the daytime convective boundary layer (CBL) height is strongly modified and more complex in hilly and mountainous terrain compared to flat terrain. While the CBL over flat terrain is mostly dominated by turbulent convection, advection from multi-scale thermally driven flows plays an important role for the CBL evolution over mountainous terrain. However, detailed observations of the CBL structure and understanding of the underlying processes are still limited. Characteristics of CBL heights in mountainous terrain are reviewed for dry, convective conditions. CBLs in valleys and basins, where hazardous accumulation of pollutants is of particular concern, are relatively well-understood compared to CBLs over slopes, ridges, or mountain peaks. Interests in the initiation of shallow and deep convection, and of budgets and long-range transport of air pollutants and trace gases, have triggered some recent studies on terrain induced exchange processes between the CBL and the overlying atmosphere. These studies have helped to gain more insight into CBL structure over complex mountainous terrain, but also show that the universal definition of CBL height over mountains remains an unresolved issue. The review summarizes the progress that has been made in documenting and understanding spatio-temporal behavior of CBL heights in mountainous terrain and concludes with a discussion of open research questions and opportunities for future research.

The influence of subsurface hydrodynamics on convective precipitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahman, A. S. M. M.; Sulis, M.; Kollet, S. J.

2014-12-01

The terrestrial hydrological cycle comprises complex processes in the subsurface, land surface, and atmosphere, which are connected via complex non-linear feedback mechanisms. The influence of subsurface hydrodynamics on land surface mass and energy fluxes has been the subject of previous studies. Several studies have also investigated the soil moisture-precipitation feedback, neglecting however the connection with groundwater dynamics. The objective of this study is to examine the impact of subsurface hydrodynamics on convective precipitation events via shallow soil moisture and land surface processes. A scale-consistent Terrestrial System Modeling Platform (TerrSysMP) that consists of an atmospheric model (COSMO), a land surface model (CLM), and a three-dimensional variably saturated groundwater-surface water flow model (ParFlow), is used to simulate hourly mass and energy fluxes over days with convective rainfall events over the Rur catchment, Germany. In order to isolate the effect of groundwater dynamics on convective precipitation, two different model configurations with identical initial conditions are considered. The first configuration allows the groundwater table to evolve through time, while a spatially distributed, temporally constant groundwater table is prescribed as a lower boundary condition in the second configuration. The simulation results suggest that groundwater dynamics influence land surface soil moisture, which in turn affects the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) height by modifying atmospheric thermals. It is demonstrated that because of this sensitivity of ABL height to soil moisture-temperature feedback, the onset and magnitude of convective precipitation is influenced by subsurface hydrodynamics. Thus, the results provide insight into the soil moisture-precipitation feedback including groundwater dynamics in a physically consistent manner by closing the water cycle from aquifers to the atmosphere.

An axisymmetric single-path model for gas transport in the conducting airways.

PubMed

Madasu, Srinath; Borhan, All; Ultman, James S

2006-02-01

In conventional one-dimensional single-path models, radially averaged concentration is calculated as a function of time and longitudinal position in the lungs, and coupled convection and diffusion are accounted for with a dispersion coefficient. The axisymmetric single-path model developed in this paper is a two-dimensional model that incorporates convective-diffusion processes in a more fundamental manner by simultaneously solving the Navier-Stokes and continuity equations with the convection-diffusion equation. A single airway path was represented by a series of straight tube segments interconnected by leaky transition regions that provide for flow loss at the airway bifurcations. As a sample application, the model equations were solved by a finite element method to predict the unsteady state dispersion of an inhaled pulse of inert gas along an airway path having dimensions consistent with Weibel's symmetric airway geometry. Assuming steady, incompressible, and laminar flow, a finite element analysis was used to solve for the axisymmetric pressure, velocity and concentration fields. The dispersion calculated from these numerical solutions exhibited good qualitative agreement with the experimental values, but quantitatively was in error by 20%-30% due to the assumption of axial symmetry and the inability of the model to capture the complex recirculatory flows near bifurcations.

Crystal growth and crystallography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chernov, A. A.

1998-01-01

Selected topics that may be of interest for both crystal-structure and crystal-growth communities are overviewed. The growth of protein crystals, along with that of some other compounds, is one of the topics, and recent insights into related phenomena are considered as examples of applications of general principles. The relationship between crystal growth shape and structure is reviewed and an attempt to introduce semiquantitative characterization of binding for proteins is made. The concept of kinks for complex structures is briefly discussed. Even at sufficiently low supersaturations, the fluctuation of steps may not be sufficient to implement the Gibbs-Thomson law if the kink density is low enough. Subsurface ordering of liquids and growth of rough interfaces from melts is discussed. Crystals growing in microgravity from solution should be more perfect if they preferentially trap stress-inducing impurities, thus creating an impurity-depleted zone around themselves. Evidently, such a zone is developed only around the crystals growing in the absence of convection. Under terrestrial conditions, the self-purified depleted zone is destroyed by convection, the crystal traps more impurity and grows stressed. The stress relief causes mosaicity. In systems containing stress-inducing but poorly trapped impurities, the crystals grown in the absence of convection should be worse than those of their terrestrial counterparts.

Microparticles controllable accumulation, arrangement, and spatial shaping performed by tapered-fiber-based laser-induced convection flow.

PubMed

Zhang, Yu; Lei, Jiaojie; Zhang, Yaxun; Liu, Zhihai; Zhang, Jianzhong; Yang, Xinghua; Yang, Jun; Yuan, Libo

2017-10-30

The ability to arrange cells and/or microparticles into the desired pattern is critical in biological, chemical, and metamaterial studies and other applications. Researchers have developed a variety of patterning techniques, which either have a limited capacity to simultaneously trap massive particles or lack the spatial resolution necessary to manipulate individual particle. Several approaches have been proposed that combine both high spatial selectivity and high throughput simultaneously. However, those methods are complex and difficult to fabricate. In this article, we propose and demonstrate a simple method that combines the laser-induced convection flow and fiber-based optical trapping methods to perform both regular and special spatial shaping arrangement. Essentially, we combine a light field with a large optical intensity gradient distribution and a thermal field with a large temperature gradient distribution to perform the microparticles shaping arrangement. The tapered-fiber-based laser-induced convection flow provides not only the batch manipulation of massive particles, but also the finer manipulation of special one or several particles, which break out the limit of single-fiber-based massive/individual particles photothermal manipulation. The combination technique allows for microparticles quick accumulation, single-layer and multilayer arrangement; special spatial shaping arrangement/adjustment, and microparticles sorting.

Where is the level of neutral buoyancy for deep convection?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takahashi, Hanii; Luo, Zhengzhao

2012-08-01

This study revisits an old concept in meteorology - level of neutral buoyancy (LNB). The classic definition of LNB is derived from the parcel theory and can be estimated from the ambient sounding (LNB_sounding) without having to observe any actual convective cloud development. In reality, however, convection interacts with the environment in complicated ways; it will eventually manage to find its own effective LNB and manifests it through detraining masses and developing anvils (LNB_observation). This study conducts a near-global survey of LNB_observation for tropical deep convection using CloudSat data and makes comparison with the corresponding LNB_sounding. The principal findings are as follows: First, although LNB_sounding provides a reasonable upper bound for convective development, correlation between LNB_sounding and LNB_observation is low suggesting that ambient sounding contains limited information for accurately predicting the actual LNB. Second, maximum mass outflow is located more than 3 km lower than LNB_sounding. Hence, from convective transport perspective, LNB_sounding is a significant overestimate of the “destination” height level of the detrained mass. Third, LNB_observation is consistently higher over land than over ocean, although LNB_sounding is similar between land and ocean. This difference is likely related to the contrasts in convective strength and environment between land and ocean. Finally, we estimate the bulk entrainment rates associated with the observed deep convection, which can serve as an observational basis for adjusting GCM cumulus parameterization.

Evolution of a terrestrial magma ocean: Thermodynamics, kinetics, rheology, convection, differentiation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Solomatov, V. S.; Stevenson, D. J.

1992-01-01

The evolution of an initially totally molten magma ocean is constrained on the basis of analysis of various physical problems in the magma ocean. First of all an equilibrium thermodynamics of the magma ocean is developed in the melting temperature range. The equilibrium thermodynamical parameters are found as functions only of temperature and pressure and are used in the subsequent models of kinetics and convection. Kinematic processes determine the crystal size and also determine a non-equilibrium thermodynamics of the system. Rheology controls all dynamical regimes of the magma ocean. The thermal convection models for different rheological laws are developed for both the laminar convection and for turbulent convection in the case of equilibrium thermodynamics of the multiphase system. The evolution is estimated on the basis of all the above analysis.

Complex large-scale convection of a viscous incompressible fluid with heat exchange according to Newton's law

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gorshkov, A. V.; Prosviryakov, E. Yu.

2017-12-01

The paper considers the construction of analytical solutions to the Oberbeck-Boussinesq system. This system describes layered Bénard-Marangoni convective flows of an incompressible viscous fluid. The third-kind boundary condition, i. e. Newton's heat transfer law, is used on the boundaries of a fluid layer. The obtained solution is analyzed. It is demonstrated that there is a fluid layer thickness with tangential stresses vanishing simultaneously, this being equivalent to the existence of tensile and compressive stresses.

Temperature-driven groundwater convection in cold climates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Engström, Maria; Nordell, Bo

2016-08-01

The aim was to study density-driven groundwater flow and analyse groundwater mixing because of seasonal changes in groundwater temperature. Here, density-driven convection in groundwater was studied by numerical simulations in a subarctic climate, i.e. where the water temperature was <4 °C. The effects of soil permeability and groundwater temperature (i.e. viscosity and density) were determined. The influence of impermeable obstacles in otherwise homogeneous ground was also studied. An initial disturbance in the form of a horizontal groundwater flow was necessary to start the convection. Transient solutions describe the development of convective cells in the groundwater and it took 22 days before fully developed convection patterns were formed. The thermal convection reached a maximum depth of 1.0 m in soil of low permeability (2.71 · 10-9 m2). At groundwater temperature close to its density maximum (4 °C), the physical size (in m) of the convection cells was reduced. Small stones or frost lenses in the ground slightly affect the convective flow, while larger obstacles change the size and shape of the convection cells. Performed simulations show that "seasonal groundwater turnover" occurs. This knowledge may be useful in the prevention of nutrient leakage to underlying groundwater from soils, especially in agricultural areas where no natural vertical groundwater flow is evident. An application in northern Sweden is discussed.

Wave Dynamics and Transport in the Stratosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holton, James R.; Alexander, M. Joan

1999-01-01

The report discusses: (1) Gravity waves generated by tropical convection: A study in which a two-dimensional cloud-resolving model was used to examine the possible role of gravity waves generated by a simulated tropical squall line in forcing the quasi-biennial oscillation was completed. (2) Gravity wave ray tracing studies:It was developed a linear ray tracing model of gravity wave propagation to extend the nonlinear storm model results into the mesosphere and thermosphere. (3) tracer filamentation: Vertical soundings of stratospheric ozone often exhibit laminated tracer structures characterized by strong vertical tracer gradients. (4) Mesospheric gravity wave modeling studies: Although our emphasis in numerical simulation of gravity waves generated by convection has shifted from simulation of idealized two-dimensional squall lines to the most realistic (and complex) study of wave generation by three-dimensional storms. (5) Gravity wave climatology studies: Mr. Alexander applied a linear gravity wave propagation model together with observations of the background wind and stability fields to compute climatologies of gravity wave activity for comparison to observations. (6) Convective forcing of gravity waves: Theoretical study of gravity wave forcing by convective heat sources has completed. (7) Gravity waves observation from UARS: The objective of this work is to apply ray tracing, and other model technique, in order to determine to what extend the horizontal and vertical variation in satellite observed distribution of small-scale temperature variance can be attributed to gravity waves from particular sources. (8) The annual and interannual variations in temperature and mass flux near the tropical tropopause. and (9) Three dimensional cloud model.

Study of the thermal internal boundary layer during sea-breeze events in the complex coastal area of Marseille

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Calmet, Isabelle; Mestayer, Patrice

2016-02-01

A revisit of two sea-breeze episodes is presented, based on higher spatial resolution large eddy simulations (LES) of the lower atmosphere over the coastal area of Marseille and measurements obtained during the June 2001 experimental campaign UBL-ESCOMPTE. The focus is on the development of thermal internal boundary layers (TIBL) over a complex topography: the dynamic and thermal mechanisms that contribute to the TIBL growth and its further degeneration into a convective mixed layer, the respective influences of the coast shape, the large-scale flow above and the local low-level slope flows. The high-resolution LES permits exploring the potential temperature and turbulent kinetic energy fields in relation with the evolution of TIBL depth and heat fluxes along representative streamlines. Several theoretical TIBL depth models are further compared to the LES-deduced inversion height and other parameters, leading to a discussion of the relationships between the values of these parameters, the respective influences of the governing physical phenomena, and the TIBL behaviour. A threshold value of 0.35 is proposed for the friction velocity to convective velocity scale ratio u */ w * between the two regimes where the TIBL is either dominated by dynamical kinetic energy production or controlled by buoyancy.

Moist convective storms in the atmosphere of Saturn

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hueso, R.; Sánchez-Lavega, A.

2003-05-01

Moist convective storms might be a key aspect in the global energy budget of the atmospheres of the Giant Planets. In spite of its dull appearance, Saturn is known to develop the largest scale convective storms in the Solar System, the Great White Spots, the last of them arising in 1990 triggered a planetary scale disturbance that encircled the whole Equatorial region. However, Saturn seems to be very much less convective than Jupiter, being convective storms rare and small for the most part of the cases. Here we present simulations of moist convective storms in the atmosphere of Saturn at different latitudes, the Equator and 42 deg S, the regions where most of the convective activity of the planet has been observed. We use a 3D anelastic model of the atmosphere with parameterized microphysics (Hueso and Sánchez-Lavega, 2001) and we study the onset and evolution of moist convective storms. Ammonia storms are able to develop only if the static stability of the upper atmosphere is slightly decreased. Water storms are difficult to develop requiring very specific atmospheric conditions. However, when they develop they can be very energetic arriving at least to the 150 mbar level. The Coriolis forces play a mayor role in the characteristics of water based storms in the atmosphere of Saturn. The 3-D Coriolis forces at the Equator transfer upward momentum to westward motions acting to diminish the strength of the equatorial jet. The GWS of 1990 could have been a mayor force in reducing the intensity of the equatorial jet stream as revealed recently (Sánchez-Lavega et al. Nature, 2003). The Cassini spacecraft will arrive to Saturn in a year. Its observations of the atmosphere will allow to measure the amount of convective activity on the planet, its characteristics and it will clarify the role of moist convection in the atmospheric dynamics of the Giant Planets. Acknowledgements: This work was supported by the Spanish MCYT PNAYA 2000-0932. RH acknowledges a Post-doctoral fellowship from Gobierno Vasco.

Simulation of the fine structure of the 12 July 1996 Stratosphere-Troposphere Experiment: Radiation, Aerosols and Ozone (STERAO-A) storm accounting for effects of terrain and interaction with mesoscale flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stenchikov, Georgiy; Pickering, Kenneth; Decaria, Alex; Tao, W.-K.; Scala, John; Ott, Lesley; Bartels, Diana; Matejka, Thomas

2005-07-01

Vertical mixing of chemical tracers and optically active constituents by deep convection affects regional and global chemical balances in the troposphere and lower stratosphere. This important process is not explicitly resolved in global and regional models and has to be parameterized. However, mixing depends strongly on the spatial structure, strength, and temporal evolution of the particular storm, complicating parameterization of this important effect in the large-scale models. To better quantify dynamic fields and associated mixing processes, we simulate a thunderstorm observed on 12 July 1996 during the STERAO-A (Stratosphere-Troposphere Experiment: Radiation, Aerosols, and Ozone) Deep Convection field project using the Goddard Cloud Ensemble (GCE) model. The 12 July STERAO-A storm had very complex temporal and spatial structure. The meteorological environment and evolution of the storm were significantly different than those of the 10 July STERAO-A storm extensively discussed in previous studies. Our 2-D and 3-D GCE model runs with uniform one-sounding initialization were unable to reproduce the full life cycle of the 12 July storm observed by the CHILL radar system. To describe the storm evolution, we modified the 3-D GCE model to include the effects of terrain and the capability of using nonuniform initial fields. We conducted a series of numerical experiments and reproduced the observed life cycle and fine spatial structure of the storm. The main characteristics of the 3-D simulation of the 12 July storm were compared with observations, with 2-D simulations of the same storm, and with the evolution of the 10 July storm. The simulated 3-D convection appears to be stronger and more realistic than in our 2-D simulations. Having developed in a less unstable environment than the 10 July 1996 STERAO-A storm, our simulation of the 12 July storm produced weaker but sustainable convection that was significantly fed by wind shear instability in the lower troposphere. The time evolution, direction, and speed of propagation of the storm were determined by interaction with the nonuniform background mesoscale flow. For example, storm intensity decreased drastically when the storm left the region with large convective available potential energy. The model appears to be successful in reproducing the rectangular four-cell structure of the convection. The distributions of convergence, vertical vorticity, and position of the inflow level in the later single-cell regime compare favorably with the airborne Doppler radar observations. This analysis allowed us to better understand the role of terrain and mesoscale circulation in the development of a midlatitude deep convective system and associated convective mixing. Wind, temperature, hydrometeor, and turbulent diffusion coefficient data from the cloud model simulations were provided for off-line 3-D cloud-scale chemical transport simulations discussed in the companion paper by DeCaria et al. (2005).

Large-scale thermal convection of viscous fluids in a faulted system: 3D test case for numerical codes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Magri, Fabien; Cacace, Mauro; Fischer, Thomas; Kolditz, Olaf; Wang, Wenqing; Watanabe, Norihiro

2017-04-01

In contrast to simple homogeneous 1D and 2D systems, no appropriate analytical solutions exist to test onset of thermal convection against numerical models of complex 3D systems that account for variable fluid density and viscosity as well as permeability heterogeneity (e.g. presence of faults). Owing to the importance of thermal convection for the transport of energy and minerals, the development of a benchmark test for density/viscosity driven flow is crucial to ensure that the applied numerical models accurately simulate the physical processes at hands. The presented study proposes a 3D test case for the simulation of thermal convection in a faulted system that accounts for temperature dependent fluid density and viscosity. The linear stability analysis recently developed by Malkovsky and Magri (2016) is used to estimate the critical Rayleigh number above which thermal convection of viscous fluids is triggered. The numerical simulations are carried out using the finite element technique. OpenGeoSys (Kolditz et al., 2012) and Moose (Gaston et al., 2009) results are compared to those obtained using the commercial software FEFLOW (Diersch, 2014) to test the ability of widely applied codes in matching both the critical Rayleigh number and the dynamical features of convective processes. The methodology and Rayleigh expressions given in this study can be applied to any numerical model that deals with 3D geothermal processes in faulted basins as by example the Tiberas Basin (Magri et al., 2016). References Kolditz, O., Bauer, S., Bilke, L., Böttcher, N., Delfs, J. O., Fischer, T., U. J. Görke, T. Kalbacher, G. Kosakowski, McDermott, C. I., Park, C. H., Radu, F., Rink, K., Shao, H., Shao, H.B., Sun, F., Sun, Y., Sun, A., Singh, K., Taron, J., Walther, M., Wang,W., Watanabe, N., Wu, Y., Xie, M., Xu, W., Zehner, B., 2012. OpenGeoSys: an open-source initiative for numerical simulation of thermo-hydro-mechanical/chemical (THM/C) processes in porous media. Environmental Earth Sciences, 67(2), 589-599. Diersch, H. J, 2014. FEFLOW Finite Element Modeling of Flow, Mass and Heat Transport in Porous and Fractured Media, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, ISBN 978-3-642-38738-8. Gaston D., Newman C., Hansen G., Lebrun-Grandie D, 2009. MOOSE: A parallel solution framework for coupled systems of nonlinear equations. Nucl. Engrg. Design, 239, 1,768-1778 Magri, F., Möller, S., Inbar, N., Möller, P., Raggad, M., Rödiger, T., Rosenthal, E., Siebert, C., 2016. 2D and 3D coexisting modes of thermal convection in fractured hydrothermal systems - Implications for transboundary flow in the Lower Yarmouk Gorge. Marine and Petroleum Geology 78, 750-758, DOI: /10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2016.10.002 Malkovsky, V. I., Magri, F., 2016. Thermal convection of temperature-dependent viscous fluids within three-dimensional faulted geothermal systems: estimation from linear and numerical analyses, Water Resour. Res., 52, 2855-2867, DOI:10.1002/2015WR018001.

Improving Convection and Cloud Parameterization Using ARM Observations and NCAR Community Atmosphere Model CAM5

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Guang J.

2016-11-07

The fundamental scientific objectives of our research are to use ARM observations and the NCAR CAM5 to understand the large-scale control on convection, and to develop improved convection and cloud parameterizations for use in GCMs.

Development of a laser-induced heat flux technique for measurement of convective heat transfer coefficients in a supersonic flowfield

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Porro, A. Robert; Keith, Theo G., Jr.; Hingst, Warren R.; Chriss, Randall M.; Seablom, Kirk D.

1991-01-01

A technique is developed to measure the local convective heat transfer coefficient on a model surface in a supersonic flow field. The technique uses a laser to apply a discrete local heat flux at the model test surface, and an infrared camera system determines the local temperature distribution due to heating. From this temperature distribution and an analysis of the heating process, a local convective heat transfer coefficient is determined. The technique was used to measure the load surface convective heat transfer coefficient distribution on a flat plate at nominal Mach numbers of 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0. The flat plate boundary layer initially was laminar and became transitional in the measurement region. The experimental results agreed reasonably well with theoretical predictions of convective heat transfer of flat plate laminar boundary layers. The results indicate that this non-intrusive optical measurement technique has the potential to obtain high quality surface convective heat transfer measurements in high speed flowfields.

Slantwise convection on fluid planets: Interpreting convective adjustment from Juno observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Neill, M. E.; Kaspi, Y.; Galanti, E.

2016-12-01

NASA's Juno mission provides unprecedented microwave measurements that pierce Jupiter's weather layer and image the transition to an adiabatic fluid below. This region is expected to be highly turbulent and complex, but to date most models use the moist-to-dry transition as a simple boundary. We present simple theoretical arguments and GCM results to argue that columnar convection is important even in the relatively thin boundary layer, particularly in the equatorial region. We first demonstrate how surface cooling can lead to very horizontal parcel paths, using a simple parcel model. Next we show the impact of this horizontal motion on angular momentum flux in a high-resolution Jovian model. The GCM is a state-of-the-art modification of the MITgcm, with deep geometry, compressibility and interactive two-stream radiation. We show that slantwise convection primarily mixes fluid along columnar surfaces of angular momentum, and discuss the impacts this should have on lapse rate interpretation of both the Galileo probe sounding and the Juno microwave observations.

Three-dimensional oxygen isotope imaging of convective fluid flow around the Big Bonanza, Comstock lode mining district, Nevada

USGS Publications Warehouse

Criss, R.E.; Singleton, M.J.; Champion, D.E.

2000-01-01

Oxygen isotope analyses of propylitized andesites from the Con Virginia and California mines allow construction of a detailed, three-dimensional image of the isotopic surfaces produced by the convective fluid flows that deposited the famous Big Bonanza orebody. On a set of intersecting maps and sections, the δ18O isopleths clearly show the intricate and conformable relationship of the orebody to a deep, ~500 m gyre of meteoric-hydrothermal fluid that circulated along and above the Comstock fault, near the contact of the Davidson Granodiorite. The core of this gyre (δ18O = 0 to 3.8‰) encompasses the bonanza and is almost totally surrounded by rocks having much lower δ18O values (–1.0 to –4.4‰). This deep gyre may represent a convective longitudinal roll superimposed on a large unicellular meteoric-hydrothermal system, producing a complex flow field with both radial and longitudinal components that is consistent with experimentally observed patterns of fluid convection in permeable media.

Directional Solidification of a Binary Alloy into a Cellular Convective Flow: Localized Morphologies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, Y.- J.; Davis, S. H.

1999-01-01

A steady, two dimensional cellular convection modifies the morphological instability of a binary alloy that undergoes directional solidification. When the convection wavelength is far longer than that of the morphological cells, the behavior of the moving front is described by a slow, spatial-temporal dynamics obtained through a multiple-scale analysis. The resulting system has a "parametric-excitation" structure in space, with complex parameters characterizing the interactions between flow, solute diffusion, and rejection. The convection stabilizes two dimensional disturbances oriented with the flow, but destabilizes three dimensional disturbances in general. When the flow is weak, the morphological instability behaves incommensurably to the flow wavelength, but becomes quantized and forced to fit into the flow-box as the flow gets stronger. At large flow magnitudes the instability is localized, confined in narrow envelopes with cells traveling with the flow. In this case the solutions are discrete eigenstates in an unbounded space. Their stability boundary and asymptotics are obtained by the WKB analysis.

Three-Dimensional Simulations of Marangoni-Benard Convection in Small Containers by the Least-Squares Finite Element Method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yu, Sheng-Tao; Jiang, Bo-Nan; Wu, Jie; Duh, J. C.

1996-01-01

This paper reports a numerical study of the Marangoni-Benard (MB) convection in a planar fluid layer. The least-squares finite element method (LSFEM) is employed to solve the three-dimensional Stokes equations and the energy equation. First, the governing equations are reduced to be first-order by introducing variables such as vorticity and heat fluxes. The resultant first-order system is then cast into a div-curl-grad formulation, and its ellipticity and permissible boundary conditions are readily proved. This numerical approach provides an equal-order discretization for velocity, pressure, vorticity, temperature, and heat conduction fluxes, and therefore can provide high fidelity solutions for the complex flow physics of the MB convection. Numerical results reported include the critical Marangoni numbers (M(sub ac)) for the onset of the convection in containers with various aspect ratios, and the planforms of supercritical MB flows. The numerical solutions compared favorably with the experimental results reported by Koschmieder et al..

Convective Differentiation of the Earth's Mantle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hansen, U.; Schmalzl, J.; Stemmer, K.

2007-05-01

The differentiation of the Earth is likely to be influenced by convective motions within the early mantle. Double- diffusive convection (d.d.c), driven by thermally and compositionally induced density differences is considered as a vital mechanism behind the dynamic differentiation of the early mantle.. We demonstrate that d.d.c can lead to layer formation on a planetary scale in the diffusive regime where composition stabilizes the system whil heat provides the destabilizing force. Choosing initial conditions in which a stable compositional gradient overlies a hot reservoir we mimic the situation of a planet in a phase after core formation. Differently from earlier studies we fixed the temperature rather than the heat flux at the lower boundary, resembling a more realistic condition for the core-mantle boundary. We have carried out extended series of numerical experiments, ranging from 2D calculations in constant viscosity fluids to fully 3D experiments in spherical geometry with strongly temperature dependent viscosity. The buoyancy ratio R and the Lewis number Le are the important dynamical parameters. In all scenarios we could identify a parameter regime where the non-layered initial structure developed into a state consisting of several, mostly two layers. Initially plumes from the bottom boundary homogenize a first layer which subsequently thickens. The bottom layer heats up and then convection is initiated in the top layer. This creates dynamically (i.e. without jump in the material behavior) a stack of separately convecting layers. The bottom layer is significantly thicker than the top layer. Strongly temperature dependent viscosity leads to a more complex evolution The formation of the bottom layer is followed by the generation of several layers on top. Finally the uppermost layer starts to convect. In general, the multilayer structure collapses into a two layer system. We employed a numerical technique, allowing for a diffusion free treatment of the compositional field. In each case a similar evolution has been observed. This indicates that a temporary formation of layered structures in planetary interiors is a typical phenomenon. Moreover, in this scenario, plate tectonics appears only in later stages of the evolution.

Evaluating and Understanding Parameterized Convective Processes and their Role in the Development of Mesoscale Precipitation Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fritsch, J. Michael; Kain, John S.

1997-01-01

Research efforts during the second year have centered on improving the manner in which convective stabilization is achieved in the Penn State/NCAR mesoscale model MM5. Ways of improving this stabilization have been investigated by (1) refining the partitioning between the Kain-Fritsch convective parameterization scheme and the grid scale by introducing a form of moist convective adjustment; (2) using radar data to define locations of subgrid-scale convection during a dynamic initialization period; and (3) parameterizing deep-convective feedbacks as subgrid-scale sources and sinks of mass. These investigations were conducted by simulating a long-lived convectively-generated mesoscale vortex that occurred during 14-18 Jul. 1982 and the 10-11 Jun. 1985 squall line that occurred over the Kansas-Oklahoma region during the PRE-STORM experiment. The long-lived vortex tracked across the central Plains states and was responsible for multiple convective outbreaks during its lifetime.

Rayleigh convective instability in the presence of phase transitions of water vapor. The formation of large-scale eddies and cloud structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shmerlin, B. Ya; Kalashnik, M. V.

2013-05-01

Convective motions in moist saturated air are accompanied by the release of latent heat of condensation. Taking this effect into account, we consider the problem of convective instability of a moist saturated air layer, generalizing the formulation of the classical Rayleigh problem. An analytic solution demonstrating the fundamental difference between moist convection and Rayleigh convection is obtained. Upon losing stability in the two-dimensional case, localized convective rolls or spatially periodic chains of rollers with localized areas of upward motion evolve. In the case of axial symmetry, the growth of localized convective vortices with circulation characteristic of tropical cyclones (hurricanes) is possible at the early stages of development and on the scale of tornados to tropical cyclones.

Aerosol and Cloud Microphysical Properties in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Axisa, Duncan; Kucera, Paul; Burger, Roelof; Li, Runjun; Collins, Don; Freney, Evelyn; Posada, Rafael; Buseck, Peter

2010-05-01

In recent advertent and inadvertent weather modification studies, a considerable effort has been made to understand the impact of varying aerosol properties and concentration on cloud properties. Significant uncertainties exist with aerosol-cloud interactions for which complex microphysical processes link the aerosol and cloud properties. Under almost all environmental conditions, increased aerosol concentrations within polluted air masses will enhance cloud droplet concentration relative to that in unperturbed regions. The interaction between dust particles and clouds are significant, yet the conditions in which dust particles become cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) are uncertain. In order to quantify this aerosol effect on clouds and precipitation, a field campaign was launched in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia as part of a Precipitation Enhancement Feasibility Study. Ground measurements of aerosol size distributions, hygroscopic growth factor, CCN concentrations as well as aircraft measurements of cloud hydrometeor size distributions were done in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia in August 2009. Research aircraft operations focused primarily on conducting measurements in clouds that are targeted for cloud top-seeding, on their microphysical characterization, especially the preconditions necessary for precipitation; understanding the evolution of droplet coalescence, supercooled liquid water, cloud ice and precipitation hydrometeors is necessary if advances are to be made in the study of cloud modification by cloud seeding. Non-precipitating mixed-phase clouds less than 3km in diameter that developed on top of the stable inversion were characterized by flying at the convective cloud top just above the inversion. Aerosol measurements were also done during the climb to cloud base height. The presentation will include a summary of the analysis and results with a focus on the unique features of the Asir region in producing convective clouds, characterization of the aerosol prior to convective development and the microphysical properties of convective clouds in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia.

Moisture dynamics of the northward and eastward propagating boreal summer intraseasonal oscillations: possible role of tropical Indo-west Pacific SST and circulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pillai, Prasanth A.; Sahai, A. K.

2016-08-01

Boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation (BSISO) has complex spatial structure due to the co-existence of equatorial eastward and off-equatorial northward propagation in the equatorial Indian Ocean. As a result, equatorial Indian Ocean convection has simultaneous northward and eastward (NE), northward only (N-only) and eastward only (E-only) propagations. It is well established that the convection propagates in the direction of increasing moist static energy (MSE). The moisture and MSE budget analysis reveals that the horizontal advection of anomalous MSE contributes to positive MSE tendency, which is in agreement with the horizontal advection of column integrated moisture anomaly. Northward movement of warm SST and the anomalous moisture advected by zonal wind are the major initiative for the northward propagation of convection from the equatorial Indian Ocean in both NE and N-only category. At the same time warm SST anomaly in the equatorial west Pacific along with moisture advection caused by anomalous meridional wind is important for the equatorial eastward branch of NE propagation. As these anomalies in the west Pacific moves northward, equatorial Indian Ocean convection establishes over the equatorial west Pacific. The absence of these processes confines the BSISO in northward direction for N-only category. In the case of E-only movement, warm SST anomaly and moisture advection by zonal component of wind causes the eastward propagation of convection. Boundary layer moisture convergence always remains east of convection center in E-only propagation, while it coincides with convection centre in other two categories. Thus the present study concludes that the difference in underlying SST and atmospheric circulation in tropical Indo-west Pacific oceanic regions encourage the differential propagation of BSISO convection through moisture dynamics.

Free surface convection in a bounded cylindrical geometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vrentas, J. S.; Narayanan, R.; Agrawal, S. S.

1981-09-01

Surface tension-driven convection and buoyancy-driven convection in a bounded cylindrical geometry with a free surface are studied for a range of aspect ratios and Nusselt numbers. The thermal convection is in a liquid layer contained in a vertical circular cylinder with a single free boundary, the top surface, which is in contact with an inviscid gas phase. A different method is also developed for analyzing free convection problems using Green's functions, reducing the problem to the solution of an integral equation. Linear theory and some aspects of a nonlinear analysis are utilized to determine the critical Marangoni and Rayleigh numbers, the structure of the convective motion, the direction of flow, and the nature of the bifurcation branching.

Two-Flux Green's Function Analysis for Transient Spectral Radiation in a Composite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Siegel, Robert

1996-01-01

An analysis is developed for obtaining transient temperatures in a two-layer semitransparent composite with spectrally dependent properties. Each external boundary of the composite is subjected to radiation and convection. The two-flux radiative transfer equations are solved by deriving a Green's function. This yields the local radiative heat source needed to numerically solve the transient energy equation. An advantage of the two-flux method is that isotropic scattering is included without added complexity. The layer refractive indices are larger than one. This produces internal reflections at the boundaries and the internal interface; the reflections are assumed diffuse. Spectral results using the Green's function method are verified by comparing with numerical solutions using the exact radiative transfer equations. Transient temperature distributions are given to illustrate the effect of radiative heating on one side of a composite with external convective cooling. The protection of a material from incident radiation is illustrated by adding scattering to the layer adjacent to the radiative source.

Lightning and related phenomena in thunderstorms and squall lines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rust, W. D.; Taylor, W. L.; Macgorman, D. R.; Brandes, E.; Mazur, V.; Arnold, R.; Marshall, T.; Christian, H.; Goodman, S. J.

1984-01-01

During the past few years, cooperative research on storm electricity has yielded the following results of both basic and applied interest: (1) the intracloud to cloud-to-ground flashing ratio can be as great as 40:1; (2) as storm cells in a squall line dissipate, longer flashes become predominant; (3) there are two centers of lightning activity maxima that are vertically separated, the lower maximum at about 5 km and the upper at about 12 km. In addition, (4) storms produce lightning in their upper regions at a high rate; (5) lightning appears to be related in time to convective motions; (6) positive cloud-to-ground flashes occur in the severe stage of storms and in the later, well-developed stage of squall line storms; (7) mesoscale convective complexes have been observed to have cloud-to-ground flashing rates of more than 48/min; and (8) the electric field in anvils well away from the main storm core (more than 60 km) can be very high, more than 94 kV/m.

For how long can we predict the weather? - Insights into atmospheric predictability from global convection-allowing simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Judt, Falko

2017-04-01

A tremendous increase in computing power has facilitated the advent of global convection-resolving numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. Although this technological breakthrough allows for the seamless prediction of weather from local to global scales, the predictability of multiscale weather phenomena in these models is not very well known. To address this issue, we conducted a global high-resolution (4-km) predictability experiment using the Model for Prediction Across Scales (MPAS), a state-of-the-art global NWP model developed at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. The goals of this experiment are to investigate error growth from convective to planetary scales and to quantify the intrinsic, scale-dependent predictability limits of atmospheric motions. The globally uniform resolution of 4 km allows for the explicit treatment of organized deep moist convection, alleviating grave limitations of previous predictability studies that either used high-resolution limited-area models or global simulations with coarser grids and cumulus parameterization. Error growth is analyzed within the context of an "identical twin" experiment setup: the error is defined as the difference between a 20-day long "nature run" and a simulation that was perturbed with small-amplitude noise, but is otherwise identical. It is found that in convectively active regions, errors grow by several orders of magnitude within the first 24 h ("super-exponential growth"). The errors then spread to larger scales and begin a phase of exponential growth after 2-3 days when contaminating the baroclinic zones. After 16 days, the globally averaged error saturates—suggesting that the intrinsic limit of atmospheric predictability (in a general sense) is about two weeks, which is in line with earlier estimates. However, error growth rates differ between the tropics and mid-latitudes as well as between the troposphere and stratosphere, highlighting that atmospheric predictability is a complex problem. The comparatively slower error growth in the tropics and in the stratosphere indicates that certain weather phenomena could potentially have longer predictability than currently thought.

Enhanced Orographic Tropical Rainfall: An Study of the Colombia's rainfall

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peñaranda, V. M.; Hoyos Ortiz, C. D.; Mesa, O. J.

2015-12-01

Convection in tropical regions may be enhanced by orographic barriers. The orographic enhancement is an intensification of rain rates caused by the forced lifting of air over a mountainous structure. Orographic heavy rainfall events, occasionally, comes along by flooding, debris flow and substantial amount of looses, either economics or human lives. Most of the heavy convective rainfall events, occurred in Colombia, have left a lot of victims and material damages by flash flooding. An urgent action is required by either scientific communities or society, helping to find preventive solutions against these kind of events. Various scientific literature reports address the feedback process between the convection and the local orographic structures. The orographic enhancement could arise by several physical mechanism: precipitation transport on leeward side, convection triggered by the forcing of air over topography, the seeder-feeder mechanism, among others. The identification of the physical mechanisms for orographic enhancement of rainfall has not been studied over Colombia. As far as we know, orographic convective tropical rainfall is just the main factor for the altitudinal belt of maximum precipitation, but the lack of detailed hydro-meteorological measurements have precluded a complete understanding of the tropical rainfall in Colombia and its complex terrain. The emergence of the multifractal theory for rainfall has opened a field of research which builds a framework for parsimonious modeling of physical process. Studies about the scaling behavior of orographic rainfall have found some modulating functions between the rainfall intensity probability distribution and the terrain elevation. The overall objective is to advance in the understanding of the orographic influence over the Colombian tropical rainfall based on observations and scaling-analysis techniques. We use rainfall maps, weather radars scans and ground-based rainfall data. The research strategy is the analysis of rainfall fields via first-order statistical properties, scaling functions, structure functions and spectral analysis, taking into account cloud-motion directions over mountainous slopes (windward/leeward side) and timing of the diurnal cycle. The analysis is developed for some Colombia's locations.

Magnetic fields in non-convective regions of stars.

PubMed

Braithwaite, Jonathan; Spruit, Henk C

2017-02-01

We review the current state of knowledge of magnetic fields inside stars, concentrating on recent developments concerning magnetic fields in stably stratified (zones of) stars, leaving out convective dynamo theories and observations of convective envelopes. We include the observational properties of A, B and O-type main-sequence stars, which have radiative envelopes, and the fossil field model which is normally invoked to explain the strong fields sometimes seen in these stars. Observations seem to show that Ap-type stable fields are excluded in stars with convective envelopes. Most stars contain both radiative and convective zones, and there are potentially important effects arising from the interaction of magnetic fields at the boundaries between them; the solar cycle being one of the better known examples. Related to this, we discuss whether the Sun could harbour a magnetic field in its core. Recent developments regarding the various convective and radiative layers near the surfaces of early-type stars and their observational effects are examined. We look at possible dynamo mechanisms that run on differential rotation rather than convection. Finally, we turn to neutron stars with a discussion of the possible origins for their magnetic fields.

Magnetic fields in non-convective regions of stars

PubMed Central

Braithwaite, Jonathan

2017-01-01

We review the current state of knowledge of magnetic fields inside stars, concentrating on recent developments concerning magnetic fields in stably stratified (zones of) stars, leaving out convective dynamo theories and observations of convective envelopes. We include the observational properties of A, B and O-type main-sequence stars, which have radiative envelopes, and the fossil field model which is normally invoked to explain the strong fields sometimes seen in these stars. Observations seem to show that Ap-type stable fields are excluded in stars with convective envelopes. Most stars contain both radiative and convective zones, and there are potentially important effects arising from the interaction of magnetic fields at the boundaries between them; the solar cycle being one of the better known examples. Related to this, we discuss whether the Sun could harbour a magnetic field in its core. Recent developments regarding the various convective and radiative layers near the surfaces of early-type stars and their observational effects are examined. We look at possible dynamo mechanisms that run on differential rotation rather than convection. Finally, we turn to neutron stars with a discussion of the possible origins for their magnetic fields. PMID:28386410

Effect of gravity modulation on thermosolutal convection in an infinite layer of fluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saunders, B. V.; Murray, B. T.; McFadden, G. B.; Coriell, S. R.; Wheeler, A. A.

1991-10-01

The effect of time-periodic vertical gravity modulation on the onset of thermosolutal convection in an infinite horizontal layer with stress free boundaries is studied using Floquet theory for the linear stability analysis. Situations are considered for which the fluid layer is stably stratified in either the fingering or diffusive regimes of double diffusive convection. Results are presented both with and without steady background acceleration. Modulation may stabilize an unstable base solution or destabilize a stable base solution. In addition to synchronous and subharmonic response to the modulation frequency, instability in the double diffusive system can occur via a complex conjugate mode. In the diffusive regime, where oscillatory onset occurs in the unmodulated system, regions of resonant instability occur and exhibit strong coupling with the unmodulated oscillatory frequency.

Observing convection with satellite, radar, and lightning measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamann, Ulrich; Nisi, Luca; Clementi, Lorenzo; Ventura, Jordi Figueras i.; Gabella, Marco; Hering, Alessandro M.; Sideris, Ioannis; Trefalt, Simona; Germann, Urs

2015-04-01

Heavy precipitation, hail, and wind gusts are the fundamental meteorological hazards associated with strong convection and thunderstorms. The thread is particularly severe in mountainous areas, e.g. it is estimated that on average between 50% and 80% of all weather-related damage in Switzerland is caused by strong thunderstorms (Hilker et al., 2010). Intense atmospheric convection is governed by processes that range from the synoptic to the microphysical scale and are considered to be one of the most challenging and difficult weather phenomena to predict. Even though numerical weather prediction models have some skills to predict convection, in general the exact location of the convective initialization and its propagation cannot be forecasted by these models with sufficient precision. Hence, there is a strong interest to improve the short-term forecast by using statistical, object oriented and/or heuristic nowcasting methods. MeteoSwiss has developed several operational nowcasting systems for this purpose such as TRT (Hering, 2008) and COALITION (Nisi, 2014). In this contribution we analyze the typical development of convection using measurements of the Swiss C-band Dual Polarization Doppler weather radar network, the MSG SEVIRI satellite, and the Météorage lighting network. The observations are complemented with the analysis and forecasts of the COSMO model. Special attention is given to the typical evolutionary stages like the pre-convective environment, convective initiation, cloud top glaciation, start, maximum, and end of precipitation and lightning activity. The pre-convective environment is examined using instability indices derived from SEVIRI observations and the COSMO forecasts. During the early development satellite observations are used to observe the rise of the cloud top, the growth of the cloud droplet or crystals, and the glaciation of the cloud top. SEVIRI brightness temperatures, channel differences, and temporal trends as suggested by Mecikalski et al. (2010) are used to identify convectively active regions. Additionally, retrieved physical cloud properties of state-of-the-art cloud remote sensing algorithms such as the cloud top height, multilayer flags, cloud phase, optical depth and effective radius are employed. As soon as larger particles form, radar observations complement the satellite ones. Radar datasets are used in particular to observe the precipitation intensity and type, the vertical extension and structure of the convective cells. In the mature stage convective cells might start to produce lightning. The relation between the different observables and their suitability as predictors for the further convective development are discussed, e.g. strong updrafts in the developing phase are often followed by fast anvil spreading and intense precipitation in the mature phase. Threads and hazards due to heavy precipitation, hail, and wind gusts are estimated. Hering, A. M., Germann, U., Boscacci, M., Sénési, S., 2008: Operational nowcasting of thunderstorms in the Alps during MAP D-PHASE. In Proceedings of 5th European Conference on Radar in Meteorology and Hydrology (ERAD), 30 June - 4 July 2008, Helsinki, Finland. 1-5. Copernicus: Göttingen, Germany. Hilker, N., Badoux, A., Hegg, C., 2010: Unwetterschäden in der Schweiz im Jahre 2009. Wasser Energ. Luft 102: 1-6 (in German). Mecikalski, J. R., Mackenzie, W. M., König, M., Muller, S. 2010: Use of Meteosat Second Generation infrared data in 0-1 hour convective initiation nowcasting. Part 1. Infrared fields. J. Appl. Meteorol. 49: 521-534. Nisi, L., Ambrosetti, P., Clementi, L., 2014: Nowcasting severe convection in the Alpine region: the COALITION approach. QJRMT, 140, 682, 1684-1699, DOI: 10.1002/qj.2249

Convective initiation in the vicinity of the subtropical Andes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rasmussen, K. L.; Houze, R.

2014-12-01

Extreme convection tends to form in the vicinity of mountain ranges, and the Andes in subtropical South America help spawn some of the most intense convection in the world. An investigation of the most intense storms for 11 years of TRMM Precipitation Radar (PR) data shows a tendency for squall lines to initiate and develop in this region with the canonical leading convective line/trailing stratiform structure. The synoptic environment and structures of the extreme convection and MCSs in subtropical South America are similar to those found in other regions of the world, especially the United States. In subtropical South America, however, the topographical influence on the convective initiation and maintenance of the MCSs is unique. A capping inversion in the lee of the Andes is important in preventing premature triggering. The Andes and other mountainous terrain of Argentina focus deep convective initiation in a narrow region. Subsequent to initiation, the convection often evolves into propagating mesoscale convective systems similar to those seen over the Great Plains of the U. S. and produces damaging tornadoes, hail, and floods across a wide agricultural region. Numerical simulations conducted with the NCAR Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model extend the observational analysis and provide an objective evaluation of storm initiation, terrain effects, and development mechanisms. The simulated mesoscale systems closely resemble the storm structures seen by the TRMM Precipitation Radar as well as the overall shape and character of the storms shown in GOES satellite data. A sensitivity experiment with different configurations of topography, including both decreasing and increasing the height of the Andes Mountains, provides insight into the significant influence of orography in focusing convective initiation in this region. Lee cyclogenesis and a strong low-level jet are modulated by the height of the Andes Mountains and directly affect the character, intensity, and spatial distribution of the convective systems. A new conceptual model for convective initiation in subtropical South America that integrates the results of the topographic sensitivity experiments will be presented.

Cascade aeroacoustics including steady loading effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chiang, Hsiao-Wei D.; Fleeter, Sanford

A mathematical model is developed to analyze the effects of airfoil and cascade geometry, steady aerodynamic loading, and the characteristics of the unsteady flow field on the discrete frequency noise generation of a blade row in an incompressible flow. The unsteady lift which generates the noise is predicted with a complex first-order cascade convected gust analysis. This model was then applied to the Gostelow airfoil cascade and variations, demonstrating that steady loading, cascade solidity, and the gust direction are significant. Also, even at zero incidence, the classical flat plate cascade predictions are unacceptable.

Microstructural indicators of convection: insights from the Little Minch Sill Complex, Scotland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nicoli, Gautier; Holness, Marian; Neufeld, Jerome; Farr, Robert

2017-04-01

The fluid dynamic behaviour of crystal-bearing magmas is a key parameter to understand the formation of magmatic bodies. There are two opposite views on the subject: Some argue that solidification in intrusive bodies is affected by convection whereas others claim solidification happens in a static environment. A consensus on the question may be reached by carefully studying the grain size distribution in the settled accumulations of cargo crystals. In the absence of significant crystal growth or particle coarsening by agglomeration, settling of a polydisperse crystal load will always result in a fining-upwards sequence in static magmas as well as in convecting environments. If we assume the particle concentration is always sufficiently low to prevent hindered settling, gravitational settling in a static magma leads to the settling of individual crystals at a constant rate determined by their Stokes' velocity. Each size class is deposited at a constant rate, until all the grains of that size class have fallen out of suspension, leading to a well-stratified sequence and the complete disappearance of progressively smaller size classes upwards in the accumulation. In contrast, in a vigorously convecting magma crystals settle when they enter the stagnant basal boundary layer. In a system containing a polydisperse crystal population most of the bigger particles are removed rapidly from the bulk magma, leading to the creation of a fining-upwards sequence on the floor. However, in detail the structure of this fining-upwards sequence is critically different from that created by settling from a stagnant magma, with the gradual phasing out of each size class instead of the abrupt termination of size classes seen in static systems. This provides us with the opportunity to distinguish between settling from static or convecting magma using the spatial variation of grain size in settled accumulations. We focus on the Little Minch Sill Complex in Scotland, which formed from olivine-phyric magma and is characterised by both composite and single-injection bodies with significant accumulation of olivine on their lower margins. Comparison of the fining-upwards sequences in the picrodolerite/crinanite unit of the composite Shiant Isles Main Sill,and related single-injection sills on the Trotternish Peninsula, Skye, illustrate the ability of this method to distinguish between convecting and non-convecting magma bodies.

Stratiform and Convective Rain Discrimination from Microwave Radiometer Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prabhakara, C.; Cadeddu, M.; Short, D. A.; Weinman, J. A.; Schols, J. L.; Haferman, J.

1997-01-01

A criterion based on the SSM/I observations is developed to discriminate rain into convective and stratiform types. This criterion depends on the microwave polarization properties of the flat melting snow particles that fall slowly in the stratiform clouds. Utilizing this criterion and some spatial and temporal characteristics of hydrometeors in TOGA-COARE area revealed by ship borne radars, we have developed an algorithm to retrieve convective and stratiform rain rate from SSM/I data.

Characteristics of Moderately Deep Tropical Convection Observed by Dual-Polarimetric Radar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Powell, Scott

2017-04-01

Moderately deep cumulonimbus clouds (often erroneously called congestus) over the tropical warm pool play an important role in large-scale dynamics by moistening the free troposphere, thus allowing for the upscale growth of convection into mesoscale convective systems. Direct observational analysis of such convection has been limited despite a wealth of radar data collected during several field experiments in the tropics. In this study, the structure of isolated cumulonimbus clouds, particularly those in the moderately deep mode with heights of up to 8 km, as observed by RHI scans obtained with the S-PolKa radar during DYNAMO is explored. Such elements are first identified following the algorithm of Powell et al (2016); small contiguous regions of echo are considered isolated convection. Within isolated echo objects, echoes are further subdivided into core echoes, which feature vertical profiles reflectivity and differential reflectivity that is similar to convection embedded in larger cloud complexes, and fringe echoes, which contain vertical profiles of differential reflectivity that are more similar to stratiform regions. Between the surface and 4 km, reflectivities of 30-40 (10-20) dBZ are most commonly observed in isolated convective core (fringe) echoes. Convective cores in echo objects too wide to be considered isolated have a ZDR profile that peaks near the surface (with values of 0.5-1 dB common), and decays linearly to about 0.3 dB at and above an altitude of 6 km. Stratiform echoes have a minimum ZDR below of 0-0.5 dB below the bright band and a constant distribution centered on 0.5 dB above the bright band. The isolated convective core and fringe respectively possess composite vertical profiles of ZDR that resemble convective and stratiform echoes. The mode of the distribution of aspect ratios of isolated convection is approximately 2.3, but the long axis of isolated echo objects demonstrates no preferred orientation. An early attempt at illustrating composite radial velocity profiles within isolated convection is made. When the mean flow (determined from sounding data) is subtracted, a clear picture of radial velocities inside a composite representation of convection is obtained. As expected, Doppler radar data shows convergence in the lowest 1-2 km of isolated convective elements and divergence in the upper portions of the clouds. The composite velocity profiles can be used to compute crude profiles of horizontal divergence. Because the analysis uses data along radar rays (with gate size of 150 m) instead of data interpolated to a Cartesian grid, features in composited clouds can be observed at high vertical and horizontal resolution.

Exploring the Development of Conceptual Ecologies: Communities of Concepts Related to Convection and Heat.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, M. Gail; Carter, Glenda; Rua, Melissa J.

2000-01-01

Examines the relationships and development of communities of concepts related to heat and convection among fifth grade students. Discusses the influence of familial and cultural experiences on conceptual development as well as the extent to which competing phenomena affect the development of new conceptual understandings. (Contains 49 references.)…

Hot Air Balloon Experiments to Measure the Break-up of the Nocturnal Drainage Flow in Complex Terrain.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berman, N. S.; Fernando, H. J. S.; Colomer, J.; Levy, M.; Zieren, L.

1997-11-01

In order to extend our understanding of the thermally driven atmospheric winds and their influence on pollutant transport, a hot air balloon experiment was conducted over a four day period in June, 1997 near Nogales, Arizona. The focus was on the early morning break-up of the stable down-slope and down-valley flow and the establishment of a convective boundary layer near the surface in the absence of synoptic winds. Temperature, elevation, position and particulate matter concentration were measured aloft and temperature gradient and wind velocity were measured at ground level. The wind velocity within the stable layer was generally less than 1.5 m/s. Just above the stable layer (about 300 meters above the valley) the wind shifted leading to an erosion of the stable layer from above. Surface heating after sunrise created a convective layer which rose from the ground until the stable layer was destroyed. Examples of temperature fluctuation measurements at various elevations during the establishment of the convective flow will be presented. Implications of results for turbulence parameterizations needed for numerical models of wind fields in complex terrain will be discussed.

VLTI-Pionier Imaging of the Carbon AGB Star R Sculptoris and the Supergiant V766 Centauri

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wittkowski, Markus

2018-04-01

I will present reconstructed images of the carbon-rich AGB star R Scl and of the supergiant V766 Cen, both recently obtained from VLTI-PIONIER data. The images are compared to state-of-the art atmosphere and wind models. The images of R Scl exhibit a complex structure within the stellar disk. This structure is most likely caused by giant convection cells, resulting in large-scale shock fronts, and their effects on clumpy molecule and dust formation seen against the photosphere. Images of V 766 Cen were obtained at three epochs. The first epoch shows a complex elongated structure within the photospheric disk, consistent with a red supergiant harboring giant photospheric convection cells. The second and third epochs show a qualitatively and quantitatively different structure with significantly increased contrast, which is not compatible with current models of convection. Instead we interpret the 2016 and 2017 epochs as showing a previously suggested close eclipsing companion in front of the primary, which was located behind the primary at the 2014 epoch. Finally, I will show preliminary reconstructed images of a small sample of further red supergiants.

Development of a Three-Dimensional, Unstructured Material Response Design Tool

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schulz, Joseph C.; Stern, Eric C.; Muppidi, Suman; Palmer, Grant E.; Schroeder, Olivia

2017-01-01

A preliminary verification and validation of a new material response model is presented. This model, Icarus, is intended to serve as a design tool for the thermal protection systems of re-entry vehicles. Currently, the capability of the model is limited to simulating the pyrolysis of a material as a result of the radiative and convective surface heating imposed on the material from the surrounding high enthalpy gas. Since the major focus behind the development of Icarus has been model extensibility, the hope is that additional physics can be quickly added. This extensibility is critical since thermal protection systems are becoming increasing complex, e.g. woven carbon polymers. Additionally, as a three-dimensional, unstructured, finite-volume model, Icarus is capable of modeling complex geometries. In this paper, the mathematical and numerical formulation is presented followed by a discussion of the software architecture and some preliminary verification and validation studies.

Low-Temperature Oxidation Reactions and Cool Flames at Earth and Reduced Gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pearlman, Howard

1999-01-01

Non-isothermal studies of cool flames and low temperature oxidation reactions in unstirred closed vessels are complicated by the perturbing effects of natural convection at earth gravity. Buoyant convection due to self-heating during the course of slow reaction produces spatio-temporal variations in the thermal and thus specie concentration fields due to the Arrhenius temperature dependence of the reaction rates. Such complexities have never been quantitatively modeled and were the primary impetus for the development of CSTR's (continuously stirred tank reactors) 30 years ago. While CSTR's have been widely adopted since they offer the advantage of spatial uniformity in temperature and concentration, all gradients are necessarily destroyed along with any structure that may otherwise develop. Microgravity offers a unique environment where buoyant convection can be effectively minimized and the need for stirring eliminated. Moreover, eliminating buoyancy and the need for stirring eliminates complications associated with the induced hydrodynamic field whose influence on heat transport and hot spot formation, hence explosion limits, is not fully realized. The objective of this research is to quantitatively determine and understand the fundamental mechanisms that control the onset and evolution of low temperature reactions and cool flames in both static and flow reactors. Microgravity experiments will be conducted to obtain benchmark data on the structure (spatio-temporal temperature, concentration, flow fields), the dynamics of the chemical fronts, and the ignition diagrams (pressure vs. temperature). Ground-based experiments will be conducted to ascertain the role of buoyancy. Numerical simulations including detailed kinetics will be conducted and compared to experiment.

Dynamo action and magnetic activity during the pre-main sequence: Influence of rotation and structural changes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Emeriau-Viard, Constance; Brun, Allan Sacha

2017-10-01

During the PMS, structure and rotation rate of stars evolve significantly. We wish to assess the consequences of these drastic changes on stellar dynamo, internal magnetic field topology and activity level by mean of HPC simulations with the ASH code. To answer this question, we develop 3D MHD simulations that represent specific stages of stellar evolution along the PMS. We choose five different models characterized by the radius of their radiative zone following an evolutionary track, from 1 Myr to 50 Myr, computed by a 1D stellar evolution code. We introduce a seed magnetic field in the youngest model and then we spread it through all simulations. First of all, we study the consequences that the increase of rotation rate and the change of geometry of the convective zone have on the dynamo field that exists in the convective envelop. The magnetic energy increases, the topology of the magnetic field becomes more complex and the axisymmetric magnetic field becomes less predominant as the star ages. The computation of the fully convective MHD model shows that a strong dynamo develops with a ratio of magnetic to kinetic energy reaching equipartition and even super-equipartition states in the faster rotating cases. Magnetic fields resulting from our MHD simulations possess a mixed poloidal-toroidal topology with no obvious dominant component. We also study the relaxation of the vestige dynamo magnetic field within the radiative core and found that it satisfies stability criteria. Hence it does not experience a global reconfiguration and instead slowly relaxes by retaining its mixed poloidal-toroidal topology.

Boiling incipience and convective boiling of neon and nitrogen

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Papell, S. S.; Hendricks, R. C.

1977-01-01

Forced convection and subcooled boiling heat transfer data for liquid nitrogen and liquid neon were obtained in support of a design study for a 30 tesla cryomagnet cooled by forced convection of liquid neon. The cryogen data obtained over a range of system pressures, fluid flow rates, and applied heat fluxes were used to develop correlations for predicting boiling incipience and convective boiling heat transfer coefficients in uniformly heated flow channels. The accuracy of the correlating equations was then evaluated. A technique was also developed to calculate the position of boiling incipience in a uniformly heated flow channel. Comparisons made with the experimental data showed a prediction accuracy of + or - 15 percent.

A New Approach for Examining Water Vapor and Deep Convection Interactions in the Tropics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adams, D. K.

2014-12-01

The complex interactions/feedbacks between water vapor fields and deep atmospheric convection remains one of the outstanding problems in Tropical Meteorology. The lack of high spatial/temporal resolution, all-weather observations in the Tropics has hampered progress. Numerical models have difficulties, for example, in representing the shallow-to-deep convective transition and the diurnal cycle of precipitation. GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) meteorology, which provides all-weather, high frequency (5 minutes), precipitable water vapor, can help. From 3.5 years of GNSS meteorological data in Manaus, (Central Amazonia), 320 convective events were analyzed. Results reveal two characteristic time scales of water vapor convergence; an 8 h time scale of weak convergence and 4 h timescale of intense water vapor convergence associated with the shallow-to-deep convection transition. The 4 h shallow-to-deep transition time scale is particularly robust, regardless of convective intensity, seasonality, or nocturnal versus daytime convection. We also present a summary of the Amazon Dense GNSS Meteorological Network experiment, the first ever in the Tropics, was created with the explicit aim of examining the wv/deep convection relationships at the mesoscale. This innovative, international experiment, consisted of two mesoscale (100km x100km) networks: (1) a one-year (April 2011 to April 2012) campaign (20 GNSS meteorological sites) in and around Manaus , and (2) a 6 week (June 2011) intensive campaign (15 GNSS meteorological sites) in and around Belem, this latter in collaboration with the CHUVA GPM in Brazil. Results presented here from both networks focus on the diurnal cycle of precipitable water vapor: for sea breeze convection in Belem and, for assessing the influence seasonal and topographic influences for Manaus. Ultimately, these unique observations may serve to initialize, constrain, or validate precipitable water vapor spatial and temporal evolution in high resolution models.

Sensitivity of U.S. summer precipitation to model resolution and convective parameterizations across gray zone resolutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Yang; Leung, L. Ruby; Zhao, Chun; Hagos, Samson

2017-03-01

Simulating summer precipitation is a significant challenge for climate models that rely on cumulus parameterizations to represent moist convection processes. Motivated by recent advances in computing that support very high-resolution modeling, this study aims to systematically evaluate the effects of model resolution and convective parameterizations across the gray zone resolutions. Simulations using the Weather Research and Forecasting model were conducted at grid spacings of 36 km, 12 km, and 4 km for two summers over the conterminous U.S. The convection-permitting simulations at 4 km grid spacing are most skillful in reproducing the observed precipitation spatial distributions and diurnal variability. Notable differences are found between simulations with the traditional Kain-Fritsch (KF) and the scale-aware Grell-Freitas (GF) convection schemes, with the latter more skillful in capturing the nocturnal timing in the Great Plains and North American monsoon regions. The GF scheme also simulates a smoother transition from convective to large-scale precipitation as resolution increases, resulting in reduced sensitivity to model resolution compared to the KF scheme. Nonhydrostatic dynamics has a positive impact on precipitation over complex terrain even at 12 km and 36 km grid spacings. With nudging of the winds toward observations, we show that the conspicuous warm biases in the Southern Great Plains are related to precipitation biases induced by large-scale circulation biases, which are insensitive to model resolution. Overall, notable improvements in simulating summer rainfall and its diurnal variability through convection-permitting modeling and scale-aware parameterizations suggest promising venues for improving climate simulations of water cycle processes.

Remote sensing of severe convective storms over Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hung, R. J.; Liu, J. M.; Tsao, D. Y.; Smith, R. E.

1984-01-01

The American satellite, GOES-1 was moved to the Indian Ocean at 58 deg E during the First GARP Global Experiment (FGGE). The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau significantly affects the initiation and development of heavy rainfall and severe storms in China, just as the Rocky Mountains influence the local storms in the United States. Satelite remote sensing of short-lived, meso-scale convective storms is particularly important for covering a huge area of a high elevation with a low population density, such as the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Results of this study show that a high growth rate of the convective clouds, followed by a rapid collapse of the cloud top, is associated with heavy rainfall in the area. The tops of the convective clouds developed over the Plateau lie between the altitudes of the two tropopauses, while the tops of convective clouds associated with severe storms in the United States usually extend much above the tropopause.

On global gravity anomalies and two-scale mantle convection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marsh, B. D.; Marsh, J. G.

1976-01-01

The two-scale model of mantle convection developed by Richter and Parsons (1975) predicts that if the depth of the convective layer is about 600 km, then for a plate moving at 10 cm/yr, longitudinal convective rolls will be produced in about 50 million years, and the strike of these rolls indicates the direction of motion of the plate relative to the upper mantle. The paper tests these predictions by examining a new global free air gravity model complete to the 30th degree and order. The free air gravity map developed shows a series of linear positive and negative anomalies (with transverse wavelengths of about 2000 km) spanning the Pacific Ocean, crossing the Pacific rise and striking parallel to the Hawaiian seamounts. It is suggested that the pattern of these anomalies may indicate the presence of longitudinal convective rolls beneath the Pacific plates, a result which tends to support the predictions of Richter and Parsons.

Comments on “A Unified Representation of Deep Moist Convection in Numerical Modeling of the Atmosphere. Part I”

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Guang; Fan, Jiwen; Xu, Kuan-Man

2015-06-01

Arakawa and Wu (2013, hereafter referred to as AW13) recently developed a formal approach to a unified parameterization of atmospheric convection for high-resolution numerical models. The work is based on ideas formulated by Arakawa et al. (2011). It lays the foundation for a new parameterization pathway in the era of high-resolution numerical modeling of the atmosphere. The key parameter in this approach is convective cloud fraction. In conventional parameterization, it is assumed that <<1. This assumption is no longer valid when horizontal resolution of numerical models approaches a few to a few tens kilometers, since in such situations convective cloudmore » fraction can be comparable to unity. Therefore, they argue that the conventional approach to parameterizing convective transport must include a factor 1 - in order to unify the parameterization for the full range of model resolutions so that it is scale-aware and valid for large convective cloud fractions. While AW13’s approach provides important guidance for future convective parameterization development, in this note we intend to show that the conventional approach already has this scale awareness factor 1 - built in, although not recognized for the last forty years. Therefore, it should work well even in situations of large convective cloud fractions in high-resolution numerical models.« less

Possible development mechanisms of pre-monsoon thunderstorms over northeast and east India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Narayanan, Sunanda; Vishwanathan, Gokul; Mrudula, G.

2016-05-01

Thunderstorms are mesoscale convective systems of towering cumulonimbus clouds of high vertical and horizontal extent lasting from a few minutes to several hours. Pre-monsoon thundershowers over the past 10 years have been analyzed to understand the organization, horizontal and vertical development and dissipation of such severe events. Kalbaisakhi's/ Norwester's over north east and East India is given preference in this study, while some of the other extreme events are also analyzed due to their severity. The meteorological parameters like horizontal and vertical wind, precipitable water etc., and derived variables such as Severe Weather Threat (SWEAT) Index, Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE), and Convective Inhibition Energy (CINE) of the identified cases are analyzed using observations from NCEP and IMD. Satellite observations from IMD and TRMM are also used to analyze the development and moisture flow of such systems. The analysis shows that some of the parameters display a clear signature of developing thunderstorms. It is also seen that cloud parameters such as convective precipitation rate and convective cloud cover from NCEP FNL didn't show much variation during the development of storms, which may be attributed to the limitation of spatial and temporal resolution. The parameters which showed indications of a developing thunderstorm were studied in detail in order to understand the possible mechanisms behind the development and organization of thunderstorm cells.

Identifying Meteorological Controls on Open and Closed Mesoscale Cellular Convection as Associated with Marine Cold Air Outbreaks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McCoy, Isabel; Wood, Robert; Fletcher, Jennifer

Marine low clouds are key influencers of the climate and contribute significantly to uncertainty in model climate sensitivity due to their small scale and complex processes. Many low clouds occur in large-scale cellular patterns, known as open and closed mesoscale cellular convection (MCC), which have significantly different radiative and microphysical properties. Investigating MCC development and meteorological controls will improve our understanding of their impacts on the climate. We conducted an examination of time-varying meteorological conditions associated with satellite-determined open and closed MCC. The spatial and temporal patterns of MCC clouds were compared with key meteorological control variables calculated from ERA-Interim Reanalysis to highlight dependencies and major differences. This illustrated the influence of environmental stability and surface forcing as well as the role of marine cold air outbreaks (MCAO, the movement of cold air from polar-regions across warmer waters) in MCC cloud formation. Such outbreaks are important to open MCC development and may also influence the transition from open to closed MCC. Our results may lead to improvements in the parameterization of cloudiness and advance the simulation of marine low clouds. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Grant (DGE-1256082).

Analysis of Summertime Convective Initiation in Central Alabama Using the Land Information System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

James, Robert S.; Case, Jonathan L.; Molthan, Andrew L.; Jedlovec, Gary J.

2011-01-01

During the summer months in the southeastern United States, convective initiation presents a frequent challenge to operational forecasters. Thunderstorm development has traditionally been referred to as random due to their disorganized, sporadic appearance and lack of atmospheric forcing. Horizontal variations in land surface characteristics such as soil moisture, soil type, land and vegetation cover could possibly be a focus mechanism for afternoon convection during the summer months. The NASA Land Information System (LIS) provides a stand-alone land surface modeling framework that incorporates these varying soil and vegetation properties, antecedent precipitation, and atmospheric forcing to represent the soil state at high resolution. The use of LIS as a diagnostic tool may help forecasters to identify boundaries in land surface characteristics that could correlate to favored regions of convection initiation. The NASA Shortterm Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) team has been collaborating with the National Weather Service Office in Birmingham, AL to help incorporate LIS products into their operational forecasting methods. This paper highlights selected convective case dates from summer 2009 when synoptic forcing was weak, and identifies any boundaries in land surface characteristics that may have contributed to convective initiation. The LIS output depicts the effects of increased sensible heat flux from urban areas on the development of convection, as well as convection along gradients in land surface characteristics and surface sensible and latent heat fluxes. These features may promote mesoscale circulations and/or feedback processes that can either enhance or inhibit convection. With this output previously unavailable to operational forecasters, LIS provides a new tool to forecasters in order to help eliminate the randomness of summertime convective initiation.

Convection and magnetic field generation in the interior of planets (August Love Medal Lecture)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Christensen, U. R.

2009-04-01

Thermal convection driven by internal energy plays a role of paramount importance in planetary bodies. Its numerical modeling has been an essential tool for understanding how the internal engine of a planet works. Solid state convection in the silicate or icy mantles is the cause of endogenic tectonic activity, volcanism and, in the case of Earth, of plate motion. It also regulates the energy budget of the entire planet, including that of its core, and controls the presence or absence of a dynamo. The complex rheology of solid minerals, effects of phase transitions, and chemical heterogeneity are important issues in mantle convection. Examples discussed here are the convection pattern in Mars and the complex morphology of subducted slabs that are observed by seismic tomography in the Earth's mantle. Internally driven convection in the deep gas envelopes of the giant planets is possibly the cause for the strong jet streams at the surfaces that give rise to their banded appearance. Modeling of the magnetohydrodynamic flow in the conducting liquid core of the Earth has been remarkably successful in reproducing the primary properties of the geomagnetic field. As an examplefor attempts to explain also secondary properties, I will discuss dynamo models that account for the thermal coupling to the mantle. The understanding of the somewhat enigmatic magnetic fields of some other planets is less advanced. Here I will show that dynamos that operate below a stable conducting layer in the upper part of the planetary core can explain the unusual magnetic field properties of Mercury and Saturn. The question what determines the strength of a dynamo-generated magnetic field has been a matter of debate. From a large set of numerical dynamo simulations that cover a fair range of control parameters, we find a rule that relates magnetic field strength to the part of the energy flux that is thermodynamically available to be transformed into other forms of energy. This rules predicts correctly not only the magnetic field strength of planets with sufficiently simple dynamos (Earth and Jupiter), but also that of rapidly rotating stars.

Melt Stabilization of PbSnTe in a Magnetic Field

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fripp, Archibald L.; Debnam, William J.; Rosch, William; Chait, Arnon; Yao, Minwu; Szofran, Frank R.

1999-01-01

Both the experimental observation and numerical simulation indicate that the Bridgman growth of PbSnTe under the microgravity environment in space is still greatly influenced by buoyancy-induced convection. The application of a magnetic field during the semiconductor growth can dampen the convective flow in the metal-like melt. However, for Bridgman growth of PbSnTe on earth (with either vertical or horizontal configuration), both experimental observation and numerical modeling suggest that even with a strong magnetic furnace (5-Tesla constant axial magnetic field), the convective flow in the melt still cannot be sufficiently suppressed to reach the diffusion-controlled level. In order to completely dampen the buoyancy-induced convection on earth, estimates based on scaling analysis indicate that for common experimental conditions, an extremely high magnetic field is required, far beyond the capacity of the experimental apparatus currently available. Therefore, it is proposed that only the combination of microgravity environment and magnetic damping will produce the desired diffusion-controlled growth state for this particular material. The primary objectives of this study are to provide a quantitative understanding of the complex transport phenomena during solidification of non-dilute binarys, to furnish a numerical tool for furnace design and growth condition optimization, to provide estimates of the required magnetic field strength for low gravity growth, and to assess the role of magnetic damping for space and earth control of the double-diffusive convection. As an integral part of a NASA research program, our numerical simulation supports both the flight and ground-based experiments in an effort to bring together a complete picture of the complex physical phenomena involved in the crystal growth process. For Bridgman growth of PbSnTe under microgravity (with both vertical and horizontal configurations), the simulations suggest that a moderate axial magnetic field of only a few kilo-Gauss in strength could effectively eliminate buoyancy-induced convection in the melt and control solute segregation. Therefore, this work confirms the idea that the combination of microgravity environment and the magnetic damping will indeed be sufficient to produce the desired diffusion-controlled growth state for PbSnTe.

Development of lidar sensor for cloud-based measurements during convective conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vishnu, R.; Bhavani Kumar, Y.; Rao, T. Narayana; Nair, Anish Kumar M.; Jayaraman, A.

2016-05-01

Atmospheric convection is a natural phenomena associated with heat transport. Convection is strong during daylight periods and rigorous in summer months. Severe ground heating associated with strong winds experienced during these periods. Tropics are considered as the source regions for strong convection. Formation of thunder storm clouds is common during this period. Location of cloud base and its associated dynamics is important to understand the influence of convection on the atmosphere. Lidars are sensitive to Mie scattering and are the suitable instruments for locating clouds in the atmosphere than instruments utilizing the radio frequency spectrum. Thunder storm clouds are composed of hydrometers and strongly scatter the laser light. Recently, a lidar technique was developed at National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL), a Department of Space (DOS) unit, located at Gadanki near Tirupati. The lidar technique employs slant path operation and provides high resolution measurements on cloud base location in real-time. The laser based remote sensing technique allows measurement of atmosphere for every second at 7.5 m range resolution. The high resolution data permits assessment of updrafts at the cloud base. The lidar also provides real-time convective boundary layer height using aerosols as the tracers of atmospheric dynamics. The developed lidar sensor is planned for up-gradation with scanning facility to understand the cloud dynamics in the spatial direction. In this presentation, we present the lidar sensor technology and utilization of its technology for high resolution cloud base measurements during convective conditions over lidar site, Gadanki.

Forecasting Excessive Rainfall and Low-Cloud Bases East of the Northern Andes and Mesoscale Convective Complex Movement in Central South America

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-03-01

wonderful companion and girlfriend . After all these years, you are the only one who truly stands by me unconditionally. Words can’t express my...than 300 ft, although rare, do occur mainly in the more moisture rich West Amazon Basin. Occurrences with bases less than 300 ft are about 3-5% in the...heating may not be a primary factor for time of convection probably due to smaller diurnal temperature differences in the moisture rich Amazon Basin

Defect chaos of oscillating hexagons in rotating convection

PubMed

Echebarria; Riecke

2000-05-22

Using coupled Ginzburg-Landau equations, the dynamics of hexagonal patterns with broken chiral symmetry are investigated, as they appear in rotating non-Boussinesq or surface-tension-driven convection. We find that close to the secondary Hopf bifurcation to oscillating hexagons the dynamics are well described by a single complex Ginzburg-Landau equation (CGLE) coupled to the phases of the hexagonal pattern. At the band center these equations reduce to the usual CGLE and the system exhibits defect chaos. Away from the band center a transition to a frozen vortex state is found.

What we think we know and do not know about solar flares

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parker, E. N.

1973-01-01

Solar-terrestrial relations begin in the convective zone of the sun. A combination of nonuniform rotation and cyclonic convection generates magnetic fields in migratory waves, which can account for the observed 22-year solar magnetic cycle. The magnetic fields are the active agent in creating the active magnetic regions, with sunspots, prominences, and flares. The present status of knowledge regarding the solar flare phenomenon is reviewed, giving attention to the extraordinary complexity of the solar flare and the broad spectrum of theoretical ideas that have been generated to meet the challenge.

Mantle convection and the state of the Earth's interior

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hager, Bradford H.

1987-01-01

During 1983 to 1986 emphasis in the study of mantle convection shifted away from fluid mechanical analysis of simple systems with uniform material properties and simple geometries, toward analysis of the effects of more complicated, presumably more realistic models. The important processes related to mantle convection are considered. The developments in seismology are discussed.

The Development of Geo-KOMPSAT-2A (GK-2A) Convective Initiation Algorithm over the Korea peninsular

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, H. S.; Chung, S. R.; Lee, B. I.; Baek, S.; Jeon, E.

2016-12-01

The rapid development of convection can bring heavy rainfall that suffers a great deal of damages to society as well as threatens human life. The high accurate forecast of the strong convection is essentially demanded to prevent those disasters from the severe weather. Since a geostationary satellite is the most suitable instrument for monitoring the single cloud's lifecycle from its formation to extinction, it has been attempted to capture the precursor signals of convection clouds by satellite. Keeping pace with the launch of Geo-KOMPSAT-2A (GK-2A) in 2018, we planned to produce convective initiation (CI) defined as the indicator of potential cloud objects to bring heavy precipitation within two hours. The CI algorithm for GK-2A is composed of four stages. The beginning is to subtract mature cloud pixels, a sort of convective cloud mask by visible (VIS) albedo and infrared (IR) brightness temperature thresholds. Then, the remained immature cloud pixels are clustered as a cloud object by watershed techniques. Each clustering object is undergone 'Interest Fields' tests for IR data that reflect cloud microphysical properties at the current and their temporal changes; the cloud depth, updraft strength and production of glaciations. All thresholds of 'Interest fields' were optimized for Korean-type convective clouds. Based on scores from tests, it is decided whether the cloud object would develop as a convective cell or not. Here we show the result of case study in this summer over the Korea peninsular by using Himawari-8 VIS and IR data. Radar echo and data were used for validation. This study suggests that CI products of GK-2A would contribute to enhance accuracy of the very short range forecast over the Korea peninsular.

Exploiting the Temperature Dependence of Magnetic Susceptibility to Control Convective in Fundamental Studies of Solidification Phenomena

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seybert, C.; Evans, J. W.; Leslie, F.; Jones, W. K., Jr.

2001-01-01

It is well known that convection is a dominant mass transport mechanism when materials are solidified on Earth's surface. This convection is caused by gradients in density (and therefore gravitational force) that are brought about by gradients in temperature, composition or both. Diffusion of solute is therefore dwarfed by convection and the study of fundamental parameters, such as dendrite tip shape and growth velocity in the absence of convection is nearly impossible. Significant experimental work has therefore been carried out in orbiting laboratories with the intent of minimizing convection by minimizing gravity. One of the best known experiments of this kind is the Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment (IDGE), supported by NASA. Naturally such experiments are costly and one objective of the present investigation is to develop an experimental method whereby convection can be halted, in solidification and other experiments, on the Earth's surface. A second objective is to use the method to minimize convection resulting from the residual accelerations suffered by experiments in microgravity.

The roles of dry convection, cloud-radiation feedback processes and the influence of recent improvements in the parameterization of convection in the GLA GCM

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sud, Y.; Molod, A.

1988-01-01

The Goddard Laboratory for Atmospheres GCM is used to study the sensitivity of the simulated July circulation to modifications in the parameterization of dry and moist convection, evaporation from falling raindrops, and cloud-radiation interaction. It is shown that the Arakawa-Schubert (1974) cumulus parameterization and a more realistic dry convective mixing calculation yielded a better intertropical convergence zone over North Africa than the previous convection scheme. It is found that the physical mechanism for the improvement was the upward mixing of PBL moisture by vigorous dry convective mixing. A modified rain-evaporation parameterization which accounts for raindrop size distribution, the atmospheric relative humidity, and a typical spatial rainfall intensity distribution for convective rain was developed and implemented. This scheme led to major improvements in the monthly mean vertical profiles of relative humidity and temperature, convective and large-scale cloudiness, rainfall distributions, and mean relative humidity in the PBL.

Interstitial fluid flow and drug delivery in vascularized tumors: a computational model.

PubMed

Welter, Michael; Rieger, Heiko

2013-01-01

Interstitial fluid is a solution that bathes and surrounds the human cells and provides them with nutrients and a way of waste removal. It is generally believed that elevated tumor interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) is partly responsible for the poor penetration and distribution of therapeutic agents in solid tumors, but the complex interplay of extravasation, permeabilities, vascular heterogeneities and diffusive and convective drug transport remains poorly understood. Here we consider-with the help of a theoretical model-the tumor IFP, interstitial fluid flow (IFF) and its impact upon drug delivery within tumor depending on biophysical determinants such as vessel network morphology, permeabilities and diffusive vs. convective transport. We developed a vascular tumor growth model, including vessel co-option, regression, and angiogenesis, that we extend here by the interstitium (represented by a porous medium obeying Darcy's law) and sources (vessels) and sinks (lymphatics) for IFF. With it we compute the spatial variation of the IFP and IFF and determine its correlation with the vascular network morphology and physiological parameters like vessel wall permeability, tissue conductivity, distribution of lymphatics etc. We find that an increased vascular wall conductivity together with a reduction of lymph function leads to increased tumor IFP, but also that the latter does not necessarily imply a decreased extravasation rate: Generally the IF flow rate is positively correlated with the various conductivities in the system. The IFF field is then used to determine the drug distribution after an injection via a convection diffusion reaction equation for intra- and extracellular concentrations with parameters guided by experimental data for the drug Doxorubicin. We observe that the interplay of convective and diffusive drug transport can lead to quite unexpected effects in the presence of a heterogeneous, compartmentalized vasculature. Finally we discuss various strategies to increase drug exposure time of tumor cells.

The Importance of Three Physical Processes in a Minimal Three-Dimensional Tropical Cyclone Model.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Hongyan; Smith, Roger K.

2002-06-01

The minimal three-dimensional tropical cyclone model developed by Zhu et al. is used to explore the role of shallow convection, precipitation-cooled downdrafts, and the vertical transport of momentum by deep convection on the dynamics of tropical cyclone intensification. The model is formulated in coordinates and has three vertical levels, one characterizing a shallow boundary layer, and the other two representing the upper and lower troposphere, respectively. It has three options for treating cumulus convection on the subgrid scale and a simple scheme for the explicit release of latent heat on the grid scale.In the model, as in reality, shallow convection transports air with low moist static energy from the lower troposphere to the boundary layer, stabilizing the atmosphere not only to itself, but also to deep convection. Also it moistens and cools the lower troposphere. For realistic parameter values, the stabilization in the vortex core region is the primary effect: it reduces the deep convective mass flux and therefore the rate of heating and drying in the troposphere. This reduced heating, together with the direct cooling of the lower troposphere by shallow convection, diminishes the buoyancy in the vortex core and thereby the vortex intensification rate.The effects of precipitation-cooled downdrafts depend on the closure scheme chosen for deep convection. In the two closures in which the deep cloud mass flux depends on the degree of convective instability, the downdrafts do not change the total mass flux of air that subsides into the boundary layer, but they carry air with a lower moist static energy into this layer than does subsidence outside downdrafts. As a result they decrease the rate of intensification during the early development stage. Nevertheless, by reducing the deep convective mass flux and the drying effect of compensating subsidence, they enable grid scale saturation, and therefore rapid intensification, to occur earlier than in calculations where they are excluded. In the closure in which the deep cloud mass flux depends on the mass convergence in the boundary layer, downdrafts reduce the gestation period and increase the intensification rate.Convective momentum transport as represented in the model weakens both the primary and secondary circulations of the vortex. However, it does not significantly reduce the maximum intensity attained after the period of rapid development. The weakening of the secondary circulation impedes vortex development and significantly prolongs the gestation period.Where possible the results are compared with those found in other studies.

Investigation of the role of thermal boundary layer processes in initiating convection under the NASA SPACE Field Program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcnider, Richard T.; Song, Aaron; Casey, Dan; Crosson, William; Wetzel, Peter

1993-01-01

The current NWS ground based network is not sufficient to capture the dynamic or thermodynamic structure leading to the initiation and organization of air mass moist convective events. Under this investigation we intend to use boundary layer mesoscale models (McNider and Pielke, 1981) to examine the dynamic triggering of convection due to topography and surface thermal contrasts. VAS and MAN's estimates of moisture will be coupled with the dynamic solution to provide an estimate of the total convective potential. Visible GOES images will be used to specify incoming insolation which may lead to surface thermal contrasts and JR skin temperatures will be used to estimate surface moisture (via the surface thermal inertia) (Weizel and Chang, 1988) which can also induce surface thermal contrasts. We will use the SPACE-COHMEX data base to evaluate the ability of the joint mesoscale model satellite products to show skill in predicting the development of air mass convection. We will develop images of model vertical velocity and satellite thermodynamic measures to derive images of predicted convective potential. We will then after suitable geographic registration carry out a pixel by pixel correlation between the model/satellite convective potential and the 'truth' which are the visible images. During the first half of the first year of this investigation we have concentrated on two aspects of the project. The first has been in generating vertical velocity fields from the model for COHMEX case days. We have taken June 19 as the first case and have run the mesoscale model at several different grid resolutions. We are currently developing the composite model/satellite convective image. The second aspect has been the attempted calibration of the surface energy budget to provide the proper horizontal thermal contrasts for convective initiation. We have made extensive progress on this aspect using the FIFE data as a test data set. The calibration technique looks very promising.

A Thermodynamically General Theory for Convective Circulations and Vortices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Renno, N. O.

2007-12-01

Convective circulations and vortices are common features of atmospheres that absorb low-entropy-energy at higher temperatures than they reject high-entropy-energy to space. These circulations range from small to planetary-scale and play an important role in the vertical transport of heat, momentum, and tracer species. Thus, the development of theoretical models for convective phenomena is important to our understanding of many basic features of planetary atmospheres. A thermodynamically general theory for convective circulations and vortices is proposed. The theory includes irreversible processes and quantifies the pressure drop between the environment and any point in a convective updraft. The article's main result is that the proposed theory provides an expression for the pressure drop along streamlines or streamtubes that is a generalization of Bernoulli's equation to convective circulations. We speculate that the proposed theory not only explains the intensity, but also shed light on other basic features of convective circulations and vortices.

Applications of the k – ω Model in Stellar Evolutionary Models

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Yan, E-mail: ly@ynao.ac.cn

The k – ω model for turbulence was first proposed by Kolmogorov. A new k – ω model for stellar convection was developed by Li, which could reasonably describe turbulent convection not only in the convectively unstable zone, but also in the overshooting regions. We revised the k – ω model by improving several model assumptions (including the macro-length of turbulence, convective heat flux, and turbulent mixing diffusivity, etc.), making it applicable not only for convective envelopes, but also for convective cores. Eight parameters are introduced in the revised k – ω model. It should be noted that the Reynoldsmore » stress (turbulent pressure) is neglected in the equation of hydrostatic support. We applied it into solar models and 5 M {sub ⊙} stellar models to calibrate the eight model parameters, as well as to investigate the effects of the convective overshooting on the Sun and intermediate mass stellar models.« less

Ignition of detonation in accreted helium envelopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glasner, S. Ami; Livne, E.; Steinberg, E.; Yalinewich, A.; Truran, James W.

2018-05-01

Sub-Chandrasekhar CO white dwarfs accreting helium have been considered as candidates for Type Ia supernova (SNIa) progenitors since the early 1980s (helium shell mass >0.1 M⊙). These models, once detonated, did not fit the observed spectra and light curve of typical SNIa observations. New theoretical work examined detonations on much less massive (<0.05 M⊙) envelopes. They find stable detonations that lead to light curves, spectra, and abundances that compare relatively well with the observational data. The exact mechanism leading to the ignition of helium detonation is a key issue, since it is a mandatory first step for the whole scenario. As the flow of the accreted envelope is unstable to convection long before any hydrodynamic phenomena develops, a multidimensional approach is needed in order to study the ignition process. The complex convective reactive flow is challenging to any hydrodynamical solver. To the best of our knowledge, all previous 2D studies ignited the detonation artificially. We present here, for the first time, fully consistent results from two hydrodynamical 2D solvers that adopt two independent accurate schemes. For both solvers, an effort was made to overcome the problematics raised by the finite resolution and numerical diffusion by the advective terms. Our best models lead to the ignition of a detonation in a convective cell. Our results are robust and the agreement between the two different numerical approaches is very good.

Lightning Mapping Observations During DC3 in Northern Colorado

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krehbiel, P. R.; Rison, W.; Thomas, R. J.

2012-12-01

The Deep Convective Clouds and Chemistry Experiment (DC3) was conducted in three regions covered by Lightning Mapping Arrays (LMAs): Oklahoma and west Texas, northern Alabama, and northern Colorado. In this and a companion presentation, we discuss results obtained from the newly-deployed North Colorado LMA. The CO LMA revealed a surprising variety of lightning-inferred electrical structures, ranging from classic tripolar, normal polarity storms to several variations of anomalously electrified systems. Storms were often characterized by a pronounced lack or deficit of cloud-to-ground discharges (negative or positive), both in relative and absolute terms compared to the large amount of intracloud activity revealed by the LMA. Anomalous electrification was observed in small, localized storms as well as in large, deeply convective and severe storms. Another surprising observation was the frequent occurrence of embedded convection in the downwind anvil/outflow region of large storm systems. Observations of discharges in low flash rate situations over or near the network are sufficiently detailed to enable branching algorithms to estimate total channel lengths for modeling NOx production. However, this will not be possible in large or distant storm systems where the lightning was essentially continuous and structurally complex, or spatially noisy. Rather, a simple empirical metric for characterizing the lightning activity can be developed based on the number of located VHF radiation sources, weighted for example by the peak source power, source altitude, and temporal duration.

Investigation of the process chain leading to the development of convection during COP IOP 4b

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bauer, H.-S.; Schwitalla, T.; Aoshima, F.; Behrendt, A.; Wulfmeyer, V.

2012-04-01

The COPS IOP 4b took place from June 20th to June 21st 2007. It was characterized by widespread convection in the COPS domain. The development was steered by a strong low pressure system southwest of the British Isles. On its eastern side warm and moist subtropical air was directed to central Europe. First convection was triggered over the Vosges Mountains around noon on the 20th of June long before the front approached the COPS region. After a calm early afternoon, severe convection was triggered in wide regions of the COPS region in the evening and moved eastwards to Bavaria during the night to the 21st of June. In contrast to other IOPs, the situation was not captured correctly by most of the involved prediction models, no matter whether they were operated with or without sophisticated data assimilation. Aim of this presentation is to unravel the mechanisms responsible for the triggering of convection and to understand the processes preparing the atmosphere for the development of severe convection during the afternoon and night. For this purpose, many different data sets will be investigated ranging from the high resolution Vienna Enhanced Resolution Analysis (VERA), high resolution radar and satellite images and composites to soundings and data as well as retrieved products from the instruments at the COPS supersites. First impression is that the complicated low-level wind field is the major driver for the preparation of the atmosphere and therefore for the development of convection during the day. The inaccuracies in representing the low level wind field are also expected to be the major reason for the failure of the models to correctly predict the situation.

Validation of satellite-based CI detection of convective storms via backward trajectories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dietzsch, Felix; Senf, Fabian; Deneke, Hartwig

2013-04-01

Within this study, the rapid development and evolution of several severe convective events is investigated based on geostationary satellite images, and is related to previous findings on suitable detection thresholds for convective initiation. Nine severe events have been selected that occurred over Central Europe in summer 2012, and have been classified into the categories supercell, mesoscale convective system, frontal system and orographic convection. The cases are traced backward starting from the fully developed convective systems to its very beginning initial state using ECMWF data with 0.5 degree spatial resolution and 3h temporal resolution. For every case the storm life cycle was quantified through the storm's infrared (IR) brightness temperatures obtained from Meteosat Second Generation SEVIRI with 5 min temporal resolution and 4.5 km spatial resolution. In addition, cloud products including cloud optical thickness, cloud phase and effective droplet radius have been taken into account. A semi-automatic adjustment of the tracks within a search box was necessary to improve the tracking accuracy and thus the quality of the derived life-cycles. The combination of IR brightness temperatures, IR temperature time trends and satellite-based cloud products revealed different stages of storm development such as updraft intensification and glaciation well in most casesconfirming previously developed CI criteria from other studies. The vertical temperature gradient between 850 and 500 hPa, the Total-Totals-Index and the storm-relative helicity have been derived from ECMWF data and were used to characterize the storm synoptic environment. The results suggest that the storm-relative helicity also influences the life time of convective storms over Central Europe confirming previous studies. Tracking accuracy has shown to be a crucial issue in our study and a fully automated approach is required to enlarge the number of cases for significant statistics.

Hypoaigic influences on groundwater flux to a seasonally saline river

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trefry, M. G.; Svensson, T. J. A.; Davis, G. B.

2007-03-01

SummaryHypoaigic zones are aquifer volumes close to and beneath the shores of saline surface water bodies, and are characterized by the presence of time-dependent natural convection and chemical stratification. When transient and cyclic processes are involved there is significant potential for complex flow and reaction in the near-shore aquifer, presenting a unique challenge to pollutant risk assessment methodologies. This work considers the nature of some hypoaigic processes generated by the seasonally saline Canning River of Western Australia near a site contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons. A dissolved hydrocarbon plume migrates within the shallow superficial aquifer to the nearby bank of the Canning River. Beneath the river bank a zone of complex fluid mixing is established by seasonal and tidal influences. Understanding this complexity and the subsequent ramifications for local biogeochemical conditions is critical to inferring the potential for degradation of advecting contaminants. A range of modelling approaches throws light on the overall topographic controls of discharge to the river, on the saline convection processes operating under the river bank, on the potential for fluid mixing, and on the various important time scales in the system. Saline distributions simulated within the aquifer hypoaigic zone are in at least qualitative agreement with previous field measurements at the site and are strongly affected by seasonal influences. Groundwater seepage velocities at the shoreline are found to be positively correlated with river salinity. Calculations of fluid age distributions throughout the system show sensitivity to dispersivity values; however, maximum fluid ages under the river appear to be diffusion limited to a few decades. The saline convection cell in the aquifer defines a zone of strong dispersive dilution of aged (many decades) deep aquifer fluids with relatively young (several months) riverine fluids. Seasonal recharge and river salinity cycles induce regular perturbations to the convection cell, yielding intra-annual variations of 50% in seepage velocity and almost 30% in wedge penetration distance at the plume location.

Local-area simulations of rotating compressible convection and associated mean flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hurlburt, Neal E.; Brummell, N. H.; Toomre, Juri

1995-01-01

The dynamics of compressible convection within a curved local segment of a rotating spherical shell are considered in relation to the turbulent redistribution of angular momentum within the solar convection zone. Current supercomputers permit fully turbulent flows to be considered within the restricted geometry of local area models. By considering motions in a curvilinear geometry in which the Coriolos parameters vary with latitude, Rossby waves which couple with the turbulent convection are thought of as being possible. Simulations of rotating convection are presented in such a curved local segment of a spherical shell using a newly developed, sixth-order accurate code based on compact finite differences.

Rotating non-Boussinesq convection: oscillating hexagons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moroz, Vadim; Riecke, Hermann; Pesch, Werner

2000-11-01

Within weakly nonlinear theory hexagon patterns are expected to undergo a Hopf bifurcation to oscillating hexagons when the chiral symmetry of the system is broken. Quite generally, the oscillating hexagons are expected to exhibit bistability of spatio-temporal defect chaos and periodic dynamics. This regime is described by the complex Ginzburg-Landau equation, which has been investigated theoretically in great detail. Its complex dynamics have, however, not been observed in experiments. Starting from the Navier-Stokes equations with realistic boundary conditions, we derive the three coupled real Ginzburg-Landau equations describing hexagons in rotating non-Boussinesq convection. We use them to provide quantitative results for the wavenumber range of stability of the stationary hexagons as well as the range of existence and stability of the oscillating hexagons. Our investigation is complemented by direct numerical simulations of the Navier-Stokes equations.

Comparison of Measured and Numerically Simulated Turbulence Statistics in a Convective Boundary Layer Over Complex Terrain

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rai, Raj K.; Berg, Larry K.; Kosović, Branko

High resolution numerical simulation can provide insight into important physical processes that occur within the planetary boundary layer (PBL). The present work employs large eddy simulation (LES) using the Weather Forecasting and Research (WRF) model, with the LES domain nested within mesoscale simulation, to simulate real conditions in the convective PBL over an area of complex terrain. A multiple nesting approach has been used to downsize the grid spacing from 12.15 km (mesoscale) to 0.03 km (LES). A careful selection of grid spacing in the WRF Meso domain has been conducted to minimize artifacts in the WRF-LES solutions. The WRF-LESmore » results have been evaluated with in situ and remote sensing observations collected during the US Department of Energy-supported Columbia BasinWind Energy Study (CBWES). Comparison of the first- and second-order moments, turbulence spectrum, and probability density function (PDF) of wind speed shows good agreement between the simulations and data. Furthermore, the WRF-LES variables show a great deal of variability in space and time caused by the complex topography in the LES domain. The WRF-LES results show that the flow structures, such as roll vortices and convective cells, vary depending on both the location and time of day. In addition to basic studies related to boundary-layer meteorology, results from these simulations can be used in other applications, such as studying wind energy resources, atmospheric dispersion, fire weather etc.« less

Bifurcation and stability in a model of moist convection in a shearing environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shirer, H. N.

1980-01-01

The truncated spectral system (model I) of shallow moist two-dimensional convection discussed by Shirer and Dutton (1979) is expanded to eleven coefficients (model II) in order to include a basic wind. Cloud streets, the atmospheric analog of the solutions to model II, are typically observed in an environment containing a shearing basic motion field. Analysis of the branching behavior of solutions to mode II shows that, if the basic wind direction varies with height, very complex temporal behavior is possible as the modified Rayleigh number HR is increased sufficiently. The first convective solution is periodic, corresponding to a cloud band that propagates downwind; but secondary branching to a two-dimensional torus can occur for larger values of HR. Orientation band formulas are derived whose predictions generally agree with the results of previous studies.

Thermally driven mass flows in the convection zone of the sun

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dijkhuis, G. C.

1973-01-01

A formulation of the fluid dynamics of convective regions is developed which leads to an analytical description of the solar rotation, the Evershed flow, and the supergranulation. The starting point of the present formulation is the mixing length picture of convective equilibrium, but the earlier point mass model for convective molecules is replaced here by a model with both inertia and intrinsic moment of inertia. This extension introduces three rotational degrees of freedom into the dynamics of individual convective molecules, which enter into the dynamical equations for a mixing length fluid in the form of a separate vector field which we term the spin field. It is shown that for convective molecules having a spherically symmetric mass distribution, the spin field is proportional to the local vorticity.

An Analysis of Stochastic Jovian Oscillation Excitation by Moist Convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dederick, Ethan; Jackiewicz, Jason; Guillot, Tristan

2018-03-01

Recent observations of Jupiter have suggested the existence of global oscillatory modes at millihertz frequencies, yet the source mechanism responsible for driving these modes is still unknown. However, the energies necessary to produce observable surface oscillations have been predicted. Here we investigate if moist convection in Jupiter’s upper atmosphere can be responsible for driving the global oscillations and what moist convective energy requirements are necessary to achieve these theoretical mode energies and surface amplitudes. We begin by creating a one-dimensional moist convective cloud model and find that the available kinetic energy of the rising cloud column falls below theoretical estimates of oscillation energies. That is, mode excitation cannot occur with a single storm eruption. We then explore stochastic excitation scenarios of the oscillations by moist convective storms. We find that mode energies and amplitudes can reach theoretical estimates if the storm energy available to the modes is more than just kinetic. In order for the modes to be excited, we find that they require 5 × 1027 to 1028 erg per day. However, even for a large storm eruption each day, the available kinetic energy from the storms falls two orders of magnitude short of the required driving energy. Although our models may oversimplify the true complexity of the coupling between Jovian storms and global oscillations, our findings reveal that enough thermal energy is associated with moist convection to drive the modes, should it be available to them.

Numerical models of volcanic eruption plumes: inter-comparison and sensitivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Costa, Antonio; Suzuki, Yujiro; Folch, Arnau; Cioni, Raffaello

2016-10-01

The accurate description of the dynamics of convective plumes developed during explosive volcanic eruptions represents one of the most crucial and intriguing challenges in volcanology. Eruptive plume dynamics are significantly affected by complex interactions with the surrounding atmosphere, in the case of both strong eruption columns, rising vertically above the tropopause, and weak volcanic plumes, developing within the troposphere and often following bended trajectories. The understanding of eruptive plume dynamics is pivotal for estimating mass flow rates of volcanic sources, a crucial aspect for tephra dispersion models used to assess aviation safety and tephra fallout hazard. For these reasons, several eruption column models have been developed in the past decades, including the more recent sophisticated computational fluid dynamic models.

Development of charge structure in a short live convective cell observed by a 3D lightning mapper and a phased array radar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoshida, S.; Adachi, T.; Kusunoki, K.; Wu, T.; Ushio, T.; Yoshikawa, E.

2015-12-01

Thunderstorm observation has been conducted in Osaka, Japan, with a use of a 3D lightning mapper, called Broadband Observation network for Lightning and Thunderstorm (BOLT), and an X-band phased array radar (PAR). BOLT is a LF sensor network that receives LF emission associated with lightning discharges and locates LF radiation sources in 3D. PAR employs mechanical and electrical scans, respectively, in azimuthal and elevation direction, succeeding in quite high volume scan rate. In this presentation, we focus on lightning activity and charge structure in convective cells that lasted only short time (15 minutes or so). Thunderstorms that consisted of several convective cells developed near the radar site. Precipitation structure of a convective cell in the thunderstorm was clearly observed by PAR. A reflectivity core of the convective cell appeared at an altitude of 6 km at 2245 (JST). After that the core descended and reached the ground at 2256 (JST), resulting in heavy precipitation on surface. The echo top height (30dBZ) increased intermittently between 2245 (JST) and 2253 (JST) and it reached at the altitude of 12 km. The convective cell dissipated at 2300. Many intra-cloud (IC) flashes were initiated within the convective cell. Most IC flashes that were initiated in the convective cell occurred during the time when the echo top height increased, while a few IC flashes were initiated in the convective cell after the cease of the echo top vertical development. These facts indicate that strong updraft at upper levels (about 8 km or higher) plays an important role on thunderstorm electrification for IC flashes. Moreover, initiation altitudes of the IC flashes and the positive charge regions removed by the IC flashes increased, as the echo top height increased. This fact implies that the strong updraft at the upper levels blew up positively-charged ice pellets and negatively-charged graupel, and lifted IC flash initiation altitudes and positive charge regions. Previous observation results showed that positive charge regions sometimes moved upward in short time (about 5 minutes or so) in vigorous convective cells. Our observation results support the previous observation results and show that the rapid charge structure change was caused by strong updraft at upper levels in the convective cell.

Forced convection heat transfer to air/water vapor mixtures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Richards, D. R.; Florschuetz, L. W.

1984-01-01

Heat transfer coefficients were measured using both dry and humid air in the same forced convection cooling scheme and were compared using appropriate nondimensional parameters (Nusselt, Prandtl and Reynolds numbers). A forced convection scheme with a complex flow field, two dimensional arrays of circular jets with crossflow, was utilized with humidity ratios (mass ratio of water vapor to air) up to 0.23. The dynamic viscosity, thermal conductivity and specific heat of air, steam and air/steam mixtures are examined. Methods for determining gaseous mixture properties from the properties of their pure components are reviewed as well as methods for determining these properties with good confidence. The need for more experimentally determined property data for humid air is discussed. It is concluded that dimensionless forms of forced convection heat transfer data and empirical correlations based on measurements with dry air may be applied to conditions involving humid air with the same confidence as for the dry air case itself, provided that the thermophysical properties of the humid air mixtures are known with the same confidence as their dry air counterparts.

A Laboratory model for the flow in urban street canyons induced by bottom heating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Huizhi; Liang, Bin; Zhu, Fengrong; Zhang, Boyin; Sang, Jianguo

2003-07-01

Water tank experiments are carried out to investigate the convection flow induced by bottom heating and the effects of the ambient wind on the flow in non-symmetrical urban street canyons based on the PIV (Particle Image Visualization) technique. Fluid experiments show that with calm ambient wind, the flows in the street canyon are completely driven by thermal force, and the convection can reach the upper atmosphere of the street canyon. Horizontal and vertical motions also appear above the roofs of the buildings. These are the conditions which favor the exchange of momentum and air mass between the street canyon and its environment. More than two vortices are induced by the convection, and the complex circulation pattern will vary with time in a wider street canyon. However, in a narrow street canyon, just one vortex appears. With a light ambient wind, the bottom heating and the associated convection result in just one main vortex. As the ambient wind speed increases, the vortex becomes more organized and its center shifts closer to the leeward building.

Low-wave number analysis of observations and ensemble forecasts to develop metrics for the selection of most realistic members to study multi-scale interactions between the environment and the convective organization of hurricanes: Focus on Rapid Intensification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hristova-Veleva, S. M.; Chen, H.; Gopalakrishnan, S.; Haddad, Z. S.

2017-12-01

Tropical cyclones (TCs) are the product of complex multi-scale processes and interactions. The role of the environment has long been recognized. However, recent research has shown that convective-scale processes in the hurricane core might also play a crucial role in determining TCs intensity and size. Several studies have linked Rapid Intensification to the characteristics of the convective clouds (shallow versus deep), their organization (isolated versus wide-spread) and their location with respect to dynamical controls (the vertical shear, the radius of maximum wind). Yet a third set of controls signifies the interaction between the storm-scale and large-scale processes. Our goal is to use observations and models to advance the still-lacking understanding of these processes. Recently, hurricane models have improved significantly. However, deterministic forecasts have limitations due to the uncertainty in the representation of the physical processes and initial conditions. A crucial step forward is the use of high-resolution ensembles. We adopt the following approach: i) generate a high resolution ensemble forecast using HWRF; ii) produce synthetic data (e.g. brightness temperature) from the model fields for direct comparison to satellite observations; iii) develop metrics to allow us to sub-select the realistic members of the ensemble, based on objective measures of the similarity between observed and forecasted structures; iv) for these most-realistic members, determine the skill in forecasting TCs to provide"guidance on guidance"; v) use the members with the best predictive skill to untangle the complex multi-scale interactions. We will report on the first three goals of our research, using forecasts and observations of hurricane Edouard (2014), focusing on RI. We will focus on describing the metrics for the selection of the most appropriate ensemble members, based on applying low-wave number analysis (WNA - Hristova-Veleva et al., 2016) to the observed and forecasted 2D fields to develop objective criteria for consistency. We investigate the WNA cartoons of environmental moisture, precipitation structure and surface convergence. We will present the preliminary selection of most skillful members and will outline our future goals - analyzing the multi-scale interactions using these members

An assessment on convective and radiative heat transfer modelling in tubular solid oxide fuel cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sánchez, D.; Muñoz, A.; Sánchez, T.

Four models of convective and radiative heat transfer inside tubular solid oxide fuel cells are presented in this paper, all of them applicable to multidimensional simulations. The work is aimed at assessing if it is necessary to use a very detailed and complicated model to simulate heat transfer inside this kind of device and, for those cases when simple models can be used, the errors are estimated and compared to those of the more complex models. For the convective heat transfer, two models are presented. One of them accounts for the variation of film coefficient as a function of local temperature and composition. This model gives a local value for the heat transfer coefficients and establishes the thermal entry length. The second model employs an average value of the transfer coefficient, which is applied to the whole length of the duct being studied. It is concluded that, unless there is a need to calculate local temperatures, a simple model can be used to evaluate the global performance of the cell with satisfactory accuracy. For the radiation heat transfer, two models are presented again. One of them considers radial radiation exclusively and, thus, radiative exchange between adjacent cells is neglected. On the other hand, the second model accounts for radiation in all directions but increases substantially the complexity of the problem. For this case, it is concluded that deviations between both models are higher than for convection. Actually, using a simple model can lead to a not negligible underestimation of the temperature of the cell.

Height-dependent Velocity Structure of Photospheric Convection in Granules and Intergranular Lanes with Hinode /SOT

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Oba, T.; Iida, Y.; Shimizu, T., E-mail: oba.takayoshi@ac.jaxa.jp

The solar photosphere is the visible surface of the Sun, where many bright granules, surrounded by narrow dark intergranular lanes, are observed everywhere. The granular pattern is a manifestation of convective motion at the photospheric level, but its velocity structure in the height direction is poorly understood observationally. Applying bisector analysis to a photospheric spectral line recorded by the Hinode Solar Optical Telescope, we derived the velocity structure of the convective motion in granular regions and intergranular lanes separately. The amplitude of motion of the convective material decreases from 0.65 to 0.40 km s{sup −1} as the material rises inmore » granules, whereas the amplitude of motion increases from 0.30 to 0.50 km s{sup −1} as it descends in intergranular lanes. These values are significantly larger than those obtained in previous studies using bisector analysis. The acceleration of descending materials with depth is not predicted from the convectively stable condition in a stratified atmosphere. Such convective instability can be developed more efficiently by radiative cooling and/or a gas pressure gradient, which can control the dynamical behavior of convective material in intergranular lanes. Our analysis demonstrated that bisector analysis is a useful method for investigating the long-term dynamic behavior of convective material when a large number of pixels is available. In addition, one example is the temporal evolution of granular fragmentation, in which downflowing material develops gradually from a higher layer downward.« less

Cloud Microphysical Properties in Mesoscale Convective Systems: An Intercomparison of Three Tropical Locations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fontaine, Emmanuel; Leroy, Delphine; Schwarzenboeck, Alfons; Coutris, Pierre; Delanoë, Julien; Protat, Alain; Dezitter, Fabien; Grandin, Alice; Strapp, John W.; Lilie, Lyle E.

2017-04-01

Mesoscale Convective Systems are complex cloud systems which are primarily the result of specific synoptic conditions associated with mesoscale instabilities leading to the development of cumulonimbus type clouds (Houze, 2004). These systems can last several hours and can affect human societies in various ways. In general, weather and climate models use simplistic schemes to describe ice hydrometeors' properties. However, MCS are complex cloud systems where the dynamic, radiative and precipitation processes depend on spatiotemporal location in the MCS (Houze, 2004). As a consequence, hydrometeor growth processes in MCS vary in space and time, thereby impacting shape and concentration of ice crystals and finally CWC. As a consequence, differences in the representation of ice properties in models (Li et al., 2007, 2005) lead to significant disagreements in the quantification of ice cloud effects on climate evolution (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report). An accurate estimation of the spatiotemporal CWC distribution is therefore a key parameter for evaluating and improving numerical weather prediction (Stephens et al., 2002). The main purpose of this study is to show ice microphysical properties of MCS observed in three different locations in the tropical atmosphere: West-African continent, Indian Ocean, and Northern Australia. An intercomparison study is performed in order to quantify how similar or different are the ice hydrometeors' properties in these three regions related to radar reflectivity factors and temperatures observed in respective MCS.

Progress in incompressible Navier-Stokes computations for propulsion flows and its dual-use applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kiris, Cetin

1995-01-01

Development of an incompressible Navier-Stokes solution procedure was performed for the analysis of a liquid rocket engine pump components and for the mechanical heart assist devices. The solution procedure for the propulsion systems is applicable to incompressible Navier-Stokes flows in a steadily rotating frame of reference for any general complex configurations. The computer codes were tested on different complex configurations such as liquid rocket engine inducer and impellers. As a spin-off technology from the turbopump component simulations, the flow analysis for an axial heart pump was conducted. The baseline Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) design was improved by adding an inducer geometry by adapting from the liquid rocket engine pump. The time-accurate mode of the incompressible Navier-Stokes code was validated with flapping foil experiment by using different domain decomposition methods. In the flapping foil experiment, two upstream NACA 0025 foils perform high-frequency synchronized motion and generate unsteady flow conditions for a downstream larger stationary foil. Fairly good agreement was obtained between unsteady experimental data and numerical results from two different moving boundary procedures. Incompressible Navier-Stokes code (INS3D) has been extended for heat transfer applications. The temperature equation was written for both forced and natural convection phenomena. Flow in a square duct case was used for the validation of the code in both natural and forced convection.

Simulated precipitation diurnal cycles over East Asia using different CAPE-based convective closure schemes in WRF model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Ben; Zhou, Yang; Zhang, Yaocun; Huang, Anning; Qian, Yun; Zhang, Lujun

2018-03-01

Closure assumption in convection parameterization is critical for reasonably modeling the precipitation diurnal variation in climate models. This study evaluates the precipitation diurnal cycles over East Asia during the summer of 2008 simulated with three convective available potential energy (CAPE) based closure assumptions, i.e. CAPE-relaxing (CR), quasi-equilibrium (QE), and free-troposphere QE (FTQE) and investigates the impacts of planetary boundary layer (PBL) mixing, advection, and radiation on the simulation by using the weather research and forecasting model. The sensitivity of precipitation diurnal cycle to PBL vertical resolution is also examined. Results show that the precipitation diurnal cycles simulated with different closures all exhibit large biases over land and the simulation with FTQE closure agrees best with observation. In the simulation with QE closure, the intensified PBL mixing after sunrise is responsible for the late-morning peak of convective precipitation, while in the simulation with FTQE closure, convective precipitation is mainly controlled by advection cooling. The relative contributions of different processes to precipitation formation are functions of rainfall intensity. In the simulation with CR closure, the dynamical equilibrium in the free troposphere still can be reached, implying the complex cause-effect relationship between atmospheric motion and convection. For simulations in which total CAPE is consumed for the closures, daytime precipitation decreases with increased PBL resolution because thinner model layer produces lower convection starting layer, leading to stronger downdraft cooling and CAPE consumption. The sensitivity of the diurnal peak time of precipitation to closure assumption can also be modulated by changes in PBL vertical resolution. The results of this study help us better understand the impacts of various processes on the precipitation diurnal cycle simulation.

A Conceptual Model for Tropical Cyclone Formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Z.

2014-12-01

The role of cumulus congestus (shallow and congestus convection) in tropical cyclone (TC) formation is examined in a high-resolution simulation of Tropical Cyclone Fay (2008). It is found that cumulus congestus plays a dominant role in moistening the lower to middle troposphere and spinning up the near-surface circulation before genesis, while deep convection plays a key role in moistening the upper troposphere and intensifying the cyclonic circulation over a deep layer. The transition from the tropical wave stage to the TC stage is marked by a substantial increase in net condensation and potential vorticity generation by deep convection in the inner wave pouch region. This study suggests that TC formation can be regarded as a two-stage process. The first stage is a gradual process of moisture preconditioning and the low-level spinup, in which cumulus congestus plays a dominant role. The second stage commences with the rapid development of deep convection in the inner pouch region after the air column is moistened sufficiently, whereupon the concentrated convective heating near the pouch center strengthens the transverse circulation and leads to the amplification of the cyclonic circulation over a deep layer. The rapid development of deep convection can be explained by the power-law increase of precipitation rate with column water vapor (CWV) above a critical value. The high CWV near the pouch center thus plays an important role in convective organization. It is also shown that cumulus congestus can effectively drive the low-level convergence and provides a direct and simple pathway for the development of the TC proto-vortex near the surface.

A Stochastic Framework for Modeling the Population Dynamics of Convective Clouds

DOE PAGES

Hagos, Samson; Feng, Zhe; Plant, Robert S.; ...

2018-02-20

A stochastic prognostic framework for modeling the population dynamics of convective clouds and representing them in climate models is proposed. The framework follows the nonequilibrium statistical mechanical approach to constructing a master equation for representing the evolution of the number of convective cells of a specific size and their associated cloud-base mass flux, given a large-scale forcing. In this framework, referred to as STOchastic framework for Modeling Population dynamics of convective clouds (STOMP), the evolution of convective cell size is predicted from three key characteristics of convective cells: (i) the probability of growth, (ii) the probability of decay, and (iii)more » the cloud-base mass flux. STOMP models are constructed and evaluated against CPOL radar observations at Darwin and convection permitting model (CPM) simulations. Multiple models are constructed under various assumptions regarding these three key parameters and the realisms of these models are evaluated. It is shown that in a model where convective plumes prefer to aggregate spatially and the cloud-base mass flux is a nonlinear function of convective cell area, the mass flux manifests a recharge-discharge behavior under steady forcing. Such a model also produces observed behavior of convective cell populations and CPM simulated cloud-base mass flux variability under diurnally varying forcing. Finally, in addition to its use in developing understanding of convection processes and the controls on convective cell size distributions, this modeling framework is also designed to serve as a nonequilibrium closure formulations for spectral mass flux parameterizations.« less

A Stochastic Framework for Modeling the Population Dynamics of Convective Clouds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hagos, Samson; Feng, Zhe; Plant, Robert S.; Houze, Robert A.; Xiao, Heng

2018-02-01

A stochastic prognostic framework for modeling the population dynamics of convective clouds and representing them in climate models is proposed. The framework follows the nonequilibrium statistical mechanical approach to constructing a master equation for representing the evolution of the number of convective cells of a specific size and their associated cloud-base mass flux, given a large-scale forcing. In this framework, referred to as STOchastic framework for Modeling Population dynamics of convective clouds (STOMP), the evolution of convective cell size is predicted from three key characteristics of convective cells: (i) the probability of growth, (ii) the probability of decay, and (iii) the cloud-base mass flux. STOMP models are constructed and evaluated against CPOL radar observations at Darwin and convection permitting model (CPM) simulations. Multiple models are constructed under various assumptions regarding these three key parameters and the realisms of these models are evaluated. It is shown that in a model where convective plumes prefer to aggregate spatially and the cloud-base mass flux is a nonlinear function of convective cell area, the mass flux manifests a recharge-discharge behavior under steady forcing. Such a model also produces observed behavior of convective cell populations and CPM simulated cloud-base mass flux variability under diurnally varying forcing. In addition to its use in developing understanding of convection processes and the controls on convective cell size distributions, this modeling framework is also designed to serve as a nonequilibrium closure formulations for spectral mass flux parameterizations.

A Stochastic Framework for Modeling the Population Dynamics of Convective Clouds

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hagos, Samson; Feng, Zhe; Plant, Robert S.

A stochastic prognostic framework for modeling the population dynamics of convective clouds and representing them in climate models is proposed. The framework follows the nonequilibrium statistical mechanical approach to constructing a master equation for representing the evolution of the number of convective cells of a specific size and their associated cloud-base mass flux, given a large-scale forcing. In this framework, referred to as STOchastic framework for Modeling Population dynamics of convective clouds (STOMP), the evolution of convective cell size is predicted from three key characteristics of convective cells: (i) the probability of growth, (ii) the probability of decay, and (iii)more » the cloud-base mass flux. STOMP models are constructed and evaluated against CPOL radar observations at Darwin and convection permitting model (CPM) simulations. Multiple models are constructed under various assumptions regarding these three key parameters and the realisms of these models are evaluated. It is shown that in a model where convective plumes prefer to aggregate spatially and the cloud-base mass flux is a nonlinear function of convective cell area, the mass flux manifests a recharge-discharge behavior under steady forcing. Such a model also produces observed behavior of convective cell populations and CPM simulated cloud-base mass flux variability under diurnally varying forcing. Finally, in addition to its use in developing understanding of convection processes and the controls on convective cell size distributions, this modeling framework is also designed to serve as a nonequilibrium closure formulations for spectral mass flux parameterizations.« less

GPU accelerated study of heat transfer and fluid flow by lattice Boltzmann method on CUDA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Qinlong

Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) has been developed as a powerful numerical approach to simulate the complex fluid flow and heat transfer phenomena during the past two decades. As a mesoscale method based on the kinetic theory, LBM has several advantages compared with traditional numerical methods such as physical representation of microscopic interactions, dealing with complex geometries and highly parallel nature. Lattice Boltzmann method has been applied to solve various fluid behaviors and heat transfer process like conjugate heat transfer, magnetic and electric field, diffusion and mixing process, chemical reactions, multiphase flow, phase change process, non-isothermal flow in porous medium, microfluidics, fluid-structure interactions in biological system and so on. In addition, as a non-body-conformal grid method, the immersed boundary method (IBM) could be applied to handle the complex or moving geometries in the domain. The immersed boundary method could be coupled with lattice Boltzmann method to study the heat transfer and fluid flow problems. Heat transfer and fluid flow are solved on Euler nodes by LBM while the complex solid geometries are captured by Lagrangian nodes using immersed boundary method. Parallel computing has been a popular topic for many decades to accelerate the computational speed in engineering and scientific fields. Today, almost all the laptop and desktop have central processing units (CPUs) with multiple cores which could be used for parallel computing. However, the cost of CPUs with hundreds of cores is still high which limits its capability of high performance computing on personal computer. Graphic processing units (GPU) is originally used for the computer video cards have been emerged as the most powerful high-performance workstation in recent years. Unlike the CPUs, the cost of GPU with thousands of cores is cheap. For example, the GPU (GeForce GTX TITAN) which is used in the current work has 2688 cores and the price is only 1,000 US dollars. The release of NVIDIA's CUDA architecture which includes both hardware and programming environment in 2007 makes GPU computing attractive. Due to its highly parallel nature, lattice Boltzmann method is successfully ported into GPU with a performance benefit during the recent years. In the current work, LBM CUDA code is developed for different fluid flow and heat transfer problems. In this dissertation, lattice Boltzmann method and immersed boundary method are used to study natural convection in an enclosure with an array of conduting obstacles, double-diffusive convection in a vertical cavity with Soret and Dufour effects, PCM melting process in a latent heat thermal energy storage system with internal fins, mixed convection in a lid-driven cavity with a sinusoidal cylinder, and AC electrothermal pumping in microfluidic systems on a CUDA computational platform. It is demonstrated that LBM is an efficient method to simulate complex heat transfer problems using GPU on CUDA.

Intensive probing of a clear air convective field by radar and instrumental drone aircraft.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rowland, J. R.

1973-01-01

An instrumented drone aircraft was used in conjunction with ultrasensitive radar to study the development of a convective field in the clear air. Radar data are presented which show an initial constant growth rate in the height of the convective field of 3.8 m/min, followed by a short period marked by condensation and rapid growth at a rate in excess of 6.1 m/min. Drone aircraft soundings show general features of a convective field including progressive lifting of the inversion at the top of the convection and a cooling of the air at the top of the field. Calculations of vertical heat flux as a function of time and altitude during the early stages of convection show a linear decrease in heat flux with altitude to near the top of the convective field and a negative heat flux at the top. Evidence is presented which supports previous observations that convective cells overshoot their neutral buoyancy level into a region where they are cool and moist compared to their surroundings. Furthermore, only that portion of the convective cell that has overshot its neutral buoyancy level is generally visible to the radar.

3-Dimensional simulations of storm dynamics on Saturn

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hueso, R.; Sanchez-Lavega, A.

2000-10-01

The formation and evolution of convective clouds in the atmosphere of Saturn is investigated using an anelastic three-dimensional time-dependent model with parameterized microphysics. The model is designed to study the development of moist convection on any of the four giant planets and has been previously used to investigate the formation of water convective storms in the jovian atmosphere. The role of water and ammonia in moist convection is investigated with varying deep concentrations. Results imply that most of the convective activity observed at Saturn may occur at the ammonia cloud deck while the formation of water moist convection may happen only when very strong constraints on the lower troposphere are met. Ammonia storms can ascend to the 300 mb level with vertical velocities around 30 ms-1. The seasonal effect on the thermal profile at the upper troposphere may have important effects on the development of ammonia storms. In the cases where water storms can develop they span many scale heights with peak vertical velocities around 160 ms-1 and cloud particles can be transported up to the 150 mb level. These predicted characteristics are similar to the Great White Spots observed in Saturn which, therefore, could be originated at the water cloud base level. This work has been supported by Gobierno Vasco PI 1997-34. R. Hueso acknowledges a PhD fellowship from Gobierno Vasco.

Porous medium convection at large Rayleigh number: Studies of coherent structure, transport, and reduced dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wen, Baole

Buoyancy-driven convection in fluid-saturated porous media is a key environmental and technological process, with applications ranging from carbon dioxide storage in terrestrial aquifers to the design of compact heat exchangers. Porous medium convection is also a paradigm for forced-dissipative infinite-dimensional dynamical systems, exhibiting spatiotemporally chaotic dynamics if not "true" turbulence. The objective of this dissertation research is to quantitatively characterize the dynamics and heat transport in two-dimensional horizontal and inclined porous medium convection between isothermal plane parallel boundaries at asymptotically large values of the Rayleigh number Ra by investigating the emergent, quasi-coherent flow. This investigation employs a complement of direct numerical simulations (DNS), secondary stability and dynamical systems theory, and variational analysis. The DNS confirm the remarkable tendency for the interior flow to self-organize into closely-spaced columnar plumes at sufficiently large Ra (up to Ra ≃ 105), with more complex spatiotemporal features being confined to boundary layers near the heated and cooled walls. The relatively simple form of the interior flow motivates investigation of unstable steady and time-periodic convective states at large Ra as a function of the domain aspect ratio L. To gain insight into the development of spatiotemporally chaotic convection, the (secondary) stability of these fully nonlinear states to small-amplitude disturbances is investigated using a spatial Floquet analysis. The results indicate that there exist two distinct modes of instability at large Ra: a bulk instability mode and a wall instability mode. The former usually is excited by long-wavelength disturbances and is generally much weaker than the latter. DNS, strategically initialized to investigate the fully nonlinear evolution of the most dangerous secondary instability modes, suggest that the (long time) mean inter-plume spacing in statistically-steady porous medium convection results from an interplay between the competing effects of these two types of instability. Upper bound analysis is then employed to investigate the dependence of the heat transport enhancement factor, i.e. the Nusselt number Nu, on Ra and L. To solve the optimization problems arising from the "background field" upper-bound variational analysis, a novel two-step algorithm in which time is introduced into the formulation is developed. The new algorithm obviates the need for numerical continuation, thereby enabling the best available bounds to be computed up to Ra ≈ 2.65 x 104. A mathematical proof is given to demonstrate that the only steady state to which this numerical algorithm can converge is the required global optimal of the variational problem. Using this algorithm, the dependence of the bounds on L( Ra) is explored, and a "minimal flow unit" is identified. Finally, the upper bound variational methodology is also shown to yield quantitatively useful predictions of Nu and to furnish a functional basis that is naturally adapted to the boundary layer dynamics at large Ra..

Changing Characteristics of convective storms: Results from a continental-scale convection-permitting climate simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prein, A. F.; Ikeda, K.; Liu, C.; Bullock, R.; Rasmussen, R.

2016-12-01

Convective storms are causing extremes such as flooding, landslides, and wind gusts and are related to the development of tornadoes and hail. Convective storms are also the dominant source of summer precipitation in most regions of the Contiguous United States. So far little is known about how convective storms might change due to global warming. This is mainly because of the coarse grid spacing of state-of-the-art climate models that are not able to resolve deep convection explicitly. Instead, coarse resolution models rely on convective parameterization schemes that are a major source of errors and uncertainties in climate change projections. Convection-permitting climate simulations, with grid-spacings smaller than 4 km, show significant improvements in the simulation of convective storms by representing deep convection explicitly. Here we use a pair of 13-year long current and future convection-permitting climate simulations that cover large parts of North America. We use the Method for Object-Based Diagnostic Evaluation (MODE) that incorporates the time dimension (MODE-TD) to analyze the model performance in reproducing storm features in the current climate and to investigate their potential future changes. We show that the model is able to accurately reproduce the main characteristics of convective storms in the present climate. The comparison with the future climate simulation shows that convective storms significantly increase in frequency, intensity, and size. Furthermore, they are projected to move slower which could result in a substantial increase in convective storm-related hazards such as flash floods, debris flows, and landslides. Some regions, such as the North Atlantic, might experience a regime shift that leads to significantly stronger storms that are unrepresented in the current climate.

Convection-enhanced delivery to the central nervous system.

PubMed

Lonser, Russell R; Sarntinoranont, Malisa; Morrison, Paul F; Oldfield, Edward H

2015-03-01

Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) is a bulk flow-driven process. Its properties permit direct, homogeneous, targeted perfusion of CNS regions with putative therapeutics while bypassing the blood-brain barrier. Development of surrogate imaging tracers that are co-infused during drug delivery now permit accurate, noninvasive real-time tracking of convective infusate flow in nervous system tissues. The potential advantages of CED in the CNS over other currently available drug delivery techniques, including systemic delivery, intrathecal and/or intraventricular distribution, and polymer implantation, have led to its application in research studies and clinical trials. The authors review the biophysical principles of convective flow and the technology, properties, and clinical applications of convective delivery in the CNS.

Numerical simulation of convective motion in an anisotropic porous medium and cosymmetry conservation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdelhafez, M. A.; Tsybulin, V. G.

2017-10-01

The onset of convection in a porous anisotropic rectangle occupied by a heat-conducting fluid heated from below is analyzed on the basis of the Darcy-Boussinesq model. It is shown that there are combinations of control parameters for which the system has a nontrivial cosymmetry and a one-parameter family of stationary convective regimes branches off from the mechanical equilibrium. For the two-dimensional convection equations in a porous medium, finite-difference approximations preserving the cosymmetry of the original system are developed. Numerical results are presented that demonstrate the formation of a family of convective regimes and its disappearance when the approximations do not inherit the cosymmetry property.

Stochastic and Perturbed Parameter Representations of Model Uncertainty in Convection Parameterization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Christensen, H. M.; Moroz, I.; Palmer, T.

2015-12-01

It is now acknowledged that representing model uncertainty in atmospheric simulators is essential for the production of reliable probabilistic ensemble forecasts, and a number of different techniques have been proposed for this purpose. Stochastic convection parameterization schemes use random numbers to represent the difference between a deterministic parameterization scheme and the true atmosphere, accounting for the unresolved sub grid-scale variability associated with convective clouds. An alternative approach varies the values of poorly constrained physical parameters in the model to represent the uncertainty in these parameters. This study presents new perturbed parameter schemes for use in the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) convection scheme. Two types of scheme are developed and implemented. Both schemes represent the joint uncertainty in four of the parameters in the convection parametrisation scheme, which was estimated using the Ensemble Prediction and Parameter Estimation System (EPPES). The first scheme developed is a fixed perturbed parameter scheme, where the values of uncertain parameters are changed between ensemble members, but held constant over the duration of the forecast. The second is a stochastically varying perturbed parameter scheme. The performance of these schemes was compared to the ECMWF operational stochastic scheme, Stochastically Perturbed Parametrisation Tendencies (SPPT), and to a model which does not represent uncertainty in convection. The skill of probabilistic forecasts made using the different models was evaluated. While the perturbed parameter schemes improve on the stochastic parametrisation in some regards, the SPPT scheme outperforms the perturbed parameter approaches when considering forecast variables that are particularly sensitive to convection. Overall, SPPT schemes are the most skilful representations of model uncertainty due to convection parametrisation. Reference: H. M. Christensen, I. M. Moroz, and T. N. Palmer, 2015: Stochastic and Perturbed Parameter Representations of Model Uncertainty in Convection Parameterization. J. Atmos. Sci., 72, 2525-2544.

Shallow cumuli ensemble statistics for development of a stochastic parameterization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakradzija, Mirjana; Seifert, Axel; Heus, Thijs

2014-05-01

According to a conventional deterministic approach to the parameterization of moist convection in numerical atmospheric models, a given large scale forcing produces an unique response from the unresolved convective processes. This representation leaves out the small-scale variability of convection, as it is known from the empirical studies of deep and shallow convective cloud ensembles, there is a whole distribution of sub-grid states corresponding to the given large scale forcing. Moreover, this distribution gets broader with the increasing model resolution. This behavior is also consistent with our theoretical understanding of a coarse-grained nonlinear system. We propose an approach to represent the variability of the unresolved shallow-convective states, including the dependence of the sub-grid states distribution spread and shape on the model horizontal resolution. Starting from the Gibbs canonical ensemble theory, Craig and Cohen (2006) developed a theory for the fluctuations in a deep convective ensemble. The micro-states of a deep convective cloud ensemble are characterized by the cloud-base mass flux, which, according to the theory, is exponentially distributed (Boltzmann distribution). Following their work, we study the shallow cumulus ensemble statistics and the distribution of the cloud-base mass flux. We employ a Large-Eddy Simulation model (LES) and a cloud tracking algorithm, followed by a conditional sampling of clouds at the cloud base level, to retrieve the information about the individual cloud life cycles and the cloud ensemble as a whole. In the case of shallow cumulus cloud ensemble, the distribution of micro-states is a generalized exponential distribution. Based on the empirical and theoretical findings, a stochastic model has been developed to simulate the shallow convective cloud ensemble and to test the convective ensemble theory. Stochastic model simulates a compound random process, with the number of convective elements drawn from a Poisson distribution, and cloud properties sub-sampled from a generalized ensemble distribution. We study the role of the different cloud subtypes in a shallow convective ensemble and how the diverse cloud properties and cloud lifetimes affect the system macro-state. To what extent does the cloud-base mass flux distribution deviate from the simple Boltzmann distribution and how does it affect the results from the stochastic model? Is the memory, provided by the finite lifetime of individual clouds, of importance for the ensemble statistics? We also test for the minimal information given as an input to the stochastic model, able to reproduce the ensemble mean statistics and the variability in a convective ensemble. An important property of the resulting distribution of the sub-grid convective states is its scale-adaptivity - the smaller the grid-size, the broader the compound distribution of the sub-grid states.

Study of plasma natural convection induced by electron beam in atmosphere [

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Deng, Yongfeng, E-mail: yfdeng@mail.dlut.edu.cn; Han, Xianwei; Tan, Yonghua

2014-06-15

Using high-energy electron beams to ionize air is an effective way to produce a large-size plasma in the atmosphere. In particular, with a steady-state high power generator, some unique phenomena can be achieved, including natural convection of the plasma. The characteristics of this convection are studied both experimentally and numerically. The results show that an asymmetrical temperature field develops with magnitudes that vary from 295 K to 389 K at a pressure of 100 Torr. Natural convection is greatly enhanced under 760 Torr. Nevertheless, plasma transport is negligible in this convection flow field and only the plasma core tends to move upward. Parameter analysismore » is performed to discern influencing factors on this phenomenon. The beam current, reflecting the Rayleigh number Ra effect, correlates with convection intensity, which indicates that energy deposition is the underlying key factor in determining such convections. Finally, natural convection is concluded to be an intrinsic property of the electron beam when focused into dense air, and can be achieved by carefully adjusting equipment operations parameters.« less

Quantifying the dynamic density driven convection in high permeability packed beds.

PubMed

Teng, Ying; Jiang, Lanlan; Fan, Yingting; Liu, Yu; Wang, Dayong; Abudula, Abuliti; Song, Yongchen

2017-06-01

The density driven convection phenomenon is expected to have a significant and positive role in CO 2 geological storage capacity and safety. The onset and development of density-driven convective on the core scale is critical to understand the mass transfer mechanism. In this paper, laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the density-driven convective in a vertical tube. The deuterium oxide (D 2 O)/manganese chloride (MnCl 2 ) water solution in water or brine were as an analog for CO 2 -rich brine in original brine. Experiments are repeated with variations in permeability to vary the characteristic Rayleigh number. Based on the MRI technology, the intensity images showed the interface clearly, reflecting the transition from diffusion to convective. With the echo-multi-slice pulse sequence method, the intensity images can be obtained as 2min 8s. For the denser fluid pairs, fingers appeared, propagated, coalesced and multi-fingers formed. The finger growth rate of the convective was visualized as three distinct periods: rising, stable and declining. Detailed information regarding the wave number, wave length, onset time and mixing time as functions of Rayleigh number are developed. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Convective penetration in stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pratt, Jane; Baraffe, Isabelle; Goffrey, Tom; Constantino, Tom; Popov, M. V.; Walder, Rolf; Folini, Doris; TOFU Collaboration

To interpret the high-quality data produced from recent space-missions it is necessary to study convection under realistic stellar conditions. We describe the multi-dimensional, time implicit, fully compressible, hydrodynamic, implicit large eddy simulation code MUSIC, currently being developed at the University of Exeter. We use MUSIC to study convection during an early stage in the evolution of our sun where the convection zone covers approximately half of the solar radius. This model of the young sun possesses a realistic stratification in density, temperature, and luminosity. We approach convection in a stellar context using extreme value theory and derive a new model for convective penetration, targeted for one-dimensional stellar evolution calculations. The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Research Council under the European Union's Seventh Framework (FP7/2007-2013)/ERC Grant agreement no. 320478.

Tropical Oceanic Precipitation Processes over Warm Pool: 2D and 3D Cloud Resolving Model Simulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tao, W.- K.; Johnson, D.

1998-01-01

Rainfall is a key link in the hydrologic cycle as well as the primary heat source for the atmosphere, The vertical distribution of convective latent-heat release modulates the large-scale circulations of the tropics, Furthermore, changes in the moisture distribution at middle and upper levels of the troposphere can affect cloud distributions and cloud liquid water and ice contents. How the incoming solar and outgoing longwave radiation respond to these changes in clouds is a major factor in assessing climate change. Present large-scale weather and climate models simulate cloud processes only crudely, reducing confidence in their predictions on both global and regional scales. One of the most promising methods to test physical parameterizations used in General Circulation Models (GCMS) and climate models is to use field observations together with Cloud Resolving Models (CRMs). The CRMs use more sophisticated and physically realistic parameterizations of cloud microphysical processes, and allow for their complex interactions with solar and infrared radiative transfer processes. The CRMs can reasonably well resolve the evolution, structure, and life cycles of individual clouds and cloud systems, The major objective of this paper is to investigate the latent heating, moisture and momenti,im budgets associated with several convective systems developed during the TOGA COARE IFA - westerly wind burst event (late December, 1992). The tool for this study is the Goddard Cumulus Ensemble (CCE) model which includes a 3-class ice-phase microphysical scheme, The model domain contains 256 x 256 grid points (using 2 km resolution) in the horizontal and 38 grid points (to a depth of 22 km depth) in the vertical, The 2D domain has 1024 grid points. The simulations are performed over a 7 day time period. We will examine (1) the precipitation processes (i.e., condensation/evaporation) and their interaction with warm pool; (2) the heating and moisture budgets in the convective and stratiform regions; (3) the cloud (upward-downward) mass fluxes in convective and stratiform regions; (4) characteristics of clouds (such as cloud size, updraft intensity and cloud lifetime) and the comparison of clouds with Radar observations. Differences and similarities in organization of convection between simulated 2D and 3D cloud systems. Preliminary results indicated that there is major differences between 2D and 3D simulated stratiform rainfall amount and convective updraft and downdraft mass fluxes.

Hydrothermal convection and mordenite precipitation in the cooling Bishop Tuff, California, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Randolph-Flagg, N. G.; Breen, S. J.; Hernandez, A.; Self, S.; Manga, M.

2014-12-01

We present field observations of erosional columns in the Bishop Tuff and then use laboratory results and numerical models to argue that these columns are evidence of relict convection in a cooling ignimbrite. Many square kilometers of the Bishop Tuff have evenly-spaced, vertical to semi-vertical erosional columns, a result of hydrothermal alteration. These altered regions are more competent than the surrounding tuff, are 0.1-0.7 m in diameter, are separated by ~ 1 m, and in some cases are more than 8 m in height. JE Bailey (U. of Hawaii, dissertation, 2005) suggested that similar columns in the Bandelier Tuff were formed when slumping allowed water to pool at the surface of the still-cooling ignimbrite. As water percolated downward it boiled generating evenly spaced convection cells similar to heat pipes. We quantify this conceptual model and apply it the Bishop Tuff to understand the physics within ignimbrite-borne hydrothermal systems. We use thin sections to measure changing porosity and use scanning electron microscope (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses to show that pore spaces in the columns are cemented by the mineral mordenite, a low temperature zeolite that precipitates between 120-200 oC (Bish et al., 1982), also found in the Bandelier Tuff example. We then use scaling to show 1) that water percolating into the cooling Bishop Tuff would convect and 2) that the geometry and spacing of the columns is predicted by the ignimbrite temperature and permeability. We use the computer program HYDROTHERM (Hayba and Ingebritsen, 1994; Kipp et al., 2008) to model 2-phase convection in the Bishop Tuff. By systematically changing permeability, initial temperature, and topography we can identify the pattern of flows that develop when the ignimbrite is cooled by water from above. Hydrothermally altered columns in ignimbrite are the natural product of coupled heat, mass, and chemical transport and have similarities to other geothermal systems, economic ore deposits, and mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal systems. The columns allow direct observation to constrain complex models of multiphase convection, reactive transport, and permeability. Our results also have paleoclimate implications, implying a large and stable source of water in the SE/SSE Long Valley area immediately after the ~760,000 ka caldera-forming eruption.

The Role of Atmospheric Aerosol Concentration on Deep Convective Precipitation: Cloud-Resolving Model Simulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tao, Wei-Kuo; Li, Xiaowen; Khain, Alexander; Matsui, Toshihisa; Lang, Stephen; Simpson, Joanne

2010-01-01

Aerosols and especially their effect on clouds are one of the key components of the climate system and the hydrological cycle [Ramanathan et al., 2001]. Yet, the aerosol effect on clouds remains largely unknown and the processes involved not well understood. A recent report published by the National Academy of Science states "The greatest uncertainty about the aerosol climate forcing - indeed, the largest of all the uncertainties about global climate forcing - is probably the indirect effect of aerosols on clouds NRC [2001]." The aerosol effect on Clouds is often categorized into the traditional "first indirect (i.e., Twomey)" effect on the cloud droplet sizes for a constant liquid water path and the "semi-direct" effect on cloud coverage. The aerosol effect on precipitation processes, also known as the second type of aerosol indirect effect, is even more complex, especially for mixed-phase convective clouds. In this paper, a cloud-resolving model (CRM) with detailed spectral-bin microphysics was used to examine the effect of aerosols on three different deep convective cloud systems that developed in different geographic locations: South Florida, Oklahoma and the Central Pacific, In all three cases, rain reaches the ground earlier for the low CCN (clean) case. Rain suppression is also evident in all three cases with high CCN (dirty) case. However, this suppression only occurs during the first hour of the simulations. During the mature stages of the simulations, the effects of increasing aerosol concentration range from rain suppression in the Oklahoma case, to almost no effect in the Florida case, to rain enhancement in the Pacific case. These results show the complexity of aerosol interactions with convection. The model results suggest that evaporative cooling is a key process in determining whether high CCN reduces or enhances precipitation. Stronger evaporative cooling can produce a stronger cold pool and thus stronger low-level convergence through interactions with the low-level wind shear. Consequently, precipitation processes can be more vigorous. For example,, the evaporative cooling is more than two times stronger in the lower troposphere with high CCN for the Pacific case. Sensitivity tests also suggest that ice processes are crucial for suppressing precipitation in the Oklahoma case with high CCN.

Nanofluid MHD natural convection through a porous complex shaped cavity considering thermal radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheikholeslami, M.; Li, Zhixiong; Shamlooei, M.

2018-06-01

Control volume based finite element method (CVFEM) is applied to simulate H2O based nanofluid radiative and convective heat transfer inside a porous medium. Non-Darcy model is employed for porous media. Influences of Hartmann number, nanofluid volume fraction, radiation parameter, Darcy number, number of undulations and Rayleigh number on nanofluid behavior were demonstrated. Thermal conductivity of nanofluid is estimated by means of previous experimental correlation. Results show that Nusselt number enhances with augment of permeability of porous media. Effect of Hartmann number on rate of heat transfer is opposite of radiation parameter.

Numerical studies of nonspherical carbon combustion models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mueller, E.; Arnett, W. D.

1982-10-01

First results of axisymmetric numerical studies of the final evolution of degenerate C + O cores are reported. The two-dimensional convective flow is treated without a phenomenological theory of convection. The computations show that, in the beginning, the nuclear burning propagates slowly outward from the center of the star in a spherical combustion front. Small-scale eddies form, giving rise to bumps in the front. The bumps grow into blobs and eventually into fingers, which steadily elongate relative to the rest of the combustion front. This behavior is not well described by either the detonation or deflagration models, being more complex than either.

Eckhaus-Benjamin-Feir Instability in Rotating Convection

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, Y.; Ecke, R.E.

1997-06-01

We report experimental measurements of a traveling-wave state in rotating Rayleigh-B{acute e}nard convection. The fluid was water with a Prandtl number of 6.3 and a dimensionless rotation rate of 274. The marginal and Eckhaus-Benjamin-Feir stability boundaries were determined and the local amplitude and wave number were obtained from demodulation of shadowgraph images. The phase-diffusion coefficient and group velocity were measured in the stable wave number band. This system was found to be well described by the one-dimensional complex Ginzburg-Landau equation. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}

Comparison of numerical simulation and experimental data for steam-in-place sterilization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Young, Jack H.; Lasher, William C.

1993-01-01

A complex problem involving convective flow of a binary mixture containing a condensable vapor and noncondensable gas in a partially enclosed chamber was modelled and results compared to transient experimental values. The finite element model successfully predicted transport processes in dead-ended tubes with inside diameters of 0.4 to 1.0 cm. When buoyancy driven convective flow was dominant, temperature and mixture compositions agreed with experimental data. Data from 0.4 cm tubes indicate diffusion to be the primary air removal method in small diameter tubes and the diffusivity value in the model to be too large.

Spherical-shell boundaries for two-dimensional compressible convection in a star

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pratt, J.; Baraffe, I.; Goffrey, T.; Geroux, C.; Viallet, M.; Folini, D.; Constantino, T.; Popov, M.; Walder, R.

2016-10-01

Context. Studies of stellar convection typically use a spherical-shell geometry. The radial extent of the shell and the boundary conditions applied are based on the model of the star investigated. We study the impact of different two-dimensional spherical shells on compressible convection. Realistic profiles for density and temperature from an established one-dimensional stellar evolution code are used to produce a model of a large stellar convection zone representative of a young low-mass star, like our sun at 106 years of age. Aims: We analyze how the radial extent of the spherical shell changes the convective dynamics that result in the deep interior of the young sun model, far from the surface. In the near-surface layers, simple small-scale convection develops from the profiles of temperature and density. A central radiative zone below the convection zone provides a lower boundary on the convection zone. The inclusion of either of these physically distinct layers in the spherical shell can potentially affect the characteristics of deep convection. Methods: We perform hydrodynamic implicit large eddy simulations of compressible convection using the MUltidimensional Stellar Implicit Code (MUSIC). Because MUSIC has been designed to use realistic stellar models produced from one-dimensional stellar evolution calculations, MUSIC simulations are capable of seamlessly modeling a whole star. Simulations in two-dimensional spherical shells that have different radial extents are performed over tens or even hundreds of convective turnover times, permitting the collection of well-converged statistics. Results: To measure the impact of the spherical-shell geometry and our treatment of boundaries, we evaluate basic statistics of the convective turnover time, the convective velocity, and the overshooting layer. These quantities are selected for their relevance to one-dimensional stellar evolution calculations, so that our results are focused toward studies exploiting the so-called 321D link. We find that the inclusion in the spherical shell of the boundary between the radiative and convection zones decreases the amplitude of convective velocities in the convection zone. The inclusion of near-surface layers in the spherical shell can increase the amplitude of convective velocities, although the radial structure of the velocity profile established by deep convection is unchanged. The impact of including the near-surface layers depends on the speed and structure of small-scale convection in the near-surface layers. Larger convective velocities in the convection zone result in a commensurate increase in the overshooting layer width and a decrease in the convective turnover time. These results provide support for non-local aspects of convection.

Convective heat transfer and infrared thermography.

PubMed

Carlomagno, Giovanni M; Astarita, Tommaso; Cardone, Gennaro

2002-10-01

Infrared (IR) thermography, because of its two-dimensional and non-intrusive nature, can be exploited in industrial applications as well as in research. This paper deals with measurement of convective heat transfer coefficients (h) in three complex fluid flow configurations that concern the main aspects of both internal and external cooling of turbine engine components: (1) flow in ribbed, or smooth, channels connected by a 180 degrees sharp turn, (2) a jet in cross-flow, and (3) a jet impinging on a wall. The aim of this study was to acquire detailed measurements of h distribution in complex flow configurations related to both internal and external cooling of turbine components. The heated thin foil technique, which involves the detection of surface temperature by means of an IR scanning radiometer, was exploited to measure h. Particle image velocimetry was also used in one of the configurations to precisely determine the velocity field.

Observations of the Morning Development of the Urban Boundary Layer Over London, UK, Taken During the ACTUAL Project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Halios, Christos H.; Barlow, Janet F.

2018-03-01

The study of the boundary layer can be most difficult when it is in transition and forced by a complex surface, such as an urban area. Here, a novel combination of ground-based remote sensing and in situ instrumentation in central London, UK, is deployed, aiming to capture the full evolution of the urban boundary layer (UBL) from night-time until the fully-developed convective phase. In contrast with the night-time stable boundary layer observed over rural areas, the night-time UBL is weakly convective. Therefore, a new approach for the detection of the morning-transition and rapid-growth phases is introduced, based on the sharp, quasi-linear increase of the mixing height. The urban morning-transition phase varied in duration between 0.5 and 4 h and the growth rate of the mixing layer during the rapid-growth phase had a strong positive relationship with the convective velocity scale, and a weaker, negative relationship with wind speed. Wind shear was found to be higher during the night-time and morning-transition phases than the rapid-growth phase and the shear production of turbulent kinetic energy near the mixing-layer top was around six times larger than surface shear production in summer, and around 1.5 times larger in winter. In summer under low winds, low-level jets dominated the UBL, and shear production was greater than buoyant production during the night-time and the morning-transition phase near the mixing-layer top. Within the rapid-growth phase, buoyant production dominated at the surface, but shear production dominated in the upper half of the UBL. These results imply that regional flows such as low-level jets play an important role alongside surface forcing in determining UBL structure and growth.

Effects of microscale inertia on heat or mass transfer from a drop

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krishnamurthy, Deepak; Subramanian, Ganesh

2012-11-01

Heat or mass transport from suspensions of solid particles or drops is ubiquitous in many industrial processes. In the zero inertia limit the transport is diffusion limited owing to the presence of closed streamlines around each particle. A small but finite amount of inertia though, results in a vastly different picture, greatly enhancing transport by destroying the closed streamline configuration. We develop a theoretical formulation to study the effects of weak inertia on transport from a density-matched drop in a 2D linear flow. It is shown that, unlike a solid particle, the near-surface streamlines are closed only when the viscosity ratio (λ) exceeds a critical value λc = 2 α / (1- α) , where α is the linear flow parameter measuring relative magnitudes of extension and vorticity. The velocity field on the drop surface can be characterized using a complex-valued analogue of the (C, τ) coordinate system used to describe Jeffrey orbits of an axisymmetric particle. In the open-streamline case (λ < λ c) , convective transport occurs even with zero inertia, and for large Peclet number (Pe) (the relative magnitude of convective to diffusive transport), the Nusselt number (dimensionless rate of heat transfer) is expected to scale as F(α, λ) Pe1/2 and is determined via a boundary layer analysis in the (C, τ) coordinate system. In the closed streamline case (λ > λ c) , similar to the solid particle, inertia plays a crucial role, and the Nusselt number must scale as G(α, λ)Re1/2Pe1/2. A methodology is developed to analyze the convection along spiraling streamlines using a physically motivated choice of coordinate system on the drop surface.

Implications of Warm Rain in Shallow Cumulus and Congestus Clouds for Large-Scale Circulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nuijens, Louise; Emanuel, Kerry; Masunaga, Hirohiko; L'Ecuyer, Tristan

2017-11-01

Space-borne observations reveal that 20-40% of marine convective clouds below the freezing level produce rain. In this paper we speculate what the prevalence of warm rain might imply for convection and large-scale circulations over tropical oceans. We present results using a two-column radiative-convective model of hydrostatic, nonlinear flow on a non-rotating sphere, with parameterized convection and radiation, and review ongoing efforts in high-resolution modeling and observations of warm rain. The model experiments investigate the response of convection and circulation to sea surface temperature (SST) gradients between the columns and to changes in a parameter that controls the conversion of cloud condensate to rain. Convection over the cold ocean collapses to a shallow mode with tops near 850 hPa, but a congestus mode with tops near 600 hPa can develop at small SST differences when warm rain formation is more efficient. Here, interactive radiation and the response of the circulation are crucial: along with congestus a deeper moist layer develops, which leads to less low-level radiative cooling, a smaller buoyancy gradient between the columns, and therefore a weaker circulation and less subsidence over the cold ocean. The congestus mode is accompanied with more surface precipitation in the subsiding column and less surface precipitation in the deep convecting column. For the shallow mode over colder oceans, circulations also weaken with more efficient warm rain formation, but only marginally. Here, more warm rain reduces convective tops and the boundary layer depth—similar to Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) studies—which reduces the integrated buoyancy gradient. Elucidating the impact of warm rain can benefit from large-domain high-resolution simulations and observations. Parameterizations of warm rain may be constrained through collocated cloud and rain profiling from ground, and concurrent changes in convection and rain in subsiding and convecting branches of circulations may be revealed from a collocation of space-borne sensors, including the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) and upcoming Aeolus missions.

Effects of Tropical Islands on the Diurnal Cycle of Convection and its Influence on the MJO Propagation over the Maritime Continent

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Savarin, A.; Chen, S. S.

2017-12-01

The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is a dominant mode of intraseasonal variability in the tropics. Large-scale convection fueling the MJO is initiated over the tropical Indian Ocean and propagates eastward across the Maritime Continent (MC) and into the western Pacific. Studies have shown a strong diurnal cycle of convection over the islands and coastal seas, with an afternoon precipitation maximum over land and high terrain, and an early morning maximum over water and mountain valley areas. Observational studies have also shown that near 40-50% of MJO events cannot pass through the MC, which is known as the MC barrier effect. As an eastward-propagating MJO convective event passes over the MC, its nature may be altered due to the complex interaction with the large Islands and topography. In turn, the passage of an MJO event modulates local conditions over the MC. The diurnal cycle of convection over the MC and its modulation by the MJO are not well understood and poorly represented in global numerical prediction models. This study aims to improve our understanding of how the diurnal cycle of convection and the presence of islands of the MC affect the eastward propagation of the MJO over the region. We use an atmosphere-ocean coupled model at high resolution (4 km) over the region to to model an MJO event that occurred inNovember-December 2011. We perform three simulations, one with the 'real' islands and topography, one where islands retain their shape but the topography is flattened, and one where all the islands are replaced by water. The differences in precipitation organization and structure can help us understand how topography and presence of islands affect the diurnal cycle of convection and the eastward propagation of the MJO. We hypothesize that removing islands will result in a smoother MJO propagation due to a less strongly forced diurnal cycle of convection and lack of land, while flattening terrain will alter the diurnal cycle of convection and the location of precipitation maxima.

Plate Like Convection with Viscous Strain Weakening and Corresponding Surface Deformation Pattern

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fuchs, L.; Becker, T. W.

2017-12-01

How plate tectonic surface motions are generated by mantle convection on Earth and possibly other terrestrial type planets has recently become more readily accessible with fully dynamic convection computations. However, it remains debated how plate-like the behavior in such models truly is, and in particular how the well plate boundary dynamics are captured in models which typically exclude the effects of deformation history and memory. Here, we analyze some of the effects of viscous strain weakening on plate behavior and the interactions between interior convection dynamics and surface deformation patterns. We use the finite element code CitcomCU to model convection in a 3D Cartesian model setup. The models are internally heated, with an Arrhenius-type temperature dependent viscosity including plastic yielding and viscous strain weakening (VSW) and healing (VSWH). VSW can mimic first order features of more complex damage mechanisms such as grain-size dependent rheology. Besides plate diagnostic parameters (Plateness, Mobility, and Toroidal: Poloidal ratio) to analyze the tectonic behavior our models, we also explore how "plate boundaries" link to convective patterns. In a first model series, we analyze general surface deformation patterns without VSW. In the early stages, deformation patterns are clearly co-located with up- and downwelling limbs of convection. Along downwellings strain-rates are high and localized, whereas upwellings tend to lead to broad zones of high deformation. At a more advanced stage, however, the plates' interior is highly deformed due to continuous strain accumulation and resurfaced inherited strain. Including only VSW leads to more localized deformation along downwellings. However, at a more advanced stage plate-like convection fails due an overall weakening of the material. This is prevented including strain healing. Deformation pattern at the surface more closely coincide with the internal convection patterns. The average surface deformation is reduced significantly and mainly governed by the location of the up- and downwellings. VSWH thereby affects plate dynamics due to two main properties: the intensity of weakening with increasing strain and the strain healing rate. As both increase, mobility increases as well and strain becomes more localized at the downwellings.

Radar and satellite determined macrophysical properties of wet season convection in Darwin as a function of wet season regime.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jackson, R. C.; Collis, S. M.; Protat, A.; Louf, V.; Lin, W.; Vogelmann, A. M.; Endo, S.; Majewski, L.

2017-12-01

A known deficiency of general circulation models (GCMs) is that convection is typically parameterized using given assumptions about entrainment rates and mass fluxes. Furthermore, mechanisms coupling large scale forcing and convective organization are poorly represented, leading to a poor representation of the macrophysical properties of convection. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Accelerated Climate Model for Energy (ACME) aims to run at a 12 km resolution. At this scale mesoscale motions are resolved and how they interact with the convective parameterization is unknown. This prompts the need for observational datasets to validate the macrophysical characteristics of convection in simulations and guide model development in ACME in several regions of the globe. This presentation will highlight a study of convective systems focused on data collected at the Tropical Western Pacific (TWP) ARM site in Darwin, Australia and the surrounding maritime continent. In Darwin well defined forcing regimes occur during the wet season of November to April with the onset and break of the Northern Australian Monsoon and the phase of the Madden-Julien Oscillation (MJO) which can alter the characteristics of convection over the region. The echo top heights, and convective and stratiform areas are retrieved from fifteen years of continuous plan position indicator scans from the C-band POLarimetric (CPOL) radar. Echo top heights in convective regions are 2 to 3 km lower than those retrieved by the Multifunctional Transport Satellites over Darwin, suggesting that the radar underestimates the vertical extent of convection. Distributions of echo top heights are trimodal in convective regions and unimodal in stratiform regions. This regime based convective behaviour will be used to assess the skill of ACME in reproducing the macrophysical properties of maritime continent clouds vital to the global circulation.

A two-column formalism for time-dependent modelling of stellar convection. I. Description of the method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stökl, A.

2008-11-01

Context: In spite of all the advances in multi-dimensional hydrodynamics, investigations of stellar evolution and stellar pulsations still depend on one-dimensional computations. This paper devises an alternative to the mixing-length theory or turbulence models usually adopted in modelling convective transport in such studies. Aims: The present work attempts to develop a time-dependent description of convection, which reflects the essential physics of convection and that is only moderately dependent on numerical parameters and far less time consuming than existing multi-dimensional hydrodynamics computations. Methods: Assuming that the most extensive convective patterns generate the majority of convective transport, the convective velocity field is described using two parallel, radial columns to represent up- and downstream flows. Horizontal exchange, in the form of fluid flow and radiation, over their connecting interface couples the two columns and allows a simple circulating motion. The main parameters of this convective description have straightforward geometrical meanings, namely the diameter of the columns (corresponding to the size of the convective cells) and the ratio of the cross-section between up- and downdrafts. For this geometrical setup, the time-dependent solution of the equations of radiation hydrodynamics is computed from an implicit scheme that has the advantage of being unaffected by the Courant-Friedrichs-Lewy time-step limit. This implementation is part of the TAPIR-Code (short for The adaptive, implicit RHD-Code). Results: To demonstrate the approach, results for convection zones in Cepheids are presented. The convective energy transport and convective velocities agree with expectations for Cepheids and the scheme reproduces both the kinetic energy flux and convective overshoot. A study of the parameter influence shows that the type of solution derived for these stars is in fact fairly robust with respect to the constitutive numerical parameters.

Convective Available Potential Energy of World Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Z.; Ingersoll, A. P.; Thompson, A. F.

2012-12-01

Here, for the first time, we propose the concept of Ocean Convective Available Potential Energy (OCAPE), which is the maximum kinetic energy (KE) per unit seawater mass achievable by ocean convection. OCAPE occurs through a different mechanism from atmospheric CAPE, and involves the interplay of temperature and salinity on the equation of state of seawater. The thermobaric effect, which arises because the thermal coefficient of expansion increases with depth, is an important ingredient of OCAPE. We develop an accurate algorithm to calculate the OCAPE for a given temperature and salinity profile. We then validate our calculation of OCAPE by comparing it with the conversion of OCAPE to KE in a 2-D numerical model. We propose that OCAPE is an important energy source of ocean deep convection and contributes to deep water formation. OCAPE, like Atmospheric CAPE, can help predict deep convection and may also provide a useful constraint for modelling deep convection in ocean GCMs. We plot the global distribution of OCAPE using data from the World Ocean Atlas 2009 (WOA09) and see many important features. These include large values of OCAPE in the Labrador, Greenland, Weddell and Mediterranean Seas, which are consistent with our present observations and understanding, but also identify some new features like the OCAPE pattern in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC). We propose that the diagnosis of OCAPE can improve our understanding of global patterns of ocean convection and deep water formation as well as ocean stratification, the meridional overturning circulation and mixed layer processes. The background of this work is briefly introduced as below. Open-ocean deep convection can significantly modify water properties both at the ocean surface and throughout the water column (Gordon 1982). Open-ocean convection is also an important mechanism for Ocean Deep Water formation and the transport of heat, freshwater and nutrient (Marshall and Schott 1999). Open-ocean convection may arise through strong surface buoyancy fluxes (Schott et al. 1996), or by thermobaric instability (Akitomo 1999a, b). Ingersoll (2005) demonstrated that thermobaric-induced deep convection is due to the abrupt release of ocean potential energy into kinetic energy. In atmospheric dynamics, Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE) has long been an important thermodynamic variable (Arakawa and Schubert 1974) that has been used to forecast moist convection (Doswell and Rasmussen 1994) and to test the performance of GCMs (Ye et al. 1998). However, the development of a similar diagnostic in the ocean has received little attention.; World Ocean Convective Available Potential Energy distribution in North-Hemisphere Autumn (J/kg)

A Stochastic Framework for Modeling the Population Dynamics of Convective Clouds

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hagos, Samson; Feng, Zhe; Plant, Robert S.

A stochastic prognostic framework for modeling the population dynamics of convective clouds and representing them in climate models is proposed. The approach used follows the non-equilibrium statistical mechanical approach through a master equation. The aim is to represent the evolution of the number of convective cells of a specific size and their associated cloud-base mass flux, given a large-scale forcing. In this framework, referred to as STOchastic framework for Modeling Population dynamics of convective clouds (STOMP), the evolution of convective cell size is predicted from three key characteristics: (i) the probability of growth, (ii) the probability of decay, and (iii)more » the cloud-base mass flux. STOMP models are constructed and evaluated against CPOL radar observations at Darwin and convection permitting model (CPM) simulations. Multiple models are constructed under various assumptions regarding these three key parameters and the realisms of these models are evaluated. It is shown that in a model where convective plumes prefer to aggregate spatially and mass flux is a non-linear function of convective cell area, mass flux manifests a recharge-discharge behavior under steady forcing. Such a model also produces observed behavior of convective cell populations and CPM simulated mass flux variability under diurnally varying forcing. Besides its use in developing understanding of convection processes and the controls on convective cell size distributions, this modeling framework is also designed to be capable of providing alternative, non-equilibrium, closure formulations for spectral mass flux parameterizations.« less

Uncertainties related to the representation of momentum transport in shallow convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schlemmer, Linda; Bechtold, Peter; Sandu, Irina; Ahlgrimm, Maike

2017-04-01

The vertical transport of horizontal momentum by convection has an important impact on the general circulation of the atmosphere as well as on the life cycle and track of cyclones. So far convective momentum transport (CMT) has mostly been studied for deep convection, whereas little is known about its characteristics and importance in shallow convection. In this study CMT by shallow convection is investigated by analyzing both data from large-eddy simulations (LES) and simulations performed with the Integrated Forecasting System (IFS) of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). In addition, the central terms underlying the bulk mass-flux parametrization of CMT are evaluated offline. Further, the uncertainties related to the representation of CMT are explored by running the stochastically perturbed parametrizations (SPP) approach of the IFS. The analyzed cases exhibit shallow convective clouds developing within considerable low-level wind shear. Analysis of the momentum fluxes in the LES data reveals significant momentum transport by the convection in both cases, which is directed down-gradient despite substantial organization of the cloud field. A detailed inspection of the convection parametrization reveals a very good representation of the entrainment and detrainment rates and an appropriate representation of the convective mass and momentum fluxes. To determine the correct values of mass-flux and in-cloud momentum at the cloud base in the parametrization yet remains challenging. The spread in convection-related quantities generated by the SPP is reasonable and addresses many of the identified uncertainties.

Identification of anomalous motion of thunderstorms using daily rainfall fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

del Moral, Anna; Llasat, Maria Carmen; Rigo, Tomeu

2016-04-01

Adverse weather phenomena in Catalonia (NE of the Iberian Peninsula) is commonly associated to heavy rains, large hail, strong winds, and/or tornados, all of them caused by thunderstorms. In most of the cases with adverse weather, thunderstorms vary sharply their trajectories in a concrete moment, changing completely the motion directions that have previously followed. Furthermore, it is possible that a breaking into several cells may be produced, or, in the opposite, it can be observed a joining of different thunderstorms into a bigger system. In order to identify the main features of the developing process of thunderstorms and the anomalous motions that these may follow in some cases, this contribution presents a classification of the events using daily rainfall fields, with the purpose of distinguishing quickly anomalous motion of thunderstorms. The methodology implemented allows classifying the daily rainfall fields in three categories by applying some thresholds related with the daily precipitation accumulated values and their extension: days with "no rain", days with "potentially convective" rain and days with "non-potentially convective" rain. Finally, for those "potentially convective" daily rainfall charts, it also allows a geometrical identification and classification of all the convective structures into "ellipse" and "non-ellipse", obtaining then the structures with "normal" or "anomalous" motion pattern, respectively. The work is focused on the period 2008-2015, and presents some characteristics of the rainfall behaviour in terms of the seasonal distribution of convective rainfall or the geographic variability. It shows that convective structures are mainly found during late spring and summer, even though they can be recorded in any time of the year. Consequently, the maximum number of convective structures with anomalous motion is recorded between July and November. Furthermore, the contribution shows the role of the orography of Catalonia in the development of convective structures. This work has been developed in the framework of the Spanish project HOPE.

Subcooled forced convection boiling of trichlorotrifluoroethane

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dougall, R. S.; Panian, D. J.

1972-01-01

Experimental heat-transfer data were obtained for the forced-convection boiling of trichlorotrifluoroethane (R-113 or Freon-113) in a vertical annular test annular test section. The 97 data points obtained covered heat transfer by forced convection, local boiling, and fully-developed boiling. Correlating methods were obtained which accurately predicted the heat flux as a function of wall superheat (boiling curve) over the range of parameters studied.

Geodynamics of Cenozoic deformation in central Asia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, H.-S.

1981-04-01

This paper presents a study of the tectonic stresses in central Asia based on an interpretation of satellite gravity data for mantle convection and supplemented with published fault plane solutions of earthquakes. Northwest-southeast to north-south compressional stresses exist in the Tien Shan region where reverse faulting dominates. The maximum compressive stress is oriented approximately northeast-southwest in the regions of Altai and southern Mongolia. Farther north, compressive stress gives way to tensional stress which causes normal faulting in the Baikal rift system. It is also shown that all of the tectonic stresses in the Tibetan plateau and Himalayan frontal thrust are related to the convection-generated stress patterns inferred from satellite gravity data. These results suggest that the complex crustal deformation in central Asia can be convincingly described by the deformation of the lithosphere on top of the up- and down-welling asthenospheric material beneath it. This observational fact may not only upset the simple view of the fluid crustal model of the Tibetan plateau, but also provide some useful constraints for the future development of deformation theory of continental crust.

Geodynamics of Cenozoic deformation in central Asia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, H.-S.

1981-01-01

This paper presents a study of the tectonic stresses in central Asia based on an interpretation of satellite gravity data for mantle convection and supplemented with published fault plane solutions of earthquakes. Northwest-southeast to north-south compressional stresses exist in the Tien Shan region where reverse faulting dominates. The maximum compressive stress is oriented approximately northeast-southwest in the regions of Altai and southern Mongolia. Farther north, compressive stress gives way to tensional stress which causes normal faulting in the Baikal rift system. It is also shown that all of the tectonic stresses in the Tibetan plateau and Himalayan frontal thrust are related to the convection-generated stress patterns inferred from satellite gravity data. These results suggest that the complex crustal deformation in central Asia can be convincingly described by the deformation of the lithosphere on top of the up- and down-welling asthenospheric material beneath it. This observational fact may not only upset the simple view of the fluid crustal model of the Tibetan plateau, but also provide some useful constraints for the future development of deformation theory of continental crust.

Auroral E-region Plasma Irregularities and their Control by the Plasma Convection in the Southern Hemisphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forsythe, V. V.; Makarevich, R. A.

2016-12-01

Small-scale ionospheric plasma irregularities in the high-latitude E region and their control by F-region plasma convection are investigated using Super Dual Auroral Network (SuperDARN) observations at high southern latitudes over a 1-year period. Significant asymmetries are found in the velocity occurrence distribution due to the clustering of the high-velocity echoes of a particular velocity polarity. Statistical analysis of convection showed that some radars observe predominantly negative bias in the convection component within their short, E-region ranges, while others have a predominantly positive bias. A hypothesis that this bias is caused by asymmetric sectoring of the high-latitude plasma convection pattern is investigated. A new algorithm is developed that samples the plasma convection map and evaluates the convection pattern asymmetry along the particular latitude that corresponds to the radar location. It is demonstrated that the convection asymmetry has a particular seasonal and diurnal pattern, which is different for the polar and auroral radars. Possible causes for the observed convection pattern asymmetry are discussed. It is further proposed that the statistical occurrence of high-velocity E-region echoes generated by the Farley-Buneman instability (FBI) is highly sensitive to small changes in the convection pattern, which is consistent with the electric field threshold for the FBI onset being perhaps sharper and lower than previously thought.

Impacts of initial convective structure on subsequent squall line evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Varble, A.; Morrison, H.; Zipser, E. J.

2017-12-01

A Weather Research and Forecasting simulation of the 20 May 2011 MC3E squall line using 750-m horizontal grid spacing produces wide convective regions with strongly upshear tilted convective updrafts and mesoscale bowing segments that are not produced in radar observations. Similar features occur across several different bulk microphysics schemes, despite surface observations exhibiting cold pool equivalent potential temperature drops that are similar to and pressure rises that are greater than those in the simulation. Observed rear inflow remains more elevated than simulated, partly counteracting the cold pool circulation, whereas the simulated rear inflow descends to low levels, maintaining its strength and reinforcing the cold pool circulation that overpowers the pre-squall line low level vertical wind shear. The descent and strength of the simulated rear inflow is fueled by strong latent cooling caused by large ice water contents detrained from upshear tilted convective cores that accumulate at the rear of the stratiform region. This simulated squall evolution is sensitive to model resolution, which is too coarse to resolve individual convective drafts. Nesting a 250-m horizontal grid spacing domain into the 750-m domain substantially alters the initial convective cells with reduced latent cooling, weaker convective downdrafts, and a weaker initial cold pool. As the initial convective cells develop into a squall line, the rear inflow remains more elevated in the 250-m domain with a cold pool that eventually develops to be just as strong and deeper than the one in the 750-m run. Despite this, the convective cores remain more upright in the 250-m run with the rear inflow partly counteracting the cold pool circulation, whereas the 750-m rear inflow near the surface reinforces the shallower cold pool and causes bowing in the squall line. The different structure in the 750-m run produces excessive mid-level front-to-rear detrainment that widens the convective region relative to the 250-m run and observations while continuing the cycle of excessive latent cooling and rear inflow descent at the rear of the stratiform region in a positive feedback. The causes of initial convective structure differences that produce the divergence in simulated squall line evolutions are explored.

Stability of Magnetically-Suppressed Solutal Convection In Protein Crystal Growth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leslie, F. W.; Ramachandran, N.

2005-01-01

The effect of convection during the crystallization of proteins is not very well understood. In a gravitational field, convection is caused by crystal sedimentation and by solutal buoyancy induced flow and these can lead to crystal imperfections. While crystallization in microgravity can approach diffusion limited growth conditions (no convection), terrestrially strong magnetic fields can be used to control fluid flow and sedimentation effects. In this work, a theory is presented on the stability of solutal convection of a magnetized fluid in the presence of a magnetic field. The requirements for stability are developed and compared to experiments performed within the bore of a superconducting magnet. The theoretical predictions are in good agreement with the experiments and show solutal convection can be stabilized if the surrounding fluid has larger magnetic susceptibility and the magnetic field has a specific structure. Discussion on the application of the technique to protein crystallization is also provided.

Numerical analysis of natural convection in liquid droplets by phase change

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duh, J. C.; Yang, Wen-Jei

1989-09-01

A numerical analysis is performed on thermocapillary buoyancy convection induced by phase change in a liquid droplet. A finite-difference code is developed using an alternating-direction implicit (ADI) scheme. The intercoupling relation between thermocapillary force, buoyancy force, fluid property, heat transfer, and phase change, along with their effects on the induced flow patterns, are disclosed. The flow is classified into three types: thermocapillary, buoyancy, and combined convection. Among the three mechanisms, the combined convection simulates the experimental observations quite well, and the basic mechanism of the observed convection inside evaporating sessile drops is thus identified. It is disclosed that evaporation initiates unstable convection, while condensation always brings about a stable density distribution which eventually damps out all fluid disturbances. Another numerical model is presented to study the effect of boundary recession due to evaporation, and the 'peeling-off' effect (the removal of the surface layer of fluid by evaporation) is shown to be relevant.

Transient Heat Transfer in a Semitransparent Radiating Layer with Boundary Convection and Surface Reflections

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Siegel, Robert

1996-01-01

Surface convection and refractive index are examined during transient radiative heating or cooling of a grey semitransparent layer with internal absorption, emission and conduction. Each side of the layer is exposed to hot or cold radiative surroundings, while each boundary is heated or cooled by convection. Emission within the layer and internal reflections depend on the layer refractive index. The reflected energy and heat conduction distribute energy across the layer and partially equalize the transient temperature distributions. Solutions are given to demonstrate the effect of radiative heating for layers with various optical thicknesses, the behavior of the layer heated by radiation on one side and convectively cooled on the other, and a layer heated by convection while being cooled by radiation. The numerical method is an implicit finite difference procedure with non-uniform space and time increments. The basic method developed in earlier work is expanded to include external convection and incident radiation.

Moisture driven convection on Jupiter: A mechanism to produce the equatorial plumes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stoker, C.

1986-01-01

Possible roles are explored for moist convection in the production of bright plume features in the Jupiter atmosphere. The features have been observed at least since 1881. A one-dimensional model is developed for a Jovian cloud and the conditions necessary for convection to occur on Jupiter are defined. The model is used to predict the vertical velocity and maximum altitude of moist clouds that are convected over a vertical extent of 100, 10 and 1 km. Convection within the ammonia layer would not produce sufficient buoyancy to sublime from the rising air parcel. Water rising from the 5 bar to 1 bar level could carry enough ammonia to the cooler region to form plume anvils in the stable layer above 700 mbar. If unpolluted during the convection, the water could be the source of high altitude haze above the entire equatorial zone.

Exploring The Relation Between Upper Tropospheric (UT) Clouds and Convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stephens, G. L.; Stubenrauch, C.

2017-12-01

The importance of knowing the vertical transports of water vapor and condensate by atmospheric moist convection cannot be overstated. Vertical convective transports have wide-ranging influences on the Earth system, shaping weather, climate, the hydrological cycle and the composition of the atmosphere. These transports also influence the upper tropospheric cloudiness that exerts profound effects on climate. Although there are presently no direct observations to quantify these transports on the large scale, and there are no observations to constrain model assumptions about them, it might be possible to derive useful observations proxies of these transports and their influence. This talk will present results derived from a large community effort that has developed important observations data records that link clouds and convection. Steps to use these observational metrics to examine the relation between convection, UT clouds in both cloud and global scale models are exemplified and important feedbacks between high clouds, radiation and convection will be elucidated.

Numerical analysis of natural convection in liquid droplets by phase change

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Duh, J. C.; Yang, Wen-Jei

1989-01-01

A numerical analysis is performed on thermocapillary buoyancy convection induced by phase change in a liquid droplet. A finite-difference code is developed using an alternating-direction implicit (ADI) scheme. The intercoupling relation between thermocapillary force, buoyancy force, fluid property, heat transfer, and phase change, along with their effects on the induced flow patterns, are disclosed. The flow is classified into three types: thermocapillary, buoyancy, and combined convection. Among the three mechanisms, the combined convection simulates the experimental observations quite well, and the basic mechanism of the observed convection inside evaporating sessile drops is thus identified. It is disclosed that evaporation initiates unstable convection, while condensation always brings about a stable density distribution which eventually damps out all fluid disturbances. Another numerical model is presented to study the effect of boundary recession due to evaporation, and the 'peeling-off' effect (the removal of the surface layer of fluid by evaporation) is shown to be relevant.

Observations of Two Sprite-Producing Storms in Colorado

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lang, Timothy J.; Lyons, Walter A.; Cummer, Steven A.; Fuchs, Brody R.; Dolan, Brenda; Rutledge, Steven A.; Krehbiel, Paul; Rison, William; Stanley, Mark; Ashcraft, Thomas

2016-01-01

Two sprite-producing thunderstorms were observed on 8 and 25 June 2012 in northeastern Colorado by a combination of low-light cameras, a lightning mapping array, polarimetric and Doppler radars, the National Lightning Detection Network, and charge moment change measurements. The 8 June event evolved from a tornadic hailstorm to a larger multicellular system that produced 21 observed positive sprites in 2 h. The majority of sprites occurred during a lull in convective strength, as measured by total flash rate, flash energy, and radar echo volume. Mean flash area spiked multiple times during this period; however, total flash rates still exceeded 60 min(sup 1), and portions of the storm featured a complex anomalous charge structure, with midlevel positive charge near 20degC. The storm produced predominantly positive cloud-to-ground lightning. All sprite-parent flashes occurred on the northeastern flank of the storm, where strong westerly upper level flow was consistent with advection of charged precipitation away from convection, providing a pathway for stratiform lightning. The 25 June event was another multicellular hailstorm with an anomalous charge structure that produced 26 positive sprites in less than 1 h. The sprites again occurred during a convective lull, with relatively weaker reflectivity and lower total flash rate but relatively larger mean flash area. However, all sprite parents occurred in or near convection and tapped charge layers in adjacent anvil cloud. The results demonstrate the sprite production by convective ground strokes in anomalously charged storms and also indicate that sprite production and convective vigor are inversely related in mature storms.

Estimation of Thermoelectric Generator Performance by Finite Element Modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ziolkowski, P.; Poinas, P.; Leszczynski, J.; Karpinski, G.; Müller, E.

2010-09-01

Prediction of thermoelectric performance parameters by numerical methods is an inherent part of thermoelectric generator (TEG) development and allows for time- and cost-saving assessment of material combinations and variations of crucial design parameters (e.g., shape, pellet length, and thermal coupling). Considering the complexity of a TEG system and its numerous affecting factors, the clarity and the flexibility of a mathematical treatment comes to the fore. Comfortable tools are provided by commercial finite element modeling (FEM) software offering powerful geometry interfaces, mesh generators, solvers, and postprocessing options. We describe the level of development and the simulation results of a three dimensional (3D) TEG FEM. Using ANSYS 11.0, we implemented and simulated a TEG module geometry under various conditions. Comparative analytical one dimensional (1D) results and a direct comparison with inhouse-developed TEG simulation software show the consistency of results. Several pellet aspect ratios and contact property configurations (thermal/electrical interface resistance) were evaluated for their impact on the TEG performance as well as parasitic effects such as convection, radiation, and conductive heat bypass. The scenarios considered revealed the highest efficiency decay for convectionally loaded setups (up to 4.8%pts), followed by the impacts of contact resistances (up to 4.8%pts), by radiation (up to 0.56%pts), and by thermal conduction of a solid filling material within the voids of the module construction (up to 0.14%pts).

Final Technical Report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Held, Isaac; V. Balaji; Fueglistaler, Stephan

We have constructed and analyzed a series of idealized models of tropical convection interacting with large-scale circulations, with 25-50km resolution and with 1-2km cloud resolving resolution to set the stage for rigorous tests of convection closure schemes in high resolution global climate models. Much of the focus has been on the climatology of tropical cyclogenesis in rotating systems and the related problem of the spontaneous aggregation of convection in non-rotating systems. The PI (Held) will be delivering the honorary Bjerknes lecture at the Fall 2016 AGU meeting in December on this work. We have also provided new analyses of long-standingmore » issues related to the interaction between convection and the large-scale circulation: Kelvin waves in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere, water vapor transport into the stratosphere, and upper tropospheric temperature trends. The results of these analyses help to improve our understanding of processes, and provide tests for future high resolution global modeling. Our final goal of testing new convections schemes in next-generation global atmospheric models at GFDL has been left for future work due to the complexity of the idealized model results meant as tests for these models uncovered in this work and to computational resource limitations. 11 papers have been published with support from this grant, 2 are in review, and another major summary paper is in preparation.« less

Influence of Marangoni flows on the dynamics of isothermal A + B → C reaction fronts.

PubMed

Tiani, R; Rongy, L

2016-09-28

The nonlinear dynamics of A + B → C fronts is analyzed both numerically and theoretically in the presence of Marangoni flows, i.e., convective motions driven by surface tension gradients. We consider horizontal aqueous solutions where the three species A, B, and C can affect the surface tension of the solution, thereby driving Marangoni flows. The resulting dynamics is studied by numerically integrating the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations coupled to reaction-diffusion-convection (RDC) equations for the three chemical species. We show that the dynamics of the front cannot be predicted solely on the basis of the one-dimensional reaction-diffusion profiles as is the case for buoyancy-driven convection around such fronts. We relate this observation to the structure of Marangoni flows which lead to more complex and exotic dynamics. We find in particular the surprising possibility of a reversal of the front propagation direction in time for some sets of Marangoni numbers, quantifying the influence of each chemical species concentration on the solution surface tension. We explain this reversal analytically and propose a new classification of the convective effects on A + B → C reaction fronts as a function of the Marangoni numbers. The influence of the layer thickness on the RDC dynamics is also presented. Those results emphasize the importance of flow symmetry properties when studying convective front dynamics in a given geometry.

Numerical simulation of convection and heat transfer in Czochralski crystal growth by multiple-relaxation-time LBM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Ding; Huang, Weichao; Zhang, Ni

2017-07-01

A two-dimensional axisymmetric swirling model based on the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) in a pseudo Cartesian coordinate system is posited to simulate Czochralski (Cz) crystal growth in this paper. Specifically, the multiple-relaxation-time LBM (MRT-LBM) combined with the finite difference method (FDM) is used to analyze the melt convection and heat transfer in the process of Cz crystal growth. An incompressible axisymmetric swirling MRT-LB D2Q9 model is applied to solve for the axial and radial velocities by inserting thermal buoyancy and rotational inertial force into the two-dimensional lattice Boltzmann equation. In addition, the melt temperature and the azimuthal velocity are solved by MRT-LB D2Q5 models, and the crystal temperature is solved by FDM. The comparison results of stream functions values of different methods demonstrate that our hybrid model can be used to simulate the fluid-thermal coupling in the axisymmetric swirling model correctly and effectively. Furthermore, numerical simulations of melt convection and heat transfer are conducted under the conditions of high Grashof (Gr) numbers, within the range of 105 ˜ 107, and different high Reynolds (Re) numbers. The experimental results show our hybrid model can obtain the exact solution of complex crystal-growth models and analyze the fluid-thermal coupling effectively under the combined action of natural convection and forced convection.

Heat transfer in melt ponds with convection and radiative heating: observationally-inspired modelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wells, A.; Langton, T.; Rees Jones, D. W.; Moon, W.; Kim, J. H.; Wilkinson, J.

2016-12-01

Melt ponds have key impacts on the evolution of Arctic sea ice and summer ice melt. Small changes to the energy budget can have significant consequences, with a net heat-flux perturbation of only a few Watts per square metre sufficient to explain the thinning of sea ice over recent decades. Whilst parameterisations of melt-pond thermodynamics often assume that pond temperatures remain close to the freezing point, recent in-situ observations show more complex thermal structure with significant diurnal and synoptic variability. We here consider the energy budget of melt ponds and explore the role of internal convective heat transfer in determining the thermal structure within the pond in relatively calm conditions with low winds. We quantify the energy fluxes and temperature variability using two-dimensional direct numerical simulations of convective turbulence within a melt pond, driven by internal radiative heating and surface fluxes. Our results show that the convective flow dynamics are modulated by changes to the incoming radiative flux and sensible heat flux at the pond surface. The evolving pond surface temperature controls the outgoing longwave emissions from the pond. Hence the convective flow modifies the net energy balance of a melt pond, modulating the relative fractions of the incoming heat flux that is re-emitted to the atmosphere or transferred downward into the sea ice to drive melt.

Experimental investigation of the stability boundary for double-diffusive finger convection in a Hele-Shaw cell

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cooper, Clay A.; Glass, Robert J.; Tyler, Scott W.

OAK - B135 We apply high resolution, full field light transmission techniques to study the onset and development of convection in simulated porous media (Hele-Shaw cells) and fractures. The light transmission technique allows quantitative measurement of the solute concentration fields in time thus allowing direct measurements of the mass flux of components. Experiments are first designed to test theoretical stability relations as a function of the solute concentrations, solute diffusivities and the medium's permeability. Structural evolution and convective transport as a function of dimensionless control parameters is then determined across the full range of parameter space. We also consider themore » application of lattice gas automata techniques to numerically model the onset and development of convection. (Gary Drew notified on 3/25/03 of copyrighted Material)« less

The development of neutrino-driven convection in core-collapse supernovae: 2D vs 3D

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kazeroni, R.; Krueger, B. K.; Guilet, J.; Foglizzo, T.

2017-12-01

A toy model is used to study the non-linear conditions for the development of neutrino-driven convection in the post-shock region of core-collapse supernovae. Our numerical simulations show that a buoyant non-linear perturbation is able to trigger self-sustained convection only in cases where convection is not linearly stabilized by advection. Several arguments proposed to interpret the impact of the dimensionality on global core-collapse supernova simulations are discussed in the light of our model. The influence of the numerical resolution is also addressed. In 3D a strong mixing to small scales induces an increase of the neutrino heating efficiency in a runaway process. This phenomenon is absent in 2D and this may indicate that the tridimensional nature of the hydrodynamics could foster explosions.

Updraft Model for Development of Autonomous Soaring Uninhabited Air Vehicles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, Michael J.

2006-01-01

Large birds and glider pilots commonly use updrafts caused by convection in the lower atmosphere to extend flight duration, increase cross-country speed, improve range, or simply to conserve energy. Uninhabited air vehicles may also have the ability to exploit updrafts to improve performance. An updraft model was developed at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center (Edwards, California) to investigate the use of convective lift for uninhabited air vehicles in desert regions. Balloon and surface measurements obtained at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Surface Radiation station (Desert Rock, Nevada) enabled the model development. The data were used to create a statistical representation of the convective velocity scale, w*, and the convective mixing-layer thickness, zi. These parameters were then used to determine updraft size, vertical velocity profile, spacing, and maximum height. This paper gives a complete description of the updraft model and its derivation. Computer code for running the model is also given in conjunction with a check case for model verification.

High-resolution modeling of local air-sea interaction within the Marine Continent using COAMPS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jensen, T. G.; Chen, S.; Flatau, M. K.; Smith, T.; Rydbeck, A.

2016-12-01

The Maritime Continent (MC) is a region of intense deep atmospheric convection that serves as an important source of forcing for the Hadley and Walker circulations. The convective activity in the MC region spans multiple scales from local mesoscales to regional scales, and impacts equatorial wave propagation, coupled air-sea interaction and intra seasonal oscillations. The complex distribution of islands, shallow seas with fairly small heat storage and deep seas with large heat capacity is challenging to model. Diurnal convection over land-sea is part of a land-sea breeze system on a small scale, and is highly influenced by large variations in orography over land and marginal seas. Daytime solar insolation, run-off from the Archipelago and nighttime rainfall tends to stabilize the water column, while mixing by tidal currents and locally forced winds promote vertical mixing. The runoff from land and rivers and high net precipitation result in fresh water lenses that enhance vertical stability in the water column and help maintain high SST. We use the fully coupled atmosphere-ocean-wave version of the Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS) developed at NRL with resolution of a few kilometers to investigate the air-sea interaction associated with the land-sea breeze system in the MC under active and inactive phases of the Madden-Julian Oscillation. The high resolution enables simulation of strong SST gradients associated with local upwelling in deeper waters and strong salinity gradients near rivers and from heavy precipitation.

Asymptotic analysis of numerical wave propagation in finite difference equations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Giles, M.; Thompkins, W. T., Jr.

1983-01-01

An asymptotic technique is developed for analyzing the propagation and dissipation of wave-like solutions to finite difference equations. It is shown that for each fixed complex frequency there are usually several wave solutions with different wavenumbers and the slowly varying amplitude of each satisfies an asymptotic amplitude equation which includes the effects of smoothly varying coefficients in the finite difference equations. The local group velocity appears in this equation as the velocity of convection of the amplitude. Asymptotic boundary conditions coupling the amplitudes of the different wave solutions are also derived. A wavepacket theory is developed which predicts the motion, and interaction at boundaries, of wavepackets, wave-like disturbances of finite length. Comparison with numerical experiments demonstrates the success and limitations of the theory. Finally an asymptotic global stability analysis is developed.

A thermodynamically general theory for convective vortices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Renno, Nilton O.

2008-08-01

Convective vortices are common features of atmospheres that absorb lower-entropy-energy at higher temperatures than they reject higher-entropy-energy to space. These vortices range from small to large-scale and play an important role in the vertical transport of heat, momentum, and tracer species. Thus, the development of theoretical models for convective vortices is important to our understanding of some of the basic features of planetary atmospheres. The heat engine framework is a useful tool for studying convective vortices. However, current theories assume that convective vortices are reversible heat engines. Since there are questions about how reversible real atmospheric heat engines are, their usefulness for studying real atmospheric vortices is somewhat controversial. In order to reduce this problem, a theory for convective vortices that includes irreversible processes is proposed. The paper's main result is that the proposed theory provides an expression for the pressure drop along streamlines that includes the effects of irreversible processes. It is shown that a simplified version of this expression is a generalization of Bernoulli's equation to convective circulations. It is speculated that the proposed theory not only explains the intensity, but also sheds light on other basic features of convective vortices such as their physical appearance.

Algorithms for the analysis and characterization of convective structures relative to extreme rainfall events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sabatino, Pietro; Fedele, Giuseppe; Procopio, Antonio; Chiaravalloti, Francesco; Gabriele, Salvatore

2016-10-01

Among many weather phenomena, convective storms are one of the most dangerous since they are able to cause, in a relatively small time window, great damages. Convective precipitations are in fact characterized by relatively small spatial and temporal scales, and as a consequence, the task of forecasting such phenomena turns out to be an elusive one. Nonetheless, given their dangerousness, the identification and tracking of meteorological convective systems are of paramount importance and are the subject of several studies. In particular, the early detection of the areas where deep convection is about to appear, and the prediction of the development and path of existing convective thunderstorms represent two focal research topics. The aim of the present work is to outline a framework employing various techniques apt to the task of monitoring and characterization of convective clouds. We analyze meteorological satellite images and data in order to evaluate the potential occurring of strong precipitation. Techniques considered include numerical, machine learning, image processing. The techniques are tested on data coming from real convective events captured in the last years on the Italian peninsula by the Meteosat meteorological satellites and weather radar.

Convection Effects in Three-dimensional Dendritic Growth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lu, Yili; Beckermann, C.; Karma, A.

2003-01-01

A phase-field model is developed to simulate free dendritic growth coupled with fluid flow for a pure material in three dimensions. The preliminary results presented here illustrate the strong influence of convection on the three-dimensional (3D) dendrite growth morphology. The detailed knowledge of the flow and temperature fields in the melt around the dendrite from the simulations allows for a detailed understanding of the convection effects on dendritic growth.

Atmospheric convective velocities and the Fourier phase spectrum

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cliff, W. C.

1974-01-01

The relationship between convective velocity and the Fourier phase spectrum of the cross correlation is developed. By examining the convective velocity as a function of frequency, one may determine if Taylor's conversion from time statistics to space statistics is valid. It is felt that the high shear regions of the atmospheric boundary layer need to be explored to determine the validity of the use of Taylor's hypothesis for this region.

Clouds Aerosols Internal Affaires: Increasing Cloud Fraction and Enhancing the Convection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koren, Ilan; Kaufman, Yoram; Remer, Lorraine; Rosenfeld, Danny; Rudich, Yinon

2004-01-01

Clouds developing in a polluted environment have more numerous, smaller cloud droplets that can increase the cloud lifetime and liquid water content. Such changes in the cloud droplet properties may suppress low precipitation allowing development of a stronger convection and higher freezing level. Delaying the washout of the cloud water (and aerosol), and the stronger convection will result in higher clouds with longer life time and larger anvils. We show these effects by using large statistics of the new, 1km resolution data from MODIS on the Terra satellite. We isolate the aerosol effects from meteorology by regression and showing that aerosol microphysical effects increases cloud fraction by average of 30 presents for all cloud types and increases convective cloud top pressure by average of 35mb. We analyze the aerosol cloud interaction separately for high pressure trade wind cloud systems and separately for deep convective cloud systems. The resultant aerosol radiative effect on climate for the high pressure cloud system is: -10 to -13 W/sq m at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) and -11 to -14 W/sq m at the surface. For deeper convective clouds the forcing is: -4 to -5 W/sq m at the TOA and -6 to -7 W/sq m at the surface.

Project "Convective Wind Gusts" (ConWinG)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohr, Susanna; Richter, Alexandra; Kunz, Michael; Ruck, Bodo

2017-04-01

Convectively-driven strong winds usually associated with thunderstorms frequently cause substantial damage to buildings and other structures in many parts of the world. Decisive for the high damage potential are the short-term wind speed maxima with duration of a few seconds, termed as gusts. Several studies have shown that convectively-driven gusts can reach even higher wind speeds compared to turbulent gusts associated with synoptic-scale weather systems. Due to the small-scale and non-stationary nature of convective wind gusts, there is a considerable lack of knowledge regarding their characteristics and statistics. Furthermore, their interaction with urban structures and their influence on buildings is not yet fully understood. For these two reasons, convective wind events are not included in the present wind load standards of buildings and structures, which so far have been based solely on the characteristics of synoptically-driven wind gusts in the near-surface boundary layer (e. g., DIN EN 1991-1-4:2010-12; ASCE7). However, convective and turbulent gusts differ considerably, e.g. concerning vertical wind-speed profiles, gust factors (i.e., maximum to mean wind speed), or exceedance probability curves. In an effort to remedy this situation, the overarching objective of the DFG-project "Convective Wind Gusts" (ConWinG) is to investigate the characteristics and statistics of convective gusts as well as their interaction with urban structures. Based on a set of 110 climate stations of the German Weather Service (DWD) between 1992 and 2014, we analyzed the temporal and spatial distribution, intensity, and occurrence probability of convective gusts. Similar to thunderstorm activity, the frequency of convective gusts decreases gradually from South to North Germany. A relation between gust intensity/probability to orography or climate conditions cannot be identified. Rather, high wind speeds, e.g., above 30 m/s, can be expected everywhere in Germany with almost similar occurrence probabilities. A laboratory experiment with an impinging jet simulating the downdraft was performed to investigate the propagation of a gust within built environment. The aim is to investigate the interaction of the resulting convective gusts along the near-surface layers with different urban structures - from single street canyons up to more complex block array structures. It was shown that high velocities are conserved within street canyons over longer distances compared to open terrain conditions. In addition, the experiments revealed the ratio of building height to downdraft size as a crucial factor with regard to vertical velocities at roof level and the pressure distribution on the facades.

Nonrotating Convective Self-Aggregation in a Limited Area AGCM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arnold, Nathan P.; Putman, William M.

2018-04-01

We present nonrotating simulations with the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) in a square limited area domain over uniform sea surface temperature. As in previous studies, convection spontaneously aggregates into humid clusters, driven by a combination of radiative and moisture-convective feedbacks. The aggregation is qualitatively independent of resolution, with horizontal grid spacing from 3 to 110 km, with both explicit and parameterized deep convection. A budget for the spatial variance of column moist static energy suggests that longwave radiative and surface flux feedbacks help establish aggregation, while the shortwave feedback contributes to its maintenance. Mechanism-denial experiments confirm that aggregation does not occur without interactive longwave radiation. Ice cloud radiative effects help support the humid convecting regions but are not essential for aggregation, while liquid clouds have a negligible effect. Removing the dependence of parameterized convection on tropospheric humidity reduces the intensity of aggregation but does not prevent the formation of dry regions. In domain sizes less than (5,000 km)2, the aggregation forms a single cluster, while larger domains develop multiple clusters. Larger domains initialized with a single large cluster are unable to maintain them, suggesting an upper size limit. Surface wind speed increases with domain size, implying that maintenance of the boundary layer winds may limit cluster size. As cluster size increases, large boundary layer temperature anomalies develop to maintain the surface pressure gradient, leading to an increase in the depth of parameterized convective heating and an increase in gross moist stability.

Forced convection in the wakes of impacting and sliding bubbles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Reilly Meehan, R.; Williams, N. P.; Donnelly, B.; Persoons, T.; Nolan, K.; Murray, D. B.

2017-09-01

Both vapour and gas bubbles are known to significantly increase heat transfer rates between a heated surface and the surrounding fluid, even with no phase change. The cooling structures observed are highly temporal, intricate and complex, with a full description of the surface cooling phenomena not yet available. The current study uses high speed infrared thermography to measure the surface temperature and determine the convective heat flux enhancement associated with the interaction of a single air bubble with a heated, inclined surface. This process can be discretised into the initial impact, in which enhancement levels in excess of 20 times natural convection are observed, and the subsequent sliding behaviour, with more moderate maximum enhancement levels of 8 times natural convection. In both cases, localised regions of suppressed heat transfer are also observed due to the recirculation of warm fluid displaced from the thermal boundary layer with the surface. The cooling patterns observed herein are consistent with the interaction between an undulating wake containing multiple hairpin vortex loops and the thermal boundary layer that exists under the surface, with the initial nature of this enhancement and suppression dependent on the particular point on its rising path at which the bubble impacts the surface.

Consumption, supply and transport: self-organization without direct communication

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kessler, J. O.

1996-01-01

Swimming bacteria of the species Bacillus subtilis require and consume oxygen. In static liquid cultures the cells' swimming behaviour leads them to accumulate up oxygen concentration gradients generated by consumption and supply. Since the density of bacterial cells exceeds that of the fluid in which they live, fluid regions where cells have accumulated are denser than depleted regions. These density variations cause convection. The fluid motion is dynamically maintained by the swimming of the cells toward regions of attraction: the air-fluid interface and the fluctuating advecting attractors, gradients of oxygen concentration that are embedded in the convecting fluid. Because of the fluid dynamical conservation laws, these complex physical and biological factors generate patterns ordered over distances > 10000 bacterial cell diameters. The convection enhances long-range transport and mixing of oxygen, cells and extracellular products by orders of magnitude. Thus, through the interplay of physical and biological factors, a population of undifferentiated selfish cells creates functional dynamic patterns. Populations of bacteria that have organised themselves into regularly patterned regions of vigorous convection and varying cell concentration interact with their environment as if they were one purposeful, coherent multicellular individual. The mathematical and experimental ingredients of these remarkable phenomena are presented here.

Education: DNA replication using microscale natural convection.

PubMed

Priye, Aashish; Hassan, Yassin A; Ugaz, Victor M

2012-12-07

There is a need for innovative educational experiences that unify and reinforce fundamental principles at the interface between the physical, chemical, and life sciences. These experiences empower and excite students by helping them recognize how interdisciplinary knowledge can be applied to develop new products and technologies that benefit society. Microfluidics offers an incredibly versatile tool to address this need. Here we describe our efforts to create innovative hands-on activities that introduce chemical engineering students to molecular biology by challenging them to harness microscale natural convection phenomena to perform DNA replication via the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Experimentally, we have constructed convective PCR stations incorporating a simple design for loading and mounting cylindrical microfluidic reactors between independently controlled thermal plates. A portable motion analysis microscope enables flow patterns inside the convective reactors to be directly visualized using fluorescent bead tracers. We have also developed a hands-on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) exercise based on modeling microscale thermal convection to identify optimal geometries for DNA replication. A cognitive assessment reveals that these activities strongly impact student learning in a positive way.

Convective Distribution of Tropospheric Ozone and Tracers in the Central American ITCZ Region: Evidence from Observations During TC4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Avery, Melody; Twohy, Cynthia; MCabe, David; Joiner, Joanna; Severance, Kurt; Atlas, Eliot; Blake, Donald; Bui, T. P.; Crounse, John; Dibb, Jack;

Development of an Unstructured, Three-Dimensional Material Response Design Tool

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schulz, Joseph; Stern, Eric; Palmer, Grant; Muppidi, Suman; Schroeder, Olivia

2017-01-01

A preliminary verification and validation of a new material response model is presented. This model, Icarus, is intended to serve as a design tool for the thermal protection systems of re-entry vehicles. Currently, the capability of the model is limited to simulating the pyrolysis of a material as a result of the radiative and convective surface heating imposed on the material from the surrounding high enthalpy gas. Since the major focus behind the development of Icarus has been model extensibility, the hope is that additional physics can be quickly added. The extensibility is critical since thermal protection systems are becoming increasing complex, e.g. woven carbon polymers. Additionally, as a three-dimensional, unstructured, finite-volume model, Icarus is capable of modeling complex geometries as well as multi-dimensional physics, which have been shown to be important in some scenarios and are not captured by one-dimensional models. In this paper, the mathematical and numerical formulation is presented followed by a discussion of the software architecture and some preliminary verification and validation studies.

Evaluation of a Mesoscale Convective System in Variable-Resolution CESM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Payne, A. E.; Jablonowski, C.

2017-12-01

Warm season precipitation over the Southern Great Plains (SGP) follows a well observed diurnal pattern of variability, peaking at night-time, due to the eastward propagation of mesoscale convection systems that develop over the eastern slopes of the Rockies in the late afternoon. While most climate models are unable to adequately capture the organization of convection and characteristic pattern of precipitation over this region, models with high enough resolution to explicitly resolve convection show improvement. However, high resolution simulations are computationally expensive and, in the case of regional climate models, are subject to boundary conditions. Newly developed variable resolution global climate models strike a balance between the benefits of high-resolution regional climate models and the large-scale dynamics of global climate models and low computational cost. Recently developed parameterizations that are insensitive to the model grid scale provide a way to improve model performance. Here, we present an evaluation of the newly available Cloud Layers Unified by Binormals (CLUBB) parameterization scheme in a suite of variable-resolution CESM simulations with resolutions ranging from 110 km to 7 km within a regionally refined region centered over the SGP Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) site. Simulations utilize the hindcast approach developed by the Department of Energy's Cloud-Associated Parameterizations Testbed (CAPT) for the assessment of climate models. We limit our evaluation to a single mesoscale convective system that passed over the region on May 24, 2008. The effects of grid-resolution on the timing and intensity of precipitation, as well as, on the transition from shallow to deep convection are assessed against ground-based observations from the SGP ARM site, satellite observations and ERA-Interim reanalysis.

The Grell-Freitas Convective Parameterization: Recent Developments and Applications Within the NASA GEOS Global Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Freitas, S.; Grell, G. A.; Molod, A.

2017-12-01

We implemented and began to evaluate an alternative convection parameterization for the NASA Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) global model. The parameterization (Grell and Freitas, 2014) is based on the mass flux approach with several closures, for equilibrium and non-equilibrium convection, and includes scale and aerosol awareness functionalities. Scale dependence for deep convection is implemented either through using the method described by Arakawa et al (2011), or through lateral spreading of the subsidence terms. Aerosol effects are included though the dependence of autoconversion and evaporation on the CCN number concentration.Recently, the scheme has been extended to a tri-modal spectral size approach to simulate the transition from shallow, congestus, and deep convection regimes. In addition, the inclusion of a new closure for non-equilibrium convection resulted in a substantial gain of realism in model simulation of the diurnal cycle of convection over the land. Also, a beta-pdf is employed now to represent the normalized mass flux profile. This opens up an additional venue to apply stochasticism in the scheme.

Asteroseismic Constraints on the Models of Hot B Subdwarfs: Convective Helium-Burning Cores

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schindler, Jan-Torge; Green, Elizabeth M.; Arnett, W. David

2017-10-01

Asteroseismology of non-radial pulsations in Hot B Subdwarfs (sdB stars) offers a unique view into the interior of core-helium-burning stars. Ground-based and space-borne high precision light curves allow for the analysis of pressure and gravity mode pulsations to probe the structure of sdB stars deep into the convective core. As such asteroseismological analysis provides an excellent opportunity to test our understanding of stellar evolution. In light of the newest constraints from asteroseismology of sdB and red clump stars, standard approaches of convective mixing in 1D stellar evolution models are called into question. The problem lies in the current treatment of overshooting and the entrainment at the convective boundary. Unfortunately no consistent algorithm of convective mixing exists to solve the problem, introducing uncertainties to the estimates of stellar ages. Three dimensional simulations of stellar convection show the natural development of an overshooting region and a boundary layer. In search for a consistent prescription of convection in one dimensional stellar evolution models, guidance from three dimensional simulations and asteroseismological results is indispensable.

Numerical Modeling of HgCdTe Solidification: Effects of Phase Diagram, Double-Diffusion Convection and Microgravity Level

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bune, Andris V.; Gillies, Donald C.; Lehoczky, Sandor L.

1997-01-01

Melt convection, along with species diffusion and segregation on the solidification interface are the primary factors responsible for species redistribution during HgCdTe crystal growth from the melt. As no direct information about convection velocity is available, numerical modeling is a logical approach to estimate convection. Furthermore influence of microgravity level, double-diffusion and material properties should be taken into account. In the present study, HgCdTe is considered as a binary alloy with melting temperature available from a phase diagram. The numerical model of convection and solidification of binary alloy is based on the general equations of heat and mass transfer in two-dimensional region. Mathematical modeling of binary alloy solidification is still a challenging numericial problem. A Rigorous mathematical approach to this problem is available only when convection is not considered at all. The proposed numerical model was developed using the finite element code FIDAP. In the present study, the numerical model is used to consider thermal, solutal convection and a double diffusion source of mass transport.

Theory of transformation thermal convection for creeping flow in porous media: Cloaking, concentrating, and camouflage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dai, Gaole; Shang, Jin; Huang, Jiping

2018-02-01

Heat can transfer via thermal conduction, thermal radiation, and thermal convection. All the existing theories of transformation thermotics and optics can treat thermal conduction and thermal radiation, respectively. Unfortunately, thermal convection has seldom been touched in transformation theories due to the lack of a suitable theory, thus limiting applications associated with heat transfer through fluids (liquid or gas). Here, we develop a theory of transformation thermal convection by considering the convection-diffusion equation, the equation of continuity, and the Darcy law. By introducing porous media, we get a set of equations keeping their forms under coordinate transformation. As model applications, the theory helps to show the effects of cloaking, concentrating, and camouflage. Our finite-element simulations confirm the theoretical findings. This work offers a transformation theory for thermal convection, thus revealing novel behaviors associated with potential applications; it not only provides different hints on how to control heat transfer by combining thermal conduction, thermal convection, and thermal radiation, but also benefits mass diffusion and other related fields that contain a set of equations and need to transform velocities at the same time.

Relationships between convective storms and their environment in AVE IV determined from a three-dimensional subsynoptic-scale, trajectory model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, G. S.

1977-01-01

The paper describes interrelationships between synoptic-scale and convective-scale systems obtained by following individual air parcels as they traveled within the convective storm environment of AVE IV. (NASA's fourth Atmospheric Variability Experiment, AVE IV, was a 36-hour study in April 1975 of the atmospheric variability and structure in regions of convective storms.) A three-dimensional trajectory model was used to calculate parcel paths, and manually digitized radar was employed to locate convective activity of various intensities and to determine those trajectories that traversed the storm environment. Spatial and temporal interrelationships are demonstrated by reference to selected time periods of AVE IV which contain the development and movement of the squall line in which the Neosho tornado was created.

Interactions among Radiation, Convection, and Large-Scale Dynamics in a General Circulation Model.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Randall, David A.; Harshvardhan; Dazlich, Donald A.; Corsetti, Thomas G.

1989-07-01

We have analyzed the effects of radiatively active clouds on the climate simulated by the UCLA/GLA GCM, with particular attention to the effects of the upper tropospheric stratiform clouds associated with deep cumulus convection, and the interactions of these clouds with convection and the large-scale circulation.Several numerical experiments have been performed to investigate the mechanisms through which the clouds influence the large-scale circulation. In the `NODETLQ' experiment, no liquid water or ice was detrained from cumulus clouds into the environment; all of the condensate was rained out. Upper level supersaturation cloudiness was drastically reduced, the atmosphere dried, and tropical outgoing longwave radiation increased. In the `NOANVIL' experiment, the radiative effects of the optically thich upper-level cloud sheets associated with deep cumulus convection were neglected. The land surface received more solar radiation in regions of convection, leading to enhanced surface fluxes and a dramatic increase in precipitation. In the `NOCRF' experiment, the longwave atmospheric cloud radiative forcing (ACRF) was omitted, paralleling the recent experiment of Slingo and Slingo. The results suggest that the ACRF enhances deep penetrative convection and precipitation, while suppressing shallow convection. They also indicate that the ACRF warms and moistens the tropical troposphere. The results of this experiment are somewhat ambiguous, however; for example, the ACRF suppresses precipitation in some parts of the tropics, and enhances it in others.To isolate the effects of the ACRF in a simpler setting, we have analyzed the climate of an ocean-covered Earth, which we call Seaworld. The key simplicities of Seaworld are the fixed boundary temperature with no land points, the lack of mountains, and the zonal uniformity of the boundary conditions. Results are presented from two Seaworld simulations. The first includes a full suite of physical parameterizations, while the second omits all radiative effects of the clouds. The differences between the two runs are, therefore, entirely due to the direct and indirect and indirect effects of the ACRF. Results show that the ACRF in the cloudy run accurately represents the radiative heating perturbation relative to the cloud-free run. The cloudy run is warmer in the middle troposphere, contains much more precipitable water, and has about 15% more globally averaged precipitation. There is a double tropical rain band in the cloud-free run, and a single, more intense tropical rain band in the cloudy run. The cloud-free run produces relatively weak but frequent cumulus convection, while the cloudy run produces relatively intense but infrequent convection. The mean meridional circulation transport nearly twice as much mass in the cloudy run. The increased tropical rising motion in the cloudy run leads to a deeper boundary layer and also to more moisture in the troposphere above the boundary layer. This accounts for the increased precipitable water content of the atmosphere. The clouds lead to an increase in the intensity of the tropical easterlies, and cause the midlatitude westerly jets to shift equatorward.Taken together, our results show that upper tropospheric clouds associated with moist convection, whose importance has recently been emphasized in observational studies, play a very complex and powerful role in determining the model results. This points to a need to develop more realistic parameterizations of these clouds.

Improving high impact weather and climate prediction for societal resilience in Subtropical South America: Proyecto RELAMPAGO-CACTI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nesbitt, S. W.; Salio, P. V.; Varble, A.; Trapp, R. J.; Roberts, R. R.; Dominguez, F.; Machado, L.; Saulo, C.

2017-12-01

Subtropical South America is host to many types of weather and climate hazards. The convective systems that initiate near and apart from the complex terrain of the Andes and Sierras de Córdoba are by many measures the most intense in the world, producing hazards such as damaging winds, hail, tornadoes, extreme and unusual lightning behavior, and flash and riverine flooding. These systems are modulated by interannual, intraseasonal, and synoptic drivers, however multi-scale models suffer from extreme biases in low level temperature and humidity due to their poor representation of organized convection and representation of convection near complex terrain, which hampers predictive skill of relevant processes across all timescales. To address these cross-cutting issues, we have proposed a large, multi-agency international field campaign called RELAMPAGO-CACTI, which will address key gaps in physical process understanding in the production of convective storms in this region. RELAMPAGO (Remote sensing of Electrification, Lightning, And Mesoscale/microscale Processes with Adaptive Ground Observations), funded by NSF/NOAA/NASA/MinCyT/FAPESP, will be a 24-month hydrological-meteorological field campaign, with an intensive observing period 1 Nov - 15 Dec 2018 in the near the Sierras de Córdoba (SDC), the Andes foothills near Mendoza, and the region near São Borja, Brazil. A complementary funded 7-month DOE field campaign called Clouds, Aerosols, and Complex Terrain Interactions (CACTI), which will focus on detailed observations of cloud and aerosol lifecycle near the SDC while an intensive observing period featuring aircraft observations will match RELAMPAGO's. While collecting the observations will enhance knowledge of the processes acting to modulate extremes in the region, a coordinated modeling effort will aim to evaluate coupled weather, climate, and hydrologic models using RELAMPAGO-CACTI observations. In addition, partnerships with the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN) of Argentina and Brazil's Centro de Previsão de Tempo e Estudos Climáticos (CPTEC), as well as related international and local societal impacts projects such as the World Meteorological Organization's High-Impact Weather project will enable improved end-to-end impacts predictions in this vulnerable region.

An Automated Method to Identify Mesoscale Convective Complexes (MCCs) Implementing Graph Theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Whitehall, K. D.; Mattmann, C. A.; Jenkins, G. S.; Waliser, D. E.; Rwebangira, R.; Demoz, B.; Kim, J.; Goodale, C. E.; Hart, A. F.; Ramirez, P.; Joyce, M. J.; Loikith, P.; Lee, H.; Khudikyan, S.; Boustani, M.; Goodman, A.; Zimdars, P. A.; Whittell, J.

2013-12-01

Mesoscale convective complexes (MCCs) are convectively-driven weather systems with a duration of ~10 - 12 hours and contributions of large amounts to the rainfall daily and monthly totals. More than 400 MCCs occur annually over various locations on the globe. In West Africa, ~170 MCCs occur annually during the 180 days representing the summer months (June - November), and contribute ~75% of the annual wet season rainfall. The main objective of this study is to improve automatic identification of MCC over West Africa. The spatial expanse of MCCs and the spatio-temporal variability in their convective characteristics make them difficult to characterize even in dense networks of radars and/or surface gauges. As such there exist criteria for identifying MCCs with satellite images - mostly using infrared (IR) data. Automated MCC identification methods are based on forward and/or backward in time spatial-temporal analysis of the IR satellite data and characteristically incorporate a manual component as these algorithms routinely falter with merging and splitting cloud systems between satellite images. However, these algorithms are not readily transferable to voluminous data or other satellite-derived datasets (e.g. TRMM), thus hindering comprehensive studies of these features both at weather and climate timescales. Recognizing the existing limitations of automated methods, this study explores the applicability of graph theory to creating a fully automated method for deriving a West African MCC dataset from hourly infrared satellite images between 2001- 2012. Graph theory, though not heavily implemented in the atmospheric sciences, has been used for the predicting (nowcasting) of thunderstorms from radar and satellite data by considering the relationship between atmospheric variables at a given time, or for the spatial-temporal analysis of cloud volumes. From these few studies, graph theory appears to be innately applicable to the complexity, non-linearity and inherent chaos of the atmospheric system. Our preliminary results show that the use of graph theory improves data management thus allowing for longer periods to be studied, and creates a transferable method that allows for other data to be utilized.

Complexity of viscous dissipation in turbulent thermal convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhattacharya, Shashwat; Pandey, Ambrish; Kumar, Abhishek; Verma, Mahendra K.

2018-03-01

Using direct numerical simulations of turbulent thermal convection for the Rayleigh number between 106 and 108 and unit Prandtl number, we derive scaling relations for viscous dissipation in the bulk and in the boundary layers. We show that contrary to the general belief, the total viscous dissipation in the bulk is larger, albeit marginally, than that in the boundary layers. The bulk dissipation rate is similar to that in hydrodynamic turbulence with log-normal distribution, but it differs from (U3/d) by a factor of Ra-0.18. Viscous dissipation in the boundary layers is rarer but more intense with a stretched-exponential distribution.

Boiling incipience and convective boiling of neon and nitrogen

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Papell, S. S.; Hendricks, R. C.

1977-01-01

Forced convection and subcooled boiling heat transfer data for liquid nitrogen and liquid neon were obtained in support of a design study for a 30 tesla cryomagnet cooled by forced convection of liquid neon. This design precludes nucleate boiling in the flow channels as they are too small to handle vapor flow. Consequently, it was necessary to determine boiling incipience under the operating conditions of the magnet system. The cryogen data obtained over a range of system pressures, fluid flow rates, and applied heat fluxes were used to develop correlations for predicting boiling incipience and convective boiling heat transfer coefficients in uniformly heated flow channels. The accuracy of the correlating equations was then evaluated. A technique was also developed to calculate the position of boiling incipience in a uniformly heated flow channel. Comparisons made with the experimental data showed a prediction accuracy of plus or minus 15 percent

A System for Measurement of Convection Aboard Space Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bogatyrev, Gennady P.; Gorbunov, Aleksei V; Putin, Gennady F.; Ivanov, Alexander I.; Nikitin, Sergei A.; Polezhaev, Vadim I.

1996-01-01

A simple device for direct measurement of buoyancy driven fluid flows in a low-gravity environment is proposed. A system connecting spacecraft accelerometers data and results of thermal convection in enclosure measurements and numerical simulations is developed. This system will permit also to evaluate the low frequency microacceleration component. The goal of the paper is to present objectives and current results of ground-based experimental and numerical modeling of this convection detector.

Development of the Rice Convection Model as a Space Weather Tool

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-05-31

coupled to the ionosphere that is suitable for both scientific studies as well as a prediction tool. We are able to run the model faster than “real...of work by finding ways to fund a more systematic effort in making the RCM a space weather prediction tool for magnetospheric and ionospheric studies...convection electric field, total electron content, TEC, ionospheric convection, plasmasphere 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT

Exergetic simulation of a combined infrared-convective drying process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aghbashlo, Mortaza

2016-04-01

Optimal design and performance of a combined infrared-convective drying system with respect to the energy issue is extremely put through the application of advanced engineering analyses. This article proposes a theoretical approach for exergy analysis of the combined infrared-convective drying process using a simple heat and mass transfer model. The applicability of the developed model to actual drying processes was proved using an illustrative example for a typical food.

Diagnostics of severe convection and subsynoptic scale ageostrophic circulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1985-01-01

Diagnostics of severe convection and subsynoptic scale ageostrophic circulations are reported. Mesoscale circulations through forcing of ageostrophic motion by adiabatic, diabatic and frictional processes were studied. The development and application of a hybrid isentropic sigma coordinate numerical model was examined. The numerical model simulates mesoscale ageostrophic circulations associated with propagating jet streaks and severe convection. A complete list of publications and these completed through support of the NASA severe storms research project is included.

Dynamics of Compressible Convection and Thermochemical Mantle Convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xi

The Earth's long-wavelength geoid anomalies have long been used to constrain the dynamics and viscosity structure of the mantle in an isochemical, whole-mantle convection model. However, there is strong evidence that the seismically observed large low shear velocity provinces (LLSVPs) in the lowermost mantle are chemically distinct and denser than the ambient mantle. In this thesis, I investigated how chemically distinct and dense piles influence the geoid. I formulated dynamically self-consistent 3D spherical convection models with realistic mantle viscosity structure which reproduce Earth's dominantly spherical harmonic degree-2 convection. The models revealed a compensation effect of the chemically dense LLSVPs. Next, I formulated instantaneous flow models based on seismic tomography to compute the geoid and constrain mantle viscosity assuming thermochemical convection with the compensation effect. Thermochemical models reconcile the geoid observations. The viscosity structure inverted for thermochemical models is nearly identical to that of whole-mantle models, and both prefer weak transition zone. Our results have implications for mineral physics, seismic tomographic studies, and mantle convection modelling. Another part of this thesis describes analyses of the influence of mantle compressibility on thermal convection in an isoviscous and compressible fluid with infinite Prandtl number. A new formulation of the propagator matrix method is implemented to compute the critical Rayleigh number and the corresponding eigenfunctions for compressible convection. Heat flux and thermal boundary layer properties are quantified in numerical models and scaling laws are developed.

Some Consequences of Thermosolutal Convection: The Grain Structure of Castings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hansen, G.; Hellawell, A.; Lu, S. Z.; Steube, R. S.

1996-01-01

The essential principles of thermosolutal convection are outlined, and how convection provides a transport mechanism between the mushy region of a casting and the open bulk liquid is illustrated. The convective flow patterns which develop assist in heat exchange and macroscopic solute segregation during solidification; they also provide a mechanism for the transport of dendritic fragments from the mushy region into the bulk liquid. Surviving fragments become nuclei for equiaxed grains and so lead to blocking of the parental columnar, dendritic growth front from which they originated. The physical steps in such a sequence are considered and some experimental data are provided to support the argument.

Convective Cold Pool Structure and Boundary Layer Recovery in DYNAMO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Savarin, A.; Chen, S. S.; Kerns, B. W.; Lee, C.; Jorgensen, D. P.

2012-12-01

One of the key factors controlling convective cloud systems in the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) over the tropical Indian Ocean is the property of the atmospheric boundary layer. Convective downdrafts and precipitation from the cloud systems produce cold pools in the boundary layer, which can inhibit subsequent development of convection. The recovery time is the time it takes for the boundary layer to return to pre convective conditions. It may affect the variability of the convection on various time scales during the initiation of MJO. This study examines the convective cold pool structure and boundary layer recovery using the NOAA WP-3D aircraft observations, include the flight-level, Doppler radar, and GPS dropsonde data, collected during the Dynamics of MJO (DYNAMO) field campaign from November-December 2011. The depth and strength of convective cold pools are defined by the negative buoyancy, which can be computed from the dropsonde data. Convective downdraft can be affected by environmental water vapor due to entrainment. Mid-level dry air observed during the convectively suppressed phase of MJO seems to enhance convective downdraft, making the cold pools stronger and deeper. Recovery of the cold pools in the boundary layer is determined by the strength and depth of the cold pools and also the air-sea heat and moisture fluxes. Given that the water vapor and surface winds are distinct for the convectively active and suppressed phases of MJO over the Indian Ocean, the aircraft data are stratified by the two different large-scale regimes of MJO. Preliminary results show that the strength and depth of the cold pools are inversely correlated with the surrounding mid-level moisture. During the convectively suppressed phase, the recovery time is ~5-20 hours in relative weak wind condition with small air-sea fluxes. The recovery time is generally less than 6 hours during the active phase of MJO with moist mid-levels and stronger surface wind and air-sea fluxes.

Large charge moment change lightning on 31 May to 1 June 2013, including the El Reno tornadic storm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lang, Timothy J.; Cummer, Steven A.; Petersen, Danyal; Flores-Rivera, Lizxandra; Lyons, Walter A.; MacGorman, Donald; Beasley, William

2015-04-01

On 31 May 2013, a line of severe tornadic thunderstorms (the El Reno event) developed during the local afternoon in central Oklahoma, USA. Within range of the Oklahoma Lightning Mapping Array, the evolution of the event can be separated into three distinct periods: an Early period (before 02:00 UTC on 1 June) when the storm consisted of discrete supercells, a Middle period (02:00-05:00 UTC) when the convection began merging into a linear feature and stratiform precipitation developed, and a Late period (after 05:00 UTC) featuring a mature mesoscale convective system (MCS). Each of these periods demonstrated distinct patterns in the large (>100 C km) charge moment change (CMC) lightning that was produced. During the Early period, large-CMC positive cloud-to-ground (+CG) lightning was produced in the convective cores of supercells. These flashes were small in area (typically <500 km2) and were commonly associated with a sloping midlevel positive charge region in the echo overhang on the storm's forward flank. The Middle period featured a population of larger +CMCs (>500 km2, >300 C km) in the developing stratiform, similar to typical sprite-parent lightning in MCSs. During the Late period, convective large CMC +CGs ceased and instead large-CMC negative CGs were produced in and near the MCS convection. These flashes neutralized charge both in convection as well as in adjacent stratiform and anvil precipitation. The results suggest that the CMC metric has potential applications for studying tropospheric weather.

A climatology of potential severe convective environments across South Africa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blamey, R. C.; Middleton, C.; Lennard, C.; Reason, C. J. C.

2017-09-01

Severe thunderstorms pose a considerable risk to society and the economy of South Africa during the austral summer months (October-March). Yet, the frequency and distribution of such severe storms is poorly understood, which partly stems out of an inadequate observation network. Given the lack of observations, alternative methods have focused on the relationship between severe storms and their associated environments. One such approach is to use a combination of covariant discriminants, derived from gridded datasets, as a probabilistic proxy for the development of severe storms. These covariates describe some key ingredient for severe convective storm development, such as the presence of instability. Using a combination of convective available potential energy and deep-layer vertical shear from Climate Forecast System Reanalysis, this study establishes a climatology of potential severe convective environments across South Africa for the period 1979-2010. Results indicate that early austral summer months are most likely associated with conditions that are conducive to the development of severe storms over the interior of South Africa. The east coast of the country is a hotspot for potential severe convective environments throughout the summer months. This is likely due to the close proximity of the Agulhas Current, which produces high latent heat fluxes and acts as a key moisture source. No obvious relationship is established between the frequency of potential severe convective environments and the main large-scale modes of variability in the Southern Hemisphere, such as ENSO. This implies that several factors, possibly more localised, may modulate the spatial and temporal frequency of severe thunderstorms across the region.

Convective mass transfer around a dissolving bubble

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duplat, Jerome; Grandemange, Mathieu; Poulain, Cedric

2017-11-01

Heat or mass transfer around an evaporating drop or condensing vapor bubble is a complex issue due to the interplay between the substrate properties, diffusion- and convection-driven mass transfer, and Marangoni effects, to mention but a few. In order to disentangle these mechanisms, we focus here mainly on the convective mass transfer contribution in an isothermal mass transfer problem. For this, we study the case of a millimetric carbon dioxide bubble which is suspended under a substrate and dissolved into pure liquid water. The high solubility of CO2 in water makes the liquid denser and promotes a buoyant-driven flow at a high (solutal) Rayleigh number (Ra˜104 ). The alteration of p H allows the concentration field in the liquid to be imaged by laser fluorescence enabling us to measure both the global mass flux (bubble volume, contact angle) and local mass flux around the bubble along time. After a short period of mass diffusion, where the boundary layer thickens like the square root of time, convection starts and the CO2 is carried by a plume falling at constant velocity. The boundary layer thickness then reaches a plateau which depends on the bubble cross section. Meanwhile the plume velocity scales like (dV /d t )1 /2 with V being the volume of the bubble. As for the rate of volume loss, we recover a constant mass flux in the diffusion-driven regime followed by a decrease in the volume V like V2 /3 after convection has started. We present a model which agrees well with the bubble dynamics and discuss our results in the context of droplet evaporation, as well as high Rayleigh convection.

From convection rolls to finger convection in double-diffusive turbulence

PubMed Central

Verzicco, Roberto; Lohse, Detlef

2016-01-01

Double-diffusive convection (DDC), which is the buoyancy-driven flow with fluid density depending on two scalar components, is ubiquitous in many natural and engineering environments. Of great interests are scalars' transfer rate and flow structures. Here we systematically investigate DDC flow between two horizontal plates, driven by an unstable salinity gradient and stabilized by a temperature gradient. Counterintuitively, when increasing the stabilizing temperature gradient, the salinity flux first increases, even though the velocity monotonically decreases, before it finally breaks down to the purely diffusive value. The enhanced salinity transport is traced back to a transition in the overall flow pattern, namely from large-scale convection rolls to well-organized vertically oriented salt fingers. We also show and explain that the unifying theory of thermal convection originally developed by Grossmann and Lohse for Rayleigh–Bénard convection can be directly applied to DDC flow for a wide range of control parameters (Lewis number and density ratio), including those which cover the common values relevant for ocean flows. PMID:26699474

Heterogeneous nanofluids: natural convection heat transfer enhancement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oueslati, Fakhreddine Segni; Bennacer, Rachid

2011-12-01

Convective heat transfer using different nanofluid types is investigated. The domain is differentially heated and nanofluids are treated as heterogeneous mixtures with weak solutal diffusivity and possible Soret separation. Owing to the pronounced Soret effect of these materials in combination with a considerable solutal expansion, the resulting solutal buoyancy forces could be significant and interact with the initial thermal convection. A modified formulation taking into account the thermal conductivity, viscosity versus nanofluids type and concentration and the spatial heterogeneous concentration induced by the Soret effect is presented. The obtained results, by solving numerically the full governing equations, are found to be in good agreement with the developed solution based on the scale analysis approach. The resulting convective flows are found to be dependent on the local particle concentration φ and the corresponding solutal to thermal buoyancy ratio N. The induced nanofluid heterogeneity showed a significant heat transfer modification. The heat transfer in natural convection increases with nanoparticle concentration but remains less than the enhancement previously underlined in forced convection case.

Heterogeneous nanofluids: natural convection heat transfer enhancement

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Convective heat transfer using different nanofluid types is investigated. The domain is differentially heated and nanofluids are treated as heterogeneous mixtures with weak solutal diffusivity and possible Soret separation. Owing to the pronounced Soret effect of these materials in combination with a considerable solutal expansion, the resulting solutal buoyancy forces could be significant and interact with the initial thermal convection. A modified formulation taking into account the thermal conductivity, viscosity versus nanofluids type and concentration and the spatial heterogeneous concentration induced by the Soret effect is presented. The obtained results, by solving numerically the full governing equations, are found to be in good agreement with the developed solution based on the scale analysis approach. The resulting convective flows are found to be dependent on the local particle concentration φ and the corresponding solutal to thermal buoyancy ratio N. The induced nanofluid heterogeneity showed a significant heat transfer modification. The heat transfer in natural convection increases with nanoparticle concentration but remains less than the enhancement previously underlined in forced convection case. PMID:21711755

Using Magnetic Fields to Control Convection during Protein Crystallization: Analysis and Validation Studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ramachandran, N.; Leslie, F. W.

2004-01-01

The effect of convection during the crystallization of proteins is not very well understood. In a gravitational field, convection is caused by crystal sedimentation and by solutal buoyancy induced flow and these can lead to crystal imperfections. While crystallization in microgravity can approach diffusion limited growth conditions (no convection), terrestrially strong magnetic fields can be used to control fluid flow and sedimentation effects. In this work, we develop the analysis for magnetic flow control and test the predictions using analog experiments. Specifically, experiments on solutal convection in a paramagnetic fluid were conducted in a strong magnetic field gradient using a dilute solution of Manganese Chloride. The observed flows indicate that the magnetic field can completely counter the settling effects of gravity locally and are consistent with the theoretical predictions presented. This phenomenon suggests that magnetic fields may be useful in mimicking the microgravity environment of space for some crystal growth ana biological applications where fluid convection is undesirable.

A laser-induced heat flux technique for convective heat transfer measurements in high speed flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Porro, A. R.; Keith, T. G., Jr.; Hingst, W. R.

1991-01-01

A technique is developed to measure the local convective heat transfer coefficient on a model surface in a supersonic flow field. The technique uses a laser to apply a discrete local heat flux at the model test surface, and an infrared camera system determines the local temperature distribution due to the heating. From this temperature distribution and an analysis of the heating process, a local convective heat transfer coefficient is determined. The technique was used to measure the local surface convective heat transfer coefficient distribution on a flat plate at nominal Mach numbers of 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0. The flat plate boundary layer initially was laminar and became transitional in the measurement region. The experimentally determined convective heat transfer coefficients were generally higher than the theoretical predictions for flat plate laminar boundary layers. However, the results indicate that this nonintrusive optical measurement technique has the potential to measure surface convective heat transfer coefficients in high speed flow fields.

A laser-induced heat flux technique for convective heat transfer measurements in high speed flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Porro, A. R.; Keith, T. G., Jr.; Hingst, W. R.

1991-01-01

A technique is developed to measure the local convective heat transfer coefficient on a model surface in a supersonic flow field. The technique uses a laser to apply a discrete local heat flux at the model test surface, and an infrared camera system determines the local temperature distribution due to the heating. From this temperature distribution and an analysis of the heating process, a local convective heat transfer coefficient is determined. The technique was used to measure the local surface convective heat transfer coefficient distribution on a flat plate at nominal Mach numbers of 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0. The flat plate boundary layer initially was laminar and became transitional in the measurement region. The experimentally determined convective heat transfer coefficients were generally higher than the theoretical predictions for flat plate laminar boundary layers. However, the results indicate that this nonintrusive optical measurement technique has the potential to measure surface convective heat transfer coefficients in high-speed flowfields.

Experimental Study of Combined Forced and Free Laminar Convection in a Vertical Tube

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hallman, Theodore M.

1961-01-01

An apparatus was built to verify an analysis of combined forced and free convection in a vertical tube with uniform wall heat flux and to determine the limits of the analysis. The test section was electrically heated by resistance heating of the tube wall and was instrumented with thermocouples in such a way that detailed thermal entrance heat-transfer coefficients could be obtained for both upflow and downflow and any asymmetry in wall temperature could be detected. The experiments showed that fully developed heat-transfer results, predicted by a previous analysis, were confirmed over the range of Rayleigh numbers investigated. The concept of "locally fully developed" heat transfer was established. This concept involves the assumption that the fully developed heat-transfer analysis can be applied locally even though the Rayleigh number is varying along the tube because of physical-property variations with temperature. Thermal entrance region data were obtained for pure forced convection and for combined forced and free convection. The analysis of laminar pure forced convection in the thermal entrance region conducted by Siegel, Sparrow, and Hallman was experimentally confirmed. A transition to an eddy motion, indicated by a fluctuation in wall temperature was found in many of the upflow runs. A stability correlation was found. The fully developed Nusselt numbers in downflow were below those for pure forced convection but fell about 10 percent above the analytical curve. Quite large circumferential variations in wall temperature were observed in downflow as compaired with those encountered in upflow, and the fully developed Nussalt numbers reported are based on average wall temperatures determined by averaging the readings of two diametrically opposite wall thermocouples at each axial position. With larger heating rates in downflow the wall temperature distributions strongly suggested a cell flow near the bottom. At still larger heating rates the wall temperatures varied in a periodic way.

Magnetically Modulated Heat Transport in a Global Simulation of Solar Magneto-convection

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cossette, Jean-Francois; Charbonneau, Paul; Smolarkiewicz, Piotr K.

We present results from a global MHD simulation of solar convection in which the heat transported by convective flows varies in-phase with the total magnetic energy. The purely random initial magnetic field specified in this experiment develops into a well-organized large-scale antisymmetric component undergoing hemispherically synchronized polarity reversals on a 40 year period. A key feature of the simulation is the use of a Newtonian cooling term in the entropy equation to maintain a convectively unstable stratification and drive convection, as opposed to the specification of heating and cooling terms at the bottom and top boundaries. When taken together, themore » solar-like magnetic cycle and the convective heat flux signature suggest that a cyclic modulation of the large-scale heat-carrying convective flows could be operating inside the real Sun. We carry out an analysis of the entropy and momentum equations to uncover the physical mechanism responsible for the enhanced heat transport. The analysis suggests that the modulation is caused by a magnetic tension imbalance inside upflows and downflows, which perturbs their respective contributions to heat transport in such a way as to enhance the total convective heat flux at cycle maximum. Potential consequences of the heat transport modulation for solar irradiance variability are briefly discussed.« less

Application of new methods based on ECMWF ensemble model for predicting severe convective weather situations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lazar, Dora; Ihasz, Istvan

2013-04-01

The short and medium range operational forecasts, warning and alarm of the severe weather are one of the most important activities of the Hungarian Meteorological Service. Our study provides comprehensive summary of newly developed methods based on ECMWF ensemble forecasts to assist successful prediction of the convective weather situations. . In the first part of the study a brief overview is given about the components of atmospheric convection, which are the atmospheric lifting force, convergence and vertical wind shear. The atmospheric instability is often used to characterize the so-called instability index; one of the most popular and often used indexes is the convective available potential energy. Heavy convective events, like intensive storms, supercells and tornadoes are needed the vertical instability, adequate moisture and vertical wind shear. As a first step statistical studies of these three parameters are based on nine years time series of 51-member ensemble forecasting model based on convective summer time period, various statistical analyses were performed. Relationship of the rate of the convective and total precipitation and above three parameters was studied by different statistical methods. Four new visualization methods were applied for supporting successful forecasts of severe weathers. Two of the four visualization methods the ensemble meteogram and the ensemble vertical profiles had been available at the beginning of our work. Both methods show probability of the meteorological parameters for the selected location. Additionally two new methods have been developed. First method provides probability map of the event exceeding predefined values, so the incident of the spatial uncertainty is well-defined. The convective weather events are characterized by the incident of space often rhapsodic occurs rather have expected the event area can be selected so that the ensemble forecasts give very good support. Another new visualization tool shows time evolution of predefined multiple thresholds in graphical form for any selected location. With applying this tool degree of the dangerous weather conditions can be well estimated. Besides intensive convective periods are clearly marked during the forecasting period. Developments were done by MAGICS++ software under UNIX operating system. The third part of the study usefulness of these tools is demonstrated in three interesting cases studies of last summer.

Relationships Between Tropical Deep Convection, Tropospheric Mean Temperature and Cloud-Induced Radiative Fluxes on Intraseasonal Time Scales

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ramey, Holly S.; Robertson, Franklin R.

2009-01-01

Intraseasonal variability of deep convection represents a fundamental mode of variability in the organization of tropical convection. While most studies of intraseasonal oscillations (ISOs) have focused on the spatial propagation and dynamics of convectively coupled circulations, we examine the projection of ISOs on the tropically-averaged temperature and energy budget. The area of interest is the global oceans between 20oN/S. Our analysis then focuses on these questions: (i) How is tropospheric temperature related to tropical deep convection and the associated ice cloud fractional amount (ICF) and ice water path (IWP)? (ii) What is the source of moisture sustaining the convection and what role does deep convection play in mediating the PBL - free atmospheric temperature equilibration? (iii) What affect do convectively generated upper-tropospheric clouds have on the TOA radiation budget? Our methodology is similar to that of Spencer et al., (2007) with some modifications and some additional diagnostics of both clouds and boundary layer thermodynamics. A composite ISO time series of cloud, precipitation and radiation quantities built from nearly 40 events during a six-year period is referenced to the atmospheric temperature signal. The increase of convective precipitation cannot be sustained by evaporation within the domain, implying strong moisture transports into the tropical ocean area. While there is a decrease in net TOA radiation that develops after the peak in deep convective rainfall, there seems little evidence that an "Infrared Iris"- like mechanism is dominant. Rather, the cloud-induced OLR increase seems largely produced by weakened convection with warmer cloud tops. Tropical ISO events offer an accessible target for studying ISOs not just in terms of propagation mechanisms, but on their global signals of heat, moisture and radiative flux feedback processes.

Relationships Between Tropical Deep Convection, Tropospheric Mean Temperature and Cloud-Induced Radiative Fluxes on Intraseasonal Time Scales

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ramey, Holly S.; Robertson, Franklin R.

2010-01-01

Intraseasonal variability of deep convection represents a fundamental mode of variability in the organization of tropical convection. While most studies of intraseasonal oscillations (ISOs) have focused on the spatial propagation and dynamics of convectively coupled circulations, we examine the projection of ISOs on the tropically-averaged temperature and energy budget. The area of interest is the global oceans between 20degN/S. Our analysis then focuses on these questions: (i) How is tropospheric temperature related to tropical deep convection and the associated ice cloud fractional amount (ICF) and ice water path (IWP)? (ii) What is the source of moisture sustaining the convection and what role does deep convection play in mediating the PBL - free atmospheric temperature equilibration? (iii) What affect do convectively generated upper-tropospheric clouds have on the TOA radiation budget? Our methodology is similar to that of Spencer et al., (2007) with some modifications and some additional diagnostics of both clouds and boundary layer thermodynamics. A composite ISO time series of cloud, precipitation and radiation quantities built from nearly 40 events during a six-year period is referenced to the atmospheric temperature signal. The increase of convective precipitation cannot be sustained by evaporation within the domain, implying strong moisture transports into the tropical ocean area. While there is a decrease in net TOA radiation that develops after the peak in deep convective rainfall, there seems little evidence that an "Infrared Iris"- like mechanism is dominant. Rather, the cloud-induced OLR increase seems largely produced by weakened convection with warmer cloud tops. Tropical ISO events offer an accessible target for studying ISOs not just in terms of propagation mechanisms, but on their global signals of heat, moisture and radiative flux feedback processes.

Intraseasonal Variations in Tropical Deep Convection, Tropospheric Mean Temperature and Cloud-Induced Radiative Fluxes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ramey, Holly S.; Robertson, Franklin R.

2009-01-01

Intraseasonal variability of deep convection represents a fundamental mode of variability in the organization of tropical convection. While most studies of intraseasonal oscillations (ISOs) have focused on the spatial propagation and dynamics of convectively coupled circulations, we examine the projection of ISOs on the tropically-averaged temperature and energy budget. The area of interest is the global oceans between 20oN/S. Our analysis then focuses on these questions: (i) How is tropospheric temperature related to tropical deep convection and the associated ice cloud fractional amount (ICF) and ice water path (IWP)? (ii) What is the source of moisture sustaining the convection and what role does deep convection play in mediating the PBL - free atmospheric temperature equilibration? (iii) What affect do convectively generated upper-tropospheric clouds have on the TOA radiation budget? Our methodology is similar to that of Spencer et al., (2007) with some modifications and some additional diagnostics of both clouds and boundary layer thermodynamics. A composite ISO time series of cloud, precipitation and radiation quantities built from nearly 40 events during a six-year period is referenced to the atmospheric temperature signal. The increase of convective precipitation cannot be sustained by evaporation within the domain, implying strong moisture transports into the tropical ocean area. While there is a decrease in net TOA radiation that develops after the peak in deep convective rainfall, there seems little evidence that an "Infrared Iris"- like mechanism is dominant. Rather, the cloud-induced OLR increase seems largely produced by weakened convection with warmer cloud tops. Tropical ISO events offer an accessible target for studying ISOs not just in terms of propagation mechanisms, but on their global signals of heat, moisture and radiative flux feedback processes.

Origin and thermal evolution of Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schubert, Gerald; Soloman, S. C.; Turcotte, D. L.; Drake, M. J.; Sleep, N. H.

1990-01-01

The thermal evolution of Mars is governed by subsolidus mantle convection beneath a thick lithosphere. Models of the interior evolution are developed by parameterizing mantle convective heat transport in terms of mantle viscosity, the superadiabatic temperature rise across the mantle, and mantle heat production. Geological, geophysical, and geochemical observations of the compositon and structure of the interior and of the timing of major events in Martian evolution are used to constrain the model computations. Such evolutionary events include global differentiation, atmospheric outgassing, and the formation of the hemispherical dichotomy and Tharsis. Numerical calculations of fully three-dimensional, spherical convection in a shell the size of the Martian mantle are performed to explore plausible patterns of Martian mantel convection and to relate convective features, such as plumes, to surface features, such as Tharsis. The results from the model calculations are presented.

Convective Radio Occultations Final Campaign Summary

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Biondi, R.

2016-03-01

Deep convective systems are destructive weather phenomena that annually cause many deaths and injuries as well as much damage, thereby accounting for major economic losses in several countries. The number and intensity of such phenomena have increased over the last decades in some areas of the globe. Damage is mostly caused by strong winds and heavy rain parameters that are strongly connected to the structure of the particular storm. Convection over land is usually stronger and deeper than over the ocean and some convective systems, known as supercells, also develop tornadoes through processes that remain mostly unclear. The intensity forecastmore » and monitoring of convective systems is one of the major challenges for meteorology because in situ measurements during extreme events are too sparse or unreliable and most ongoing satellite missions do not provide suitable time/space coverage.« less

Sensitivity of Coupled Tropical Pacific Model Biases to Convective Parameterization in CESM1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woelfle, M. D.; Yu, S.; Bretherton, C. S.; Pritchard, M. S.

2018-01-01

Six month coupled hindcasts show the central equatorial Pacific cold tongue bias development in a GCM to be sensitive to the atmospheric convective parameterization employed. Simulations using the standard configuration of the Community Earth System Model version 1 (CESM1) develop a cold bias in equatorial Pacific sea surface temperatures (SSTs) within the first two months of integration due to anomalous ocean advection driven by overly strong easterly surface wind stress along the equator. Disabling the deep convection parameterization enhances the zonal pressure gradient leading to stronger zonal wind stress and a stronger equatorial SST bias, highlighting the role of pressure gradients in determining the strength of the cold bias. Superparameterized hindcasts show reduced SST bias in the cold tongue region due to a reduction in surface easterlies despite simulating an excessively strong low-level jet at 1-1.5 km elevation. This reflects inadequate vertical mixing of zonal momentum from the absence of convective momentum transport in the superparameterized model. Standard CESM1simulations modified to omit shallow convective momentum transport reproduce the superparameterized low-level wind bias and associated equatorial SST pattern. Further superparameterized simulations using a three-dimensional cloud resolving model capable of producing realistic momentum transport simulate a cold tongue similar to the default CESM1. These findings imply convective momentum fluxes may be an underappreciated mechanism for controlling the strength of the equatorial cold tongue. Despite the sensitivity of equatorial SST to these changes in convective parameterization, the east Pacific double-Intertropical Convergence Zone rainfall bias persists in all simulations presented in this study.

Life Cycle of Midlatitude Deep Convective Systems in a Lagrangian Framework

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Feng, Zhe; Dong, Xiquan; Xie, Baike; McFarlane, Sally A.; Kennedy, Aaron; Lin, Bing; Minnis, Patrick

2012-01-01

Deep Convective Systems (DCSs) consist of intense convective cores (CC), large stratiform rain (SR) regions, and extensive non-precipitating anvil clouds (AC). This study focuses on the evolution of these three components and the factors that affect convective AC production. An automated satellite tracking method is used in conjunction with a recently developed multi-sensor hybrid classification to analyze the evolution of DCS structure in a Lagrangian framework over the central United States. Composite analysis from 4221 tracked DCSs during two warm seasons (May-August, 2010-2011) shows that maximum system size correlates with lifetime, and longer-lived DCSs have more extensive SR and AC. Maximum SR and AC area lag behind peak convective intensity and the lag increases linearly from approximately 1-hour for short-lived systems to more than 3-hours for long-lived ones. The increased lag, which depends on the convective environment, suggests that changes in the overall diabatic heating structure associated with the transition from CC to SR and AC could prolong the system lifetime by sustaining stratiform cloud development. Longer-lasting systems are associated with up to 60% higher mid-tropospheric relative humidity and up to 40% stronger middle to upper tropospheric wind shear. Regression analysis shows that the areal coverage of thick AC is strongly correlated with the size of CC, updraft strength, and SR area. Ambient upper tropospheric wind speed and wind shear also play an important role for convective AC production where for systems with large AC (radius greater than 120-km) they are 24% and 20% higher, respectively, than those with small AC (radius=20 km).

Interstitial Fluid Flow and Drug Delivery in Vascularized Tumors: A Computational Model

PubMed Central

Welter, Michael; Rieger, Heiko

2013-01-01

Interstitial fluid is a solution that bathes and surrounds the human cells and provides them with nutrients and a way of waste removal. It is generally believed that elevated tumor interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) is partly responsible for the poor penetration and distribution of therapeutic agents in solid tumors, but the complex interplay of extravasation, permeabilities, vascular heterogeneities and diffusive and convective drug transport remains poorly understood. Here we consider–with the help of a theoretical model–the tumor IFP, interstitial fluid flow (IFF) and its impact upon drug delivery within tumor depending on biophysical determinants such as vessel network morphology, permeabilities and diffusive vs. convective transport. We developed a vascular tumor growth model, including vessel co-option, regression, and angiogenesis, that we extend here by the interstitium (represented by a porous medium obeying Darcy's law) and sources (vessels) and sinks (lymphatics) for IFF. With it we compute the spatial variation of the IFP and IFF and determine its correlation with the vascular network morphology and physiological parameters like vessel wall permeability, tissue conductivity, distribution of lymphatics etc. We find that an increased vascular wall conductivity together with a reduction of lymph function leads to increased tumor IFP, but also that the latter does not necessarily imply a decreased extravasation rate: Generally the IF flow rate is positively correlated with the various conductivities in the system. The IFF field is then used to determine the drug distribution after an injection via a convection diffusion reaction equation for intra- and extracellular concentrations with parameters guided by experimental data for the drug Doxorubicin. We observe that the interplay of convective and diffusive drug transport can lead to quite unexpected effects in the presence of a heterogeneous, compartmentalized vasculature. Finally we discuss various strategies to increase drug exposure time of tumor cells. PMID:23940570

Megacrystals track magma convection between reservoir and surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moussallam, Yves; Oppenheimer, Clive; Scaillet, Bruno; Buisman, Iris; Kimball, Christine; Dunbar, Nelia; Burgisser, Alain; Ian Schipper, C.; Andújar, Joan; Kyle, Philip

2015-03-01

Active volcanoes are typically fed by magmatic reservoirs situated within the upper crust. The development of thermal and/or compositional gradients in such magma chambers may lead to vigorous convection as inferred from theoretical models and evidence for magma mixing recorded in volcanic rocks. Bi-directional flow is also inferred to prevail in the conduits of numerous persistently-active volcanoes based on observed gas and thermal emissions at the surface, as well as experiments with analogue models. However, more direct evidence for such exchange flows has hitherto been lacking. Here, we analyse the remarkable oscillatory zoning of anorthoclase feldspar megacrystals erupted from the lava lake of Erebus volcano, Antarctica. A comprehensive approach, combining phase equilibria, solubility experiments and melt inclusion and textural analyses shows that the chemical profiles are best explained as a result of multiple episodes of magma transport between a deeper reservoir and the lava lake at the surface. Individual crystals have repeatedly travelled up-and-down the plumbing system, over distances of up to several kilometers, presumably as a consequence of entrainment in the bulk magma flow. Our findings thus corroborate the model of bi-directional flow in magmatic conduits. They also imply contrasting flow regimes in reservoir and conduit, with vigorous convection in the former (regular convective cycles of ∼150 days at a speed of ∼0.5 mm s-1) and more complex cycles of exchange flow and re-entrainment in the latter. We estimate that typical, 1-cm-wide crystals should be at least 14 years old, and can record several (from 1 to 3) complete cycles between the reservoir and the lava lake via the conduit. This persistent recycling of phonolitic magma is likely sustained by CO2 fluxing, suggesting that accumulation of mafic magma in the lower crust is volumetrically more significant than that of evolved magma within the edifice.

Effects of Tropical Islands on the Diurnal Cycle of Convection and its Influence on the MJO Propagation over the Maritime Continent

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Savarin, A.; Chen, S. S.

2017-12-01

The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is a dominant mode of intraseasonal variability in the tropics. Large-scale convection fueling the MJO is initiated over the tropical Indian Ocean and propagates eastward across the Maritime Continent (MC) and into the western Pacific. Observational studies have shown that near 40-50% of the MJO events cannot pass through the MC, which is known as the MC barrier effect. Previous studies have also shown a strong diurnal cycle of convection over the islands and coastal seas, with an afternoon precipitation maximum over land and high terrain, and an early morning maximum over water and mountain valley areas. As an eastward-propagating MJO convective event passes over the MC, its nature may be altered due to the complex interaction with the large Islands and topography. In turn, the passage of an MJO event modulates local conditions over the MC. The diurnal cycle of convection over the MC and its modulation by the MJO are not well understood and poorly represented in global numerical prediction models. This study aims to improve our understanding of how the diurnal cycle of convection and the presence of islands of the MC affect the eastward propagation of the MJO over the region. To this end, we use the Unified Wave Interface-Coupled Model (UWIN-CM) in its fully-coupled atmosphere-ocean configuration at a convection-permitting (4 km) resolution over the region. The control simulation is from the MJO event that occurred in November-December 2011, and has been verified against the Dynamics of the MJO (DYNAMO) field campaign observations, TRMM precipitation, and reanalysis products. To investigate the effects of the tropical islands on the MJO, we conduct two additional numerical experiments, one with preserved island shape but flattened topography, and one where islands are replaced by water. The difference in the diurnal cycle and convective organization among these experiments will provide some insights on the origin of the MC barrier effect and the physical processes affecting MJO convection over the MC. It is hypothesized that flattening terrain modifies the locations of diurnal precipitation maxima over islands and surrounding seas, while removing islands results in a smoother eastward propagation of the MJO.

An estimation of the condensation rates in three severe storm systems from satellite observations of the convective mass flux

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mack, R. A.; Wylie, D. P.

1982-01-01

A technique was developed for estimating the condensation rates of convective storms using satellite measurements of cirrus anvil expansion rates and radiosonde measurements of environmental water vapor. Three cases of severe convection in Oklahoma were studied and a diagnostic model was developed for integrating radiosonde data with satellite data. Two methods were used to measure the anvil expansion rates - the expansion of isotherm contours on infrared images, and the divergent motions of small brightness anomalies tracked on the visible images. The differences between the two methods were large as the storms developed, but these differences became small in the latter stage of all three storms. A comparison between the three storms indicated that the available moisture in the lowest levels greatly affected the rain rates of the storms. This was evident from both the measured rain rates of the storms and the condensation rates estimated by the model. The possibility of using this diagnostic model for estimating the intensities of convective storms also is discussed.

Sensitivity of Pacific Cold Tongue and Double-ITCZ Bias to Convective Parameterization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woelfle, M.; Bretherton, C. S.; Pritchard, M. S.; Yu, S.

2016-12-01

Many global climate models struggle to accurately simulate annual mean precipitation and sea surface temperature (SST) fields in the tropical Pacific basin. Precipitation biases are dominated by the double intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) bias where models exhibit precipitation maxima straddling the equator while only a single Northern Hemispheric maximum exists in observations. The major SST bias is the enhancement of the equatorial cold tongue. A series of coupled model simulations are used to investigate the sensitivity of the bias development to convective parameterization. Model components are initialized independently prior to coupling to allow analysis of the transient response of the system directly following coupling. These experiments show precipitation and SST patterns to be highly sensitive to convective parameterization. Simulations in which the deep convective parameterization is disabled forcing all convection to be resolved by the shallow convection parameterization showed a degradation in both the cold tongue and double-ITCZ biases as precipitation becomes focused into off-equatorial regions of local SST maxima. Simulations using superparameterization in place of traditional cloud parameterizations showed a reduced cold tongue bias at the expense of additional precipitation biases. The equatorial SST responses to changes in convective parameterization are driven by changes in near equatorial zonal wind stress. The sensitivity of convection to SST is important in determining the precipitation and wind stress fields. However, differences in convective momentum transport also play a role. While no significant improvement is seen in these simulations of the double-ITCZ, the system's sensitivity to these changes reaffirm that improved convective parameterizations may provide an avenue for improving simulations of tropical Pacific precipitation and SST.

A new hybrid transfinite element computational methodology for applicability to conduction/convection/radiation heat transfer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tamma, Kumar K.; Railkar, Sudhir B.

1988-01-01

This paper describes new and recent advances in the development of a hybrid transfinite element computational methodology for applicability to conduction/convection/radiation heat transfer problems. The transfinite element methodology, while retaining the modeling versatility of contemporary finite element formulations, is based on application of transform techniques in conjunction with classical Galerkin schemes and is a hybrid approach. The purpose of this paper is to provide a viable hybrid computational methodology for applicability to general transient thermal analysis. Highlights and features of the methodology are described and developed via generalized formulations and applications to several test problems. The proposed transfinite element methodology successfully provides a viable computational approach and numerical test problems validate the proposed developments for conduction/convection/radiation thermal analysis.

The effect of gravity modulation on thermosolutal convection in an infinite layer of fluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saunders, B. V.; Murray, B. T.; McFadden, G. B.; Coriell, S. R.; Wheeler, A. A.

1992-06-01

The effect of time-periodic vertical gravity modulation on the onset of thermosolutal convection in an infinite horizontal layer with stress-free boundaries is investigated using Floquet theory for the linear stability analysis. Situations for which the fluid layer is stably stratified in either the fingering or diffusive regimes of double-diffusive convection are considered. Results are presented both with and without steady background acceleration. Modulation may stabilize an unstable base solution or destabilize a stable base solution. In addition to synchronous and subharmonic response to the modulation frequency, instability in the double diffusive system can occur via a complex conjugate mode. In the diffusive regime, where oscillatory onset occurs in the unmodulated system, regions of resonant instability occur and exhibit strong coupling with the unmodulated oscillatory frequency. The response to modulation of the fundamental instability of the unmodulated system is described both analytically and numerically; in the double-diffusive system this mode persists under subcritical conditions as a high-frequency lobe.

The effect of gravity modulation on thermosolutal convection in an infinite layer of fluid

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Saunders, B. V.; Murray, B. T.; Mcfadden, G. B.; Coriell, S. R.; Wheeler, A. A.

1992-01-01

The effect of time-periodic vertical gravity modulation on the onset of thermosolutal convection in an infinite horizontal layer with stress-free boundaries is investigated using Floquet theory for the linear stability analysis. Situations for which the fluid layer is stably stratified in either the fingering or diffusive regimes of double-diffusive convection are considered. Results are presented both with and without steady background acceleration. Modulation may stabilize an unstable base solution or destabilize a stable base solution. In addition to synchronous and subharmonic response to the modulation frequency, instability in the double diffusive system can occur via a complex conjugate mode. In the diffusive regime, where oscillatory onset occurs in the unmodulated system, regions of resonant instability occur and exhibit strong coupling with the unmodulated oscillatory frequency. The response to modulation of the fundamental instability of the unmodulated system is described both analytically and numerically; in the double-diffusive system this mode persists under subcritical conditions as a high-frequency lobe.

Spontaneous formation of linearly arranged microcraters on sol-gel-derived silica-poly(vinylpyrrolidone) hybrid films induced by Bénard-Marangoni convection.

PubMed

Uchiyama, Hiroaki; Mantani, Yuto; Kozuka, Hiromitsu

2012-07-10

Complex, sophisticated surface patterns on micrometer and nanometer scales are obtained when solvent evaporates from solutions containing nonvolatile solutes dropped on a solid substrate. Such evaporation-driven pattern formation has been utilized as a fabrication process of highly ordered patterns in thin films. Here, we suggested the spontaneous pattern formation induced by Bénard-Marangoni convection triggered by solvent evaporation as a novel patterning process of sol-gel-derived organic-inorganic hybrid films. Microcraters of 1.0-1.5 μm in height and of 100-200 μm in width were spontaneously formed on the surface of silica-poly(vinylpyrrolidone) hybrid films prepared via temperature-controlled dip-coating process, where the surface patterns were linearly arranged parallel to the substrate withdrawal direction. Such highly ordered micropatterns were achieved by Bénard-Marangoni convection activated at high temperatures and the unidirectional flow of the coating solution on the substrate during dip-coating.

Evolution of the Large Scale Circulation, Cloud Structure and Regional Water Cycle Associated with the South China Sea Monsoon During May-June, 1998

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lau, William K.-M.; Li, Xiao-Fan

2001-01-01

In this paper, changes in the large-scale circulation, cloud structures and regional water cycle associated with the evolution of the South China Sea (SCS) monsoon in May-June 1998 were investigated using data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and field data from the South China Sea Monsoon Experiment (SCSMEX). Results showed that both tropical and extratropical processes strongly influenced the onset and evolution of the SCS monsoon. Prior to the onset of the SCS monsoon, enhanced convective activities associated with the Madden and Julian Oscillation were detected over the Indian Ocean, and the SCS was under the influence of the West Pacific Anticyclone (WPA) with prevailing low level easterlies and suppressed convection. Establishment of low-level westerlies across Indo-China, following the development of a Bay of Bengal depression played an important role in building up convective available potential energy over the SCS. The onset of SCS monsoon appeared to be triggered by the equatorward penetration of extratropical frontal system, which was established over the coastal region of southern China and Taiwan in early May. Convective activities over the SCS were found to vary inversely with those over the Yangtze River Valley (YRV). Analysis of TRMM microwave and precipitation radar data revealed that during the onset phase, convection over the northern SCS consisted of squall-type rain cell embedded in meso-scale complexes similar to extratropical systems. The radar Z-factor intensity indicated that SCS clouds possessed a bimodal distribution, with a pronounced signal (less than 30dBz) at a height of 2-3 km, and another one (less than 25 dBz) at the 8-10 km level, separated by a well-defined melting level indicated by a bright band at around 5-km level. The stratiform-to-convective cloud ratio was approximately 1:1 in the pre-onset phase, but increased to 5:1 in the active phase. Regional water budget calculations indicated that during the active phase, the SCS was a strong sink (E-P much less than 0) of atmospheric moisture, with the primary source of moisture coming from regions further west over Indo-China and the eastern Indian Ocean. Before onset and during the break, the SCS was a moisture source (E-P greater than ) to the overlying atmosphere. In particular, the SCS provided the bulk of moisture to the torrential rain over the YRV in mid-June 1998.

Mantle temperature under drifting deformable continents during the supercontinent cycle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoshida, Masaki

2013-04-01

The thermal heterogeneity of the Earth's mantle under the drifting continents during a supercontinent cycle is a controversial issue in earth science. Here, a series of numerical simulations of mantle convection are performed in 3D spherical-shell geometry, incorporating drifting deformable continents and self-consistent plate tectonics, to evaluate the subcontinental mantle temperature during a supercontinent cycle. Results show that the laterally averaged temperature anomaly of the subcontinental mantle remains within several tens of degrees (±50 °C) throughout the simulation time. Even after the formation of the supercontinent and the development of subcontinental plumes due to the subduction of the oceanic plates, the laterally averaged temperature anomaly of the deep mantle under the continent is within +10 °C. This implies that there is no substantial temperature difference between the subcontinental and suboceanic mantles during a supercontinent cycle. The temperature anomaly immediately beneath the supercontinent is generally positive owing to the thermal insulation effect and the active upwelling plumes from the core-mantle boundary. In the present simulation, the formation of a supercontinent causes the laterally averaged subcontinental temperature to increase by a maximum of 50 °C, which would produce sufficient tensional force to break up the supercontinent. The periodic assembly and dispersal of continental fragments, referred to as the supercontinent cycle, bear close relation to the evolution of mantle convection and plate tectonics. Supercontinent formation involves complex processes of introversion, extroversion or a combination of these in uniting dispersed continental fragments, as against the simple opening and closing of individual oceans envisaged in Wilson cycle. In the present study, I evaluate supercontinent processes in a realistic mantle convection regime. Results show that the assembly of supercontinents is accompanied by a combination of introversion and extroversion processes. The regular periodicity of the supercontinent cycles observed in previous 2D and 3D simulation models with rigid nondeformable continents is not confirmed. The small-scale thermal heterogeneity is dominated in deep mantle convection during the supercontinent cycle, although the large-scale, active upwelling plumes intermittently originate under drifting continents and/or the supercontinent. Results suggest that active subducting cold plates along continental margins generate thermal heterogeneity with short-wavelength structures, which is consistent with the thermal heterogeneity in the present-day mantle convection inferred from seismic tomography models. References: [1] Yoshida, M. Mantle temperature under drifting deformable continents during the supercontinent cycle, Geophys. Res. Lett., 2013, in press. [2] Yoshida, M. and M. Santosh, Mantle convection modeling of supercontinent cycle: Introversion, extroversion, or combination?, 2013, submitted.

Numerical modelling of convective heat transport by air flow in permafrost talus slopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wicky, Jonas; Hauck, Christian

2017-06-01

Talus slopes are a widespread geomorphic feature in the Alps. Due to their high porosity a gravity-driven internal air circulation can be established which is forced by the gradient between external (air) and internal (talus) temperature. The thermal regime is different from the surrounding environment, leading to the occurrence of permafrost below the typical permafrost zone. This phenomenon has mainly been analysed by field studies and only few explicit numerical modelling studies exist. Numerical simulations of permafrost sometimes use parameterisations for the effects of convection but mostly neglect the influence of convective heat transfer in air on the thermal regime. In contrast, in civil engineering many studies have been carried out to investigate the thermal behaviour of blocky layers and to improve their passive cooling effect. The present study further develops and applies these concepts to model heat transfer in air flows in a natural-scale talus slope. Modelling results show that convective heat transfer has the potential to develop a significant temperature difference between the lower and the upper parts of the talus slope. A seasonally alternating chimney-effect type of circulation develops. Modelling results also show that this convective heat transfer leads to the formation of a cold reservoir in the lower part of the talus slope, which can be crucial for maintaining the frozen ground conditions despite increasing air temperatures caused by climate change.

The Sensitivity of Atmospheric Water Isotopes to Entrainment and Precipitation Efficiency in a Bulk Plume Model of Convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duan, S.; Wright, J. S.; Romps, D. M.

2016-12-01

Atmospheric water isotopes have been proposed as potentially powerful constraints on the physics of convective clouds and parameterizations of convective processes in models. We have previously derived an analytical model of water vapor (H2O) and one of its heavy isotopes (HDO) in convective environments based on a bulk-plume convective water budget in radiative convective equilibrium. This analytical model provides a useful starting point for examining the joint responses of water vapor and its isotopic composition to changes in convective parameters; however, certain idealistic assumptions are required to make the model analytically solvable. Here, we develop a more flexible numerical framework that enables a wider range of model configurations and includes additional isotopic tracers. This model provides a bridge between Rayleigh distillation, which is simple but inflexible, and more complicated convection schemes and cloud resolving models, which are more realistic but also more difficult to perturb and interpret. Application of realistic in-cloud water profiles in our model produces vertical distributions of δD that qualitatively match satellite observations from the Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES). We test the sensitivity of water vapor and its isotopic composition to a wide range of perturbations in the model parameters and their vertical profiles. In this presentation, we focus especially on establishing constraints for convective entrainment and precipitation efficiency. We conclude by discussing the potential application of this model as part of a larger water isotope toolkit for use with offline diagnostics provided by reanalyses and GCMs.

Increases in tropical rainfall driven by changes in frequency of organized deep convection.

PubMed

Tan, Jackson; Jakob, Christian; Rossow, William B; Tselioudis, George

2015-03-26

Increasing global precipitation has been associated with a warming climate resulting from a strengthening of the hydrological cycle. This increase, however, is not spatially uniform. Observations and models have found that changes in rainfall show patterns characterized as 'wet-gets-wetter' and 'warmer-gets-wetter'. These changes in precipitation are largely located in the tropics and hence are probably associated with convection. However, the underlying physical processes for the observed changes are not entirely clear. Here we show from observations that most of the regional increase in tropical precipitation is associated with changes in the frequency of organized deep convection. By assessing the contributions of various convective regimes to precipitation, we find that the spatial patterns of change in the frequency of organized deep convection are strongly correlated with observed change in rainfall, both positive and negative (correlation of 0.69), and can explain most of the patterns of increase in rainfall. In contrast, changes in less organized forms of deep convection or changes in precipitation within organized deep convection contribute less to changes in precipitation. Our results identify organized deep convection as the link between changes in rainfall and in the dynamics of the tropical atmosphere, thus providing a framework for obtaining a better understanding of changes in rainfall. Given the lack of a distinction between the different degrees of organization of convection in climate models, our results highlight an area of priority for future climate model development in order to achieve accurate rainfall projections in a warming climate.

African hot spot volcanism: small-scale convection in the upper mantle beneath cratons.

PubMed

King, S D; Ritsema, J

2000-11-10

Numerical models demonstrate that small-scale convection develops in the upper mantle beneath the transition of thick cratonic lithosphere and thin oceanic lithosphere. These models explain the location and geochemical characteristics of intraplate volcanos on the African and South American plates. They also explain the presence of relatively high seismic shear wave velocities (cold downwellings) in the mantle transition zone beneath the western margin of African cratons and the eastern margin of South American cratons. Small-scale, edge-driven convection is an alternative to plumes for explaining intraplate African and South American hot spot volcanism, and small-scale convection is consistent with mantle downwellings beneath the African and South American lithosphere.

Stellar convection 2: A multi-mode numerical solution for convection in spheres

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marcus, P. S.

1979-01-01

The convective flow of a self gravitating sphere of Boussinesq fluid for small Reynolds and Peclet numbers is numerically determined. The decomposition of the equations of motion into modes is reviewed and a relaxation method is developed and presented to compute the solutions to these equations. The stable equilibrium flow for a Rayleigh number of 10 to the 4th power and a Prandtl number of 10 is determined. The 2 and 3 dimensional spectra of the kinetic and thermal energies and the convective flux as a function of wavelengths are calculated in terms of modes. The anisotropy of the flow as a function of wavelength is defined.

Inhibition of ordinary and diffusive convection in the water condensation zone of the ice giants and implications for their thermal evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Friedson, A. James; Gonzales, Erica J.

2017-11-01

We explore the conditions under which ordinary and double-diffusive thermal convection may be inhibited by water condensation in the hydrogen atmospheres of the ice giants and examine the consequences. The saturation of vapor in the condensation layer induces a vertical gradient in the mean molecular weight that stabilizes the layer against convective instability when the abundance of vapor exceeds a critical value. In this instance, the layer temperature gradient can become superadiabatic and heat must be transported vertically by another mechanism. On Uranus and Neptune, water is inferred to be sufficiently abundant for inhibition of ordinary convection to take place in their respective condensation zones. We find that suppression of double-diffusive convection is sensitive to the ratio of the sedimentation time scale of the condensates to the buoyancy period in the condensation layer. In the limit of rapid sedimentation, the layer is found to be stable to diffusive convection. In the opposite limit, diffusive convection can occur. However, if the fluid remains saturated, then layered convection is generally suppressed and the motion is restricted in form to weak, homogeneous, oscillatory turbulence. This form of diffusive convection is a relatively inefficient mechanism for transporting heat, characterized by low Nusselt numbers. When both ordinary and layered convection are suppressed, the condensation zone acts effectively as a thermal insulator, with the heat flux transported across it only slightly greater than the small value that can be supported by radiative diffusion. This may allow a large superadiabatic temperature gradient to develop in the layer over time. Once the layer has formed, however, it is vulnerable to persistent erosion by entrainment of fluid into the overlying convective envelope of the cooling planet, potentially leading to its collapse. We discuss the implications of our results for thermal evolution models of the ice giants, for understanding Uranus' anomalously low intrinsic luminosity, and for inducing episodes of intense convection in the atmospheres of Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

ARM Support for the Plains Elevated Convection at Night (AS-PECAN) Field Campaign Report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Turner, D. D.; Geerts, B.

The Plains Elevated Convection at Night (PECAN) field campaign was a large multi-agency/multi-institutional experiment that targeted nighttime convection events in the central plains of the United States in order to better understand a range of processes that lead to the initiation and upscale growth of deep convection. Both weather and climate models struggle to properly represent the timing and intensity of precipitation in the central United States in their simulations. These models must be able to represent the interactions between the nocturnal stable boundary layer (SBL), the nocturnal low-level jet (LLJ), and a reservoir of convectively available potential energy (CAPE)more » that frequently exists above the SBL. Furthermore, a large fraction of the nocturnal precipitation is due to the organization of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs). In particular, there were four research foci for the PECAN campaign: •The initiation of elevated nocturnal convection focus seeks to elucidate the mesoscaleenvironmental characteristics and processes that lead to convection initiation (CI) and provide baseline data on the early evolution of mesoscale convective clusters. •The dynamics and internal structure and microphysics of nocturnal MCSs focus will investigatethe transition from surface-based to elevated storm structure, the interaction of cold pools generated by MCSs with the nocturnal stable boundary layer, and how the organization and evolution of elevated convection is influenced by the SBL and the vertical profile of wind and stability above the LLJ. •The bores and wave-like disturbances focus seeks to advance knowledge of the initiation of boredisturbances by convection, how the vertical profile of stability and winds modulate bore structure, the role of these disturbances in the initiation, maintenance, and organization of deep convection, and their impact on the LLJ and SBL. •The LLJ focus seeks to understand the processes that influence the spatial and temporal evolutionof the LLJ, how it affects the SBL, and the interaction between the LLJ and atmospheric boundaries in the development of CI.« less

Analysis of a Small Vigorous Mesoscale Convective System in a Low-Shear Environment. Pt. 1; Formation, Echo Structure and Lightning Behavior

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Knupp, Kevin; Geerts, Bart; Goodman, Steven J.

1997-01-01

The precipitation output was highly variable due to the transient nature of the intense convective elements. This result is attributed to the high Richardson number (175) of the environment, which is much higher than that of the typical MCS environment. The development of the stratiform precipitation was accomplished locally (in situ), and not be advection of from the convective region. In situ charging of the stratiform region is also supported by the observations.

Dayside auroral arcs and convection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reiff, P. H.; Burch, J. L.; Heelis, R. A.

1978-01-01

Recent Defense Meteorological Satellite Program and International Satellite for Ionospheric Studies dayside auroral observations show two striking features: a lack of visible auroral arcs near noon and occasional fan shaped arcs radiating away from noon on both the morning and afternoon sides of the auroral oval. A simple model which includes these two features is developed by reference to the dayside convection pattern of Heelis et al. (1976). The model may be testable in the near future with simultaneous convection, current and auroral light data.

Modelling crystal growth: Convection in an asymmetrically heated ampoule

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alexander, J. Iwan D.; Rosenberger, Franz; Pulicani, J. P.; Krukowski, S.; Ouazzani, Jalil

1990-01-01

The objective was to develop and implement a numerical method capable of solving the nonlinear partial differential equations governing heat, mass, and momentum transfer in a 3-D cylindrical geometry in order to examine the character of convection in an asymmetrically heated cylindrical ampoule. The details of the numerical method, including verification tests involving comparison with results obtained from other methods, are presented. The results of the study of 3-D convection in an asymmetrically heated cylinder are described.

Tidal evolution of close binary stars. I - Revisiting the theory of the equilibrium tide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zahn, J.-P.

1989-01-01

The theory of the equilibrium tide in stars that possess a convective envelope is reexamined critically, taking recent developments into account and treating thermal convection in the most consistent way within the mixing-length approach. The weak points are identified and discussed, in particular, the reduction of the turbulent viscosity when the tidal period becomes shorter than the convective turnover time. An improved version is derived for the secular equations governing the dynamical evolution of close binaries of such type.

R-HPDC Process with Forced Convection Mixing Device for Automotive Part of A380 Aluminum Alloy

PubMed Central

Zhou, Bing; Kang, Yonglin; Qi, Mingfan; Zhang, Huanhuan; Zhu, Guoming

2014-01-01

The continuing quest for cost-effective and complex shaped aluminum castings with fewer defects for applications in the automotive industries has aroused the interest in rheological high pressure die casting (R-HPDC). A new machine, forced convection mixing (FCM) device, based on the mechanical stirring and convection mixing theory for the preparation of semisolid slurry in convenience and functionality was proposed to produce the automotive shock absorber part by R-HPDC process. The effect of barrel temperature and rotational speed of the device on the grain size and morphology of semi-solid slurry were extensively studied. In addition, flow behavior and temperature field of the melt in the FCM process was investigated combining computational fluid dynamics simulation. The results indicate that the microstructure and pore defects at different locations of R-HPDC casting have been greatly improved. The vigorous fluid convection in FCM process has changed the temperature field and composition distribution of conventional solidification. Appropriately increasing the rotational speed can lead to a uniform temperature filed sooner. The lower barrel temperature leads to a larger uniform degree of supercooling of the melt that benefits the promotion of nucleation rate. Both of them contribute to the decrease of the grain size and the roundness of grain morphology. PMID:28788608

Large Eddy Simulation of Wake Vortices in the Convective Boundary Layer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lin, Yuh-Lang; Han, Jongil; Zhang, Jing; Ding, Feng; Arya, S. Pal; Proctor, Fred H.

2000-01-01

The behavior of wake vortices in a convective boundary layer is investigated using a validated large eddy simulation model. Our results show that the vortices are largely deformed due to strong turbulent eddy motion while a sinusoidal Crow instability develops. Vortex rising is found to be caused by the updrafts (thermals) during daytime convective conditions and increases with increasing nondimensional turbulence intensity eta. In the downdraft region of the convective boundary layer, vortex sinking is found to be accelerated proportional to increasing eta, with faster speed than that in an ideal line vortex pair in an inviscid fluid. Wake vortices are also shown to be laterally transported over a significant distance due to large turbulent eddy motion. On the other hand, the decay rate of the, vortices in the convective boundary layer that increases with increasing eta, is larger in the updraft region than in the downdraft region because of stronger turbulence in the updraft region.

Enhanced convective dissolution of CO2 in reactive systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Wit, Anne; Thomas, Carelle; Loodts, Vanessa; Knaepen, Bernard; Rongy, Laurence

2017-11-01

To decrease the atmospheric concentration of CO2, sequestration techniques whereby this greenhouse gas is injected in saline aquifers present in soils are considered. Upon contact with the aquifer, the CO2 can dissolve in it and subsequently be mineralized via reactions with minerals like carbonates for instance. We investigate both experimentally and theoretically the influence of such reactions on the convective dissolution of CO2. Experiments analyze convective patterns developing when gaseous CO2 is put in contact with aqueous solutions of reactants in a confined vertical Hele-Shaw geometry. We show that the reactions can enhance convection and modify the nonlinear dynamics of density fingering. Numerical simulations further show that reactions can increase the flux of dissolving CO2, inducing a more efficient sequestration. Emphasis will be put on the control of the convective pattern properties by varying the very nature of the chemicals. Implications on the choice of optimal sequestration sites will be discussed.

Convection-Enhanced Delivery for the Treatment of Pediatric Neurologic Disorders

PubMed Central

Song, Debbie K.; Lonser, Russell R.

2013-01-01

Direct perfusion of specific regions of the central nervous system by convection-enhanced delivery is becoming more widely used for the delivery of compounds in the research and treatment of various neural disorders. In contrast to other currently available central nervous system delivery techniques, convection-enhanced delivery relies on bulk flow for distribution of solute. This allows for safe, targeted, reliable, and homogeneous delivery of small- and large-molecular-weight substances over clinically relevant volumes in a manner that bypasses the blood-central nervous system barrier. Recent studies have also shown that coinfused imaging surrogate tracers can be used to monitor and control the convective distribution of therapeutic agents in vivo. The unique features of convection-enhanced delivery, including the ability to monitor distribution in real-time, provide an opportunity to develop new research and treatment paradigms for pediatric patients with a variety of intrinsic central nervous system disorders. PMID:18952590

A New Mechanism for the Dependence of Tropical Convection on Free-Tropospheric Humidity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Virman, M.; Bister, M.; Sinclair, V. A.; Järvinen, H.; Räisänen, J.

2018-03-01

Atmospheric deep convection is responsible for transport of the most important greenhouse gas, water vapor, to the free-troposphere and for most of the precipitation on Earth. Observations show that deep convection is strongly sensitive to the amount of moisture in the low-to-midtroposphere. The current understanding is that this sensitivity is due to entrainment. In this study, it is found that over tropical oceans shallow warm anomalies, likely strong enough to hinder subsequent convection, are observed just above the boundary layer after precipitation, but only where the low-to-midtroposphere is dry. The results, showing a cold anomaly above the warm anomaly, suggest that evaporation of stratiform precipitation and subsidence warming below likely cause these temperature anomalies. Evaporation of stratiform precipitation should therefore be a topic of high priority for developing more realistic theories of convective weather phenomena and for improving climate and weather forecast models.

Precipitation microphysics characteristics of a Typhoon Matmo (2014) rainband after landfall over eastern China based on polarimetric radar observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Mingjun; Zhao, Kun; Xue, Ming; Zhang, Guifu; Liu, Su; Wen, Long; Chen, Gang

2016-10-01

The evolution of microphysical characteristics of a rainband in Typhoon Matmo (2014) over eastern China, through its onset, developing, mature, and dissipating stages, is documented using observations from an S band polarimetric Doppler radar and a two-dimensional video disdrometer (2DVD). The drop size distributions observed by the 2DVD and retrieved from the polarimetric radar measurements indicate that the convection in the rainband generally contains smaller drops and higher number concentrations than the typical maritime type convection described in Bringi et al. (2003). The average mass-weighted mean diameter (Dm) of convective precipitation in the rainband is about 1.41 mm, and the average logarithmic normalized intercept (Nw) is 4.67 log10 mm-1 m-3. To further investigate the dominant microphysical processes, the evolution of the vertical structures of polarimetric variables is examined. Results show that complex ice processes are involved above the freezing level, while it is most likely that the accretion and/or coalescence processes dominate below the freezing level throughout the rainband life cycle. A combined examination of the polarimetric measurements and profiles of estimated vertical liquid and ice water contents indicates that the conversion of cloud water into rainwater through cloud water accretion by raindrops plays a dominant role in producing heavy rainfall. The high estimated precipitation efficiency of 50% also suggests that cloud water accretion is the dominant mechanism for producing heavy rainfall. This study represents the first time that radar and 2DVD observations are used together to characterize the microphysical characteristics and precipitation efficiency for typhoon rainbands in China.

Forecasting challenges during the severe weather outbreak in Central Europe on 25 June 2008

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Púčik, Tomáš; Francová, Martina; Rýva, David; Kolář, Miroslav; Ronge, Lukáš

2011-06-01

On 25 June 2008, severe thunderstorms caused widespread damage and two fatalities in the Czech Republic. Significant features of the storms included numerous downbursts on a squall line that exhibited a bow echo reflectivity pattern, with sustained wind gusts over 32 m/s at several reporting stations. Moreover, a tornado and several downbursts of F2 intensity occurred within the convective system, collocated with the development of mesovortices within the larger scale bow echo. The extent of the event was sufficient to call it a derecho, as the windstorm had affected Eastern Germany, Southern Poland, Slovakia, Austria and Northern Hungary as well. Ahead of the squall line, several well-organized isolated cells occurred, exhibiting supercellular characteristics, both from a radar and visual perspective. These storms produced large hail and also isolated severe wind gusts. This paper deals mostly with the forecasting challenges that were experienced by the meteorologist on duty during the evolution of this convective scenario. The main challenge of the day was to identify the region that would be most affected by severe convection, especially as the numerical weather prediction failed to anticipate the extent and the progress of the derecho-producing mesoscale convective systems (MCSs). Convective storms developed in an environment conducive to severe thunderstorms, with strong wind shear confined mostly to the lower half of the troposphere. These developments also were strongly influenced by mesoscale factors, especially a mesolow centered over Austria and its trough stretching to Eastern Bohemia. The paper demonstrates how careful mesoscale analysis could prove useful in dealing with such convective situations. Remote-sensing methods are also shown to be useful in such situations, especially when they can offer sufficient lead time to issue a warning, which is not always the case.

MJO simulation in CMIP5 climate models: MJO skill metrics and process-oriented diagnosis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahn, Min-Seop; Kim, Daehyun; Sperber, Kenneth R.; Kang, In-Sik; Maloney, Eric; Waliser, Duane; Hendon, Harry

2017-12-01

The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) simulation diagnostics developed by MJO Working Group and the process-oriented MJO simulation diagnostics developed by MJO Task Force are applied to 37 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) models in order to assess model skill in representing amplitude, period, and coherent eastward propagation of the MJO, and to establish a link between MJO simulation skill and parameterized physical processes. Process-oriented diagnostics include the Relative Humidity Composite based on Precipitation (RHCP), Normalized Gross Moist Stability (NGMS), and the Greenhouse Enhancement Factor (GEF). Numerous scalar metrics are developed to quantify the results. Most CMIP5 models underestimate MJO amplitude, especially when outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) is used in the evaluation, and exhibit too fast phase speed while lacking coherence between eastward propagation of precipitation/convection and the wind field. The RHCP-metric, indicative of the sensitivity of simulated convection to low-level environmental moisture, and the NGMS-metric, indicative of the efficiency of a convective atmosphere for exporting moist static energy out of the column, show robust correlations with a large number of MJO skill metrics. The GEF-metric, indicative of the strength of the column-integrated longwave radiative heating due to cloud-radiation interaction, is also correlated with the MJO skill metrics, but shows relatively lower correlations compared to the RHCP- and NGMS-metrics. Our results suggest that modifications to processes associated with moisture-convection coupling and the gross moist stability might be the most fruitful for improving simulations of the MJO. Though the GEF-metric exhibits lower correlations with the MJO skill metrics, the longwave radiation feedback is highly relevant for simulating the weak precipitation anomaly regime that may be important for the establishment of shallow convection and the transition to deep convection.

MJO simulation in CMIP5 climate models: MJO skill metrics and process-oriented diagnosis

DOE PAGES

Ahn, Min-Seop; Kim, Daehyun; Sperber, Kenneth R.; ...

2017-03-23

The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) simulation diagnostics developed by MJO Working Group and the process-oriented MJO simulation diagnostics developed by MJO Task Force are applied to 37 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) models in order to assess model skill in representing amplitude, period, and coherent eastward propagation of the MJO, and to establish a link between MJO simulation skill and parameterized physical processes. Process-oriented diagnostics include the Relative Humidity Composite based on Precipitation (RHCP), Normalized Gross Moist Stability (NGMS), and the Greenhouse Enhancement Factor (GEF). Numerous scalar metrics are developed to quantify the results. Most CMIP5 models underestimate MJOmore » amplitude, especially when outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) is used in the evaluation, and exhibit too fast phase speed while lacking coherence between eastward propagation of precipitation/convection and the wind field. The RHCP-metric, indicative of the sensitivity of simulated convection to low-level environmental moisture, and the NGMS-metric, indicative of the efficiency of a convective atmosphere for exporting moist static energy out of the column, show robust correlations with a large number of MJO skill metrics. The GEF-metric, indicative of the strength of the column-integrated longwave radiative heating due to cloud-radiation interaction, is also correlated with the MJO skill metrics, but shows relatively lower correlations compared to the RHCP- and NGMS-metrics. Our results suggest that modifications to processes associated with moisture-convection coupling and the gross moist stability might be the most fruitful for improving simulations of the MJO. Though the GEF-metric exhibits lower correlations with the MJO skill metrics, the longwave radiation feedback is highly relevant for simulating the weak precipitation anomaly regime that may be important for the establishment of shallow convection and the transition to deep convection.« less

MJO simulation in CMIP5 climate models: MJO skill metrics and process-oriented diagnosis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ahn, Min-Seop; Kim, Daehyun; Sperber, Kenneth R.

The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) simulation diagnostics developed by MJO Working Group and the process-oriented MJO simulation diagnostics developed by MJO Task Force are applied to 37 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) models in order to assess model skill in representing amplitude, period, and coherent eastward propagation of the MJO, and to establish a link between MJO simulation skill and parameterized physical processes. Process-oriented diagnostics include the Relative Humidity Composite based on Precipitation (RHCP), Normalized Gross Moist Stability (NGMS), and the Greenhouse Enhancement Factor (GEF). Numerous scalar metrics are developed to quantify the results. Most CMIP5 models underestimate MJOmore » amplitude, especially when outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) is used in the evaluation, and exhibit too fast phase speed while lacking coherence between eastward propagation of precipitation/convection and the wind field. The RHCP-metric, indicative of the sensitivity of simulated convection to low-level environmental moisture, and the NGMS-metric, indicative of the efficiency of a convective atmosphere for exporting moist static energy out of the column, show robust correlations with a large number of MJO skill metrics. The GEF-metric, indicative of the strength of the column-integrated longwave radiative heating due to cloud-radiation interaction, is also correlated with the MJO skill metrics, but shows relatively lower correlations compared to the RHCP- and NGMS-metrics. Our results suggest that modifications to processes associated with moisture-convection coupling and the gross moist stability might be the most fruitful for improving simulations of the MJO. Though the GEF-metric exhibits lower correlations with the MJO skill metrics, the longwave radiation feedback is highly relevant for simulating the weak precipitation anomaly regime that may be important for the establishment of shallow convection and the transition to deep convection.« less

Boundary-modulated Thermal Convection Model in the Mantle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurita, K.; Kumagai, I.

2008-12-01

Analog experiments have played an important role in the constructing ideas of mantle dynamics. The series of experiments by H. Ramberg is one of the successful examples. Recently, however the realm of the analog experiments seems to be overwhelmed by steady progress of computer simulations. Is there still room for the analog experiments? This might be a main and hidden subject of this session. Here we propose a working hypothesis how the convecting mantle behaves based on the analog experiments in the system of viscous fluid and particles. The essential part is the interaction of convecting flow with heterogeneities existing in the boundaries. It is proposed the preexisting topographical heterogeneity in the boundary could control the flow pattern of convecting fluid. If this kind of heterogeneity can be formed as a consequence of convective motion and mobilized by the flow, the convection also can control the heterogeneity. We can expect interactions in two ways, by which the system behaves in a self-organize fashion. To explore the mutual interactions between convection flow and heterogeneity the system of viscous fluid and particles with slightly higher density is selected as 2D Rayleigh-Benard type convection. The basic structure consists of a basal particulate layer where permeable convection transports heat and an upper viscous fluid layer. By reducing the magnitude of the density difference the convective flow can mobilize the particles and can erode the basal layer. The condition of this erosion can be identified in the phase diagram of the particle Shields"f and the Rayleigh numbers. At Ra greater than 107 the convection style drastically changed before and after the erosion. Before the erosion where the flat interface of the boundary is maintained small scaled turbulent convection pattern is dominant. After the erosion where the interface becomes bumpy the large scale convective motion is observed. The structure is coherent to that of the boundary. This is a good example of the consequence of mutual interactions between convective flow and the heterogeneity in boundary. We propose this is a basic framework of the mantle dynamics which can reconcile apparent discrepancy between observed seismic signatures and corresponding convective motion. As a conclusion we would like to emphasize the analog experiments is a useful tool for developing/breeding new ideas.

Reconciling solar and stellar magnetic cycles with nonlinear dynamo simulations.

PubMed

Strugarek, A; Beaudoin, P; Charbonneau, P; Brun, A S; do Nascimento, J-D

2017-07-14

The magnetic fields of solar-type stars are observed to cycle over decadal periods-11 years in the case of the Sun. The fields originate in the turbulent convective layers of stars and have a complex dependency upon stellar rotation rate. We have performed a set of turbulent global simulations that exhibit magnetic cycles varying systematically with stellar rotation and luminosity. We find that the magnetic cycle period is inversely proportional to the Rossby number, which quantifies the influence of rotation on turbulent convection. The trend relies on a fundamentally nonlinear dynamo process and is compatible with the Sun's cycle and those of other solar-type stars. Copyright © 2017, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

The Shallow-to-Deep Transition in Convective Clouds During GoAmazon 2014/5

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jensen, M. P.; Gostic, C.; Giangrande, S. E.; Mechem, D. B.; Ghate, V. P.; Toto, T.

2016-12-01

Nearly two years of observations from the ARM Mobile Facility (AMF) deployed at Manacapuru, Brazil during the GOAmazon 2014/5 campaign are analyzed to investigate the environmental conditions controlling the transition from shallow to deep convective clouds. The Active Remote Sensing of Clouds (ARSCL) product, which combines radar and lidar observations to produce best estimates of cloud locations in the vertical column is used to qualitatively define four subsets of convective cloud conditions: 1,2) Transition cases (wet season, dry season), where a period of shallow convective clouds is followed by a period of deep convective clouds and 2) Non-transition cases (wet season, dry season), where shallow convective clouds persist without any subsequent development. For these subsets, observations of the time varying thermodynamic properties of the atmosphere, including the surface heat and radiative fluxes, the profiles of atmospheric state variables, and the ECMWF-derived large-scale advective tendencies, are composited to define averaged properties for each transition state. Initial analysis indicates that the transition state strongly depends on the pre-dawn free-tropospheric humidity, the convective inhibition and surface temperature and humidity with little dependence on the convective available potential energy and surface heat fluxes. The composited environmental thermodynamics are then used to force large-eddy simulations for the four transition states to further evaluate the sensitivity of the transition to the composite thermodynamics versus the importance of larger-scale forcing.

Short-Term Forecasting of Radiation Belt and Ring Current

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fok, Mei-Ching

2007-01-01

A computer program implements a mathematical model of the radiation-belt and ring-current plasmas resulting from interactions between the solar wind and the Earth s magnetic field, for the purpose of predicting fluxes of energetic electrons (10 keV to 5 MeV) and protons (10 keV to 1 MeV), which are hazardous to humans and spacecraft. Given solar-wind and interplanetary-magnetic-field data as inputs, the program solves the convection-diffusion equations of plasma distribution functions in the range of 2 to 10 Earth radii. Phenomena represented in the model include particle drifts resulting from the gradient and curvature of the magnetic field; electric fields associated with the rotation of the Earth, convection, and temporal variation of the magnetic field; and losses along particle-drift paths. The model can readily accommodate new magnetic- and electric-field submodels and new information regarding physical processes that drive the radiation-belt and ring-current plasmas. Despite the complexity of the model, the program can be run in real time on ordinary computers. At present, the program can calculate present electron and proton fluxes; after further development, it should be able to predict the fluxes 24 hours in advance

Electrically-Active Convection in Tropical Easterly Waves and Implications for Tropical Cyclogenesis in the Atlantic and East Pacific

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leppert, Kenneth D., II; Petersen, Walter A.; Cecil, Daniel J.

2012-01-01

In this study, we investigate the characteristics of tropical easterly wave convection and the possible implications of convective structure on tropical cyclogenesis and intensification over the Atlantic Ocean and East Pacific using data from the Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission Microwave Imager, Precipitation Radar (PR), and Lightning Imaging Sensor as well as infrared (IR) brightness temperature data from the NASA global-merged IR brightness temperature dataset. Easterly waves were partitioned into northerly, southerly, trough, and ridge phases based on the 700-hPa meridional wind from the NCEP-NCAR reanalysis dataset. Waves were subsequently divided according to whether they did or did not develop tropical cyclones (i.e., developing and nondeveloping, respectively), and developing waves were further subdivided according to development location. Finally, composites as a function of wave phase and category were created using the various datasets. Results suggest that the convective characteristics that best distinguish developing from nondeveloping waves vary according to where developing waves spawn tropical cyclones. For waves that developed a cyclone in the Atlantic basin, coverage by IR brightness temperatures .240 K and .210 K provide the best distinction between developing and nondeveloping waves. In contrast, several variables provide a significant distinction between nondeveloping waves and waves that develop cyclones over the East Pacific as these waves near their genesis location including IR threshold coverage, lightning flash rates, and low-level (<4.5 km) PR reflectivity. Results of this study may be used to help develop thresholds to better distinguish developing from nondeveloping waves and serve as another aid for tropical cyclogenesis forecasting.

Assessing impacts of PBL and surface layer schemes in simulating the surface–atmosphere interactions and precipitation over the tropical ocean using observations from AMIE/DYNAMO

DOE PAGES

Qian, Yun; Yan, Huiping; Berg, Larry K.; ...

2016-10-28

Accuracy of turbulence parameterization in representing Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) processes in climate models is critical for predicting the initiation and development of clouds, air quality issues, and underlying surface-atmosphere-cloud interactions. In this study, we 1) evaluate WRF model-simulated spatial patterns of precipitation and surface fluxes, as well as vertical profiles of potential temperature, humidity, moist static energy and moisture tendency terms as simulated by WRF at various spatial resolutions and with PBL, surface layer and shallow convection schemes against measurements, 2) identify model biases by examining the moisture tendency terms contributed by PBL and convection processes through nudging experiments,more » and 3) evaluate the dependence of modeled surface latent heat (LH) fluxes onPBL and surface layer schemes over the tropical ocean. The results show that PBL and surface parameterizations have surprisingly large impacts on precipitation, convection initiation and surface moisture fluxes over tropical oceans. All of the parameterizations tested tend to overpredict moisture in PBL and free atmosphere, and consequently result in larger moist static energy and precipitation. Moisture nudging tends to suppress the initiation of convection and reduces the excess precipitation. The reduction in precipitation bias in turn reduces the surface wind and LH flux biases, which suggests that the model drifts at least partly because of a positive feedback between precipitation and surface fluxes. The updated shallow convection scheme KF-CuP tends to suppress the initiation and development of deep convection, consequently decreasing precipitation. The Eta surface layer scheme predicts more reasonable LH fluxes and the LH-Wind Speed relationship than the MM5 scheme, especially when coupled with the MYJ scheme. By examining various parameterization schemes in WRF, we identify sources of biases and weaknesses of current PBL, surface layer and shallow convection schemes in reproducing PBL processes, the initiation of convection and intra-seasonal variability of precipitation.« less

Numerical studies in geophysics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hier Majumder, Catherine Anne

2003-10-01

This thesis focuses on the use of modern numerical techniques in the geo- and environmental sciences. Four topics are discussed in this thesis: finite Prandtl number convection, wavelet analysis, inverse methods and data assimilation, and nuclear waste tank mixing. The finite Prandtl number convection studies examine how convection behavior changes as Prandtl numbers are increased to as high as 2 x 104, on the order of Prandtl numbers expected in very hot magmas or mushy ice diapirs. I found that there are significant differences in the convection style between finite Prandtl number convection and the infinite Prandtl number approximation even for Prandtl numbers on the order of 104. This indicates that the infinite Prandtl convection approximation might not accurately model behavior in fluids with large, but finite Prandtl numbers. The section on inverse methods and data assimilation used the technique of four dimensional variational data assimilation (4D-VAR) developed by meteorologists to integrate observations into forecasts. It was useful in studying the predictability and dependence on initial conditions of finite Prandtl simulations. This technique promises to be useful in a wide range of geological and geophysical fields, including mantle convection, hydrogeology, and sedimentology. Wavelet analysis was used to help image and scrutinize at small-scales both temperature and vorticity fields from convection simulations and the geoid. It was found to be extremely helpful in both cases. It allowed us to separate the information in the data into various spatial scales without losing the locations of the signals in space. This proved to be essential in understanding the processes producing the total signal in the datasets. The nuclear waste study showed that techniques developed in geology and geophysics can be used to solve scientific problems in other fields. I applied state-of-the-art techniques currently employed in geochemistry, sedimentology, and mantle mixing to simulate dynamical processes occurring in the course of mixing nuclear waste tanks.

Convection and the Soil-Moisture Precipitation Feedback

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schar, C.; Froidevaux, P.; Keller, M.; Schlemmer, L.; Langhans, W.; Schmidli, J.

2014-12-01

The soil moisture - precipitation (SMP) feedback is of key importance for climate and climate change. A positive SMP feedback tends to amplify the hydrological response to external forcings (and thereby fosters precipitation and drought extremes), while a negative SMP feedback tends to moderate the influence of external forcings (and thereby stabilizes the hydrological cycle). The sign of the SMP feedback is poorly constrained by the current literature. Theoretical, modeling and observational studies partly disagree, and have suggested both negative and positive feedback loops. Can wet soil anomalies indeed result in either an increase or a decrease of precipitation (positive or negative SMP feedback, respectively)? Here we investigate the local SMP feedback using real-case and idealized convection-resolving simulations. An idealized simulation strategy is developed, which is able to replicate both signs of the feedback loop, depending on the environmental parameters. The mechanism relies on horizontal soil moisture variations, which may develop and intensify spontaneously. The positive expression of the feedback is associated with the initiation of convection over dry soil patches, but the convective cells then propagate over wet patches, where they strengthen and preferentially precipitate. The negative feedback may occur when the wind profile is too weak to support the propagation of convective features from dry to wet areas. Precipitation is then generally weaker and falls preferentially over dry patches. The results highlight the role of the mid-tropospheric flow in determining the sign of the feedback. A key element of the positive feedback is the exploitation of both low convective inhibition (CIN) over dry patches (for the initiation of convection), and high CAPE over wet patches (for the generation of precipitation). The results of this study will also be discussed in relation to climate change scenarios that exhibit large biases in surface temperature and interannual variability over mid-latitude summer climates, both over Europe and North America. It is argued that parameterized convection may contribute towards such biases by overemphasizing a positive SMP feedback.

Interactions between cumulus convection and its environment as revealed by the MC3E sounding array

DOE PAGES

Xie, Shaocheng; Zhang, Yunyan; Giangrande, Scott E.; ...

2014-10-27

This study attempts to understand interactions between midlatitude convective systems and their environments through a heat and moisture budget analysis using the sounding data collected from the Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E) in central Oklahoma. Distinct large-scale structures and diabatic heating and drying profiles are presented for cases of weaker and elevated thunderstorms as well as intense squall line and supercell thunderstorm events during the campaign. The elevated cell events were nocturnal convective systems occurring in an environment having low convective available potential energy (CAPE) and a very dry boundary layer. In contrast, deeper convective events happened during themore » morning into early afternoon within an environment associated with large CAPE and a near-saturated boundary layer. As the systems reached maturity, the diagnosed diabatic heating in the latter deep convective cases was much stronger and of greater vertical extent than the former. Both groups showed considerable diabatic cooling in the lower troposphere, associated with the evaporation of precipitation and low-level clouds. The horizontal advection of moisture also played a dominant role in moistening the lower troposphere, particularly for the deeper convective events, wherein the near surface southeasterly flow allows persistent low-level moisture return from the Gulf of Mexico to support convection. The moisture convergence often was present before these systems develop, suggesting a strong correlation between the large-scale moisture convergence and convection. As a result, sensitivity tests indicated that the uncertainty in the surface precipitation and the size of analysis domain mainly affected the magnitude of these analyzed fields rather than their vertical structures.« less

Effects of radial distribution of entropy diffusivity on critical modes of anelastic thermal convection in rotating spherical shells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sasaki, Youhei; Takehiro, Shin-ichi; Ishiwatari, Masaki; Yamada, Michio

2018-03-01

Linear stability analysis of anelastic thermal convection in a rotating spherical shell with entropy diffusivities varying in the radial direction is performed. The structures of critical convection are obtained in the cases of four different radial distributions of entropy diffusivity; (1) κ is constant, (2) κT0 is constant, (3) κρ0 is constant, and (4) κρ0T0 is constant, where κ is the entropy diffusivity, T0 is the temperature of basic state, and ρ0 is the density of basic state, respectively. The ratio of inner and outer radii, the Prandtl number, the polytropic index, and the density ratio are 0.35, 1, 2, and 5, respectively. The value of the Ekman number is 10-3 or 10-5 . In the case of (1), where the setup is same as that of the anelastic dynamo benchmark (Jones et al., 2011), the structure of critical convection is concentrated near the outer boundary of the spherical shell around the equator. However, in the cases of (2), (3) and (4), the convection columns attach the inner boundary of the spherical shell. A rapidly rotating annulus model for anelastic systems is developed by assuming that convection structure is uniform in the axial direction taking into account the strong effect of Coriolis force. The annulus model well explains the characteristics of critical convection obtained numerically, such as critical azimuthal wavenumber, frequency, Rayleigh number, and the cylindrically radial location of convection columns. The radial distribution of entropy diffusivity, or more generally, diffusion properties in the entropy equation, is important for convection structure, because it determines the distribution of radial basic entropy gradient which is crucial for location of convection columns.

Hazardous Convective Weather in the Central United States: Present and Future

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, C.; Ikeda, K.; Rasmussen, R.

2017-12-01

Two sets of 13-year continental-scale convection-permitting simulations were performed using the 4-km-resolution WRF model. They consist of a retrospective simulation, which downscales the ERA-Interim reanalysis during the period October 2000 - September 2013, and a future climate sensitivity simulation for the same period based on the perturbed reanalysis-derived boundary conditions with the CMIP5 ensemble-mean high-end emission scenario climate change. The evaluation of the retrospective simulation indicates that the model is able to realistically reproduce the main characteristics of deep precipitating convection observed in the current climate such as the spectra of convective population and propagating mesoscale convective systems (MCSs). It is also shown that severe convection and associated MCS will increase in frequency and intensity, implying a potential increase in high impact convective weather in a future warmer climate. In this study, the warm-season hazardous convective weather (i.e., tonadoes, hails and damaging gusty wind) in the central United states is examined using these 4-km downscaling simulations. First, a model-based proxy for hazardous convective weather is derived on the basis of a set of characteristic meteorological variables such as the model composite radar reflectivity, updraft helicity, vertical wind shear, and low-level wind. Second, the developed proxy is applied to the retrospective simulation for estimate of the model hazardous weather events during the historical period. Third, the simulated hazardous weather statistics are evaluated against the NOAA severe weather reports. Lastly, the proxy is applied to the future climate simulation for the projected change of hazardous convective weather in response to global warming. Preliminary results will be reported at the 2017 AGU session "High Resolution Climate Modeling".

On the use of colour reflectivity plots to monitor the structure of the troposphere and stratosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rottger, J.; Fu, I. J.; Kuo, F. S.; Liu, C. H.; Chao, J. K.

1986-01-01

The radar reflectivity, defined as the range squared corrected power of VHF radar echoes, can be used to monitor and study the temporal development of inversion layer, frontal boundaries and convective turbulence. From typical featurs of upward or downward motion of reflectivity structures, the advection/convection of cold and warm air can be predicted. High resolution color plots appear to be useful to trace and to study the life history of these structures, particularly their persistency, descent and ascent. These displays allow an immediate determination of the tropopause height as well as the determination of the tropopause structure. The life history of warm fronts, cold fronts, and occlusions can be traced, and these reflectivity plots allow detection of even very weak events which cannot be seen in the traditional meteorological data sets. The life history of convective turbulence, particular evolving from the planetary boundary layer, can be tracked quite easily. Its development into strong convection reaching the middle troposphere can be followed and predicted.

Determining the inertial states of low Prandtl number fluids using electrochemical cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crunkleton, Daniel Wray

The quality of crystals grown from the melt is often deteriorated by the presence of buoyancy-induced convection, produced by temperature or concentration inhomogenities. It is, therefore, important to develop techniques to visualize such flows. In this study, a novel technique is developed that uses solid-state electrochemical cells to establish and measure dissolved oxygen boundary conditions. To visualize convection, a packet of oxygen is electrochemically introduced at a specific location in the melt. As the fluid convects, this oxygen packet follows the flow, acting as a tracer. Electrochemical sensors located along the enclosure then detect the oxygen as it passes. Over sufficiently long times, oxygen diffusion is important; consequently, the oxygen diffusivity in the fluid is measured. This diffusivity is determined using both transient and steady state experiments with tin and tin-lead alloys as model fluids. It is concluded that the presence of convection due to solutal gradients and/or tilt increases the measured diffusivity by one-half to one order of magnitude. The oxygen diffusivity in tin-lead alloys is measured and the results show that the alloy diffusivities are lower than those of the corresponding pure metals. This concentration functionality is explained with a multicomponent diffusion model and shows good agreement. Rayleigh-Benard convection was used to validate the electrochemical approach to flow visualization. Thus, a numerical characterization of the second critical Rayleigh numbers in liquid tin was conducted for a variety of Cartesian aspect ratios. The extremely low Prandtl number of tin represents the lowest value studied numerically. Additionally, flow field oscillations are visualized and the effect of tilt on convecting systems is quantified. Finally, experimental studies of the effect of convection in liquid tin are presented. Three geometries are studied: (1) double cell with vertical concentration gradients; (2) double cell with horizontal concentration gradients; and (3) multiple cell with vertical temperature gradients. The first critical Rayleigh number transition is detected with geometry (1) and it is concluded that current measurements are not as affected by convection as EMF measurements. The system is compared with numerical simulations in geometry (2), and oscillating convection is detected with geometry (3).

Climatology of summer midtropospheric perturbations in the U.S. northern plains. Part I: Influence on northwest flow severe weather outbreaks

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Shih-Yu; Chen, Tsing-Chang; Correia, James

Northwest flow severe weather outbreaks (NWF outbreaks) describe a type of summer convective storm that occurs in areas of mid-level NWF in the central United States. Convective storms associated with NWF outbreaks are often progressive (i.e. traveling a long distance) along systematic, northwestsoutheast oriented tracks throughout the northern plains. Previous studies have observed that progressive convective storms under NWF are often coupled with subsynoptic-scale midtropospheric perturbations (MPs) coming from the Rocky Mountains. This study traces such MPs for the decade of 1997-2006 using the North American Regional Reanalysis to examine their climatology and possible influence on NWF outbreaks. MPs initiatedmore » over the Rocky Mountains have a maximum frequency in July when the North American anticyclone fully develops and forms prevailing NWF over the northern plains. MPs developed under this anticyclone appear restricted in their vertical extension. Nevertheless, persistent upward motion is apparent in the leading edge (east) of MPs soon after their genesis subsequently inducing or intensifying convective storms. MPs propagate along systematic tracks similar to those of NWF outbreaks. The propagation of MPs also synchronizes with the progressive behavior of the associated convective storms. When encountering strong low-level jets (LLJs), upward motion and convergence of water vapor flux associated with MPs intensify substantially, resulting in strongly enhanced convection and precipitation. Convective wind and hail frequencies associated with MPs in strong LLJs reveal a pattern and magnitude very similar to that of NWF outbreaks. While about 60% of summer rainfall in the northern plains is linked to MPs, 75% of these instances occur in strong LLJs.« less

Analysis and simulation of mesoscale convective systems accompanying heavy rainfall: The goyang case

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Hyun-Young; Ha, Ji-Hyun; Lee, Dong-Kyou; Kuo, Ying-Hwa

2011-05-01

We investigated a torrential rainfall case with a daily rainfall amount of 379 mm and a maximum hourly rain rate of 77.5 mm that took place on 12 July 2006 at Goyang in the middlewestern part of the Korean Peninsula. The heavy rainfall was responsible for flash flooding and was highly localized. High-resolution Doppler radar data from 5 radar sites located over central Korea were analyzed. Numerical simulations using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model were also performed to complement the high-resolution observations and to further investigate the thermodynamic structure and development of the convective system. The grid nudging method using the Global Final (FNL) Analyses data was applied to the coarse model domain (30 km) in order to provide a more realistic and desirable initial and boundary conditions for the nested model domains (10 km, 3.3 km). The mesoscale convective system (MCS) which caused flash flooding was initiated by the strong low level jet (LLJ) at the frontal region of high equivalent potential temperature (θe) near the west coast over the Yellow Sea. The ascending of the warm and moist air was induced dynamically by the LLJ. The convective cells were triggered by small thermal perturbations and abruptly developed by the warm θe inflow. Within the MCS, several convective cells responsible for the rainfall peak at Goyang simultaneously developed with neighboring cells and interacted with each other. Moist absolutely unstable layers (MAULs) were seen at the lower troposphere with the very moist environment adding the instability for the development of the MCS.

On the effects of higher convection modes on the thermal evolution of small planetary bodies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arkani-Hamed, J.

1979-01-01

The effects of higher modes of convection on the thermal evolution of a small planetary body is investigated. Three sets of models are designed to specify an initially cold and differentiated, an initially hot and differentiated, and an initially cold and undifferentiated Moon-type body. The strong temperature dependence of viscosity enhances the thickening of lithosphere so that a lithosphere of about 400 km thickness is developed within the first billion years of the evolution of a Moon-type body. The thermally isolating effect of such a lithosphere hampers the heat flux out of the body and increases the temperature of the interior, causing the solid-state convection to occur with high velocity so that even the lower modes of convection can maintain an adiabatic temperature gradient there. It is demonstrated that the effect of solid-state convection on the thermal evolution of the models may be adequately determined by a combination of convection modes up to the third or the fourth order harmonic. The inclusion of higher modes does not affect the results significantly.

Influence of convection on microstructure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilcox, William R.; Eisa, Gaber Faheem; Chandrasekhar, S.; Larrousse, Mark; Banan, Mohsen

1988-01-01

The influence was studied of convection during directional solidification on the resulting microstructure of eutectics, specifically lead/tin and manganese/bismuth. A theory was developed for the influence of convection on the microstructure of lamellar and fibrous eutectics, through the effect of convection on the concentration field in the melt in front of the growing eutectic. While the theory agrees with the experimental spin-up spin-down results, it predicts that the weak convection expected due to buoyancy will not produce a measurable change in eutectic microstructure. Thus, this theory does not explain the two fold decrease in MnBi fiber size and spacing observed when MnBi-Bi is solidified in space or on Earth with a magnetic field applied. Attention was turned to the morphology of the MnBi-Bi interface and to the generation of freezing rate fluctuations by convection. Decanting the melt during solidification of MnBi-Bi eutectic showed that the MnBi phase projects into the melt ahead of the Bi matrix. Temperature measurements in a Bi melt in the vertical Bridgman-Stockbarger configuration showed temperature variations of up to 25 C. Conclusions are drawn and discussed.

Comparisons of the Vertical Development of Deep Tropical Convection and Associated Lightning Activity on a Global Basis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, E.; Lin, S.; Labrada, C.; Christian, H.; Goodman, S.; Boccippio, D.; Driscoll, K.

1999-01-01

Simultaneous radar (13.8 Ghz) and lightning (Lightning Imaging Sensor) observations from the NASA TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission) spacecraft afford a new opportunity to examine differences in tropical continental and oceanic convection on a global basis, The 250 meter vertical resolution of the radar data and the approximately 17 dBZ sensitivity are well suited to providing vertical profiles of radar reflectivity over the entire tropical belt. The reflectivity profile has been shown in numerous local ground-based studies to be a good indicator of both updraft velocity and electrical activity. The radar and lightning observations for multiple satellite orbits have been integrated to produce global CAPPI's for various altitudes. At 7 km altitude, where mixed phase microphysics is known to be active, the mean reflectivity in continental convection is 10-15 dB greater than the value in oceanic convection. These results provide a sound physical basis for the order-of-magnitude contrast in lightning counts between continental and oceanic convection. These observations still beg the question, however, about the contrast in updraft velocity in these distinct convective regimes.

Cloud, Aerosol, and Complex Terrain Interactions (CACTI) Preliminary Science Plan

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Varble, Adam; Nesbitt, Steve; Salio, Paola

General circulation models and downscaled regional models exhibit persistent biases in deep convective initiation location and timing, cloud top height, stratiform area and precipitation fraction, and anvil coverage. Despite important impacts on the distribution of atmospheric heating, moistening, and momentum, nearly all climate models fail to represent convective organization, while system evolution is not represented at all. Improving representation of convective systems in models requires characterization of their predictability as a function of environmental conditions, and this characterization depends on observing many cases of convective initiation, non-initiation, organization, and non-organization. The Cloud, Aerosol, and Complex Terrain Interactions (CACTI) experiment inmore » the Sierras de Córdoba mountain range of north-central Argentina is designed to improve understanding of cloud life cycle and organization in relation to environmental conditions so that cumulus, microphysics, and aerosol parameterizations in multi-scale models can be improved. The Sierras de Córdoba range has a high frequency of orographic boundary-layer clouds, many reaching congestus depths, many initiating into deep convection, and some organizing into mesoscale systems uniquely observable from a single fixed site. Some systems even grow upscale to become among the deepest, largest, and longest-lived in the world. These systems likely contribute to an observed regional trend of increasing extreme rainfall, and poor prediction of them likely contributes to a warm, dry bias in climate models downstream of the Sierras de Córdoba range in a key agricultural region. Many environmental factors influence the convective lifecycle in this region including orographic, low-level jet, and frontal circulations, surface fluxes, synoptic vertical motions influenced by the Andes, cloud detrainment, and aerosol properties. Local and long-range transport of smoke resulting from biomass burning as well as blowing dust are common in the austral spring, while changes in land surface properties as the wet season progresses impact surface fluxes and boundary layer evolution on daily and seasonal time scales that feed back to cloud and rainfall generation. This range of environmental conditions and cloud properties coupled with a high frequency of events makes this an ideal location for improving our understanding of cloud-environment interactions. The following primary science questions will be addressed through coordinated first ARM Mobile Facility (AMF1), mobile C-band Scanning ARM Precipitation Radar (C-SAPR2), guest instrumentation, and potential ARM Aerial Facility (AAF) Gulfstream-1 (G-1) observations: 1. How are the properties and lifecycles of orographically generated cumulus humulis, mediocris, and congestus clouds affected by environmental kinematics, thermodynamics, aerosols, and surface properties? How do these cloud types alter these environmental conditions? 2. How do environmental kinematics, thermodynamics, and aerosols impact deep convective initiation, upscale growth, and mesoscale organization? How are soil moisture, surface fluxes, and aerosol properties altered by deep convective precipitation events and seasonal accumulation of precipitation? This multi-faceted experiment involves a long term 8.5-month Extended Observing Period (EOP, 15 August, 2018-30 April, 2019) as well as a 6-week Intensive Observation Period (IOP, 1 November-15 December) that will coincide with the international multi-agency RELAMPAGO field campaign.« less

Evidence of Active MHD Instability in EULAG-MHD Simulations of Solar Convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lawson, Nicolas; Strugarek, Antoine; Charbonneau, Paul

2015-11-01

We investigate the possible development of magnetohydrodynamical instabilities in the EULAG-MHD “millennium simulation” of Passos & Charbonneau. This simulation sustains a large-scale magnetic cycle characterized by solar-like polarity reversals taking place on a regular multidecadal cadence, and in which zonally oriented bands of strong magnetic fields accumulate below the convective layers, in response to turbulent pumping from above in successive magnetic half-cycles. Key aspects of this simulation include low numerical dissipation and a strongly sub-adiabatic fluid layer underlying the convectively unstable layers corresponding to the modeled solar convection zone. These properties are conducive to the growth and development of two-dimensional instabilities that are otherwise suppressed by stronger dissipation. We find evidence for the action of a non-axisymmetric magnetoshear instability operating in the upper portions of the stably stratified fluid layers. We also investigate the possibility that the Tayler instability may be contributing to the destabilization of the large-scale axisymmetric magnetic component at high latitudes. On the basis of our analyses, we propose a global dynamo scenario whereby the magnetic cycle is driven primarily by turbulent dynamo action in the convecting layers, but MHD instabilities accelerate the dissipation of the magnetic field pumped down into the overshoot and stable layers, thus perhaps significantly influencing the magnetic cycle period. Support for this scenario is found in the distinct global dynamo behaviors observed in an otherwise identical EULAG-MHD simulations, using a different degree of sub-adiabaticity in the stable fluid layers underlying the convection zone.

A novel consistent and well-balanced algorithm for simulations of multiphase flows on unstructured grids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patel, Jitendra Kumar; Natarajan, Ganesh

2017-12-01

We discuss the development and assessment of a robust numerical algorithm for simulating multiphase flows with complex interfaces and high density ratios on arbitrary polygonal meshes. The algorithm combines the volume-of-fluid method with an incremental projection approach for incompressible multiphase flows in a novel hybrid staggered/non-staggered framework. The key principles that characterise the algorithm are the consistent treatment of discrete mass and momentum transport and the similar discretisation of force terms appearing in the momentum equation. The former is achieved by invoking identical schemes for convective transport of volume fraction and momentum in the respective discrete equations while the latter is realised by representing the gravity and surface tension terms as gradients of suitable scalars which are then discretised in identical fashion resulting in a balanced formulation. The hybrid staggered/non-staggered framework employed herein solves for the scalar normal momentum at the cell faces, while the volume fraction is computed at the cell centroids. This is shown to naturally lead to similar terms for pressure and its correction in the momentum and pressure correction equations respectively, which are again treated discretely in a similar manner. We show that spurious currents that corrupt the solution may arise both from an unbalanced formulation where forces (gravity and surface tension) are discretised in dissimilar manner and from an inconsistent approach where different schemes are used to convect the mass and momentum, with the latter prominent in flows which are convection-dominant with high density ratios. Interestingly, the inconsistent approach is shown to perform as well as the consistent approach even for high density ratio flows in some cases while it exhibits anomalous behaviour for other scenarios, even at low density ratios. Using a plethora of test problems of increasing complexity, we conclusively demonstrate that the consistent transport and balanced force treatment results in a numerically stable solution procedure and physically consistent results. The algorithm proposed in this study qualifies as a robust approach to simulate multiphase flows with high density ratios on unstructured meshes and may be realised in existing flow solvers with relative ease.

The Characterization of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Depth and Turbulence in a Mixed Rural and Urban Convective Environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hicks, Micheal M.

A comprehensive analysis of surface-atmosphere flux exchanges over a mixed rural and urban convective environment is conducted at Howard University Beltsville, MD Research Campus. This heterogeneous site consists of rural, suburban and industrial surface covers to its south, east and west, within a 2 km radius of a flux sensor. The eddy covariance method is utilized to estimate surface-atmosphere flux exchanges of momentum, heat and moisture. The attributes of these surface flux exchanges are contrasted to those of classical homogeneous sites and assessed for accuracy, to evaluate the following: (I) their similarity to conventional convective boundary layer (CBL) processes and (II) their representativeness of the surrounding environment's turbulent properties. Both evaluations are performed as a function of upwind surface conditions. In particular, the flux estimates' obedience to spectrum power laws and similarity theory relationships is used for performing the first evaluation, and their ability to close the surface energy balance and accurately model CBL heights is used for the latter. An algorithm that estimates atmospheric boundary layer heights from observed lidar extinction backscatter was developed, tested and applied in this study. The derived lidar based CBL heights compared well with those derived from balloon borne soundings, with an overall Pearson correlation coefficient and standard deviation of 0.85 and 223 m, respectively. This algorithm assisted in the evaluation of the response of CBL processes to surface heterogeneity, by deriving high temporal CBL heights and using them as independent references of the surrounding area averaged sensible heat fluxes. This study found that the heterogeneous site under evaluation was rougher than classical homogeneous sites, with slower dissipation rates of turbulent kinetic energy. Flux measurements downwind of the industrial complexes exhibited enhanced efficiency in surface-atmosphere momentum, heat, and moisture transport relative to their similarity theory predictions. In addition, these enhanced heat flux estimates ingested into the CBL slab model overestimated observed CBL heights. More spatial flux observations are needed to better understand the role that the industrial complexes are playing in enhancing the efficiency of turbulent processes, which may have important implications on the role humans are assuming in regional climate change.

MODELING THE RISE OF FIBRIL MAGNETIC FIELDS IN FULLY CONVECTIVE STARS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Weber, Maria A.; Browning, Matthew K., E-mail: mweber@astro.ex.ac.uk

Many fully convective stars exhibit a wide variety of surface magnetism, including starspots and chromospheric activity. The manner by which bundles of magnetic field traverse portions of the convection zone to emerge at the stellar surface is not especially well understood. In the solar context, some insight into this process has been gleaned by regarding the magnetism as consisting partly of idealized thin flux tubes (TFTs). Here we present the results of a large set of TFT simulations in a rotating spherical domain of convective flows representative of a 0.3 M {sub ⊙} main-sequence star. This is the first studymore » to investigate how individual flux tubes in such a star might rise under the combined influence of buoyancy, convection, and differential rotation. A time-dependent hydrodynamic convective flow field, taken from separate 3D simulations calculated with the anelastic equations, impacts the flux tube as it rises. Convective motions modulate the shape of the initially buoyant flux ring, promoting localized rising loops. Flux tubes in fully convective stars have a tendency to rise nearly parallel to the rotation axis. However, the presence of strong differential rotation allows some initially low-latitude flux tubes of moderate strength to develop rising loops that emerge in the near-equatorial region. Magnetic pumping suppresses the global rise of the flux tube most efficiently in the deeper interior and at lower latitudes. The results of these simulations aim to provide a link between dynamo-generated magnetic fields, fluid motions, and observations of starspots for fully convective stars.« less

Analysis and modeling of tropical convection observed by CYGNSS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lang, T. J.; Li, X.; Roberts, J. B.; Mecikalski, J. R.

2017-12-01

The Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) is a multi-satellite constellation that utilizes Global Positioning System (GPS) reflectometry to retrieve near-surface wind speeds over the ocean. While CYGNSS is primarily aimed at measuring wind speeds in tropical cyclones, our research has established that the mission may also provide valuable insight into the relationships between wind-driven surface fluxes and general tropical oceanic convection. Currently, we are examining organized tropical convection using a mixture of CYGNSS level 1 through level 3 data, IMERG (Integrated Multi-satellite Retrievals for Global Precipitation Measurement), and other ancillary datasets (including buoys, GPM level 1 and 2 data, as well as ground-based radar). In addition, observing system experiments (OSEs) are being performed using hybrid three-dimensional variational assimilation to ingest CYGNSS observations into a limited-domain, convection-resolving model. Our focus for now is on case studies of convective evolution, but we will also report on progress toward statistical analysis of convection sampled by CYGNSS. Our working hypothesis is that the typical mature phase of organized tropical convection is marked by the development of a sharp gust-front boundary from an originally spatially broader but weaker wind speed change associated with precipitation. This increase in the wind gradient, which we demonstrate is observable by CYGNSS, likely helps to focus enhanced turbulent fluxes of convection-sustaining heat and moisture near the leading edge of the convective system where they are more easily ingested by the updraft. Progress on the testing and refinement of this hypothesis, using a mixture of observations and modeling, will be reported.

Impact of chemical reaction in fully developed radiated mixed convective flow between two rotating disk

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hayat, T.; Khan, M. Waleed Ahmed; Khan, M. Ijaz; Waqas, M.; Alsaedi, A.

2018-06-01

Flow of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) viscous fluid between two rotating disks is modeled. Angular velocities of two disks are different. Flow is investigated for nonlinear mixed convection. Heat transfer is analyzed for nonlinear thermal radiation and heat generation/absorption. Chemical reaction is also implemented. Convective conditions of heat and mass transfer are studied. Transformations used lead to reduction of PDEs into the ODEs. The impacts of important physical variables like Prandtl number, Reynold number, Hartman number, mixed convection parameter, chemical reaction and Schmidt number on velocities, temperature and concentration are elaborated. In addition velocity and temperature gradients are physically interpreted. Our obtained results indicate that radial, axial and tangential velocities decrease for higher estimation of Hartman number.

Gravity wave initiated convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hung, R. J.

1990-09-01

The vertical velocity of convection initiated by gravity waves was investigated. In one particular case, the convective motion-initiated and supported by the gravity wave-induced activity (excluding contributions made by other mechanisms) reached its maximum value about one hour before the production of the funnel clouds. In another case, both rawinsonde and geosynchronous satellite imagery were used to study the life cycles of severe convective storms. Cloud modelling with input sounding data and rapid-scan imagery from GOES were used to investigate storm cloud formation, development and dissipation in terms of growth and collapse of cloud tops, as well as, the life cycles of the penetration of overshooting turrets above the tropopause. The results based on these two approaches are presented and discussed.

Convective heat transfer around vertical jet fires: an experimental study.

PubMed

Kozanoglu, Bulent; Zárate, Luis; Gómez-Mares, Mercedes; Casal, Joaquim

2011-12-15

The convection heat transfer phenomenon in vertical jet fires was experimentally analyzed. In these experiments, turbulent propane flames were generated in subsonic as well as sonic regimes. The experimental data demonstrated that the rate of convection heat transfer increases by increasing the length of the flame. Assuming the solid flame model, the convection heat transfer coefficient was calculated. Two equations in terms of adimensional numbers were developed. It was found out that the Nusselt number attains greater values for higher values of the Rayleigh and Reynolds numbers. On the other hand, the Froude number was analyzed only for the subsonic flames where the Nusselt number grows by this number and the diameter of the orifice. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Changes in Stratiform Clouds of Mesoscale Convective Complex Introduced by Dust Aerosols

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lin, B.; Min, Q.-L.; Li, R.

2010-01-01

Aerosols influence the earth s climate through direct, indirect, and semi-direct effects. There are large uncertainties in quantifying these effects due to limited measurements and observations of aerosol-cloud-precipitation interactions. As a major terrestrial source of atmospheric aerosols, dusts may serve as a significant climate forcing for the changing climate because of its effect on solar and thermal radiation as well as on clouds and precipitation processes. Latest satellites measurements enable us to determine dust aerosol loadings and cloud distributions and can potentially be used to reduce the uncertainties in the estimations of aerosol effects on climate. This study uses sensors on various satellites to investigate the impact of mineral dust on cloud microphysical and precipitation processes in mesoscale convective complex (MCC). A trans-Atlantic dust outbreak of Saharan origin occurring in early March 2004 is considered. For the observed MCCs under a given convective strength, small hydrometeors were found more prevalent in the dusty stratiform regions than in those regions that were dust free. Evidence of abundant cloud ice particles in the dust regions, particularly at altitudes where heterogeneous nucleation of mineral dust prevails, further supports the observed changes of clouds and precipitation. The consequences of the microphysical effects of the dust aerosols were to shift the size spectrum of precipitation-sized hydrometeors from heavy precipitation to light precipitation and ultimately to suppress precipitation and increase the lifecycle of cloud systems, especially over stratiform areas.

Modelling of a Convecting, Crystallizing, and Replenished Diopside-Anorthite Axial Magma Chamber beneath Mid Ocean Ridges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lowell, R. P.; Lata, C.

2016-12-01

The aim of this work is to model heat output from a cooling, convective, crystallizing, and replenished basaltic magma sill, representing an axial magma lens (AML) at mid oceanic ridges. As a simplified version of basaltic melt, we have assumed the melt to be a two-component eutectic system composed of diopside and anorthite. Convective vigor is expressed through the Rayleigh number and heat flux is scaled through a classical relationship between the Rayleigh number and Nusselt number, where the temperature difference driving the convective heat flux is derived from a "viscous" temperature scale reflecting the strong temperature dependent viscosity of the system. Viscosity is modeled as a function of melt composition and temperature using the Tammann-Vogel-Fulcher equation, with parameters fit to the values of observed viscosities along the diopside-anorthite liquidus. It was observed for the un-replenished case, in which crystals fall rapidly to the floor of the AML, model results show that the higher initial concentration of diopside, the more vigorous the convection and the faster the rate of crystallization and decay of heat output. Replenishment of the AML accompanied by modest thickening of the melt layer stabilizes the heat output at values similar to those observed at ridge-axis hydrothermal systems. This study is an important step forward in quantitative understanding of thermal evolution of the axial magma lens at a mid-ocean ridge and the corresponding effect on high-temperature hydrothermal systems. Future work could involve improved replenishment mechanisms, more complex melts, and direct coupling with hydrothermal circulation models.

Practical Application of Finite Element Analysis to Aircraft Structural Design

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-08-01

at the design stage AEROELASTICITE ET OPTIMISATION EN AVANT-PROJET (AA)PETIAU, C; (AB) BOUTIN , D. Avions Marcel Dassault-Breguet Aviation, Saint...Interscience, 1981, p. 431-443. 810000 p. 13 refs 8 In: EN (English) p. 2018 The design complexity and size of convectively-cooled engine and airframe

SIMULATION OF WIND FIELDS OVER POINT ARGUELLO, CALIFORNIA, BY WIND-TUNNEL FLOW OVER A TOPOGRAPHIC MODEL.

DTIC Science & Technology

decay rates for diffusing tracers. The data revealed that a laminar laboratory flow may be used to simulate a turbulent field flow under conditions of...stable thermal stratification and complex terrain. In such flow conditions, diffusion is dominated by convective dispersion. (Author)

The Role of Intraseasonal Variability in Supporting the Shallow-to-Deep Transition in the Amazon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Serra, Y. L.; Rowe, A.; Adams, D. K.; Barbosa, H. M.; Kiladis, G. N.

2016-12-01

The shallow-to-deep convective transition over land typically refers to the growth of the convective boundary layer after sunrise, followed by the development of cumulus congestus clouds in the late morning/early afternoon and transitioning to deep convective clouds in the late afternoon and early evening. Under favorable conditions, this diurnal convection can result in organized mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) that last through the following morning. While many studies have focused on improving this process in models, the shallow-to-deep transition remains poorly represented especially over land. The recent DOE ARM mobile facility deployment in the Amazon, launched as part of GOAmazon, along with a dense GNSS network supported by Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA)/Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE) and co-located with the CHUVA Project sites for GOAmazon, are used here to examine land-based convective processes in the tropics. In particular, this aspect of a larger study of the shallow-to-deep transition explores the role of large-scale intraseasonal wave activity in supporting the growth of MCSs over the GoAmazon region. These results will be placed in the context of local forcing mechanisms for convective growth over the region in ongoing work.

Numerical study of compressible magnetoconvection with an open transitional boundary

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hanami, H.; Tajima, T.

1990-08-01

We study by computer simulation nonlinear evolution of magnetoconvection in a system with a dynamical open boundary between the convection region and corona of the sun. We study a model in which the fluid is subject to the vertical gravitation, magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), and high stratification, through an MHD code with the MacCormack-Donner cell hybrid scheme in order to well represent convective phenomena. Initially the vertical fluid flux penetrates from the convectively unstable zone at the bottom into the upper diffuse atmosphere. As the instability develops, the magnetic fields are twisted by the convection motion and the folding magnetic fields ismore » observed. When the magnetic pressure is comparable to the thermal pressure in the upper layer of convective zone, strong flux expulsion from the convective cell interior toward the cell boundary appears. Under appropriate conditions our simulation exhibits no shock formation incurred by the fluid convected to the photosphere, in contrast to earlier works with box boundaries. The magnetic field patterns observed are those of concentrated magnetic flux tubes, accumulation of dynamo flux near the bottom boundary, pinched flux near the downdraft region, and the surface movement of magnetic flux toward the downdraft region. Many of these computationally observed features are reminiscent of solar observations of the fluid and magnetic structures of their motions.« less

Astrobiological and Geological Implications of Convective Transport in Icy Outer Planet Satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pappalardo, Robert T.; Zhong, Shi-Jie; Barr, Amy

2005-01-01

The oceans of large icy outer planet satellites are prime targets in the search for extraterrestrial life in our solar system. The goal of our project has been to develop models of ice convection in order to understand convection as an astrobiologically relevant transport mechanism within icy satellites, especially Europa. These models provide valuable constraints on modes of surface deformation and thus the implications of satellite surface geology for astrobiology, and for planetary protection. Over the term of this project, significant progress has been made in three areas: (1) the initiation of convection in large icy satellites, which we find probably requires tidal heating; (2) the relationship of surface features on Europa to internal ice convection, including the likely role of low-melting-temperature impurities; and (3) the effectiveness of convection as an agent of icy satellite surface-ocean material exchange, which seems most plausible if tidal heating, compositional buoyancy, and solid-state convection work in combination. Descriptions of associated publications include: 3 published papers (including contributions to 1 review chapter), 1 manuscript in revision, 1 manuscript in preparation (currently being completed under separate funding), and 1 published popular article. A myriad of conference abstracts have also been published, and only those from the past year are listed.

Prediction and rational correlation of thermophoretically reduced particle mass transfer to hot surfaces across laminar or turbulent forced-convection gas boundary layers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gokoglu, Suleyman A.; Rosner, Daniel E.

1986-01-01

A formulation previously developed to predict and correlate the thermophoretically-augmented submicron particle mass transfer rate to cold surfaces is found to account for the thermophoretically reduced particle mass transfer rate to overheated surfaces such that thermophoresis brings about a 10-decade reduction below the convective mass transfer rate expected by pure Brownian diffusion and convection alone. Thermophoretic blowing is shown to produce effects on particle concentration boundary-layer (BL) structure and wall mass transfer rates similar to those produced by real blowing through a porous wall. The applicability of the correlations to developing BL-situations is demonstrated by a numerical example relevant to wet-steam technology.

Shallow to Deep Convection Transition over a Heterogeneous Land Surface Using the Land Model Coupled Large-Eddy Simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, J.; Zhang, Y.; Klein, S. A.

2017-12-01

The triggering of the land breeze, and hence the development of deep convection over heterogeneous land should be understood as a consequence of the complex processes involving various factors from land surface and atmosphere simultaneously. That is a sub-grid scale process that many large-scale models have difficulty incorporating it into the parameterization scheme partly due to lack of our understanding. Thus, it is imperative that we approach the problem using a high-resolution modeling framework. In this study, we use SAM-SLM (Lee and Khairoutdinov, 2015), a large-eddy simulation model coupled to a land model, to explore the cloud effect such as cold pool, the cloud shading and the soil moisture memory on the land breeze structure and the further development of cloud and precipitation over a heterogeneous land surface. The atmospheric large scale forcing and the initial sounding are taken from the new composite case study of the fair-weather, non-precipitating shallow cumuli at ARM SGP (Zhang et al., 2017). We model the land surface as a chess board pattern with alternating leaf area index (LAI). The patch contrast of the LAI is adjusted to encompass the weak to strong heterogeneity amplitude. The surface sensible- and latent heat fluxes are computed according to the given LAI representing the differential surface heating over a heterogeneous land surface. Separate from the surface forcing imposed from the originally modeled surface, the cases that transition into the moist convection can induce another layer of the surface heterogeneity from the 1) radiation shading by clouds, 2) adjusted soil moisture pattern by the rain, 3) spreading cold pool. First, we assess and quantifies the individual cloud effect on the land breeze and the moist convection under the weak wind to simplify the feedback processes. And then, the same set of experiments is repeated under sheared background wind with low level jet, a typical summer time wind pattern at ARM SGP site, to account for more realistic situations. Our goal is to assist answering the question: "Do the sub-grid scale land surface heterogeneity matter for the weather and climate modeling?" This work performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344. LLNL-ABS- 736011.

GPM SLH: Convective Latent Heating Estimated with GPM Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takayabu, Y. N.; Hamada, A.; Yokoyama, C.; Ikuta, Y.; Shige, S.; Yamaji, M.; Kubota, T.

2017-12-01

Three dimensional diabatic heating distribution plays essential roles to determine large-scale circulation, as well as to generate mesoscale circulation associated with tropical convection (e.g. Hartmann et al., 1984; Houze et al. 1982). For mid-latitude systems also, diabatic heating contributes to generate PVs resulting in, for example, explosive intensifications of mid-lattitude storms (Boettcher and Wernli, 2011). Previously, with TRMM PR data, we developed a Spectral Latent Heating algorithm (SLH; Shige et al. 2004, etc.) for 36N-36S region. It was based on the spectral LH tables produced from a simulation utilizing the Goddard Cloud Ensemble Model forced with the TOGA-COARE data. With GPM DPR, the observation region is extended to 65N-65S. Here, we introduce a new version of SLH algorithm which is applicable also to the mid-latitude precipitation. A new global GPM SLH ver.5 product is released as one of NASA/JAXA GPM standard products on July 11, 2017. For GPM SLH mid-latitude algorithm, we employ the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)'s high resolution (horizontally 2km) Local Forecast Model (LFM) to construct the LUTs. With collaborations of JMA's forecast group, forecast data for 8 extratropical cyclone cases are collected and utilized. For mid-latitude precipitation, we have to deal with large temperature gradients and complex relationship between the freezing level and cloud base levels. LUTs are constructed for LH, Q1-QR, and Q2 (Yanai et al. 1973), for six different precipitation types: Convective and shallow stratiform LUTs are made against precipitation top heights. For deep stratiform and other precipitation, LUTs are made against maximum precipitation to handle the unknown cloud-bases. Finally, three-dimensional convective latent heating is retrieved, utilizing the LUTs and precipitation profile data from GPM 2AKu. We can confirm that retrieved LH looks very similar to simulated LH, for a consistency check. We also confirm a good continuities of mean LH distributions between tropics and mid-latitudes in horizontal as well as in vertical. Further analysis results will also be presented. Acknowledgments: This research was supported by JAXA PMM RA8 and the Environment Research and Technology Development Fund (2-1503) of Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency.

Statistical Characteristics of Mesoscale Convective Systems over the Middle Reaches area of the Yellow River During 2005-2014

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Guixiang

2017-04-01

Based on the hourly TBB and cloud images of FY-2E, meteorological observation data, and NCEP reanalysis data with 1°×1° spatial resolution from May to October during 2005-2014, the climatic characteristics of mesoscale convective systems (MCS) over the middle reaches area of the Yellow River were analyzed, including mesoscale convective complex (MCC), persistent elongated convective systems (PECS), meso-βscale MCC (MβCCS) and Meso-βscale PECS (MβECS). The results are as follows: (1) MCS tended to occur over the middle and south of Gansu, the middle and south of Shanxi, the middle and north of Shaanxi, and the border of Shanxi, Shaanxi and Inner Mongolia. MCS over the middle reaches area of the Yellow River formed in May to October, and was easy to develop the mature in summer. MCC and MβECS were main MCS causing precipitation in summer. (2) The daily variation of MCS was obvious, and usually formed and matured in the afternoon and the evening to early morning of the next day. Most MCS generated fast and dissipated slowly, and were mainly move to the easterly and southeasterly, but the moving of round shape MCS was less than the elongated shape's. (3) The average TBB for the round shape MCS was lower than the elongated shape MCS. The development of MCC was most vigorous and strong, and it was the strongest in August, while that of MβECS wasn't obviously influenced by the seasonal change. The average eccentricity of the mature MCC and PECS over the middle reaches area of the Yellow River was greater than that in USA, and the former was greater than in the lower reaches area of the Yellow River, while the latter was smaller. (4) The characteristics of rainfall caused by MCS were complex over the middle reaches area of the Yellow River, and there were obvious regional difference. There was wider, stronger and longer precipitation when the multiple MCS merged. The rainfall in the center of cloud area was obviously greater than in other region of cloud area. The heavy rain mainly occurred in the left and backward quadrant of MCS. The most precipitation intensity of MCS was generally greater than 50 mm•h-1. The ratios of rain areas and cloud areas for the different types and regions MCS were significantly different. (5) There were obvious inter-annual variation characteristics of MCS. The number of MCS was more in 2011 and less in 2009 than the normal year, and the circulation situation in 2011 was nearly opposite to 2009, which were related not only to the subtropical high, geopotential height anomaly on 500 hPa in the middle latitude and transportation and gather of warm and moisture airflow in lower layer but also to the cold vortex systems on 500 hPa.

Model unification and scale-adaptivity in the Eddy-Diffusivity Mass-Flux (EDMF) approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neggers, R.; Siebesma, P.

2011-12-01

It has long been understood that the turbulent-convective transport of heat, moisture and momentum plays an important role in the dynamics and climate of the earth's atmosphere. Accordingly, the representation of these processes in General Circulation Models (GCMs) has always been an active research field. Turbulence and convection act on temporal and spatial scales that are unresolved by most present-day GCMs, and have to be represented through parametric relations. Over the years a variety of schemes has been successfully developed. Although differing widely in their details, only two basic transport models stand at the basis of most of these schemes. The first is the diffusive transport model, which can only act down-gradient. An example is the turbulent mixing at small scales. The second is the advective transport model, which can act both down-gradient and counter-gradient. A good example is the transport of heat and moisture by convective updrafts that overshoot into stable layers of air. In practice, diffusive models often make use of a K-profile method or a prognostic TKE budget, while advective models make use of a rising (and entraining) plume budget. While most transport schemes classicaly apply either the diffusive model or advective model, the relatively recently introduced Eddy-Diffusivity Mass-Flux (EDMF) approach aims to combine both techniques. By applying advection and diffusion simultaneously, one can make use of the benefits of both approaches. Since its emergence about a decade ago, the EDMF approach has been successfully applied in both research and operational circulation models. This presentation is dedicated to the EDMF framework. Apart from a short introduction to the EDMF concept and a short overview of its current implementations, our main goal is to elaborate on the opportunities EDMF brings in addressing some long-standing problems in the parameterization of turbulent-convective transport. The first problem is the need for a unified approach in the parameterization of distinct transport regimes. The main objections to a separate representation of regimes are i) artificially discrete regime-transitions, and ii) superfluous and intransparent coding. For a unified approach we need to establish what complexity is sufficient to achieve general applicability. We argue that adding only little complexity already enables the standard EDMF framework to represent multiple boundary-layer transport regimes and smooth transitions between those. The second long-standing problem is that the ever increasing computational capacity and speed has lead to increasingly fine discretizations in GCMs, which requires scale-adaptivity in a sub-grid transport model. It is argued that a flexible partitioning between advection and diffusion within EDMF, as well as the potential to introduce stochastic elements in the advective part of EDMF, creates opportunities to introduce such adaptivity. In the final part of the presentation we will attempt to give an overview of currently ongoing developments of the EDMF framework, both concerning model formulation as well as evaluation efforts of key assumptions against observational datasets and large-eddy simulation results.

Airborne measurements of turbulent trace gas fluxes and analysis of eddy structure in the convective boundary layer over complex terrain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hasel, M.; Kottmeier, Ch.; Corsmeier, U.; Wieser, A.

2005-03-01

Using the new high-frequency measurement equipment of the research aircraft DO 128, which is described in detail, turbulent vertical fluxes of ozone and nitric oxide have been calculated from data sampled during the ESCOMPTE program in the south of France. Based on airborne turbulence measurements, radiosonde data and surface energy balance measurements, the convective boundary layer (CBL) is examined under two different aspects. The analysis covers boundary-layer convection with respect to (i) the control of CBL depth by surface heating and synoptic scale influences, and (ii) the structure of convective plumes and their vertical transport of ozone and nitric oxides. The orographic structure of the terrain causes significant differences between planetary boundary layer (PBL) heights, which are found to exceed those of terrain height variations on average. A comparison of boundary-layer flux profiles as well as mean quantities over flat and complex terrain and also under different pollution situations and weather conditions shows relationships between vertical gradients and corresponding turbulent fluxes. Generally, NO x transports are directed upward independent of the terrain, since primary emission sources are located near the ground. For ozone, negative fluxes are common in the lower CBL in accordance with the deposition of O 3 at the surface. The detailed structure of thermals, which largely carry out vertical transports in the boundary layer, are examined with a conditional sampling technique. Updrafts mostly contain warm, moist and NO x loaded air, while the ozone transport by thermals alternates with the background ozone gradient. Evidence for handover processes of trace gases to the free atmosphere can be found in the case of existing gradients across the boundary-layer top. An analysis of the size of eddies suggests the possibility of some influence of the heterogeneous terrain in mountainous area on the length scales of eddies.

Tranpsort phenomena in solidification processing of functionally graded materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Juwen

A combined numerical and experimental study of the transport phenomena during solidification processing of metal matrix composite functionally graded materials (FGMs) is conducted in this work. A multiphase transport model for the solidification of metal-matrix composite FGMs has been developed that accounts for macroscopic particle segregation due to liquid-particle flow and particle-solid interactions. An experimental study has also been conducted to gain physical insight as well as to validate the model. A novel method to in-situ measure the particle volume fraction using fiber optic probes is developed for transparent analogue solidification systems. The model is first applied to one-dimensional pure matrix FGM solidification under gravity or centrifugal field and is extensively validated against the experimental results. The mechanisms for the formation of particle concentration gradient are identified. Two-dimensional solidification of pure matrix FGM with convection is then studied using the model as well as experiments. The interaction among convection flow, solidification process and the particle transport is demonstrated. The results show the importance of convection in the particle concentration gradient formation. Then, simulations for alloy FGM solidification are carried out for unidirectional solidification as well as two-dimensional solidification with convection. The interplay among heat and species transport, convection and particle motion is investigated. Finally, future theoretical and experimental work is outlined.

Steady-state solidification of aqueous ammonium chloride

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peppin, S. S. L.; Huppert, Herbert E.; Worster, M. Grae

We report on a series of experiments in which a Hele-Shaw cell containing aqueous solutions of NH4Cl was translated at prescribed rates through a steady temperature gradient. The salt formed the primary solid phase of a mushy layer as the solution solidified, with the salt-depleted residual fluid driving buoyancy-driven convection and the development of chimneys in the mushy layer. Depending on the operating conditions, several morphological transitions occurred. A regime diagram is presented quantifying these transitions as a function of freezing rate and the initial concentration of the solution. In general, for a given concentration, increasing the freezing rate caused the steady-state system to change from a convecting mushy layer with chimneys to a non-convecting mushy layer below a relatively quiescent liquid, and then to a much thinner mushy layer separated from the liquid by a region of active secondary nucleation. At higher initial concentrations the second of these states did not occur. At lower concentrations, but still above the eutectic, the mushy layer disappeared. A simple mathematical model of the system is developed which compares well with the experimental measurements of the intermediate, non-convecting state and serves as a benchmark against which to understand some of the effects of convection. Movies are available with the online version of the paper.

Data Analysis and Non-local Parametrization Strategies for Organized Atmospheric Convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brenowitz, Noah D.

The intrinsically multiscale nature of moist convective processes in the atmosphere complicates scientific understanding, and, as a result, current coarse-resolution climate models poorly represent convective variability in the tropics. This dissertation addresses this problem by 1) studying new cumulus convective closures in a pair of idealized models for tropical moist convection, and 2) developing innovative strategies for analyzing high-resolution numerical simulations of organized convection. The first two chapters of this dissertation revisit a historical controversy about the use of convective closures based on the large-scale wind field or moisture convergence. In the first chapter, a simple coarse resolution stochastic model for convective inhibition is designed which includes the non-local effects of wind-convergence on convective activity. This model is designed to replicate the convective dynamics of a typical coarse-resolution climate prediction model. The non-local convergence coupling is motivated by the phenomena of gregarious convection, whereby mesoscale convective systems emit gravity waves which can promote convection at a distant locations. Linearized analysis and nonlinear simulations show that this convergence coupling allows for increased interaction between cumulus convection and the large-scale circulation, but does not suffer from the deleterious behavior of traditional moisture-convergence closures. In the second chapter, the non-local convergence coupling idea is extended to an idealized stochastic multicloud model. This model allows for stochastic transitions between three distinct cloud types, and non-local convergence coupling is most beneficial when applied to the transition from shallow to deep convection. This is consistent with recent observational and numerical modeling evidence, and there is a growing body of work highlighting the importance of this transition in tropical meteorology. In a series of idealized Walker cell simulations, convergence coupling enhances the persistence of Kelvin wave analogs in dry regions of the domain while leaving the dynamics in moist regions largely unaltered. The final chapter of this dissertation presents a technique for analyzing the variability of a direct numerical simulation of Rayleigh-Benard convection at large aspect ratio, which is a basic prototype of convective organization. High resolution numerical models are an invaluable tool for studying atmospheric dynamics, but modern data analysis techniques struggle with the extreme size of the model outputs and the trivial symmetries of the underlying dynamical systems (e.g. shift-invariance). A new data analysis approach which is invariant to spatial symmetries is derived by combining a quasi-Lagrangian description of the data, time-lagged embedding, and manifold learning techniques. The quasi-Lagrangian description is obtained by a straightforward isothermal binning procedure, which compresses the data in a dynamically-aware fashion. A small number of orthogonal modes returned by this algorithm are able to explain the highly intermittent dynamics of the bulk heat transfer, as quantified by the Nusselt Number.

Theory of electrohydrodynamic instabilities in electrolytic cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bruinsma, R.; Alexander, S.

1990-01-01

The paper develops the theory of the hydrodynamic stability of an electrolytic cell as a function of the imposed electric current. A new electrohydrodynamic instability is encountered when the current is forced to exceed the Nernst limit. The convection is driven by the volume force exerted by the electric field on space charges in the electrolyte. This intrinsic instability is found to be easily masked by extrinsic convection sources such as gravity or stirring. A linear stability analysis is performed and a dimensionless number Le is derived whose value determines the convection pattern.

Finite element procedures for time-dependent convection-diffusion-reaction systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tezduyar, T. E.; Park, Y. J.; Deans, H. A.

1988-01-01

New finite element procedures based on the streamline-upwind/Petrov-Galerkin formulations are developed for time-dependent convection-diffusion-reaction equations. These procedures minimize spurious oscillations for convection-dominated and reaction-dominated problems. The results obtained for representative numerical examples are accurate with minimal oscillations. As a special application problem, the single-well chemical tracer test (a procedure for measuring oil remaining in a depleted field) is simulated numerically. The results show the importance of temperature effects on the interpreted value of residual oil saturation from such tests.

Analysis of Summer Thunderstorms in Central Alabama Using the NASA Land Information System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

James, Robert; Case, Jonathan; Molthan, Andrew; Jedloved, Gary

2010-01-01

Forecasters have difficulty predicting "random" afternoon thunderstorms during the summer months. Differences in soil characteristics could be a contributing factor for storms. The NASA Land Information System (LIS) may assist forecasters in predicting summer convection by identifying boundaries in land characteristics. This project identified case dates during the summer of 2009 by analyzing synoptic weather maps, radar, and satellite data to look for weak atmospheric forcing and disorganized convective development. Boundaries in land characteristics that may have lead to convective initiation in central Alabama were then identified using LIS.

NEW DEVELOPMENT IN DISPERSION EXPERIMENTS AND MODELS FOR THE CONVECTIVE BOUNDARY LAYER

EPA Science Inventory

We present recent experiments and modeling studies of dispersion in the convective boundary layer (CBL) with focus on highly-buoyant plumes that "loft" near the CBL top and resist downward mixing. Such plumes have been a significant problem in earlier dispersion models; they a...

Parallel Computation and Visualization of Three-dimensional, Time-dependent, Thermal Convective Flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, P.; Li, P.

1998-01-01

A high-resolution numerical study on parallel systems is reported on three-dimensional, time-dependent, thermal convective flows. A parallel implentation on the finite volume method with a multigrid scheme is discussed, and a parallel visualization systemm is developed on distributed systems for visualizing the flow.

Non-local Second Order Closure Scheme for Boundary Layer Turbulence and Convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meyer, Bettina; Schneider, Tapio

2017-04-01

There has been scientific consensus that the uncertainty in the cloud feedback remains the largest source of uncertainty in the prediction of climate parameters like climate sensitivity. To narrow down this uncertainty, not only a better physical understanding of cloud and boundary layer processes is required, but specifically the representation of boundary layer processes in models has to be improved. General climate models use separate parameterisation schemes to model the different boundary layer processes like small-scale turbulence, shallow and deep convection. Small scale turbulence is usually modelled by local diffusive parameterisation schemes, which truncate the hierarchy of moment equations at first order and use second-order equations only to estimate closure parameters. In contrast, the representation of convection requires higher order statistical moments to capture their more complex structure, such as narrow updrafts in a quasi-steady environment. Truncations of moment equations at second order may lead to more accurate parameterizations. At the same time, they offer an opportunity to take spatially correlated structures (e.g., plumes) into account, which are known to be important for convective dynamics. In this project, we study the potential and limits of local and non-local second order closure schemes. A truncation of the momentum equations at second order represents the same dynamics as a quasi-linear version of the equations of motion. We study the three-dimensional quasi-linear dynamics in dry and moist convection by implementing it in a LES model (PyCLES) and compare it to a fully non-linear LES. In the quasi-linear LES, interactions among turbulent eddies are suppressed but nonlinear eddy—mean flow interactions are retained, as they are in the second order closure. In physical terms, suppressing eddy—eddy interactions amounts to suppressing, e.g., interactions among convective plumes, while retaining interactions between plumes and the environment (e.g., entrainment and detrainment). In a second part, we employ the possibility to include non-local statistical correlations in a second-order closure scheme. Such non-local correlations allow to directly incorporate the spatially coherent structures that occur in the form of convective updrafts penetrating the boundary layer. This allows us to extend the work that has been done using assumed-PDF schemes for parameterising boundary layer turbulence and shallow convection in a non-local sense.

Solutal convection induced by dissolution. Influence on erosion dynamics and interface shaping.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berhanu, Michael; Philippi, Julien; Cohen, Caroline; Derr, Julien; Courrech du Pont, Sylvain

2017-04-01

Rock fractures invaded by a water flow, are often subjected to dissolution, which let grow and evolve the initial fracture network, by evacuating the eroded minerals under a solute form. In the case of fast kinetic of dissolution, local erosion rate is set by the advection of the solute. The erosion velocity decreases indeed with the solute concentration at the interface and vanishes when this concentration reaches the saturation value. Even in absence of an imposed or external flow, advection can drive the dissolution, when buoyancy effects due to gravity induce a solutal convection flow, which controls the erosive dynamics and modifies the shape of the dissolving interface. Here, we investigate using model experiments with fast dissolving materials and numerical simulations in simplified situations, solutal convection induced by dissolution. Results are interpreted regarding a linear stability analysis of the corresponding solutal Rayleigh-Benard instability. A dissolving surface is suspended above a water height, initially at rest. In a first step, solute flux is transported through a growing diffusion layer. Then after an onset time, once the layer exceeds critical width, convection flow starts under the form of falling plumes. A dynamic equilibrium results in average from births and deaths of intermittent plumes, setting the size of the solute concentration boundary layer at the interface and thus the erosion velocity. Solutal convection can also induce a pattern on the dissolving interface. We show experimentally with suspended and inclined blocks of salt and sugar, that in a linear stage, the first wavelength of the dissolution pattern corresponds to the wavelength of the convection instability. Then pattern evolves to more complex shapes due to non-linear interactions between the flow and the eroded interface. More generally, we inquire what are the conditions to observe a such solutal convection instability in geological situations and if the properties of dissolution patterns can be related to the characteristic of the convective flow. C. Oltéan, F. Golfier and M.A. Buès, Numerical and experimental investigation of buoyancy-driven dissolution in vertical fracture, J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth, 118(5), 2038-2048 (2013) C. Cohen, M. Berhanu, J. Derr and S. Courrech du Pont, Erosion patterns on dissolving and melting bodies (2015 Gallery of Fluid motion), Phys. Rev. Fluids, 1, 050508 (2016) T. S. Sullivan, Y. Liu, and R. E. Ecke, Turbulent solutal convection and surface patterning in solid dissolution, Phys. Rev. E 54, 486 (1996)

Assessing the impact of aerosol-atmosphere interactions in convection-permitting regional climate simulations: the Rolf medicane in 2011

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

José Gómez-Navarro, Juan; María López-Romero, José; Palacios-Peña, Laura; Montávez, Juan Pedro; Jiménez-Guerrero, Pedro

2017-04-01

A critical challenge for assessing regional climate change projections relies on improving the estimate of atmospheric aerosol impact on clouds and reducing the uncertainty associated with the use of parameterizations. In this sense, the horizontal grid spacing implemented in state-of-the-art regional climate simulations is typically 10-25 kilometers, meaning that very important processes such as convective precipitation are smaller than a grid box, and therefore need to be parameterized. This causes large uncertainties, as closure assumptions and a number of parameters have to be established by model tuning. Convection is a physical process that may be strongly conditioned by atmospheric aerosols, although the solution of aerosol-cloud interactions in warm convective clouds remains nowadays a very important scientific challenge, rendering parametrization of these complex processes an important bottleneck that is responsible from a great part of the uncertainty in current climate change projections. Therefore, the explicit simulation of convective processes might improve the quality and reliability of the simulations of the aerosol-cloud interactions in a wide range of atmospheric phenomena. Particularly over the Mediterranean, the role of aerosol particles is very important, being this a crossroad that fuels the mixing of particles from different sources (sea-salt, biomass burning, anthropogenic, Saharan dust, etc). Still, the role of aerosols in extreme events in this area such as medicanes has been barely addressed. This work aims at assessing the role of aerosol-atmosphere interaction in medicanes with the help of the regional chemistry/climate on-line coupled model WRF-CHEM run at a convection-permitting resolution. The analysis is exemplary based on the "Rolf" medicane (6-8 November 2011). Using this case study as reference, four sets of simulations are run with two spatial resolutions: one at a convection-permitting configuration of 4 km, and other at the lower resolution of 12 km, in whose case the convection has to be parameterized. Each configuration is used to produce two simulations, including and not including aerosol-radiation-cloud interactions. The comparison of the simulated output at different scales allows to evaluate the impact of sub-grid scale mixing of precursors on aerosol production. By focusing on these processes at different resolutions, the differences between convection-permitting models running at resolutions of 4 km to 12 km can be explored. Preliminary results indicate that the inclusion of aerosol effects may indeed impact the severity of this simulated medicane, especially sea salt aerosols, and leads to important spatial shifts and differences in intensity of surface precipitation.

Dynamics of the middle atmosphere as observed by the ARISE project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blanc, Elisabeth

2015-04-01

The atmosphere is a complex system submitted to disturbances in a wide range of scales, including high frequency sources as volcanoes, thunderstorms, tornadoes and at larger scales, gravity waves from deep convection or wind over mountains, atmospheric tides and planetary waves. These waves affect the different atmospheric layers submitted to different temperature and wind systems which strongly control the general atmospheric circulation. The full description of gravity and planetary waves constitutes a challenge for the development of future models of atmosphere and climate. The objective of this paper is to present a review of recent advances obtained in this topic, especially in the framework of the ARISE (Atmospheric dynamics Research InfraStructure in Europe) project

Effects of spatial variations of soil moisture and vegetation on the evolution of a prestorm environment - A numerical case study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chang, Jy-Tai; Wetzel, Peter J.

1991-01-01

To examine the effects of spatial variations of soil moisture and vegetation coverage on the evolution of a prestorm environment, the Goddard mesoscale model is modified to incorporate a simple evapotranspiration model that requires these two parameters. The case study of 3-4 June 1980 is of special interest due to the development of a tornado producing convective complex near Grand Island, Nebraska during a period of comparatively weak synoptic-scale forcing. It is shown that the observed stationary front was strongly enhanced by differential heating created by observed gradients of soil moisture, as acted upon by the vegetation cover.

Consistent multiphysics simulation of a central tower CSP plant as applied to ISTORE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Votyakov, Evgeny V.; Papanicolas, Costas N.

2017-06-01

We present a unified consistent multiphysics approach to model a central tower CSP plant. The framework for the model includes Monte Carlo ray tracing (RT) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) components utilizing the OpenFOAM C++ software library. The RT part works effectively with complex surfaces of engineering design given in CAD formats. The CFD simulation, which is based on 3D Navier-Stokes equations, takes into account all possible heat transfer mechanisms: radiation, conduction, and convection. Utilizing this package, the solar field of the experimental Platform for Research, Observation, and TEchnological Applications in Solar Energy (PROTEAS) and the Integrated STOrage and Receiver (ISTORE), developed at the Cyprus Institute, are being examined.

Modelling of hydrothermal instabilities in a capillary bridge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pillai, Dipin; Wray, Alex; Narayanan, Ranga

2017-11-01

We examine the behaviour of a capillary bridge/boat suspended between two heated plates. Such systems are common in many physical situations such as crystal growth processes. However, as shown experimentally by Messmer et al., the system exhibits a complex array of behaviours driven by a Marangoni instability. While qualitative arguments have been advanced for these behaviours in the past, we develop a complete low-order model to elucidate the mechanisms at work. The model takes into account viscosity, surface tension, Marangoni stress and inertia as well as a full convection-diffusion equation for the thermal effects. Detailed comparisons of flow fields and thermal distributions are made with experiments. NASA NNX17AL27G and NSF 0968313.

The influence of convective activity on the vorticity budget

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Townsend, T. L.; Scoggins, J. R.

1983-01-01

The influence of convective activity on the vorticity budget was determined during the AVE VII and AVE-SESAME I periods. This was accomplished by evaluating each term in the expanded vorticity equation with twisting and tilting and friction representing the residual of all other terms. Convective areas were delineated by use of radar summary charts. The influence of convective activity was established by analyzing contoured fields of each term as well as numerical values and profiles of the various terms in convective and nonconvective areas. Vertical motion was computed by the kinematic method, and all computations were performed over the central United States using a grid spacing of 158 km. The results show that, in convective areas in particular, the residual is of comparable magnitude to the horizontal advection and divergence terms, and therefore, cannot be neglected. In convective areas, the residual term represents a sink of vorticity below 500 mb and a strong source near 300 mb. In nonconvective areas, the residual was small in magnitude at all levels, but tended to be negative (vorticity sink) at 300 mb. The local change term, over convective areas, tended to be balanced by the residual term, and appeared to be a good indicator of development (vorticity becoming more cyclonic). Finally, the shape of the vertical profiles of the term in the budget equation agreed with those found by other investigators for easterly waves, but the terms were one order of magnitude larger than those for easterly waves.

On sound generation by turbulent convection: A new look at old results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Musielak, Z. E.; Rosner, R.; Stein, R. F.; Ulmschneider, P.

1994-01-01

We have revisited the problem of acoustic wave generation by turbulent convection in stellar atmospheres. The theory of aerodynamically generated sound, originally developed by Lighthill and later modified by Stein to include the effects of stratification, has been used to estimate the acoustic wave energy flux generated in solar and stellar convection zones. We correct the earlier computations by incorporating an improved description of the spatial and temporal spectrum of the turbulent convection. We show the dependence of the resulting wave fluxes on the nature of the turbulence, and compute the wave energy spectra and wave energy fluxes generated in the Sun on the basis of a mixing-length model of the solar convection zone. In contrast to the previous results, we show that the acoustic energy generation does not depend very sensitively on the turbulent energy spectrum. However, typical total acoustic fluxes of order F(sub A) = 5 x 10(exp 7) ergs/sq cm/s with a peak of the acoustic frequency spectrum near omega = 100 mHz are found to be comparable to those previously calculated. The acoustic flux turns out to be strongly dependent on the solar model, scaling with the mixing-length parameter alpha as alpha(exp 3.8). The computed fluxes most likely constitute a lower limit on the acoustic energy produced in the solar convection zone if recent convection simulations suggesting the presence of shocks near the upper layers of the convection zone apply to the Sun.

Structure of the Madden-Julian oscillation in coupled and uncoupled versions of the superparameterized community atmosphere model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benedict, James J.

The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), an eastward-propagating atmospheric disturbance resembling a transient Walker cell, dominates intraseasonal (20--100 days) variability in the tropical Indian and West Pacific Ocean regions. The phenomenon is most active during the Northern Hemisphere winter and is characterized by cyclic periods of suppressed (dry phase) and active (wet phase) cloudiness and precipitation. Numerous complexities---multi-scale interactions of moist convection and large-scale wave dynamics, air-sea fluxes and feedbacks, topographical impacts, and tropical-extratropical interactions---challenge our ability to fully understand the MJO and result in its poor representation in most current general circulation models (GCMs). This study examines the representation of the MJO in a modified version of the NCAR Community Atmosphere Model (CAM). The modifications involve substituting conventional boundary layer, turbulence, and cloud parameterizations with a configuration of cloud-resolving models (CRMs) embedded into each GCM grid cell in a technique termed "superparameterization" (SP). Unlike many GCMs including the standard CAM, the SP-CAM displays robust intraseasonal convective variability. Two SP-CAM simulations are utilized in this study: one forced by observed sea-surface temperatures (SSTs; "uncoupled") and a second identical to the first except for a new treatment of tropical SSTs in which a simplified mixed-layer ocean model is used to predict SST anomalies that are coupled to the atmosphere ("coupled"). Key physical features of the MJO are captured in the uncoupled SP-CAM. Ahead (east) of the disturbance there is meridional boundary layer moisture convergence and a vertical progression of warmth, moisture, and convective heating from the lower to upper troposphere. The space-time dynamical response to convective heating is also reproduced, especially the vertical structure of anomalous westerly wind and its migration into the region of heavy rainfall as the disturbance propagates eastward. Advective drying processes in the MJO wake are also represented well. The coupled SP-CAM shows more realistic MJO eastward propagation, signal coherence and spatial structure relative to the uncoupled SP-CAM. The improvement varies with longitude but generally stems from better space-time relationships among MJO convective heating, its dynamical response, SSTs, surface fluxes, boundary layer properties, and vertical moisture structure. Coupled MJO events in the Indian Ocean display more realistic intensity; in the West Pacific, the coupled SP-CAM overestimates convective strength but shows an improved vertical structure relative to the uncoupled SP-CAM. Biases related to MJO convection are also examined. Overestimated convective intensity in the West Pacific appears to be linked to basic state biases, Maritime Continent topographical impacts, unrealistic convection-wind-evaporation feedbacks, and the neglect of convective momentum transport in the model. Phase errors between observed and simulated boundary layer moisture appear to stem from an unrealistic representation of shallow cumuli.

Dielectric Rheo-SANS: An Instrument for the Simultaneous Interrogation of Rheology, Microstructure and Electronic Properties of Complex Fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wagner, Norman; Richards, Jeffrey; Hipp, Julie; Butler, Paul

In situ measurements are an increasingly important tool to inform the complex relationship between nanoscale properties and macroscopic measurements. For conducting colloidal suspensions, we seek intrinsic relationships between the measured electrical and mechanical response of a material both in quiescence and under applied shear. These relationships can be used to inform the development of new materials with enhanced electrical and mechanical performance. In order to study these relationships, we have developed a dielectric rheology instrument that is compatible with small angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments. This Dielectric RheoSANS instrument consists of a Couette geometry mounted on an ARES G2 strain controlled rheometer enclosed in a modified Forced Convection Oven (FCO). In this talk, we outline the development of the Dielectric RheoSANS instruments and demonstrate its operation using two systems - a suspension of carbon black particles in propylene carbonate and poly(3-hexylthiophene) organogel - where there is interest in how shear influences the microstructure state of the material. By monitoring the conductivity and rheological response of these materials at the same time, we can capture the entire evolution of the material response to an applied deformation. NCNR NIST Cooperative Agreement #70NANB12H239.

The influence of magma viscosity on convection within a magma chamber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schubert, M.; Driesner, T.; Ulmer, P.

2012-12-01

Magmatic-hydrothermal ore deposits are the most important sources of metals like Cu, Mo, W and Sn and a major resource for Au. It is well accepted that they are formed by the release of magmatic fluids from a batholith-sized magma body. Traditionally, it has been assumed that crystallization-induced volatile saturation (called "second boiling") is the main mechanism for fluid release, typically operating over thousands to tens of thousands of years (Candela, 1991). From an analysis of alteration halo geometries caused by magmatic fluids, Cathles and Shannon (2007) suggested much shorter timescales in the order of hundreds of years. Such rapid release of fluids cannot be explained by second boiling as the rate of solidification scales with the slow conduction of heat away from the system. However, rapid fluid release is possible if convection is assumed within the magma chamber. The magma would degas in the upper part of the magma chamber and volatile poor magma would sink down again. Such, the rates of degassing can be much higher than due to cooling only. We developed a convection model using Navier-Stokes equations provided by the computational fluid dynamics platform OpenFOAM that gives the possibility to use externally derived meshes with complex (natural) geometries. We implemented a temperature, pressure, composition and crystal fraction dependent viscosity (Ardia et al., 2008; Giordano et al., 2008; Moore et al., 1998) and a temperature, pressure, composition dependent density (Lange1994). We found that the new viscosity and density models strongly affect convection within the magma chamber. The dependence of viscosity on crystal fraction has a particularly strong effect as the steep viscosity increase at the critical crystal fraction leads to steep decrease of convection velocity. As the magma chamber is cooling from outside to inside a purely conductive layer is developing along the edges of the magma chamber. Convection continues in the inner part of the magma chamber but the heat loss is limited by the conductive heat transport along the edges. The goal of the study is to consider magma degassing in terms of implementing solubility of water in dependence of temperature, pressure and composition and find a parameterization for the viscosity that considers the developing bubbles. References Ardia, P., Giordano, D., and Schmidt, M. W., 2008, A model for the viscosity of rhyolite as a function of H2O-content and pressure: A calibration based on centrifuge piston cylinder experiments: Geochimica Et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 72, no. 24, p. 6103-6123. Candela, P. A., 1991, Physics of Aqueous Phase Evolution in Plutonic Environments: American Mineralogist, v. 76, no. 7-8, p. 1081-1091. Cathles, L. M., and Shannon, R., 2007, How potassium silicate alteration suggests the formation of porphyry ore deposits begins with the nearly explosive but barren expulsion of large volumes of magmatic water: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 262, no. 1-2, p. 92-108. Giordano, D., Russell, J. K., and Dingwell, D. B., 2008, Viscosity of magmatic liquids: A model: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 271, no. 1-4, p. 123-134. Moore, G., Vennemann, T., and Carmichael, I. S. E., 1998, An empirical model for the solubility of H2O in magmas to 3 kilobars: American Mineralogist, v. 83, no. 1-2, p. 36-42.

High temperature ceramic-tubed reformer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Williams, Joseph J.; Rosenberg, Robert A.; McDonough, Lane J.

1990-03-01

The overall objective of the HiPHES project is to develop an advanced high-pressure heat exchanger for a convective steam/methane reformer. The HiPHES steam/methane reformer is a convective, shell and tube type, catalytic reactor. The use of ceramic tubes will allow reaction temperature higher than the current state-of-the-art outlet temperatures of about 1600 F using metal tubes. Higher reaction temperatures increase feedstock conversion to synthesis gas and reduce energy requirements compared to currently available radiant-box type reformers using metal tubes. Reforming of natural gas is the principal method used to produce synthesis gas (primarily hydrogen and carbon monoxide, H2 and CO) which is used to produce hydrogen (for refinery upgrading), methanol, as well as several other important materials. The HiPHES reformer development is an extension of Stone and Webster's efforts to develop a metal-tubed convective reformer integrated with a gas turbine cycle.

Convective and stratiform components of a Winter Monsoon Cloud Cluster determined from geosynchronous infrared satellite data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldenberg, Stanley B.; Houze, Robert A., Jr.; Churchill, Dean D.

1990-01-01

The horizontal precipitation structure of cloud clusters observed over the South China Sea during the Winter Monsoon Experiment (WMONEX) is analyzed using a convective-stratiform technique (CST) developed by Adler and Negri (1988). The technique was modified by altering the method for identifying convective cells in the satellite data, accounting for the extremely cold cloud tops characteristic of the WMONEX region, and modifying the threshold infrared temperature for the boundary of the stratiform rain area. The precipitation analysis was extended to the entire history of the cloud cluster by applying the modified CST to IR imagery from geosynchronous-satellite observations. The ship and aircraft data from the later period of the cluster's lifetime make it possible to check the locations of convective and stratiform precipitation identified by the CST using in situ observations. The extended CST is considered to be effective for determining the climatology of the convective-stratiform structure of tropical cloud clusters.

Evolution of a magnetic flux tube in two-dimensional penetrative convection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jennings, R. L.; Brandenburg, A.; Nordlund, A.; Stein, R. F.

1992-01-01

Highly supercritical compressible convection is simulated in a two-dimensional domain in which the upper half is unstable to convection while the lower half is stably stratified. This configuration is an idealization of the layers near the base of the solar convection zone. Once the turbulent flow is well developed, a toroidal magnetic field B sub tor is introduced to the stable layer. The field's evolution is governed by an advection-diffusion-type equation, and the Lorentz force does not significantly affect the flow. After many turnover times the field is stratified such that the absolute value of B sub tor/rho is approximately constant in the convective layer, where rho is density, while in the stable layer this ratio decreases linearly with depth. Consequently most of the magnetic flux is stored in the overshoot layer. The inclusion of rotation leads to travelling waves which transport magnetic flux latitudinally in a manner reminiscent of the migrations seen during the solar cycle.

A cost-effective strategy for nonoscillatory convection without clipping

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leonard, B. P.; Niknafs, H. S.

1990-01-01

Clipping of narrow extrema and distortion of smooth profiles is a well known problem associated with so-called high resolution nonoscillatory convection schemes. A strategy is presented for accurately simulating highly convective flows containing discontinuities such as density fronts or shock waves, without distorting smooth profiles or clipping narrow local extrema. The convection algorithm is based on non-artificially diffusive third-order upwinding in smooth regions, with automatic adaptive stencil expansion to (in principle, arbitrarily) higher order upwinding locally, in regions of rapidly changing gradients. This is highly cost effective because the wider stencil is used only where needed-in isolated narrow regions. A recently developed universal limiter assures sharp monotonic resolution of discontinuities without introducing artificial diffusion or numerical compression. An adaptive discriminator is constructed to distinguish between spurious overshoots and physical peaks; this automatically relaxes the limiter near local turning points, thereby avoiding loss of resolution in narrow extrema. Examples are given for one-dimensional pure convection of scalar profiles at constant velocity.

A second-order bulk boundary-layer model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Randall, David A.; Shao, Qingqiu; Moeng, Chin-Hoh

1992-01-01

Bulk mass-flux models represent the large eddies that are primarily responsible for the turbulent fluxes in the planetary boundary layer as convective circulations, with an associated convective mass flux. In order for such models to be useful, it is necessary to determine the fractional area covered by rising motion in the convective circulations. This fraction can be used as an estimate of the cloud amount, under certain conditions. 'Matching' conditions have been developed that relate the convective mass flux to the ventilation and entrainment mass fluxes. These are based on conservation equations for the scalar means and variances in the entrainment and ventilation layers. Methods are presented to determine both the fractional area covered by rising motion and the convective mass flux. The requirement of variance balance is used to relax the 'well-mixed' assumption. The vertical structures of the mean state and the turbulent fluxes are determined analytically. Several aspects of this simple model's formulation are evaluated using results from large-eddy simulations.

The tropopause cold trap in the Australian Monsoon during STEP/AMEX 1987

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Selkirk, Henry B.

1993-01-01

The relationship between deep convection and tropopause cold trap conditions is examined for the tropical northern Australia region during the 1986-87 summer monsoon season, emphasizing the Australia Monsoon Experiment (AMEX) period when the NASA Stratosphere-Troposphere Exchange Project (STEP) was being conducted. The factors related to the spatial and temporal variability of the cold point potential temperature (CPPT) are investigated. A framework is developed for describing the relationships among surface average equivalent potential temperature in the surface layer (AEPTSL) the height of deep convection, and stratosphere-troposphere exchange. The time-mean pattern of convection, large-scale circulation, and surface AEPTSL in the Australian monsoon and the evolution of the convective environment during the monsoon period and the extended transition season which preceded it are described. The time-mean fields of cold point level variables are examined and the statistical relationships between mean CPPT, surface AEPTSL, and deep convection are described. Day-to-day variations of CPPT are examined in terms of these time mean relationships.

Gyre-scale deep convection in the subpolar North Atlantic Ocean during winter 2014-2015

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piron, A.; Thierry, V.; Mercier, H.; Caniaux, G.

2017-02-01

Using Argo floats, we show that a major deep convective activity occurred simultaneously in the Labrador Sea (LAB), south of Cape Farewell (SCF), and the Irminger Sea (IRM) during winter 2014-2015. Convection was driven by exceptional heat loss to the atmosphere (up to 50% higher than the climatological mean). This is the first observation of deep convection over such a widespread area. Mixed layer depths exceptionally reached 1700 m in SCF and 1400 m in IRM. The deep thermocline density gradient limited the mixed layer deepening in the Labrador Sea to 1800 m. Potential densities of deep waters were similar in the three basins (27.73-27.74 kg m-3) but warmer by 0.3°C and saltier by 0.04 in IRM than in LAB and SCF, meaning that each basin formed locally its own deep water. The cold anomaly that developed recently in the North Atlantic Ocean favored and was enhanced by this exceptional convection.

The dynamical oscillation and propulsion of magnetic fields in the convective zone of a star. II - Thermal shadows. III - Accumulation of heat and the onset of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parker, E. N.

1987-01-01

The dynamics of thermal shadows which develop in the convective zone of a star around an insulating obstacle such as a horizontal band in intense magnetic field are studied. The depth of the shadow on the cool side of the obstacle is found to depend largely on the width of the obstacle multiplied by the temperature gradient. Thermal shadows pressing fields up to 10,000 G downward against the bottom of the convective zone are produced by the broad bands of the azimuthal field in the sun's convective zone. In the third part, the time-dependent accumulation of heat beneath a thermal barrier simulating such a band in the lower convective zone of the sun is considered. The resulting Rayleigh-Taylor instability is shown to cause tongues of heated gas to penetrate upward through the field, providing the emerging magnetic fields that give rise to the activity of the sun.

What Goes Up Must Come Down: The Lifecycle of Convective Clouds (492nd Brookhaven Lecture)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jensen, Michael

Some clouds look like cotton balls and others like anvils. Some bring rain, some snow and sleet, and others, just shade. But, whether big and billowy or dark and stormy, clouds affect far more than the weather each day. Armed with measurements of clouds’ updrafts and downdrafts—which resemble airflow in a convection oven—and many other atmospheric interactions, scientists from Brookhaven Lab and other institutions around the world are developing models that are crucial for understanding Earth’s climate and forecasting future climate change. During his lecture, Dr. Jensen provides an overview of the importance of clouds in the Earth’s climate systemmore » before explaining how convective clouds form, grow, and dissipate. His discussion includes findings from the Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E), a major collaborative experiment between U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and NASA scientists to document precipitation, clouds, winds, and moisture in 3-D for a holistic view of convective clouds and their environment.« less

Exploring the Carbon Simmering Phase: Reaction Rates, Mixing, and the Convective Urca Process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwab, Josiah; Martínez-Rodríguez, Héctor; Piro, Anthony L.; Badenes, Carles

2017-12-01

The neutron excess at the time of explosion provides a powerful discriminant among models of Type Ia supernovae. Recent calculations of the carbon simmering phase in single degenerate progenitors have disagreed about the final neutron excess. We find that the treatment of mixing in convection zones likely contributes to the difference. We demonstrate that in Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics models, heating from exothermic weak reactions plays a significant role in raising the temperature of the white dwarf. This emphasizes the important role that the convective Urca process plays during simmering. We briefly summarize the shortcomings of current models during this phase. Ultimately, we do not pinpoint the difference between the results reported in the literature, but show that the results are consistent with different net energetics of the convective Urca process. This problem serves as an important motivation for the development of models of the convective Urca process suitable for incorporation into stellar evolution codes.

Quasi-Equilibrium States in the Tropics Simulated by a Cloud-Resolving Model. Part 1; Specific Features and Budget Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shie, C.-L.; Tao, W.-K.; Simpson, J.; Sui, C.-H.; Starr, David OC. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

A series of long-term integrations using the two-dimensional Goddard Cumulus Ensemble (GCE) model were performed by altering imposed environmental components to produce various quasi-equilibrium thermodynamic states. Model results show that the genesis of a warm/wet quasi-equilibrium state is mainly due to either strong vertical wind shear (from nudging) or large surface fluxes (from strong surface winds), while a cold/dry quasi-equilibrium state is attributed to a remarkably weakened mixed-wind shear (from vertical mixing due to deep convection) along with weak surface winds. In general, latent heat flux and net large-scale temperature forcing, the two dominant physical processes, dominate in the beginning stage of the simulated convective systems, then considerably weaken in the final stage, which leads to quasi-equilibrium states. A higher thermodynamic regime is found to produce a larger rainfall amount, as convective clouds are the leading source of rainfall over stratiform clouds even though the former occupy much less area. Moreover, convective clouds are more likely to occur in the presence of strong surface winds (latent heat flux), while stratiform clouds (especially the well-organized type) are favored in conditions with strong wind shear (large-scale forcing). The convective systems, which consist of distinct cloud types due to the variation in horizontal winds, are also found to propagate differently. Accordingly, convective systems with mixed-wind shear generally propagate in the direction of shear, while the system with strong (multidirectional) wind shear propagates in a more complex way. Based on the results from the temperature (Q1) and moisture (Q2) budgets, cloud-scale eddies are found to act as a hydrodynamic 'vehicle' that cascades the heat and moisture vertically. Several other specific features such as atmospheric stability, CAPE, and mass fluxes are also investigated and found to be significantly different between diverse quasi-equilibrium states. Detailed comparisons between the various states are presented.

A convective forecast experiment of global tectonics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coltice, Nicolas; Giering, Ralf

2016-04-01

Modeling jointly the deep convective motions in the mantle and the deformation of the lithosphere in a self-consistent way is a long-standing quest, for which significant advances have been made in the late 1990's. The complexities used in lithospheric models are making their way into the models of mantle convection (density variations, pseudo-plasticity, elasticity, free surface), hence global models of mantle motions can now display tectonics at their surface, evolving self-consistantly and showing some of the most important properties of plate tectonics on Earth (boundaries, types of boundaries, plate sizes, seafloor spreading properties, continental drift). The goal of this work is to experiment the forecasting power of such convection models with plate-like behavior, being here StagYY (Tackley, 2008). We generate initial conditions for a 3D spherical model in the past (50Ma and younger), using models with imposed plate velocities from 200Ma. By doing this, we introduce errors in the initial conditions that propagate afterwards. From these initial conditions, we run the convection models free, without imposing any sort of motion, letting the self-organization take place. We compare the forecast to the present-day plate velocities and plate boundaries. To investigate the optimal parameterization, and also have a flavor of the sensitivity of the results to rheological parameters, we compute the derivatives of the misfit of the surface velocities relative to the yield stress, the magnitude of the viscosity jump at 660km and the properties of a weak crust. These derivates are computed thanks to the tangent linear model of StagYY, that is built through the automatic differentiation software TAF (Giering and Kaminski, 2003). References Tackley, P. J., Modeling compressible mantle convection with large viscosity contrasts in a three-dimensional spherical shell using the yin-yang grid, Phys. Earth Planet. Inter. 171, 7-18 (2008). Giering, R., Kaminski, T., Applying TAF to generate efficient derivative code of Fortran 77-95 programs, PAMM 2, 54-57 (2003).

Unsteady, one-dimensional gas dynamics computations using a TVD type sequential solver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thakur, Siddharth; Shyy, Wei

1992-01-01

The efficacy of high resolution convection schemes to resolve sharp gradient in unsteady, 1D flows is examined using the TVD concept based on a sequential solution algorithm. Two unsteady flow problems are considered which include the problem involving the interaction of the various waves in a shock tube with closed reflecting ends and the problem involving the unsteady gas dynamics in a tube with closed ends subject to an initial pressure perturbation. It is concluded that high accuracy convection schemes in a sequential solution framework are capable of resolving discontinuities in unsteady flows involving complex gas dynamics. However, a sufficient amount of dissipation is required to suppress oscillations near discontinuities in the sequential approach, which leads to smearing of the solution profiles.

Characterization of geostationary particle signatures based on the 'injection boundary' model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mauk, B. H.; Meng, C.-I.

1983-01-01

A simplified analytical procedure is used to characterize the details of geostationary particle signatures, in order to lend support to the 'injection boundary' concept. The signatures are generated by the time-of-flight effects evolving from an initial sharply defined, double spiraled boundary configuration. Complex and highly variable dispersion patterns often observed by geostationary satellites are successfully reproduced through the exclusive use of the most fundamental convection configuration characteristics. Many of the details of the patterns have not been previously presented. It is concluded that most of the dynamical dispersion features can be mapped to the double spiral boundary without further ad hoc assumptions, and that predicted and observed dispersion patterns exhibit symmetries distinct from those associated with the quasi-stationary particle convection patterns.

A Mass-Flux Scheme View of a High-Resolution Simulation of a Transition from Shallow to Deep Cumulus Convection.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuang, Zhiming; Bretherton, Christopher S.

2006-07-01

In this paper, an idealized, high-resolution simulation of a gradually forced transition from shallow, nonprecipitating to deep, precipitating cumulus convection is described; how the cloud and transport statistics evolve as the convection deepens is explored; and the collected statistics are used to evaluate assumptions in current cumulus schemes. The statistical analysis methodologies that are used do not require tracing the history of individual clouds or air parcels; instead they rely on probing the ensemble characteristics of cumulus convection in the large model dataset. They appear to be an attractive way for analyzing outputs from cloud-resolving numerical experiments. Throughout the simulation, it is found that 1) the initial thermodynamic properties of the updrafts at the cloud base have rather tight distributions; 2) contrary to the assumption made in many cumulus schemes, nearly undiluted air parcels are too infrequent to be relevant to any stage of the simulated convection; and 3) a simple model with a spectrum of entraining plumes appears to reproduce most features of the cloudy updrafts, but significantly overpredicts the mass flux as the updrafts approach their levels of zero buoyancy. A buoyancy-sorting model was suggested as a potential remedy. The organized circulations of cold pools seem to create clouds with larger-sized bases and may correspondingly contribute to their smaller lateral entrainment rates. Our results do not support a mass-flux closure based solely on convective available potential energy (CAPE), and are in general agreement with a convective inhibition (CIN)-based closure. The general similarity in the ensemble characteristics of shallow and deep convection and the continuous evolution of the thermodynamic structure during the transition provide justification for developing a single unified cumulus parameterization that encompasses both shallow and deep convection.

Effect of Carreau-Yasuda rheological parameters on subcritical Lapwood convection in horizontal porous cavity saturated by shear-thinning fluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khechiba, Khaled; Mamou, Mahmoud; Hachemi, Madjid; Delenda, Nassim; Rebhi, Redha

2017-06-01

The present study is focused on Lapwood convection in isotropic porous media saturated with non-Newtonian shear thinning fluid. The non-Newtonian rheological behavior of the fluid is modeled using the general viscosity model of Carreau-Yasuda. The convection configuration consists of a shallow porous cavity with a finite aspect ratio and subject to a vertical constant heat flux, whereas the vertical walls are maintained impermeable and adiabatic. An approximate analytical solution is developed on the basis of the parallel flow assumption, and numerical solutions are obtained by solving the full governing equations. The Darcy model with the Boussinesq approximation and energy transport equations are solved numerically using a finite difference method. The results are obtained in terms of the Nusselt number and the flow fields as functions of the governing parameters. A good agreement is obtained between the analytical approximation and the numerical solution of the full governing equations. The effects of the rheological parameters of the Carreau-Yasuda fluid and Rayleigh number on the onset of subcritical convection thresholds are demonstrated. Regardless of the aspect ratio of the enclosure and thermal boundary condition type, the subcritical convective flows are seen to occur below the onset of stationary convection. Correlations are proposed to estimate the subcritical Rayleigh number for the onset of finite amplitude convection as a function of the fluid rheological parameters. Linear stability of the convective motion, predicted by the parallel flow approximation, is studied, and the onset of Hopf bifurcation, from steady convective flow to oscillatory behavior, is found to depend strongly on the rheological parameters. In general, Hopf bifurcation is triggered earlier as the fluid becomes more and more shear-thinning.

Can the ionosphere regulate magnetospheric convection?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coroniti, F. V.; Kennel, C. F.

1972-01-01

Following a southward shift of the interplanetary magnetic field, which implies enhanced reconnection at the nose of the magnetosphere, the magnetopause shrinks from its Chapman-Ferraro equilibrium position. If the convective return of magnetic flux to the magnetopause equalled the reconnection rate, the magnetopause would not shrink. Consequently, there is a delay in the development of magnetospheric convection following the onset of reconnection, which is ascribed to line tying by the polar cusp ionosphere. A simple model relates the dayside magnetopause displacement to the currents feeding the polar cap ionosphere, from which the ionospheric electric field, and consequently, the flux return rate, may be estimated as a function of magnetopause displacement. Flux conservation arguments then permit an estimate of the time scale on which convection increases, which is not inconsistent with that of the substorm growth phase.

Geoid Anomalies and Dynamic Topography from Time Dependent, Spherical Axisymmetric Mantle Convection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kiefer, Walter S.; Kellogg, Louise H.

1998-01-01

Geoid anomalies and dynamic topography are two important diagnostics of mantle convection. We present geoid and topography results for several time-dependent convection models in spherical axisymmetric geometry for Rayleigh numbers between 10(exp 6) and 10(exp 7) with depth-dependent viscosity and mixtures of bottom and internal heating. The models are strongly chaotic, with boundary layer instabilities erupting out of both thermal boundary layers. In some instances, instabilities from one boundary layer influence the development of instabilities in the other boundary layer. Such coupling between events at the top and bottom of the mantle has been suggested to play a role in a mid-Cretaceous episode of enhanced volcanism in the Pacific. These boundary layer instabilities produce large temporal variations in the geoid anomalies and dynamic nd to the topography associated with the convection. The amplitudes of these fluctuations depend on the detailed model parameter,.% it of this but fluctuations of 30-50% relative to the time-averaged geoid and topography are common. The convective planform is strongly sensitive to the specific initial conditions. Convection cells with larger aspect ratio tend to have larger fractional fluctuations in their geoid and topography amplitudes, because boundary layer instabilities have more time to develop in long cells. In some instances, we observe low-amplitude topographic highs adjacent to the topographic lows produced by cold downwellings. We discuss applications of these results to several situations, including the temporal variability of m basis. hotspots such as Hawaii, the topography of subduction zone outer rises, and the topography of coronae on Venus.

EVIDENCE OF ACTIVE MHD INSTABILITY IN EULAG-MHD SIMULATIONS OF SOLAR CONVECTION

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lawson, Nicolas; Strugarek, Antoine; Charbonneau, Paul, E-mail: nicolas.laws@gmail.ca, E-mail: strugarek@astro.umontreal.ca, E-mail: paulchar@astro.umontreal.ca

We investigate the possible development of magnetohydrodynamical instabilities in the EULAG-MHD “millennium simulation” of Passos and Charbonneau. This simulation sustains a large-scale magnetic cycle characterized by solar-like polarity reversals taking place on a regular multidecadal cadence, and in which zonally oriented bands of strong magnetic fields accumulate below the convective layers, in response to turbulent pumping from above in successive magnetic half-cycles. Key aspects of this simulation include low numerical dissipation and a strongly sub-adiabatic fluid layer underlying the convectively unstable layers corresponding to the modeled solar convection zone. These properties are conducive to the growth and development of two-dimensionalmore » instabilities that are otherwise suppressed by stronger dissipation. We find evidence for the action of a non-axisymmetric magnetoshear instability operating in the upper portions of the stably stratified fluid layers. We also investigate the possibility that the Tayler instability may be contributing to the destabilization of the large-scale axisymmetric magnetic component at high latitudes. On the basis of our analyses, we propose a global dynamo scenario whereby the magnetic cycle is driven primarily by turbulent dynamo action in the convecting layers, but MHD instabilities accelerate the dissipation of the magnetic field pumped down into the overshoot and stable layers, thus perhaps significantly influencing the magnetic cycle period. Support for this scenario is found in the distinct global dynamo behaviors observed in an otherwise identical EULAG-MHD simulations, using a different degree of sub-adiabaticity in the stable fluid layers underlying the convection zone.« less

Active Control of Thermal Convection in a Rectangular Loop by Changing its Spatial Orientation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bratsun, Dmitry A.; Krasnyakov, Ivan V.; Zyuzgin, Alexey V.

2018-02-01

The problem of the automatic control of the fluid flow in a rectangular convective loop heated from below is studied theoretically and experimentally. The control is performed by using a feedback subsystem which changes the convection regimes by introducing small discrete changes in the spatial orientation of the loop with respect to gravity. We focus on effects that arise when the feedback controller operates with an unavoidable time delay, which is cause by the thermal inertia of the medium. The mathematical model of the phenomenon is developed. The dynamic regimes of the convection in the thermosyphon loop under control are studied. It is shown that the proposed control method can successfully stabilize not only a no-motion state of the fluid, but also time-dependent modes of convection including the irregular fluid flow at high values of the Rayleigh number. It is shown that the excessive gain of the proportional feedback can result in oscillations in the loop orientation exciting the unsteady convection modes. The comparison of the experimental data obtained for dielectric oil and dodecane with theory is given, and their good agreement is demonstrated.

Three-Dimensional Mixed Convection Flow of Viscoelastic Fluid with Thermal Radiation and Convective Conditions

PubMed Central

Hayat, Tasawar; Ashraf, Muhammad Bilal; Alsulami, Hamed H.; Alhuthali, Muhammad Shahab

2014-01-01

The objective of present research is to examine the thermal radiation effect in three-dimensional mixed convection flow of viscoelastic fluid. The boundary layer analysis has been discussed for flow by an exponentially stretching surface with convective conditions. The resulting partial differential equations are reduced into a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations using appropriate transformations. The series solutions are developed through a modern technique known as the homotopy analysis method. The convergent expressions of velocity components and temperature are derived. The solutions obtained are dependent on seven sundry parameters including the viscoelastic parameter, mixed convection parameter, ratio parameter, temperature exponent, Prandtl number, Biot number and radiation parameter. A systematic study is performed to analyze the impacts of these influential parameters on the velocity and temperature, the skin friction coefficients and the local Nusselt number. It is observed that mixed convection parameter in momentum and thermal boundary layers has opposite role. Thermal boundary layer is found to decrease when ratio parameter, Prandtl number and temperature exponent are increased. Local Nusselt number is increasing function of viscoelastic parameter and Biot number. Radiation parameter on the Nusselt number has opposite effects when compared with viscoelastic parameter. PMID:24608594

Three-dimensional mixed convection flow of viscoelastic fluid with thermal radiation and convective conditions.

PubMed

Hayat, Tasawar; Ashraf, Muhammad Bilal; Alsulami, Hamed H; Alhuthali, Muhammad Shahab

2014-01-01

The objective of present research is to examine the thermal radiation effect in three-dimensional mixed convection flow of viscoelastic fluid. The boundary layer analysis has been discussed for flow by an exponentially stretching surface with convective conditions. The resulting partial differential equations are reduced into a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations using appropriate transformations. The series solutions are developed through a modern technique known as the homotopy analysis method. The convergent expressions of velocity components and temperature are derived. The solutions obtained are dependent on seven sundry parameters including the viscoelastic parameter, mixed convection parameter, ratio parameter, temperature exponent, Prandtl number, Biot number and radiation parameter. A systematic study is performed to analyze the impacts of these influential parameters on the velocity and temperature, the skin friction coefficients and the local Nusselt number. It is observed that mixed convection parameter in momentum and thermal boundary layers has opposite role. Thermal boundary layer is found to decrease when ratio parameter, Prandtl number and temperature exponent are increased. Local Nusselt number is increasing function of viscoelastic parameter and Biot number. Radiation parameter on the Nusselt number has opposite effects when compared with viscoelastic parameter.

Active Control of Thermal Convection in a Rectangular Loop by Changing its Spatial Orientation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bratsun, Dmitry A.; Krasnyakov, Ivan V.; Zyuzgin, Alexey V.

2017-12-01

The problem of the automatic control of the fluid flow in a rectangular convective loop heated from below is studied theoretically and experimentally. The control is performed by using a feedback subsystem which changes the convection regimes by introducing small discrete changes in the spatial orientation of the loop with respect to gravity. We focus on effects that arise when the feedback controller operates with an unavoidable time delay, which is cause by the thermal inertia of the medium. The mathematical model of the phenomenon is developed. The dynamic regimes of the convection in the thermosyphon loop under control are studied. It is shown that the proposed control method can successfully stabilize not only a no-motion state of the fluid, but also time-dependent modes of convection including the irregular fluid flow at high values of the Rayleigh number. It is shown that the excessive gain of the proportional feedback can result in oscillations in the loop orientation exciting the unsteady convection modes. The comparison of the experimental data obtained for dielectric oil and dodecane with theory is given, and their good agreement is demonstrated.

Studying the Diurnal Cycle of Convection Using a TRMM-Calibrated Infrared Rain Algorithm

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Negri, Andrew J.

2005-01-01

The development of a satellite infrared (IR) technique for estimating convective and stratiform rainfall and its application in studying the diurnal variability of rainfall on a global scale is presented. The Convective-Stratiform Technique (CST), calibrated by coincident, physically retrieved rain rates from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Precipitation Radar (PR), is applied over the global tropics. The technique makes use of the IR data from the TRMM Visible/Infrared Scanner (VIRS) before application to global geosynchronous satellite data. The calibrated CST technique has the advantages of high spatial resolution (4 km), filtering of nonraining cirrus clouds, and the stratification of the rainfall into its convective and stratiform components, the last being important for the calculation of vertical profiles of latent heating. The diurnal cycle of rainfall, as well as the division between convective and Stratiform rainfall will be presented. The technique is validated using available data sets and compared to other global rainfall products such as Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) IR product, calibrated with TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) data. Results from five years of PR data will show the global-tropical partitioning of convective and stratiform rainfall.

Orbital Observations of Dust Lofted by Daytime Convective Turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fenton, Lori; Reiss, Dennis; Lemmon, Mark; Marticorena, Béatrice; Lewis, Stephen; Cantor, Bruce

2016-11-01

Over the past several decades, orbital observations of lofted dust have revealed the importance of mineral aerosols as a climate forcing mechanism on both Earth and Mars. Increasingly detailed and diverse data sets have provided an ever-improving understanding of dust sources, transport pathways, and sinks on both planets, but the role of dust in modulating atmospheric processes is complex and not always well understood. We present a review of orbital observations of entrained dust on Earth and Mars, particularly that produced by the dust-laden structures produced by daytime convective turbulence called "dust devils". On Earth, dust devils are thought to contribute only a small fraction of the atmospheric dust budget; accordingly, there are not yet any published accounts of their occurrence from orbit. In contrast, dust devils on Mars are thought to account for several tens of percent of the planet's atmospheric dust budget; the literature regarding martian dust devils is quite rich. Because terrestrial dust devils may temporarily contribute significantly to local dust loading and lowered air quality, we suggest that martian dust devil studies may inform future studies of convectively-lofted dust on Earth.

Human Subject Effects on Torsion Pendulum Oscillations: Further Evidence of Mediation by Convection Currents.

PubMed

Hammerschlag, Richard; Linda Baldwin, Ann; Schwartz, Gary E

When a human subject sits beneath a wire mesh, hemispheric torsion pendulum (TP) a rapid-onset series of oscillations at frequencies both higher and lower than the fundamental frequency of the TP have been consistently observed. This study was designed to replicate and extend prior findings that suggest the human subject effect on TP behavior is due to subject-generated, heat-induced convection currents. Effects on pendulum behavior were tested after draping an aluminized "space blanket" over the subject and by replacing the subject with a thermal mattress pad shaped to approximate the human form. Experiments were performed in a basic science university research laboratory. Real-time recordings and Fast Fourier Transform frequency spectra of pendulum oscillatory movement. The space blanket blocked, while the mattress pad mimicked, the human subject induced complex array of pendulum oscillations. Our findings support and strengthen previous results that suggest the effects of human subjects on behavior of a torsion pendulum are mediated by body-heat-induced air convection rather than an unknown type of biofield. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Asymptotic Laws of Thermovibrational Convecton in a Horizontal Fluid Layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smorodin, B. L.; Myznikova, B. I.; Keller, I. O.

2017-02-01

Theoretical study of convective instability is applied to a horizontal layer of incompressible single-component fluid subjected to the uniform steady gravity, longitudinal vibrations of arbitrary frequency and initial temperature difference. The mathematical model of thermovibrational convection has the form of initial boundary value problem for the Oberbeck-Boussinesq system of equations. The problems are solved using different simulation strategies, like the method of averaging, method of multiple scales, Galerkin approach, Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin method and Floquet technique. The numerical analysis has shown that the effect of vibrations on the stability threshold is complex: vibrations can either stabilize or destabilize the basic state depending on values of the parameters. The influence of the Prandtl number on the instability thresholds is investigated. The asymptotic behaviour of critical values of the parameters is studied in two limiting cases: (i) small amplitude and (ii) low frequency of vibration. In case (i), the instability is due to the influence of thermovibrational mechanism on the classical Rayleigh-Benard convective instability. In case (ii), the nature of the instability is related to the instability of oscillating counter-streams with a cubic profile.

Unsteady Oxygen Transfer in Space-Filling Models of the Pulmonary Acinus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hofemeier, Philipp; Shachar-Berman, Lihi; Filoche, Marcel; Sznitman, Josue

2014-11-01

Diffusional screening in the pulmonary acinus is a well-known physical phenomenon that results from the depletion of fresh oxygen in proximal acinar generations diffusing through the alveolar wall membranes and effectively creating a gradient in the oxygen partial pressure along the acinar airways. Until present, most studies have focused on steady-state oxygen diffusion in generic sub-acinar structures and discarded convective oxygen transport due to low Peclet numbers in this region. Such studies, however, fall typically short in capturing the complex morphology of acinar airways as well as the oscillatory nature of convecive acinar breathing. Here, we revisit this problem and solve the convective-diffusive transport equations in breathing 3D acinar structures, underlining the significance of convective flows in proximal acinar generations as well as recirculating alveolar flow patterns. In particular, to assess diffusional screening, we monitor time-dependent efficiencies of the acinus under cyclic breathing motion. Our study emphasizes the necessity of capturing both a dynamically breathing and anatomically-realistic model of the sub-acinus to characterize unsteady oxygen transport across the acinar walls.

Flow reversal, convection, and modeling in the DIII-D divertor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Boedo, J.A.; Porter, G.D.; Schaffer, M.J.

1998-12-01

Measurements of the parallel Mach number of background plasma in the DIII-D tokamak divertor [M. A. Mahdavi {ital et al.} in {ital Proceedings, 16th International Conference}, Montreal, 1996 (International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 1997) Vol. I, p. 397] were performed using a fast scanning Mach probe. The parallel particle flow shows evidence of complex behavior such as reverse flow, i.e., flow away from the target plate, stagnant flow, and large scale convection. For detached discharges, measurements confirm predictions of convective flow towards the divertor target plate at near sound speed over large regions in the divertor. The resulting convected heatmore » flux is a dominant heat transport mechanism in the divertor. For attached discharges with high recycling, particle flow reversal in a thin region at or near the outer separatrix, thereby confirming the existence of a mechanism by which impurities can be transported away from the divertor target plates. Modeling results from the two-dimensional fluid code UEDGE [G. D. Porter and the DIII-D Team, {open_quotes}Divertor characterization experiments and modelling in DIII-D,{close_quotes} in {ital Proceedings of the 23rd European Conference on Controlled Fusion and Plasma Physics}, 24{endash}28 June 1996, Kiev, Ukraine (European Physical Society, Petit-Lancy, Switzerland, 1996), Vol. 20C, Part II, p. 699] can reproduce the main features of the experimental observations. {copyright} {ital 1998 American Institute of Physics.}« less

Prediction of convective activity using a system of parasitic-nested numerical models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Perkey, D. J.

1976-01-01

A limited area, three dimensional, moist, primitive equation (PE) model is developed to test the sensitivity of quantitative precipitation forecasts to the initial relative humidity distribution. Special emphasis is placed on the squall-line region. To accomplish the desired goal, time dependent lateral boundaries and a general convective parameterization scheme suitable for mid-latitude systems were developed. The sequential plume convective parameterization scheme presented is designed to have the versatility necessary in mid-latitudes and to be applicable for short-range forecasts. The results indicate that the scheme is able to function in the frontally forced squallline region, in the gently rising altostratus region ahead of the approaching low center, and in the over-riding region ahead of the warm front. Three experiments are discussed.

A NEW COMBINED LOCAL AND NON-LOCAL PBL MODEL FOR METEOROLOGY AND AIR QUALITY MODELING

EPA Science Inventory

A new version of the Asymmetric Convective Model (ACM) has been developed to describe sub-grid vertical turbulent transport in both meteorology models and air quality models. The new version (ACM2) combines the non-local convective mixing of the original ACM with local eddy diff...

Evaluation of Lightning Jumps as a Predictor of Severe Weather in the Northeastern United States

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eck, Pamela

Severe weather events in the northeastern United States can be challenging to forecast, given how the evolution of deep convection can be influenced by complex terrain and the lack of quality observations in complex terrain. To supplement existing observations, this study explores using lightning to forecast severe convection in areas of complex terrain in the northeastern United States. A sudden increase in lightning flash rate by two standard deviations (2sigma), also known as a lightning jump, may be indicative of a strengthening updraft and an increased probability of severe weather. This study assesses the value of using lightning jumps to forecast severe weather during July 2015 in the northeastern United States. Total lightning data from the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) is used to calculate lightning jumps using a 2sigma lightning jump algorithm with a minimum threshold of 5 flashes min-1. Lightning jumps are used to predict the occurrence of severe weather, as given by whether a Storm Prediction Center (SPC) severe weather report occurred 45 min after a lightning jump in the same cell. Results indicate a high probability of detection (POD; 85%) and a high false alarm rate (FAR; 89%), suggesting that lightning jumps occur in sub-severe storms. The interaction between convection and complex terrain results in a locally enhanced updraft and an increased probability of severe weather. Thus, it is hypothesized that conditioning on an upslope variable may reduce the FAR. A random forest is introduced to objectively combine upslope flow, calculated using data from the High Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR), flash rate (FR), and flash rate changes with time (DFRDT). The random forest, a machine-learning algorithm, uses pattern recognition to predict a severe or non-severe classification based on the predictors. In addition to upslope flow, FR, and DFRDT, Next-Generation Radar (NEXRAD) Level III radar data was also included as a predictor to compare its value to that of lightning data. Results indicate a high POD (82%), a low FAR (28%), and that lightning data and upslope flow data account for 39% and 32% of variable importance, respectively.

Nonlinear electrohydrodynamics of leaky dielectric drops in the Quincke regime: Numerical simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Debasish; Saintillan, David

2015-11-01

The deformation of leaky dielectric drops in a dielectric fluid medium when subject to a uniform electric field is a classic electrohydrodynamic phenomenon best described by the well-known Melcher-Taylor leaky dielectric model. In this work, we develop a three-dimensional boundary element method for the full leaky dielectric model to systematically study the deformation and dynamics of liquid drops in strong electric fields. We compare our results with existing numerical studies, most of which have been constrained to axisymmetric drops or have neglected interfacial charge convection by the flow. The leading effect of convection is to enhance deformation of prolate drops and suppress deformation of oblate drops, as previously observed in the axisymmetric case. The inclusion of charge convection also enables us to investigate the dynamics in the Quincke regime, in which experiments exhibit a symmetry-breaking bifurcation leading to a tank-treading regime. Our simulations confirm the existence of this bifurcation for highly viscous drops, and also reveal the development of sharp interfacial charge gradients driven by convection near the drop's equator. American Chemical Society, Petroleum Research Fund.

A modified ATI technique for nowcasting convective rain volumes over areas. [area-time integrals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Makarau, Amos; Johnson, L. Ronald; Doneaud, Andre A.

1988-01-01

This paper explores the applicability of the area-time-integral (ATI) technique for the estimation of the growth portion only of a convective storm (while the rain volume is computed using the entire life history of the event) and for nowcasting the total rain volume of a convective system at the stage of its maximum development. For these purposes, the ATIs were computed from the digital radar data (for 1981-1982) from the North Dakota Cloud Modification Project, using the maximum echo area (ATIA) no less than 25 dBz, the maximum reflectivity, and the maximum echo height as the end of the growth portion of the convective event. Linear regression analysis demonstrated that correlations between total rain volume or the maximum rain volume versus ATIA were the strongest. The uncertainties obtained were comparable to the uncertainties which typically occur in rain volume estimates obtained from radar data employing Z-R conversion followed by space and time integration. This demonstrates that the total rain volume of a storm can be nowcasted at its maximum stage of development.

Convective structure of the planetary boundary layer of the ocean during gale

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Melfi, S. H.; Boers, R.

1986-01-01

The structure of the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) was measured, using an airborne lidar, over the Atlantic Ocean during several intensive observation periods of the Genesis of Atlantic Lows Experiment (GALE). Primary emphasis is on the understanding of the convective structure within the PBL during cold air outbreaks. Cold outbreaks generally occur in between the development of coastal storms; and behind a cold front sweeping down from Canada out across the Atlantic. As the cold dry air moves over the relatively warm ocean, it is heated and moistened. The transfer of latent and sensible heat during these events accounts for most of the heat transfer between the ocean and atmosphere during winter. Moistening of the PBL during these eventsis believed to be an important factor in determining the strength of development of the storm system which follows. In general, the more PBL moisture available as latent heat the higher the probability the storm will intensify. The major mechanism for vertical mixing of heat and mositure within the PBL is cellular convection. Knowlede of the organization and structure of the convection is important for understanding the process.

Long-term Doppler Shift and Line Profile Studies of Planetary Search Target Stars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McMillan, Robert S.

2002-01-01

This grant supported attempts to develop a method for measuring the Doppler shifts of solar-type stars more accurately. The expense of future space borne telescopes to search for solar systems like our own makes it worth trying to improve the relatively inexpensive pre-flight reconnaissance by ground-based telescopes. The concepts developed under this grant contributed to the groundwork for such improvements. They were focused on how to distinguish between extrasolar planets and stellar activity (convection) cycles. To measure the Doppler shift (radial velocity; RV) of the center of mass of a star in the presence of changing convection in the star's photosphere, one can either measure the effect of convection separately from that of the star's motion and subtract its contribution to the apparent RV, or measure the RV in a way that is insensitive to convection. This grant supported investigations into both of these approaches. We explored the use of a Fabry-Perot Etalon HE interferometer and a multichannel Fourier Transform Spectrometer (mFTS), and finished making a 1.8-m telescope operational and potentially available for this work.

Thermal effects in two-phase flow through face seals. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Basu, Prithwish

1988-01-01

When liquid is sealed at high temperature, it flashes inside the seal due to pressure drop and/or viscous heat dissipation. Two-phase seals generally exhibit more erratic behavior than their single phase counterparts. Thermal effects, which are often neglected in single phase seal analyses, play an important role in determining seal behavior under two-phase operation. It is necessary to consider the heat generation due to viscous shear, conduction into the seal rings and convection with the leakage flow. Analytical models developed work reasonably well at the two extremes - for low leakage rates when convection is neglected and for higher leakage rates when conduction is neglected. A preliminary model, known as the Film Coefficient Model, is presented which considers conduction and convection both, and allows continuous boiling over an extended region unlike the previous low-leakage rate model which neglects convection and always forces a discrete boiling interface. Another simplified, semi-analytical model, based on the assumption of isothermal conditions along the seal interafce, has been developed for low leakage rates. The Film Coefficient Model may be used for more accurate and realistic description.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Parker, Gary R. Jr.; Holmes, Matthew D.; Dickson, Peter

Conventional high explosives (e.g. PBX 9501, LX-07) have been observed to react violently following thermal insult: (1) Fast convective and compressive burns (HEVR); (2) Thermal explosions (HEVR); and (3) Deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT). No models exist that sufficiently capture/predict these complex multiphase and multiscale behaviors. For now, research is focused on identifying vulnerabilities and factors that control this behavior.

Mesoscale kinematics derived from X-band Doppler radar observations of convective versus stratiform precipitation and comparison with GPS radiosonde profiles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deshpande, Sachin M.; Dhangar, N.; Das, S. K.; Kalapureddy, M. C. R.; Chakravarty, K.; Sonbawne, S.; Konwar, M.

2015-11-01

Single Doppler analysis techniques known as velocity azimuth display (VAD) and volume velocity processing (VVP) are used to analyze kinematics of mesoscale flow such as horizontal wind and divergence using X-band Doppler weather radar observations, for selected cases of convective, stratiform, and shallow cloud systems near tropical Indian sites Pune (18.58°N, 73.92°E, above sea level (asl) 560 m) and Mandhardev (18.51°N, 73.85°E, asl 1297 m). The vertical profiles of horizontal wind estimated from radar VVP/VAD methods agree well with GPS radiosonde profiles, with the low-level jet at about 1.5 km during monsoon season well depicted in both. The vertical structure and temporal variability of divergence and reflectivity profiles are indicative of the dynamical and microphysical characteristics of shallow convective, deep convective, and stratiform cloud systems. In shallow convective systems, vertical development of reflectivity profiles is limited below 5 km. In deep convective systems, reflectivity values as large as 55 dBZ were observed above freezing level. The stratiform system shows the presence of a reflectivity bright band (~35 dBZ) near the melting level. The diagnosed vertical profiles of divergence in convective and stratiform systems are distinct. In shallow convective conditions, convergence was seen below 4 km with divergence above. Low-level convergence and upper level divergence are observed in deep convective profiles, while stratiform precipitation has midlevel convergence present between lower level and upper level divergence. The divergence profiles in stratiform precipitation exhibit intense shallow layers of "melting convergence" at 0°C level, near 4.5 km altitude, with a steep gradient on the both sides of the peak. The level of nondivergence in stratiform situations is lower than that in convective situations. These observed vertical structures of divergence are largely indicative of latent heating profiles in the atmosphere, an important ingredient of monsoon dynamics.

New, Improved Bulk-microphysical Schemes for Studying Precipitation Processes in WRF. Part 1; Comparisons with Other Schemes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tao, W.-K.; Shi, J.; Chen, S. S> ; Lang, S.; Hong, S.-Y.; Thompson, G.; Peters-Lidard, C.; Hou, A.; Braun, S.;

Microgravity Processing and Photonic Applications of Organic and Polymeric Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frazier, Donald O.; Paley, Mark S.; Penn, Benjamin G.; Abdeldayem, Hossin A.; Smith, David D.; Witherow, William K.

1997-01-01

Some of the primary purposes of this work are to study important technologies, particularly involving thin films, relevant to organic and polymeric materials for improving applicability to optical circuitry and devices and to assess the contribution of convection on film quality in unit and microgravity environments. Among the most important materials processing techniques of interest in this work are solution-based and by physical vapor transport, both having proven gravitational and acceleration dependence. In particular, PolyDiAcetylenes (PDA's) and PhthaloCyanines (Pc's) are excellent NonLinear Optical (NLO) materials with the promise of significantly improved NLO properties through order and film quality enhancements possible through microgravity processing. Our approach is to focus research on integrated optical circuits and optoelectronic devices relevant to solution-based and vapor processes of interest in the Space Sciences Laboratory at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). Modification of organic materials is an important aspect of achieving more highly ordered structures in conjunction with microgravity processing. Parallel activities include characterization of materials for particular NLO properties and determination of appropriation device designs consistent with selected applications. One result of this work is the determination, theoretically, that buoyancy-driven convection occurs at low pressures in an ideal gas in a thermalgradient from source to sink. Subsequent experiment supports the theory. We have also determined theoretically that buoyancy-driven convection occurs during photodeposition of PDA, an MSFC-patented process for fabricating complex circuits, which is also supported by experiment. Finally, the discovery of intrinsic optical bistability in metal-free Pc films enables the possibility of the development of logic gate technology on the basis of these materials.

Analytical estimates of radial segregation in Bridgman growth from low-level steady and periodic accelerations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naumann, Robert J.; Baugher, Charles

1992-08-01

Estimates of the convective flows driven by horizontal temperature gradients in the vertical Bridgman configuration are made for dilute systems subject to the low level accelerations typical of the residual accelerations experienced by a spacecraft in low Earth orbit. The estimates are made by solving the Navier-Stokes momentum equation in one dimension. The mass transport equation is then solved in two dimensions using a first-order perturbation method. This approach is valid provided the convective velocities are small compared to the growth velocity which generally requires a reduced gravity environment. If this condition is satisfied, there will be no circulating cells, and hence no convective transport along the vertical axis. However, the variations in the vertical velocity with radius will give rise to radial segregation. The approximate analytical model developed here can predict the degree of radial segregation for a variety of material and processing parameters to an accuracy well within a factor of two as compared against numerical computations of the full set of Navier-Stokes equations for steady accelerations. It has the advantage of providing more insight into the complex interplay of the processing parameters and how they affect the solute distribution in the grown crystal. This could be extremely valuable in the design of low-gravity experiments in which the intent is to control radial segregation. Also, the analysis can be extended to consider transient and periodic accelerations, which is difficult and costly to do numerically. Surprisingly, it was found that the relative radial segregation falls as the inverse cube of the frequency for periodic accelerations whose periods are short compared with the characteristic diffusion time.

How does natural groundwater flow affect CO2 dissolution in saline aquifers?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosenzweig, R.; Michel-Meyer, I.; Tsinober, A.; Shavit, U.

2017-12-01

The dissolution of supercritical CO2 in aquifer brine is one of the most important trapping mechanisms in CO2 geological storage. Diffusion-limited dissolution is a very slow process. However, since the CO2-rich water is slightly denser than the CO2-free water, when CO2-free water is overlaid by heavier CO2-rich water, convective instability results in fingers of dense CO2-rich water that propagate downwards, causing CO2-unsaturated water to move upwards. This convection process significantly accelerates the dissolution rate of CO2 into the aquifer water.Most previous works have neglected the effect of natural groundwater flow and assumed it has no effect on the dissolution dynamics. However, it was found that in some of the saline aquifers groundwater flow rate, although small, is not zero. In this research, we study the effect of groundwater flow on dissolution by performing laboratory experiments in a bead pack cell using a mixture of methanol and ethylene-glycol as a CO2 analog while varying the water horizontal flow rate. We find that water horizontal flow decreases the number of fingers, their wavelength and their propagation velocity. When testing high water flow rates, no fingers were developed and the dissolution process was entirely diffusive. The effect of water flow on the dissolution rate did not show a clear picture. When increasing the horizontal flow rate the convective dissolution flux slightly decreased and then increased again. It seems that the combination of density-driven flow, water horizontal flow, mechanical dispersion and molecular diffusion affect the dissolution rate in a complex and non-monotonic manner. These intriguing dynamics should be further studied to understand their effect on dissolution trapping.

Affective design identification on the development of batik convection product

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prastawa, H.; Purwaningsih, R.

2017-11-01

The affective design is increasingly applied to product development in order to meet the desires and preferences of customers. Batik is a traditional Indonesian culture containing historical and cultural values. The development of batik design is one of the efforts to strengthen the identity and superiority of Indonesia’s creative industries as well as to preserve batik as the cultural heritage of the nation. Batik product designs offered by the manufacturers do not necessarily correspond with the wishes of consumers, especially the affective values involved. Therefore it is necessary to identify consumer perceptions of convection- based batik product in the form of clothing and fabrics, especially the affective value as the consideration for the designer or manufacturer to develop design alternatives to batik convection products. This research aims to obtain information on consumer affective value, to identify the affective value perception differences among X and Y Generation and to classify affective value in the corresponding cluster of the batik products convection. This study uses Kansei engineering to determine the perception of affective design in the form of Kansei word. Cluster Analysis was used to form clusters that classify affective value of the same class. The results showed that there were 16 pairs of Kansei word which was worth as an affective consumer desire, the 3 indicators that had significant differences among X and Y Generation and 4 clusters with different characteristics.

Testing particle filters on convective scale dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haslehner, Mylene; Craig, George. C.; Janjic, Tijana

2014-05-01

Particle filters have been developed in recent years to deal with highly nonlinear dynamics and non Gaussian error statistics that also characterize data assimilation on convective scales. In this work we explore the use of the efficient particle filter (P.v. Leeuwen, 2011) for convective scale data assimilation application. The method is tested in idealized setting, on two stochastic models. The models were designed to reproduce some of the properties of convection, for example the rapid development and decay of convective clouds. The first model is a simple one-dimensional, discrete state birth-death model of clouds (Craig and Würsch, 2012). For this model, the efficient particle filter that includes nudging the variables shows significant improvement compared to Ensemble Kalman Filter and Sequential Importance Resampling (SIR) particle filter. The success of the combination of nudging and resampling, measured as RMS error with respect to the 'true state', is proportional to the nudging intensity. Significantly, even a very weak nudging intensity brings notable improvement over SIR. The second model is a modified version of a stochastic shallow water model (Würsch and Craig 2013), which contains more realistic dynamical characteristics of convective scale phenomena. Using the efficient particle filter and different combination of observations of the three field variables (wind, water 'height' and rain) allows the particle filter to be evaluated in comparison to a regime where only nudging is used. Sensitivity to the properties of the model error covariance is also considered. Finally, criteria are identified under which the efficient particle filter outperforms nudging alone. References: Craig, G. C. and M. Würsch, 2012: The impact of localization and observation averaging for convective-scale data assimilation in a simple stochastic model. Q. J. R. Meteorol. Soc.,139, 515-523. Van Leeuwen, P. J., 2011: Efficient non-linear data assimilation in geophysical fluid dynamics. - Computers and Fluids, doi:10,1016/j.compfluid.2010.11.011, 1096 2011. Würsch, M. and G. C. Craig, 2013: A simple dynamical model of cumulus convection for data assimilation research, submitted to Met. Zeitschrift.

Bias Reduction as Guidance for Developing Convection and Cloud Parameterization in GFDL AM4/CM4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, M.; Held, I.; Golaz, C.

2016-12-01

The representations of moist convection and clouds are challenging in global climate models and they are known to be important to climate simulations at all spatial and temporal scales. Many climate simulation biases can be traced to deficiencies in convection and cloud parameterizations. I will present some key biases that we are concerned about and the efforts that we have made to reduce the biases during the development of NOAA's Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) new generation global climate model AM4/CM4. In particular, I will present a modified version of the moist convection scheme that is based on the University of Washington Shallow Cumulus scheme (UWShCu, Bretherton et. al 2004). The new scheme produces marked improvement in simulation of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) compared to that used in AM3 and HIRAM. AM4/CM4 also produces high quality simulation of global distribution of cloud radiative effects and the precipitation with realistic mean climate state. This differs from models of improved MJO but with a much deteriorated mean state. The modifications to the UWShCu include an additional bulk plume for representing deep convection. The entrainment rate in the deep plume is parameterized to be a function of column-integrated relative humidity. The deep convective closure is based on relaxation of the convective available potential energy (CAPE) or cloud work function. The plumes' precipitation efficiency is optimized for better simulations of the cloud radiative effects. Precipitation re-evaporation is included in both shallow and deep plumes. In addition, a parameterization of convective gustiness is included with an energy source driven by cold pool derived from precipitation re-evaporation within the boundary layer and energy sink due to dissipation. I will present the motivations of these changes which are driven by reducing some aspects of the AM4/CM4 biases. Finally, I will also present the biases in current AM4/CM4 and challenges to further reduce them.

The effect of latent heat release on synoptic-to-planetary wave interactions and its implication for satellite observations: Theoretical modeling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Branscome, Lee E.; Bleck, Rainer; Obrien, Enda

1990-01-01

The project objectives are to develop process models to investigate the interaction of planetary and synoptic-scale waves including the effects of latent heat release (precipitation), nonlinear dynamics, physical and boundary-layer processes, and large-scale topography; to determine the importance of latent heat release for temporal variability and time-mean behavior of planetary and synoptic-scale waves; to compare the model results with available observations of planetary and synoptic wave variability; and to assess the implications of the results for monitoring precipitation in oceanic-storm tracks by satellite observing systems. Researchers have utilized two different models for this project: a two-level quasi-geostrophic model to study intraseasonal variability, anomalous circulations and the seasonal cycle, and a 10-level, multi-wave primitive equation model to validate the two-level Q-G model and examine effects of convection, surface processes, and spherical geometry. It explicitly resolves several planetary and synoptic waves and includes specific humidity (as a predicted variable), moist convection, and large-scale precipitation. In the past year researchers have concentrated on experiments with the multi-level primitive equation model. The dynamical part of that model is similar to the spectral model used by the National Meteorological Center for medium-range forecasts. The model includes parameterizations of large-scale condensation and moist convection. To test the validity of results regarding the influence of convective precipitation, researchers can use either one of two different convective schemes in the model, a Kuo convective scheme or a modified Arakawa-Schubert scheme which includes downdrafts. By choosing one or the other scheme, they can evaluate the impact of the convective parameterization on the circulation. In the past year researchers performed a variety of initial-value experiments with the primitive-equation model. Using initial conditions typical of climatological winter conditions, they examined the behavior of synoptic and planetary waves growing in moist and dry environments. Surface conditions were representative of a zonally averaged ocean. They found that moist convection associated with baroclinic wave development was confined to the subtropics.

Annual Research Briefs, 2004: Center for Turbulence Research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moin, Parviz; Mansour, Nagi N.

2004-01-01

This report contains the 2004 annual progress reports of the Research Fellows and students of the Center for Turbulence Research in its eighteenth year of operation. Since its inception in 1987, the objective of the CTR has been to advance the physical understanding of turbulent flows and development of physics based predictive tools for engineering analysis and turbulence control. Turbulence is ubiquitous in nature and in engineering devices. The studies at CTR have been motivated by applications where turbulence effects are significant; these include a broad range of technical areas such as planetary boundary layers, formation of planets, solar convection, magnetohydrodynamics, environmental and eco systems, aerodynamic noise, propulsion systems and high speed transportation. Numerical simulation has been the predominant research tool at CTR which has required a critical mass of researchers in numerical analysis and computer science in addition to core disciplines such as applied mathematics, chemical kinetics and fluid mechanics. Maintaining and promoting this interdisciplinary culture has been a hallmark of CTR and has been responsible for the realization of the results of its basic research in applications. The first group of reports in this volume are directed towards development, analysis and application of novel numerical methods for ow simulations. Development of methods for large eddy simulation of complex flows has been a central theme in this group. The second group is concerned with turbulent combustion, scalar transport and multi-phase ows. The nal group is devoted to geophysical turbulence where the problem of solar convection has been a new focus of considerable attention recently at CTR.

Study of Magnetic Damping Effect on Convection and Solidification Under G-Jitter Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Li, Ben Q.; deGroh, H. C.

2001-01-01

As shown in space flight experiments, g-jitter is a critical issue affecting solidification processing of materials in microgravity. This study aims to provide, through extensive numerical simulations and ground based experiments, an assessment of the use of magnetic fields in combination with microgravity to reduce the g-jitter induced convective flows in space processing systems. Analytical solutions and 2-D and 3-D numerical models for g-jitter driven flows in simple solidification systems with and without the presence of an applied magnetic field have been developed and extensive analyses were carried out. A physical model was also constructed and PIV measurements compared reasonably well with predictions from numerical models. Some key points may be summarized as follows: (1) the amplitude of the oscillating velocity decreases at a rate inversely proportional to the g-jitter frequency and with an increase in the applied magnetic field; (2) the induced flow oscillates at approximately the same frequency as the affecting g-jitter, but out of a phase angle; (3) the phase angle is a complicated function of geometry, applied magnetic field, temperature gradient and frequency; (4) g-jitter driven flows exhibit a complex fluid flow pattern evolving in time; (5) the damping effect is more effective for low frequency flows; and (6) the applied magnetic field helps to reduce the variation of solutal distribution along the solid-liquid interface. Work in progress includes developing numerical models for solidification phenomena with the presence of both g-jitter and magnetic fields and developing a ground-based physical model to verify numerical predictions.

Prediction of oxygen distribution in aortic valve leaflet considering diffusion and convection.

PubMed

Wang, Ling; Korossis, Sotirios; Fisher, John; Ingham, Eileen; Jin, Zhongmin

2011-07-01

Oxygen supply and transport is an important consideration in the development of tissue engineered constructs. Previous studies from our group have focused on the effect of tissue thickness on the oxygen diffusion within a three-dimensional aortic valve leaflet model, and highlighted the necessity for additional transport mechanisms such as oxygen convection. The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of interstitial fluid flow within the aortic valve leaflet, induced by the cyclic loading of the leaflet, on oxygen transport. Indentation testing and finite element modelings were employed to derive the biphasic properties of the leaflet tissue. The biphasic properties were subsequently used in the computational modeling of oxygen convection in the leaflet, which was based on the effective interstitial fluid velocity and the tissue deformation. Subsequently, the oxygen profile was predicted within the valve leaflet model by solving the diffusion and convection equation simultaneously utilizing the finite difference method. The compression modulus (E) and hydraulic permeability were determined by adapting a finite element model to the experimental indentation test on valvular tissue, E = 0.05MPa, and k =2.0 mm4/Ns. Finite element model of oxygen convection in valvular tissue incorporating the predicted biphasic properties was developed and the interstitial fluid flow rate was calculated falling in range of 0.025-0.25 mm/s depending on the tissue depth. Oxygen distribution within valvular tissue was predicted using one-dimensional oxygen diffusion model taking into consider the interstitial fluid effect. It was found that convection did enhance the oxygen transport in valvular tissue by up to 68% increase in the minimum oxygen tension within the tissue, depending on the strain level of the tissue as reaction of the magnitude and frequencies of the cardiac loading. The effective interstitial fluid velocity was found to play an important role in enhancing the oxygen transport within the valve leaflet. Such an understanding is important in the development of valvular tissue engineered constructs.

Three-dimensional turbulence-resolving modeling of the Venusian cloud layer and induced gravity waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lefèvre, Maxence; Spiga, Aymeric; Lebonnois, Sébastien

2017-01-01

The impact of the cloud convective layer of the atmosphere of Venus on the global circulation remains unclear. The recent observations of gravity waves at the top of the cloud by the Venus Express mission provided some answers. These waves are not resolved at the scale of global circulation models (GCM); therefore, we developed an unprecedented 3-D turbulence-resolving large-eddy simulations (LES) Venusian model using the Weather Research and Forecast terrestrial model. The forcing consists of three different heating rates: two radiative ones for solar and infrared and one associated with the adiabatic cooling/warming of the global circulation. The rates are extracted from the Laboratoire de Météorlogie Dynamique Venus GCM using two different cloud models. Thus, we are able to characterize the convection and associated gravity waves in function of latitude and local time. To assess the impact of the global circulation on the convective layer, we used rates from a 1-D radiative-convective model. The resolved layer, taking place between 1.0 × 105 and 3.8 × 104 Pa (48-53 km), is organized as polygonal closed cells of about 10 km wide with vertical wind of several meters per second. The convection emits gravity waves both above and below the convective layer leading to temperature perturbations of several tenths of kelvin with vertical wavelength between 1 and 3 km and horizontal wavelength from 1 to 10 km. The thickness of the convective layer and the amplitudes of waves are consistent with observations, though slightly underestimated. The global dynamics heating greatly modify the convective layer.

Warm-season severe wind events in Germany

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gatzen, Christoph

2013-04-01

A 15-year data set of wind measurements was analyzed with regard to warm season severe wind gusts in Germany. For April to September of the years 1997 to 2011, 1035 wind measurements of 26 m/s or greater were found. These wind reports were associated with 268 wind events. In total, 252 convective wind events contributed to 837 (81%) of the wind reports, 16 non-convective synoptic-scale wind events contributed to 198 reports (19%). Severe wind events were found with synoptic situations characterized by rather strong mid-level flow and advancing mid-level troughs. Severe convective wind events were analyzed using radar images and classified with respect to the observed radar structure. The most important convective mode was squall lines that were associated with one third of all severe wind gusts, followed by groups, bow echo complexes, and bow echoes. Supercells and cells were not associated with many wind reports. The low contribution of isolated cells indicates that rather large-scale forcing by synoptic-scale features like fronts is important for German severe wind events. Bow echoes were found to be present for 58% of all wind reports. The movement speed of bow echoes indicated a large variation with a maximum speed of 33 m/s. Extreme wind events as well as events with more than 15 wind reports were found to be related to higher movement speeds. Concentrating on the most intense events, derechos seem to be very important to the warm season wind threat in Germany. Convective events with a path length of more than 400 km contributed to 36% of all warm-season wind gusts in this data set. Furthermore, eight of nine extreme gusts exceeding 40 m/s were recorded with derecho events.

Physics of Stellar Convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arnett, W. David

2009-05-01

We review recent progress using numerical simulations as a testbed for development of a theory of stellar convection, much as envisaged by John von Newmann. Necessary features of the theory, non-locality and fluctuations, are illustrated by computer movies. It is found that the common approximation of convection as a diffusive process presents the wrong physical picture, and improvements are suggested. New observational results discussed at the conference are gratifying in their validation of some of our theoretical ideas, especially the idea that SNIb and SNIc events are related to the explosion of massive star cores which have been stripped by mass loss and binary interactions [1

Effects of Convective Transport of Solute and Impurities on Defect-Causing Kinetics Instabilities in Protein Crystallization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vekilov, Peter G.

2002-01-01

The objective of the proposed research is to obtain further insight into the onset and development of the defect-causing instabilities that anise due to the coupling of the bulk transport and nonlinear-interfacial kinetics during growth in the mixed regime, utilizing the reduction of the convective contribution to the bulk transport under microgravity. These studies will build upon the data on the effects of quantitative variations of the forced convection velocity on the averaged and time-dependent kinetic behavior of protein crystal growth systems that have recently been obtained in our laboratory.

Numerical Simulation of Convective Heat and Mass Transfer in a Two-Layer System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Myznikova, B. I.; Kazaryan, V. A.; Tarunin, E. L.; Wertgeim, I. I.

The results are presented of mathematical and computer modeling of natural convection in the “liquid-gas” two-layer system, filling a vertical cylinder surrounded by solid heat conductive tract. The model describes approximately the conjugate heat and mass transfer in the underground oil product storage, filled partially by a hydrocarbon liquid, with natural gas layer above the liquid surface. The geothermal gradient in a rock mass gives rise to the intensive convection in the liquid-gas system. The consideration is worked out for laminar flows, laminar-turbulent transitional regimes, and developed turbulent flows.

Influence of zero-G on single-cell systems and zero-G fermenter design concepts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mayeux, J. V.

1977-01-01

An analysis was made to identify potential gravity-sensitive mechanisms that may be present in the single-cell growth system. Natural convection (density gradients, induced sedimentation, and buoyancy) is important in microbial systems. The absence of natural convection in the space-flight environment could provide an opportunity for new approaches for developments in industrial fermentation and agriculture. Some of the potential influences of gravity (i.e., convection, sedimentation, etc.) on the cell were discussed to provide insight into what experimental areas may be pursued in future space-flight research programs.

Reduction of Convection in Closed Tube Vapor Transport Experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Naumann, R. J.; Tan, Sarwa Bakti; Shin, In-Seok; Kim, Joo Soo

2002-01-01

The primary objective of this effort was to develop a method for suppressing convective flows during the growth of mercurous chloride crystals by vapor transport in closed tubes to levels approaching those obtained in the microgravity environment. Mercurous chloride was chosen because it is a technologically interesting acoustical optical material whose optical properties are believed to be affected by convective flows. Since the Grashof number scales as the cube of the smallest dimension in the flow system, reduction of the size scale can be extremely effective in reducing unwanted convective flows. However, since materials of practical interest must be grown at least on the cm scale, reduction of the overall growth system is not feasible. But if the region just above the growing crystal could be restricted to a few mm, considerable reduction in flow velocity would result. By suspending an effusive barrier in the growth ampoule just above the growth interface, it should be possible to reduce the convective velocity in this vicinity to levels approaching flows in microgravity. If successful, this growth technique will offer a screening test for proposed space experiments that involve vapor transport to see if reduction of convection will result in improved material and will set a new standard against which the improvements obtained in microgravity may be judged. In addition, it may provide an improved method for preparing materials on Earth whose growth is affected adversely by convection. If the properties of this material can be improved there is a potential commercial interest from Brimrose Inc., who has agreed to fabricate and test devices from the crystals we have grown. This report describes the development of the growth facility, the purification processes developed for preparing the starting material, and the results from growth experiments with and without the effusive baffle. Mercurous chloride turned out to be a more difficult material to deal with than originally anticipated. At growth temperatures, it is extremely sensitive to practically any impurity which causes it to form oxychlorides and/or to decompose into elemental mercury and bichloride of mercury. We were unable to find a suitable method for protecting the magnetic material used to suspend the effusion barrier from the attack of mercurous chloride vapor. Although we were successful in growing single crystals of mercurous chloride without the effusion baffle, they exhibited severe microcracking which we attribute to wall-induced thermal stresses. This leads us to believe that uncontrolled convection may not be the most important problem in the development of this material and a new growth process was attempted that eliminates the wall-induced stress. Unfortunately, the grant ran out before this new method could be adequately tested.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bemporad, G.A.; Rubin, H.

This manuscript concerns the onset of thermohaline convection in a solar pond subject to field conditions as well as a small scale laboratory test section simulating the solar pond performance. The onset of thermohaline convection is analyzed in this study by means of a linear stability analysis in which the flow field perturbations are expended in sets of complete orthonormal functions satisfying the boundary conditions of the flow field. The linear stability analysis is first performed with regard to an advanced solar pond (ASP) subject to field conditions in which thermohaline convection develops in planes perpendicular to the unperturbed flowmore » velocity vector. In the laboratory simulator of the ASP the width and depth are of the same order of magnitude. In this case it is found that the side walls delay the onset of convection in planes perpendicular to the unperturbed flow velocity vector. The presence of the side walls may cause the planes parallel to the flow velocity to be the most susceptible to the development on all three spatial variables, are predicted. They may develop in planes parallel or perpendicular to the unperturbed velocity vector according to the value of the Reynolds number of the unperturbed flow and the ratio between the width and depth of the ASP simulator.« less

Searching for Hysteresis in Models of Mantle Convection with Grain-Damage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lamichhane, R.; Foley, B. J.

2017-12-01

The mode of surface tectonics on terrestrial planets is determined by whether mantle convective forces are capable of forming weak zones of localized deformation in the lithosphere, which act as plate boundaries. If plate boundaries can form then a plate tectonic mode develops, and if not convection will be in the stagnant lid regime. Episodic subduction or sluggish lid convection are also possible in between the nominal plate tectonic and stagnant lid regimes. Plate boundary formation is largely a function of the state of the mantle, e.g. mantle temperature or surface temperature, and how these conditions influence both mantle convection and the mantle rheology's propensity for forming weak, localized plate boundaries. However, a planet's tectonic mode also influences whether plate boundaries can form, as the driving forces for plate boundary formation (e.g. stress and viscous dissipation) are different in a plate tectonic versus stagnant lid regime. As a result, tectonic mode can display hysteresis, where convection under otherwise identical conditions can reach different final states as a result of the initial regime of convection. Previous work has explored this effect in pseudoplastic models, finding that it is more difficult to initiate plate tectonics starting from a stagnant lid state than it is to sustain plate tectonics when already in a mobile lid regime, because convective stresses in the lithosphere are lower in a stagnant lid regime than in a plate tectonic regime. However, whether and to what extent such hysteresis is displayed when alternative rheological models for lithospheric shear localization are used is unknown. In particular, grainsize reduction is commonly hypothesized to be a primary cause of shear localization and plate boundary formation. We use new models of mantle convection with grain-size evolution to determine how the initial mode of surface tectonics influences the final convective regime reached when convection reaches statistical steady-state. Scaling analysis is performed to quantify how subduction initiation from a stagnant lid differs from sustaining subduction in a mobile lid. The implications of our results for the evolution of the mode of surface tectonics on terrestrial planets will also be discussed.

Analysis of the convective characteristics during the mutual evolution of an inverted trough/low vortex and its induced rainstorm over the northeastern Sichuan basin, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yongren; Li, Yueqing; Qi, Dongmei

2018-04-01

Based on a variety of ground-based and satellite-derived observational data, we studied a flood-rainstorm event that occurred over northeastern Sichuan, China, from the 8th to the 14th of September 2014. Four periods of mesoscale convective system (MCS) activity were found during a mutual evolution process of an 850-hPa basin inverted trough (BIT) and 850-hPa basin low vortex (BLV). Among them, the first three periods occurred in an alternating evolution of the BIT and BLV (called the first stage), and then, the fourth period was stimulated by continuous activity of the BLV (called the second stage). During the first stage, MCSs enhanced (weakened) under the situation of the BIT (BLV), and then during the second stage MCSs developed to their strongest levels. Further analysis of the reasons behind the enhancement and weakening of MCSs revealed an obvious characteristic of upper level (lower level) positive (negative) divergence in the BIT situation of the first stage and BLV situation of the second stage. By comparison, under the BLV situation of the first stage, the vertical helicity was larger in the upward airflow of the zonal circulation, and the direction of the wet Q-vector was toward the ascending airflow in the vertical direction. In the horizontal direction, the negative divergence of the wet Q-vector corresponded to the position of water vapor flux convergence. In addition, in the early development of convection, sounding data showed a humidity profile of dry upper and wet lower levels, as well as a larger value of convective available potential energy, which triggered convective activity under the favorable dynamic conditions of atmosphere. When the above characteristics weakened, the convective activity also weakened. Therefore, the formation of multiple convective systems was closely related to the adjustment in atmospheric conditions around the BIT and BLV.

Convective and stratiform rain: Multichannel microwave sensing over oceans

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prabhakara, C.; Nucciarone, J. J.; Dalu, G.

1993-01-01

Measurements made by the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) radiometer over the oceans, at 19, 37, and 85 GHz in dual polarization, are used to develop a model to classify rain into light-stratiform, moderately convective, and heavy convective types in the mesoscale convective systems (MCS). It is observed that the bulk of the 19- and 37-GHz data are linearly correlated with respect to one another, and generally increase together in brightness as the mean rain rate in the field of view (FOV) of the radiometer increases. However, a significant fraction of the data from these channels departs from this linear relationship, reflecting the nonuniform rain that is convective vs. the relatively light stratiform rain. It is inferred from the SSM/I data, in a MCS, when the slope dT sub 3/dT sub 19 is greater than unity there are optically thin clouds which produce light uniform rain. On the other hand, when dT sub 3/dT sub 19 is close to unity, the rain cells have an open structure and correspond to the convective type of rain. The openings between the cells are apparently a result of the downdrafts and/or entrainment. Relatively low values of 85-GHz brightness temperatures that are present when dT sub 37/dT sub 19 is close to unity support these views and, in addition, leads us to conclude that when the convection is heavy this brightness temperature decreases due to scattering by hydrometeors. On the basis of this explanation of the SSM/I data, an empirical rain retrieval algorithm is developed. Radar backscatter observations over the Atlantic Ocean next to Florida are used to demonstrate the applicability of this method. Three monthly mean maps of rainfall over the oceans from 50 degrees N to 50 degrees S, are presented to illustrate the ability of this method to sense seasonal and interannual variations of rain.

Potential indirect effects of aerosol on tropical cyclone development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krall, Geoffrey

Observational and model evidence suggest that a 2008 Western Pacific typhoon (NURI) came into contact with and ingested elevated concentrations of aerosol as it neared the Chinese coast. This study uses a regional model with two-moment bin emulating microphysics to simulate the typhoon as it enters the field of elevated aerosol concentration. A continental field of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) was prescribed based on satellite and global aerosol model output, then increased for further sensitivity tests. The typhoon was simulated for 96 hours beginning 17 August 2008, the final 60 of which were under varying CCN concentrations as it neared the Philippines and coastal China. The model was initialized with both global reanalysis model data and irregularly spaced dropsonde data from a 2008 observational campaign using an objective analysis routine. At 36 hours, the internal nudging of the model was switched off and allowed to evolve on its own. As the typhoon entered the field of elevated CCN in the sensitivity tests, the presence of additional CCN resulted in a significant perturbation of windspeed, convective fluxes, and hydrometeor species behavior. Initially ingested in the outer rainbands of the storm, the additional CCN resulted in an initial damping and subsequent invigoration of convection. The increase in convective fluxes strongly lag-correlates with increased amounts of supercooled liquid water within the storm domain. As the convection intensified in the outer rainbands the storm drifted over the developing cold-pools, affecting the inflow of air into the convective towers of the typhoon. Changes in the timing and amount of rain produced in each simulation resulted in differing cold-pool strengths and size. The presence of additional CCN increased resulted in an amplification of convection within the storm, except for the extremely high CCN concentration simulation, which showed a damped convection due to the advection of pristine ice away from the storm. This study examines the physical mechanisms that could potentially alter a tropical cyclone (TC) in intensity and dynamics upon ingesting elevated levels of CCN.

A comprehensive analysis of the evaporation of a liquid spherical drop.

PubMed

Sobac, B; Talbot, P; Haut, B; Rednikov, A; Colinet, P

2015-01-15

In this paper, a new comprehensive analysis of a suspended drop of a pure liquid evaporating into air is presented. Based on mass and energy conservation equations, a quasi-steady model is developed including diffusive and convective transports, and considering the non-isothermia of the gas phase. The main original feature of this simple analytical model lies in the consideration of the local dependence of the physico-chemical properties of the gas on the gas temperature, which has a significant influence on the evaporation process at high temperatures. The influence of the atmospheric conditions on the interfacial evaporation flux, molar fraction and temperature is investigated. Simplified versions of the model are developed to highlight the key mechanisms governing the evaporation process. For the conditions considered in this work, the convective transport appears to be opposed to the evaporation process leading to a decrease of the evaporation flux. However, this effect is relatively limited, the Péclet numbers happening to be small. In addition, the gas isothermia assumption never appears to be valid here, even at room temperature, due to the large temperature gradient that develops in the gas phase. These two conclusions are explained by the fact that heat transfer from the gas to the liquid appears to be the step limiting the evaporation process. Regardless of the complexity of the developed model, yet excluding extremely small droplets, the square of the drop radius decreases linearly over time (R(2) law). The assumptions of the model are rigorously discussed and general criteria are established, independently of the liquid-gas couple considered. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Tropical cloud buoyancy is the same in a world with or without ice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seeley, Jacob T.; Romps, David M.

2016-04-01

When convective clouds grow above the melting line, where temperatures fall below 0°C, condensed water begins to freeze and water vapor is deposited. These processes release the latent heat of fusion, which warms cloud air, and many previous studies have suggested that this heating from fusion increases cloud buoyancy in the upper troposphere. Here we use numerical simulations of radiative-convective equilibrium with and without ice processes to argue that tropical cloud buoyancy is not systematically higher in a world with fusion than in a world without it. This insensitivity results from the fact that the environmental temperature profile encountered by developing tropical clouds is itself determined by convection. We also offer a simple explanation for the large reservoir of convective available potential energy in the tropical upper troposphere that does not invoke ice.

Decay Heat Removal from a GFR Core by Natural Convection

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Williams, Wesley C.; Hejzlar, Pavel; Driscoll, Michael J.

2004-07-01

One of the primary challenges for Gas-cooled Fast Reactors (GFR) is decay heat removal after a loss of coolant accident (LOCA). Due to the fact that thermal gas cooled reactors currently under design rely on passive mechanisms to dissipate decay heat, there is a strong motivation to accomplish GFR core cooling through natural phenomena. This work investigates the potential of post-LOCA decay heat removal from a GFR core to a heat sink using an external convection loop. A model was developed in the form of the LOCA-COLA (Loss of Coolant Accident - Convection Loop Analysis) computer code as a meansmore » for 1D steady state convective heat transfer loop analysis. The results show that decay heat removal by means of gas cooled natural circulation is feasible under elevated post-LOCA containment pressure conditions. (authors)« less

Assessment of mesoscale convective systems using IR brightness temperature in the southwest of Iran

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rafati, Somayeh; Karimi, Mostafa

2017-07-01

In this research, the spatial and temporal distribution of Mesoscale Convective Systems was assessed in the southwest of Iran using Global merged satellite IR brightness temperature (acquired from Meteosat, GOES, and GMS geostationary satellites) and synoptic station data. Event days were selected using a set of storm reports and precipitation criteria. The following criteria are used to determine the days with occurrence of convective systems: (1) at least one station reported 6-h precipitation exceeding 10 mm and (2) at least three stations reported phenomena related to convection (thunderstorm, lightning, and shower). MCSs were detected based on brightness temperature, maximum areal extent, and duration thresholds (228 K, 10,000 km2, and 3 h, respectively). An MCS occurrence classification system is developed based on mean sea level, 850 and 500 hPa pressure patterns.

Mean-field theory of differential rotation in density stratified turbulent convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rogachevskii, I.

2018-04-01

A mean-field theory of differential rotation in a density stratified turbulent convection has been developed. This theory is based on the combined effects of the turbulent heat flux and anisotropy of turbulent convection on the Reynolds stress. A coupled system of dynamical budget equations consisting in the equations for the Reynolds stress, the entropy fluctuations and the turbulent heat flux has been solved. To close the system of these equations, the spectral approach, which is valid for large Reynolds and Péclet numbers, has been applied. The adopted model of the background turbulent convection takes into account an increase of the turbulence anisotropy and a decrease of the turbulent correlation time with the rotation rate. This theory yields the radial profile of the differential rotation which is in agreement with that for the solar differential rotation.