On the applicability of low-dimensional models for convective flow reversals at extreme Prandtl numbers

2017/11/05 by Manu Mannattil, Ambrish Pandey, Mahendra K. Verma +1 · 16 citations
Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Environmental Science · Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Classical mechanics #Complex Systems and Time Series Analysis #Convection #Convective flow #Dimensionless quantity #Flow (mathematics) #Mathematics #Mechanics #Nonlinear system #Nusselt number #Physics #Plant Water Relations and Carbon Dynamics #Prandtl number #Reynolds number #Statistical physics #Theoretical and Computational Physics #Turbulence #Turbulent Prandtl number #nlin.CD #physics.flu-dyn

paper · pdf · doi:10.1140/epjb/e2017-80391-1

published in The European Physical Journal B 90(12) (Springer Science+Business Media) · 9 pages, 4 figures

arxiv created 2017/11/05 · openalex publication_date 2017/12/01 · arxiv updated 2017/12/19 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

Constructing simpler models, either stochastic or deterministic, for exploring the phenomenon of flow reversals in fluid systems is in vogue across disciplines. Using direct numerical simulations and nonlinear time series analysis, we illustrate that the basic nature of flow reversals in convecting fluids can depend on the dimensionless parameters describing the system. Specifically, we find evidence of low-dimensional determinism in flow reversals occurring at zero Prandtl number, whereas we fail to find such signatures for reversals at infinite Prandtl number. Thus, even in a single system, as one varies the system parameters, one can encounter reversals that are fundamentally different in nature. Consequently, we conclude that a single general low-dimensional deterministic model cannot faithfully characterize flow reversals for every set of parameter values.

Citations

• A model of diffusion in a potential well for the dynamics of the large-scale circulation in turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection
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• Flow Reversals in Turbulent Convection via Vortex Reconnections
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• Flow Reversals in Thermally Driven Turbulence
• Embedology