Turbulence and jet-driven zonal flows: Secondary circulation in rotating fluids due to asymmetric forcing
Creators
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1.
California State University, San Marcos
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2.
Princeton University
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3.
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
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4.
State University of New York College at Cortland
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5.
University of Twente
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6.
University of California, Riverside
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7.
University of Otago
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8.
California Institute of Technology
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9.
University of California, San Diego
Abstract
We report on experiments and modeling on a rotating confined liquid that is forced by circumferential jets coaxial with the rotation axis, wherein system-scale secondary flows are observed to emerge. The jets are evenly divided in number between inlets and outlets and have zero net mass transport. For low forcing strengths the sign of this flow depends on the sign of a sloped end cap, which simulates a planetary β plane. For increased forcing strengths the secondary flow direction is insensitive to the slope sign, and instead appears to be dominated by an asymmetry in the forcing mechanism, namely, the difference in radial divergence between the inlet and outlet jet profiles. This asymmetry yields a net radial velocity that is affected by the Coriolis force, inducing secondary zonal flow.
Additional Information
© 2019 American Physical Society. Received 14 July 2018; published 12 February 2019. We thank P. Slobota [Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL)] for extensive hardware work as well as P. Dang for helping with initial data collection; initial theoretical discussions with T. Stoltzfus-Dueck (PPPL) were also valuable. M.J.B. recognizes sabbatical support provided by PPPL and the former U.S. Department of Energy Center for Momentum Transport and Flow Organization.Attached Files
Published - PhysRevE.99.023108.pdf
Files
PhysRevE.99.023108.pdf
Additional details
Identifiers
- Eprint ID
- 92847
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20190212-101956175
Funding
- Department of Energy (DOE)
Dates
- Created
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2019-02-12Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
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2021-11-16Created from EPrint's last_modified field