Convection regimes induced by local boundary heating in a liquid–gas system

Abstract

In the framework of the complete formulation of the conjugate problem, the liquid–gas flow structure arising upon local heating using thermal sources is investigated numerically. The two-layer system is confined by solid impermeable walls. The Navier–Stokes equations in the Boussinesq approximation in the ‘streamfunction–vorticity’ variables are used to describe the media motion. The dynamic conditions at the interface are formulated in terms of the tangential and normal velocities, while the temperature conditions at the external boundaries of the system take into account the presence of local heaters. The influence of the number of heaters and heating modes on the dynamics and character of the appearing convective regimes is analysed. The steady and commutated heating modes for one and two heaters arranged at the lower boundary are investigated. The heating initiates convective and thermocapillary mechanisms causing the fluid motion. Transient regimes with the successive formation of two-vortex, quadruple-vortex and two-vortex flows are observed before the stabilization of the system in the uniform heating mode. A stable thermocapillary deflection appears at the interface above the heater. The commutated mode of heating entails oscillations of the interface with a change in the deflection form and the formation of travelling vortices in the fluids. The impact of particular mechanisms on the flow patterns is analysed. The paper presents typical distributions of the velocity and temperature fields in the system and the position of the interface for the considered cases.