Interaction Of Convection Research Articles

Mixed convection of transient MHD stagnation point flow over a stretching sheet with quadratic convection and thermal radiation

AbstractThis study investigates the influence of quadratic (nonlinear) convection in transient magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) combined convection over a two‐dimensional stretching sheet. It explores the effects of thermal radiation, suction, and heat sources or sinks. The Crank–Nicholson implicit finite difference method is employed for numerical computations. The significance lies in considering secondary convection, which is crucial in understanding nonlinear convective effects affecting flow and heat transfer properties. The study aims to advance our comprehension of how secondary convection impacts the overall system behavior. Through numerical calculations validated against existing literature, strong agreement is demonstrated. The study evaluates secondary convection effects, magnetic, buoyancy, gravitational parameters, Prandtl number, and radiation parameters. Notably, strong quadratic convection alters flow patterns, affecting velocity and temperature profiles. Moreover, it is observed that when increasing the nonlinear (quadratic) convective factors, the temperature profile increases for and decreases for . The prevalence of nonlinear or second‐order convection highlights magnetic dominance. In essence, this research enhances our understanding of complex convection interactions in MHD flow, shedding light on the role of secondary convection in shaping system behavior.

Understanding ozone episodes during the TRACER-AQ campaign in Houston, Texas: The role of transport and ozone production sensitivity to precursors

This study investigated transport pathways and photochemical formation responsible for ozone exceedances during the September 2021 deployment of the Tracking Aerosol Convection Interactions ExpeRiment/Air Quality (TRACER-AQ) campaign in Houston, Texas. We focused on two ozone episodes, September 6th–September 11th (“Episode 1”) and September 23rd–September 26th (“Episode 2”), when the maximum daily eight-hour average (MDA8) ozone at surface monitors exceeded 70 ppbv. Long-range transport patterns of air masses during these episodes were from the central/northern US. High-resolution (4 km resolution) trajectory analysis with FLEXible PARTicle (FLEXPART) dispersion model revealed local recirculation of air masses and the accumulation of pollutants across Houston contribute to the ozone exceedances. Comprehensive Air Quality Model with extensions (CAMx) driven by 1.33-km resolution meteorology from the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) tool simulated elevated ozone production rates during ozone episodes across the Houston metropolitan area, with ozone production hotspots mostly over Houston city and industrial districts of the Houston Ship Channel (HSC). The regional increase in ozone production rates was due to the transport of VOC-rich air masses (via northerly flows) that brought ozone precursors to the region, which ultimately caused a transition in the ozone formation tendency from generally VOC-limited to NOx-limited conditions. However, the city of Houston and the HSC remained in a VOC-limited regime because of local NOx emissions that, to some extent, preponderated the impact of transported VOCs. While approximately 37 % of the elevated ozone production was attributed to local photochemistry, the remaining ∼63 % increase in ozone production was due to the transported ozone to the region during episodes, bringing ozone to the Houston region and contributing to ozone exceedances. The outcomes of this study illustrated the synergy between transport and ozone production, both long-range and local scale, which resulted in ozone exceedances in Houston.

Analytical Models of the Interaction of Convection with Intercepting Layers in the Atmosphere

The interaction of various forms of convection with stably stratified barrier layers in the atmosphere is theoretically investigated. Three different formulations of the problem are considered. 1) A linear problem with given perturbations of temperature and vertical velocity at the lower boundary of a stably stratified medium. 2) Penetration of an isolated turbulent thermal into such a medium. 3) Impact on the intercepting layer of an intense convective turbulent jet. Analytical solutions of the corresponding model problems are found. The possibility of connecting the considered models with signatures of intense convection, in particular, with dome-shaped protrusions above the anvil of a cumulonimbus cloud (or a cluster of a convective system), which represent the intrusion of a powerful updraft into a stably stratified medium, is discussed.

Impact of Explicitly Parameterized Mid-to-Low Level Latent Heating on the Simulation of a Squall Line in South China

Organized mesoscale convective systems (MCSs), such as squall lines, are often poorly forecasted in numerical weather prediction models. In this study, experiments are performed to show that the vertical distribution of latent heating (LH) plays an important role in organizing a trailing-stratiform (TS) squall line over South China. We investigated the impact of modifying the altitude of LH peaking around 2–5 km on the squall line. It is found that increasing LH peaking at a lower vertical level (around 2–3 km) is crucial for the simulation of the TS squall line by influencing the evolution of the front-to-rear tilted upward flow and its associated mesoscale rear-to-front flow below. The influence of different LH profiles on the structure of the simulated squall line is explained using the Rotunno–Klemp–Weisman (RKW) theory considering the effects of different heights of the vertical wind center. Stronger LH at lower heights results in a vertical wind core centered lower in the convection region. Behind the core, at the mid-to-low level, is a region of descending negative horizontal vorticity. Such negative vorticity region favors a descending flow below it. When this mesoscale flow with low equivalent potential temperature (θe) descends and catches up with the convection at near-surface, it enhances both the strength and moving speed of the convection system. Results of this study highlight the sensitivities of the MCS structure to the vertical distribution of the thermodynamical field besides traditional cold pool aspects and provide insights for the study of squall line through shear convection interaction.

Anisotropic Phonon Scattering and Thermal Transport Property Induced by the Liquid-like Behavior of AgCrSe2.

Superionic conductors exhibiting a periodic crystalline lattice and liquid-like ionic conductivity have emerged as promising materials in energy-conversion devices. Herein, we have investigated the interplay among anharmonic lattice dynamics, thermal conduction, and ultrafast atomic diffusion across the superionic transition of AgCrSe2. We show that the thermal conductivity (κ) contributions from convection and conduction-convection interactions increase simultaneously due to the gradual fluidization of Ag atoms, leading to a temperature-independent κ in the superionic state. We demonstrate a non-Peierls type thermal transport behavior induced by the strong lattice anharmonicity of Ag atoms, which promotes a nontrivial wave-like phonon tunneling in the normal state of AgCrSe2. Our current fluctuation analysis demonstrates an anisotropic phonon-liquid scattering behavior that the in-plane nondispersive transverse acoustic (TA) phonons near the zone boundary collapse, while the zone center and boundary TA phonons in the direction perpendicular to the liquid-like flow of Ag atoms survive.

Magnetic field intensity dependent microstructure evolution and recrystallization behavior in a Co–B eutectic alloy

• Magnetic field-dependent microstructure evolution and recrystallization were studied. • Composition segregation resulting in the formation of FCC-Co/Co2B eutectic under 20 T. • The application of the magnetic field was found to promote recrystallization. Systematic understanding on the magnetic field intensity dependent microstructure evolution and recrystallization behavior in a Co-B eutectic alloy under a constant undercooling (∆ T ≈100 K) were carried out. Absent of the magnetic field, the comparable size of divorced FCC-Co and Co 3 B eutectic ellipsoidal grains coexist with a few regular lamellas. When the magnetic field is less than 15 T, the elongated primary FCC-Co dendrites parallel to the magnetic field with the dispersed FCC-Co nano-particles embedded within the Co 3 B matrix occupy the inter-dendrite regions. Once the magnetic field increases to 20 T, the FCC-Co/Co 2 B anomalous eutectic colonies dominate. The formation mechanism of Co 2 B phase is discussed from several aspects of the competitive nucleation, the chemical redistribution induced by the thermomagnetic-induced convection and magnetic dipole interaction, and the strain-induced transformation. Furthermore, the application of magnetic field is found to promote recrystallization, proved by the lower density of misorientation, the appearance of FCC-Co annealed twins and more Co 3 B sub-grains. This work could further enrich our knowledge about the magnetic-dependent microstructure evolution and recrystallization process in the undercooled Co-B system and provide guidance for controlling the microstructures and properties under extreme conditions.

Theoretical Evaluation of the Persistence of Transverse Phonons across a Liquid-like Transition in Superionic Conductor KAg3Se2

A fundamental understanding of unusual atomic dynamics and collective modes in superionic conductors has been of great importance in improving renewable energy technologies such as thermoelectric energy conversion and electrolytes for rechargeable batteries. In this work, we have performed an in-depth theoretical study of the evolution of lattice dynamics across the superionic transition of KAg3Se2 by analyzing the thermally driven current fluctuations. We show that the diffuson-like phonons induced by the strong anharmonicity of the Ag sublattice dominate thermal transport below the superionic transition, resulting in nearly temperature-independent ultralow thermal conductivity in the normal ordered state. We find that the contributions of convection and conduction–convection interactions to thermal conductivity increase significantly due to the liquid-like flow of Ag atoms. We further demonstrate that the dynamic disorder is too slow to completely suppress the propagation of long-wavelength transverse phonons in the superionic state of KAg3Se2, while the propagation of Ag-dominated short-wavelength transverse phonons near the Brillouin zone boundary breaks down. These results provide new physical insights into the complex atomic dynamics of superionic conductors.

Mixed convection heat transfer and transient flow of high-pressure gas in a large-scale cavity with rotating blade

Mixed convection heat transfer phenomenon, incorporating natural and forced convection process, occurs widely in natural and industrial fields. Nevertheless, few works have investigated numerically the turbulent mixed convection heat transfer within the large-scale structure under high-pressure condition. In this study, a three-dimensional numerical model of a large-scale closed cavity with two rotating blades and reactor has been built on account of the finite volume method, aiming to explore the mixed convection heat transfer and turbulent flow of internal high-pressure gas. Compressible gas with varying thermophysical properties was chosen as the heat transfer medium and the numerical model was solved by Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS). Turbulent flow and heat transfer, inside the enclosure and reactor, were compared through the variation of the Reynolds number (Re), gas pressure (P) and heating surface temperature (Th). The results signify that for given P and Th, varying Re has a consistent impact on the transient flow and heat transfer process inside the enclosure and reactor. The turbulent flow and thermal transport are enhanced as increasing the Re. When the Re = 900,000, an enhanced forced convection effect is found inside the reactor. Dissimilar impacts on the flow field and thermal transport inside the enclosure and reactor are found with changing gas pressure owing to the interaction of natural and forced convection. The flow field attenuates gradually as the increment in P, and thereby larger high-temperature zone is achieved at a smaller pressure inside the enclosure, whilst inside the reactor, faster heat conduction is attained at a bigger pressure. Changing heating surface temperature has a more significant influence on the flow field and heat transfer inside the reactor compared to the enclosure. Additionally, increasing the Re and Th has a smaller effect on the average Nusselt number (Nuavg) while a positive correlation between the Nuavg and P is obtained.

Shedding light on the transfer of tetracycline in forward osmosis through experimental investigation and machine learning modeling

Tetracycline in wastewater can pose adverse impacts on the environment and human health. Forward osmosis (FO) is a promising method to reject antibiotics due to its low energy demand and high rejection rate. Tetracycline rejection during FO is a complicated process. Mechanistic models have been developed to describe antibiotic rejection by the FO membrane under ideal conditions but cannot be applied to real wastewater. Herein, the effects of draw concentration, pH, and solute type on the fate of tetracycline during FO were investigated by combining experimentation, factor analysis, and artificial neural network (ANN) modeling. High draw concentrations led to high convection that favored tetracycline diffusion. Low draw pH helped reject antibiotics potentially due to the decreased tortuosity and pore size of the FO membrane. When different draw solutes were tested, both convection and electrostatic interaction exerted effects on tetracycline retention on the FO membrane surface, and steric hindrance could further affect the amount of tetracycline in the draw solution. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) showed that tetracycline rejection was a combined result of convection, steric hindrance, and electrostatic interactions. Path analysis revealed the significant roles of initial conductivity and draw pH in tetracycline rejection. Eight representative input variables were selected from 13 observed explanatory variables using redundancy analysis (RDA), based on which an ANN was trained and successfully predicted tetracycline diffusion and transfer through the FO membrane. These results have provided practical and predictive insights in the development of FO processes for efficient treatment of pharmaceutical wastewater.

Transition from anti-solar to solar-like differential rotation: Dependence on Prandtl number

Context. Late-type stars such as the Sun rotate differentially due to the interaction of turbulent convection and rotation. Aims. The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of the effective thermal Prandtl number, which is the ratio of kinematic viscosity to thermal diffusivity, on the transition from anti-solar (slow equator, fast poles) to solar-like (fast equator, slow poles) differential rotation. Methods. Three-dimensional hydrodynamic and magnetohydrodynamic simulations in semi-global spherical wedge geometry were used to model the convection zones of solar-like stars. Results. The overall convective velocity amplitude increases as the Prandtl number decreases, in accordance with earlier studies. The transition from anti-solar to solar-like differential rotation is insensitive to the Prandtl number for Prandtl numbers below unity, but for Prandtl numbers greater than unity, solar-like differential rotation becomes significantly harder to excite. Magnetic fields and more turbulent regimes with higher fluid and magnetic Reynolds numbers help to achieve solar-like differential rotation in near-transition cases where anti-solar rotation is found in more laminar simulations. Solar-like differential rotation occurs only in cases with radially outward turbulent angular momentum transport due to the Reynolds stress at the equator. The dominant contribution to this outward transport near the equator is due to prograde propagating thermal Rossby waves. Conclusions. The differential rotation is sensitive to the Prandtl number only for large Prandtl numbers in the parameter regime explored in this study. Magnetic fields have a greater effect on the differential rotation, although the inferred presence of a small-scale dynamo did not lead to drastically different results. The dominance of the thermal Rossby waves in the simulations is puzzling because they are not detected in the Sun. The current simulations are shown to be incompatible with the currently prevailing mean-field theory of differential rotation.

Impact of thermal radiation on free convection in a differentially heated rolling cubical cabinet

An interaction of natural convection and surface radiation in a rotating cubic cabinet is scrutinized in this article. The cavity has differentially heated walls, namely opposite heated and cooled walls, while the remaining boundaries are adiabatic. The key equations have been written employing the mass, momentum, and energy conservation laws combined with nonprimitive dimensionless variables including vector potential functions and vorticity vector. The resulting set of equations with the corresponding restrictions has been discretized and resolved employing the finite difference procedure employing a uniform grid. The outcomes have been analyzed for a wide range of key characteristics, including the surface emissivity and the Rayleigh and Taylor numbers. The temperature distributions have been shown during a complete revolution of the chamber. The influence of the governing parameters has been described by changing the mean convective and radiative Nusselt numbers. The results have shown that rotation and radiation can be used as key mechanisms to control the energy transport. Moreover, employing the Boussinesq approach the thermal centrifugal force can be neglected for moderate Rayleigh and Taylor numbers.

Optimizing radar scan strategies for tracking isolated deep convection using observing system simulation experiments

Abstract. Optimizing radar observation strategies is one of the most important considerations in pre-field campaign periods. This is especially true for isolated convective clouds that typically evolve faster than the observations captured by operational radar networks. This study investigates uncertainties in radar observations of the evolution of the microphysical and dynamical properties of isolated deep convective clouds developing in clean and polluted environments. It aims to optimize the radar observation strategy for deep convection through the use of high-spatiotemporal cloud-resolving model simulations, which resolve the evolution of individual convective cells every 1 min, coupled with a radar simulator and a cell tracking algorithm. The radar simulation settings are based on the Tracking Aerosol Convection Interactions ExpeRiment (TRACER) and Experiment of Sea Breeze Convection, Aerosols, Precipitation and Environment (ESCAPE) field campaigns held in the Houston, TX, area but are generalizable to other field campaigns focusing on isolated deep convection. Our analysis produces the following four outcomes. First, a 5–7 m s−1 median difference in maximum updrafts of tracked cells is shown between the clean and polluted simulations in the early stages of the cloud lifetimes. This demonstrates the importance of obtaining accurate estimates of vertical velocity from observations if aerosol impacts are to be properly resolved. Second, tracking of individual cells and using vertical cross section scanning every minute capture the evolution of precipitation particle number concentration and size represented by polarimetric observables better than the operational radar observations that update the volume scan every 5 min. This approach also improves multi-Doppler radar updraft retrievals above 5 km above ground level for regions with updraft velocities greater than 10 m s−1. Third, we propose an optimized strategy composed of cell tracking by quick (1–2 min) vertical cross section scans from more than one radar in addition to the operational volume scans. We also propose the use of a single-RHI (range height indicator) updraft retrieval technique for cells close to the radars, for which multi-Doppler radar retrievals are still challenging. Finally, increasing the number of deep convective cells sampled by such observations better represents the median maximum updraft evolution with sample sizes of more than 10 deep cells, which decreases the error associated with sampling the true population to less than 3 m s−1.

Natural convection and pattern interaction in a two-dimensional vertical slot

Laminar natural convection is investigated in an infinite vertical slot which has one wall with a corrugated profile, and which is subject to either a uniform or periodic heating profile. This configuration has the attractive feature that it enables a study of the effects that may be produced via the interaction of heating and topography patterns. It is found that the addition of the grooves to an isothermal plate leads to a reduction in the vertical fluid flow and an increase of the transverse heat flow. In contrast, imposing sinusoidal heating on a flat surface generates convection that appears as counter-rotating rolls but there is no net vertical flow. The combination of the two effects of corrugation together with periodic heating leads to a plethora of flow patterns involving a combination of rolls and stream tubes that carry the fluid along the slot. The details of this vertical flow are governed by a pattern interaction effect dictated by the relative positions of the heating and corrugation patterns; when hot spots of the imposed heating overlap the peaks in the grooves the net flow is upward; in contrast, when they lie over the troughs the resultant flow is downward. The interplay between the thermal and geometrical effects weakens as the wavelength of the structure is reduced. The inclusion of a sufficiently strong uniform heating also seems to wash away the pattern interaction effect.

A Theory for the Response of Tropical Moist Convection to Mechanical Orographic Forcing

Abstract Spatial patterns of tropical rainfall are strongly influenced by mountains. Although theories for precipitation induced by convectively stable upslope ascent exist for the midlatitudes, these do not represent the interaction of moist convection with orographic forcing. Here, we present a theory for convective precipitation produced by the mechanical interaction of a tropical ridge with a basic-state horizontal wind. Deviations from this basic state are represented as the sum of a “dry” perturbation, due to the stationary orographic gravity wave, and a “moist” perturbation that carries the convective response. The moist component dynamics are subject to the weak temperature gradient approximation; they are forced by the dry mode’s influence on lower-tropospheric moisture and temperature. Analytical solutions provide estimates of the precipitation distribution, including peak precipitation, upstream extent, and rain shadow extent. The theory can be used with several degrees of complexity depending on the technique used to compute the dry mode, which can be drawn from linear mountain wave theory or full numerical simulations. To evaluate the theory, we use a set of convection-permitting simulations with a flow-perpendicular ridge in a long channel. The theory makes a good prediction for the cross-slope precipitation profile, indicating that the organization of convective rain by orography can be quantitatively understood by considering the effect of stationary orographic gravity waves on a lower-tropospheric convective quasi-equilibrium state.

Interaction of Radiation and Turbulent Natural Convection: A Pseudo-Direct Numerical Study

Interaction of Radiation and Turbulent Natural Convection: A Pseudo-Direct Numerical Study

Numerical Analysis of the Groundwater Flow System and Heat Transport for Sustainable Water Management in a Regional Semi-Arid Basin in Central Mexico

The Independence Basin is located in a semi-arid region of Mexico, delimited predominantly by volcanic mountains. Around 30 m3/s of water are extracted from regional aquifers mainly for agro-export activities, causing declines in the water table of up to 10 m/a, increased temperature and dissolved elements that are harmful to health and the environment. Regional groundwater coupled flow and heat transport under current conditions were studied on a basin-wide scale (7000 km2) using a three-dimensional finite-element model under steady-state conditions to provide support for water management decisions and transient modeling. Isothermal, forced and free thermal convection under existing hydrological conditions prior to pumping are analyzed. The results show that the interaction of topography-driven groundwater flow and buoyancy-driven free thermal convection are consistent with historical hydrological records, the characteristics of the water table, and thermal anomalies observed in the basin. The simulated groundwater recharge is near 7 ± 0.25 m3/s, a balance broken since the 1980s by extensive pumping. The results show the importance of considering the groundwater temperature, its transient response in the evolution of groundwater extraction, and the upward migration of a thermal front through the fractured aquifer that has increased risks for health and sustainability.

Radiative and microphysical responses of clouds to an anomalous increase in fire particles over the Maritime Continent in 2015

Abstract. The year of 2015 was an extremely dry year for Southeast Asia where the direct impact of a strong El Niño was in play. As a result of this dryness and the relative lack of rainfall, an extraordinary quantity of aerosol particles from biomass burning remained in the atmosphere over the Maritime Continent during the fire season. This study uses the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry to understand the impacts of these fire particles on cloud microphysics and radiation during the peak biomass burning season in September. Our simulations, one with fire particles and the other without them, cover the entire Maritime Continent region at a cloud-resolving resolution (4 km) for the entire month of September in 2015. The comparison of the simulations shows a clear sign of precipitation enhancement by fire particles through microphysical effects; smaller cloud droplets remain longer in the atmosphere to later form ice crystals, and/or they are more easily collected by ice-phase hydrometeors in comparison to droplets under no fire influences. As a result, the mass of ice-phase hydrometeors increases in the simulation with fire particles, and so does rainfall. On the other hand, the aerosol radiative effect weakly counteracts the invigoration of convection. Clouds are more reflective in the simulation with fire particles as ice mass increases. Combined with the direct scattering of sunlight by aerosols, the simulation with fire particles shows higher albedo over the simulation domain on average. The simulated response of clouds to fire particles in our simulations clearly differs from what was presented by two previous studies that modeled aerosol–cloud interaction in years with different phases of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), suggesting a further need for an investigation on the possible modulation of fire–aerosol–convection interaction by ENSO.

Numerical experiments to help understand cause and effect in massive star evolution

ABSTRACT The evolution of massive stars is affected by a variety of physical processes, including convection, rotation, mass-loss, and binary interaction. Because these processes modify the internal chemical abundance profiles in multiple ways simultaneously, it can be challenging to determine which properties of the stellar interior are primarily driving the overall evolution. Building on previous work, we develop a new modelling approach called snapshot that allows us to isolate the key features of the internal abundance profile that drive the evolution of massive stars. Using our approach, we compute numerical stellar structure models in thermal equilibrium covering key phases of stellar evolution. For the main sequence, we demonstrate that models with the same mass and very similar surface properties can have different internal distributions of hydrogen and convective core masses. We discuss why massive stars expand after the main sequence and the fundamental reasons for why they become red, blue or yellow supergiants. For the post-main sequence, we demonstrate that small changes in the abundance profile can cause very large effects on the surface properties. We also discuss the effects that produce blue supergiants and the cause of blue loops. Our models show that massive stars with lower metallicity tend to be more compact due to the combined effect of lower CNO abundances in the burning regions and lower opacity in the envelope.

Simulation of Rapid Intensification of Super Typhoon Lekima (2019). Part II: The Critical Role of Cloud-Radiation Interaction of Asymmetric Convection

In this study, super typhoon Lekima (2019) with an atypical rapid intensification (RI) episode is investigated by conducting a pair of experiments. In the control experiment, the model reproduces reasonably well the evolution characteristics of convective activity and intensity changes. That is, active downshear-left convection moved counterclockwise to the upshear flank. In the sensitivity experiment without the cloud-radiation feedback (CRF), the simulation fails to capture the observed upshear deep convection and the RI process. Our analyses suggest that the cloud–radiation interaction acts as positive feedback between the tilting-induced convective asymmetry (TCA) and outflow channel. On the one hand, the radiative process will induce upper (lower) cooling (warming) above (within) the cloud anvil of the outflow layer. This thermodynamical pattern locally destabilizes the upper troposphere and is conducive to enhance the deep convection. On the other hand, the enhanced deep convection provides the energy source to promote the upper divergent flows. The stronger divergent flow acts efficiently to block the vertical wind shear (VWS) and leads to a stronger outflow channel. This CRF assists in the development of a thicker and more radially extensive outflow than that CRF-off simulation. This study further confirms the outflow blocking effect, which gains insights on the evolution of upshear-left asymmetric convection and its role in the atypical RI event.

Updraft dynamics and microphysics: on the added value of the cumulus thermal reference frame in simulations of aerosol–deep convection interactions

Abstract. One fundamental question about atmospheric moist convection processes that remains debated is whether, or under which conditions, a relevant variability in background aerosol concentrations may have a significant dynamical impact on convective clouds and their associated precipitation. Furthermore, current climate models must parameterize both the microphysical and the cumulus convection processes, but this is usually implemented separately, whereas in nature there is a strong coupling between them. As a first step to improve our understanding of these two problems, we investigate how aerosol concentrations modify key properties of updrafts in eight large-eddy-permitting regional simulations of a case study of scattered convection over Houston, Texas, in which convection is explicitly simulated and microphysical processes are parameterized. Dynamical and liquid-phase microphysical responses are investigated using the following two different reference frames: static cloudy updraft grid cells versus tracked cumulus thermals. In both frameworks, we observe the expected microphysical responses to higher aerosol concentrations, such as higher cloud number concentrations and lower rain number concentrations. In terms of the dynamical responses, both frameworks indicate weak impacts of varying aerosol concentrations relative to the noise between simulations over the observationally derived range of aerosol variability for this case study. On the other hand, results suggest that thermals are more selective than cloudy updraft grid cells in terms of sampling the most active convective air masses. For instance, vertical velocity from thermals is significantly higher at upper levels than when sampled from cloudy updraft grid points, and several microphysical variables have higher average values in the cumulus thermal framework than in the cloudy updraft framework. In addition, the thermal analysis is seen to add rich quantitative information about the rates and covariability of microphysical processes spatially and throughout tracked thermal lifecycles, which can serve as a stronger foundation for improving subgrid-scale parameterizations.