Vorticity Production Research Articles

Design and Scaling of Plasma Streamwise Vortex Generators for Flow Separation Control

The design and scaling of plasma streamwise vortex generators in a variable pressure gradient environment are presented. This involves measurements in the boundary layer on the suction surface of a V-22 wing model which provided a generic flowfield that undergoes trailing-edge flow separation as a precursor to lift stall. Experiments were performed at freestream Mach numbers from 0.1 to 0.2, which resulted in chord Reynolds numbers of to . Different streamwise pressure gradients were examined by changing the airfoil angle of attack. Three components of the mean velocity in the boundary layer on the suction side of the wing model were measured using a five-hole pitot probe. These measurements were used to quantify the plasma streamwise vortex generator generated mean streamwise vorticity and the magnitude of the vorticity reorientation term in the vorticity transport equation that was used in the scaling analysis of the plasma streamwise vortex generator performance. The results validate the prediction of the streamwise vorticity production associated with the reorientation of the boundary-layer mean vorticity to scale as , where is the streamwise length of the plasma streamwise vortex generator array, is the external velocity at the crest of the airfoil, is the characteristic mean velocity of the flow over the plasma streamwise vortex generator array, is the change in the streamwise velocity produced by the plasma actuator, and is the spanwise spacing between the plasma streamwise vortex generator electrodes. The criteria for is that the convective timescale be greater than the timescale for vorticity reorientation in the boundary layer, namely, . Both the plasma streamwise vortex generator generated and were found to scale with . An optimally scaled plasma streamwise vortex generator array on the V-22 wing model produced as much as a 40 point drag count reduction at poststall angles of attack.

Seasonal Exchanges of the Kuroshio and Shelf Waters and Their Impacts on the Shelf Currents of the East China Sea

AbstractPrevious in situ observations and modeling studies have indicated that, through mass and momentum exchanges across the shelf edge, the Kuroshio can significantly influence the shelf currents of the East China Sea (ECS). Here, instead of localized observations, this study uses 25 yr of drifter data, supported by satellite and other data to identify seasonal cross-shelf exchanges along the entire shelf edge. The authors show that Kuroshio meanders onshore from fall to winter and offshore from spring to summer, with the largest amplitude northeast of Taiwan. The influence is limited to the shelf edge when the Kuroshio meanders offshore in spring and summer. By contrast, strong onshelf intrusions and cross-shelf exchanges occur when the Kuroshio meanders onshore in fall and winter. Drifters intrude onshelf northeast of Taiwan and spread as far north as 30°N against the strong northeasterly wind. The forcing on the shelf is identified as a northward downsloping of the sea level that is steepest north of Taiwan at 25°–28°N, but which is 3 times weaker farther north. The vorticity budget computed from a numerical model indicates that intrusion during fall and winter is primarily a result of balance between onshelf advection of ambient potential vorticity and vorticity production by the along-isobath pressure gradient acting on the changing mass of water column across the continental slope.

Vorticity-production mechanisms in shock/mixing-layer interaction problems

In this study, we investigate analytically the importance of different vorticity-production mechanisms contributing to the shock-induced vorticity caused by the interaction of a steady oblique shock wave with a steady, planar, supersonic, laminar mixing layer. The inviscid analysis is performed under the condition of a supersonic post-shock flow, which guarantees that the shock refraction remains regular. Special attention is paid to the vorticity production induced by a change in shock strength along the shock. Our analysis subdivides the total vorticity production into its contributions due to bulk or volumetric compression, pre-shock density gradients and variable shock strength. The latter is the only contribution dependent on the shock-wave curvature. The magnitudes of these contributions are analysed for two limiting cases, i.e., the interaction of an oblique shock wave with a constant-density shear layer and the interaction with a constant-velocity mixing layer with density gradients only. Possible implications for shock/mixing-layer interactions occurring in scramjet combustors are briefly discussed.

On the mechanism of self gravitating Rossby interfacial waves in proto-stellar accretion discs

The dynamical response of edge waves under the influence of self-gravity is examined in an idealised two-dimensional model of a proto-stellar disc, characterised in steady state as a rotating vertically infinite cylinder of fluid with constant density except for a single density interface at some radius . The fluid in basic state is prescribed to rotate with a Keplerian profile modified by some additional azimuthal sheared flow. A linear analysis shows that there are two azimuthally propagating edge waves, kin to the familiar Rossby waves and surface gravity waves in terrestrial studies, which move opposite to one another with respect to the local basic state rotation rate at the interface. Instability only occurs if the radial pressure gradient is opposite to that of the density jump (unstably stratified) where self-gravity acts as a wave stabiliser irrespective of the stratification of the system. The propagation properties of the waves are discussed in detail in the language of vorticity edge waves. The roles of both Boussinesq and non-Boussinesq effects upon the stability and propagation of these waves with and without the inclusion of self-gravity are then quantified. The dynamics involved with self-gravity non-Boussinesq effect is shown to be a source of vorticity production where there is a jump in the basic state density In addition, self-gravity also alters the dynamics via the radial main pressure gradient, which is a Boussinesq effect. Further applications of these mechanical insights are presented in the conclusion including the ways in which multiple density jumps or gaps may or may not be stable.

Esophageal aerodynamics in an idealized experimental model of tracheoesophageal speech

Flow behavior is investigated in the esophageal tract in an idealized experimental model of tracheoesophageal speech. The tracheoesophageal prosthesis is idealized as a first-order approximation using a straight, constant diameter tube. The flow is scaled according to Reynolds, Strouhal, and Euler numbers to ensure dynamic similarity. Flow pulsatility is produced by a driven orifice that approximates the kinematics of the pharyngoesophageal segment during tracheoesophageal speech. Particle image velocimetry data are acquired in three orthogonal planes as the flow exits the model prosthesis and enters the esophageal tract. Contrary to prior investigations performed in steady flow with the prosthesis oriented in-line with the flow direction, the fluid dynamics are shown to be highly unsteady, suggesting that the esophageal pressure field will be similarly complex. A large vortex ring is formed at the inception of each phonatory cycle, followed by the formation of a persistent jet. This vortex ring appears to remain throughout the entire cycle due to the continued production of vorticity resulting from entrainment between the prosthesis jet and the curved esophageal walls. Mean flow in the axial direction of the esophagus produces significant stretching of the vortex throughout the phonatory cycle. The stagnation point created by the jet impinging on the esophageal wall varies throughout the cycle due to fluctuations in the jet trajectory, which most likely arises due to flow separation within the model prosthesis. Applications to tracheoesophageal speech, including shortcomings of the model and proposed future plans, are discussed.

Impact of chevron spacing and asymmetric distribution on supersonic jet acoustics and flow

An experimental investigation into the effect of chevron spacing and distribution on supersonic jets was performed. Cross-stream and streamwise particle imaging velocimetry measurements were used to relate flow field modification to sound field changes measured by far-field microphones in the overexpanded, ideally expanded, and underexpanded regimes. Drastic modification of the jet cross-section was achieved by the investigated configurations, with both elliptic and triangular shapes attained downstream. Consequently, screech was nearly eliminated with reductions in the range of 10–25dB depending on the operating condition. Analysis of the streamwise velocity indicated that both the mean shock spacing and strength were reduced resulting in an increase in the broadband shock associated noise spectral peak frequency and a reduction in the amplitude, respectively. Maximum broadband shock associated noise amplitude reductions were in the 5–7dB range. Chevron proximity was found to be the primary driver of peak vorticity production, though persistence followed the opposite trend. The integrated streamwise vorticity modulus was found to be correlated with peak large scale turbulent mixing noise reduction, though optimal overall sound pressure level reductions did not necessarily follow due to the shock/fine scale mixing noise sources. Optimal large scale mixing noise reductions were in the 5–6dB range.

Comparative studies on supersonic free jets from nozzles of complex geometry

Experimental and numerical studies are conducted to compare free jets from different supersonic nozzles for mixing enhancement. A conical nozzle of Mach 1.80 is the reference. Three complex nozzles are a beveled nozzle, a nozzle with six chevrons and a six lobed ESTS nozzle.All nozzles have the same throat diameter and designed average exit Mach number. The studies are conducted at NPR = 6, using acetone PLIF, centerline pitot pressure measurements, and 3D RANS simulations. A novel method of decomposing PLIF images based on intensity histogram and then recomposing after applying selective gains to emphasize the growth of shear layers is discussed. PLIF images are processed to extract the growth rate of jet width which indicates the rate of mixing. The ESTS lobed nozzle shows the highest enhancement of mixing (430%) followed by chevron (222%) and the beveled nozzle with a moderate (138%). The numerical simulations are validated and agree well with experimental results. ESTS lobed nozzle is found to produce widespread streamwise vortices compared to clustered vortices of the chevron nozzle. The mechanism of streamwise vorticity production from ESTS nozzle is clarified for the first time in this study.

Atrial systole enhances intraventricular filling flow propagation during increasing heart rate

Diastolic fluid dynamics in the left ventricle (LV) has been examined in multiple clinical studies for understanding cardiac function in healthy humans and developing diagnostic measures in disease conditions. The question of how intraventricular filling vortex flow pattern is affected by increasing heart rate (HR) is still unanswered. Previous studies on healthy subjects have shown a correlation between increasing HR and diminished E/A ratio of transmitral peak velocities during early filling (E-wave) to atrial systole (A-wave). We hypothesize that with increasing HR under constant E/A ratio, E-wave contribution to intraventricular vortex propagation is diminished. A physiologic in vitro flow phantom consisting of a LV physical model was used for this study. HR was varied across 70, 100 and 120 beats per minute (bpm) with E/A of 1.1–1.2. Intraventricular flow patterns were characterized using 2D particle image velocimetry measured across three parallel longitudinal (apical–basal) planes in the LV. A pair of counter-rotating vortices was observed during E-wave across all HRs. With increasing HR, diminished vortex propagation occurred during E-wave and atrial systole was found to amplify secondary vorticity production. The diastolic time point where peak vortex circulation occurred was delayed with increasing HR, with peak circulation for 120bpm occurring as late as 90% into diastole near the end of A-wave. The role of atrial systole is elevated for higher HR due to the limited time available for filling. Our baseline findings and analysis approach can be applied to studies of clinical conditions where impaired exercise tolerance is observed.

Vortex structure analysis of unsteady cloud cavitating flows around a hydrofoil

In this paper, time dependent vortex structures are numerically analyzed for both noncavitating and cloud cavitating flows around a Clark-Y hydrofoil with angle of attack [Formula: see text] at a moderate Reynolds number, [Formula: see text]. The numerical simulations are performed using a transport equation-based cavitation model and the large eddy simulation (LES) approach with a classical eddy viscosity subgrid scale (SGS) model. Compared with experimental results, present numerical predictions are capable of capturing the initiation of cavity, growth toward the trailing edge and subsequent shedding process. Results indicate that in noncavitating conditions, the trailing edge vortex and induced positive vortex shed periodically into the wake region to form the vortex street. In cloud cavitating conditions, interrelations between cavity and vortex induce different vortex dynamics at different cavity developing stages. (i) As attached cavity grows, vorticity production is greatly enhanced by the favorable pressure gradient at the leading edge. The trailing edge flow does not have a direct impact on the attached cavity expansion process. Furthermore, the liquid–vapor interface that moves toward the trailing edge enhances the vorticity in the attached cavity closure region. (ii) When the stable attached sheet cavity grows to its maximum length, the accumulation process of vorticity is eventually interrupted by the formation of the re-entrant jet. Re-entrant jet’s moving upstream leads to a higher spreading rate of the attached cavity and the formation of a large coherent structure inside the attached cavity. Moreover, the wavy/bubbly cavity interface enhances the vorticity near the trailing edge. (iii) As the attached sheet cavity breaks up, this large vortex structure converts toward the trailing edge region, which will eventually couple with a trailing edge vortex shedding from the lower surface to form the cloud cavity. The breakup of the stable attached cavity is the main reason for the vorticity enhancement near the suction surface.

Direct numerical simulation of particle-laden turbulent channel flows with two- and four-way coupling effects: budgets of Reynolds stress and streamwise enstrophy

The budgets of the Reynolds stress and streamwise enstrophy are evaluated through direct numerical simulations for the turbulent particle-laden flow in a vertical channel with momentum exchange between the two phases. The influence of the dispersed particles on the budgets is examined through a comparison of the particle-free and the particle-laden cases at the same Reynolds number of Reb = 5600 based on the bulk fluid velocity and the distance between the channel walls. Results are obtained for particle ensembles with four response times in simulations with and without streamwise gravity and inter-particle collisions at average mass (volume) fractions of 0.2 (2.7 × 10−5) and 0.5 (6.8 × 10−5). The particle feedback force on the flow of the carrier phase is modeled by a point-force approximation (PSIC-method). It is shown that all the terms in the budgets of the Reynolds stress components are decreased in the presence of particles. The level of reduction depends on the particle response time and it is higher under the effects of gravity and inter-particle collisions. A considerable reduction in all the terms of the streamwise enstrophy budget is also observed. In particular, all production mechanisms, and mainly vortex stretching, are inhibited in the particulate flows and thus the production of streamwise vorticity is significantly damped. A further insight into the direct particle effects on the fluid turbulence is provided by analyzing in detail the fluid–fluid, fluid–particle and particle–particle correlations, and the spectra of the fluid–particle energy exchange rate. The present results indicate that the turbulence production, dissipation and pressure–strain term are generally large quantities, but their summation is relatively small and comparable to the fluid–particle direct energy exchange rate. Consequently, the particle contribution can potentially increase or decrease the fluctuating fluid velocities and eventually control the direction of fluid turbulence modification.

Numerical study of shock/vortex interaction in diatomic gas flows

The particle-based direct simulation of Monte Carlo(DSMC) was present and validated for the investigation of non-equilibrium effects in diatomic gas flows. All the validations show that the results of the present DSMC is in agreement with the experimental data. Then, the numerical studies of micro scale shock/composite-vortex interactions in diatomic gas flows were conducted. The substantial attenuation of enstrophy in diatomic gas flow is observed. Differ from the sharp decreasing in diatomic gas, the time evolution of enstrophy in monatomic gas flow decrease linearly in the whole process. This study also shows that the vortex deformation through a shock, in particular, is observed to be strongly dependent on the shock and vortex strengths. Also, it is also found that strong interaction can also cause vorticity production in microscale shock/vortex interaction for diatomic gas flow. The attenuation, analogous to DSMC results, overwhelms the vorticity generation only in a limited set of regimes with low shock Mach number, small vortex size, or weak vortex. Besides, in diatomic gas flow, viscous vorticity generation is also most dominant in the three dynamical processes of vorticity transportation, followed by dilatational and baroclinicvorticity generation. The present study conform that shock/vortex present different features in strong and weak interactions for monatomic and diatomic gas flows. Furthermore, it provides a new way for the investigation of non-equilibrium effects.

Filament formation in wind–cloud interactions – I. Spherical clouds in uniform magnetic fields

Filamentary structures are ubiquitous in the interstellar medium, yet their formation, internal structure, and longevity have not been studied in detail. We report the results from a comprehensive numerical study that investigates the characteristics, formation, and evolution of filaments arising from magnetohydrodynamic interactions between supersonic winds and dense clouds. Here we improve on previous simulations by utilising sharper density contrasts and higher numerical resolutions. By following multiple density tracers, we find that material in the envelopes of the clouds is removed and deposited downstream to form filamentary tails, while the cores of the clouds serve as footpoints and late-stage outer layers of these tails. Aspect ratios >12, subsonic velocity dispersions ~0.1-0.3 of the wind sound speed, and magnetic field amplifications ~100 are found to be characteristic of these filaments. We also report the effects of different magnetic field strengths and orientations. The magnetic field strength regulates vorticity production: sinuous filamentary towers arise in non-magnetic environments, while strong magnetic fields inhibit small-scale perturbations at boundary layers making tails less turbulent. Magnetic field components aligned with the direction of the flow favour the formation of pressure-confined flux ropes inside the tails, whilst transverse components tend to form current sheets. Softening the equation of state to nearly isothermal leads to suppression of dynamical instabilities and further collimation of the tail. Towards the final stages of the evolution, we find that small cloudlets and distorted filaments survive the break-up of the clouds and become entrained in the winds, reaching velocities ~0.1 of the wind speed.

Comprehensive numerical methodology for direct numerical simulations of compressible Rayleigh–Taylor instability

An investigation of compressible Rayleigh-Taylor instability (RTI) using Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS) requires efficient numerical methods, advanced boundary conditions, and consistent initialization in order to capture the wide range of scales and vortex dynamics present in the system, while reducing the computational impact associated with acoustic wave generation and the subsequent interaction with the flow. An advanced computational framework is presented that handles the challenges introduced by considering the compressive nature of RTI systems, which include sharp interfacial density gradients on strongly stratified background states, acoustic wave generation and removal at computational boundaries, and stratification dependent vorticity production. The foundation of the numerical methodology described here is the wavelet-based grid adaptivity of the Parallel Adaptive Wavelet Collocation Method (PAWCM) that maintains symmetry in single-mode RTI systems to extreme late-times. PAWCM is combined with a consistent initialization, which reduces the generation of acoustic disturbances, and effective boundary treatments, which prevent acoustic reflections. A dynamic time integration scheme that can handle highly nonlinear and potentially stiff systems, such as compressible RTI, completes the computational framework. The numerical methodology is used to simulate two-dimensional single-mode RTI to extreme late-times for a wide range of flow compressibility and variable density effects. The results show that flow compressibility acts to reduce the growth of RTI for low Atwood numbers, as predicted from linear stability analysis.

Analysis of ventilated cavitation around a cylinder vehicle with nature cavitation using a new simulation method

In the present paper, a new simulation method is developed for unsteady cavitating flow with air ventilation, which is very useful for alleviating the pressure oscillation in hydroturbine draft tube and reducing the drag force on an underwater vehicle. Because the fluid includes three components, i.e., the water, vapor, and air, the interactions between water–air and water–vapor are treated by applying the level set method, and the effect of surface tension is taken into account in governing equations. Further, the phase change between the water and the vapor is modeled by a homogeneous model, where the effect of air injection is considered by applying the air volume fraction in the mass transport equation. For calibration, the cavitating flows around a cylinder vehicle were simulated using the proposed method, and the numerical results were compared with the experimental data at three different ventilation conditions. The good agreement of cavitation evolutions between the simulation and the experiment indicated that the proposed method was acceptable for the simulation of ventilated cavitating flows with nature cavitation and would be usable for various engineering applications. Moreover, the vorticity analysis depicts that the vortex is closely related to cavitation evolution, and air injection much changes the vorticity production in cavitating flow. It was also revealed that vorticities only occurred in regions with high vapor/air volume fraction and the vortex stretching term created the most vorticities.

Influential Role of Moisture Supply from the Kuroshio/Kuroshio Extension in the Rapid Development of an Extratropical Cyclone

Abstract This study focused on an explosive cyclone migrating along the southern periphery of the Kuroshio/Kuroshio Extension in the middle of January 2013 and examined how those warm currents played an active role in the rapid development of the cyclone using a high-resolution coupled atmosphere–ocean regional model. The evolutions of surface fronts of the simulated cyclone resemble the Shapiro–Keyser model. At the time of the maximum deepening rate, strong mesoscale diabatic heating areas appear over the bent-back front and the warm front east of the cyclone center. Diabatic heating over the bent-back front and the eastern warm front is mainly induced by the condensation of moisture imported by the cold conveyor belt (CCB) and the warm conveyor belt (WCB), respectively. The dry air parcels transported by the CCB can receive large amounts of moisture from the warm currents, whereas the very humid air parcels transported by the WCB can hardly be modified by those currents. The well-organized nature of the CCB plays a key role not only in enhancing surface evaporation from the warm currents but also in importing the evaporated vapor into the bent-back front. The imported vapor converges at the bent-back front, leading to latent heat release. The latent heating facilitates the cyclone’s development through the production of positive potential vorticity in the lower troposphere. Its deepening can, in turn, reinforce the CCB. In the presence of a favorable synoptic-scale environment, such a positive feedback process can lead to the rapid intensification of a cyclone over warm currents.

Anelastic and Compressible Simulation of Moist Dynamics at Planetary Scales

Abstract Moist anelastic and compressible numerical solutions to the planetary baroclinic instability and climate benchmarks are compared. The solutions are obtained by applying a consistent numerical framework for discrete integrations of the various nonhydrostatic flow equations. Moist extension of the baroclinic instability benchmark is formulated as an analog of the dry case. Flow patterns, surface vertical vorticity and pressure, total kinetic energy, power spectra, and total amount of condensed water are analyzed. The climate benchmark extends the baroclinic instability study by addressing long-term statistics of an idealized planetary equilibrium and associated meridional transports. Short-term deterministic anelastic and compressible solutions differ significantly. In particular, anelastic baroclinic eddies propagate faster and develop slower owing to, respectively, modified dispersion relation and abbreviated baroclinic vorticity production. These eddies also carry less kinetic energy, and the onset of their rapid growth occurs later than for the compressible solutions. The observed differences between the two solutions are sensitive to initial conditions as they diminish for large-amplitude excitations of the instability. In particular, on the climatic time scales, the anelastic and compressible solutions evince similar zonally averaged flow patterns with the matching meridional transports of entropy, momentum, and moisture.

Numerical investigation of cavitation-vortex interaction in a mixed-flow waterjet pump

Turbulent cavitating flows in a mixed-flow waterjet pump were numerically investigated using the k-ω SST turbulence model and the mass transfer cavitation model based on the Rayleigh-Plesset equation to provide a comprehensive understanding of the cavitation-vortex interaction mechanism. The predicted hydraulic performance, as well as the cavitation performance, exhibits a reasonable agreement with the experimental results. The vorticity distributions under three operation conditions were illustrated together. Based on the illustration, cavitation development enhances vorticity production and flow unsteadiness in a mixed-flow waterjet pump. Vortices are basically located at the cavity interface, particularly at the downstream interface, during cavitation. Further analyses using the relative vorticity transport equation in cavitating turbulent flows indicate that vortex dilation and baroclinic torque exhibit a steep jump as cavitation occurs. In addition, vortex stretching contributes mainly to large-scale vortex generation.

A cavitation model for computations of unsteady cavitating flows

A local vortical cavitation (LVC) model for the computation of unsteady cavitation is proposed. The model is derived from the Rayleigh–Plesset equations, and takes into account the relations between the cavitation bubble radius and local vortical effects. Calculations of unsteady cloud cavitating flows around a Clark-Y hydrofoil are performed to assess the predictive capability of the LVC model using well-documented experimental data. Compared with the conventional Zwart’s model, better agreement is observed between the predictions of the LVC model and experimental data, including measurements of time-averaged flow structures, instantaneous cavity shapes and the frequency of the cloud cavity shedding process. Based on the predictions of the LVC model, it is demonstrated that the evaporation process largely concentrates in the core region of the leading edge vorticity in accordance with the growth in the attached cavity, and the condensation process concentrates in the core region of the trailing edge vorticity, which corresponds to the spread of the rear component of the attached cavity. When the attached cavity breaks up and moves downstream, the condensation area fully transports to the wake region, which is in accordance with the dissipation of the detached cavity. Furthermore, using vorticity transport equations, we also find that the periodic formation, breakup, and shedding of the sheet/cloud cavities, along with the associated baroclinic torque, are important mechanisms for vorticity production and modification. When the attached cavity grows, the liquid–vapour interface that moves towards the trailing edge enhances the vorticity in the attached cavity closure region. As the re-entrant jet moves upstream, the wavy/bubbly cavity interface enhances the vorticity near the trailing edge. At the end of the cycle, the break-up of the stable attached cavity is the main reason for the vorticity enhancement near the suction surface. A local vortical cavitation (LVC) model for the computation of unsteady cavitation is proposed. The model is derived from the Rayleigh–Plesset equations, and takes into account the relations between the cavitation bubble radius and local vortical effects. Compared with the conventional Zwart’s model, better agreement is observed between the predictions of the LVC model and experimental data, including measurements of time-averaged flow structures, instantaneous cavity shapes, and the frequency of the cloud cavity shedding process.

Vorticity transport and the leading-edge vortex of a plunging airfoil

The three-dimensional flow field was experimentally characterized for a nominally two-dimensional flat-plate airfoil plunging at large amplitude and reduced frequencies, using three-dimensional reconstructions of planar PIV data at a chord-based Reynolds number of 10,000. Time-resolved, instantaneous PIV measurements reveal that secondary vorticity, of opposite sign to the primary vortex, is intermittently entrained into the leading-edge vortex (LEV) throughout the downstroke, with the rate of entrainment increasing toward the end of the stroke when the leading-edge shear layer weakens. A planar vorticity transport analysis around the LEV indicated that, during the downstroke, the surface vorticity flux due to the pressure gradient is consistently about half that due to the leading-edge shear layer for all parameter values investigated, demonstrating that production and entrainment of secondary vorticity is an important mechanism regulating LEV strength. A small but non-negligible vorticity source was also attributed to spanwise flow toward the end of the downstroke. Aggregate vortex tilting is notably more significant for higher plunge frequencies, suggesting that the vortex core is more three-dimensional.

Production of Near-Surface Vertical Vorticity by Idealized Downdrafts

Abstract This study uses an idealized heat sink to examine the possible roles of the wind profile in modulating the production of surface vertical vorticity by a downdraft. The basic vorticity evolution in these idealized simulations is consistent with previous work: the process is primarily baroclinic and produces near-ground vertical vorticity within the outflow. Sensitivity experiments affirm that the only fundamental requirement for downdrafts to produce surface vertical vorticity is the existence of ambient downdraft-relative flow. Vertical vorticity production increases monotonically as the low-level downdraft-relative flow increases from zero up through intermediate values (in these experiments, 10–15 m s−1), followed by a monotonic decrease for greater values. This sensitivity has to do with the degree of cooling acquired by parcels as they pass through the idealized heat sink as well as the degree to which horizontal vorticity vectors subsequently attain an orientation that is normal to isosurfaces of vertical velocity. Although the addition of vertical wind shear is not directly helpful to surface vertical vorticity production in these simulations, increased realism of outflow structure is attained in hodographs with ambient streamwise vorticity. Furthermore, the necessary condition of flow through a region of downdraft forcing would in nature probably require the existence of ambient vertical shear. Therefore, shear in the lower troposphere has a possibly important indirect role in modulating the initial production of near-ground rotation.