Experimental study of time-dependent flows in laboratory atmospheric flow models
Abstract
Baroclinic waves in a rotating, differentially-heated annulus of liquid were studied in support of the Atmospheric General Circulation Experiment. Specific objectives were to determine: (1) the nature of the flow at shallow depths, (2) the effect of a rigid lid vs. free surface, and (3) the nature of fluctuations in the waves as a function of rotation rate, depth, and type of surface. It is found that flows with a rigid lid are basically the same as those with a free surface, except for a decrease in flow rate. At shallow depths steady flows are found in essentially the same form, but the incidence of unsteady flows is greatly diminished.
- Publication:
-
In NASA. Marshall Space Flight Center The 1982 NASA/ASEE Summer Fac. Fellowship Program 22 p (SEE N83-17359 07-80
- Pub Date:
- August 1982
- Bibcode:
- 1982asee.nasaT....R
- Keywords:
-
- Atmospheric Circulation;
- Atmospheric Models;
- Flow Characteristics;
- Simulation;
- Time Dependence;
- Annular Flow;
- Atmospheric General Circulation Experiment;
- Depth;
- Flow Velocity;
- Steady Flow;
- Temperature Gradients;
- Unsteady Flow;
- Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer