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The structure and evolution of the vorticity and temperature fields in thermals

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Abstract

The vorticity and temperature fields in axisymmetric thermals are studied via a projection method for the Navier-Stokes Boussinesq equations. Development of small-scale structure is observed at high Grashof numbers, and spreading rate, entrainment, mixing in the core, and generation of countersign vorticity are enhanced.

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Communicated by M.Y. Hussaini

This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract No. W-7405-Eng-48. Partial support was provided by the Applied Mathematical Sciences Program of the Office of Energy Research under Contract No. W-7405-Eng-48 and by the Defense Nuclear Agency under IACRO 90-824.

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Marcus, D.L., Bell, J.B. The structure and evolution of the vorticity and temperature fields in thermals. Theoret. Comput. Fluid Dynamics 3, 327–344 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00417932

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