Scaling of Experimental Buoyancy Vortex Structures with Respect to Power Generation. Issue 3 (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hawkes, N.A.; Flay, R.G.J.; Cater, J.E.; Macdonald, M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics. Volume 1618:Issue 3(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Physics -- Congresses; 530.5
• DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/1618/3/032008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-6588

Abstract

Abstract: A scaling or nondimensionalisation of atmospheric buoyancy vortices for power generation (based on the Oberbeck-Boussinesq assumption) is proposed that uses a published formulation from the study of Rotating Rayleigh-Benard Convection. This is combined with assumptions that the vortex flows are pseudo-cyclostrophic and that a radial Richardson number can serve as a predictor of the onset of Kelvin-Helmholtz instability leading to a transition to a turbulent plume, in order to locate the cold reservoir of the vortex when viewed as a heat engine. This permits the prediction of the behaviour of large vortices in atmosphere using data from experiments on small vortices.