The laminar seabed thermal boundary layer forced by propagating and standing free-surface waves. (10th February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Michele, S.; Borthwick, A.G.L.; van den Bremer, T.S.
• Is Part Of: Journal of fluid mechanics. Volume 956(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02-10
• Subjects: boundary layers -- waves/free-surface flows; Fluid mechanics -- Periodicals; 532.005
• DOI: 10.1017/jfm.2023.21
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1120

Abstract

Abstract: Abstract : A mathematical model is developed to investigate seabed heat transfer processes under long-crested ocean waves. The unsteady convection–diffusion equation for water temperature includes terms depending on the velocity field in the laminar boundary layer, analogous to mass transfer near the seabed. Here we consider regular progressive waves and standing waves reflected from a vertical structure, which complicate the convective term in the governing equation. Rectangular and Gaussian distributions of seabed temperature and heat flux are considered. Approximate analytical solutions are derived for uniform and trapezoidal currents, and compared against predictions from a numerical solver of the full equations. The effects of heat source profile, location and strength on heat transfer dynamics in the thermal boundary layer are explained, providing insights into seabed temperature forced convection mechanisms enhanced by free-surface waves.