On the inverse cascade and flow speed scaling behavior in rapidly rotating Rayleigh-B\'enard convection

TL;DR

This study uses an asymptotic model to explore how rapid rotation influences flow structures and speed scaling in Rayleigh-Bénard convection, revealing a transition to large-scale vortices and deviations from linear flow speed scaling at high Rayleigh numbers.

Contribution

It introduces a numerical analysis of rapidly rotating convection using an asymptotic model, highlighting flow regime transitions and altered scaling behaviors at small Ekman numbers.

Findings

Identification of a transition from convection-dominated to large-scale vortex states at a critical Reynolds number.

Observation of a maximum in the ratio of kinetic energies at a specific Reynolds number.

Detection of deviations from linear flow speed scaling at high Rayleigh numbers.

Abstract

Rotating Rayleigh-B\'enard convection is investigated numerically with the use of an asymptotic model that captures the rapidly rotating, small Ekman number limit, $Ek \rightarrow 0$. The Prandtl number ($Pr$) and the asymptotically scaled Rayleigh number ($\widetilde{Ra} = Ra Ek^{4/3}$, where $Ra$ is the typical Rayleigh number) are varied systematically. For sufficiently vigorous convection, an inverse kinetic energy cascade leads to the formation of a depth-invariant large-scale vortex (LSV). With respect to the kinetic energy, we find a transition from convection dominated states to LSV dominated states at an asymptotically reduced (small-scale) Reynolds number of $\widetilde{Re} \approx 6$ for all investigated values of $Pr$. The ratio of the depth-averaged kinetic energy to the kinetic energy of the convection reaches a maximum at $\widetilde{Re} \approx 24$, then decreases as $\widetilde{Ra}$ is increased. This decrease in the relative kinetic energy of the LSV is associated with a decrease in the convective correlations with increasing Rayleigh number. The scaling behavior of the convective flow speeds is studied; although a linear scaling of the form $\widetilde{Re} \sim \widetilde{Ra}/Pr$ is observed over a limited range in Rayleigh number and Prandtl number, a clear departure from this scaling is observed at the highest accessible values of $\widetilde{Ra}$. Calculation of the forces present in the governing equations shows that the ratio of the viscous force to the buoyancy force is an increasing function of $\widetilde{Ra}$, that approaches unity over the investigated range of parameters.