Flow evolution in particle-laden Rayleigh-B\'enard convection

TL;DR

This paper presents a theoretical study of how small particles influence flow evolution in laminar Rayleigh-Bénard convection, revealing their roles in modifying flow intensity and direction through drag and buoyancy effects.

Contribution

It introduces a novel theoretical framework describing particle impacts on flow dynamics in particle-laden Rayleigh-Bénard convection, emphasizing the effects of particle velocity and temperature differences.

Findings

Particles attenuate flow intensity via drag effects.

Temperature differences cause particles to alter flow direction.

Flow modifications depend on particle-fluid relative velocity and temperature.

Abstract

A theoretical analysis is carried out to study flow evolution inside the laminar Rayleigh-B\'enard convection system laden with small particles. By describing particle dynamics and particle heat as sources of drag and heat respectively, the physics of particle impact on the flow evolution is studied. It is found that due to the relative velocity of the particulate phase to the fluid phase, particles work as a superimposed moment on the whole flow, attenuating the flow intensity. When the relative temperature of the particulate phase to the fluid phase occurs, particles act like a superimposed moment of buoyancy force on the whole flow, causing alterations in both flow intensity and flow direction.