The Persistent Clock of Turbulent Thermal Convection

TL;DR

This study reveals that the large-scale circulation in turbulent thermal convection has a persistent internal clock characterized by a constant ratio of velocity to pulsation frequency, linking flow dynamics and topology.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of a persistent internal clock in the LSC and demonstrates its invariance under flow modifications, connecting plume dynamics with flow structure.

Findings

The LSC pulsation velocity ratio U/(lf) remains constant.

Tripling the flow with a barrier maintains the ratio, indicating synchrony.

The ratio links plume shedding to flow topology.

Abstract

The large-scale circulation (LSC) of turbulent convection is a prominent feature of its dynamics and forms the basis for descriptive theories. We show, using experimental and numerical results from thermal convection in a cylindrical cell, that the LSC possesses a persistent internal `clock': its pulsating velocity as a function of time is described by a constant value of the parameter U/(lf) where U is the mean velocity, f the pulsation frequency, and l the characteristic length scale. By introducing a narrow sidewall barrier, we can trip the LSC, forming a pair of interconnected rolls stacked above and below the barrier. They independently exhibit the same value for the ratio U/(lf), even for vertically asymmetric pairs, indicating signs of synchrony. Thus, this parameter establishes a direct connection between plume-shedding dynamics and the flow topology.