Convection in a mushy layer along a vertical heated wall

Journal article

Abstract:: Motivated by the mushy zones of sea ice, volcanoes and icy moons of the outer solar system, we perform a theoretical and numerical study of boundary-layer convection along a vertical heated wall in a bounded ideal mushy region. The mush is comprised of a porous and reactive binary alloy with a mixture of saline liquid in a solid matrix, and is studied in the near-eutectic approximation. Here, we demonstrate the existence of four regions and study their behaviour asymptotically. Starting from the bottom of the wall, the four regions are (i) an isotropic corner region; (ii) a buoyancy dominated vertical boundary layer; (iii) an isotropic connection region; and (iv) a horizontal boundary layer at the top boundary with strong gradients of pressure and buoyancy. Scalings from numerical simulations are consistent with the theoretical predictions. Close to the heated wall, the convection in the mushy layer is similar to a rising buoyant plume abruptly stopped at the top, leading to increased pressure and temperature in the upper region, whose impact is discussed as an efficient melting mechanism.

Files:: Boury_et_al_2021_convection_in_a.pdf

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Institution:: University of Oxford
Department:: PHYSICS
Sub department:: Atmos Ocean & Planet Physics
Oxford college:: Oriel College; Oriel College; Oriel College; Oriel College; Oriel College; WOLFSON COLLEGE
Role:: Author
ORCID:: 0000-0001-7929-6227

Copyright holder:: Boury et al.
Notes:: This is the accepted manuscript version of the article. The final version is available online from Cambridge University Press at: https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2021.742

Licence:: Terms and Conditions of Use for Oxford University Research Archive

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