Nonlinear Double-diffusive Convection in a Low Prandtl Number Fluid

Abstract

Nonlinear double-diffusive convection is studied using the modal equations of cellular convection. The boundary layer method is used by assuming a large Rayleigh number R for a fluid of low Prandtl number (J, and different ranges of the diffusivity ratio 7: and. the solute Rayleigh number Rs. The heat and solute fluxes are found to increase with R(J and decrease with Rs. The effect of the solute is stabilizing, although the convection in a fluid with large (J is less affected by the solute concentration. The flow is shown to have a solute layer which thickens as (J, R, .-1 or R;l decreases. It is proved that it is only for this layer that the solute affects the boundary layer structure.