Direct numerical simulation of double-diffusive gravity currents

This paper presents three-dimensional direct numerical simulations of laboratory-scale double-diffusive gravity currents. Flow is governed by the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations under the Boussinesq approximation, with salinity and temperature coupled to the equations of motion using a nonlinear approximation to the UNESCO equation of state. The effects of vertical boundary conditions and current volume are examined, with focus on flow pattern development, current propagation speed, three-dimensionalization, dissipation, and stirring and mixing. It was observed that no-slip boundaries cause the gravity current head to take the standard lobe-and-cleft shape and encourage both a greater degree and an earlier onset of three-dimensionalization when compared to what occurs in the case of a free-slip boundary. Additionally, numerical simulations with no-slip boundary conditions experience greater viscous dissipation, stirring, and mixing when compared to similar configurations using free-slip conditions. Published by AIP Publishing.