Linear stability analysis of controlled Rayleigh-Bénard convection using shadowgraphic measurement

We conduct a linear stability analysis of Rayleigh-Bénard convection in an infinite horizontal layer with active control of the lower boundary heat flux. A simple linear proportional control loop uses a shadowgraph of the convection pattern to actively distribute the constant-mean lower boundary heat flux while the upper boundary is kept at a constant temperature. We find it possible to shift the convection threshold by a factor of approximately 3. This is a companion paper to our recent experimental work. © 1997, American Institute of Physics. All rights reserved.

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Author Laurens E. Howle Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materia ...