The onset of convection in an inclined anisotropic porous layer with oblique principle axes

• Published in: Transport in porous media Vol. 62; no. 2; pp. 139 - 156
• Main Authors: REES, D. A. S, STORESLETTEN, L, POSTELNICU, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01.02.2006; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Anisotropy; Axes (reference lines); Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Exact sciences and technology; Hydrocarbons; Hydrogeology; Hydrology. Hydrogeology; Inclination; Pollution, environment geology; Sedimentary rocks; Stability; Tensors; Wavelengths; orientation; permeability; anisotropy; coordinates; transport; tensor; convection; instability; diffusivity; porous layer; inclined layer; oblique axes; porous media; free convection; direction
• ISSN: 0169-3913; 1573-1634
• DOI: 10.1007/s11242-005-0618-8

We consider the onset of convection in an inclined anisotropic porous layer heated from below. To date the principle axes of the permeability and diffusivity tensors have been assumed to be aligned with the coordinate directions. Therefore particular emphasis is laid upon how the basic flow and criteria for the onset of convection are altered by the presence of oblique principle axes. When these axes are not aligned with the coordinate directions and when the ratios of the principle permeabilities or diffusivities are not too large or too small, we find that there is always a smooth transition in the orientation of the most dangerous mode of instability as the inclination increases from the horizontal. In more extreme cases there may be sudden changes in the orientation, Darcy–Rayleigh number and wavenumber.