Efficient mixing in stratified flows: experimental study of a Rayleigh–Taylor unstable interface within an otherwise stable stratification

• Published in: Journal of fluid mechanics Vol. 756; pp. 1027 - 1057
• Main Authors: Davies Wykes, Megan S., Dalziel, Stuart B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 10.10.2014
• Subjects: Buoyancy; Buoyancy-driven instability; Diffusion; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; External geophysics; Fluid dynamics; Fluid mechanics; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Hydrodynamic stability; Physics; Physics of the oceans; Thermohaline structure and circulation. Turbulence and diffusion; Turbulence models; stratified flows; turbulent mixing; Laboratory study; Test facilities; Rayleigh-Taylor instability; Ocean dynamics; Experimental study; Density stratification; Turbulent mixing; Stratified flow

Boussinesq salt-water laboratory experiments of Rayleigh–Taylor instability (RTI) can achieve mixing efficiencies greater than 0.75 when the unstable interface is confined between two stable stratifications. This is much greater than that found when RTI occurs between two homogeneous layers when the...