76th Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Fluid Dynamics (November 19, 2023 — November 21, 2023)

V0034: Dancing of Thermal Plumes; A 4D Visualization of Temperature Field of Rayleigh-Bénard Convection

Authors

• Sina Kashanj, Mechanical Engineering Department of University of Alberta
• David Nobes, Mechanical Engineering Department of University of Alberta

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/APS.DFD.2023.GFM.V0034

Rayleigh-Bénard convection is a natural phenomenon that occurs when a layer of fluid is heated from below and cooled from above. The temperature difference generates patterns of rising warm plumes and descending cool currents, creating a display of fluid motion. In our video, we employ a technique known as 4D Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) using a scanning method. This method involves using laser light to excite fluorescent molecules within the fluid. As these molecules emit light, their emissions are captured and analyzed in a four-dimensional space, which includes three spatial dimensions (x, y, z) and the fourth dimension representing time. This approach allows us to track the temperature variations within the Rayleigh-Bénard convection system over both space and time, offering a comprehensive and visually stunning representation of this natural phenomenon.