Linear and nonlinear triple diffusive convection in the presence of sinusoidal/non-sinusoidal gravity modulation: A comparative study

The non-uniform vertical vibrations (gravity modulation) or g-jitter or time-periodic body force, can be realized by oscillating the system vertically. The time periodic variations are considered to vary sinusoidally (trigonometric cosine) or non-sinusoidally (square, sawthooth and triangular) to study three-component convection in a Newtonian fluid using linear and non-linear analyses. In the linear theory, the expressions for the Rayleigh number and the correction Rayleigh number are obtained by using a regular perturbation method. The eigen value is obtained by adopting the classical Venezian approach. The generalized Lorenz model is derived using a Fourier series with additional modes and under the assumption of the Boussinesq approximation and small-scale convection motion. The resulting non-autonomous Lorenz model is solved numerically to quantify the heat and mass transports. The results are considered against the background of the results of no modulation. Study reveals that all the four types of gravity modulation delay the onset of convection and thereby lead to the diminished heat transfer situation. It is also found that in the case of trigonometric type of gravity modulation heat and mass transports are between those of the cases of triangular and square types. The results in respect of saw-tooth and triangular wave modulations are identical.