Research Description

Instability in Convection of Annular Systems

My project focuses on convection in annular systems, and the critical temperature at which the convection begins. The experiment is performed using silicone oil containing aluminum particles as tracers, located in a temperature controlled annulus. The upper temperature is controlled by a water bath, kept at a constant temperature for the duration of the experiment. The bottom of the solution is heated using a heating pad, and the temperature is controlled by a program called LabVIEW, which is fed data from various thermocouples placed throughout the system. An array of temperatures is set up to run over a specific duration, and the fluid system is videotaped to watch exactly at what temperature the convection begins, and where it is to become fully developed. The difference between the upper temperature and lower temperature at which convection is developed is the critical temperature. The project includes experimenting with changing the upper controlled temperature, and observing the effect on the critical temperature. Additionally the lower temperature is increased well beyond the critical temperature in an effort to observe the convection pattern changes, or what instabilities may occur. This concept is important in the realm of crystal growth, such as for solar panels, in which structural integrity and purity of the substance is vital. If instabilities are to occur in the development of the crystal lattice of the structure, it compromises the integrity of the entire system, perhaps disrupting the maximum efficiency that can be achieved for the operation.