arXiv subjects

V. Galindo

Publications and source records attributed to V. Galindo.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

The effect of split endcaps on the flow dynamics in a tall Taylor-Couette setup

The effects of axial boundaries, or endcaps are of fundamental interest in many Taylor-Couette (TC) flow experiments. A main challenge in those experiments has been to minimize these effects, which can substantially alter the flow structure compared to the axially unbounded idealized case. Therefore, understanding and disentangling the influence of endcaps on the TC flow dynamics is essential for the unambiguous interpretation of experimental results, particularly when other dynamical processes (instabilities) in TC flows are involved. In this paper, we study the hydrodynamic evolution of a quasi-Keplerian TC flow in the presence of split endcaps for high Reynolds numbers, $Re$, up to $2\times 10^5$, which are larger than those considered in related previous studies. At these $Re$, the flow deviates from the ideal TC flow profile without endcaps, resulting in about $15\%$ deviation in angular velocity at the mid-height of the cylinders. Aside from turbulent fluctuations caused by shearing instability near the endcaps, the bulk flow remains nearly axially independent and exhibits overall Rayleigh-stability. We characterize the scalings of the Ekman and Stewartson layer sizes with $Re$ as well as examine the effect of the ratio of the outer to inner cylinders' angular velocities on the flow. The implications of these findings for ongoing magnetorotational instability (MRI) experiments based on the similar axially bounded TC setup are also discussed. Specifically, it is shown that when imposing a constant axial magnetic field in all the considered configurations, the flow profile modified by the endcaps lowers the critical threshold for the onset of MRI that in turn can facilitate its emergence and detection in those experiments.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2024

Helicity oscillations in Rayleigh-Bénard convection of liquid metal in a cell with aspect ratio 0.5

In this paper, we present numerical and experimental results on helicity oscillations in a liquid-metal Rayleigh-Bénard (RB) convection cell, with an aspect ratio of 0.5. We find that helicity oscillations occur during transitions of flow states that are characterised by significant changes in the Reynolds number. Moreover, we also observe helicity oscillations at flow conditions where the temporal gradient of the change in the Reynolds number is significantly smaller than that of the helicity. Notably, the helicity oscillations observed during the transient double-roll state exhibit characteristics remarkably similar to those associated with the Tayler Instability.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2022

Numerical simulation of tidal synchronization of the large-scale circulation in Rayleigh-Bénard convection with aspect ratio 1

A possible explanation for the apparent phase stability of the 11.07-year Schwabe cycle of the solar dynamo was the subject of a series of recent papers. The synchronization of the helicity of an instability with azimuthal wavenumber m=1 by a tidal m=2 perturbation played a key role here. To analyze this type of interaction in a paradigmatic set-up, we study a thermally driven Rayleigh-Bénard Convection (RBC) of a liquid metal under the influence of a tide-like electromagnetic forcing. As shown previously, the time-modulation of this forcing emerges as a peak frequency in the m=2 mode of the radial flow velocity component. In this paper we present new numerical results on the interplay between the Large Scale Circulation (LSC) of a RBC flow and the time modulated electromagnetic forcing.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2021

Convective, absolute and global azimuthal magnetorotational instabilities

We study the convective and absolute forms of azimuthal magnetorotational instability (AMRI) in a Taylor-Couette (TC) flow with an imposed azimuthal magnetic field. We show that the domain of the convective AMRI is wider than that of the absolute AMRI. Actually, it is the absolute instability which is the most relevant and important for magnetic TC flow experiments. The absolute AMRI, unlike the convective one, stays in the device, displaying a sustained growth that can be experimentally detected. We also study the global AMRI in a TC flow of finite height using DNS and find that its emerging butterfly-type structure -- a spatio-temporal variation in the form of upward and downward traveling waves -- is in a very good agreement with the linear stability analysis, which indicates the presence of two dominant absolute AMRI modes in the flow giving rise to this global butterfly pattern.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2017

Instabilities and spin-up behaviour of a rotating magnetic field driven flow in a rectangular cavity

This study presents numerical simulations and experiments considering the flow of an electrically conducting fluid inside a cube driven by a rotating magnetic field (RMF). The investigations are focused on the spin-up, where a liquid metal (GaInSn) is suddenly exposed to an azimuthal body force generated by the RMF, and the subsequent flow development. The numerical simulations rely on a semi-analytical expression for the induced electromagnetic force density in an electrically conducting medium inside a cuboid container with insulating walls. Velocity distributions in two perpendicular planes are measured using a novel dual-plane, two-component ultrasound array Doppler velocimeter (UADV) with continuous data streaming, enabling long term measurements for investigating transient flows. This approach allows to identify the main emerging flow modes during the transition from a stable to unstable flow regimes with exponentially growing velocity oscillations using the Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) method. Characteristic frequencies in the oscillating flow regimes are determined in the super critical range above the critical magnetic Taylor number $Ta_c \approx 1.26 \times 10^5$, where the transition from the steady double vortex structure of the secondary flow to an unstable regime with exponentially growing oscillations is detected. The mean flow structures and the temporal evolution of the flow predicted by the numerical simulations and observed in experiments are in very good agreement.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2016

The Tayler instability at low magnetic Prandtl numbers: Chiral symmetry breaking and synchronizable helicity oscillations

The current-driven, kink-type Tayler instability (TI) is a key ingredient of the Tayler-Spruit dynamo model for the generation of stellar magnetic fields, but is also discussed as a mechanism that might hamper the up-scaling of liquid metal batteries. Under some circumstances, the TI involves a helical flow pattern which goes along with some alpha effect. Here we focus on the chiral symmetry breaking and the related impact on the alpha effect that would be needed to close the dynamo loop in the Tayler-Spruit model. For low magnetic Prandtl numbers, we observe intrinsic oscillations of the alpha effect. These oscillations serve then as the basis for a synchronized Tayler-Spruit dynamo model, which could possibly link the periodic tidal forces of planets with the oscillation periods of stellar dynamos.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2014

The influence of current collectors on Tayler instability and electro-vortex flows in liquid metal batteries

The Tayler instability is a kink-type flow instability which occurs when the electrical current through a conducting fluid exceeds a certain critical value. Originally studied in the astrophysical context, the instability was recently shown to be also a limiting factor for the upward scalability of liquid metal batteries. In this paper, we continue our efforts to simulate this instability for liquid metals within the framework of an integro-differential equation approach. The original solver is enhanced by multi-domain support with Dirichlet-Neumann partitioning for the static boundaries. Particular focus is laid on the detailed influence of the axial electrical boundary conditions on the characteristic features of the Tayler instability, and, secondly, on the occurrence of electro-vortex flows and their relevance for liquid metal batteries.

physics.flu-dyn↗