Rising vortex ring in a viscous fluid

Most theoretical results for thermals, whose motion is determined by the complex interaction between dynamics and buoyancy, have been obtained numerically [1–4]. The analytic solutions for a convection element have been limited to consideration of the self-similar regime [5]. At the same time, the preself-similar stage of development of a vortex ring of dynamic origin has been described analytically [6]. This approach is now extended to a rising vortex ring. In this case a modification of the traditional formulation of the problem makes it possible to obtain an analytic solution of the problem of a weak thermal in the form of unsteady temperature, vorticity and stream function fields that tend in the limit to the self-similar regime. The rate of ascent of the convective vortex ring is found. A solution is obtained for the two-dimensional analog of the problem.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 3, pp. 42–48, May–June, 1989.