Visualization of turbulence structure in unsteady non-penetrative thermal convection using liquid crystal thermometry and stereo velocimetry

Temperature and velocity fields in unsteady non-penetrative turbulent thermal convection of a horizontal fluid layer are measured in horizontal and vertical planes simultaneously using the combined liquid-crystal thermometry and stereo particle image velocimetry (PIV) with high spatial and temporal resolution. The result shows the formation of convection pattern across the fluid layer, which originates from the spoke structure over the heated surface. The upward fluid motion is generated from the intersection of the bursting lines of the spoke structure, while the downward motion is induced by the low temperature fluid directing toward the center of the spoke structure. Thus, the large-scale convective motion is produced in the fluid layer through the motion of spoke structure. The POD analysis of the temperature and velocity eigenfunctions shows the existence of large-scale motion in the fluid layer, which supports the observed convection pattern near the heated boundary and in the middle of the fluid layer.