Interferometric study of stable salinity gradients heated from below or cooled from above

摘要: Mixing-layer development is investigated in laboratory experiments of salt-stratified solutions which are cooled from above or heated below through the imposition isothermal boundaries. A Mach-Zehnder interferometer used to infer salt and density distributions within stable regions solution determine extent mixing-layer development. In both heating cooling above, this differs significantly that has been observed for constant below. Although formation a secondary mixed layer observed, it does not lead additional layers. Instead, eventually recedes, existence single restored. This behaviour due boundary effect no decreasing heat transfer with increasing time. Once condition restored, extremely large (stable) gradients develop separating regions, subsequent growth slow. depends strongly on whether direct contact separated by an air space.