On the Features of Convection in a Compressible Gas

Abstract

The problem of Rayleigh-Bénard convection in a compressible, viscous and heat-conducting gas is considered. By solving a complete nonlinear system of equations of gas dynamics, we present a neutral curve for air under normal conditions as a function of the domain height. The formula for the critical height of the domain is derived analytically. The isobaric convection regime is realized when the height of the region is less than the critical value, but the regime becomes superadiabatic with the height of the region exceeding this critical value. Convection in the superadiabatic regime results in adiabatic suppression. The limits of applicability of the Boussinesq approach are determined within the framework of the isobaric convection regime.