Nonlinear doubly diffusive convection in vertical enclosures

Nonlinear doubly diffusive convection in two-dimensional enclosures driven by lateral temperature and concentration differences is studied using a combination of analytical and numerical techniques. The study is organized around a special case that allows a static equilibrium. The stationary states that bifurcate from this equilibrium are either symmetric or antisymmetric with respect to diagonal reflection. Local bifurcation analysis around the critical aspect ratio at which both modes appear simultaneously is complemented using numerical continuation. Perturbation of this situation to one in which no static equilibrium exists provides important information about the multiplicity of steady states in this system. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V, All rights reserved.