Modeling of convective structures in a thin layer of silicone oil in air flow under heating

Numerical simulation was performed to study convective structures in a thin silicone oil layer heated from below, whose free surface is exposed to air flow generating drift flow. The basic equations are transformation to a form suitable for spectral methods. The steady flow velocity profile obtained in a laboratory experiment is calculated. It is shown that increasing the Reynolds number leads to the transition from polygonal convective cells to longitudinal rolls (elongated along the flow). The dependence of the transition Reynolds number on the temperature on the lower boundary of the layer is obtained. The calculation results are compared with experimental data.