A Numerical Study of Baroclinic Flows Observed in an Open Cylinder

Abstract

Baroclinic flows in an open cylinder are simulated using a three-dimensional global-grid numerical model. Five types of flow observed in our laboratory experiments are obtained numerically: axisymmetric flow, steady wave flow, wavenumber vacillation, amplitude vacillation and irregular flow. Their regimes are presented as a function of the basic angular speed, and the characteristics of each flow are described.