Anisotropic modelling of thermal convection in multilayered porous media

Abstract

The principle of large-scale anisotropy due to small-scale layering is applied to thermal convection. The motion takes place in a bounded porous medium heated from below. The medium is periodically layered with respect to permeability and thermal conductivity. The onset of convection as well as slightly supercritical convection are investigated. Anisotropic modelling proves useful even for small numbers of layers as long as the motion is of ‘large-scale convection’ type (Masuoka et al. 1978). The modelling always fails for motion of ‘local convection’ type.