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Self-consistent single mode investigations of the quasi-geostrophic convection-driven dynamo model

Part of: 50 years of Mean Field Electrodynamics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 August 2018

Meredith Plumley ,
Michael A. Calkins ,
Keith Julien  and
Steven M. Tobias
Meredith Plumley*
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
Michael A. Calkins
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
Keith Julien
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
Steven M. Tobias
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
*
†Email address for correspondence: meredith.plumley@colorado.edu
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Abstract

The quasi-geostrophic dynamo model (QGDM) is a multiscale, fully nonlinear Cartesian dynamo model that is valid in the asymptotic limit of low Rossby number. In the additional limit of small magnetic Prandtl number investigated here, the QGDM is a self-consistent, asymptotically exact form of an $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}^{2}$ large-scale dynamo. This article explores methods for simulating the multiscale QGDM and investigates how convection is altered by the magnetic field in the planetary regime of small Rossby number and small magnetic Prandtl number. At present, this combination is beyond the reach of direct numerical simulations. We use a simplified class of solutions whose horizontal structure is restricted to a periodic hexagonal lattice characterized by a single horizontal wavenumber (single mode). In contrast with previous kinematic investigations of the QGDM, the Lorentz force is included to study saturated, self-consistent dynamos. Two methodologies are used to assess handling of the multiple time scales of the QGDM: a stiff, common-in-time approach where all time scales are converted to a single time variable and a heterogeneous multiscale modelling approach employing fast time averaging on the Reynolds, magnetic and buoyancy eddy fluxes that feed back onto the slow scales. These strategies produce consistent results and each illustrates self-similar dynamics as the time-averaging window is increased. The properties of the convection are significantly altered by the dynamo-generated magnetic field. All solutions show a decrease in the overall heat transfer efficiency as compared to non-magnetic convection, suggesting that a change in length scale or flow planform plays a critical role in the enhanced heat transfer efficiency observed in previous dynamo studies. All dynamo solutions show a trend of increasing ohmic dissipation relative to viscous dissipation as the buoyancy forcing is increased.

Keywords

plasma dynamicsplasma flows
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Plasma Physics , Volume 84 , Issue 4 , August 2018 , 735840406
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2018 

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