Double diffusive instability in a tall thin slot

Abstract

The linear stability of doubly diffusive convection is considered for a two-dimensional, Boussinesq fluid in a tall thin slot. For a variety of boundary conditions on the slot walls, instability sets in through zero wavenumber over a wide range of physical conditions. Long-wave equations governing the nonlinear development of the instability are derived. The form of the long-wave equations sensitively depends on the thermal and salt boundary conditions; the possible long-wave theories are catalogued. Finite-amplitude solutions and their stability are studied. In some cases the finite-amplitude solutions are not the only possible attractors and numerical solutions presenting the alternatives are given. These reveal temporally complicated dynamics.