Non-linear interaction of magnetic field and convection in three-dimensional motion

Abstract

Three-dimensional nonlinear convection in a horizontal Boussinesq layer of fluid heated from below is considered in the presence of an imposed vertical magnetic field. The study is based on local nonlinear analysis which is pivoted on the linear theory. The effect of magnetic field on convective heat transfer and the physically preferred cell patterns are determined. It is found that finite-amplitude steady convection persists only for certain range of the Chandrasekhar number Q and the hexagonal platform is the preferred cell pattern in the description of three-dimensional motion. In particular, it is shown that the convective heat transport in hydrogen is much greater than that in mercury. The analogy between magnetic field and rotation is brought out.