Modeling of convective structures in a thin layer of silicone oil in air flow under heating

Numerical simulation was performed to study convective structures in a thin silicone oil layer heated from below, whose free surface is exposed to air flow, generating a drift current. Transformation of the basic equations to a form suitable for spectral methods is proposed. The steady flow velocity profile obtained under laboratory experiment conditions is calculated. It is shown that increasing the Reynolds number leads to the transition from the polygonal convective cells to longitudinal (elongated along the flow) rolls. The dependence of the transitional Reynolds number on the temperature on the lower boundary of the layer is obtained. The calculation results are compared with experimental data.