The goal of this research is to investigate how magnetic field affects the dynamics of granular convection and excitation of solar oscillations by means of realistic numerical simulations. We have used a 3D, compressible, non-linear radiative magnetohydrodynamics code developed at the NASA Ames Research Center. This code takes into account several physical phenomena: compressible fluid flow in a highly stratified medium, sub-grid scale turbulence models, radiative energy transfer between the fluid elements, and a real-gas equation of state. We have studied the influence of the magnetic field of various strength on the convective cells and on the excitation mechanisms of the acoustic oscillations by calculating spectral properties of the convective motions and oscillations. The results reveal substantial changes of the granulation structure with increased magnetic field, and a frequency-dependent reduction in the oscillation power in a good agreement with solar observations. These simulations suggest that the enhanced high-frequency acoustic emission at the boundaries of active region ("acoustic halo" phenomenon) is caused by the changes of the spatial-temporal spectrum of the turbulent convection in magnetic field, resulting in turbulent motions of smaller scales and higher frequencies than in quiet Sun regions.

The goal of this research is to investigate how well various turbulence models can describe physical properties of the upper convective boundary layer of the Sun. An accurate modeling of the turbulence motions is necessary for understanding the excitation mechanisms of solar oscillation modes. We have carried out realistic numerical simulations using several different physical Large Eddy Simulation (LES) models (Hyperviscosity approach, Smagorinsky, and dynamic models) to investigate how the differences in turbulence modeling affect the damping and excitation of the oscillations and their spectral properties and compare with observations. We have first calculated the oscillation power spectra of radial and non-radial modes supported by the computational box with the different turbulence models. Then we have calculated the work integral input to the modes to estimate the influence of the turbulence model on the depth and strength of the oscillation sources. We have compared these results with previous studies and with the observed properties of solar oscillations. We find that the dynamic turbulence model provides the best agreement with the helioseismic observations.

A mechanically stirred molten-glass bath heated by direct induction in a cold crucible was numerically modeled. The aim of the study was to develop numerical tools to understand thermal, hydrodynamic and electromagnetic phenomena that occur in the bath. Models and coupling between these phenomena are described. This coupling and the high content of elements in the 3D mesh result in a long calculation time. The study demonstrates how to couple programs to yield the highest degree of accuracy in the shortest calculation time possible. Numerical studies are also used to characterize the fluid dynamic behavior and heat transfer in an industrial-size tank. Classical correlations commonly used to characterize stirrer efficiency and heat transfer for fluids with constant physical properties were adapted for molten glass. The power number N p and the Nusselt number Nu are used as macroscopic indicators. The results of these global studies will be useful for the operation and optimization of the vitrification facilities. ᭧

No abstract