Thermo‐electrohydrodynamic convection in the thermally driven spherical shell with differential rotation

Abstract

This study investigates thermo‐electrohydrodynamics (TEHD) convection in the thermally driven spherical shell with differential shell rotation. The TEHD convection is induced by an electric tension applied at the inner spherical shell whereas the outer shell is grounded. Hence, an electric central force field is present similar to terrestrial gravity in a planetary system. Spherical rotation mimics planetary rotation and is used to investigate the convective nature of the spherical gap. The results demonstrate four main convective regimes that depend on the strength of the electric tension and rotational forcing. The convective pattern formation is investigated by a Hammer‐Aitov projection, the radial and meridional velocity components to indicate convective or advective fluid motion related to the individual forcing. The heat transfer is characterised by the Nusselt number and showed a strong dependence on the forcing.