Absolute versus convective instability in mixed forced-free convection boundary layers
by
Jim Denier
The University of Adelaide
Coauthors: Eunice Mureithi

This talk will present some new results on the problem of absolute instabilities in mixed forced-free convection boundary layers. This class of flows exists in a parameter regime between that of forced convection and free convection (the latter being most relevant to natural convection flows). They have the rather unusual (but not atypical) property of having a basic flow driven partially by a buoyancy driven streamwise pressure gradient which results in a region of overshoot. The consequences of this overshoot on the absolute stability of the flow will be explored.

Date received: October 8, 2009