The fluid properties and operating conditions that lead to a specific convection onset behavior can be predicted from neutral stability curves and maps, like those of the remaining figures. Exact solutions for the stationary neutral stability of multicomponent fluid layers with interfacial deformation were derived. These solutions also permit the computation of a boundary curve that separates the long and finite wavelength instabilities, which is shown in the graph on the right. Above the curve, a long wavelength instability was predicted, suggesting that convection would occur principally through one large flow cell in the layer, whereas below the curve, finite wavelength instabilities occur which suggest multiple finite-sized circulation cells. The concentration difference is induced by an applied temperature difference.
Oscillatory instability occurs above the oscillatory boundaries in the upper right quadrant.
An extensive investigation of stationary and oscillatory instabilities was performed. Stability maps similar to the one shown in the preceding graph were developed to characterize the fluid behavior. Exact solutions for the location of the asymptotes, also shown in this graph, are suitable for validating the computational schemes that will ultimately be used to analyze the behavior of more complex systems. Researchers at Lewis are also examining the response of a fluid layer to time periodic accelerations or gravity modulation. Results such as those in the preceding stability plots can be used to assess the sensitivity of these fluid systems to residual accelerations.