Angular momentum transfer in direct numerical simulations of a laboratory model of a tropical cyclone

ABSTRACT Numerical simulations of a laboratory model of a tropical cyclone are carried out for different rotation rates. Particular attention is paid to the non-stationary stage of intensive cyclonic vortex formation. The transfer of angular momentum plays a key role in the formation of cyclonic and anticyclonic flows; therefore, a detailed analysis of the redistribution and variation of angular momentum is given. The time evolution of angular momentum fluxes and total angular momentum strongly depend on the rotation rate. It is shown that intensive cyclonic motion with velocity exceeding initial values substantially (ten or more times) is a result of accumulation in the centre of a small fraction of global angular momentum of a fluid layer (from 0.25% at fast rotation to 2% at slow rotation). The integral angular momentum of the anticyclonic flow is significantly larger than that of the cyclonic flow, mainly because of the relatively large fluid volume of the anticyclonic flow. Another important result is that the rotating fluid layer very quickly adapts to new boundary conditions (heating and cooling). Approximately two rotation periods are required to reach a quasi-stationary state. The application of the obtained results to the evolution of real tropical cyclones is discussed.