Thermal Convection in Snow,
Abstract
Large temperature gradients applied to a snow cover drive water vapor upward and result in rapid recrystallization of snow crystals. The same temperature gradients create gradients of air density that can cause flows of air through the snow cover. This report develops formalism necessary to describe these flows in an effort to include the convection of vapor in the understanding of snow metamorphism. The theory of convection through porous media is extended to include the transport of water vapor, which is important because of its latent heat. Result are presented in terms of a Lewis number, defined as the ration of thermal to mass diffusivities. For Lewis numbers greater than 1.0, phase change intensifies convection, and for Lewis numbers less than 1.0, phase change retards convection. Two boundary conditions of special interest in the study of snow, a constant heat flux bottom and a permeable top, are investigated. Their influence on the transfer of heat is quantified, and it is found that heat transfer can be described as a linear function of the driving force for convection. The effect of a permeable top on convection at low Rayleigh numbers is derived. Experiments are performed to measure the effects of convection on heat transfer through glass beads and snow. The model results using constant flux boundary conditions are confirmed by experiments. Experiments show that convection can occur in snow, and that convection behaves in a manner consistent with our theoretical understanding of the phenomenon. Some uncertainty exists about the permeability and thermal conductivity of snow and hence it is uncertain if thermal convection would occur for a given temperature gradient, density and thickness.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA157577
Entities
People
- D. J. Powers
- K. O'neill
- S. C. Colbeck
Organizations
- Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory