SEMIIMPLICIT 2ND-ORDER FINITE-VOLUME JET-STREAM COMPUTATIONS

Semi-implicit, second order temporal and spatial finite volume computa tions of the flow in a differentially heated rotating annulus are pres ented. For the regime considered, three cyclones and anticyclones sepa rated by a relatively fast moving jet of fluid or ''jet stream'' are p redicted. Two second order methods are compared with, first order spat ial predictions, and experimental measurements. Velocity vector plots are used to illustrate the predicted flow structure. Computations made using second order central differences are shown to agree best with e xperimental measurements, and to be stable for integrations over long time periods (> 1000s). No periodic smoothing is required to prevent d ivergence.