Earth, Atmosphere & Environment Sciences
Title : | Wind generation of ocean waves: from primary instabilities to cyclogenesis |
Area of research : | Earth, Atmosphere & Environment Sciences |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. Devranjan Samanta, Indian Institute Of Technology (IIT) Ropar, Punjab |
Timeline Start Year : | 2022 |
Timeline End Year : | 2025 |
Contact info : | devranjansamanta@gmail.com |
Equipments : | optics for PIV
Workstation
workstation
Shleiren
water tank fabrication |
Details
Executive Summary : | Wind blowing over flat ocean surfaces causes waves to form, causing roughness and affecting momentum flux and heat flux. Breaking these waves can lead to the ejection of fluid particles (sea spray) from the ocean surface. When wind speed exceeds 32 m/s, heat flux from the ocean surface and the spray can suppress turbulent intensity and intensify air circulation above the ocean surface, potentially leading to tropical cyclones. Current engineering relevance is evident as cyclone forecasts and wind wave height estimates are crucial in coastal engineering. Coupled ocean-atmosphere-wave models rely on accurate parametrizations of sea surface roughness and sea spray flux on wind speed. Over half a century of research has led to a large body of literature on wind generation, wave formation, bubble bursting, drop ejection, sea-spray formation, mass, momentum, and energy interactions between the atmospheric boundary layer and the spray, its feedback effect on wind, and models for cyclogenesis. This project aims to conduct a multi-pronged experimental, theoretical, and computational investigation into these problems. The laboratory will investigate primary and secondary instabilities responsible for generation of entire spectrum of surface waves via wind and leading to wave breaking, create spray in wind-generated breaking waves, measure spray statistics, and understand and quantify conditions leading to cyclone formation and possible mechanisms to suppress them. Results from the project will significantly impact numerical models used in predictions and contribute to closing major fluid mechanical gaps in our understanding of these complex processes. |
Co-PI: | Dr. Ratul Dasgupta, Indian Institute Of Technology Bombay (IITB), Maharashtra-400076, Dr. Anubhab Roy, Indian Institute Of Technology (IIT) Madras, Tamil Nadu-600036 |
Total Budget (INR): | 79,96,960 |
Organizations involved