A time dependent model of the shallow, tropical convective boundary layer is
developed and tested. To simplify the treatment of thermodynamic processes and
return to first principles of physics, conserved quantities of entropy and total
water density are used as primary model variables. In addition, a new shallow
cumulus parameterization scheme is developed and is based on the use of a time
dependent cloud kinetic energy equation combining local concepts of cloud processes
with the use of a special buoyancy length scale. Two model simulations are
performed in an attempt to assess the model's performance and the effectiveness of
the parameterization scheme.
Results indicate that the model does a reasonable job in both representing the
equilibrium structure of a shallow convective boundary layer and in generating a
realistic boundary layer structure from an initial state consisting of a shallow
moist layer with dry air aloft. The cumulus parameterization scheme appears to
adequately represent the transport of thermodynamic quantities associated with
convective activity and the use of conserved variables provides an effective way of
representing the boundary layer structure and treating the mixing processes
associated with cloud processes.
This work illustrates the usefulness of generalized conserved variables,
particularly entropy and total water density, and indicates that the general
approach of using a time dependent cloud kinetic energy equation may be effective
for representing thermodynamic processes in the tropical boundary layer. / Graduation date: 1992
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/29294 |
| Date | 16 March 1992 |
| Creators | Barbour, Philip L. (Philip Lee), 1960- |
| Contributors | Esbensen, Steven K. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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