Existence and homogenization of the Rayleigh-Bénard problem

Abstract

The Navier-Stokes equation driven by heat conduction is studied. As a prototype we consider Rayleigh-Bénard convection, in the Boussinesq approximation. Under a large aspect ratio assumption, which is the case in Rayleigh-Bénard experiments with Prandtl number close to one, we prove the existence of a global strong solution to the 3D Navier-Stokes equation coupled with a heat equation, and the existence of a maximal B-attractor. A rigorous two-scale limit is obtained by homogenization theory. The mean velocity field is obtained by averaging the two-scale limit over the unit torus in the local variable.