The Character of Entropy Production in Rayleigh–Bénard Convection

In this study; the Rayleigh–Bénard convection model was established; and a great number of Bénard cells with different numbered vortexes were acquired by numerical simulation. Additionally; the Bénard cell with two vortexes; which appeared in the steady Bénard fluid with a different Rayleigh number (abbreviated Ra); was found to display the primary characteristics of the system’s entropy production. It was found that two entropy productions; which are calculated using either linear theory or classical thermodynamic theory; are all basically consistent when the system can form a steady Bénard flow in the proper range of the Rayleigh number’s parameters. Furthermore; in a steady Bénard flow; the entropy productions of the system increase alongside the Ra parameters. It was also found that the difference between the two entropy productions is the driving force to drive the system to a steady state. Otherwise; through the distribution of the local entropy production of the Bénard cell; two vortexes are clearly located where there is minimum local entropy production and in the borders around the cell’s areas of larger local entropy production.