Zero-helicity Lagrangian kinematics of three-dimensional advection

Abstract
The toroidal–poloidal decomposition for divergenceless vector fields in three dimensions is used to classify incompressible steady velocity fields in three dimensions according to whether they have zero, or nonzero helicity, and whether they are integrable, or nonintegrable as dynamical systems. Linearized steady Rayleigh–Bénard convection flows provide examples from each class. Computational techniques that preserve volume and helicity are developed and used to visualize the Lagrangian particle trajectories of three-dimensional advection for two Rayleigh–Bénard flows having zero helicity in a periodic domain.

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