scholarly journals Compressible Taylor–Couette flow – instability mechanism and codimension 3 points

2014 ◽  
Vol 750 ◽  
pp. 555-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Welsh ◽  
Evy Kersalé ◽  
Chris A. Jones

AbstractTaylor–Couette flow in a compressible perfect gas is studied. The onset of instability is examined as a function of the Reynolds numbers of the inner and outer cylinder, the Mach number of the flow and the Prandtl number of the gas. We focus on the case of a wide gap, with radius ratio 0.5. We find new modes of instability at high Prandtl number, which can allow oscillatory axisymmetric modes to onset first. We also find that onset can occur even when the angular momentum increases outwards, so that the classical Rayleigh criterion can be violated in the compressible case. We have also considered the case of counter-rotating cylinders, where the $\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}m=0$ and $m=1$ modes can onset simultaneously to give a codimension 2 bifurcation, leading to the formation of complex flow patterns. In compressible flow we also find codimension 3 points. The Mach number and the critical inner and outer Reynolds numbers can be adjusted so that the two neutral curves for the $m=0$ and $m=1$ modes touch rather than cross. Complex codimension 3 points occur more readily in the compressible case than in the Boussinesq case, and they are expected to lead to a rich nonlinear behaviour.

2013 ◽  
Vol 719 ◽  
pp. 14-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodolfo Ostilla ◽  
Richard J. A. M. Stevens ◽  
Siegfried Grossmann ◽  
Roberto Verzicco ◽  
Detlef Lohse

AbstractWe numerically simulate turbulent Taylor–Couette flow for independently rotating inner and outer cylinders, focusing on the analogy with turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard flow. Reynolds numbers of $R{e}_{i} = 8\times 1{0}^{3} $ and $R{e}_{o} = \pm 4\times 1{0}^{3} $ of the inner and outer cylinders, respectively, are reached, corresponding to Taylor numbers $Ta$ up to $1{0}^{8} $. Effective scaling laws for the torque and other system responses are found. Recent experiments with the Twente Turbulent Taylor–Couette (${T}^{3} C$) setup and with a similar facility in Maryland at very high Reynolds numbers have revealed an optimum transport at a certain non-zero rotation rate ratio $a= - {\omega }_{o} / {\omega }_{i} $ of about ${a}_{\mathit{opt}} = 0. 33$. For large enough $Ta$ in the numerically accessible range we also find such an optimum transport at non-zero counter-rotation. The position of this maximum is found to shift with the driving, reaching a maximum of ${a}_{\mathit{opt}} = 0. 15$ for $Ta= 2. 5\times 1{0}^{7} $. An explanation for this shift is elucidated, consistent with the experimental result that ${a}_{\mathit{opt}} $ becomes approximately independent of the driving strength for large enough Reynolds numbers. We furthermore numerically calculate the angular velocity profiles and visualize the different flow structures for the various regimes. By writing the equations in a frame co-rotating with the outer cylinder a link is found between the local angular velocity profiles and the global transport quantities.


2010 ◽  
Vol 651 ◽  
pp. 357-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
JIE PENG ◽  
KE-QIN ZHU

The effect of an insoluble surfactant on the centrifugal and shear instability of a pair of radially stratified immiscible liquids in the annular gap between concentric two-fluid Taylor–Couette flow is investigated by a normal-mode linear analysis and complementary energy analysis. The interface is assumed to be concentric with the cylinders. The gravitational effects are ignored. Influences of density and viscosity stratification, surface tension, surfactant concentration distribution and Taylor–Couette shearing are considered comprehensively. The instability characteristics due to competition and interaction between various physical instability mechanisms are of principal concern. Neutral curves with upper and lower branches in the Reynolds number (Re1)/axial wavenumber (k) plane are obtained. A window of parameters is identified in which the flow is linearly stable. The Marangoni traction force caused by the gradient of surfactant concentration stabilizes the axisymmetric perturbations but initiates an instability corresponding to non-axisymmetric modes in the presence of basic Couette shearing flow. Co-rotation of the outer cylinder has a stabilizing effect in expanding the stable region, which dwindles in the counter-rotation situation.


Author(s):  
Dong Liu ◽  
Seok-Hwan Choi ◽  
Sang-Hyuk Lee ◽  
Jung-Ho Lee ◽  
Hyoung-Bum Kim

The flow between two concentric cylinders with the inner one rotating and with an imposed radial temperature gradient is studied using digital particle image velocimetry (DPIV) method. Four models of the outer cylinder without and with different numbers of slits (6, 9 and 18) are considered, and the radius ratio and aspect ratio of each models were 0.825 and 48, respectively. The flow regime in the Taylor-Couette flow was studied by increasing the Reynolds number. The results showed that smaller number of slits has no obvious effect on the transition process, which only change the shape of the vortex, and the transition to turbulent Taylor vortex is accelerated as the number of slit increases in both isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. It is also shown that the presence of temperature gradient increased the flow instability obviously as the Froude number larger than 0.0045.


2015 ◽  
Vol 774 ◽  
pp. 342-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Freja Nordsiek ◽  
Sander G. Huisman ◽  
Roeland C. A. van der Veen ◽  
Chao Sun ◽  
Detlef Lohse ◽  
...  

We present azimuthal velocity profiles measured in a Taylor–Couette apparatus, which has been used as a model of stellar and planetary accretion disks. The apparatus has a cylinder radius ratio of ${\it\eta}=0.716$, an aspect ratio of ${\it\Gamma}=11.74$, and the plates closing the cylinders in the axial direction are attached to the outer cylinder. We investigate angular momentum transport and Ekman pumping in the Rayleigh-stable regime. This regime is linearly stable and is characterized by radially increasing specific angular momentum. We present several Rayleigh-stable profiles for shear Reynolds numbers $\mathit{Re}_{S}\sim O(10^{5})$, for both ${\it\Omega}_{i}>{\it\Omega}_{o}>0$ (quasi-Keplerian regime) and ${\it\Omega}_{o}>{\it\Omega}_{i}>0$ (sub-rotating regime), where ${\it\Omega}_{i,o}$ is the inner/outer cylinder rotation rate. None of the velocity profiles match the non-vortical laminar Taylor–Couette profile. The deviation from that profile increases as solid-body rotation is approached at fixed $\mathit{Re}_{S}$. Flow super-rotation, an angular velocity greater than those of both cylinders, is observed in the sub-rotating regime. The velocity profiles give lower bounds for the torques required to rotate the inner cylinder that are larger than the torques for the case of laminar Taylor–Couette flow. The quasi-Keplerian profiles are composed of a well-mixed inner region, having approximately constant angular momentum, connected to an outer region in solid-body rotation with the outer cylinder and attached axial boundaries. These regions suggest that the angular momentum is transported axially to the axial boundaries. Therefore, Taylor–Couette flow with closing plates attached to the outer cylinder is an imperfect model for accretion disk flows, especially with regard to their stability.


2017 ◽  
Vol 831 ◽  
pp. 330-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Froitzheim ◽  
S. Merbold ◽  
C. Egbers

Fully turbulent Taylor–Couette flow between independently rotating cylinders is investigated experimentally in a wide-gap configuration ($\unicode[STIX]{x1D702}=0.5$) around the maximum transport of angular momentum. In that regime turbulent Taylor vortices are present inside the gap, leading to a pronounced axial dependence of the flow. To account for this dependence, we measure the radial and azimuthal velocity components in horizontal planes at different cylinder heights using particle image velocimetry. The ratio of angular velocities of the cylinder walls $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}$, where the torque maximum appears, is located in the low counter-rotating regime ($\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}_{max}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D702}=0.5)=-0.2$). This point coincides with the smallest radial gradient of angular velocity in the bulk and the detachment of the neutral surface from the outer cylinder wall, where the azimuthal velocity component vanishes. The structure of the flow is further revealed by decomposing the flow field into its large-scale and turbulent contributions. Applying this decomposition to the kinetic energy, we can analyse the formation process of the turbulent Taylor vortices in more detail. Starting at pure inner cylinder rotation, the vortices are formed and strengthened until $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}=-0.2$ quite continuously, while they break down rapidly for higher counter-rotation. The same picture is shown by the decomposed Nusselt number, and the range of rotation ratios, where turbulent Taylor vortices can exist, shrinks strongly in comparison to investigations at much lower shear Reynolds numbers. Moreover, we analyse the scaling of the Nusselt number and the wind Reynolds number with the shear Reynolds number, finding a communal transition at approximately $Re_{S}\approx 10^{5}$ from classical to ultimate turbulence with a transitional regime lasting at least up to $Re_{S}\geqslant 2\times 10^{5}$. Including the axial dispersion of the flow into the calculation of the wind amplitude, we can also investigate the wind Reynolds number as a function of the rotation ratio $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}$, finding a maximum in the low counter-rotating regime slightly larger than $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}_{max}$. Based on our study it becomes clear that the investigation of counter-rotating Taylor–Couette flows strongly requires an axial exploration of the flow.


Author(s):  
S. Gilchrist ◽  
C. Y. Ching ◽  
D. Ewing

An experimental investigation was performed to determine the effect that surface roughness has on the heat transfer in an axial Taylor-Couette flow. The experiments were performed using an inner rotating cylinder in a stationary water jacket for Taylor numbers of 106 to 5×107 and axial Reynolds numbers of 900 to 2100. Experiments were performed for a smooth inner cylinder, a cylinder with two-dimensional rib roughness and a cylinder with three-dimensional cubic protrusions. The heat transfer results for the smooth cylinder were in good agreement with existing experimental data. The change in the Nusselt number was relatively independent of the axial Reynolds number for the cylinder with rib roughness. This result was similar to the smooth wall case but the heat transfer was enhanced by 5% to 40% over the Taylor number range. The Nusselt number for the cylinder with cubic protrusions exhibited an axial Reynolds number dependence. For a low axial Reynolds number of 980, the Nusselt number increased with the Taylor number in a similar way to the other test cylinders. At higher axial Reynolds numbers, the heat transfer was initially independent of the Taylor number before increasing with Taylor number similar to the lower Reynolds number case. In this higher axial Reynolds number case the heat transfer was enhanced by up to 100% at the lowest Taylor number of 1×106 and by approximately 35% at the highest Taylor number of 5×107.


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