scholarly journals Physical mechanisms governing drag reduction in turbulent Taylor–Couette flow with finite-size deformable bubbles

2018 ◽  
Vol 849 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vamsi Spandan ◽  
Roberto Verzicco ◽  
Detlef Lohse

The phenomenon of drag reduction induced by injection of bubbles into a turbulent carrier fluid has been known for a long time; the governing control parameters and underlying physics is, however, not well understood. In this paper, we use three-dimensional numerical simulations to uncover the effect of deformability of bubbles injected in a turbulent Taylor–Couette flow on the overall drag experienced by the system. We consider two different Reynolds numbers for the carrier flow, i.e. $Re_{i}=5\times 10^{3}$ and $Re_{i}=2\times 10^{4}$; the deformability of the bubbles is controlled through the Weber number, which is varied in the range $We=0.01{-}2.0$. Our numerical simulations show that increasing the deformability of bubbles (that is, $We$) leads to an increase in drag reduction. We look at the different physical effects contributing to drag reduction and analyse their individual contributions with increasing bubble deformability. Profiles of local angular velocity flux show that, in the presence of bubbles, turbulence is enhanced near the inner cylinder while attenuated in the bulk and near the outer cylinder. We connect the increase in drag reduction to the decrease in dissipation in the wake of highly deformed bubbles near the inner cylinder.

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.


1989 ◽  
pp. 366-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Matsumoto ◽  
S. Shirayama ◽  
K. Kuwahara ◽  
F. Hussain

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.


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.


2004 ◽  
Vol 67 (11) ◽  
pp. 2410-2415 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. FORNEY ◽  
J. A. PIERSON ◽  
Z. YE

A novel reactor is described with flow characteristics that approach that of ideal plug flow but with a residence time that is uncoupled from the hydrodynamics or boundary layer characteristics. The design described consists of an inner cylinder that rotates within a stationary but larger outer cylinder. At low rotation rates, a laminar, hydrodynamic configuration called Taylor-Couette flow is established, which consists of a system of circumferential vortices within the annular fluid gap. The latter constitutes a spatially periodic flow that is the hydrodynamic equivalent to cross flow over a tube bank or lamp array. These vortices provide radial mixing, reduce the boundary layer thickness, and are independent of the axial flow rate and thus the fluid residence time. An additional feature of the rotating design is the repetitive exposure of the fluid parcels to a minimum number of lamps, which substantially reduces the maintenance requirements. Inactivation data for Escherichia coli (ATCC 15597) were recorded in commercial apple and grape juice that are relatively opaque to UV radiation. With initial E. coli concentrations of approximately 106 CFU/ml, Taylor-Couette flow was found to provide a 3- to 5-log improvement in the inactivation efficiency compared with simple channel flow between concentric cylinders.


1997 ◽  
Vol 348 ◽  
pp. 141-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
AREL Y. WEISBERG ◽  
IOANNIS G. KEVREKIDIS ◽  
ALEXANDER J. SMITS

Periodic axial motion of the inner cylinder in Taylor–Couette flow is used to delay transition to Taylor vortices. The outer cylinder is fixed. The marginal stability diagram of Taylor–Couette flow with simultaneous periodic axial motion of the inner cylinder is determined using flow visualization. For the range of parameters studied, the degree of enhanced stability is found to be greater than that predicted by Hu & Kelly (1995), and differences in the scaling with axial Reynolds number are found. The discrepancies are attributed to essential differences between the base flow in the open system considered by Hu & Kelly, where mass is conserved over one period of oscillation, and the base flow in the enclosed experimental apparatus, where mass is conserved at all sections at all times.


Author(s):  
Edson Soares ◽  
Renato Siqueira ◽  
Rafhael Andrade ◽  
Ivanor Martins da Silva

2008 ◽  
Vol 613 ◽  
pp. 357-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. ABSHAGEN ◽  
J. M. LOPEZ ◽  
F. MARQUES ◽  
G. PFISTER

Transitions between regular oscillations and bursting oscillations that involve a bifurcational process which culminates in the creation of a relative periodic orbit of infinite period and infinite length are investigated both experimentally and numerically in a short-aspect-ratio Taylor–Couette flow. This bifurcational process is novel in that it is the accumulation point of a period-adding cascade at which the mid-height reflection symmetry is broken. It is very rich and complex, involving very-low-frequency states arising via homoclinic and heteroclinic dynamics, providing the required patching between states with very different dynamics in neighbouring regions of parameter space. The use of nonlinear dynamical systems theory together with symmetry considerations has been crucial in interpreting the laboratory experimental data as well as the results from the direct numerical simulations. The phenomenon corresponds to dynamics well beyond the first few bifurcations from the basic state and so is beyond the reach of traditional hydrodynamic stability analysis, but it is not fully developed turbulence where a statistical or asymptotic approach could be employed. It is a transitional phenomenon, where the phase dynamics of the large-scale structures (jets of angular momentum emanating from the boundary layer on the rotating inner cylinder) becomes complicated. Yet the complicated phase dynamics remains accessible to an analysis of its space–time characteristics and a comprehensive mechanical characterization emerges. The excellent agreement between the experiments and the numerical simulations demonstrates the robustness of this complex bifurcation phenomenon in a physically realized system with its inherent imperfections and noise. Movies are available with the online version of the paper.


2008 ◽  
Vol 608 ◽  
pp. 21-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
KAZUYASU SUGIYAMA ◽  
ENRICO CALZAVARINI ◽  
DETLEF LOHSE

We investigate the effect of microbubbles on Taylor–Couette flow by means of direct numerical simulations. We employ an Eulerian–Lagrangian approach with a gas–fluid coupling based on the point-force approximation. Added mass, drag, lift and gravity are taken into account in the modelling of the motion of the individual bubble. We find that very dilute suspensions of small non-deformable bubbles (volume void fraction below 1%, zero Weber number and bubble Reynolds number ≲10) induce a robust statistically steady drag reduction (up to 20%) in the wavy vortex flow regime (Re=600–2500). The Reynolds number dependence of the normalized torque (the so-called torque reduction ratio (TRR) which corresponds to the drag reduction) is consistent with a recent series of experimental measurements performed by Murai et al. (J. Phys. Conf. Ser. vol. 14, 2005, p. 143). Our analysis suggests that the physical mechanism for the torque reduction in this regime is due to the local axial forcing, induced by rising bubbles, that is able to break the highly dissipative Taylor wavy vortices in the system. We finally show that the lift force acting on the bubble is crucial in this process. When it is neglected, the bubbles preferentially accumulate near the inner cylinder and the bulk flow is less efficiently modified. Movies are available with the online version of the paper.


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