Dual steady solutions in natural convection between horizontal concentric cylinders

Dual steady solutions in natural convection in an annulus between two horizontal concentric cylinders are numerically investigated for a fluid of Prandtl number 0.7. It is found that, when the Rayleigh number based on the gap width exceeds a certain critical value, dual steady two-dimensional (2-D) flows can be realized: one being the crescent-shaped eddy flow commonly observed and the other the flow consisting of two counter-rotating eddies and their mirror images. The critical Rayleigh number decreases as the inverse relative gap width increases.     

Transient natural convection of low-Prandtl-number fluids in a differentially heated cavity

The transient convective motion in a two-dimensional square cavity driven by a temperature gradient is analysed. The cavity is filled with a low-Prandtl-number fluid and the vertical walls are maintained at constant but different temperatures, while the horizontal boundaries are adiabatic. A control volume approach with a staggered grid is employed to formulate the finite difference equations. Numerically accurate solutions are obtained for Prandtl numbers of 0·001, 0·005 and 0·01 and for Grashof numbers up to 1 × 10⁷. It was found that the flow field exhibits periodic oscillation at the critical Grashof numbers, which are dependent on the Prandtl number. As the Prandtl number is decreased, the critical Grashof number and the frequency of oscillation decrease. Prior to the oscillatory flow, steady state solutions with an oscillatory transient period were predicted. In addition to the main circulation, four weak circulations were predicted at the corners of the cavity.     

Measurements of pulsating and oscillating flows of non-Newtonian fluids through concentric and eccentric cylinders

The unsteady flow of non-Newtonian fluids through concentric and eccentric cylinders was investigated experimentally. Two experiments were carried out; one was pulsating flow and the other was flow under a constant pressure gradient with the inner cylinder oscillating longitudinally. The flow enhancement was examined and its dependence on the frequency of the oscillations and the eccentricity of the apparatus was determined.     

Perturbation theory for viscoelastic fluids between eccentric rotating cylinders

The circumferential and radial profiles of velocity, pressure and stress are derived for the flow of model viscoelastic liquids between two slightly eccentric cylinders with the inner one rotating. Singular perturbation methods are used to derive expansions valid for small gaps between the cylinders, but for all Deborah numbers. Results for Newtonian, second-order, Criminale-Ericksen-Filbey, upper-convected Maxwell, and White-Metzner constitutive equation separate the effects of elasticity, memory, and shear thinning on the development of the large stress gradients that hinder numerical solutions with these models in more complicated geometries. The effect of the constitutive equation on the critical Deborah number for flow separation is presented.     

Viscoelastic flow between eccentric rotating cylinders: unstructured control volume method

This paper reports a convergent numerical algorithm for the Upper-Convected Maxwell (UCM) fluid between two eccentric cylinders at various eccentricity ratios (?); the outer cylinder is stationary, and the inner one rotating. The problem is solved by an unstructured control volume method (UCV), which is designed for a general viscoelastic flow problem with an arbitrary computational domain. A self-consistent false diffusion technique and an iteration scheme are used in combination to solve the problem. The computations of the UCM fluid using the numerical algorithm are carried out to a higher value of the Deborah number (De) at each eccentricity tested than hitherto possible with previous numerical simulations. The solutions are compared with previous numerical results, confirming the effectiveness of the UCV method as a general technique for solving viscoelastic flow problems.     

Numerical experiments on the gas flow between eccentric rotating cylinders

A numerical experiment was carried out on the gas flow field between two eccentric cylinders, one of which is rotating. Attention was paid to the presence of separated recirculating regions from the continuum to the rarefied regimes. The direct simulations were performed by means of a Monte Carlo (DSMC) method and bi‐polar co‐ordinates were adopted. The calculations were relative to isothermal walls at the same temperature. Streamlines and velocity profiles were evaluated as functions of the Knudsen number, of the Mach number and of the geometric parameters. The gas considered was argon. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Unsteady flow of a second-order fluid between concentric cylinders

The unsteady motion of an incompressible second-order fluid contained between two finite coaxial cylinders is examined when the outer cylinder is held fixed while the inner cylinder is constrained to execute an arbitrary angular velocity. A solution is obtained in closed form with the aid of transforms and an expression is obtained for the couple experienced. The particular case of a periodic angular velocity is then examined and some numerical work done. There is a marked difference between the results obtained and their classical counterparts.     

Flow of a viscoelastic fluid between eccentric cylinders

The velocity field in the annular region between two eccentric cylinders for a second-order fluid is determined. Second-order velocity terms appear only as a result of the interaction between imposed axial and planar motions. When only one of the two motions is imposed by the boundary conditions, the velocity field coincides with that of a Navier-Stokes fluid.The results of the present study are to be used in a future investigation of the stresses, forces, and torques acting on the walls of the cylinders to enable a rheometer based on the present boundary value problem to be suggested.     

Geometric shapes of the interface surface of bicomponent flows between two concentric rotating cylinders

In this paper, the shape problem of interface of bicomponent flows between two concentric rotating cylinders is investigated. With tensor analysis, the problem is reduced to an energy functional isoperimetric problem when neglecting the effects of the dissipative energy caused by viscosity. We derive the associated Euler-Lagrangian equation, which is a nonlinear elliptic boundary value problem of the second order. Moreover, by considering the effects of the dissipative energy, we propose another total energy functional to characterize the geometric shape of the interface, and obtain the corresponding Euler-Lagrangian equation, which is also a nonlinear elliptic boundary value problem of the second order. Thus, the problem of the geometric shape is converted into a nonlinear boundary value problem of the second order in both cases.     

Instability of Bingham fluids in Taylor-Dean flow between two concentric cylinders at arbitrary gap spacings

Stability of Bingham fluids is investigated numerically in azimuthal pressure-driven flow between two infinitely long concentric cylinders. An infinitesimal perturbation is introduced to the basic flow and its time evolution is monitored using normal mode linear stability analysis. An eigenvalue problem is obtained which is solved numerically using pseudo-spectral collocation method. Numerical results are obtained for two different cases: (i) the inner cylinder is rotating at constant velocity while the outer cylinder is fixed (i.e., the Taylor-Dean flow) and (ii) both cylinders are fixed (i.e., the Dean flow). The results show that the yield stress always has a stabilizing effect on the Taylor-Dean flow. But, for the Dean flow the effect of the yield stress is predicted to be stabilizing or destabilizing depending on the magnitude of the Bingham number and also the gap size.     

Flow of a viscoelastic fluid between eccentric rotating cylinders and related problems

Summary Results obtained in a previous paper byBallal andRivlin on the forces associated with the slow flow of an incompressible non-Newtonian fluid, contained in the annular region between two infinite eccentric rotating cylinders, are applied to the calculation of the forces associated with the planetary motion of the inner cylinder about the axis of the outer cylinder. Either, neither, or both of the cylinders may rotate about their axes with constant angular velocities. As a limiting case the motion of an infinite cylinder is considered, in a half-space of incompressible non-Newtonian fluid bounded by a rigid plane, when the cylinder moves with constant velocity perpendicular to its length and parallel to the plane.

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Zusammenfassung Die in einer früheren Veröffentlichung vonBallal undRivlin erhaltenen Ergebnisse bezüglich der Kräfte, die beim langsamen Strömen einer inkompressiblen nicht-newtonschen Flüssigkeit im Ringspalt zwischen zwei unendlich langen exzentrisch rotierenden Zylindern auftreten, werden für die Berechnung der Kräfte angewendet, die bei der Planetenbewegung des inneren Zylinders um die Achse des äußeren Zylinders auftreten. Dabei dürfen beide Zylinder entwedet ruhen oder mit konstanter Winkelgeschwindigkeit um ihre Achsen rotieren. Als Grenzfall wird die Bewegung eines unendlich langen Zylinders in einem Halbraum betrachtet, der durch eine feste Ebene begrenzt wird, wobei der Zylinder eine konstante Geschwindigkeit senkrecht zur Achse und parallel zur Ebene besitzt.

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With 21 figures and 1 table     

Numerical study of flows of complex fluids between eccentric cylinders using transformation functions

In this paper, we investigate fluid flows between eccentric cylinders by means of two stream‐tube analyses. The first method considers a one‐to‐one global transformation function that allows the physical domain to be transformed into a mapped domain, used as computational domain, that involves concentric streamlines. The second approach uses local transformations and domain decomposition techniques to deal with mixed flow regimes. Both formulations are particularly adapted for handling time‐dependent constitutive equations, since particle‐tracking problems are avoided. Mass conservation is verified in both formulations and the relevant numerical procedure can be carried out using simple meshes built on the mapped streamlines. Fluids obeying anelastic and viscoelastic constitutive equations are considered in the calculations. The numerical results are consistent with those in the literature for the flow rates tested. Application of the method to the K‐BKZ memory‐integral constitutive equation highlights significant differences between the model predictions and those provided by more simple rheological models. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bifurcation analysis for thermal convection in a rotating porous layer

The linear and weakly nonlinear thermal convection in a rotating porous layer is investigated by constructing a simplified model involving a system of fifth-order nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The flow in the porous medium is described by Lap wood-Brinkman-extended Darcy model with fluid viscosity different from effective viscosity. Conditions for the occurrence of possible bifurcations are obtained. It is established that Hopf bifurcation is possible only at a lower value of the Rayleigh number than that of simple bifurcation. In contrast to the non-rotating case, it is found that the ratio of viscosities as well as the Darcy number plays a dual role on the steady onset and some important observations are made on the stability characteristics of the system. The results obtained from weakly nonlinear theory reveal that, the steady bifurcating solution may be either sub-critical or supercritical depending on the choice of physical parameters. Heat transfer is calculated in terms of Nusselt number.     

Effect of a rotating magnetic field on convection in a horizontal fluid layer

The stability of mechanical equilibrium of a horizontal layer of conducting fluid in the presence of a magnetic field rotating in a horizontal plane is considered. Both finite field rotation frequencies and the limiting case of high frequencies are investigated. It is shown that the magnetic field stabilizes the equilibrium. The dependence of the critical perturbation wavelength on the field strength is non-monotonic, and with increase in the magnetic field strength the mode of most dangerous perturbations changes from long-to short-wave type. Nonlinear three-dimensional convection regimes are calculated numerically. It is found that at finite supercriticalities and a sufficiently strong magnetic field the rolls and the hexagonal cells may be stable simultaneously.     

Numerical simulations of non-stationary flows of non-Newtonian fluids between concentric and eccentric cylinders by stream-tube method and domain decomposition

This study involves a theoretical formulation of the stream-tube method in non-stationary flows. Initially, this approach allowed flow computations by determining an unknown transformation between the physical domain and a mapped domain where the streamlines are rectilinear and parallel. To take into account vortex zones, we define local transformations of subregions of the physical domain that are mapped into rectangular domains where the transformed streamlines are still parallel and straight. The local functions must be determined numerically from the governing equations and boundary conditions put together with compatibility equations. The method enables to compute streamlines and flow data at every time, using distinguishing properties, as verification of mass conservation and definition of rectangular meshes allowing to adopt finite-difference schemes. The numerical simulations concern different non-Newtonian fluids under various geometrical and kinematic specifications related to flows between concentric and eccentric cylinders, leading to comparisons with literature data. The results also highlight the influence of the rheological properties on the flow characteristics in unsteady conditions.     

Quasiperiodic structures in the problem of fluid convection between horizontal planes

A steady flow induced by quasiperiodic temperature distributions at the boundaries is considered with reference to the example of fluid convection in a plane horizontal layer heated from below. A spectral-finite-difference method is employed to obtain convective vortex structures varying quasiperiodically along the horizontal coordinate. The properties of the quasiperiodic solutions, together with their spectra and integral characteristics (Nusselt number) are studied as functions of the Grashof number and the boundary conditions of the problem.     

Opposing mixed convection and its interaction with radiation inside eccentric horizontal cylindrical annulus

In the present investigation, the coupled phenomenon of opposing mixed convection and radiation within differentially heated eccentric horizontal cylindrical annulus has been numerically simulated. The radiation transfer contributed from the participating medium is obtained by solving the nonlinear integro‐differential radiative transfer equation using discrete ordinate method. The participating gray medium is considered to be emitting, absorbing and isotropically scattering. The walls of the annulus are considered to be opaque, diffuse and gray. In the study it has been observed that the Richardson number ‘Ri’ has a small effect on the total Nusselt number ‘Nu’ in mixed convection heat transfer with or without radiation. From the present investigation it is found that substantial changes occur in isotherms as well as in flow patterns, when the Richardson number is allowed to vary in the range of 0.01–1. The influence of radiative parameters on the interaction phenomenon has been delineated through isotherm and streamline pattern. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A boundary integral equation method for Navier-Stokes equations—application to flow in annulus of eccentric cylinders

A novel Navier-Stokes solver based on the boundary integral equation method is presented. The solver can be used to obtain flow solutions in arbitrary 2D geometries with modest computational effort. The vorticity transport equation is modelled as a modified Helmholtz equation with the wave number dependent on the flow Reynolds number. The non-linear inertial terms partly manifest themselves as volume vorticity sources which are computed iteratively by tracking flow trajectories. The integral equation representations of the Helmholtz equation for vorticity and Poisson equation for streamfunction are solved directly for the unknown vorticity boundary conditions. Rapid computation of the flow and vorticity field in the volume at each iteration level is achieved by precomputing the influence coefficient matrices. The pressure field can be extracted from the converged streamfunction and vorticity fields. The solver is validated by considering flow in a converging channel (Hamel flow). The solver is then applied to flow in the annulus of eccentric cylinders. Results are presented for various Reynolds numbers and compared with the literature.     

A mixed galerkin method for computing the flow between eccentric rotating cylinders

A mixed Galerkin technique with B-spline basis functions is presented to compute two-dimensional incompressible flow in terms of the primitive variable formulation. To circumvent the Babuska–Brezzi stability criterion, the artificial compressibility formulation of the equation of mass conservation is employed. As a result, the diagonal components of the matrix form in the governing equations are not singular. The B-spline basis is used because it is superior to other splines in providing computer solutions to fluid flow problems. One of the advantages of the B-spline basis is that it has excellent approximation properties. Numerical examples of applications of the mixed formulation are presented to demonstrate the convergence characteristics and accuracy of the present formulation. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.