The influence of a sloping bottom endwall on the linear stability in the thermally driven baroclinic annulus with a free surface

We present results of a linear stability analysis of non-axisymmetric thermally driven flows in the classical model of the rotating cylindrical gap of fluid with a horizontal temperature gradient [inner (outer) sidewall cool (warm)] and a sloping bottom endwall configuration where fluid depth increases with radius. For comparison, results of a flat-bottomed endwall case study are also discussed. In both cases, the model setup has a free top surface. The analysis is carried out numerically using a Fourier–Legendre spectral element method (in azimuth and in the meridional plane, respectively) well suited to handle the axisymmetry of the fluid container. We find significant differences between the neutral stability curve for the sloping and the flat-bottomed endwall configuration. In case of a sloping bottom endwall, the wave flow regime is extended to lower rotation rates, that is, the transition curve is shifted systematically to lower Taylor numbers. Moreover, in the sloping bottom endwall case, a sharp reversal of the instability curve is found in its upper part, that is, at large temperature differences, whereas the instability line becomes almost horizontal in the flat-bottomed endwall case. The linear onset of instability is then almost independent of the rotation rate.     

Convective heat transfer in a rotating annulus device

Convective heat transfer in a horizontal annulus device rotating around its horizontal axis has been examined. The results show that heat transfer in the annulus depends on the rotational speed. At a certain value of the rotational speed there is only conduction in the annulus. A criterium is given to calculate this rotational speed from the physical properties of the liquids. For the calculation of the heat transfer in the standstill of the annulus two equations are proposed.

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Konvektiver Wärmeübergang in einem rotierenden Ringspalt

Zusammenfassung Der Wärmeübergang bei Konvektion in einem um seine Horizontalachse rotierenden Ringspalt wurde untersucht. Wie die Ergebnisse zeigen, hängt der Wärmeübergang von der Drehzahl ab. Ab einer bestimmten Drehzahl wird Wärme nur noch durch Leitung übertragen. Es wird ein Kriterium angegeben, diese Drehzahl aus den physikalischen Daten der Flüssigkeiten zu berechnen. Zur Berechnung des Wärmeübergangs im Stillstand werden zwei Gleichungen vorgeschlagen.

     

Convective stability of fluid in a rotating horizontal annulus

The convective stability of quasi-equilibriumof a fluid layer formed by two horizontal coaxial cylindrical surfaces which have different temperatures and rotate at the same angular velocity about the axis of symmetry is investigated theoretically and experimentally. Consideration is carried out from the standpoint of thermal vibrational convection caused by the average lifting force generated as a result of vibrations of a nonisothermal fluid with respect to the cavity. The vibrations are induced by an external field. The action of the centrifugal force field is also taken into account. Stability of mechanical quasi-equilibrium with respect to monotonic plane perturbations, which are, as shown experimentally, the most dangerous, is studied within the framework of the linear analysis. The stability boundaries are constructed for layers of various relative thickness in the plane of control parameters, the centrifugal and vibrational Rayleigh numbers. The thresholds of excitation of two-dimensional convective structures obtained experimentally are in good agreement with the theoretical ones.     

Finite element analysis of flow in a gas-filled rotating annulus

Linearized multidimensional flow in a gas centrifuge can be described away from the ends by Onsager's pancake equation. However a rotating annulus results in a slightly different set of boundary conditions from the usual symmetry at the axis of rotation. The problem on an annulus becomes ill-posed and requires some special attention. Herein we treat axially linear inner and outer rotor temperature distributions and velocity slip. An existence condition for a class of non-trivial, one-dimensional solutions is given. New exact solutions in the infinite bowl approximation have been derived containing terms that are important at finite gap width and non-vanishing velocity slip. The usual one-dimensional, axially symmetric solution is obtained as a limit. Our previously reported finite element algorithm has been extended to treat this new class of problems. Effects of gap width, temperature and slip conditions are illustrated. Lastly, we report on the compressible, finite length, circular Couette flow for the first time.     

Hydromagnetic convection in a rotating annulus with an azimuthal magnetic field

The problem of convection induced by radial buoyancy in an electrically conducting fluid contained by a rotating cylindrical annulus (angular frequency, ) in the presence of a homogeneous magnetic field (B) in the azimuthal direction is considered. The small gap approximation is used together with rigid cylindrical boundaries. The onset of convection occurs in the form of axial, axisymmetric or oblique rolls. The angle between the roll axis and the axis of rotation depends of the ratio between the Chandrasekhar number, QB², and the Coriolis number, . Fully three-dimensional numerical simulations as well as Galerkin representations for roll patterns including the subsequent stability analysis are used in the theoretical investigation. At finite amplitudes, secondary transitions to 3D-hexarolls and to spatio-temporal chaos are found. Overlapping regions of pattern stability exist such that the asymptotically realized state may depend on the initial conditions. PACS 47.27.-i, 47.65.+a     

Convection in a rotating medium above a thermally inhomogeneous horizontal surface

The linear stationary problem of convection in a medium rotating about a vertical axis above a thermally inhomogeneous horizontal surface is theoretically investigated. Attention is mainly focused on the case of a homogeneous medium, but certain stratification effects and especially the convection characteristics in binary mixtures (for example, in saline sea water) are also considered. When the rotation is rapid (large Taylor numbers) the convective cells are strongly elongated in the vertical direction, though they also contain a thin Ekman boundary layer. The importance of the boundary conditions on the horizontal surface (in parallel with the no-slip conditions, more general conditions that may follow from the quadratic turbulent friction model are considered) is shown. In the case of binary mixtures, the differential diffusion and rotation effects may together result in the appearance of “induced salt fingers”, the deep penetration of convection into an arbitrarily stably stratified medium. The convective motions may then have a considerable effect on the background vertical temperature and admixture distributions. Attention is drawn to an original manifestation of the analogy between the rotation and stratification effects: in a non-rotating, stably stratified medium, near a thermally inhomogeneous vertical surface, the convection also penetrates deep into the medium, but in the horizontal direction, so that, when the coordinate system is rotated through 90°, the solution coincides with the case of a rotating non-stratified fluid considered here.     

LES of turbulent flow in a concentric annulus with rotating outer wall

Fully-developed turbulent flow in a concentric annulus, r₁/r₂ = 0.5, Re_h = 12,500, with the outer wall rotating at a range of rotation rates N = U_θ,wall/U_b from 0.5 up to 4 is studied by large-eddy simulations. The focus is on the effects of moderate to very high rotation rates on the mean flow, turbulence statistics and eddy structure. For N up to ∼2, an increase in the rotation rate dampens progressively the turbulence near the rotating outer wall, while affecting only mildly the inner-wall region. At higher rotation rates this trend is reversed: for N = 2.8 close to the inner wall turbulence is dramatically reduced while the outer wall region remains turbulent with discernible helical vortices as the dominant turbulent structure. The turbulence parameters and eddy structures differ significantly for N = 2 and 2.8. This switch is attributed to the centrifuged turbulence (generated near the inner wall) prevailing over the axial inertial force as well as over the counteracting laminarizing effects of the rotating outer wall. At still higher rotation, N = 4, the flow gets laminarized but with distinct spiralling vortices akin to the Taylor–Couette rolls found between the two counter-rotating cylinders without axial flow, which is the limiting case when N approaches to infinity. The ratio of the centrifugal to axial inertial forces, Ta/Re² ∝ N² (where Ta is the Taylor number) is considered as a possible criterion for defining the conditions for the above regime change.     

Flow in a cylinder driven by rotating split-disk endwalls

Flow of an incompressible viscous fluid contained in a cylindrical vessel (radius R, height H) is considered. Each of the cylinder endwalls is split into two parts which rotate steadily about the central axis with different rotation rates: the inner disk (r < r₁) rotating at Ω₁, and the outer annulus (r₁ < r < R) rotating at Ω₂. Numerical solutions to the axisymmetric Navier-Stokes equations are secured for small system Ekman numbers E ( v/(ΩH²)). In the linear regime, when the Rossby number Ro

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, the numerical results are shown to be compatible with the theoretical prediction as well as the available experimental measurements. Emphasis is placed on the results in the nonlinear regime in which Ro is finite. Details of the structures of azimuthai and meridional flows are presented by the numerical results. For a fixed Ekman number, the gross features of the flow remain qualitatively unchanged as Ro increases. The meridional flows are characterized by two circulation cells. The shear layer is a region of intense axial flow toward the endwall and of vanishing radial velocity. The thicknesses of the shear layer near r = r₁ and the Ekman layer on the endwall scale with E and E , respectively. The numerical results are consistent with these scalings.     

Liquid crystal techniques of visualization in rotating annulus experiments

To the well-known rotating annulus experiments we applied liquid crystal techniques of visualization in order to obtain clear video-pictures of internal flow and temperature in the fluid. Then we developed the idea of simultaneously injecting several types of liquid crystals of different temperature ranges to observe the fluid with a wide temperature range. It was shown that with this idea it was possible to take clear video-pictures throughout the whole interior of the fluid. This revealed that the pattern of the bottom flow does not have the characteristics of the Eady type baroclinic waves. Furthermore, the typcial meridional gradient of temperature of the baroclinic wave was directly observed from isothermal lines appearing in the fluid as colour band lines.     

Computer extended series for a thermally driven gas centrifuge

Linearized, multidimensional, thermally driven flow in a gas centrifuge can be approximately described in regions away from the ends by Onsager's homogeneous pancake equation.¹ Upon reformulation of the general problem, we find a new, simple and rigorous closed form, analytical solution by assuming a special separable solution and replacing the usual Ekman end cap boundary conditions with idealized impermeable, free slip boundary conditions. Then the flow may be described by an ordinary differential equation with solutions in terms of simple, classical functions. By identifying a small parameter, say ?, defining the semi-long bowl approximation, and assuming a power series expansion in ?, a sequence of asymptotic approximations to the master potential is obtained. Not surprisingly, the leading order term involves the well known ‘long bowl’ solution. Using the so-called ‘solving’ property of the 1-D pancake Green's function,² we determine the next higher order solution. This recursive process is carried out on the computer to find all the terms up to O(?⁴). Consequently, the solution of some complex rotating, viscous, heat conducting flow problems that normally require large mainframe computers can be better understood.     

Simultaneous PIV and thermography measurements of partially blocked flow in a differentially heated rotating annulus

A radial barrier has been mounted in a differentially heated rotating annulus that partially blocks the azimuthal flow component. The experiment can be seen as an analog to geophysical flows with constrictions, e.g., the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. However, the experiment has been carried out without a particular natural flow in mind. The main interest was to observe a baroclinic annulus flow that does not become saturated. Hence, in contrast to the annulus flow without a barrier, the partially blocked flow remains transient and surface heat fluxes associated with baroclinic life cycles can be studied. The annulus can be subdivided into the upstream half of the barrier, where waves amplify, and the downstream half of the barrier, where waves decay. In the upstream half, the azimuthal mean flow is moderate but with a significant positive eddy radial heat flux. In the downstream half, we find a strong jet in the mean azimuthal flow and furthermore an increased radial mean temperature gradient. The latter points to a weakened or even reversed radial eddy heat flux in the lee side of the barrier. Temperature anomalies appear as large bulges in the outer part of the annulus. Moreover, an outward shift of vortex centers can be observed with respect to centers of temperature anomalies. This phase shift between pressure and temperature anomalies differs from that of classical Eady modes of baroclinic instability.     

Analysis of unsteady wave processes in a rotating channel

The impact of passage rotation on the gasdynamic wave processes is analyzed through a numerical simulation of ideal shock-tube flow in a closed rotating-channel containing a gas in an initial state of homentropic solid-body rotation. Relevant parameters of the problem such as wheel Mach number, hub-to-tip radius ratio, length-to-tip radius ratio, diaphragm temperature ratio, and diaphragm pressure ratio are varied. It is shown that for a fixed geometry and initial conditions, the contact interface acquires a distorted three-dimensional time-dependent orientation at non-zero wheel Mach numbers. At a fixed wheel Mach number, the level of distortion depends primarily on the density ratio across the interface and also the hub-to-tip radius ratio. The nature of the rarefaction and shock wave propagation is one-dimensional, although the acoustic waves are diffracted due to the radially varying propagation speed. Under conditions of initially homentropic solid-body rotation, a degree of similarity exists between rotating and stationary shock-tube flows. This similarity is exploited to arrive at an approximate analytical solution to the Riemann problem in a rotating shock-tube.     

Unsteady flow in an annulus between two concentric rotating spheres

An analysis is presented for the unsteady laminar flow of an incompressible Newtonian fluid in an annulus between two concentric spheres rotating about a common axis of symmetry. A solution of the Navier-Stokes equations is obtained by employing an iterative technique. The solution is valid for small values of Reynolds numbers and acceleration parameters of the spheres. In applying the results of this analysis to a rotationally accelerating sphere, a virtual moment of inertia is introduced to account for the local inertia of the fluid.     

Unsteady flow in an annulus between two concentric rotating spheres

An analysis is presented for the unsteady laminar flow of an incompressible Newtonian fluid in an annulus between two concentric spheres rotating about a common axis of symmetry. A solution of the Navier-Stokes equations is obtained by employing an iterative technique. The solution is valid for small values of Reynolds numbers and acceleration parameters of the spheres. In applying the results of this analysis to a rotationally accelerating sphere, a virtual moment of intertia is introduced to account for the local inertia of the fluid.Nomenclature R _i radius of the inner sphere - R _o radius of the outer sphere - radial coordinate - r dimensionless radial coordinate, - meridional coordinate - azimuthal coordinate - time - t dimensionless time, - Re _i instantaneous Reynolds number of the inner sphere, _i R _k ² / - Re _o instantaneous Reynolds number of the outer sphere, _o R _o ² / - radial velocity component - V _r dimensionless radial velocity component, - meridional velocity component - V dimensionless meridional velocity component, - azimuthal velocity component - V dimensionless azimuthal velocity component, - viscous torque - T dimensionless viscous torque, - viscous torque at surface of inner sphere - T _i dimensionless viscous torque at surface of inner sphere, - viscous torque at surface of outer sphere - T _o dimensionless viscous torque at surface of outer sphere, - externally applied torque on inner sphere - T _p,i dimensionless applied torque on inner sphere, - moment of inertia of inner sphere - Z _i dimensionless moment of inertia of inner sphere, - virtual moment of inertia of inner sphere - Z _i,v dimensionless virtual moment of inertia of inner sphere, - virtual moment of inertia of outer sphere - _i instantaneous angular velocity of the inner sphere - _o instantaneous angular velocity of the outer sphere - density of fluid - viscosity of fluid - kinematic viscosity of fluid,/ - radius ratio,R _i/R _o - swirl function, - dimensionless swirl function, - stream function - dimensionless stream function, - _i acceleration parameter for the inner sphere, - _o acceleration parameter for the outer sphere, - shear stress - _r dimensionless shear stress,      

On the development of Taylor vortices in a vertical annulus with a heated rotating inner cylinder

A numerical study has been conducted to determine the heat transfer characteristics and flow patterns which develop around a rotating, heated vertical cylinder enclosed within a stationary concentric cylinder. A tall annulus (aspect ratio of 10) with fixed, adiabatic horizontal end-plates and a radius ratio of 0·5 has been considered. Furthermore, the effect that the introduction of buoyancy forces by heating the inner cylinder has on the development of the Taylor vortex flow is examined. It is observed that the formation of the Taylor vortices is delayed until the rotational parameter σ = Gr/Re² has a value below unity for any given Reynolds number Re which is above the critical value Re_crit for the formation of Taylor vortices in an isothermal flow. Also, the Taylor cells first appear at the top of the annulus. As σ is gradually decreased below unity, bifurcations to other states are observed. The final structure of the secondary flow is noticeably distorted in the mixed-convection mode, with the size of the Taylor cells varying greatly along the height of the annulus. This distortion diminishes as σ is further decreased, until the isothermal flow pattern is nearly recovered below σ = 0·01.     

Experiments to study interactions between baroclinic lower flows and a stably stratified upper layer

Experiments were conducted on a rotating fluid annulus to study the basic interactions between baroclinic lower flows and a stably stratified upper layer. Sufficiently stable stratification is necessary for steady flows to emerge in the lower layer. Upward fluid motions make the baroclinic flows permeate into the upper layer. The stable stratification, however, suppresses upward motions so that zonal fluid velocities decrease with height. In fact, their maximum appears at the top level of the baroclinic lower layer and the sign of the radial temperature gradient changes there; namely, it is warmer on the inner side of the annulus in the upper layer. This temperature profile is reflected in a meridional fluid circulation mixing both layers. In the upper layer of the wave flow, there exists a critical level below and above which the zonal fluid velocities have opposite directions for the wave to have a phase shift of half a wavelength in appearance. The experimental results correspond to real atmospheric phenomena.     

Coriolis effect on thermal convective instability of viscoelastic fluids in a rotating porous cylindrical annulus

Linear stability analysis of thermal convection is studied for a viscoelastic fluid in a rotating porous cylindrical annulus. The modified Darcy–Jeffrey model with the addition of the Coriolis term in a rotating frame of reference is applied to characterize the non-Newtonian rheology in porous media. We investigate how the interaction among the Coriolis force, viscoelasticity, and bounded sidewalls affects the preferred mode at the onset of convection. The results show that for a slowly rotating case, the oscillatory mode is always preferred for any considered cylindrical radii. However, for a moderately rotating case, the oscillatory preferred mode only arises intermittently as the outer cylindrical radius gradually increases. This result is quite different from the case for viscoelastic fluids in a rotating porous layer or in a porous cylinder without rotation. Further, we discover that for a pair of given cylindrical radii when the Taylor number exceeds a critical value depending on the viscoelastic parameters, the oscillatory convection does not occur. We also examine how the variations of the Taylor number and the viscoelastic parameters affect the patterns of temperature disturbance at the onset of convection.     

Magnetic fluid motion driven by a high-frequency rotating magnetic field

The problem of the circulating flow of a nonisothermal magnetic fluid in a long vertical cylinder placed in a rotating magnetic field is solved in the weak vorticity approximation.Perm'. Translated from Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 1, pp. 18–22, January–February, 1996.