| Abstract: | Steady and oscillating axisymmetric tube flows are modelled using a vorticity transport algorithm. The axisymmetric convective –diffusive Navier–Stokes equations are solved using a splitting technique. Axisymmetric ring vortex filaments are introduced on the walls and subsequently convected and diffused throughout the flow field. An axisymmetric equation similar to the Oseen diffusion equation is used to diffuse the ring vortex filaments. Vorticity is reflected from the tube walls using two techniques. Results are presented for the developing Poiseuille flow and for the developed flow in the form of the entrance length and the axial velocity and vorticity profiles. Good agreement is achieved with a finite difference method in the developing region of Poiseuille flow. The developed flow results are compared with the analytical solutions. The developed profiles of velocity and vorticity have errors of less than 0ċ3 per cent for both methods of dealing with reflection of diffusion at the bounding surfaces and similar accuracy is obtained for the velocity profiles in oscillating flow except at the wall. Oscillating flow is produced with a discretized sinusoidal piston motion. Velocity profiles, boundary layer thickness and entrance length are presented for oscillating flow. Good agreement is achieved for low-Womersley-number non-dimensional frequency. At higher values of this parameter, flows are inaccurately simulated, because the number of piston positions used to discretize the piston motion is inversely proportional to the non-dimensional frequency. |
