An asymmetrical periodic vortical structures and appearance of the self induced pressure gradient in the modified Taylor flow

An incompressible liquid flow in the gap between two coaxial cylinders, such that the inner rotating (wavy) cylinder has a periodically varying radius along the axial direction while the outer stationary cylinder has a constant radius, is studied experimentally and theoretically. Basic attention is focused on the symmetry-breaking phenomenon of the vortex flow arising from the rotation of the inner wavy cylinder. It is found that the symmetry-breaking phenomenon of the vortical flow structures in this geometry is accompanied by the occurrence of a self-induced axial pressure gradient. A theoretical formulation of the problem of periodic vortical flow prevailing in such a geometry having large axial length is presented. The comparison between the computed and the experimental results is presented and the underlying phenomena are discussed.