Laminar-turbulent transition in a spherical annulus
Abstract
The fundamental mechanisms of transition from a laminar to a turbulent flow are investigated using a flow of a Newtonian fluid between concentric rotating spheres. Several different flow patterns have been observed for different Reynolds numbers including regular Taylor vortices, steady flow modes, oscillating vortices, vortices with different senses of rotation, and a spiral instability. The shape and behavior of the vortices are analyzed as a function of the Reynolds number and gap width.
- Publication:
-
Laminar-Turbulent Transition
- Pub Date:
- 1980
- Bibcode:
- 1980ltt..proc..426W
- Keywords:
-
- Concentric Spheres;
- Flow Stability;
- Laminar Flow;
- Rotating Spheres;
- Transition Flow;
- Turbulent Flow;
- Flow Distribution;
- Newtonian Fluids;
- Reynolds Number;
- Rotating Fluids;
- Vortices;
- Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer