Flow between rotating disks. Part 1: Basic flow

Multiplicity of basic flows, when the fluid is bounded by two infinite disks, reported by several investigators is examined with emphasis on whether, and under what conditions infinite disk flows approximate to laboratory flows between two finite disks. Laser Doppler velocity measurements were obtained in water between finite rotating disks, with and without through flow. Angular velocity ratios were studied for: (1) one disk rotating and the other stationary; (2) co-rotating disks of equal angular velocity; and (3) counter rotating disks of equal but opposite angular velocity. It is concluded that limiting flows are unique and are independent of flow history. With one disk rotating and the other stationary, the mid-radius limiting flow is recognized as the Batchelor profile of infinite disk theory. Other profiles, predicted by this theory to coexist with the Batchelor profile were neither observed experimentally nor were they calculated numerically by the finite disk solution obtained with a Galerkin, b-spline formulation.