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Updated: May 18, 2026
10:03
Uncoupling Coriolis Force and Rotating Buoyancy Effects on Full-Field Heat Transfer Properties of a Rotating Channel
Published on: October 5, 2018
Thermodynamics of angular propulsion in fluids.
Jeliazko G Polihronov1, Anthony G Straatman
1The Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
Physical Review Letters
|September 26, 2012
Summary
This study explores fluid flow energetics in rotating systems, finding that ejected fluid cools as it propels the frame. These findings offer insights into vortex tube phenomena.
Area of Science:
- Fluid dynamics
- Thermodynamics
- Rotational mechanics
Background:
- Confined fluid flow is fundamental to many engineering applications.
- Understanding energy transfer in moving reference frames is crucial for system design.
- The Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube exhibits a temperature separation phenomenon.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the energetics of confined fluid flow within a rotating reference frame.
- To establish parallels between rotating and rectilinear fluid motion energetics.
- To explore the implications of observed energetics for vortex tube behavior.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis of fluid flow in a rotating frame.
- Comparison with established models of rectilinear fluid propulsion.
- Energetic analysis focusing on energy absorption and fluid cooling.
Main Results:
- Fluid ejection in a rotating frame results in linear propulsion.
- Energy absorption into frame motion causes cooling of the ejected fluid.
- A direct correlation between flow energetics and temperature separation was observed.
Conclusions:
- The energetics of confined fluid flow in rotating frames are analogous to rectilinear motion.
- Frame motion-induced cooling of ejected fluid is a key energetic principle.
- The study provides a foundational understanding relevant to the Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube effect.
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