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End effects in low aspect ratio Taylor-Couette flow.
H Wiswell1,2, B Snow2, F A Tricouros1
1Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
Summary
End effects in low aspect ratio Taylor-Couette flow experiments significantly impact results. Accounting for finite-span and bottom secondary flows improves agreement with theoretical models.
Area of Science:
- Fluid dynamics
- Experimental fluid mechanics
Background:
- Taylor-Couette flow is influenced by end effects in low aspect ratio cylinders.
- These effects arise from the finite gap between cylinder sides and bottom secondary flow.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally investigate the impact of end effects on Taylor-Couette flow.
- To quantify the influence of cylinder aspect ratio, wall gap width, and bottom gap height on flow behavior.
Main Methods:
- Systematic variation of cylinder aspect ratio (6.67 to 40).
- Controlled adjustments of wall gap widths and bottom gap heights.
- Experimental measurement of torque and flow characteristics.
Main Results:
- End effects were found to be substantial, extending 20-30% into the flow region.
- Bottom secondary flow accounted for nearly half of the total measured torque.
- High aspect ratio results, corrected for end effects, aligned with Taylor's (1936) theoretical predictions.
Conclusions:
- End effects are critical for accurate Taylor-Couette flow studies, especially at lower aspect ratios.
- Understanding and accounting for these effects are essential for validating experimental data with theoretical models.
- This research contributes to the understanding of Taylor-Couette flow dynamics, relevant to its centennial anniversary.
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