Energy loss distribution in the plane Couette flow and the Taylor–Couette flow between concentric rotating cylinders

Abstract

The distribution of energy loss due to viscosity friction in plane Couette flow and Taylor–Couette flow between concentric rotating cylinders are studied in detail for various flow conditions. The energy loss is related to the industrial processes in some fluid delivery devices and has significant influence on the flow efficiency, flow stability, turbulent transition, mixing, and heat transfer behaviours, etc. Therefore, it is important to know about the energy loss distribution in the flow domain and to know its influence on the flow for better understanding of the flow physics. The calculation or methodology of calculating the energy loss distribution in the Taylor–Couette flow between concentric rotating cylinders are not readily found in the open literature. In this paper, the principle and the calculation are given for single cylinder rotation of either the inner or outer cylinder, and counter and same direction rotation of two cylinders. For comparison, the distribution of energy loss in a plane Couette flow is also derived for various flow conditions. Discussions of the effect of energy loss on the flow behaviour are carried out from which some findings are suggested.