Existence of extra vortex and twin vortex of anomalous mode in Taylor vortex flow with a small aspect ratio

Abstract

This experimental work on Taylor vortex flow in a gap with a small aspect ratio is concerned with two extra vortices and a twin vortex system, each of which depends on an anomalous cell of the anomalous mode. Extra vortices are smaller than other vortices such as defined cells. At any Reynolds number and aspect ratio extra vortices can be found at the corner of the end plate and inner rotating cylinder and at the corner of the end plate and outer stationary cylinder. For a one-cell flow (anomalous one-cell mode) in a symmetric system, an outer extra vortex develops and grows to the same size as the main cell, only in an aspect ratio of less than one. A twin vortex is observed to form when two vortices are aligned in the direction of the radius. There are three flow fields on the end plate; two are extra vortex flows and the other is the main cell flow. The flow direction of the anomalous cell is from the inner cylinder to the outer one, at the end plate opposite of the flow direction of the normal cell.