Temperature gradient effect on the transition process of Taylor-Couette flow

Abstract

The flow between two concentric cylinders with the inner cylinder rotating with an imposed radial temperature gradient was studied using a digital particle image velocimetry method. Two outer cylinders without and with slits number of 18 are considered, and the radius ratio and aspect ratio of each models were 0.825 and 48, respectively. The heating film wrapped around the inner cylinder was used for generating the constant heat flux and we ensured the constant temperature condition at the outer space of the outer cylinder. The flow regime of Taylor-Couette flow was studied by increasing Reynolds number. The results showed the existence of slits accelerated the transition process in both isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. It is also shown that the presence of temperature gradient increased the flow instability obviously as the Richardson number larger than 0.0045.