Predictions of Momentum Transfer Between Rotating Cylinders: The Narrow Gap Problem

Abstract

The contributions to momentum transfer by secondary motion, which arises beyond the marginal state of stability in a layer of fluid confined between rotating cylinders is calculated by an integral method. The procedure invokes the “shape assumption” due to Stuart. Results are presented in terms of an effective viscosity to molecular viscosity ratio that is a function of Taylor number. Comparison with experiment is found to be excellent over a wide range of values of the Taylor number (up to 1000 times the critical value).