Analysis of Flow Separation in an Annular Expansion—Contraction With Inner Cylinder Rotating

Abstract

A three-dimensional incompressible isothermal laminar separation of a Newtonian fluid in transient and steady flow was investigated. The geometry chosen for this study was an annular expansion-contraction chamber with a rotating inner cylinder. It was found that an adaptation of a numerical solution first proposed by Fromm gave converged solutions for all Reynolds numbers in the laminar range. Theoretical computer plotted streamline patterns were superimposed on time exposure photographs of air bubbles in transparent oil. Measured static pressure differentials were compared with laminar theory. Turbulent flow was studied experimentally.