Date of Award

12-1995

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Department

Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

First Advisor

Dr. Parviz Merati

Second Advisor

Dr. Jerry Hamelink

Third Advisor

Dr. Chris Cho

Fourth Advisor

Dr. Iskender Sahin

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

Turbulent Taylor-Couette flow between an annulus formed by two concentric cylinders with dead end walls is comprised of complex patterns of vortices. An experimental apparatus was designed to provide refractive index matching between the annulus and working fluid. Optical access was maintained through three sides of the annulus and one end wall. An aqueous solution of sodium iodide was formulated to match the refractive index of the Plexiglas annulus. Laser Doppler Velocimetry was used to measure the three components of velocity and turbulence intensity throughout a planar section in the annulus. The annulus dimensions were: ƞ= 0.672, d = 15.08 mm, and Г= 20 and 4. The flow parameters were: Ω= 1200 RPM, T = 2.107 x 109 , T/Tc = 924,600, and Re = 73,440. In the 20d/L annulus, 20 Taylor vortices were observed while 2 vortices were formed in the 4d/L annulus. Plots of radial-axial component velocity vectors and contour plots of component velocities and turbulence intensities reveal the Taylor vortex flow structure.

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