• Featured in Physics
  • Editors' Suggestion

Angular Momentum Transport in Turbulent Flow between Independently Rotating Cylinders

M. S. Paoletti and D. P. Lathrop
Phys. Rev. Lett. 106, 024501 – Published 10 January 2011
Physics logo See Synopsis: Heat and twist of turbulent flows

Abstract

We present measurements of the angular momentum flux (torque) in Taylor-Couette flow of water between independently rotating cylinders for all regions of the (Ω1, Ω2) parameter space at high Reynolds numbers, where Ω1 (Ω2) is the inner (outer) cylinder angular velocity. We find that the Rossby number Ro=(Ω1Ω2)/Ω2 fully determines the state and torque G as compared to G(Ro=)G. The ratio G/G is a linear function of Ro1 in four sections of the parameter space. For flows with radially increasing angular momentum, our measured torques greatly exceed those of previous experiments [Ji et al., Nature (London), 444, 343 (2006)], but agree with the analysis of Richard and Zahn [Astron. Astrophys. 347, 734 (1999)].

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 27 September 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.024501

© 2011 The American Physical Society

Synopsis

Key Image

Heat and twist of turbulent flows

Published 18 January 2011

Turbulent flow around cylinders can tell us plenty about physics of fluids on earth and in astrophysical systems.

See more in Physics

Authors & Affiliations

M. S. Paoletti1 and D. P. Lathrop1,2,*

  • 1Departments of Physics and Geology, Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
  • 2Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA

  • *lathrop@umd.edu

See Also

Torque Scaling in Turbulent Taylor-Couette Flow with Co- and Counterrotating Cylinders

Dennis P. M. van Gils, Sander G. Huisman, Gert-Wim Bruggert, Chao Sun, and Detlef Lohse
Phys. Rev. Lett. 106, 024502 (2011)

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 106, Iss. 2 — 14 January 2011

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
CHORUS

Article Available via CHORUS

Download Accepted Manuscript
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×