Two-phase Couette-Taylor flow: Arrangement of the dispersed phase and effects on the flow structures

This study investigates the mutual interactions between a continuous and a dispersed phase (noncondensable or condensable) in the well-known Couette-Taylor flow between two concentric cylinders at low Reynolds numbers, where the outer cylinder is immobilized. In this experiment, the turbulent structures take place progressively. The noncondensable dispersed phase (air) is introduced either by ventilation, generated by agitation of a free surface situated at the top of the gap between the two cylinders. The condensable dispersed phase is generated by cavitation due to a drop in pressure. Comparisons are made between the single phase flow patterns and those observed in ventilated or cavitating flow. Two particular arrangements of the dispersed phase are experimentally evident, according to the Reynolds number of the flow. For low Reynolds numbers, bubbles are trapped in the core of the Taylor cells, whereas they migrate to the outflow regions near the inner cylinder for higher Reynolds numbers. Assessment of the forces applied to the bubbles and computation of their equilibrium position can act as a base in describing the bubble capture. When bubbles are located near the wall in the outflow region, it is found that the three first instabilities are strongly influenced by the dispersed phase. The cavitating flow is also characterized by an earlier appearance of the third instability. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.