Transition from Ekman flow to Taylor vortex flow in superfluid helium

Barenghi, Carlo F.; Henderson, Karen

Abstract

By numerically computing the steady axisymmetric flow of helium II confined inside a finite-aspect-ratio Couette annulus, we determine the transition from Ekman flow to Taylor vortex flow as a function of temperature and aspect ratio. We find that the low-Reynolds-number flow is quite different to that of a classical fluid, particularly at lower temperatures. At high aspect ratio our results confirm the existing linear stability theory of the onset of Taylor vortices, which assumes infinitely long cylinders. © 2004 Cambridge University Press.

Citation

Barenghi, C. F., Henderson, K. L., Henderson, K., & Barenghi, C. (2004). Transition from Ekman flow to Taylor vortex flow in superfluid helium. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 508(508), 319-331. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022112004009206

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jun 10, 2004
• Journal: Journal of Fluid Mechanics
• Print ISSN: 0022-1120
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 508
• Issue: 508
• Pages: 319-331
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022112004009206
• Keywords: Ekman flow, Taylor vortex, superfluid helium
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1059761
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0022112004009206