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Two-layer viscous instability in a rotating couette deviceA novel experiment to study the interfacial shear instability between two liquids is described. Density-matched immiscible liquids are confined between concentric cylinders such that the interface is parallel to the cylinder walls. Interfacial waves that develop because of viscosity differences between the shearing fluids are studied as a function of rotation rate and depth ratio using optical techniques. Conditions neutral stability and the most unstable wavenumber agree reasonably well with predictions from linear stability analysis of the Navier-Stokes equations. Illumination using laser sheets allows precise measurement of the interface shape. Future experiments will verify the correctness of weakly nonlinear theories that describe energy transfer and saturation of wave growth by nonlinear effects. Measurements of solitary wave shapes, that occur far above neutral stability, will be compared to similar measurements for systems that have gravity as an important force to determine how gravity effects large disturbances. These results will be used to interpret slug and annular flow data that have been obtained in other mu g studies.
Document ID
19950008152
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Gallagher, Christopher
(Notre Dame Univ. IN, United States)
Kropnewicki, Tom
(Notre Dame Univ. IN, United States)
Leighton, David T.
(Notre Dame Univ. IN, United States)
Mccready, Mark J.
(Notre Dame Univ. IN, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Lewis Research Center, Second Microgravity Fluid Physics Conference
Subject Category
Fluid Mechanics And Heat Transfer
Accession Number
95N14566
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG3-1398
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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