Thermal convection in rotating spherical annuli-2. Stratified flows

The steady combined thermal convection of a viscous Boussinesq fluid contained between two concentric spheres is considered. The spheres are maintained at different temperatures and rotate about a common axis with different angular velocities. A uniform radial gravitational field acts on the fluid. Approximate solutions to the governing equations are obtained with a modified Galerkin technique for moderate Reynolds numbers. The resulting flow patterns, temperature distributions, and heat-transfer and torque characteristics are presented for several angular velocity ratios and degrees of stratification. It is shown that increasing the buoyancy forces alters the primary and secondary flow patterns as well as the temperature distributions. The total rate of heat transfer and torque are subsequently enhanced. © 1978.

Duke Scholars

Author Edward J. Shaughnessy Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materia ...