Flow regimes in a very wide-gap Taylor–Couette flow with counter-rotating cylinders

Abstract

In this study, we discuss the observed flow regimes in Taylor–Couette flow of radius ratio η = 0.1 for various Reynolds numbers up to 1.5 × 10 4 . We investigate the flow using a visualization method. The flow states in the centrifugally unstable flow are investigated in the case of counter-rotating cylinders and pure inner cylinder rotation. Beside classical known flow states as Taylor-vortex flow and wavy vortex flow, we observe a variety of new flow structures in the cylindrical annulus, especially for the transition to turbulence. Coexisting turbulent and laminar regions inside the system are observed. Turbulent spots and turbulent bursts are observed, as well as an irregular Taylor-vortex flow and non-stationary turbulent vortices. Especially, a single axially aligned columnar vortex between the inner and outer cylinder is found. The principal regimes observed in flow between independently rotating cylinders are summarized in a flow-regime diagram. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Taylor–Couette and related flows on the centennial of Taylor’s seminal Philosophical Transactions paper (part 2)’.