Induced Laminar Flow due to a Rotating Sphere

Abstract

A non-iterative finite-difference scheme has been developed to solve the boundary layer equations governing the laminar flow engendered by the rotation of a sphere about its diameter in a stagnant fluid. Advantages of the developed numerical scheme are simplicity, low required computer core storage, and less computational time. No points of zero meridional velocity gradient normal to the wall (separation points) could be detected in the domain of solution (from the pole to the equator). The obtained numerical results for the meridional, azimuthal and radial velocity components and for the torque are presented and compared with the results of other investigators.