Taylor Vortex Flow of Drag-Reducing Solutions

Abstract

Taylor vortex flow of drag-reducing solutions such as polymer solutions and surfactant solutions between concentric cylinders with the inner cylinder rotating and the outer one at rest has been investigated by mean of flow visualization. The radius ratios used hear are 0.858,0.909 and 0.975. Three kinds of polymer solution and a surfactant solution are used, all of which show remarkable drag reduction in the turbulent region. Critical Reynolds number at which Taylor vortex appears decreases with an increase in the concentration of additives, whereas critical Reynolds number at which Taylor vortex becomes wavy increases. Moreover, new flow patterns are observed that never appeared with a Newtonian fluid.