An Investigation of Turbulent Taylor-Couette Flow Using Laser Doppler Velocimetry in a Refractive Index Matched Facility

Abstract

Turbulent Taylor-Couette flow in an annulus formed by two concentric cylinders with dead end walls was investigated with Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV). The test apparatus was designed to provide refractive index matching between the annulus and a working fluid of aqueous sodium iodide. LDV was used to measure the three components of mean velocity and turbulence intensity, concentrating on end wall effects. The flow Taylor and Reynolds numbers were T = 2.107 × 109 and Re = 73,440, respectively. Vector plots of radial-axial component velocities and contour plots of component velocities and turbulence intensities reveal the Taylor vortex flow structure at this high Taylor number.