Investigation of the influence of the dimensionless centrifugal work number on spanwise rotating channel low-speed compressible flow

In the study of rotating channel flow, the key dimensionless parameters typically include the Reynolds number, rotation number, Prandtl number, and buoyancy number. Our research focused on comparing the flow characteristics between the enlarged model, analyzed under the rotating similarity theory, and the original channel flow. Significantly different flow behaviors were observed between these two cases. Through theoretical derivation and dimensional analysis, we identified a new significant parameter--the centrifugal work number. This parameter characterizes the ratio of centrifugal work to gas enthalpy in the rotating channel and plays a crucial role in measuring the compressibility of fluids within the rotating channel. Additionally, we utilized large-eddy simulation to validate the impact of the centrifugal work ratio on the flow state of the rotating channel, thus enhancing the similarity theory of rotating channel compressible flow.