Transitions from Taylor vortex flow in a co-rotating Taylor-Couette system

The stability of the Taylor vortex flow in the periodic Taylor-Couette problem with co-rotating cylinders is examined. Transitions to twisted and wavy twisted vortices and wavy inflow and outflow boundary flows are considered. Marginal stability curves for the transition from Taylor to twisted and wavy twisted vortices have been calculated. The azimuthal wave number and the phase velocity at their onset have also been obtained. To compare with experiments and previous numerical works for the narrow gap approximation, the case of radius ratio 0.883 is analyzed in detail. An explanation for the increase in the azimuthal wave number of the twisted vortices as the Reynolds number of the inner cylinder is increased is provided. The velocity fields of twisted vortices, wavy twisted vortices, wavy inflow, and wavy outflow boundary flows at their onset are also shown. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S1070-6631(00)50312-2].