Problem.
An incompressible isothermal liquid in laminar flow is open to the atmosphere at the
top. Determine the shape of the free liquid surface z(r) at steady state (neglecting end
effects, if any) for the following cases:
Case a) Case b)
Case c) Case d)
Figure. Free surface shape of liquid in four cases of tangential flow.
a) when the liquid is in the annular space between two vertical coaxial cylinders, whose
inner and outer wetted surfaces have radii of R and R, respectively. Here, the inner
cylinder is rotating at a constant angular velocity i and the outer cylinder is stationary.
Let zR be the liquid height at the outer cylinder.
b) when a single vertical cylindrical rod of radius Ri is rotating at a constant angular
velocity i in a large body of quiescent liquid. Let zRo be the liquid height far away from
the rotating rod.
Hint: Use the result in a).
c) when the liquid is in the annular space between two vertical coaxial cylinders, whose
inner and outer wetted surfaces have radii of R and R, respectively. Here, the outer
cylinder is rotating at a constant angular velocity o and the inner cylinder is stationary.
Let zR be the liquid height at the outer cylinder.
d) when the liquid is in a vertical cylindrical vessel of radius R, which is rotating about
its own axis at a constant angular velocity o. Let zR be the liquid height at the vessel
wall.
Solution.
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Consider the liquid in the annular space between two vertical coaxial cylinders, whose
inner and outer wetted surfaces have radii of R and R, respectively. Let the inner and
outer cylinders be rotating at constant angular velocities of i and o, respectively. The
first task is to determine the velocity profile by simplifying the continuity equation and
the equation of motion. The next task is to obtain the free surface shape of the liquid
from the velocity profile.
Step. Simplification of continuity equation
In steady laminar flow, the liquid is expected to travel in a circular motion with only the
tangential component of velocity. The radial and axial components of velocity are zero;
so, vr = 0 and vz = 0.
For an incompressible fluid, the continuity equation gives .v = 0. In cylindrical
coordinates,
(1)
So, v = v (r, z). If end effects are neglected, then v does not depend on z. Thus, v = v
(r).
There is no pressure gradient in the -direction. The components of the equation of
motion simplify to
(2)
(3)
(4)
As discussed later, the r-component provides the radial pressure distribution due to
centrifugal forces and the z-component gives the axial pressure distribution due to
gravitational forces (the hydrostatic head effect).
Step. Velocity profile by solving differential equation
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
a)
Step. Free surface shape for rotating inner cylinder and fixed outer cylinder
(12)
(13)
(14)
(15)
(16)
(17)
(18)
b)
Step. Free surface shape for rotating cylinder in an infinite expanse of liquid
(19)
(20)
c)
Step. Free surface shape for rotating outer cylinder and fixed inner cylinder
(21)
(22)
(23)
(24)
(25)
(26)
(27)
(28)
(29)
(30)
d)
Step. Free surface shape for cylindrical vessel rotating about its own axis
(31)
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