Journal

of The Franklin Institute

DEVOTED TO SCIENCE AND THE MECHANIC ARTS

Volume 293, Number 3 March 1972

On the Stabilip of Viscous Flow between

Two Rotating Nonconcentric Cylinders

by R. L. URBAN

Department of Mechanical Engineering

New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico
and E. R. KRUEGER

Department of Mathematics
University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado

ABSTRACT: The stability of viscous flow between two rotating nonconcentric cylinders is
investigated with respect to injkitesimal disturbances. After the ftnite gap disturbance
equations are formulated, the small gap disturbance equa,tions are obtained. An approzimate
solution to the resulting eigenualue problem is obtained by employing a perturbation
method. A formula for calculating the critical Taylor number is deduced which is valid
for small gap, small eccentricity and for the case when the outer cylinder is$xed.
The mathematical model formulated gives rise to a local stability analysis. For 0 = 0’
the eccentricity destabilizes the flow for small values of eccentricity ratio-the $0~ is less
stable than when the cylinders are concentric. The results of a number of experimental an,d
theoretical investigations are discussed.

I. Introduction

The stability of an incompressible and viscous fluid contained between

two rotating concentrio cylinders (Couette flow) is referred to as the classical
Taylor problem since Taylor (1) was the first author to investigate the
problem both theoretically and experimentally with a great degree of
success. The stability of Couette flow has been the subject of a large number
of investigations, beginning with Taylor’s pioneering work of 1923. Many
of these investigations are discussed in Chandrasekhar’s (2) treatise and some
are discussed in a survey paper by DiPrima (4).
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the stability of a viscous and
incompressible fluid flowing between two rotating nonconcentric cylinders
wherein the fluid is subjected to infinitesimal disturbances. Hence, the
stability of the basic flow will be studied within the scope of the linear
theory.

153
R. L. Urban and E. R. Krueger

There are two apparent reasons for studying the stability of a viscous
flow between two rotating nonconcentric cylinders. First, it is a problem
concerned with the instability of curved flow wherein new phenomena
arise beyond the classical Taylor problem which will perhaps enhance the
knowledge of stability and at least explain the effect of eccentricity. Second,
it is a problem which has important application in the technology of
hydrodynamic lubrication of journal bearings.
Ten years ago, very little was known about the stability of viscous flow
between two rotating nonconcentric cylinders. Much more is known about
the problem today due to the experimental investigations of Vohr (7-9),
Cole (10, ll),Kamal (12) and Castle and Mobbs (14). Moreover, DiPrima (5)
has discussed the nonconcentric problem from a qualitative point of view
employing results from his theoretical stability analysis (3) of flow between
concentric cylinders with a pressure gradient acting round the cylinders.
Just recently, a theoretical analysis on the nonconcentric problem by
Ritchie (16) has appeared.
In this paper, results are sought for the case when the gap and eccentricity
are small. Hence, the basic flow for small eccentricity and gap developed
by Urban (17) will be utilized.

ZZ. Coordinate system and Basic Flow

,4 polar cylindrical coordinate system is employed in the analysis since

results are sought for small eccentricity. Moreover, the idea of utilizing the
knowledge of the concentric problem is followed.
Let (r, 0, z) be polar cylindrical coordinates with the z axis coinciding with
the inner cylinder axis. Further, let R,, R, and Q2,,Q2, denote the radii and
constant angular velocities of the inner and outer cylinders respectively.
The basic flow radial, transverse and axial velocity components are denoted
by I_+_,ve and v, respectively and the pressure is denoted by p. It is assumed
that there is no flow in the axial direction of the cylinders and hence V, = 0.
The distance between the centers of the imler (Oi) and outer (0,) cylinders
is called the eccentricity and is given by e. The radial distance between the
inner and outer cylinders is denoted by h and can be considered as a variable
gap. Figure 1 illustrates the nonconcentric cylinders with t’he orientation
of the coordinate system.
The eccentricity ratio (E) is a nondimensional parameter defined as
E=_e/d,
where 0 GE -K1 and cl= R,- R, is referred to as the gap. Another non-
dimensional parameter introduced is the gap ratio (6) defined as
SE d/R,,
where 0 < S < 2 and R, = i(R, + R,) is the mean radius of the two cylinders.
Considering triangle OiPO, Oi in Fig. 1 and employing the cosine law
yields the following equation for the variable gap h:

h - -R,+.~cosO+R, (2.1)

154 Journal of The Franklin Institute

 Stability of Viscous Flow between Two Rotating Nonconcentric Cylinders

A nondimensional independent variable x (defined in the Appendix) is

introduced in the a.nalysis which results in prescribing a point in the fluid
domain by x and 8, rather than r and 0.
An approximate basic flow solution of the Navier-Stokes equations was
developed by Urban (17) by a perturbation method for the case of small
eccentricity. Furthermore, a second solution of the basic flow was obtained
by imposing the additional geometric restriction of small gap between the
two cylinders. The results of this analysis which will be utilized in the
stability investigation are presented in the remainder of this section.

FIG. 1. Nonconcentric circles.

The nondimensional radial and transverse velocity components are given

respectively by perturbation series of the form:
?lJx, 8) = 4,(x) +&i&(x, e) + E2i&(X,e) + . . .)

B,(x, B) = 5,(x) + eiJ(x, e) + E2Z8(X,

e) + . . . .
(2.2)
The leading terms in the velocity components of (2.2) represent the solution
t,o the concentric problem and for a small gap are given by

?&(x) = 0 and E&x) = -(I?-(1 -/L)x. (2.3)

The first- and second-order small gap solutions are given by

9&(x,0) = (P;x”+P~x2i-P~~+P~)sin8, (2.4)

8) = & (3PI x2+ 2Pzx +PJ

‘01~(x, case, (2-5)
G&e) = 2(~,23+Q2x2+g3=+&4)sin2e, (2.6)

~~(x,e) = & ~5(322+25 +t) + (3~,~2+2&~x+&~)~~~ 28-j, (2.7)

t

Vol. 293, No. 3, March 1972 155

R. L. Urban and E. R. Sueger

where

(2.9)

(2.10)

(2.11)

p+ (2.12)
1

The angular velocity of the basic flow is defined as

S1z~Jr and b=R/O,.

Two important relations related to the angular velocity that will be utilized
in the stability analysis are

lim Qx, 8) = lim CO(x)+ 8 lim 6,(x, 0) + E2lim v”,(x, 0) + . . . , (2.13)

6-10 8+0 8-10 8-O

limn,fi(x, 6) = D,limB,(x) + .sD,lim C,(x, 0) +e2D,limG2(x, 0) + . . . . (2.14)

8+0 8+0 6-30 S-+0

where D, E alas.

ZZZ. Disturbance Equations

General Disturbance Equutions and Boundary Conditions

Infinitesimal disturbances cause a departure from the basic flow which
results in a perturbed fluid motion. The perturbed quantities (u~,u,, uz, 1;)
are formed by superimposing the general disturbance quantities (u’, v’, w’, p’)
upon the basic flow quantities (v?, vug,
p) as follows:
u, = q.+u’,
ug = v,tv’,
(3.1)
u, = w’,
$ = p+pr. 1
The basic flow quantities are functions of T and 8, and the general disturbance
quantities are functions of r, 0, z and t (time). Because of the 8 dependence,
the general disturbances are referred to as nonrotationally symmetric.

156 Journal of The Franklin Institute

 S’tability of Viscous Flow between Two Rotating Nonconceutric Cylinders

It is required that the perturbed quantities satisfy the unsteady state

three-dimensional Navier-Stokes and continuity equations in polar cylindrical
coordinates. Thus (3.1) is substituted into these equations and terms quadratic
or of second order in the general disturbances are neglected. Hence, a
system of general disturbance equations which are linear is obtained.
The boundary conditions of the basic flow are not perturbed by the
disturbances, hence the boundary conditions that are imposed on the
general disturbances are :

u'=v'=w'=O at r=R, and r=R,+h. (3.2)

Disturbance Am@itude Equations and Boundary Conditions

The general disturbance equations admit solutions of the following form :

u’ = G(r, 0) eatcos AZ,

v’ = G(r, 0) e”“cos Az,
(3.3)
w’ = zZ(r,0) e”lsinAz,
p’ = @(r, 8) ect cos hz. 1
Equations (3.3) are consistent with the experimental evidence of Ref. (7),
namely that the secondary motion is periodic in the axial direction. The
quantities G, 5, i8 and j?~are referred to as the disturbance amplitudes. cr is
generally a complex constant and A which is real and positive is called the
“wave number”. With the general disturbances given by form (3.3), the
motion is stable if the real part of u is negative and unstable if it is positive.
Substituting (3.3) into the general disturbance equations gives a system
of linear partial differential equations governing the disturbance amplitudes
G,, B, G and p:

az au _
cr~fv,--_-~uf-_ 2’0a% I au
_+__Q_;@ 2
a, ar 1” ai9 r ai9

1 a@
+v a2fi ; lafi ; 1 a27i5 h2&57 2 aiT
(3.4)
= -__
p ar ( h-2 r ar ~-2
a82 r2 r2 ae1 )

ac av, _ v. a~ au, _ ve _
ug+v,-+-uu------++u
ik ar r a0 %r

=-_-1 ap (3.5)
pr ae '
aft V,~E h_
aiZ+V1.-+--=-p4v (3.6)
ar rat? p
aii 1 aa c
ir+Tae+-+Xzz = 0, (3.7)
r

p and v denote the fluid density and kinematic viscosity, respectively.

Eliminating zi? and $ from the above system of equations gives the finite

Vol.293,
Iiio.
3,March
1972 167
R. L. Urban and E. R. Krueger

gap disturbance amplitude equations in G and 8:

where the standard operator notation of the Taylor problem plus some new
operator notation has been introduced and is defined as

\
a( )
DC)=;i,,

D*( )_=y+;( 1, , (3.10)

I
Employing (3.3), (3.7) and (3.10), the appropriate boundary conditions
for the finite gap disturbance amplitude equations (3.8) and (3.9) follows
from (3.2) and are:

C=iJ=Dfi+.h=O at r=R, and r=R,+h. (3.11)

No approximations or geometric restrictions have yet been made in the

stability analysis. Moreover, the basic flow velocity components vr and vg
appearing in the disturbance amplitude equations (3.8) and (3.9) can
represent the exact solution-no restriction on gap size or eccentricity ratio.

IV. Small Gap Disturbance Equations

Many investigations concerned with the stability of Couette flow are based
on the small gap approximation. This approximation provides much simpli-
fication of the eigenvalue problem arising in the stability analysis..

158 Journal of The F’rwklin Institute

 Stability of Viscous EEou between Two Rotating Nonconcentric Cylirxkrs

A small gap approximation of the disturbance amplitude equations (3.8)

and (3.9) and boundary conditions (3.11) associated with the nonconcentric
problem is now sought. The case of small gap is not too restrictive since
this is the problem which is of main concern in journal bearing technology.
A very small gap ratio permits writing the operators given by (3.10) in
terms of the non-dimensional independent variable x:

(4.1)

where

To obtain the desired small gap disturbance amplitude equations, one

must go through unwieldy algebraic manipulation upon Eqs. (3.8) and (3.9)
which is quite lengthy. The procedure followed for obtaining these equations
is :
1. Introduce the operators (4.1) into (3.8) and (3.9). Also express v0 in
terms of the angular velocit’y Q.
2. Since the onset of instability is known from experimental evidence
to be a steady secondary motion [Bohr (7)] the marginal (neutral) state
will be characterized by u = 0.
3. The basic flow terms are nondimensionalized with characteristic
velocities of R,M, and da1 for the transverse and radial components
respectively.
4. The disturbance amplitude a is resealed:

where A is the constant appearing in the transverse velocity component of

Couette flow:
v. = Ar+ B/r.
5. The Taylor number is imroduced and is defined as

Tr _4AQ2,d4 (4.2)
yF-=

where R s R, !L12,d/v and 7 = RJR,.

6. After the above operations are completed, the limit of (3.8) and (3.9)
is taken as 6 + 0 which yields the small gap approximation of t,he disturbance
amplitude equations. It is required that a (a= hd), T, F,5, dand the derivatives

Vol. 293, SO. 3, March lOi2 159

R. L. Urban and E. R.Krueger

of ZZand fi remain finite in the limit as 6 + 0 :

(Dz-a2 0:)27Z = -a2 04+T lima 9, (4.3)

( 8-10 1

Pi - a20;)6 = _-!?k-
-(1_-cL) (l;~D,+i. (4.4)
The following observations are made concerning the small gap disturbance
amplitude equations (4.3) and (4.4):
1. No restriction has been placed on E or p.
2. These partial differential equations are independent of the radial
velocity component of the basic flow.
3. If E is set equal to zero in (4.3) and (4.4) which implies 0, equals one,
then these equations reduce to the disturbance equations of the classical
Taylor problem. In this case D, would become d/dx,

lim Q = and lim

8~o D,ii = - (1 -p).
8-O

4. Ritchie’s (16) small gap disturbance Eqs. (32) correspond to (4.3) and
(4.4) developed herein. It is of interest to note that Ritchie’s expression of
H (1 - 9)) presented in his disturbance equations is analogous to 0, in (4.3)
and (4.4). Ritchie’s Eq. (28b) indicates this analogy.
Introducing the operators (4.1) into the finite gap boundary conditions
(3.11), resealing G and taking the limit as 6 -+ 0, yields the appropriate
small gap boundary conditions on the disturbance amplitudes:

~=D,fi=fl=O at x=-+&. (4.5)

Note that these boundary conditions are of the same form as those for the
classical Taylor problem except for the fact that D, is now a/ax.

V. Solution to Eigenvalue Problem

The system of partial differential Eqs. (4.3) and (4.4) coupled with the
boundary conditions (4.5) determines a small gap eigenvalue problem
which has a secular equation of the form :
F(a, T, E,p) = 0.

Choosing values of E and ,u, it is desired to determine the minimum real

positive value of T (critical Taylor number) with respect to all real positive
values of a.
The solution to the small gap eigenvalue problem will be determined for
the case of small eccentricity (E<<1). For E<<1, it is expected that the stability
of the nonconcentric problem resembles to some extent the stability of the
concentric problem. Thus, a perturbation method is employed to solve
the nonconcentric eigenvalue problem approximately. It is assumed that the
disturbance amplitudes d and B and the Taylor number T can be expanded

160 Journal
of The Franklin Institute
 Stability of Viscous Flow between Two Rotating Nonconcentric Cylinders

by perturbation series of the form :

?qx,B) = ?qx)+E~iil(x,@+&22z~(x,e)+..., (5.la)

qx,g = @&X)+E0~(X,e)+&2@2(x,e)+..., (5.lb)

T = T,+eTI+s2T,+.... (5. lc)

The leading terms in the above expansions represent the eigenfunctions and
eigenvalue of the classical Taylor problem.
Substituting (5.1) into (4.3)-(4.5), employing (2.13) and (2.14), setting
p = 0 (outer cylinder is fixed and the inner cylinder rotating), and equating
coefficients of EO,~9 and s2, yields three eigenvalue problems governing the
zero-, first- and second-order disturbance amplitudes (eigenfunctions) and
eigenvalues respectively :

E- .2)2 2, = - a2 T,($ - 2) go,

(D;-a2)flo = Go, (5.2)
Jo=Dz~o=~o=O at x=-t&, 1
(Di - cG)~G, - 4.~9cos 0(D!$- a2) Go
= - a2 To(3x2 - 3x+;) COS&Y,- a2 TI(i- x)~T~-u~ To(3- x)v&,
(5.3)
(@-U2)CI-22a2 COS8Go = +~xCOS&~,
G,=D,G,=~I=O at x=_I*, I

(0: - u2)22, - 4a2 cos 0(Di - a2) zZI- 2a2 00s~fY(Di - a”) 7Z,
+4a2 ~0~284,
= -U2To(~X2-2X+~)C0S2efi0-~2~o($X2-~)fio
-a~TI(3x2-3x+~)cos~~o-aa2T2(~-z)Bo
1 (5.4)
-a2To( ~x~-~x+~)c~S&~~-~~T~(~-X)~~-U~T~(~-X)~,,
(D$-$)8,-2a2 COS&Y,-~~COS~~?~~~
ZZ z,-6XCOS&i,-3X%,-COS2&io,
~2=Dz~2=v’2=0 at x=-t*.

Eigenvalue Problem Governing First-order Solution (p = 0)

The system of partial differential equations (5.3) governing the first-order
solution are reduced to two systems of ordinary differential equations by
expressing z&, cI and TI in the following form and substituting into (5.3):

qx, e) = PI(x) +9,(x) cos 8,

q2, e) = v,tx) + V,(X) cos 8, (5.5)
TI = T;+T;cos0. i
The first system of ordinary differential equations is

(D+2)2DI = -a2T;(~-x)~o-a2To(~-x)~,
(0; -a”) q = q, (5.6)
~I=D,~I=~=O at x=_++,
where D, E d/dx.

Vol. 293, No. 3, March 1972 161

R. L. Urban and E’. R. Krueger

The spectrum of eigenvalues for the zeroth perturbation is denoted by

?‘,a and the corresponding eigenfunctions by ii,, and @no (n = 0, 1,2, . . .).
Gbo represents the lowest eigenvalue. The spectrum of eigenvalues and
corresponding eigenfunctions satisfies the differential equations and boundary
conditions given by (5.2), which can be written as
LQ,, = -a2Tn,(~-x)~n,,,
(5.7)
!& =Dpno=Dz(D~-a2)~no = 0 at x= _+*, )
where L z (0: - u2)3.
The adjoint problem to (5.7) is
LCZo = - a2 T,,( 4 - 29)q$, (5.Sa)
Czo=B,?7$ =(Di-a2)2iJ& = 0 at x= ++. (5.Sb)
Hence, (5.7) is a nonselfadjoint eigenvalue problem since the boundary
conditions of (5.7) and (5.8) are not identical [see Coddington and Levinson
WI.
The following bi-orthogonal or duality relation exists between the eigen-
functions of problems (5.7) and (6.8)[seeChandrasekhar (2)] :
+*_
_tvj,,$,,dx = 0 (j#k). (5.9)
s
From (5.6) the following nonhomogeneous eigenvalue problem is formed :
LTnl = -a2T,,(g_x)~~-a2T~,(~-x)~~‘,,, (5.10a)
F%.,= DiFnI = D,(D$-a2)VmI = 0 at x = +*. (5.10a)
Multiplying (5.10a) by 8z0 and integrating with respect to x from - & to
+ $ gives (utilizing inner product notation) :

(~~~,L~~inl)+a2T~~(~~~,(a-x)~~~)+a2Tl,l(~~~,(~-x)~~no) = 0. (5.11)
Multiplying by vni,,and integrating with respect to 5 from - 4 to + 4
(5.8a)
gives
(L~~~,~~)t-a2T,,((~-x)~~~,~~) = 0. (5.12)
Subtracting (5.12) from (5.11) gives
(G$, L~l)-(L~~o,~l)+ a2T~,(t7&,(+--2)Gmo)
= 0. (5.13)

Since the same operator L appears in (5.7) and (5.10) and the boundary
conditions have the same form, it immediately follows that
(fi&, LQ = (Lfi’b, 7Q. (5.14)
Since (T?*
11O,
a,,,) # 0,it follows that the inner product with the weight function,
namely (VT&,(4-x) fin,,), is also nonzero since the weight function (4-x) is
a nonnegative integrable function on the finite interval - &< x < + 4. Hence,
it follows from (5.14) and (5.13) that
T;, = 0
and the corresponding eigenfunctions are \ (5.15)
i&, = ?I&& E:,, = ?I&). J

16.2 Journal of The Franklin Institute

 Stability of Viscous Flow between Two Rotating Nonconcentric Cylinders

The f&t disturbance amplitude equation of the classical Taylor problem

for any p, can readily be written as

(D~-a2)2Go = -u2Fo
[
2(1-P.)
l-------X
(1+A 1-
V
O’
(5.16)

where

T =To(l+d 4Ai2 d”
=--LT-
0
2 V2

which follows from (4.2) and

POis a Taylor number based upon t,he average angular velocity rather than R,.
When the cylinders rotate in the same direction which implies 0 < p < 1,
the lowest eigenvalue (PO) varies slightly because of the term linear in z on
the right-hand side of (5.16). Hence, without making any appreciable error
( < 1 per cent in PO?,,
this term can be ignored according to Chandrasekhar (2).
The average velocity approximation is very common and is employed in
the stability of spiral flow by Krueger and DiPrima (13). Thus (5.16) is
approximated as follows for 0 6 p < 1:

CD:-a2)2Zo= - a2poGo. (5.17)

Returning to the nonconcentric problem and multiplying (5.1~) by

(1+ ~)/2 gives
F = ~o+E~r++2~2+..., (5.18)
where

F&l +d and ZS%~ (; = 0,1,2 ,... ).

2

For p = 0:

(5.19)

The second system of ordinary differential equations are written employing

the average velocity approximation to the concentric problem basic flow
contribution of the nonconcentric basic flow and utilizing relation (5.19) :

(Di - a2)2 .f?,nl= 4a2(Di - a2) ii,, - a2 TX0cl

- a2 pno(6x2 - 6x + i) finno
- a2 pkI fiVLo, (5.20a)

(0: - ~9) El = EnI - 6x77,, + 2a2 GqaO, (5.20b)

gnI = D, 5,, = ?f$ = 0 at x = -t_Q. (5.20~)

Vol.292,No. 3,March 1'372 163

R. L. Urban and E. R. Krueger

Employing the average velocity approximation, the concentric eigenvalue

problem is defined as

(Di-a2)2C,, = -a2!F!i,oCn0,
(II:--a2) finno= I&, (5.21)
ii,,= D,ii,, = fan,,= 0 at x = ++. 1

Since the lowest eigenvalue is of interest, n in (5.20)is set equal to zero.

To solve the resultant system it is assumed that eel and & can be expanded
in terms of the even proper solutions $,, and fij,, of the concentric problem
or system (5.21).Therefore

Note that the boundary conditions are satisfied. After setting n = 0 in

(5.20) substitute (5.22),then
multiply (5.20a) by Gjo and (5.20b) by Cjo
and integrating with respect to x from - 4 to + 4 gives

pi, 8ooCoodx
s
= - PO0 (6~2 + g) loo Coodx - 2a2 loo Coofioodx + 4 4,,(D~ - a2) Go0dx,
s s s
(5.23)
A,(pjo- Too) 8joGjodx
s

= 2a2 PO0 ~~~fljo dx + loo Giijodx - 4

(6x2 + 5) v700 fijo(Di - a2) Coodx ( j # 0),
s s s
(5.24)

B,(~o-~oo) ~jo~jodx
s

= 2a2 !ijo coozjo dx + Too (6x2 + 4) Cooiijo

dx - 4 iijo(Dz - a2) fi,, dx ( j # 0),
s s s
(5.25)

(A, - B,) B,, ii,, dx = - 2a2 BooBoodx, (5.26)

I I
where all of the above and subsequent integrals have to be evaluated from
-+to +$.

Eigenvalue Problem Governing Second-order Solution (p = 0)

The system of partial differential Eqs. (5.4) governing the second-order
solution are reduced to three systems of ordinary differential equations by
expressing c,, 6, and T, in the following form and substituting into (5.4)

2,(x, e) = iZ2(x)+ E2(x) ~0~ e + u21x) cos2e,

qx, e) = V2;;(x)
-t F2(x) cos e + @x) cos2e, (5.27)

T,= T;+~;~ose+~;Cos2e. I

164 Journal of The Franklin Institute

 Stability of Viscous Flow between Two Rotating Nonconcentric Cylinders

The first system of ordinary differential equations is

(D~-a2)2~2 = -a2[T( ,, ~~2-~)~~+TT;1(_:-x)~~+TT;(~-z)~

+ T,(B - x) El, (5.28)
(0; -a”) G = iIT2
- 322&,
i?2=DzU2=g=Q at x=++, i
where D, E d/dx.
Equations (5.28) are rewritten employing the average velocity approxi-
mation to the concentric problem basic flow contribution of the non-
concentric basic flow and utilizing relations (5.19) and (5.15),
(0: - a2)2 urn,,= - a2 P!,, E2 - a2 pn,,(3x2 - $) Go,,- a2 Fh2 fimO, (5.29a)

(0: - a2) KS = on2 - 3x%,,,, (5.29b)

~~2=Dz~~2=~2=0 at x=-j-i. (5.29c)

Since the lowest eigenvalue is of interest, n in (5.29) is set equal to zero.

To solve the resultant system, it is assumed that ??02and g2 can be expanded
in terms of the even proper solutions $,, and fijjoof the concentric problem
or system (5.21). Therefore

Do2= -$jGjo, G2 = gD&. (5.30)

i=o j=O

After setting n = 0 in (5.29) substitute (5.30), then multiply (5.29a) by

zZjo and (5.29b) by fljo, integrating with respect to x from -4 to +Q and
employing the bi-orthogonal relation S~joCikodx = 0 for j # k gives

-1 - -
To2 vooGo0dx = - Too (3x2 - 2) fioo%,, dx, (5.31)
I s

G’i = Di = Too (3r2-$)fi~oC~od~ / (F30-!F 00s

) CjoCjodx (j#O), (5.32)
s
C,-D, = 0. (5.33)
The second system of ordinary differential equations are written employing
the average velocity approximation to the concentric problem basic flow
contribution of the nonconcentric basic flow and utilizing relations (5.19)
and (5.15)

(0: - a2)2 .f?n2= 4a2(Di - a2) &,, - a2 pm0Es

- a2 Fno(6x2 - 6x + 2) finno
- a2 ptl sn,, - a2 pk2 C%,,, (5.34a)

(0: - a”) E2 = En2 - 6x7&, + 2a2 finno, (5.34b)

f?m2=D,En2=E2=0 at x=+4. (5.34c)

Similarly, to solve system (5.34), it is assumed that

co2= $.a.
j=O 3 ‘O’
g2 = 5 3. fijo. (5.35)
j=O

After setting n = 0 in (5.34) substitute (5.35), then multiply (5.34a) by

Vol.293,No. 3, Narch 1972 165

R. L. Urban and E. R. Krueger

Gjo and (5.34b) by Gf,,, integrating with respect to x from - 4 to + 4 and

employing the bi-orthogonal relation, gives
7;s = 0. (5.36)
Comparing (5.34) with (5.20) it is concluded that

i?,, = Eel= f’ Aj z&,,

j=O

due to the result (5.36).

The third system of ordinary differential equations are written after n
is set equal to zero and using (5.22) is

(D~-a2)2~oZ = 4a.2(D~-a2)~Ajiijo+2a2(D~-a2)tioo-4a~400 \
j&l

- a2 loo z2 - a2 poo(6x2 - 62 + g) 2 Bj ~7~~

j=o

- a? pi, 2 Bj Cjo- a2 Foo(18x2 - 4x + y) Coo } (5.38)

j=o
- a2 pil( 6x2 - 6x + i) loo - a2 pi2 t700,

(0: - a2) z2 = eo2 - 6x $ Aj iijo - ii,, + 2a2 g Bi gjo + a2 Coo,

3’=0 j=o

Bo2 = D, eo2 = z, = 0 at 2 = & 4. /

Similarly, to solve system (5.38), it is assumed that

(5.39)

Employing the same procedure as used for the second system of ordinary
differential equations yields
.
Fz2 coo Go0dx
J
= -~oo[a2~~ooli,odx+~zZoo11Wsouo)ds]

-8a~~~oo~oodx~~oo(D~-a2)~oodx[ ~~oo~oodx]-l

+ 4 g Aj ZZ,,(D~- a”) Cjodx

j=l s

-~oo~~B1[2a2~~oo~jodx+~~oo~~o(6x2+~)dx]

- P;;, coo eoo(6x2+ 8) dz + 2 [Goo(D!$- a”) ii,, - 2Cooa,,1 dx, (5.40)

s s

166 Journal of The Franklin Institute

 Stability of Viscous Plow between Two Rotating Nonconcentric Cylinders

Gj and Hj are determined in the usual manner.

Critical Taylor Number

From the analysis in Section V, the Taylor number for t.he nonconcentric
problem based upon the average angular velocity correct to terms of 0 (e2)
is given by

P = ?& + E(P& + P;I, cos l9)+ $( PO2+ Pi2 cos I9+ Pi2 CO820). (5.41)

From (5.15) and (5.36) it follows that

F = ‘i’& + sP;r cos 8 + &2(?$ + Pi;;zCOG6), (5.42)

where p&, p& and pi2 are given by (5.23), (5.31) and (5.40) respectively.
The inclusion of the term $?;F2in calculating p gives rise to a prohibitive
increase in the volume of calculations. Since the problem is already formu-
lated as an approximation and the results are considered only to be
qualitative, P& was not included in calculating the critical Taylor number.
Hence

p X ?& + ET& COS 6 + &’ ?$. (5.43)

When (5.43) is employed to calculate the critical Taylor number, one must
realize that this equation is only valid for small gap, p = 0 and when F< 0.2.
The restriction on E is due to the fact that the basic flow employed in the
stability analysis is only valid for this mnge of eccentricity ratio.
The eigenfunctions fi,, and B,,, (even proper solutions) and. the eigenvalue
To0 are required from the concentric problem to compute the critical Taylor
number from (5.43). The differential equations and boundary conditions
governing the classical Taylor problem given by (5.21) are of the same form
as the eigenvalue problem governing the classical Benard problem (stability
of fluid heated from below) for the case of two rigid boundaries. Reid and
Harris (15) have obtained an exact solution to this problem. This solution
is also presented in Urban’s (17) thesis.
Table I gives the computed values of To,,, p;I, and !?i2 as a function of a
(wave number). A plot of critical Taylor number vs. eccentricity ratio with
e as a parameter is presented in Fig. 2 and a plot of critical wave number
vs. eccentricity ratio with 0 as a parameter is presented in Fig. 3.

VI. Discussion

Until recently, knowledge of the stability of viscous flow between rotating

nonconcentric cylinders was primarily due to the experimental investigations
of Cole (10, ll), Vohr (7-g), Kamal (12) and Castle and Mobbs (14). These
investigations have been concerned with the case when the outer cylinder is
fixed and the inner one rotating. Moreover, the approximate range of
eccentricity ratio considered was 0 < E< 0.9.

Vol.293,No. 3, March 1972 167

R. L. Urban and E. R. Krueger
240C

1600

I I I / 1
0.04 0.06 0.12 0.16 0.20
6
FIG. 2. Critical Taylor number vs. eccentricity ratio for values of e,p= 0.

4.0
t

2.0 ‘-

I.0 I 1 I I I
0 0.04 0.06 0.12 0.16 0.20
<
FIG. 3. Critical wave number vs. eccentricity ratio for values of 0, p = 0.

168 Journal of The Franklin Institute

 Stability of Viscous Flow between Two Rotating Nonconcentric Cylinders

TABLE I
!PO,,,Z”gl and T;, as a function of a(p = 0)

a Tllll % TP;,
2.4 1868.57 - 4322.29 1255.95
2.5 1822.41 - 4051.18 1224.88
2.6 1785.47 - 3806.59 1200.01
2.7 1756.69 - 3584.27 1180.61
2.8 1735.18 - 3380.63 1166.10
2.9 1720.24 - 3192.67 1156.01
3.0 1711.28 - 3017.89 1149.93
3.1 1707.83 - 2854.12 1147.56
3.2 1709.50 - 2699.47 1148.62
3.3 1715.97 - 2552.40 1152.90
3.4 1726.99 - 2411.45 1160.24
3.5 1742.32 - 2275.38 1170.47
3.6 1761.83 - 2143,ll 1183.60
3.7 1785.36 - 2013.63 1199.23
3.8 1812.83 - 1886.07 1217.60

In Cole’s initial investigation of 1957 (lo), he studied the flow stability

of kerosene for a gap ratio of 0~182by a flow visualization method. Cole
reported that vortices formed in the case of eccentric cylinders in much
the same manner as in the case of concentric cylinders but at a higher
critical speed. Moreover, the vortices remained parallel and spaced at
approximately the mean radial clearance of the cylinders, and were most
sharply defined at the maximum clearance. Cole’s (11)latest studies were
concerned with the flow stability of air for two gap ratios (0.222 and O-388)
by means of a hot wire anemometer. Results obtained confirmed his earlier
reporting that eccentricity of the cylinders delays the onset of Taylor
vortices in the flow.
The experimental work of Vohr (7-9) on the nonconcentric problem is
perhaps the most extensive in the sense that it is concerned with vortex
flow and the progressive transition to fully developed turbulence. Vohr
employed a silicone oil in his studies with cylinder gap ratios of 0.094 and
0.011. The critical speeds for the onset of Taylor vortices as a function of
eccentricity ratio were determined quantitatively by torque measurements.
Vohr indicates this method to be more accurate than flow visualization.
However, Vohr also conducted visual studies of the secondary flow. As Cole
reported, Vohr also observed the development of Taylor vortices in the flow
between nonconcentric cylinders in essentially the same manner as between
concentric cylinders, namely the vortices developed in the form of equally
spaced (periodic in the axial direction) toroids wrapped around the cylinders.
For the nonconcentric case, the axial height of the vortices did not appear to
vary circumferentially and was essentially the same as in the concentric
problem. Moreover, there existed a circumferential variation in the strength
of the vortex flow pattern. Vohr determined in all of his studies that the
eccentricity stabilizes the flow (the flow is more stable than when the cylinders
are concentric)-the greater the eccentricity the greater the stabilizing effect,

Vol. 293,No. 3, March 1972 169

R. L. Urban and E. R. Krueger

Kamal’s (12) experimental studies on the nonconcentric problem were

mainly concerned with the separation pheno-menon. However, some of his
results do indicate an increase in the stability of flow between nonconcentric
cylinders with an increase in eccentricity ratio. In his work, Kamal employed
a silicone oil with a gap rat’io of 0.087 and studied the phenomena by flow
visualization.
Castle and Mobbs (14) give “a preliminary set of results” which indicate
that the eccentricity can stabilize or destabilize the flow. Castle and Mobbs
state that modifications to their experimental rig “are now in progress and
it is hoped to improve considerably on the experimental scatter”.
DiPrima (5) has considered the nonconcentric problem from a qualitative
point of view by performing a stability analysis upon the local velocity
profiles; that is, he considers the stability of the velocity profiles at various
cross-sections or specific values of 8. For each value of E, the critical Taylor
number occurs at the cross-section of maximum width. Hence, DiPrima
states that the velocity profile a,t this cross-section is the most unstable.
Moreover, his plot for this cross-section of the critical Ta,ylor number as a
function of E shows an initial destabilizing effect of eccentricity. DiPrima (6)
states that his 1963 results provide a lower bound for stability in that below
the “critical” speed the flow at each cross-section is locally stable.
Ritchie (16) presents an upper bound to the stability boundary and he
makes reference to DiPrima’s (5) results as a lower bound. Ritchie concludes
from his theoretical analysis that far a considerable range of eccentricity
ratio the flow is less stable than when the cylinders are concentric. Moreover,
his results indicate that the wave number varies with eccentricity ratio.
The mathematical model formulated in this paper led to a local stability
analysis. That is to say the critical Taylor number determined is a local one----
it is a function of E and 0 (see ‘Fig. 2). Moreover, the axial wave number
varies with E and 0 (see Fig. 3). The results of this analysis are in qualitative
agreement with DiPrima’s results. The plot of T,, as a function of E for
8 = 0” shows that the eccentricity destabilizes the flow. The full scale
stability analysis presented herein yields the explicit expression (5.43) in
which to compute the critical Taylor number. The significant question that
is raised is the meaning of the local stability results in relation to the
phenomena observed in the laboratory as reported by Cole, Vohr and Kamal.
The concept of local instabilities suggests the possible phenomenon of the
propagat.ion of local instabilities into the stable regions of the flow regime.
From the above discussion it is noted that there exists a difference in
conclusions reached by the experimental and theoretical investigator’s of
this problem with the possible exception of Castle and Mobbs. This important
problem warrants additional investigation to resolve this difference.

Acknowledgements

An acknowledgement is made to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

for providing a Predoctoral Traineeship at the University of Colorado to the first
author during the course of this research investigation. The final work and preparation

170 .Joumal of The Franklili Institute

 Stability of Viscous Flow between Two Rotating Nonconcentric Cylinders

of this paper was sponsored by the National Science Foundation under Engineering
Research Initiation Grant GK-3201 to New Mexico State University.
The authors also acknowledge the assistance of Mr. K. D. Riedel in the digital
computer computations.

Appendix

A Nono%mensional Independent Variable

If E<< 1 and/or 6< 1, then h can be written as :
hxd+ecost?, (,4.1)

since the second term inside the radical of (2.1) is small in comparison with one.
The coordinate r for the nonconcentric problem can be expressed as (see Fig. 1) :

h
r = R,+Z +hx,

where x is a new independent variable which is nondimensional and has the range
-. 1 <x < + +. Substituting (A.l) into (A.2) gives:

I
-- -1+60,
N

RO
where O~:z0++~/2cos~and O+=l+~cos~.
From (A.3) the following expression can be written for x:

r 1 Ecose
xM =+-67+-20,’ (A-4)

References

(1) G. I. Taylor, “Stability of a viscous liquid contained between two rotating

cylinders”, Phil. Trans. Royal Sot., London, Ser. A, Vol. 223, pp. 289-343, 1923.
(2) S. Chandrasekhar, “Hydrodynamic and Hydromagnetic Stability”, Oxford
Univ. Press, London, 1961.
(3) R. C. DiPrima, “The stability of viscous flow between rotating concentric cylinders
with a pressure gradient acting round the cylinders”, J. Fluid Mech., Vol. 6,
pp. 462-468, 1959.
(4) R. C. DiPrima, “Stability of curved flows”, J. Appl. Mech., Vol. 30, pp. 486492,
1963.
(5) R. C. DiPrima, “A note on the stability of flow in loaded journal bearings”,
ASLE Trans., Vol. 6, pp. 249-253, 1963.
(6) R. C. DiPrima, “Viscous flow between rotating concentric cylinders with a
circumferential pressure gradient at speeds above critical”, ASLE Trans.,
Vol. 7, pp. 333-341, 1964.
(7) J. H. Vohr, “An experimental study of vortex flow and turbulence in concentric
and eccentric annul?‘, Vol. 2, NASA CR-54034 (NASw-771), MTI-64TR20,1964.
(8) J. H. Vohr, “Experimental study of superlaminar flow between nonconcentric
cylinders”, NASA CR-749 (NASw-1021), MTI-65TR43, 1967.
(9) J. H. Vohr, “An experimental study of Taylor vortices and turbulence in flow
between eccentric rotating cylinders”, Trans. ASME, J. Lubrication Tech.,
Ser. F, Vol. 90, pp. 285-296, 1968.
(10) J. A. Cole, “Experiments on the flow in rotating annular clearances”, Proc.
Conf. on Lubrication and Tvear, Inst. Mech. Engra, London, pp. 16-19, 1957.
(11) J. A. Cole, “Experiments on Taylor vortices between eccentric rotating cylinders”,
Proc. Second Au&-a&&an Conf. Hydraulics and Fluid Mechanics, 1965.

Vol. 293, No. 3, March 1972 171

R. L. Urban and E. R. Krueger

(12) M. M. Kamal, “Separation in the flow between eccentric rotating cylinders”,

Trans. ASME, Ser. D, J. bas. Engn.g, Vol. 88, pp. 717-724, 1966.
(13) E. R. Krueger and R. C. DiPrima, “The stability of a viscous fluid between
rotating cylinders with an axial flow”, J. Fluid Me&., Vol. 19, pp. 528-538,
1964.
(14) P. Castle, and F. R. Mobbs, “Experiments on the hydrodynamic stability of the
flow between eccentric rotating cylinders”, Inst. Me&. Engrs Proc., Vol. 181,
3B, pp. 134-137, 1967.
(15) W. H. Reid and D. L. Harris, “Some further results on the Bknard problem”,
Physics of Bluids, Vol. 1, pp. 102-110, 1958.
(16) G. S. Ritchie, “On the stability of viscous flow between eccentric rotating
cylinders”, J. Fluid Mech., Vol. 32, pp. 131-144, 1968.
(17) R. L. Urban, “On the stability of viscous flow between two rotating nonconcernric
cylinders”, Ph.D. Thesis, Univ. of Colorado, 1967.
(18) E. A. Coddington and N. Levinson, “Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations”,
New York, McGraw-Hill, 1955.

172 Journal of The Franklin Institute