Rotating split-cylinder flows

The three-dimensional flow contained in a rapidly rotating circular

split cylinder is studied numerically solving the Navier--Stokes

equations. The cylinder is completely filled with fluid

and is split at the midplane. Three different types of boundary

conditions were imposed, leading to a variety of instabilities and

complex flow dynamics.

The first configuration has a strong background rotation and a small

differential rotation between the two halves. The axisymmetric flow

was first studied identifying boundary layer instabilities which

produce inertial waves under some conditions. Limit cycle states and

quasiperiodic states were found, including some period doubling

bifurcations. Then, a three-dimensional study was conducted

identifying low and high azimuthal wavenumber rotating waves due to

G’ortler and Tollmien–-Schlichting type instabilities. Over most of

the parameter space considered, quasiperiodic states were found where

both types of instabilities were present.

In the second configuration, both cylinder halves are in exact

counter-rotation, producing an O(2) symmetry in the system. The basic state flow dynamic

is dominated by the shear layer created

in the midplane. By changing the speed rotation and the aspect ratio

of the cylinder, the flow loses symmetries in a variety of ways

creating static waves, rotating waves, direction reversing waves and

slow-fast pulsing waves. The bifurcations, including infinite-period

bifurcations, were characterized and the flow dynamics was elucidated.

Additionally, preliminary experimental results for this case are

presented.

In the third set up, with oscillatory boundary conditions, inertial

wave beams were forced imposing a range of frequencies. These beams

emanate from the corner of the cylinder and from the split at the

midplane, leading to destructive/constructive interactions which

produce peaks in vorticity for some specific frequencies. These

frequencies are shown to be associated with the resonant Kelvin

modes. Furthermore, a study of the influence of imposing a phase

difference between the oscillations of the two halves of the cylinder

led to the interesting result that different Kelvin

modes can be excited depending on the phase difference.