Stability of swirling-recirculating flow due to rotating magnetic field

I. Grants - Yu. M. Gelfgat

Institute of Physics, University of Latvia, Salaspils-1, LV-2169, Latvia

Abstract
The paper deals with the stability of an azimuthal body force driven swirling flow due to a rotating magnetic field. A low frequency low induction rotating field is considered that allows to use the predefined magnetic body force and to neglect the stabilizing action of the magnetic field. The stability of a similarity solution is shown by different methods. A Taylor-Gætler instability at the side wall is investigated numerically. We have found out that the onset takes place at a fixed Reynolds number based on the vessel s height even in a significantly elongated cylinder. A stability criterion expressed through the thickness of side boundary layer coincides with that for the stability of TaylorÄCouette flow with the inner cylinder rotating. 3D instability of Bædewadt layer is expected to set in place first if the vessel s height is less than its three radii. Figs 6, Refs 20.