Finite element analysis of flow between two finite coaxial rotating disks

Abstract

In this study, the steady and incompressible flow between rotating,coaxial, finite disks is solved by the Finite Element Method. In the analysis velocity and pressure formulation is used. An iterative procedure which permits linearization of the governing equations is applied. Axisymmetrical- ring elements with triangular cross sections are used to discretize the domain and the Galerkin Method is applied to derive the element equations. A computer program is developed and the flow between a rotating disk and a stationary shroud and the flow inside a cylinder rotating about its axis of symmetry is investigated. It is observed that secondary flows exhibit a single-cell structure for the flow between a rotating disk an a stationary shroud and a doublecell structure for the flow inside a cylinder which rotates about its axis of symmetry.