Flow and heat transfer in a rotating enclosure with axial throughflow

An analysis is made of the fluid flow and heat transfer processes in a circular cylindrical enclosure rotating about its own axis. A coolant is passed through the enclosure, entering and leaving through centrally located apertures in the end walls. This configuration is intended as a model of rotating enclosures in devices such as gas turbines and air compressors. The Navier-Stokes and energy equations were solved by a finite-difference formulation which can accommodate either steady or transient conditions. Buoyancy forces associated with the rotational body forces were included in some cases. All solutions were performed for laminar flow. For the parameter ranges investigated it was found that rotation inhibited the recirculating motion within the enclosure and thereby decreased the heat transfer relative to that for the stationary enclosure. Buoyancy further reduced the heat transfer owing to the break up of residual circulatory motions in the outer portion of the enclosure. Still stronger buoyancy brought about a slight increase in the heat transfer. The coolant flow was confined to a corridor adjacent to the axis of the enclosure, and there was no mixing between the coolant and the fluid in the enclosure proper.