Abstract
Ferrofluid flow along a tube of radius R in a constant axial magnetic field is revisited. Our analytical solution and numerical simulations predict a transition from an initially axial flow to a steady swirling one. The swirl dynamo arises above some critical pressure drop and magnetic field strength. The new flow pattern consists of two phases of different symmetry: The flow in the core resembles Poiseuille flow in a rotating tube of the radius r∗<R, where each fluid element moves along a screw path, and the annular layer of the thickness R-r∗, where the flow remains purely axial. These phases are separated by a thin domain wall. The swirl appearance is accompanied with a sharp increase in the flow rate that might serve for the detection of the swirling instability.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 114503 |
Journal | Physical Review Letters |
Volume | 118 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 17 Mar 2017 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physics and Astronomy (all)