Abstract
A pseudospectral matrix-element (PSME) numerical model is described for the simulation of rotating flows in a three-dimensional annular cavity. Temporal discretisation is implemented using a second-order semi-implicit scheme. Modified compressibility is invoked to handle the coupling between velocity and pressure while maintaining the incompressibility constraint. The governing continuity and Navier–Stokes momentum equations and boundary conditions are discretised using Chebyshev and Fourier collocation formulae. The model is validated against numerical results from alternative schemes and experimental data on rotating flows in an annular cavity. A base flow regime and instability patterns are observed, in accordance with other previously published investigations. It is demonstrated that the PSME model provides an accurate representation of rotating flows in an annular cavity.
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the National Science Council of Taiwan for its generous financial support (NSC 99-2221-E-011-041). Also, the second author would like to express his gratitude for a Taiwan Scholarship from the National Science Council of Taiwan. Furthermore, the helpful comments of reviewers and the editor are greatly appreciated.