Nonlinear models for flows by rotating disk

Abstract

The flow created by an infinite rotating disk is known as Von Karman [1], swirling flow named after the scientist Theodore Von Karman who introduced the problem in 1921. Application of this problem is found in centrifugal compressors. This is a steady state flow in which vorticity produced at a solid surface is not allowed to diffuse far away by convection, some of the other examples includes the Blasius boundary layer with suction, etc. This problem finds its application in many fields, including rotating machines, filtering systems, heat transfer and mass transfer applications, geophysical applications etc. Flow investigation by stretchable rotating disk has significance in different mechanical and industrial engineering process like food processing technology, medical equipment, spin coating, manufacturing, air cleaning machine, centrifugal pumps, electric power generating system, at high melting point liquid metals pumping, turbo-machinery and gas turbines. Cochran [2] utilized the Von-Karman transformations to analyze the rotating flow. Stewartson [3] was pioneer in discussing the flow between two disks. Mellor et al. [5] and Chapple and Stokes [4] studied flow between two disks. Arora and Stokes [6] considered fluid flow and heat transport between two rotating disks. Kumar et al.