Thin film flow over a spinning disc: Experiments and direct numerical simulations

TL;DR

This study combines experiments and simulations to explore thin film flows over a spinning disc, revealing transitions from 2D spiral waves to 3D wavelets and elucidating turbulence mechanisms relevant for practical applications.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive phase map of flow regimes and uncovers the transition mechanisms from stationary to non-stationary waves in spinning disc flows.

Findings

Stationary 2D spiral waves transition to 3D waves with perturbations.

Small wavelets or Λ solitons detach from spiral waves.

Flow circulations within the wave hump influence turbulence.

Abstract

The dynamics of thin liquid films flowing over a spinning disc is studied through a combination of experiments and direct numerical simulations. We consider a comprehensive range of interfacial flow regimes from waveless through to three-dimensional (3D) waves, and for previously unexplored inertia-dominated conditions that have practical relevance. The transition between these regimes is categorised within a phase map based on two governing parameters that correspond to modified inverse Weber ($\lambda$) and Ekman numbers ($r_{disc}$). Our findings show that stationary two-dimensional (2D) spiral waves, which unfold in the direction of rotation from the Coriolis effect, transition to 3D waves with the emergence of small perturbations on the wavefronts. These non-stationary structures grow asymmetrically in the 2D-3D transitional region, and detach from the parent spiral wave to form wavelets or so-called $\Lambda$ solitons. We show that during and after this wave formation process, flow circulations unique to the spinning disc arrangement are present within the main wave hump. Furthermore, when combined with observations of wall strain rates and topology within the film, these findings elucidate the mechanisms that underpin the apparent wave-induced interfacial turbulence effects observed for spinning disc flows.