Flow structure in a flat vortex chamber

We investigate a flow in a flat vortex chamber in which the distance between the end walls is smaller than the radius of the chamber. The study was mainly performed by optical methods: a Töpler device was employed, with the Foucault knife replaced by a diaphragm. It is shown that the flow in the chamber has a complicated spatial structure. In addition to the basic helical flow, an intense “transverse” rotation of the type of Taylor–Görtler vortices occurs. In contrast to previously studied flows, where these vortices were observed near a concave surface, in the motion considered transverse vortices occur in the entire working volume of the chamber. In this case, four parallel vortex filaments are formed. The high intensity of the vortices has allowed one to visualize them by the Töpler method and by “tinting” the flow by highly disperse particles. Quantitative dependences of the dimensions of the vortex cells on the flow regime, i.e., on the pressure of gas deceleration, were obtained.