Mixing and pumping by pairs of helices in a viscous fluid

Here, we study the fluid dynamics of a pair of rigid helices rotating at a constant velocity, tethered at their bases, in a viscous fluid. Our computations use a regularized Stokeslet framework, both with and without a bounding plane, so we are able to discern precisely what flow features are unacco...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review. E 2018-02, Vol.97 (2-1), p.023101-023101, Article 023101
Main Authors: Buchmann, Amy, Fauci, Lisa J, Leiderman, Karin, Strawbridge, Eva, Zhao, Longhua
Format: Article
Language:English
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Here, we study the fluid dynamics of a pair of rigid helices rotating at a constant velocity, tethered at their bases, in a viscous fluid. Our computations use a regularized Stokeslet framework, both with and without a bounding plane, so we are able to discern precisely what flow features are unaccounted for in studies that ignore the surface from which the helices emanate. We examine how the spacing and phase difference between identical rotating helices affects their pumping ability, axial thrust, and power requirements. We also find that optimal mixing of the fluid around two helices is achieved when they rotate in opposite phase, and that the mixing is enhanced as the distance between the helices decreases.
ISSN:2470-0045
2470-0053
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevE.97.023101