Instrumentación

 

A centrifuge for studies of fluid dynamics phenomena in a rotating frame of reference

 

M. Vargas¹†, E. Ramos²‡, G. Ascanio³, R. Espejel⁴, G. Esquivel† and G. Hernández-Cruz‡

 

¹ Instituto Tecnológico de Zacatepec A.P. 45, 62780, Zacatepec, Mor., México.

² Centro de Investigación en Energía Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México A.P. 34, 62580, Temixco, Mor., México

³ Centro de Ciencias Aplicadas y Desarrollo Tecnológico Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México A.P. 70-186, 04510, México, D.F., México.

⁴ Instituto de Física UNAM A.P. 20-364, 04510, México, D.F., México.

 

Recibido el 13 de junio de 2001.
Aceptado el 11 de febrero de 2002.

 

Abstract

A centrifuge for the study of fluid mechanics phenomena in a rotating frame has been constructed at the Center for Energy Research at the National University of Mexico (UNAM). The centrifuge has a 1.5 m long arm and is designed to rotate at a maximum rate of 86 rpm which corresponds to a maximum centrifugal acceleration of 13 g. This paper describes the mechanical characteristics of the centrifuge and its instrumentation. The potential of the system for performing fluid mechanics experiments in a rotating frame of reference is also discussed and sample results of natural convection in a cavity are presented.

Keywords: Centrifuge; fluid dynamics; microgravity; natural convection; Coriolis force.

 

Resumen

Se construyó una centrífuga para el estudio de fenómenos de la dinámica de fluidos en un marco de referencia rotatorio. La centrífuga tiene un brazo de giro de 1.5 m de longitud y se diseño para rotar a una tasa máxima de 86 rpm, la cual corresponde a una aceleración de 13 g. Este artículo describe las características mecánicas de la centrífuga y su instrumentación. Se muestra el potencial del sistema en el desarrollo de experimentos de mecánica de fluidos en un marco de referencia rotatorio y se presentan algunos resultados de la visualización de la convección natural en una cavidad.

Palabras clave: Centrífuga; dinámica de fluidos; microgravedad; convección natural; fuerza de Coriolis.

PACS: 01.52.+r; 47.27.Te; 47.32.-y

 

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Acknowledgments

Most of the centrifuge was built at Centro de Ciencias Aplicadas y Desarrollo Tecnologico, CIADET-UNAM. We wish to thank the assistance of Leopoldo Ruíz, Alberto Caballero and Juan Arenas from CIADET-UNAM. The Engineering drawings were done by Luis Velazquez from CIADET-UNAM. Hector Perales from FC-UAEMor assisted in computer and visualization tasks. We thank Guadalupe Huelsz for her crucial aid in PIV technique. Fernando Sierra from CIE-UNAM participated in the performance of the experimental runs and in the interpretation of results. A.A. Avramenko also participated in the analysis of experimental observations and also to Hugo Salas for his comments in the organization of the article. The financial support through CONACYT Group Project G0044E financial support is gratefully acknowledged.

 

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