Flow in a Cavity at Low Reynolds Number

Abstract

Approximate solutions are obtained for the flow fields in rectangular cavities by neglecting the convection of vorticity. These solutions yield multi‐cell recirculation regions for high aspect ratio cavities. Water tank experiments at a Reynolds number of 150 confirm the prediction of double‐celled cavity flow and show good agreement with the theoretical cell dimensions. It is inferred that zero Reynolds number solutions have an extensive range of validity in flows with closed streamlines.