Study on transition to turbulence of rotating-disk boundary layer in a rotor-stator cavity with temperature gradient

We integrated theoretical analysis and numerical simulations to investigate the turbulence transition through a crossflow instability in the boundary layer of a cooler rotating disk within a rotor-stator cavity, influenced by a temperature gradient. This gradient induces centrifugal buoyancy forces that alter the radial inflection points in the mean flow. These changes lead to premature bifurcation of spiral waves, crucial in the transition process, resulting in an early onset of turbulence in the boundary layer of the rotating disk. Our findings underscore the importance of manipulating boundary layer stability via temperature gradients to control turbulent transitions.