On the thermodynamics of angular propulsion

Abstract

Paper presented to the 10th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Florida, 14-16 July 2014.

In a recently published article by Polihronov and Straatman (Phys. Rev. Letters 109, 054504, 2012), the thermodynamics of angular propulsion was presented and a theoretical model of the energy transfer was proposed. This article will show that the theoretical model leads to the most basic element of a radial inflow device. It is shown that Euler's work equation reduces to the same theoretical result for this case. The system is then studied as a self-governed device moving in a medium posing external resistance. It is observed that the output power from the device exhibits a peak at a certain characteristic value of its peripheral velocity. In the presence of resistance or loading, the system has motion, characterized by the requirement of pre-rotation exhibiting maximum power output and a terminal state. The points of equilibrium and operational thresholds of the motion are discussed, accompanied by a theoretical model of the presented dynamical system. The presented angular propulsion theory is then utilized to provide better understanding of phenomena taking place in vortex tubes.