Published online by Cambridge University Press: 20 April 2006
The interfacial shape of two immiscible simple fluids in a vertical cylinder which oscillates about its axis is investigated using the theory of domain perturbations. The perturbation stresses are expressed by integrals over the history of the deformation. At first order the azimuthal velocity field satisfies the requirements of continuity in velocity and shear stresses across the interface. At second order the solution consists of a mean part and a time-periodic part varying at twice the frequency of the cylinder. The mean problem is inverted for the mean secondary flow, pressure and interfacial shape. Experimental data for two polymeric oils (TLA227 and STP) show qualitative agreement with theoretical predictions for the mean interfacial shapes.