A Stokes flow problem between two non-concentric cylinders

Extract

The stream function is found for the Stokes flow between two fixed non-concentric cylinders due to a line source and sink symmetrically placed on the outer boundary. The force and couple exerted by the fluid on the inner boundary are determined in finite terms and some numerical values are given for the variation of the force and couple with the separation between the axes. A similar problem has been considered by Rayleigh [1] and also the case when the cylinders are concentric in [2]. The line drawn perpendicular to the line joining the source and sink is a line of antisymmetry for the velocity field and hence also for the pressure distribution. The total force on the cylinder is thus directed parallel to the line joining the source and sink. Some numerical values are given to indicate the variation of the force with the separation of the axes of the cylinders. The perfect liquid problem is also briefly considered to illustrate the contrast in the direction of the force exerted by the fluid on the inner cylinder. Here the velocity field again possesses a line of antisymmetry, giving a symmetrical pressure distribution so that the total force is directed along the line of separation of the cylinders. Some numerical values are given to demonstrate the variation of the force with the separation between the axes. It is assumed that the total circulation in the region is zero.