Taylor–Couette vortex flow of ceramic dispersions

Abstract The flow of concentrated ceramic suspensions of silica nanobeads in water in cylindrical Couette flow is investigated using dynamic light scattering velocimetry, and compared to numerical simulations. The onset of Taylor vortices is found to obey Chandrasekhar’s prediction. Moreover, harmonic analysis of the velocity profiles gave an estimate of the size of the bottom layer roll, as well as the signature of the growth of higher order instabilities.