Direct numerical simulation of a forced micro couette flow using DSMC

The direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method is used in a time-dependent manner to simulate three-dimensional micro Couette flows. An artificial forcing that mimics the centrifugal force in the Taylor problem has been applied to the flow. The sampled behaviors of the resulting flow, including the averaged properties and disturbances, are studied. The computations have been performed using a parallel computer cluster. The results presented include those with various channel heights, plate speeds, and the forcing level. These changes also result in changes in the flow Reynolds number and Knudsen number. Spatially coherent flow patterns can be identified in the averaged flow and the disturbance flow fields. The results indicate that the discrete approach can capture unsteady, three-dimensional vortical flow structures. In cases with strong forcing, the disturbance energy spectra show significant content above statistical scatter.