Analytical solutions of laminar swirl decay in a straight pipe

In this work, the laminar swirl flow in a straight pipe is revisited and solved analytically by using prescribed axial flow velocity profiles. Based on two axial velocity profiles, namely a slug flow and a developed parabolic velocity profiles, the swirl velocity equation is solved by the separation of variable technique for a rather general inlet swirl velocity distribution, which includes a forced vortex in the core and a free vortex near the wall. The solutions are expressed by the Bessel function for the slug flow and by the generalized Laguerre function for the developed parabolic velocity. Numerical examples are calculated and plotted for different combinations of influential parameters. The effects of the Reynolds number, the pipe axial distance, and the inlet swirl profiles on the swirl velocity distribution and the swirl decay are analyzed. The current results offer analytical equations to estimate the decay rate and the outlet swirl intensity and velocity distribution for the design of swirl flow devices.

► Analytical solutions for laminar swirl flow in a straight pipe.
► Solutions were given by the Bessel and generalized Laguerre functions.
► Flow Reynolds number greatly influences swirl decay.
► Inlet swirl profiles affect swirl decay.