Linear stability of channel entrance flow

The spatial stability of two dimensional, steady channel flow is investigated in the downstream entry zone for both exponentially and algebraically growing disturbances. A model based on previous work is presented for the base flow which represents a small deformation of plane Poiseuille flow. The base flow evolution towards the fully developed state comes from the experimental and theoretical study of M. Asai and J.M. Floryan [M. Asai, J.M. Floryan, Certain aspects of channel entrance flow, Phys. Fluids 16 (2004) 1160-1163]. This flow is found to be more stable than the parabolic Poiseuille flow. The most destabilizing base flow defect is then calculated using a variational method. The compromise between the destabilizing effect of the defect, which diffuses downstream, and the instability growth is found to be insufficient to provoke transition in the downstream laminar flow.