Self-limiting and regenerative dynamics of perturbation growth on a vortex column

We study the mechanisms of centrifugal instability and its eventual self-limitation, as well as regenerative instability on a vortex column with a circulation overshoot (potentially unstable) via direct numerical simulations of the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. The perturbation vorticity (${\boldsymbol{\omega} }^{\prime } $) dynamics are analysed in cylindrical ($r, \theta , z$) coordinates in the computationally accessible vortex Reynolds number, $\mathit{Re}({\equiv }\mathrm{circulation/viscosity} )$, range of 500–12 500, mostly for the axisymmetric mode (azimuthal wavenumber $m= 0$). Mean strain generates azimuthally oriented vorticity filaments (i.e. filaments with azimuthal vorticity, ${ \omega }_{\theta }^{\prime } $), producing positive Reynolds stress necessary for energy growth. This ${ \omega }_{\theta }^{\prime } $ in turn tilts negative mean axial vorticity, $- {\Omega }_{z} $ (associated with the overshoot), to amplify the filament, thus causing instability. (The initial energy growth rate (${\sigma }_{r} $), peak energy (${G}_{\mathit{max}} $) and time of peak energy (${T}_{p} $) are found to vary algebraically with $\mathit{Re}$.) Limitation of vorticity growth, also energy production, occurs as the filament moves the overshoot outward, hence lessening and shifting $\vert {- }{\Omega }_{z} \vert $, while also transporting the core $+ {\Omega }_{z} $, to the location of the filament. We discover that a basic change in overshoot decay behaviour from viscous to inviscid occurs at $Re\sim 5000$. We also find that the overshoot decay time has an asymptotic limit of 45 turnover times with increasing $\mathit{Re}$. After the limitation, the filament generates negative Reynolds stress, concomitant energy decay and hence self-limitation of growth; these inviscid effects are enhanced further by viscosity. In addition, the filament transports angular momentum radially inward, which can produce a new circulation overshoot and renewed instability. Energy decays at the $\mathit{Re}$ studied, but, at higher $\mathit{Re}$, regenerative growth of energy is likely due to the renewed mean shearing. New generation of overshoot and Reynolds stress is examined using a helical ($m= 1$) perturbation. Regenerative energy growth, possibly resulting in even vortex breakup, can be triggered by this new overshoot at practical $\mathit{Re}$ (${\sim }1{0}^{6} $ for trailing vortices), which are currently beyond the computational capability.