Flow Optimization in the Princeton MRI Experiment and Zonal Flow Generation in HTX

The Princeton Magneto-Rotational Instability (MRI) experiment and the Hydrodynamic Turbulence Experiment (HTX) are a pair of modified Taylor-Couette devices which explore rotating magnetohydrodynamic and hydrodynamic flows. The Princeton MRI experiment uses a GaInSn working fluid and was designed to study the MRI, which is believed to be the mechanism responsible for the rapid accretion rate observed in some magnetized accretion disks. The experiment utilizes ultrasound Doppler velocimetry to measure velocity profiles and a newly installed suite of hall sensors on the inner and outer cylinders to characterize the magnetic field. Results are presented from experiments which seek to optimize the flow by varying the inner ring speed for a given magnetic field strength. In HTX, we explore the generation of zonal flows from turbulence by flow jets with water as the working fluid. Laser Doppler velocimetry is used to measure the mean and fluctuating velocity. The generation of anisotropic mean flow by means of beta plane turbulence is investigated through the use of a sloped end-cap. The impact of varying the end cap slope, fluid height and jet flow rate will be discussed.