Liquid Vortex Formation in a Swirling Container Considering Fractional Time Derivative of Caputo

Abstract

This paper applies fractional calculus to a practical example in fluid mechanics, illustrating its impact beyond traditional integer order calculus. We focus on the classic problem of a rigid body rotating within a uniformly rotating container, which generates a liquid vortex from an undisturbed initial state. Our aim is to compare the time evolutions of the physical system in fractional and integer order models by examining the torque transmission from the rotating body to the surrounding liquid. This is achieved through closed-form, time-developing solutions expressed in terms of Mittag–Leffler and Bessel functions. Analysis reveals that the rotational velocity and, consequently, the vortex structure of the liquid are influenced by three distinct time zones that differ between integer and noninteger models. Anomalous diffusion, favoring noninteger fractions, dominates at early times but gradually gives way to the integer derivative model behavior as time progresses through a transitional regime. Our derived vortex formula clearly demonstrates how the liquid vortex is regulated in time for each considered fractional model.