The Energy Stability Limit for Flow in a Curved Channel

The energy stability limit is calculated for flow in a curved channel due to a pressure gradient acting around the channel. The energy limit is found among transverse disturbances and is of the same order for all channel radius ratios. The difference between the previously available linear limit and the energy limit increases dramatically as the instability mechanism changes, with radius ratio, from centrifugal force to viscosity in the limiting plane Poiseuille flow case.