This paper was presented at the 4th Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2014), which was held at University College, London, UK. The conference was organised by Brunel University and supported by the Italian Union of Thermofluiddynamics, IPEM, the Process Intensification Network, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Heat Transfer Society, HEXAG - the Heat Exchange Action Group, and the Energy Institute, ASME Press, LCN London Centre for Nanotechnology, UCL University College London, UCL Engineering, the International NanoScience Community, www.nanopaprika.eu.The moment method is employed to study the characteristics of cylindrical Couette gas flow under rarefied conditions. Computed velocity profiles from the linearised R13 and R26 moment equations are compared with direct simulation Monte Carlo data. It is found that the moment method can extend the macroscopic equations into the early transition regime, but the surface curvature narrows the validity range of the macroscopic models. The slip velocity on the inner and outer cylinder is not equal due to curvature effects and the torque acting on the cylinder wall decreases as the rarefaction becomes stronger
