Dynamics of Flow Structures and Transport Phenomena, 2. Relationship with Design Objectives and Design Optimization

Abstract

There have been several approaches in the literature to identify and characterize flow structures qualitatively as well as quantitatively. In the first part of this review, the methodologies and applications of various experimental fluid dynamics and computational fluid dynamics techniques, as well as mathematical techniques, have been discussed. Their chronological developments, and relative merits and demerits, have been presented to allow readers to make a judgment as to which techniques to adopt. In the present part of the review series, a stepwise procedure is suggested for the design of equipment using flow structure knowledge. An attempt has been made to relate the structure properties (such as age, penetration depth, size, shape, and energy content distribution) to the design parameters (such as mixing time, heat- and mass-transfer coefficient, drag coefficient, dissipation rate, etc.). This understanding of flow structures has brought improvements in the formulations of heuristic models of mass and heat transfer. This review makes an effort in developing insights into the views of earlier established analytic and heuristic theories of heat and mass transfer. The recently revealed dynamics of flow structures (as uncovered through the use of various techniques) has helped in furthering the efforts of developing new theories of heat, mass, and momentum transfer. Such an understanding between the structure dynamics and the transport phenomena has helped in the optimization of flow pattern (for instance, maximization of ratios of heat and mass transfer, as well as mixing, with respect to energy input). In this direction, some success stories have been described that have already been implemented in industry and have good potential for implementation.