Pressure Drop Characteristics Research Articles

Numerical study on a new adjustable multi-hole throttling device for natural gas flooding

Natural gas flooding represents a significant technique for the enhancement of oil recovery, thereby facilitating the efficient utilization of oil and gas resources. In the injection and production system, the throttling gas nozzle is a key component that adjust the injection pressure according to the reservoir’s pressure. However, current throttling gas nozzles utilize a fixed structure, which presents a challenge in achieving online control of flow rate and pressure drop. Therefore, a new adjustable multi-hole throttling device was proposed in this paper, allowing for the regulation of pressure loss by changing the number of flowing holes. In order to gain insight into the operational principles and pressure drop characteristics of this new throttling device, the SST k-ω turbulence model and the NIST physical property model were employed to simulate the supercritical natural gas flow in the nozzle. The results demonstrate that there is an uneven distribution of velocity between the channels of the downhole multi-hole throttling device. The velocity in a single nozzle channel exhibits a trend of initially increasing rapidly and then decreasing, while the pressure exhibits an initial decrease, which is then followed by a slight increase. The pressure drops of the nozzle under different flow rates and flowing hole numbers were acquired, revealing that the pressure drop of the multi-hole throttling device is inversely proportional to the number of holes. The adjustment accuracy of pressure drop and flow rate is higher when the number of holes is between 4 and 6. However, a significant increase in pressure drop occurs when the number of holes is less than 3, resulting in poorer regulation accuracy. Furthermore, a pressure drop prediction model was developed based on the numerical results, which provides guidance for the application and design of the throttling device. In this study, a new natural gas flooding throttling device is proposed, offering a new approach for downhole equipment development. Additionally, this research provides guidance for the practical application and iterative improvement of this throttling device in future use.

Evaluation of extra-corporeal membrane oxygenator cannulae in pulsatile and non-pulsatile pediatric mock circuits.

This study evaluated the hemodynamic performance of arterial and venous cannulae in a compliant pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) mock circuit in pulsatile and non-pulsatile flow conditions. The ECMO setup consisted of an oxygenator, diagonal pump, and standardized-length arterial/venous tubing with pressure transducers. A validated left-heart mock loop was adapted to simulate pediatric conditions. The pulsatile flow was driven by a computer-controlled piston pump set at 120 bpm. A roller pump was used for non-pulsatile conditions. The circuit was primed with 40% glycerol-based solution. The cardiac output was set to 1 L/min and the aortic pressure to 40-50 mmHg. Four arterial cannulae (8Fr, 10Fr, 12Fr, 14Fr) and five venous cannulae (12Fr, 14Fr, 16Fr, 18Fr, 20Fr) (Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) were tested at increasing flow rate in 12 combinations. The pulsatile condition required lower ECMO pump speeds for all cannulae combinations at a given flow rate, inducing a significantly smaller increase of flow in the mock loop. Under non-pulsatile conditions, the aortic and arterial pressures in the cannulae were higher (p < 0.01) while no significant differences in pressure drop and pressure-flow characteristics (M-number) were observed. The total hemodynamic energy was higher in case of non-pulsatile flow (p < 0.01). Under non-pulsatile conditions, the system was characterized by overall higher pressures, resulting in higher support to the patient. The consequent increase of potential energy compensates for increases of kinetic energy, leading to a higher total hemodynamic energy. Pressure gradients and M number are independent of the testing conditions. Pulsatile testing conditions led to more physiological testing conditions, and it is recommended for ECMO testing.

Computational and experimental analyses of pressure drop in curved tube structural sections of Coriolis mass flow metre for laminar flow region

ABSTRACT This research presents a comprehensive investigation into the computational and experimental aspects of pressure drop phenomena within the curved tube structures. Mass flow measurement holds critical significance in process industries to mitigate inaccuracies arising from fluid property variations. The CMFM stands as a reliable instrument for direct measurement; however, its performance has exhibited discrepancies, recording lower fluid flow magnitudes than actual values in laminar flow conditions. This anomaly is suspected to be attributable to a secondary force generated within the sensor's curved tube structure. This study seeks to elucidate this phenomenon by assessing the pressure drop resulting from the secondary flow in four distinct curved tube configurations: U, Omega, Delta, and Diamond shapes under steady-state conditions. The paper underscores the pressure drop characteristics inherent in each tube structure configuration, revealing that Basic U and Omega shaped tube structures exhibit the least pressure drop.

Design correlations for a novel enhanced compact heat exchanger with offset circular fins

A novel core geometry for compact heat exchangers, termed “circular offset fins (cOF)”, is proposed and experimentally investigated in the present work. This core design resembles the well-known offset strip fins used in efficient compact heat exchangers, with a key difference that instead of having rectangular fluid flow passages between deflections, this design features circular paths, resulting in fins with semicircular profiles. An experimental study examined heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics for five different core geometries. These geometries varied in passage diameters, lengths, and degrees of obstruction. The experiments were carried out over Reynolds numbers ranging from 500 to 3000 at different core wall temperatures. Data was analyzed using Kays and London's steady-state steam-to-air heat transfer technique to determine the empirical Colburn factor. The empirical Fanning friction factors for these geometries were also obtained. The asymptotic behavior of the Colburn and Fanning friction factor data allowed for the development of correlations in the function of Reynolds number and geometry dimensionless parameters. The proposed correlations predict data within ±6 % and ±8 %, respectively. The impact of different geometric parameters on core performance was assessed using the Colburn and Fanning friction factors, as well as area and volume goodness factors, and compared to rectangular offset strip fins. Direct comparisons showed that circular offset fins consistently exhibited a lower friction factor than rectangular fins. Although its Colburn factor was lower than rectangular fins up to a Reynolds number of 2000, circular fins it surpassed that of rectangular fins beyond this point. For the area goodness factor, their performance was comparable at a Reynolds number of 500, with circular fins outperforming after this point, achieving a 1.8-fold advantage at a Reynolds number of 3000. In terms of the volume goodness factor, both types of fins performed similarly up to a Reynolds number of 1000. Beyond this threshold, circular offset fins demonstrated a 1.3-fold improvement at a Reynolds number of 3000, underscoring the potential of the novel core geometry for compact heat exchanger applications.

Investigation of diesel particulate filter performance under typical failure conditions

Diesel particulate filter (DPF) is one of the most effective particulate reduction components in diesel engine aftertreatment systems. However, prolonged utilization of a DPF might result in a deterioration in performance or even failure, such as ash-clogging, melting, breakage, and catalyst deactivation. It is crucial to conduct research on DPF performance degradation across a series of partially failed conditions. In this study, the morphology and chemical composition of the ash in the DPF samples were characterized. The effects of degree-varying clogging and unplugged-breakage failure on exhaust characteristics as well as DPF temperature, filtration and pressure drop characteristics were investigated. Finally, the sensitivity differences between DPF performance parameters and failure index parameters were examined using a canonical correlation analysis (CCA). When four factors were considered, the ash loading index and breakage index had the greatest impact on DPF temperature difference and filtration efficiency, while the exhaust mass flow rate had the greatest impact on pressure drop. Besides, the influence of the DPF inlet temperature on the pressure drop, filtration efficiency, and temperature difference was not significant. These findings contribute to the prediction of DPF performance in partially failed conditions and the development of DPF failure diagnosis methods.

Process Intensification of Gas–Liquid Separations Using Packed Beds: A Review

The gas–liquid multiphase process plays a crucial role in the chemical industry, and the utilization of packed beds enhances separation efficiency by increasing the contact area and promoting effective gas–liquid interaction during the separation process. This paper primarily reviews the progress from fundamental research to practical application of gas–liquid multiphase processes in packed bed reactors, focusing on advancements in fluid mechanics (flow patterns, liquid holdup, and pressure drop) and the mechanisms governing gas–liquid interactions within these reactors. Firstly, we present an overview of recent developments in understanding gas–liquid flow patterns; subsequently we summarize liquid holdup and pressure drop characteristics within packed beds. Furthermore, we analyze the underlying mechanisms involved in bubble breakup and coalescence phenomena occurring during continuous flow of gas–liquid dispersions, providing insights for reactor design and operation strategies. Finally, we summarize applications of packed bed reactors in carbon dioxide absorption, chemical reactions, and wastewater treatment while offering future perspectives. These findings serve as valuable references for optimizing gas–liquid separation processes.

Experimental study on pressure drop and ice blockage characteristics of ice slurry flow in big-diameter pipes

Ice slurry utilization in district cooling brings about attractive reduction in both the storage volume and transportation power of the cold thermal energy. However, the ice slurry flow characteristics, particularly in big-diameter pipes, remains unclear, hindering the application of ice slurry in large-scale district cooling systems. This paper prepared the ice slurry from pure water without any additives to experimentally study its flow characteristics in big-diameter pipes, including DN50, DN80, DN100 and DN190 pipes. The normalized pressure drops and friction factors have been obtained at various velocities and ice fractions. Generally, the pressure drop characteristics did not conform to the Blasius correlation which could predict the single-phase flow until the Reynolds number exceeded a certain threshold, known as the transition Reynolds number. The transition Reynolds numbers were in the range of 3.91 × 104–6.77 × 104 depending on the ice volume fractions ranging from 5% to 21% in the present study. Some visualization measures have been employed to help to observe the flow pattern and confirm the occurrence of ice blockage which was found nowhere but in the branches and expansion. The ice blockage occurred intermittently in the branches, whereas it was irreversible in the expansion. The critical velocity at which the ice blockage began to occur was quantitatively determined, which increased with increasing the ice volume fraction. This study provides a guide for evaluating the pump power and transportation safety of the ice slurry flow in big-diameter pipes.

Evaluating the Thermal Performance of Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchangers: The Role of Flow Rate in Water-Based Systems

This research investigates the performance of water as a working fluid in the shell side of shell-and-tube heat exchangers (STHEs), explicitly analyzing how variations in flow rate influence the heat transfer coefficient, pressure drop, and friction factor characteristics. Experiments were conducted using an STHE with a SUS 201 stainless steel shell and a pure copper tube featuring an inner diameter of 10 mm and an outer diameter of 13 mm. The flow rates of the cold fluid varied at 9, 10, and 12 liters per minute (LPM), while the hot fluid flow was maintained at a constant rate of 6.67 LPM. A 600 W heater, regulated by a PID system, was utilized to evaluate thermal performance, with water serving as the hot fluid on the shell side and the cold fluid on the tube side. Results demonstrate a significant increase in both the heat transfer coefficient and the heat transfer rate with higher flow rates of the cold fluid, with the maximum heat transfer coefficient recorded at 12 LPM and the minimum at 9 LPM. The STHE exhibited high efficiency, with heat transfer rate differences between the shell and tube sides remaining below 5%. Although pressure fluctuations were observed with increasing flow rates, they did not substantially affect the friction factor, indicating a predominantly turbulent flow regime. These findings provide critical insights for optimizing heat transfer performance in STHEs, contributing to advancements in thermal management technologies and enhancing the design of efficient heat exchangers.

Study on the Equivalent Density Tool and Depressurisation Mechanism of Suction-Type Depressurisation Cycle

In order to further regulate equivalent circulating density (ECD), a novel downhole apparatus for reducing circulating pressure in high-temperature and high-pressure wells, the suction-type ECD reduction tool, was devised. The utilisation of this tool enables the bottomhole pressure of the equivalent circulating density to be attained in close proximity to its hydrostatic pressure, thereby facilitating the attainment of deeper drilling depths. The tool is composed primarily of a screw motor, scroll blades, annular seals, universal joints, and drilling columns. The tool operates by utilising the suction effect and hydraulic energy extracted from the circulating fluid by the screw motor, which is then converted into mechanical energy to create suction and enhance the flow energy of the drilling fluid within the annulus at the bottom of the well, thereby reducing the equivalent circulating density. Furthermore, based on ANSYS-FLUENT analysis simulations, the alteration of pressure drop characteristics in response to varying drilling fluid densities, displacements, and tool sizes was modelled. The simulation results demonstrate that the pressure drop effect is 1.0 MPa when the drilling fluid density is 1.2 g/cm3, 1.7 MPa when the drilling fluid density is 1.5 g/cm3, and 1.9 MPa when the drilling fluid density is 1.8 g/cm3. A pressure drop of approximately 2.3 MPa was observed when the drilling fluid density was 2.0 g/cm3. The maximum pressure drop is achievable with a flow rate ranging from 1500 to 2500 L/min. A maximum pressure drop of 2.3 MPa is observed when the flow rate is within the range of 1500 to 2500 L/min. Two distinct viscosity values (0.02 and 0.06 kg/(m·s)) were employed to assess the impact of viscosity on pressure drop characteristics in a suction-type ECD tool. The results demonstrated that the pressure drop remained largely unaltered, indicating that viscosity had minimal influence on this parameter. The flow rate emerged as the primary factor affecting pressure drop, with viscosity exerting a relatively minor effect.

Experimental investigation of the pressure drop of CO2 flow at supercritical pressures in a heated 4 mm smooth pipe with different orientations

The application of supercritical fluids as an alternative heat transfer medium in thermal processes is becoming increasingly important, whereby the understanding of their pressure drop characteristics is essential for the process and component design. With a total of 96 experiments, this publication shows a systematic analysis of the pressure drop of CO2 flow at supercritical pressures in a heated smooth pipe with an inner diameter of 4 mm, at a pressure of 7.75 MPa, mass fluxes up to 2000 kg/m2s and heat fluxes up to 235 kW/m2. The hydrostatic pressure drop accounts for between 4 % and 24 % of the total pressure drop and the pressure drop due to flow acceleration for between 12 % and 30 %, with the frictional pressure drop accounting for the largest percentage. It was found that the Filonenko correlation can predict the pipe friction pressure drop in the investigated parameter range with a mean absolute deviation of 7 %.

Experimental investigation on pressure drop characteristics of adiabatic two-phase flow in a Gyroid-structured channel

Recent advancements in additive manufacturing techniques have enabled the fabrication of intricate structures. Among these structures, triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMSs) such as the gyroid, are particularly promising for heat and mass transfer applications owing to their higher surface area to volume ratios compared to conventional structures such as heat exchangers. This study experimentally investigates the pressure drop characteristics of single- and two-phase flows in a gyroid-structured channel under adiabatic conditions. In particular, using an additively manufactured test section with a gyroid-structured channel, the pressure drop characteristics of both single- and two-phase flows are analyzed. The results ofsingle-phase flow experiments reveal that the friction factor depends on the hydraulic diameter, which is defined by the internal volume and surface area of the channel. This suggests that in addition to the hydraulic diameter, other parameters such as porosity and wall thickness must also be considered. Subsequently, the two-phase pressure drop predictions of homogeneous and separated models are compared with the pressure drop data obtained from two-phase flow experiments. The results reveal that gas–liquid separation must be considered to accurately predict the pressure drop in regions influenced by gravitational effects. Furthermore, correlations for predicting the pressure drops both single- and two-phase flows within the operating constraints are proposed.

Evolution law of flow characteristics for straight pipeline after leaking

Aiming at the leakage problem of the fluid loop system for the thermal control system of spacecraft caused by the impact of micro-meteoroid and orbital debris, we investigate the dependence of the leak rate, pressure drop and flow characteristics before and after leaking on leak position, inlet pressure, and leaking aperture, calculated in a straight pipeline with single leakage, using stationary and transient three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics simulations with commercial software (FLUENT). The working fluid adopts single-phase water without gravity. It is found that the pressure increases obviously near the leak point, which is caused by the local peak of pressure. As the length between the leak point and the inlet becomes larger, the local peak of pressure and the dimensionless leak rate are smaller. When the inlet pressure increases, the leaked mass flow rate increases; however, the ratio of the leaked flow rate to inlet flow rate decreases. Furthermore, it is observed that the dependence of dimensionless leaking rate on dimensionless leaking aperture has a scaling relation with the scaling exponent approximating to 2, which may be related to the proportion of the vortex formed by the backward flow at the leak hole, the amplitude, and the affected length along the pipe of the local peak of pressure. This study is instructive and meaningful to the leak detection and plugging of fluid loop in space.

Numerical study of heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics in helical tubes based on OpenFOAM

Due to the structural characteristics of the helical tube, centrifugal force complicates the flow boiling phenomenon inside the tube. How to accurately describe and predict the parameter distributions involved in helical tube flow and heat transfer is a concern for scientists. Based on the OpenFOAM, this paper combines the wall boiling model, the interphase model, other closed models with the Eulerian two-fluid model, analysed changes of void fraction, surface heat transfer coefficient, pressure drop with working conditions in the single-phase to nuclear boiling section in the tube. The results show that this solver and the corresponding empirical relational model have the ability to accurately simulate the boiling of the flow in helical tube; In nuclear boiling section at the working conditions of P=4–8 MPa, q = 200–350 kW/m2, Re = 66827–89103, The degree of gas-phase buildup near the inner wall surface of the spiral tube decreases with the increase of Re number, increases with the increase of heat flux and pressure, and the ratio of friction pressure drop to total pressure drop decreases with the increase of Re number, heat flux, and pressure by a maximum of 1.4 %, 4.26 %, and 17.35 %. This paper can provide a reference for adding new models and developing new solvers in the OpenFOAM to simulate boiling in helical tube flows.

Effect of ash-bridge deposition in asymmetric diesel particulate filter channels on the pressure drop and particulate matter trapping characteristics

A diesel particulate filter (DPF) is commonly used to trap particulate matter (PM). The collapse and sintering of carbon and ash deposits during exhaust gas flow and DPF regeneration frequently result in the formation of ash bridges, which are buildups of ash and PM that clog the filter channels. To investigate the impact of an ash bridge formed by accumulated ash on the pressure drop and PM trapping characteristics of asymmetric DPFs, an asymmetric DPF channel with an ash bridge was constructed. The analysis employed computational fluid dynamics to examine how the ash bridge affects the pressure drop and PM trapping characteristics in an asymmetric DPF. This study reveals that the asymmetric DPF design effectively enhances the ash-holding capacity, thereby mitigating the risk of channel blockage. The presence of ash bridges in DPF channels has a more substantial impact on the pressure drop through radial congestion than through axial congestion. The application of asymmetric thin-wall DPFs can counteract the increase in exhaust backpressure caused by ash bridges. An ash bridge located in the middle of a DPF channel intensifies the uneven deposition of PM. However, implementing an asymmetric DPF structure enhances the uniformity of PM deposition.

Hybrid nanocomposites impact on heat transfer efficiency and pressure drop in turbulent flow systems: application of numerical and machine learning insights

This research explores the feasibility of using a nanocomposite from multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) for thermal engineering applications. The hybrid nanocomposites were suspended in water at various volumetric concentrations. Their heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics were analyzed using computational fluid dynamics and artificial neural network models. The study examined flow regimes with Reynolds numbers between 5000 and 17,000, inlet fluid temperatures ranging from 293.15 to 333.15 K, and concentrations from 0.01 to 0.2% by volume. The numerical results were validated against empirical correlations for heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop, showing an acceptable average error. The findings revealed that the heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop increased significantly with higher inlet temperatures and concentrations, achieving approximately 45.22% and 452.90%, respectively. These results suggested that MWCNTs-GNPs nanocomposites hold promise for enhancing the performance of thermal systems, offering a potential pathway for developing and optimizing advanced thermal engineering solutions.

Numerical investigation of heat transfer performance and flows characteristics in turbine blade internal cooling using Pin-Fin arrays coupled with discontinuous ribbed endwall

In the scientific domain of cooling techniques research utilizing pin-fins, a number of studies have concentrated on the configurations of pin-fins. However, recent investigations have shifted their focus towards the optimization of endwalls. The objective of this optimization is to better control and maintain vortices, which in turn leads to an increase in heat transfer near the endwall. Further research has taken this a step further by optimizing the lower and upper walls of the unadorned heated channel, resulting in a significant boost in heat transfer efficiency. These studies have also led to the discovery of new heat transfer properties and alterations in the flow structure. This research unveils the findings from an examination into the flow field and heat transfer properties of pin–fin arrays featuring a ribbed endwall, specifically referred to as a Discontinuous Ribbed Endwall (DRE). The investigations are executed using Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations with the k-ω turbulence model at the mesh parameter of the 20.4 million mesh model is used throughout the work. The study involves a numerical investigation of the heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of the channel, comparing them with the case of flat endwall across a range of inlet Reynolds numbers, spanning from 7400 to 36000. The entire section of the heated channel is divided into 7 upper surfaces, 7 lower surfaces, and cylindrical surfaces to comprehensively investigate the heat transfer characteristics of both pin-fins and endwalls. The results reveal that the heat transfer regions at the pin-fins and endwalls are expanded and significantly enhanced, particularly causing notable alterations in the flow structure and velocity field. However, the coefficient of friction also increases. The Area-averaged Nusselt Number (Nu¯) and the Heat Transfer Efficiency Index (HTEI) improves from 42.99% to 88.65% and from 36.81% to 73.66% for the DRE compared to the case of flat endwall across the entire range of Reynolds numbers. With Reynolds number 21500, when varying the height parameter of the DRE, the maximum value of the HTEI improves by 84.13%. Other geometric parameters of the DRE, including forward width, behind width, left width, streamwise position, and left position, also undergo changes, with the maximum values of HTEI improving by 73.76%, 75.35%, 80.60%, 75.41% and 74.16%, respectively.

Effect of the Tesla Valve on the heat transfer performance and the suppression of pressure drop oscillation in a liquid cooling loop

The suppression of pressure drop oscillation within a liquid cooling loop is necessary to maintain the system stability and develop a steady heat transfer performance. The Tesla Valve is proposed as a means of eliminating this instability by suppressing the backward flow, which in turn facilitates a stable heat transfer process. The steady-state analysis is performed to identify the conditions that would induce flow instability. The calculated results indicate that the flow instability will appear when the heat flux (q) reaches a threshold value of 28 W/cm2. Furthermore, the impact of the Tesla Valve on the suppression of instability and the heat transfer coefficient is revealed by comparison with the dynamic features observed in a common liquid cooling loop. Two flow instability regimes, with and without backflow, are observed in the common liquid cooling loop. In the case of the former instability, a violent fluctuation in both the inlet temperature and the heat transfer coefficient is captured. This phenomenon can be effectively eradicated by the Tesla Valve. In the latter instability regime, the hydrodynamic characteristics of pressure drop remain significantly oscillatory, while the heat transfer performance returns stable. Furthermore, this specific form of instability cannot be eliminated by the prototype I of Tesla Valve when q ≥ 30.4 W/cm2. In addition, the liquid cooling loop with prototype III displays a superior heat transfer performance, yet results in an additional pressure drop of 8.1 kPa in comparison to prototype II. To assess the suppression mechanism and efficiency, the Suppression Factor (Fs) and Coefficient of Suppression Performance (Fc) are proposed. It can be found that the pressure drop oscillation instability can be thoroughly suppressed by the Tesla Valve when Fs > 1. Meanwhile, the greater the Fc, the more effective the suppression performance. However, the incorporation of the Tesla Valve shows a negligible effect on the heat transfer performance in the two-phase region.

Numerical investigation on heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of Micro-Pillar array surface

The array surface structure can improve heat transfer efficiency and achieve large heat transfer area per unit of volume. In this study, a numerical simulation using CFD method was carried out to construct a dual-channel three-dimensional mathematical model with micro-pillar array surface. The characteristic of heat transfer and flow resistance for the arrayed surface structure have been studied. In addition, four different array configurations, including cylindrical, elliptical, quadrangular and herringbone, were considered to compare the thermal performance and flow behavior. The configuration with the best overall performance was obtained as cylindrical by comparison. The effects of different heights, arrangement methods and pitches on the system performance were analyzed. The velocity distribution on the array surface was also obtained. It is found that the cylindrical array structure has obvious advantages in overall performance, with more uniform surface velocity distribution and better overall performance at lower Re conditions.

Experimental study on the pressure drop of helium purge gas in particle crushing pebble beds

The solid breeder blanket is a critical component in fusion reactor, where helium purge gas flows through the solid breeder pebble bed to carry out the tritium generated during the fusion process. The flow pressure drop of helium purge gas within the breeder pebble bed is a significant parameter affecting the design of the tritium extraction system. Previous studies have indicated that the helium flow in the breeder pebble bed conforms to the theory of porous media flow. However, due to potential pebble breakage during the plasma operation, the pressure drop characteristics of the helium flow in breeder pebble bed may change as the void structure changes. The objective of this study is to measure the variation in flow pressure drop of the breeder pebble bed under different pebble crushing conditions. The flow pressure drops of intact beds (Alumina, diameter 1-1.2 mm) and four groups with different pebble breakage rates (3%, 5%, 7%, 9%) are measured using the pebble bed pressure drop test facility. The following results are obtained through experimental research: (1) The Ergun equation, Foumeny equation, and Reichelt equation can all reasonably match the experimental results of intact pebble beds; (2) The pressure drop across the pebble bed increases with the increase in pebble breakage rate, reaching approximately 1.6 times that of the intact bed at a 9% breakage rate; (3) A correlation for predicting the pressure drop of the broken pebble bed is established by introducing the pebble breakage rate (η) into the Ergun equation, which can be used to determine the pressure drop variation within a conservative range of breakage rates.

Heat transfer characteristics of printed circuit heat exchangers under mechanical vibrations

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of mechanical vibration on the heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of semicircular channel printed circuit heat exchangers (PCHEs), while also establishing correlations between vibration parameters and thermal performance.Design/methodology/approachBy combining experimental and numerical simulation methods, the heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop characteristics of supercritical carbon dioxide (S-CO2) in a semicircular channel with a diameter of 2 mm under vibration conditions were studied. Reinforce the research by conducting computational fluid dynamics studies using ANSYS Fluent 22.0, the experimental results were compared with the numerical simulation results to verify the accuracy of the numerical method.FindingsThe use of vibration has the potential to attenuate the degradation of wall heat transfer caused by buoyancy-induced PCHEs on the upward-facing surface. The heat transfer enhancement (HTE) was maximized by an increase of 18.2%, while the pressure drop enhancement (PDE) was elevated by over 25-fold. The capacity to enhance the heat exchange between S-CO2 and channel walls through increasing vibration intensity is limited, indicating maximum effectiveness in improving thermal performance.Originality/valueConducting heat transfer experiments on PCHEs with mechanical vibration enhancement and verifying the accuracy of the vibration numerical model. The relation based on the dimensionless factor is derived. To provide theoretical support for using vibration to enhance the heat transfer capability of PCHEs.