Cylindrical Container Research Articles

Nonlinear liquid sloshing dynamics in upright circular cylindrical containers with FSI effects: Post-processing of conventional finite element solutions by digital filters

In this work we present a robust finite element procedure for modeling 3D nonlinear liquid sloshing phenomena using standard potential theory. A well known issue in simulating inviscid free-surface flows is an onset of spurious oscillations (“saw-tooth”) caused by numerical instabilities. Here we demonstrate that a novel post-processing procedure, based on the Savitzky–Golay filtering algorithm allows us to overcome this challenge. It is shown that unphysical numerical oscillations are smoothed out and nodal free-surface position along with velocity values are accurately recovered from conventional finite element analysis. Sloshing dynamics (limited to non-overlapping waves) is investigated for a partially filled vertical circular cylinder subjected to a broad range of harmonic and ElCentro seismic excitations. The results compare well with those obtained with finite volume OpenFOAM software. One-way coupling FSI analysis is also included to estimate stress and deflection experienced by cylindrical containers.

Novel Lightweight Loop Heat Pipe Radiator for High-Power Space Systems

High-power space systems reject a large amounts of waste heat via medium- or high-temperature radiators. For this application, the heat pipe radiator is desired for its simplicity, efficiency, and reliability. It is commonly composed of cylindrical heat pipes and planar fins. Although typically made of advanced materials with low density and high thermal conductivity, the pipe–fin combination suffers from a series of drawbacks, such as large thermal resistance in component joints, thermal expansion rate incompatibility, and high acquisition cost. This study innovates the heat pipe radiator configuration by developing an all-metal loop heat pipe (LHP) radiator. The evaporator and compensation chamber are formed in a cylindrical container with traditional sintered wick layers and a plug. The LHP applies dozens of parallel capillaries arranged in two planar arrays as condensers to spread heat to radiating panels, realizing lightweightness and efficient heat transfer. A theoretical study was performed to analyze the nonuniform liquid–vapor distribution in multicondenser lines. Experimental studies were carried out to investigate startup performance, quasi-steady-state operation, and temperature hysteresis. The proposed design is proven to be capable of fulfilling the heat rejection requirement of space systems and exhibits technical benefits over existing ones.

Improving radio frequency heating uniformity in peanuts: Effects of packaging geometry, electrode gap, particle size and interlayer displacement process

This study aimed to assess the impact of various processing parameters including electrode gap, packaging geometry, and particle size on the heating efficiency of radio frequency (RF) processing for peanut thermal decontamination. In addition, interlayer displacements were presented to evaluate the effect of the mixing on heating uniformity.Experimental studies were carried out using 3D-printed polylactic acid (PLA) containers (square, rectangular, and cylindrical) to place the peanut samples with particle sizes ranging from 0.71 to 2.00 mm at 100–140 mm electrode gaps. Temperature changes within the samples were monitored using fiber optic sensors and surface temperature distributions were determined with an infrared camera. Heating uniformity index (λ) was then calculated to assess the effects of RF processing conditions on RF heating uniformity.Results showed that the cylindrical container exhibited a more consistent and uniform heating profile (λ = 0.12) with 1.58 °C min−1 heating rate compared to other containers, and a single interlayer displacement between top and bottom layers further improved temperature distribution uniformity. Smaller particle sizes also led to faster heating rates from 1.71 to 1.55 °C min−1 with more uniform heating due to the reduced porosity within the particles with increased thermal conduction and electromagnetic energy absorption. This study presented valuable insights for developing an effective RF process as an alternative to conventional thermal treatments for decontamination of low-moisture, high-fat particulate foods. Industrial significanceThis research presented an innovative approach applying RF heating for a possible decontamination process for peanut samples. The research tackled the growing worldwide consumer demand for food products to satisfy food safety regulations while peanuts were selected to demonstrate the process effect due to the recent food safety issues in peanut butter considering that a pre-process for decontamination would lead to a decrease in the resulting safety issues.

Effect of flow behavior index of CMC solutions on heat transfer and fluid flow in a cylindrical can

AbstractThe objective of this study was to investigate the impact of the flow behavior index (n) on heat transfer and fluid flow in carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) solutions during the thermal process within a cylindrical container. The study employed a numerical model based on the finite element method to solve the governing equations for mass, momentum, and energy conservation. Four different values of n were considered, ranging from 0.25 to 1, representing varying degrees of non‐Newtonian behavior. The results revealed that this index significantly influenced the apparent viscosity of the fluid, subsequently affecting the fluid flow patterns and heat transfer. Specifically, the n = 0.25 fluid exhibited a notably higher Grashof number (GR) and velocity compared to the n = 1 fluid. The average GR for the n = 0.25 fluid was ~2300 times larger than that of the n = 1 fluid, while the average velocity for the n = 0.25 fluid was ~37 times higher. In addition, the study identified the presence of secondary flow in the CMC solution with n = 0.25, which enhanced fluid mixing and heat transfer. Notably, the slowest heating zone for the n = 1 fluid remained fixed at the mid‐height of the can, whereas for the n = 0.25 fluid, it continuously shifted and contracted, ultimately settling at the 10% height from the bottom of the can. These findings underscore the critical importance of considering the non‐Newtonian characteristics of the fluid and convective flow during heat transfer processes in product applications.Practical applicationsThe study investigates the impact of flow behavior indices of the CMC solution on heat transfer and fluid dynamics within cylindrical containers. By examining parameters such as concentration, temperature, and heating duration, the researcher aims to optimize thermal processing for liquid food products containing thickening agents, such as sauces, soups, or dairy items. These findings significantly contribute to ensuring the safety, quality, and nutritional value of diverse liquid food products. Moreover, the study's insights may lead to energy savings and reduced environmental impact by minimizing heating time and temperature during thermal processing. In summary, this research bridges scientific understanding with practical applications, benefiting both consumers and the environment.

Effect of cross-flow on heat and mass transfer rates at the outer surface of a spiral tube placed in a cylindrical container and possible application in heat exchanger/reactor design

This research investigates the effect of cross-flow on heat and mass transfer rates at the outer surface of a spiral tube placed in a cylindrical container and its potential application in heat exchanger/reactor design. The study evaluates various parameters such as solution velocity, spiral tube diameter, and pitch through electrochemical methods under laminar flow conditions. Results indicate that the mass transfer coefficient increases with rising solution velocity but decreases with larger spiral tube diameters and pitches. A dimensionless equation is proposed to correlate the mass transfer data for a single spiral tube, which proves valuable for designing and scaling up heat exchanger/reactor systems. The research also highlights the dual functionality of the spiral tube, with the outer surface serving as a catalyst support for an exothermic, diffusion-controlled liquid-solid reaction, while the inner surface acts as a cooler, efficiently absorbing heat generated on the outer surface. The study explores the application of this novel reactor design for heat-sensitive materials and processes requiring swift cooling, such as immobilized cell or enzyme biochemical reactions. The findings contribute to enhancing reactor productivity and achieving high selectivity and yield in electro-organic synthesis.

ESTUDIO COMPARATIVO DEL FACTOR DE EMPAQUETAMIENTO MEDIANTE SOFTWARES DE ELEMENTOS DISCRETOS

This paper performs a study of the Packing Fraction (PF) in different commercial DEM (Discrete Element Method) software. For this purpose, the influence of different geometrical and particle characteristic parameters on the PF by filling a cylindrical container are analyzed. The simulation software used are DigiDEM, DigiPac and StarCCM+. Simulations are performed to compare the simulation time and verification of results; the influence of increasing the particle diameter in the same container, the influence of increasing the particle diameter and the container in proportion, the influence of increasing the h/d ratio in cylindrical particles "pellets" and the influence of decreasing the h/d ratio in cylindrical particles "disks".

Unravelling the existence of asymmetric bubbles in viscoelastic fluids

We study the motion and deformation of a single bubble rising inside a cylindrical container filled with a viscoelastic material. We solve numerically the mass and momentum balances along with the constitutive equation for the viscoelastic stresses, without assuming axial symmetry to allow the growth of three-dimensional disturbances. Hence, we may predict the emergence of the notorious knife-edge shape of the bubble, which is a result of a purely elastic instability triggered in the locality of the trailing edge. Our results compare well with existing experiments. We visualize, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, the flow kinematics and dynamics that arise downstream of the bubble. We propose two quantities, one kinematical and one geometrical, for the determination of the onset of the instability. We demonstrate that extension-rate thinning in the constitutive law is necessary for the emergence of the instability. Moreover, our results indicate that increasing (a) the deformability of the bubble and (b) the initial extension rate hardening of the viscoelastic material, prior to thinning, triggers the instability earlier. These novel findings help us formulate and propose a mechanism that controls the onset of the instability and explain why the knife-edge shape is not encountered as frequently.

Non-Electrically Driven Acoustic Actuator

Nuclear power plants have high radiation levels and humans cannot work directly on them. Therefore, it is necessary to establish effective repair work methods. One promising approach is the use of disaster relief robots. However, strong radiation affects circuits and electronic devices. Because typical robots contain electrical circuits and are controlled by radio waves, they are difficult to use in highly radioactive environments. In this study, we propose a non-electrically driven acoustic actuator that does not use electronic circuits and is driven by sound waves. To realize this goal, we have investigated a sound wave drive using a cylindrical container.

Contribution to dose control at the Moroccan Boukhalef ionization facility: Design by Monte Carlo simulation of a container for agricultural products irradiation

In facilities that manage sources of ionizing radiation, controlling the absorbed dose delivered to a target is of paramount importance. This factor is essential as it directly reflects the quality of irradiation within such facilities. The BOukhalef Ionization Station (SIBO), part of the Moroccan National Institute for Agronomic Research (INRA), presents an example of one among several applications of ionizing radiation worldwide. It houses a60Co gamma irradiator used for conducting scientific research in the field of agriculture. The objective of this work is to contribute to dose control at SIBO by designing a container for agricultural products irradiation. This Container will enable a more uniform distribution of absorbed dose within the irradiated products. In this study, the Monte Carlo simulation GATE (Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission) code is employed to flexibly adjust the dimensions of the container, and to calculate the dose homogeneity factor in the irradiated products. By selecting a cylindrical container for the irradiated products, this study shows a significant enhancement in the homogeneity factor through the reduction of the cylinder's thickness (external radius minus internal radius) when transitioning from a solid cylinder to a hollow one. Indeed, the homogeneity factor improves significantly from 2.65 to 1.64 when transitioning from a solid cylinder with a radius of 20 cm and a height of 20 cm, to a hollow cylinder with a height of 10 cm, an internal radius of 20 cm, and an external radius of 28.3 cm.

A Numerical Study of the Effect of Water Speed on the Melting Process of Phase Change Materials Inside a Vertical Cylindrical Container

The present work offers a thorough analysis of the impact of water velocity on phase change material (PCM) melting in a vertical cylindrical container. A detailed quantitative analysis uses sophisticated numerical techniques, namely the ANSYS/FLUENT 16 program, to clarify the complex relationship between enthalpy and porosity during the melting process. The experimental focus is on phase transition materials based on paraffin wax, particularly Rubitherm RT42. This study’s primary goal is to evaluate the effects of different water velocities (that is, at velocities of 0.01 m/s, 0.1 m/s, and 1 m/s) on the PCM’s melting behavior at a constant temperature of 333 K. This work intends to make a substantial contribution to the development of thermal energy storage systems by investigating new perspectives on PCM behavior under various flow circumstances. The study’s key findings highlight the possible ramifications for improving PCM-based thermal energy storage devices by revealing significant differences in melting rates and behavior that correlate to changes in water velocities. Future research is recommended to explore the impact of temperature variations, container geometries, and experimental validation to improve the accuracy and practicality of the results and to advance the creation of sustainable and effective energy storage solutions.

Free surface oscillation driven by rotating stirrer

To gain insights into the mechanisms of free surface oscillation in a rotating mixing container, we observe the free surface deformation and measure the torque acting on the bar. The container was half-filled with liquids. Periodic surface oscillation occurs. At the rotational speed where the amplitude of the oscillation reaches its maximum, the time-averaged torque also takes the local maximum values. To account for the sloshing mechanism, an equation of motion is derived using the Lagrangian mechanics; we found that the sloshing occurs when the collision frequency of bar on the surface is consistent with the natural frequency of the system and the damping coefficient is sufficiently smaller than unity. The time-averaged torque increases when the sloshing becomes violent. We conclude that the hydrodynamics of oscillation is successfully modeled using point-mass mechanics, and thus we can reasonably capture the rotation speed at which violent oscillation occurs.Graphical Free surface deformation driven by the rotating arm in the cylindrical container which is half-filled with liquids

Variation in preferential flow features induced by desiccation cracks in physical crusts

Studies have shown that preferential flow induced by cracks establishes multiple features such as morphology in different soil profiles. However, there has been little experimental evidence of the contribution of physical crust towards crack features and preferential flow. Essentially, this investigation focused on physical crusts (structural and deposition crust) of Lou soil, a loam and silt loam-textured soil, to demarcate the formation of cracks and preferential flow under artificial rainfall. The crack initiation and propagation processes were defined as the formation of primary cracks in the initial phase and narrow cracks around primary cracks, respectively. The cylindrical soil containers and cubical stainless-steel boxes were employed to trace preferential flow in the horizontal and vertical profile, respectively. The cracks in structural and deposition crusts were dominated by initiation and propagation cracks, respectively. The area, length, and width of the cracks in the structural crusts (5.7 cm2, 815, and 1.44 mm) were notably larger than deposition crusts (1.7 cm2, 604, and 0.96 mm). The maximum dyed depths of the structural and deposition crusts reached 35, 45, and 65 mm, and 35, 55, and 75 mm under the infiltration amounts of 10, 30, and 50 mm, respectively. The uniform infiltration depth, length index and PF-fr of structural crusts were in the ranges of 6.7 ∼ 25.5 mm, 19 ∼ 46 %, and 83 ∼ 111 %, respectively. Corresponding values for deposition crusts were 7.2 ∼ 26.2 mm, 10 ∼ 46 %, and 87 ∼ 103 %, respectively. The preferential flow in the soil profiles with structural crusts was superior to deposition crust. An assessment of the potential function of the physical crust for preferential flow is a supplement to study the effect of soil surface morphology on hydrological process.

Optimum design of HNBR and PCR-based isolation system to protect a sensitive article stored in a naval vessel container subjected to shock load

In naval engineering, protecting sensitive articles from shock loads is a major concern, as it may lead to adverse consequences. This paper focuses on the design of a novel Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) and Polychloroprene Rubber (PCR)-based shock isolation system to protect a sensitive article stored in a hollow cylindrical naval vessel container (NVC). Firstly, NVC is modeled as a two-degree-of-freedom lumped parameter model (LPM), wherein isolators made of HNBR and PCR materials are modeled with 5-order polynomial nonlinear stiffness and linear damping. The optimal values of the isolator parameters are obtained using a multi-objective genetic algorithm, and corresponding responses to a shock load are found using MATLAB. Furthermore, a three-dimensional (3D) finite element model (FEM) of the NVC is generated in ABAQUS and subjected to shock loading in a transverse direction to conduct a comprehensive dynamic analysis of the isolation system. In 3D simulation, HNBR and PCR materials are modeled using a hyper-viscoelastic model developed based on experimental test data. The 3D simulation results of the NVC for the optimized design of HNBR and PCR isolators agree with the optimized results of the LPM. Moreover, the proposed HNBR and PCR isolators are very effective in shock reduction.

Interface coupling effect and multi-mode Faraday instabilities in a three-layer fluid system

We investigate the Faraday instabilities of a three-layer fluid system in a cylindrical container containing low-viscosity liquid metal, sodium hydroxide solution and air by establishing the Mathieu equations with considering the viscous model derived by Labrador et al. (J. Phys.: Conf. Ser., vol. 2090, 2021, 012088). The Floquet analysis, asymptotic analysis, direct numerical simulation and experimental method are adopted in the present study. We obtain the dispersion relations and critical oscillation amplitudes of zigzag and varicose modes from the analysis of the Mathieu equations, which agree well with the experimental result. Furthermore, considering the coupling strength of two interfaces, besides zigzag and varicose modes, we find a beating instability mode that contains two primary frequencies, with its average frequency equalling half of the external excitation frequency in the strongly coupled system. In the weakly coupled system, the $A$ -interface instability, $B$ -interface instability and $A$ & $B$ -interface instability are defined. Finally, we obtain a critical wavenumber $k_c$ that can determine the transition from zigzag or varicose modes to the corresponding $A$ -interface or $B$ -interface instability.

Measuring thermal profiles in high explosives using neural networks

We present a new method for calculating the temperature profile of high explosive (HE) material using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). To train/test the CNN, we have developed a hybrid experiment/simulation method for collecting acoustic and temperature data. We experimentally heat cylindrical containers of HE material until detonation/deflagration, where we continuously measure the acoustic bursts through the HE using multiple acoustic transducers lined around the exterior container circumference. However, measuring the temperature profile in the HE in an experiment would require inserting a large number of thermal probes, which would disrupt the heating process. Thus, we use two thermal probes, one at the HE center and one at the wall. We then use numerical simulation of the heating process to calculate the temperature distribution and correct the simulated temperatures based on the experimental center and wall temperatures. We calculate temperature errors on the order of 15 °C, which is ∼12% of the range of temperatures in the experiment. We also investigate how the algorithm’s accuracy is affected by the number of acoustic receivers used to collect each measurement and the resolution of the temperature prediction. This work provides a means of assessing the safety status of HE material, which cannot be achieved using existing temperature measurement methods. In addition, it has implications for a range of other applications where internal temperature profile measurements would provide critical information. These applications include detecting chemical reactions, observing thermodynamic processes such as combustion, monitoring metal or plastic casting, determining the energy density in thermal storage capsules, and identifying abnormal battery operations.

Mean flow induced by longitudinal libration of a fluid-filled rotating container bounded by two conical surfaces

The problem of determining a mean flow induced by longitudinal libration of a rapidly rotating fluid-filled container bounded by the surfaces of two oppositely oriented right circular cones is considered. It is shown that the problem is reduced, through introducing a cosine of the angle between the normal to the conical surfaces and the axis of rotation, to the problem of determining a mean flow induced by libration of a fluid-filled rotating cylindrical container of infinite radius. A theoretical scenario is proposed of how the solved problem can be applied to the approximate determination of the differential mean rotation in a significant part of a rotating spherical and/or oblate spheroidal cavity under the action of longitudinal libration forcing.

Discharge rate influenced by friction and shape of dimers: Numerical study

An influence of the particle aspect ratio in a range from 1 to 1.6 and the coefficients of particle – particle and particle – wall friction of dimer-shaped particles discharging from a flat-bottomed, cylindrical container on the mass discharge rate (MDR) was investigated using a discrete element method. The impact of the friction coefficients on the MDR was found to be stronger when compared to the effect of elongation. The most significant changes in MDR, influenced by friction, were observed for µpp < 0.2. For spherical particles with µpp < 0.4, the orifice diameter producing uncertain flow spread out from 4.2 to 4.7 particle diameters. No flow fluctuations were observed as coefficient of friction decreased below 0.2.

Deep Container Fabrication by Forging with High- and Low-Density Wood

This paper presents a method for applying forging to high-density wood. A cylindrical container was formed using a closed die, and the appropriate conditions for temperature and punch length were evaluated. Ulin, which is a high-density wood, and Japanese cedar, which is a low-density wood and widely used in Japan, were used as test materials. The pressing directions were longitudinal and radial based on wood fiber orientation, and the shape and density of the resulting containers were evaluated. In the case of ulin, cracks decreased by increasing the temperature, while temperature had little effect on Japanese cedar. Containers without cracks were successfully formed by using a punch of appropriate length. The density of the containers was uniform in the punch length l = 20 and 40 mm in the L-directional pressing and l = 20 mm in the R-directional pressing when using ulin, with an average density of 1.34 g/cm3. This result indicates the forging ability of ulin is high compared to that of commonly used low-density woods. In summary, this paper investigated the appropriate parameters for forging with ulin. As a result, products of more uniform density than products made by cutting were obtained.

Use of mesocosm and field studies to assess the effects of nutrient levels on phytoplankton population dynamics in Korean coastal waters

We integrated data from field observations during April and March with data from a 2-week mesocosm experiment to investigate changes in phytoplankton populations in southern Korean coastal waters (KCWs) following nutrient enrichment during early spring of 2021. The mesocosm experiments used 1000 L cylindrical plastic containers that had natural seawater (control), a low nutrient (LN) treatment, or a high nutrient (HN) treatment. The field observations showed that increased freshwater runoff following spring rainfall led to elevated levels of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and silicate and a significant increase in total phytoplankton abundance. In March, nutrient enrichment from water mixing and terrestrial runoff led to dominance of cryptophyte Cryptomonas spp. In April, higher nutrient levels than March (p&amp;lt; 0.05) resulting from increased terrestrial runoff after rainfall and dominant species were Skeletonema spp., and Cryptomonas spp. In the mesocosm experiment, a succession from E. zodiacus initially to Chaetoceros spp. in the middle stage, and then to Cylindrotheca closterium and Pseudo-nitzschia spp. finally was observed, depending on the species-specific nutrient availability after nutrient addition. In principal component analysis, the negative correlation between C. closterium and nutrient levels supports their nutrient availability, which is an adaptation to low-nutrient conditions. The combined data from the field observations and mesocosm experiments indicated that nutrient supplementation from terrestrial runoff and tidal mixing played a crucial role in determining the dynamics of phytoplankton populations during early spring in the KCWs.

An experimental study of melting behavior of the phase change material in cylindrical capsules for thermal energy storage

Intermittent solar energy needs energy storage to store during its peak availability. Phase change materials (PCM) store heat energy under a near isothermal condition. The PCM has a high energy storage density but its low thermal conductivity reduces its melting. The present study uses three heat transfer fluid (HTF) flow configurations, outer, inner, and combined flow (inner and outer), with gradually decreasing PCM capsule sizes, to expedite melting in a horizontal cylindrical thermal energy storage container. Three copper PCM capsules are attached to the inner heat transfer tube. The HTF at 65, 70, and 75 °C are used to analyze the PCM melting. The HTF at 75 °C expedites PCM melting due to more temperature gradients. The energy efficiency during PCM melting is about 17 % for the outer, 15 % for the inner, and 24 % for combined flow. The PCM melts at 16, 20, and 10 min for outer, inner, and combined flow. The solidification characteristics were studied by passing HTF at 30 °C after melting. The PCM solidifies at 46, 62, and 24 min for outer, inner, and combined flow. The combined flow is suitable for the expedited PCM fusion due to enhanced heat transfer and hence suggested for flat plate solar collectors and heat recovery systems.