Flow Development Research Articles

Numerical investigation on the transverse jet into a supersonic crossflow with different pressure ratios

The jet can be applied to the yaw control of a projectile, however, the complex interaction of the jet with the supersonic mainstream makes the flow field complex and yaw force unpredictable. To reveal the evolution of flow structures under different pressure ratios (PRs), or momentum flux ratios, a transverse sonic jet injected into a supersonic laminar crossflow has been studied numerically. Large-eddy simulations are employed to simulate the flow fields and evolution tendency of flow structures under different PRs of 10, 50, 100, 300, and 500. Our results show clearly the shock and flow structures of the jet interaction with crossflow under different PRs. Moreover, we find that, with the increase of PR, a larger upstream recirculation zone (RZ) and jet shock core appear, which accelerates the transformation of the bow shock (BoS) and the instability of the jet shear layer due to its stronger interaction with the crossflow. In addition, a high PR also accelerates RZ instability and produces a strong compressing effect on the major counter-rotating vortex pair in the jet flow, which makes the streamwise vortex tube stronger in the wake. These findings provide important information for applications of jet control of projectiles.

ANALYSIS OF THE BIFURCATING DUCT OF AN INLET PARTICLE SEPARATOR IN TRANSONIC FLOW CONDITIONS

Abstract To increase the reliability of turboprop and turboshaft engines in extreme operating conditions, filtering protections such as Inlet Particle Separators (IPS) can be installed at the intake. The flow inside an IPS is highly 3D and unsteady, with fluctuations especially pronounced when transonic conditions are reached. In this paper, we aim at providing the transonic analysis of an industrial IPS designed for aerodynamic lab testing. As a first step, we define the threshold beyond which sonic conditions are reached in the boundary cross sections of the IPS by means of a 1D semi-empirical model. Second, we select a critical configuration, and we perform CFD simulations to analyze the locations and evolution of the transonic flow inside the IPS. Different models are presented, i.e. steady and unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes, Detached Eddy Simulation and Large Eddy Simulation, characterized by three levels of resolution. The results show the evolution of some transonic shocks: the steady-state model is only providing information on averaged quantities, while the time-resolved simulations offer a more precise overview in the time domain. The analysis in the frequency domain reveals the frequencies of the transonic fluctuations. Finally, we discuss three alternative designs to effectively improve the operating range and mitigate the risks related to the transonic instabilities, comparing the differences in separation efficiency with respect to the baseline case. The results prove that the optimal design choice is given by the trade-off between operating range, pressure losses and separation efficiency.

Unsteady Interaction Between Purge Flow and Secondary Flow in High-Lift Low Pressure Turbine

Abstract The coupling effect between the complex vortex system and the rim purge flow in the endwall region of a high-lift low pressure turbine (LPT) will significantly influence the evolution of secondary flow and the corresponding losses. This paper focused on the unsteady interaction mechanism between the rim purge flow and the secondary flow inside the high-lift LPT under the periodic wake passing. The large eddy simulation (LES) method was used to reveal the influence mechanism of rim purge flow, rotor-stator cavity interaction and unsteady wakes on the secondary flow. Detailed experimental measurement was carried out for the flow field of high-lift LPT under the influences of static purge flow. The results showed that the rim purge flow significantly increased the overturning and underturning downstream of the endwall region, resulting in aggravating secondary loss. The rotating-rim increased the difference of the circumferential velocity between the mainstream and the purge flow, aggravating the Kelvin-Helmholtz (K-H) instability, inducing the K-H vortex structure with stronger energy amplitude, and further increasing the endwall flow loss. The incoming wakes weakened the energy amplitude of the K-H vortex at the rim purge outlet, thinned the thickness of the low-energy fluid at the blade leading edge. Additionally, the interaction between the wakes and the secondary vortices further suppressed the development of the secondary flow. Nevertheless, the incoming wakes caused additional mixing losses and made a negative impact on the overall aerodynamic performance of the high-lift LPT.

Thermo-mechanical effects and microstructural evolution-coupled numerical simulation on the hot forming processes of superalloy turbine disk

Abstract Macroscopic deformation and microstructural evolution simultaneously exist in the hot forming processes of superalloy. In order to effectively and accurately study the hot forming processes of superalloy turbine disk with the numerical simulation method, a multi-scale finite element model of GH4065 superalloy turbine disk involving macroscopic and microscopic aspects was established by defining macro- and micromaterial model of superalloy, hot forming processing parameters, and boundary conditions. Via the numerical simulations of superalloy turbine disk, the macroscopic material flow and microstructural evolution behaviors in the hot forming processes of superalloy turbine disk were studied. Besides, the macroscopic deformation and microstructure distribution states after the hot forming processes were revealed and analyzed. A corresponding hot forming physical test of superalloy turbine disk was conducted to verify the results of the numerical simulation. Via the qualitative and quantitative analyses, it was concluded that the macroscopic deformation and microstructural evolution in the hot forming processes of superalloy turbine disk can be accurately predicted by the numerical simulation method.

A systematic analysis of three-dimensional Riemann problems for verification of compressible-flow solvers

Numerical simulation is a well-established way of analyzing compressible flows. Due to high computational demands of solvers for such flow problems, their verification is typically limited to two-dimensional (2D) cases. However, 2D simulations suppress fundamental three-dimensional (3D) aspects of the flow evolution in (compressible) turbulent flows or shock-bubble and shock-drop interactions. With increase of computational power, 3D simulations become more feasible for routine analyses. The verification of 3D simulation frameworks is often limited to transformations of lower dimensional test cases in the 3D space. There is a lack of strictly 3D reference test cases for gas dynamics. In this work, we present a set of genuine 3D Riemann problems in order to validate and verify numerical solvers for compressible flows. The problems are designed such that each octant’s constant initial data connects two neighboring states by an elementary wave only. The problem design is inspired by well-established 2D Riemann problems most prominently posted by Lax and Liu (1998). In contrast to the twenty published 2D cases, more than 300 distinct combinations can be found in 3D. We provide example solutions for the particularly interesting ones of these case combinations and show how the cases help to expose shortcomings of numerical solvers. We provide reference data from computations with an open-source compressible multiresolution flow solver. For the reference solutions, we employ the Harten-Lax-van Leer contact (HLLC) Riemann solver and a weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO) reconstruction stencil of fifth order. The reference solutions use an effective resolution of one billion cells. We additionally make the full compute pipeline of this work publicly available, so interested researchers may reproduce and extend the current work.

Numerical investigation for water flow in an irregular channel using Saint-Venant equations

Given recent flood events in Indonesia, understanding the hydraulic dynamics in open channels, mirroring real-world drainage and river scenarios, has become paramount. To address this, our research employs a numerical model to simulate water flow in both regular and irregular open channels. Specifically, we utilize the Saint-Venant Equations to explore fluid flow evolution in irregular channels. This model is solved numerically using a staggered finite volume method. We complement our research with laboratory experiments and validate our numerical model against the data collected. Furthermore, we cross-reference our numerical results with those from HEC-RAS to examine the robustness and accuracy of our model in predicting water levels and velocities under varying conditions. To deepen our understanding, we conduct sensitivity analyses that offer valuable insights into the core factors influencing water levels and velocity. This knowledge provides a foundation for practitioners to normalize rivers.

Co-evolutionary traffic signal control using reinforcement learning for road networks under stochastic capacity

A co-evolutionary traffic signal control using reinforcement learning approach (CORLA) is proposed for time-varying road networks under stochastic capacity. Classic reinforcement learning based traffic signal control cannot effectively reduce traffic congestion for large-scale road networks while standard evolutionary metaheuristics often suffer from significantly high computational cost. A co-evolutionary decomposition algorithm (CODA) is proposed to improve traffic mobility for urban road networks with time-varying traffic flow. To capture time-varying spatial evolution of traffic flow inside road links, a stochastic traffic model is presented. To fully consider road users’ response, a stochastic bi-level optimization problem (SBOP) is given where road users’ route choice can be fully taken into account. To efficiently implement CORLA in a large-scale road network against high-consequence realization for stochastic capacity, a coordinated co-evolutionary two phase control (CCTPC) is proposed. Numerical experiments are performed at a real-data city road network and various sizable traffic grids. As compared to state-of-the-art traffic signal control for various traffic conditions, obtained results showed that CCTPC exhibits sufficient gain of achieving road network performance and suffers from the least computational cost in all cases.

Multi-layer multi-track molten pool flow and grain morphology evolution of Inconel 718 manufactured by laser powder bed fusion

Multi-layer multi-track molten pool flow and grain morphology evolution of Inconel 718 manufactured by laser powder bed fusion

Periodic solutions in a 2D-symmetric Hamiltonian system through reduction and averaging method

We study a type of perturbed polynomial Hamiltonian system in 1:1 resonance. The perturbation consists of a homogeneous quartic potential invariant by rotations of π / 2 radians. The existence of periodic solutions is established using reduction and averaging theories. The different types of periodic solutions, linear stability, and bifurcation curves are characterized in terms of the parameters. Finally, some choreography of bifurcations are obtained, showing in detail the evolution of the phase flow.

The burnt gas flow stability of limit flames in vertical tubes

Stability of the gas flows generated by steady near-limit flames propagating in vertical tubes is studied numerically. Basic scenarios of the burnt gas flow evolution are identified in relation to the thermal gas expansion parameter and the normal flame speed. It is shown that the realization of specific scenario essentially depends on the stagnation zone width as well as on the distance travelled by the gas from the flame front to the tube end. In particular, it is found that for sufficiently short distances, the burnt gas flows are stable provided that the stagnation zone width is less than half the tube diameter. Otherwise, an unstable flow evolution can lead to the appearance of recirculation domains and acoustic perturbations.

Thermo-mechanical modeling of pancakelike domes on Venus

In this paper, we present a mathematical model aimed at describing both the effusive and relaxing phase of pancakelike lava domes on the Venus surface. Our model moves from the recent paper by Quick et al. [“New approaches to inferences for steep-sided domes on Venus,” J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res. 319, 93–105 (2016)] but generalizes it under several respects. Indeed, we consider a temperature field, playing a fundamental role in the flow evolution, whose dynamics is governed by the heat equation. In particular, we suggest that the main mechanism that drives cooling is radiation at the dome surface. We obtain a generalized form of the equation describing the dome shape, where the dependence of viscosity on temperature is taken into account. Still following Quick et al. [“New approaches to inferences for steep-sided domes on Venus,” J. Volcanol. Geothermal Res. 319, 93–105 (2016)], we distinguish an isothermal relaxing phase preceded by a non-isothermal (cooling) effusive phase, but the fluid mechanical model, developed in an axisymmetric thin-layer approximation, takes into account both shear thinning and thermal effects. In both cases (relaxing and effusive phase), we show the existence of self-similar solutions. In particular, this allows to obtain a likely scenario of the volumetric flow rate which originated this kind of domes. Indeed, the model predicts a time varying discharge, which is maximum at the beginning of the formation process and decreases until vanishing when the effusive phase is over. The model, in addition to fitting well the dome shape, suggests a possible forming scenario, which may help the largely debated questions about the emplacement and lava composition of these domes.

Field inversion machine learning augmented turbulence modeling for time-accurate unsteady flow

Field inversion machine learning (FIML) has the advantages of model consistency and low data dependency and has been used to augment imperfect turbulence models. However, the solver-intrusive field inversion has a high entry bar, and existing FIML studies focused on improving only steady-state or time-averaged periodic flow predictions. To break this limit, this paper develops an open-source FIML framework for time-accurate unsteady flow, where both spatial and temporal variations of flow are of interest. We augment a Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) turbulence model's production term with a scalar field. We then integrate a neural network (NN) model into the flow solver to compute the above augmentation scalar field based on local flow features at each time step. Finally, we optimize the weights and biases of the built-in NN model to minimize the regulated spatial-temporal prediction error between the augmented flow solver and reference data. We consider the spatial-temporal evolution of unsteady flow over a 45° ramp and use only the surface pressure as the training data. The unsteady-FIML-trained model accurately predicts the spatial-temporal variations of unsteady flow fields. In addition, the trained model exhibits reasonably good prediction accuracy for various ramp angles, Reynolds numbers, and flow variables (e.g., velocity fields) that are not used in training, highlighting its generalizability. The FIML capability has been integrated into our open-source framework DAFoam. It has the potential to train more accurate RANS turbulence models for other unsteady flow phenomena, such as wind gust response, bubbly flow, and particle dispersion in the atmosphere.

Structural evolution and rheology of continuous shear-induced dense granular flow in unsteady state

The structural properties of particulate matter can significantly affect the rheology of the system. We report the structural evolution and flow properties of dense granular flows induced by Couette shear and try to reveal the relationship between them. In unidirectional shear, monodisperse particles undergo a transformation from disorder to order. Throughout this continuous process, both the velocity and shear strain rate of the particles experience alterations. By filling with particles of varying polydispersity, the structural potential of the system can be controlled, thereby influencing the extent of structural transformations. The results indicate that the transition in flow characteristics is suppressed as the initial filling in the system approaches from high to low structural potential. The results based on the local volume fraction and relative positions of particles suggest that it is due to the weakening of the structural thinning effect caused by order. We found that both fixed shear paths and more rotatable local structures caused a significant reduction in the contact force to transfer energy. Inertia number and apparent viscosity vary with volume fraction, indicating a transition in dense granular flow after volume fraction φ≳ 0.62, with the onset of significant structural thinning effects. We have revealed the physical mechanisms influencing fluidity from a local structural perspective and established the relationship between fluidity g and φ in the continuous process of unsteady flow.

The lift enhancement mechanism caused by the deformation of the surface of the wide-speed waverider

The optimization method provides an effective approach to enhance the low-speed lift of the vortex lift waveriders by deforming the aerodynamic shape refinedly. However, the vortex lift enhancement mechanism of the optimized configuration is unclear. In this study, the flow evolutions of the original and the optimized configurations are studied by employing the delayed detached-eddy simulation. Results indicate that the convex deformation of the leeward surface plays a dominant role in enhancing the vortex lift by enhancing the low-pressure suction at the upstream breakdown location and delaying the vortex breakdown. For the enhancement of the low-pressure suction, the convex deformation intensifies the streamwise vorticity below the axis of the primary vortex of the leading-edge vortex, in turn enhancing the downwash effect and causing the primary vortex to move downward. This reduces the pressure coefficient induced by the primary vortex on the leeward surface, thus enhancing the vortex lift. In terms of the delay of the vortex breakdown, the convex deformation compresses and accelerates the flow between the spanwise convex and the leading edge. These intensities enhance the washing effect along the spanwise direction on the outward wing and cause the primary vortex to deflect toward the outboard wing. Subsequently, the primary vortex and the shedding vortices generated by the shear layer instability merge, which increase the primary vortex intensity, and enhance the streamwise velocity in the vortex axis. Correspondingly, the primary vortex breakdown is delayed. Ultimately, the increased low-pressure region caused by the delay of the vortex breakdown enhances the vortex lift.

Three-dimensional internal flow evolution of an evaporating droplet and its role in particle deposition pattern

The internal flow within an evaporating sessile droplet is one of the driving mechanisms that lead to various particle deposition patterns seen in applications such as inkjet printing, surface patterning, and blood stain analysis. Despite decades of research, the causal link between droplet internal flow and particle deposition patterns has not been fully established. In this study, we employ a three-dimensional (3D) imaging technique based on digital inline holography to quantitatively assess the evolution of internal flow fields and particle migration in three distinct types of wetting droplets, namely water droplets, sucrose aqueous solution droplets, and sodium dodecylsulfate aqueous solution droplets, throughout their entire evaporation process. Our imaging reveals the three-stage evolution of the 3D internal flow regimes driven by changes in the relative importance of capillary flow, Marangoni flow, and droplet boundary movement during evaporation. Moreover, the migration of individual particles from their initial locations to deposition can be divided into five categories, with some particles depositing at the contact line and others inside the droplet. In particular, we observe the changing migration directions of particles due to competing Marangoni and capillary flows. We further develop an analytical model that predicts the droplet internal flow, deposition patterns, and determines the deposition mechanisms depending on their initial locations and evolving internal flow. The model, validated using different types of droplets from our experiment and the literature, can be further expanded to other Newtonian and non-Newtonian droplets, potentially serving as a real-time assessment tool for particle deposition in various applications.

Generating periodic vortex pairs using flexible structures

In fluid dynamics, a planar starting flow through a narrow slit gives rise to a distinctive fluid mass in the form of counter-rotating vortex pairs, which do not undergo any propulsive detachment, known as ‘pinch-off’, from the tip-attached fluid layer. Our study envisions instigating the ‘pinch-off’ phenomenon in these vortex pairs using flexible plates as the slit edges to enhance momentum transport and self-propagation. In this study, considering a flow evolution model, we show that the growth rate of such ejected vortex pair scales as proportional to the square root of time. Using flexible plates to form the slit, we unearth a critical plate flexibility case with the Cauchy number, Ca=0.01, which induces a ‘pinch-off’ of the resultant vortex pair, a phenomenon absent in the case of rigid plates. We observe a train of vortex pairs generating one after the other, and the time period closely matches the plates’ oscillation period as the plates’ oscillation frequency locks-in with the shedding frequency of the vortex pairs. The streamwise speed of the leading vortex pair varies non-monotonically with Ca, showing an increase in the speed up to Ca≈0.04, and thereafter decreased speed due to upstream propagation of small-sized vortices. The new insights into inducing and controlling vortex pair behaviours pave the way for innovative applications in fluid transport and advanced flow manipulation techniques.

Interfacial Effects of Nanostructured Doubly Reentrant Surfaces on the Evolution of Local Concentration and Fluid Flow in an Evaporating Droplet.

Surface modification, such as bioinspired nanostructured doubly reentrant surfaces that have presented superhydrophobic wettability even under low-surface-tension liquid, is a very promising technology for controlling droplet dynamics, heat transfer, and evaporation. In this article, we investigate the interfacial effects of nanostructured doubly reentrant surfaces on the flow behaviors and local concentration evolution during the evaporation of an ethanol/water multicomponent droplet. Using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and novel aggregate-induced emission-based (AIE) techniques, the flow patterns and local concentration distributions on both hydrophobic and nanostructured doubly reentrant surfaces were probed and compared. It is found that in addition to the established Marangoni flow-dominated stage, transition stage, and buoyancy-induced flow-dominated stage, a new transition stage and a rolling stage for the nanostructured doubly reentrant surface are detected in the late evaporation period. Differences in the local concentration distribution evolution occur depending on the hydrophobicity of the surface on which the droplet is placed. For the hydrophobic surface, a nonuniform local concentration distribution exists consistently, with a high water fraction in a shell-shaped region near the liquid-air interface and a secondary concentration gradient within this shell-shaped region. The concentration distribution on the nanostructured doubly reentrant surface evolves in a more complex manner, with a strip-shaped region of high water fraction forming in the intermediate stage and then reorganized by rolling flow in the late stage. Finally, theoretical analysis combining PIV and AIE visualization results reveals that the variations in droplet concentration distributions on surfaces with different hydrophobicities exert a significant impact on evaporative behaviors. These behaviors, in turn, affect the evolution of the local concentration distribution.

Investigation of coupled response on cylindrical eccentricity induced vibration and flow induced vibration

The eccentric vibration and flow induced vibration of the drilling pipe is closely related to the safety of drilling engineering. To reveal the influence of eccentric vibration of the drilling pipe on the flow induced vibration, the effects of the eccentricity on the vibration characteristics of cylindrical flow induced vibrations are emphatically concerned in this paper. Combining the eccentric vibration model and the cylindrical flow induced vibration model, a coupled vibration model is established. The results show that the peak amplitude of the cylinder rises with the increase of the eccentric ratio. The vibration contains both the hydrodynamic frequency and the eccentric frequency, and the eccentric frequency gradually becomes the dominant frequency with the increasing eccentric ratio. The hydrodynamic frequency is locked at 1/2 rotation frequency due to the eccentricity. Eccentricity leads to phase differences in fluid force coefficients and displacements and a weakened correlation between fluid forces and displacements. The wake patterns show a tendency from 2S to P+S and finally to multi-vortex shedding with increasing eccentric ratio, which is the same as the trend of rising amplitude. Both the periodicity of the cylindrical vibrations and the stability of the wake flow decrease with the evolution of the wake flow.

Analysis of In-Cylinder Flow in a Small-Bore Spark-Ignition Engine Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations and Zero-Dimensional-Based Modeling

Abstract The evolution of in-cylinder flow involves large- and small-scale structures during the intake and compression strokes, significantly influencing the fuel–air mixing and combustion processes. Extensive research has been conducted to investigate the flow evolution in medium- to large-sized engines using laser-based diagnostic methods, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, and zero-dimensional (0D) based modeling. In the present study, we provide a detailed analysis of the evolution of flow fields in a small-bore spark ignition (SI) engine with a displacement volume of 110 cm3. This analysis employs a unique methodology, where CFD simulation is performed and validated using measured particle image velocimetry (PIV) data. Subsequently, the validated CFD results are utilized to develop and validate a 0D-based model as it is computationally more efficient. The validated CFD simulation and 0D-based model are then used to evaluate the quantified strength of the flow by calculating the tumble ratio and turbulent kinetic energy (TKE). The streamlines and velocity vectors of the flow fields obtained from CFD simulations are utilized to explain the evolution of these parameters during intake and compression strokes. The study is further extended to analyze the effect of engine speed on the evolution of flow fields. With an increase in engine speed, relatively higher values of tumble ratio and TKE at the end of the compression stroke are observed, which is expected to improve the fuel–air mixing and combustion efficiency.

The dynamic evolution of powder flow and wall normal stress in different flow pattern silos

Major safety accidents involving silos in industrial processes are closely associated with abnormal wall stresses. The effects of different flow patterns and particle velocity distribution on wall stresses are investigated during silo discharge. The existence of particle velocity retardation layer near the wall boundary in the mass flow was observed by tracer particles and high-speed camera. The silo discharge undergoes a transformation from funnel flow to mass flow at a hopper half angle of 30°. As the outlet diameter increases, the time point of the flow pattern transformation becomes more and more later. The evolution of particle velocity in the central of the funnel flow is related to the outlet velocity wave propagation and the V-shaped surface expansion. The relationship between stress fluctuations and velocity characteristics is established. The flow channel simultaneously expands upwards as the velocity wave propagates and generates a periodic fan-shaped velocity wave at the top. The formation of stress concentration zone at the bin/hopper transition was observed.