Simulation Of Flow Field Research Articles

Simulation and analysis of the over-expanded flow field in asymmetric nozzles with lateral expansion

Abstract Numerical simulations of a three-dimensional asymmetric nozzle with lateral expansion were carried out, focusing on the characteristics of the three-dimensional flow field in the over-expanded state and the influence of the sidewall surface profiles on the over-expanded flow field. The results show that the sidewall profiles cause the separation zones inside the nozzle to exhibit different shapes. The center separation bubble and the corner zone separation bubble are independent of each other in the lower wall surface confined shock wave separation mode. In the upper wall-constrained shock wave separation mode, the center separation bubble, the corner zone separation bubble, and the sidewall surface separation bubble are interconnected. Under the same drop pressure ratio, changes in the sidewall profile affect the shape and size of the separation zones, and the convex wall can slow the occurrence of separation to a certain extent.

Failure analysis of a large coal chemical reactor exhibiting bulging and cracking

Reactors represent the core components of coal chemical plants. Reactor failures can lead to significant operational hurdles, substantial financial losses, and potential casualties. Given these critical implications of reactor failures, thorough failure analyses of failed reactors are essential. This study investigated a failure incident involving bulging and cracking of a large coal chemical plant reactor. The failure analysis relied on several techniques, including macroscopic inspection, wall thickness measurement, mechanical property testing, hardness testing, metallographic analysis, and scanning electron microscopy analysis. The investigation confirmed that the failure of the reactor was caused by local overheating, which triggered high-temperature short-term creep, ultimately leading to bulging and cracking. To identify the factors responsible for this local overheating, a process analysis involving flow field and structural numerical simulations under abnormal working conditions was performed. The results of the flow field simulation, combined with field investigation data, revealed that the local overheating resulted from deposition or clogging of the distributor disk. Additionally, the extent of overheating was determined through the structural numerical simulation. In this paper, physical and chemical inspection, numerical modeling, and other means are comprehensively used to deduce the failure position through numerical simulation, to find out the failure reason, and to deduce the temperature range of failure. Overall, we hope that the results of this comprehensive failure analysis will provide valuable and experiential insights into the operation and maintenance of coal chemical plant reactors.

Asphyxiation effect analysis in confined space of B-type oil pool fire under pressure changes of nitrogen extinguishing system

Nitrogen fire extinguishing system has a significant development space in the modern fire extinguishing because of its environmental protection, energy saving and high stability. To further broaden the application field of nitrogen fire extinguishing system, a shrinkage size model was used as the research object and combined with simulated flow field analysis. A nitrogen fire extinguishing system was characterized for alcohol fire extinguishing efficacy using nitrogen injection pressure as a variable and parameters such as extinguishing time, oxygen concentration, and temperature. Furthermore, diesel and gasoline were used as combustible materials to verify the extinguishing efficacy of pressure variation on Class B oil pool fires. It was found that with the increase of nitrogen injection pressure, the nitrogen extinguishing efficacy gradually increased and then leveled off in the confined space. The asphyxiating oxygen concentrations were 12.2%, 13.2% and 13.7% for ethanol, diesel and gasoline, respectively. Asphyxiating oxygen concentration above limiting oxygen concentration (LOC). For extinguishing Class B oil pool fires in confined spaces, nitrogen extinguishing systems showed excellent fire extinguishing efficiency. They had specific application prospects in the field of protecting underground oil storage tanks and oil wells.

Numerical modeling of two-phase flow considering multiple bubble sizes in an alkaline water electrolyzer

Precise bubble flow description is crucial for predicting water electrolysis performance. This study employs the Euler-Euler model to simulate bubble flow in an alkaline water electrolysis cell, categorizing the dispersed gas bubble phase into three size classes: 30 ▪ (small), 90 ▪ (medium), and 270 ▪ (large). The volume fraction and velocity fields for each size class were simulated across three current densities, revealing distinct flow patterns: large bubbles exited directly through the outlet, while smaller bubbles were carried along by the circulating liquid. The simulated flow fields were compared with experimentally visualized flow fields, validating the model. Finally, the proposed model demonstrated its advantages over existing models, such as the monodispersed model and the population balance model (PBM), particularly in terms of upward flow velocity near the electrode and bubble descending height in the downward flow.

Design and Simulation of an Igniter for Surrounding-Type Underground In-Situ Coal Gasification

To optimize the gas passage of underground coal igniters and enhance the performance and efficiency of ignition heaters, meeting the demands of actual underground operations, this paper designs a set of annular ignition heaters. By simulating the internal gas flow within the igniter, the pressure distribution and velocity characteristics inside the igniter are analyzed. Utilizing combustion flow field simulation technology, a comparison is made between the heating and ignition effects of annular igniters and central igniters in coal heating. The performance of the deflecting tube under different eccentric angles is simulated to determine the optimal eccentric angle for achieving the best heating effect. The results indicate that annular igniters for underground in-situ coal gasification have significant advantages over traditional igniters in terms of wellbore heating and flame penetration, with the optimal eccentric angle of the igniter being 10°.

Research on Hydraulic Characteristics of Water Leakage Phenomenon of Waterproof Hammer Air Valve in Water Supply Pressure Pipeline Based on Sustainable Utilization of Water Resources in Irrigation Areas

To investigate the causes of water leakage in the waterproof hammer air valve and its impact on sustainable water resource management, the DN100 waterproof hammer air valve was taken as the research object. By using the overset grid solution method of ANSYS Fluent 2021 R1 software, the flow field simulation of the waterproof hammer air valve was carried out. The transient action during the ascent phase of the key structural component floating ball, and the velocity and pressure distribution of the flow field inside the air valve are analyzed. The results showed that by giving different inlet flow velocities, the normal flow velocity range for the floating ball to float up was below 35 m/s and above 50 m/s. When the inlet flow velocity was between 35 m/s and 50 m/s, the growth rate of the pressure difference above and below the floating ball increased from 1.48% to 5.79% and then decreased to 0.4%. The floating ball would not be able to float up due to excessive outlet pressure above, which would cause the DN100 waterproof hammer air valve to leak water and fail to provide water hammer protection. When the inlet flow rate is 5 m/s, the velocity and pressure inside the valve body increase with time during the upward movement of the floating ball inside the waterproof hammer air valve and tend to stabilize at 400 ms. Through the generated pressure and velocity cloud maps, it can be observed that the location of maximum pressure is at the bottom of the buoy, directly below the floating ball, and at the narrow channels on both sides of the outflow domain. The location of the maximum velocity is at the small inlet of the bottom of the buoy. When the inlet speed of the valve is constant, a large amount of water flow is blocked by the floating ball, reducing the flow velocity and forming partial backflow below the floating ball, with an obvious vortex phenomenon. A small portion of the water flow passes through the air valve at a high velocity from both ends of the channel, and the water flow below the floating ball is in an extremely unstable state under the impact of high-speed water flow, resulting in a large gradient of water flow velocity passing through the valve. The research results not only help to improve the operational efficiency of water resource management systems but also reduce unnecessary water resource waste, thereby supporting the goal of sustainable water resource management.

Numerical Simulation of Flow Fields and Sediment-Induced Wear in the Francis Turbine

Based on the solid–liquid two-phase flow model and the Realizable k-ε Turbulence model, numerical simulations of the sediment–water flow in the flow components of the turbine were conducted. The distribution of sediment-induced wear within the turbine was obtained by analyzing the sediment volume fraction (SVF) and the erosion rate. The results revealed that sediment-induced wear on the stay and guide vanes was primarily distributed along the water inlet edge of the stay and guide vanes. For the runner blades, wear was predominantly localized along the water inlet edge and near the lower ring. The sediment-induced wear patterns on these flow components were found to be consistent with the sediment volume fractions (SVFs) on their surfaces.

Numerical simulation of jet interaction flow field of complex configuration based on hybrid grid method

Abstract The supersonic/hypersonic jet interaction flow field includes many fluid phenomena such as shock waves, separation and reattachment of the boundary layer, expansion wave, Mach disk, shear layer, and so on. The complexity of the jet interaction flow field makes it difficult to simulate accurately, and the structured grid method is generally used in engineering applications. However, the structured grid has many shortcomings when dealing with complex configurations, and the traditional hybrid grid method has the problem of insufficient accuracy. In the paper, a structured/unstructured grid algorithmic coupling numerical simulation method is developed. Firstly, the feasibility and accuracy of this method are verified by numerical simulation of the jet interference flow field of cone-cylinder-skirt shape, along with a comparison with the results of the experiment and structural method. Then, the jet interference flow fields of the rudders and the grid fins configuration are simulated to show the efficiency of the method, and the accuracy is further verified. The results show that the hybrid numerical simulation method can save grid generation time and grid quantity to a certain extent when compared with the structural, showing higher accuracy, which provides an accurate and efficient solution to jet interaction problems with complex configurations.

Accurate simulations of moving flexible objects with an improved immersed boundary-lattice Boltzmann method

Accurately capturing boundaries is crucial for simulating fluid–structure interaction (FSI) problems involving flexible objects undergoing large deformations. This paper presents a coupling of the immersed boundary-lattice Boltzmann method with a node-based partly smoothed point interpolation method (NPS-PIM) to enhance the accuracy of simulating moving flexible bodies in FSI problems. The proposed method integrates a multiple relaxation time scheme and employs a force correction technique to address boundary capturing inaccuracies. The effect of virtual fluid is accounted for through a Lagrangian point approximation, ensuring precise FSI force calculations for unsteady solid motions. NPS-PIM is utilized as the solid solver, constructing a moderately softened model stiffness by combining the finite element method (FEM) with the node-based smoothed PIM (NS-PIM). Simulations of flow fields near flexible objects with large deformations demonstrate that the proposed approach reduces numerical errors, improves computational efficiency compared to traditional FSI models using FEM and NS-PIM, and accurately captures the behavior of moving flexible bodies and detailed flow fields.

Size-based separation of fine mineral particles using inertial microfluidics: A case of jarosite and anglesite

Many metal phases in industrial hazardous waste coexist as fine mineral particles (FMPs, with particle sizes of 0.01 μm–10 μm) in a physical mixture, making conventional methods unable to achieve separation. Advanced microfluidics has demonstrated its potential in the separation of FMPs, as exemplified by jarosite and anglesite. Our study innovatively proposed an inertial microfluidic method for the separation of FMPs by force difference in curved microchannels, thus produced two distinct migration behaviors and subsequent separation. In addition, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation model was constructed to predict and analyze the migration behavior and separation trend of FMPs through flow field simulation and particle trajectory tracking. The results indicated that 2.1 μm and 3.6 μm small particles migrated to the outer outlet of the microchannel due to the dominant Dean vortex force, while 7.2 μm and 9.4 μm large particles migrated to the inner outlet relying on inertial focusing. At a flow rate of 1.2 mL/min, the separation efficiency of 3.6 μm jarosite and 9.4 μm anglesite has achieved a leap from 0 % to 60.7 %. This discovery provided feasibility and insights into the application of microfluidic technology for particle separation, and offered enormous potential for practical iron residue treatment.

Internal energy consumption analysis of counter-rotating axial-flow compressor based on entropy production theory

Counter-rotating wet gas compressor is an ideal equipment for pressurizing natural gas in offshore gas fields. It has a compact structure, a wide range of operating conditions, and a certain liquid tolerance in the process of gas pressurization. However, due to the opposite rotation of the adjacent rotors, and the characteristics of the flow containing liquid, it is also easy to lead to flow separation in its interior and then produce obvious energy dissipation. In this paper, the numerical simulation of the internal flow field of counter-rotating axial-flow compressor under dry and wet conditions is carried out. The entropy production theory based on the second law of thermodynamics is introduced to analyze the energy consumption of the compressor, and the high energy consumption area in the internal flow field of the compressor is accurately located. Then, the energy consumption of this area is evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively. The entropy production and its proportion of each component under different working conditions, the distribution of the entropy production of each rotor along the flow direction, and the radial distribution under the near-stall state are obtained. The calculation results show that the entropy production of upstream rotor and downstream rotor in the total entropy production is 29.19%–31.41% and 59.48%–62.61% under dry gas conditions, respectively. Under wet conditions, the proportions are 28.20%–30.67% and 60.02%–63.33%, respectively. The wet gas droplets can increase the momentum input to the low energy region of 0.7–0.9 relative position of the suction surface of the upstream rotor and improve the flow field in this region. However, it can also exacerbate flow separation in the front middle of the downstream rotor, causing additional energy loss.

Numerical investigation on the effect of an orifice plate on the flow-induced and acoustically induced vibration of a gas transmission pipe

In this paper, a numerical method is proposed for investigating the flow-induced vibration (FIV) and acoustically induced vibration (AIV) of a straight pipe with an orifice plate. First, the turbulent pressure (TP) and acoustic pressure (AP) signals on the pipe wall were obtained through the simulation of an unsteady flow field and the application of Mohring's analogy, respectively. Subsequently, the FIV and AIV of the pipe were calculated by means of one-way fluid-structure interaction and acoustic-structure interaction, respectively. The calculated pressures, flow velocities, and sound powers at the monitoring point were in good agreement with the experimental results reported in the literature. The numerical results revealed that the power spectral densities of the AP were significantly higher than those of the TP on the surface of the tested end pipe, particularly at the natural frequencies of the acoustic modes. In the low-frequency regime, FIV was the dominant factor, whereas in the medium-high frequency regime, particularly above the cutoff frequency of the plane wave, AIV was the dominant factor. The findings of the parametric studies demonstrated that the AP and AIV of the pipe exhibited a considerable increase with the Mach number. Conversely, the TP and FIV demonstrated a more pronounced rise when the Mach number increased from 0.1 to 0.2, followed by a less pronounced increase when the Mach number increased from 0.2 to 0.3. A reduction in the orifice diameter resulted in an increase in the AP and AIV. In contrast, the TP and FIV exhibited a comparatively minor increase.

Identification and prevention of gas source in goaf: Stable carbon hydrogen isotope tracer method and numerical simulation of gas flow field

Identification and prevention of gas source in goaf: Stable carbon hydrogen isotope tracer method and numerical simulation of gas flow field

Data-driven prediction of flow fields in a needle-ring-net electrohydrodynamic pump system

In this paper, a data-mechanism hybrid modeling method for efficiently obtaining an electrohydrodynamic flow field is proposed. First, a backpropagation (BP) model with high accuracy is trained to get the value of essential parameter q0 for the mechanism simulation of flow fields. Subsequently, the mechanism model is used to generate a database for flow field reconstruction. Three machine learning algorithms, namely, BP neural network, random forest regression (RFR), and convolutional neural network (CNN), are employed to predict and reconstruct the flow behaviors of a needle-ring-net electrohydrodynamic pump. The RFR model demonstrates higher accuracy and precision in predicting velocity and pressure in the flow field compared to the BP and CNN models. The use of machine learning models for flow field prediction can significantly reduce the computational time while maintaining the computational accuracy. Additionally, an analysis assessing the impact of varying dataset sizes on the prediction accuracy of the model is conducted. The results indicate that the size of the dataset significantly influences the model predictive performance. Specifically, larger datasets are suggested to enhance both the accuracy and the generalization capabilities of the model. This observation highlights the critical role of dataset size in optimizing the performance of machine learning models for predictive tasks in engineering applications. These results offer important references for improving the design and optimization of electrohydrodynamic pumps.

Optimization and Analysis of Flow Field Simulations Across Different Mach Regimes Using Discrete Numerical Methods

This article explores the development of flow field models in steady-state environments utilizing Euler equations and potential flow equations, with verification processes conducted using Python. The models demonstrate stability and high accuracy in low-velocity scenarios, capturing essential dynamics effectively. However, as the conditions transition to supersonic speeds, the models begin to exhibit increased errors. This discrepancy highlights the challenges faced in simulating high-speed aerodynamics accurately. The research underscores the importance of improving model fidelity in diverse Mach regimes, particularly in supersonic conditions where traditional methods struggle. Future research directions identified include the development of unsteady flow field models, which are crucial for dynamic analyses, optimization of grid structures for three-dimensional complex fields to improve computational efficiency, and the creation of extensive model libraries. These advancements aim to enhance the accuracy, reliability, and practicality of flow field simulations, extending their applicability in both academic studies and industry applications, particularly in aerospace engineering where precise flow modeling is critical.

Numerical Simulation of Resistance and Flow Field for Submarines near Ice Surface

When a submarine operates in polar regions, the polar environment inevitably impacts its resistance and flow field characteristics, especially when the submarine navigates near the ice surface. This paper investigates the hydrodynamic characteristics of a submarine sailing near the free water surface and the ice surface using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods. In order to quantify the impact of ice on the resistance and flow field characteristics of the submarine, the resistance coefficients are calculated for both near ice surface and free surface. The resistance, velocity field, and pressure distribution around the submarine at different depths and speeds are analyzed. The results indicate that the total resistance of the submarine sailing near the ice surface is lower than the free water surface. When the submarine is sailing near the ice surface, its total resistance coefficient decreases with increased submergence depth at a constant Froude number. At a fixed depth, the resistance coefficient also decreases as the Froude number increases. Additionally, when the dimensionless depth relative to the maximum hull diameter (D) exceeds 3.5, it has little effect on the resistance coefficient.

Modeling and simulation of novel bio-emulated flow field with improved branch channels on PEMFC performance

The channel geometry of the bipolar plate in the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) significantly influences its performance. In this study, a bio-emulated flow field (BEFF) pattern in the bipolar plate was used based on the external carotid artery design with its branches. A comprehensive investigation was conducted using a three-dimensional (3-D) multiphase computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model on bio-emulated flow fields with branch channels of zero (BE-0), six (BE-6), and ten (BE-10). The results obtained were compared with traditional parallel flow fields (TPFF) and traditional serpentine flow fields (TSFF). The BE-10 results showed reduced pressure drop, uniform distribution of reactants, and higher power output compared with other configurations. The peak power density of BE-10 surpassed that of TPFF by approximately 45.07% and exceeded BE-0 by 10.39%. The novel BEFF structure with an increase in branch channels showed that the reactants, temperature, and static pressure distribution are more uniform with better water management.

Analysis and structure optimization of the flow and temperature fields of the large-scale hot air drying room

Large-scale hot air drying rooms play a crucial role as efficient drying equipment across various industries. The uniform distribution of hot air is a crucial factor influencing the drying quality of large-scale hot air drying rooms. This study focuses on camellia seeds as the drying subject. Building on a porous media model and the drying kinetics of camellia seeds, a CFD model of the drying room was established. Three-dimensional simulations of the internal flow and temperature fields were performed using CFD software, and the simulated results aligned well with experimental data. To improve the uniformity, this study introduced an optimized design featuring a combination of a Type E3 air guide hood with five guiding plates and a fan, selected based on optimized angles (θ1 = 5°, θ2 = 10°). Under the condition of improving the structure without introducing a new heat source, the optimization ensured a significant improvement in flow field uniformity while making the temperature field closer to the desired ideal temperature. This offers a reference for the design and research of hot air drying equipment and hot air drying rooms.

Using the Ethaline Electropolishing Method on the Internal Surface of Additive Manufactured Tubes.

Electropolishing is a widely used technique for polishing additive manufactured (AM) components, while complex internal surface polishing remains a challenge. In this study, we explore the use of ethaline as an electrolyte and investigate the effects of temperature, time, stirring speed, and voltage on the electropolishing effectiveness for AM tubes without pre-treatment through orthogonal experiments. The optimal combination of these factors is then applied in further electropolishing experiments on straight tubes with large length-to-diameter ratios and an angled tube. Our results indicate that temperature has the most significant impact on internal surface electropolishing performance, and other factors' effects are also analyzed. Ethaline can be a promising electrolyte for internal surface electropolishing of AM components because of its high viscosity, which is validated by flow field simulation of the hydrodynamic conditions inside the tubes.

Transient numerical simulation and characteristic study of flow field in high-pressure piston pump

Transient numerical simulation and characteristic study of flow field in high-pressure piston pump