Steady-state Flow Research Articles

Simulation analysis and optimization of pilot type electro-hydraulic proportional directional valve based on multi field coupling

The pilot-operated electro-hydraulic proportional directional valve is widely used in complex and precision engineering fields. Its operational stability and reliability determine the overall performance of the hydraulic system. During the working process of the pilot-operated electro-hydraulic proportional directional valve, the spool is deformed due to the influence of pressure and temperature, resulting in problems such as clamping or stagnation. In order to solve this problem, this study uses the fluid-solid-thermal coupling simulation method to analyze the flow field characteristics and thermal deformation of the spool with different structural throttling grooves, and optimizes the U-shaped throttling groove structure. The results indicate that as the valve opening increases, the front section of the throttling groove becomes the primary region where the maximum radial deformation of the spool occurs. In this paper, the steady-state flow force of the valve core is taken as the measurement standard, the constraint range of the structural parameters is determined, and the radial thermal deformation is included in the optimization analysis of the structural size. It’s verified that the optimized flow characteristics are improved by about 32 % compared with that before optimization, and the maximum steady-state flow force after considering thermal deformation is reduced by about 4N compared with that before optimization. This provides an important design basis and reference for the structural design and optimization of the pilot electro-hydraulic proportional directional valve.

Application of space renormalisation technique for spatiotemporal analysis of effective thermal conductivity in multiphase porous materials

Effective thermal conductivity (k¯) is a critical parameter influencing heat transfer in multiphase porous materials. This study introduces a computational approach using the space renormalisation technique to derive k¯ from segmented X-ray micro-CT images of porous media. By accounting for pore-scale heterogeneity, this approach enables detailed spatiotemporal analysis of k¯ in different porous structures. The application of this technique is demonstrated through the prediction and spatiotemporal analysis of k¯ in three different porous rock samples experiencing multiphase fluid flow: (i) steady-state two-phase flow in Estaillades carbonate, (ii) sequential flooding in Bentheimer sandstone, and (iii) immiscible three-phase flow in Ketton limestone. Results show distinct directional variations in k¯ according to phase saturations and redistributions, highlighting the sensitivity of the approach to the microstructural characteristics of porous media. The space renormalisation technique efficiently predicts k¯ with significantly reduced computational costs compared to traditional finite difference methods, making it suitable for real-time applications. The findings provide deeper insights into the dynamic heat transfer mechanisms in heterogeneous porous systems, with implications for various porous media applications such as enhanced oil recovery, geothermal energy extraction, and the design of heat exchangers in engineering systems.

Influence of inhomogeneous magnetic field source location on the intensity of thermomagnetic convection in a closed loop

Purpose. Obtaining information on the influence of the location of the inhomogeneous magnetic field source relative to the heated section of a vertical hydrodynamic loop filled with magnetic fluid on the intensity of convective heat transfer along the loop.Methods. Experiments were carried out using a hydrodynamic loop made of a thin tube of circular cross-section and placed in a vertical plane. Heat source was carried out by a heater on a short vertical section of the loop, and heat removal was implement out by blowing the entire surface of the tube with thermostated air. The source of the magnetic field was the flat pole tips of the ferrite magnetic core, in the gap between which the heater was located. The position of the pole tips relative to the heater varied vertically in the experiments. In the control experiments, the source of the magnetic field was deleted. The circuit was filled with medium concentrated magnetic liquid of the type "magnetite - kerosene - oleic acid". The intensity of steady-state convective heat flow along the tube was calculated from the results of measuring the tube surface temperature by copper-constantane thermocouples. The measurement results were presented in dimensionless form - the relationship between the Nusselt number and Rayleigh number.Results. The unfluctuating mixed, thermomagnetic and gravitational, convection of the magnetic fluid in the loop was observed at any location of the pole tips of the magnetic core relative to the heater. At location of pole tips above the heater, competition of gravitational and thermomagnetic convection was observed, and the heat flux was weak. When the pole tips were placed below the heater, the Nusselt number was 2 - 4 times higher than in the control tests (only gravitational convection) with equal Rayleigh numbers. The highest Nusselt numbers were obtained when the field source was placed in center of the heater.Conclusion. Information on the influence of the relative location of the magnetic field source and the heater on convective heat transfer by magnetic fluid in a hydrodynamic loop is obtained experimentally. The optimal concerning of heat transfer intensity position of the field source was found.

Flow boiling in a rectangular micro/mini channel with self-rewetting and non-rewetting fluids

In this experimental investigation the influence of self-rewetting during flow boiling was studied in a horizontal microchannel during one-sided uniform heating. The channel had a width and height of 6 mm and 0.3 mm respectively. Local wall temperature and direct in-time flow visualisation was performed. The working fluids under consideration included water as base reference, pure 1-butanol, pure ethanol, dilute butanol-water self-rewetting mixtures, and a dilute ethanol-water binary mixture. Tests were conducted at mass fluxes of 10, 15 and 25 kg/m2s, over a range of heat fluxes to produce both single phase and two-phase quasi steady state flow data. Within the wall temperature ranges of interest, the butanol-water mixtures (5 % and 7 % by volume butanol) had surface tension characteristics that would draw liquid toward local wall hotspots. Local and average wall temperatures and heat transfer coefficients were obtained and considered against the governing flow pattern visualisations. In contrast to the other fluids, the self-rewetting butanol-water mixtures exhibited significantly more stable flow and more predictable saturation flow boiling heat transfer coefficient trends across all heat fluxes under consideration. At the lowest mass flux, it was found that an increase in the heat flux resulted in an improvement in the self-rewetting fluids heat transfer performance, while at higher mass fluxes this dependence was diminished. Across all mass fluxes and heat fluxes the 5 % butanol-water outperformed its 7 % butanol-water counterpart. The tendency of self-rewetting to reduce local dry-out, even at low mass fluxes are demonstrated.

Comparison of the imaging performance of time-of-flight MRA and ultrashort echo time MRA in flow diverters: A phantom study

Objective Flow diverters (FD) are innovative treatments for wide-neck intracranial aneurysms. After-treatment verification of embolization and parent vessel patency is crucial. While evaluation using time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF-MRA) is useful, it suffers from signal loss within the FD due to susceptibility effects. This study evaluates the usefulness of ultrashort echo time MRA (UTE-MRA) for after-FD assessment compared to TOF-MRA. Methods Vascular phantom experiments were conducted using FDs (FRED®, Pipeline®, Surpass Streamline®). TOF-MRA and UTE-MRA were performed under steady (10, 30, 50 cm/s) and pulsatile (17–61 cm/s, mean 34 cm/s) flow conditions using a 3 T MRI system. As evaluation metrics, relative in-FD signal (RIS) was calculated by comparing the signal intensity inside the FD to that without the FD to assess signal retention, and FD luminal to background signal ratio (FD-LBR) was calculated by comparing the signal intensity inside the FD to that of the surrounding background to evaluate vessel visibility. Results UTE-MRA showed higher FD-LBR values than TOF-MRA for all FDs ( p < 0.01). For RIS, UTE-MRA was significantly higher for FRED® ( p < 0.01), but different for other FDs except at 50 cm/s. FRED® exhibited the highest RIS and FD-LBR values under all conditions, followed by Pipeline® and Surpass Streamline®. Flow velocity changes resulted in minimal variations in RIS and FD-LBR values. Conclusion UTE-MRA provides superior image quality for after-FD assessment, particularly in terms of FD-LBR, compared to TOF-MRA. Differences in FD materials and structures affect image quality. These findings suggest UTE-MRA's clinical utility in follow-up after-FD assessment.

A meshless model for three-dimensional direct numerical simulation of local scour around cylinder bridge foundation

A meshless local scour model for cylinder bridge foundation based on the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method is proposed in this paper. Differing from the traditional Eulerian mesh model used for monopile local scour, it overcomes the high requirements of mesh quality and density for capturing large deformations at the fluid interface. Unlike the transient sediment erosion SPH model used for dam-break, sediment flushing, and water jet, the meshless approach is innovatively applied to the continuous simulation of bridge local scour under steady flow conditions. The present SPH model is established based on the SPH multi-phase fluid model, integrating a classical fluid model combined with numerical stabilization algorithms to govern water particle motion and a sediment model from Zhang et al. (2024) to govern sediment evolution, and tests a new scheme for boundary treatment in the model based on DualSPHysics. Furthermore, a novel scour visualization method that aims at extracting both visible and actual bed surfaces from discrete particles is proposed. The model is validated through comparison with rigid bed and live bed experiments, demonstrating favorable agreement in terms of flow and scour simulation. Importantly, the model results reveal a discrepancy between the elevation of the post-scour visible bed surface derived from the conventional Eulerian mesh model and experimental data, compared to the actual bed surface unaffected by water flow erosion. This indicates the necessity for incorporating a safety margin in foundation design when utilizing experimental results to determine the maximum scour depth.

Intravital imaging of pulmonary lymphatics in inflammation and metastatic cancer.

Intravital microscopy has enabled the study of immune dynamics in the pulmonary microvasculature, but many key events remain unseen because they occur in deeper lung regions. We therefore developed a technique for stabilized intravital imaging of bronchovascular cuffs and collecting lymphatics surrounding pulmonary veins in mice. Intravital imaging of pulmonary lymphatics revealed ventilation-dependence of steady-state lung lymph flow and ventilation-independent lymph flow during inflammation. We imaged the rapid exodus of migratory dendritic cells through lung lymphatics following inflammation and measured effects of pharmacologic and genetic interventions targeting chemokine signaling. Intravital imaging also captured lymphatic immune surveillance of lung-metastatic cancers and lymphatic metastasis of cancer cells. To our knowledge, this is the first imaging of lymph flow and leukocyte migration through intact pulmonary lymphatics. This approach will enable studies of protective and maladaptive processes unfolding within the lungs and in other previously inaccessible locations.

Unified, Integral Approach to Modeling and Design of High-Pressure Pipelines: Assessment of Various Flow and Temperature Models for Supercritical Fluids

Abstract A unified one-dimensional, steady-state flow and heat transfer model is presented for the pipeline transport of fluids at high pressures, including the supercritical conditions. The model includes a generalized temperature equation, presented here for the first time, and accounts for all of the important effects, including the property variation, viscous dissipation, Joule-Thomson (J-T) cooling, and heat exchange with the surrounding. With appropriate approximations, this model can yield all isothermal and non-isothermal pipe flow solutions reported thus far. A generalized multi-zone integral method is developed which solves the two resulting algebraic equations for pressure and temperature in conjunction with a property database, such as the National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) Reference Fluid Thermodynamic and Transport Properties (REFPROP). With appropriately selected number and size of the zones and using property values at the mean temperature and pressure within each zone, this integral method can accurately predict the complex effects of the governing parameters, such as the pipe diameter and length, inlet and exit pressures, mass flow rate, J-T cooling, and inlet and surrounding temperatures. Its accuracy for small-to-large diameter pipes has been ascertained by a comparison with the numerical solutions of the differential form of governing equations that requires a large number of small grids along the pipe and the values of mean properties within each grid. Indeed, this integral model can be used for the pipeline transport at both subcritical and supercritical pressures as long as the fluid does not encounter its anomalous states and the phase-change.

Electrical conductivity fluctuations as a tracer to determine time-dependent transport characteristics in hyporheic sediments

Assessing solute transport in riverbed sediments is important for quantifying the effective reactivity of hyporheic sediments and the magnitude of exchange flows between rivers and their river beds. A typical approach of estimating transport in riverbed sediments is by measuring natural tracers such as fluctuations of temperature or electrical conductivity (EC) and fitting models to them that assume time-independent travel time distributions, implying steady-state flow. Here, we use a transport parameterization that is based on the advection–dispersion equation (ADE) with coefficients that continuously vary in time. The ADE is solved numerically and its solution is fitted to measured EC time series using Bayesian parameter inference. A continuous function of model parameters is constructed by smoothly interpolating between point values with different temporal resolution, and Tikhonov regularization is used to avoid spurious parameter fluctuations. The approach is tested using EC time series synchronously measured in river water and hyporheic porewater of two urban rivers in Germany and one urban river in South Australia. For all datasets the goodness of fit was improved by introducing a time-dependent EC offset. Estimated porewater velocities were highly transient in three out of the four datasets with values increasing by up to a factor of six over the course of a day. Flux transients were likely related to both variations of hydraulic gradients along and spatial shifting of flow paths. Comparison to stationary, non-parametric deconvolution indicated that transient flow may induce multimodality in stationary travel time distributions. Given the high temporal dynamics of transport in the streambed sediments of the three investigated urban rivers, we envision that the presented model is also a valuable tool to improve the assessment of reactive transport in riverbed sediments.

Flow-induced vibration of turbo-expander impellers for industrial waste heat recovery: An analysis based on two-way fluid structure interaction

In the effort to conserve energy and reduce emissions, waste heat recovery for power generation offers a significant advantage by enabling energy recycling. The turbo-expander, a critical component within expansion power generation systems, plays a pivotal role. However, flow during various operation can generate vibrations that negatively affect operational efficiency and trigger safety hazards. Therefore, studying the flow-induced vibration of the turbo-expander is of significant value. We apply computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and transient structural mechanics to examine the flow-induced vibration characteristics of the turbo-expander influenced by stator-rotor interaction using a two-way fluid structure interaction (FSI) strategy. The flow field modeling and calculation approach discussed here is validated through actual operating data from a prototype. Subsequent stages involve coupling the steady-state flow field with the structural field and performing pre-stress modal analysis on the impeller. In the end, we integrate flow-induced excitation from flow field calculations with the transient structural field to calculate the impeller’s flow-induced vibration at the expansion end of the turbo-expander. Our analysis reveals that guide vane frequency (3267 Hz), its harmonic frequencies, and pre-stress modal frequency (1465 Hz) prominently manifest in pressure pulsation and the dynamic response of the turbo-expander impeller under the influence of stator-rotor interaction.

A mathematical model of Casson nanofluid flow over a vertically stretched porous surface along with bioconvection, Joule heating and thermal Robin conditions

The current analysis aims is to investigate the steady-state visco-plastic Casson nanofluid flow over an electrically conducting stretching porous surface. Thermophoresis and Brownian motion parameters are utilized for modeling and analysis. Also, Joule heating, thermal radiation, thermal robin condition, thermo-solutal stratifications, and viscous dissipation are considered for energy and nanoparticle concentration. Using appropriate similarity transformation, the partial differential equations (PDEs) system is altered into ordinary differential equatons (ODEs). The Homotopy analysis method (HAM) is used for solving governing equations. The effect of distinct physical parameters on the velocity, concentration, temperature, and microorganism’s density is revealed graphically and discussed tabularly. Additionally, numerical analysis is conducted on designed Nusselt number, Sherwood number, skin friction, and motile microorganism’s density. The major finding of the study is that the fluid velocity decreases as both the magnetic parameter and Casson fluid parameter increases. Instead, increasing the values of the Deborah number and activation energy results in an increase in fluid temperature. The current study is useful for coating deposition of magnetic nanomaterials at comparatively higher temperatures.

Non-invasive measurement of wall shear stress in microfluidic chip for osteoblast cell culture using improved depth estimation of defocus particle tracking method.

The development of a non-invasive method for measuring the internal fluid behavior and dynamics of microchannels in microfluidics poses critical challenges to biological research, such as understanding the impact of wall shear stress (WSS) in the growth of a bone-forming osteoblast. This study used the General Defocus Particle Tracking (GDPT) technique to develop a non-invasive method for quantifying the fluid velocity profile and calculated the WSS within a microfluidic chip. The GDPT estimates particle motion in a three-dimensional space by analyzing two-dimensional images and video captured using a single camera. However, without a lens to introduce aberration, GDPT is prone to error in estimating the displacement direction for out-of-focus particles, and without knowing the exact refractive indices, the scaling from estimated values to physical units is inaccurate. The proposed approach addresses both challenges by using theoretical knowledge on laminar flow and integrating results obtained from multiple analyses. The proposed approach was validated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and experimental video of a microfluidic chip that can generate different WSS levels under steady-state flow conditions. By comparing the CFD and GDPT velocity profiles, it was found that the Mean Pearson Correlation Coefficient is 0.77 (max = 0.90) and the Mean Intraclass Correlation Coefficient is 0.66 (max = 0.82). The densitometry analysis of osteoblast cells cultured on the designed microfluidic chip for four days revealed that the cell proliferation rate correlates positively with the measured WSS values. The proposed analysis can be applied to quantify the laminar flow in microfluidic chip experiments without specialized equipment.

Deep regolith weathering controls δ30Si composition of groundwater under contrasting landuse in tropical watersheds

Land use changes are known to alter terrestrial silicon cycling and the export of dissolved silicon from soil to fluvial systems, but the impact of such changes on groundwater systems remain unclear. In order to identify the processes responsible for groundwater geochemistry and to assess the impact of agricultural processes, we examined multiple isotopic tracers (δ30Si, oxygen (δ18O) and hydrogen (δ2H) isotopes) in groundwater, soil porewater and surface water from two contrasted watersheds having the same gneissic lithology, one forested (Mule Hole) and one intensely cultivated (Berambadi) in the Kabini basin in South India. In the cultivated watershed, groundwater exhibits high Cl− and NO3− concentrations indicative of fertilizer inputs and solute enrichment from evapotranspiration due to multiple groundwater pumping/recharge cycles. The DSi concentration in groundwater is significantly higher in the cultivated watershed (980 ± 313 μM) than in the forested one (711 ± 154 μM), indicating more intense evapotranspiration due to irrigation cycles. The groundwater δ30Si values ranged from 0.6 ‰ to 3.4 ‰ and exhibit no significant differences between cultivated (1.2 ± 0.5 ‰) and forested (1.0 ± 0.2 ‰) watersheds, indicating limited impact of land use and land cover. Groundwater also shows no significant seasonal differences in DSi and δ30Si within watersheds, indicating a buffer to seasonal recharge during wet season. The δ30Si of a majority of groundwater samples fits a steady-state open flow through system, with an isotopic fractionation factor (30ε) between precipitating phase and groundwater ranging from −1.0 ‰ and − 2.0 ‰, consistent with precipitation of kaolinite-type clays, dominant in the study area. The steady-state flow through system in groundwater can be interpreted as a continuous DSi input from mineral weathering reactions with a dynamic equilibrium between Si supply and precipitation of secondary phases. We also observe, in both watersheds, similar DSi and δ30Si values in local surface water that includes small streams and a river (406 ± 194 μM, 1.6 ± 0.3 ‰) and in soil porewater (514 ± 119 μM, 1.6 ± 0.2 ‰). Compared to soil porewater, groundwater exhibits significantly lower δ30Si signatures and higher DSi, reflecting the contribution of an isotopically light silicon source, resulting from water-rock interaction during percolation through the unsaturated zone. We assign this steady input of DSi to the weathering of primary silicate minerals in the regolith, such as Na-plagioclase, biotite and chlorite, with formation of kaolinite and smectites type clays. A simple isotopic mass balance suggests that deep regolith weathering can contribute to almost half of the DSi in groundwater. We conclude that silicon cycling in soil porewaters, and surface waters are directly impacted by land use, while the isotopic composition of groundwater remains unaffected. Our results indicate that Si isotopic signatures of weathering, adsorption, and plant uptake occurring in the shallow soil and saprolite horizons are partly overprinted and homogenized by the regolith weathering in the deep critical zone, irrespective of land use and seasonality.

Development of a transient analysis code for trans-critical simulation of SCWR

Supercritical water-cooled reactors (SCWR) experience pressure reductions below the critical point during a loss of coolant accident (LOCA). During the reactor depressurization, boiling crises may occur, leading to pressure fluctuations and significant increases in wall temperatures, posing a severe threat to the cladding. In this study, a one-dimensional transient analysis code has been developed to incorporate one-dimensional steady-state flow equations in the fluid domain and transient thermal conductivity equations in the solid domain. The code also includes a wall heat transfer model and a model for the velocity of the moving quench front to simulate transcritical depressurization transient processes. The simulation successfully predicts the typical experimental phenomena. It is reasonable to use the critical temperature as the demarcation point between the dry and wet conditions of the axial wall of the rod bundle under transcritical conditions. By combining the experimental data with the program calculations, the critical interface for the occurrence of boiling crisis under transcritical conditions is determined using mass flow rate, heat flow density and fluid temperature as inputs. The criterion for the occurrence of CHF under transcritical conditions is obtained, which provides a reference to the safety analysis of SCWRs.

Circulation-controlled wind-assisted ship propulsion: Technical innovations for future shipping industry decarbonization

Amidst mandatory policies aimed at energy savings and emission reductions in the shipping industry, wind-assisted ship propulsion technology has gained prominence for its immediate practicality in promoting environmental sustainability. Wing-sails possess favorable aerodynamic characteristics and adjustable capabilities, yet their efficiency is impeded by flow separation at high angles of attack. This study addressed the challenge of mitigating delayed separation and enhancing lift at large angles of attack for wing-sails through technical solutions involving trailing-edge circulation control and leading-edge boundary layer control. Three-dimensional steady-state flow fields of conventional and circulation-controlled wing-sails were accurately modeled using a Generalized k-ω (GEKO) model across angles of attack ranging from 0° to 30°. Under moderate jet strength conditions with a velocity ratio of 5, the stall angle of attack of the circulation-controlled wing-sail was delayed by approximately 6°. Furthermore, compared to a conventional wing-sail, the circulation-controlled variant exhibited a 111 % increase in maximum lift coefficient and a 120 % rise in maximum resultant force coefficient. The energy-saving and emission reduction benefits of implementing this innovative technology were quantified using the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) on a real very large crude carrier (VLCC). The circulation-controlled wing-sail demonstrated a 10.38 % reduction in EEDI under optimal operating conditions with medium jet strength, compared to an unassisted vessel. Moreover, this reduction was enhanced by 77.55 % compared to incorporating a conventional wing-sail. These discoveries signify an advancement in wind-assisted ship propulsion technology on an innovative frontier, promising greater energy utilization and reduced fuel consumption, thereby facilitating the achievement of stringent green ship standards.

Critical condition for initiation of dynamic recrystallisation in electron beam powder bed fused Ti-6Al-4 V Alloy

Despite the unique capabilities of Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes for producing Ti components with complex geometries, the desired properties are only achievable if a holistic scheme is devised, considering the synergistic role of post-processing steps. This work aimed to enhance the applicability of metal AM products by improving the process chain in the manufacturing industry. For this purpose, the current work demonstrates a comprehensive investigation into the hot deformation of Ti-6Al-4 V (Ti64) pre-forms produced via the Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion (EB-PBF) process focusing on the determination of critical conditions for initiating Dynamic Recrystallization (DRX) in these components. Following a sequential evaluation procedure, hot deformation experiments were carried out at temperatures ranging from 1000 to 1200 °C and strain rates of 0.001–1 s−1 to determine the critical stress and strain required for initiating DRX in Ti64 pre-forms and compare them to their wrought counterparts. In addition, a specific Finite Element Model (FEM) was coupled with DRX kinetics equations to predict the volume percentage of DRX grains during the hot deformation of the pre-forms. The analysis of flow stress curves showed a significant peak stress at low strains, which is then followed by a period of flow softening and eventually transitions into a nearly steady-state flow at higher strains. In addition, compared to their wrought counterparts, the EB-PBF samples exhibited a significantly superior flow softening behavior, as evidenced by a more significant volume fraction of DRX and faster recrystallisation rates. It was also revealed that the normalised strain for DRX initiation in the EB-PBF Ti64 and wrought one was 0.55 and 0.67, respectively. FEM results closely matched the experimental finding, confirming its reliability in providing valuable insights into microstructural evolution and offering a time-efficient alternative for process design and property optimisation, lowering dependence on trial-and-error approaches. Through a combination of experiments, numerical analysis, and finite element simulations, this study sheds light on the macroscopic deformation and microstructural transformations occurring during hot working processes.

Enhancing the heat transfer in CuO-MWCNT oil hybrid nanofluid flow in a pipe

In this study, three-dimensional steady-state laminar flow simulations were conducted in a horizontal pipe using CuO and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) nanoparticles with engine oil as the base fluid. Various nanoparticle volume fractions were examined under a constant heat flux boundary condition applied to the pipe wall. The main goal was to assess and compare the effects of different nanoparticle volume concentrations, including CuO and MWCNT in ratios of 1:1 and 1:2, on convective heat transfer. A second-order discretisation method was employed for solving the equations, and the SIMPLE algorithm was used for pressure–velocity coupling in the CFD code. The study focused on the impact of nanoparticle volume fraction on the convective heat transfer coefficient and the Nusselt number at a Reynolds number of 750. The findings indicate that increasing the nanoparticle volume fraction enhances both the convective heat transfer coefficient and the Nusselt number, with MWCNT having a more pronounced effect compared to CuO. Specifically, adding 2% CuO increases the heat transfer coefficient by 65%, while a mixture of 1% CuO and 1% MWCNT boosts it by 75%. The thermal boundary layer thickness also grows with higher nanoparticle concentrations, with 1% CuO and 3% CuO increasing the thickness by 1.5% and 3.6%, respectively. A formula for the thermal boundary layer thickness in CuO-oil nanofluids is provided based on volume fraction, and a scale analysis of the average heat transfer coefficient confirms that the simulation results are consistent with this analysis.

A new method for the prediction of vibration responses of thin plates coupled with discontinuous connections

Due to the limitation caused by the assumption of ideal continuous line junctions between plates or the high computation cost, the existing methods cannot provide reliable prediction solutions of vibration responses of coupled plates with real connections, such as bolts and corner irons. To this end, a discontinuous energy finite element analysis (dEFEA) method with high accuracy is proposed to predict the vibration responses of discontinuously connected plates, which can revert the real connection. This method developes the coupling loss factors (CLFs) on the steady-state energy flow technique to characterize vibration transmission between plates with different connections. In addition, a discontinuous energy finite element equation of coupled plates is established to obtain the vibration responses of those. The efficacy of the dEFEA method is demonstrated by experiments and the method can improve the prediction accuracy of vibration, which is verified by the comparison between discontinuous and ideal continuous connections. To sum up, vibration transmission of connected structures varies greatly depending on the way of connection and cannot be simplified to a line connection.

Entropy generation in newtonian vs non-newtonian nanofluid flow under vibration

Numerical investigation into the effects of vibration on heat transfer and entropy generation in Newtonian and Non-Newtonian nanofluid flows through pipes reveals enhanced heat transfer via intensified fluid agitation and improved particle dispersion. Thermal entropy generation analysis shows reduced irreversibility in vibrated flow, indicating improved flow mixing. Vibration enhances heat transfer by intensifying fluid agitation and promoting particle dispersion near the wall, resulting in a significantly more uniform temperature distribution along the pipe, approximately 100 times more than steady-state flow. This study underscores vibration’s potential to optimize heat transfer and reduce entropy generation in nanofluid systems, emphasizing velocity and rheological impacts. Comparison of vibrated flow to steady-state flow for Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids reveals significant improvements under vibration, particularly at lower Reynolds numbers where non-Newtonian fluids exhibit pronounced effects. Future research directions include exploring thermal radiation’s impact on entropy generation, analyzing different nanofluid compositions, and investigating varied boundary conditions and geometries to advance understanding in this field. This study provides valuable insights into the complex interplay among vibration, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer in nanofluid flows. Its findings have practical implications for optimizing thermal management systems in diverse engineering applications.

Analyzing asymmetry in brain hierarchies with a linear state-space model of resting-state fMRI data.

This study challenges the traditional focus on zero-lag statistics in resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) research. Instead, it advocates for considering time-lag interactions to unveil the directionality and asymmetries of the brain hierarchy. Effective connectivity (EC), the state matrix in dynamical causal modeling (DCM), is a commonly used metric for studying dynamical properties and causal interactions within a linear state-space system description. Here, we focused on how time-lag statistics are incorporated within the framework of DCM resulting in an asymmetric EC matrix. Our approach involves decomposing the EC matrix, revealing a steady-state differential cross-covariance matrix that is responsible for modeling information flow and introducing time-irreversibility. Specifically, the system's dynamics, influenced by the off-diagonal part of the differential covariance, exhibit a curl steady-state flow component that breaks detailed balance and diverges the dynamics from equilibrium. Our empirical findings indicate that the EC matrix's outgoing strengths correlate with the flow described by the differential cross covariance, while incoming strengths are primarily driven by zero-lag covariance, emphasizing conditional independence over directionality.