Liquid Flow Research Articles

Continuous casting process based on an optimized submerged entry nozzle

Continuous casting process is an important part in the steel manufacturing process. The slab production quality is commonly influenced by mould and flow pattern of submerged entry nozzles (SEN). Hence, the present work aimed to attain a more liquid flow rate to increase the slab production quantity within a certain period. Moreover, a novel African Buffalo Algorithm (ABA) is presented in this work to optimise the SEN parameters and the SEN was designed in the MATLAB environment. The developed ABA model optimises the design parameters of SEN such as the size of the nozzle, the shape of the port, length, submergence depth, etc. The fitness of buffalo effectively optimises the SEN parameters and by utilising the optimised design parameters, the SEN was resigned in the MATLAB to identify the proposed framework's effectiveness. The results demonstrated that the liquid flow rate is increased and surface tension gets minimised. When the flow rate of liquid grows, the wave amplitude also upturns. The effect of liquid and air flow rate, port shape and size, maximum wave amplitude, surface tension, etc., were calculated with 0° parallel port. In addition, the presented SEN's results were compared with other existing SEN to determine the optimised SEN's effectiveness. The comparison result demonstrated that the designed optimised SEN has a high liquid flow rate, casting speed, density and viscosity.

Investigation of the transferability of calibration between alternative fluids for liquid and dense phase carbon dioxide flow measurement

Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technology is pivotal for achieving global emissions reduction goals. The rise in CCUS facilities, with a near doubling of global capture capacity, indicates industry momentum. Robust flow measurement across the CCUS transport and storage networks are essential for commercial contracts, financial incentives, and regulatory compliance since these are underpinned by accurate quantification of the CO2 quantity transferred across the CCUS chain. However, a critical gap exists in verification and quality assurance of flow meters as currently there are no traceable calibration facilities that operates with liquid and/or dense phase CO2. However, globally there are many accredited traceable water and oil calibration facilities in operation, which can meet the required flow rates and meter sizes. An experimental study was then conducted at TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory, UK, and at the Institute for Energy Technologies, NO, to explore the transferability of calibration between water, oil, and CO2 using five flow meter technologies with the aim of providing a preliminary assessment of whether meters calibrated in alternative fluids can accurately measure liquid and supercritical CO2. The results suggest that this approach could work for Coriolis meters. The results also suggest caution in relying solely on using Equations of State to calculate density values and a recommendation is presented to currently employing direct density measurements until a more comprehensive understanding is achieved on Equations of State performance for CO2-rich mixtures. To the best of the author's knowledge this is the first time that such experimental investigation is conducted, and the results shared publicly.

Erosion wear characteristics of metal seal floating ball valve in gas–solid–liquid three-phase flow

During high-pressure acid leaching, sulfuric acid slurry acts as the transportation medium in the withdrawal drum for acid pressure leaching. Over time, the metal-sealed float valve at the pipeline outlet may experience internal leakage. To address this issue, the Euler–Lagrange method for fluid dynamics is used to evaluate the corrosion wear characteristics of the valve in a three-phase flow. Specifically, we investigate the erosion and wear properties of the ball valve core as it opened and closed. To further understand how different ball valve openings impact erosion characteristics, we establish a correlation between the corrosion rate and the drag coefficient. Our research findings indicate that as the valve’s relative opening decreases from 80% to 20%, the corrosion wear rate gradually increases. In addition, the number of particles within the valve cavity also follows a similar trend. These erosion results highlight the significant influence that particle quantity has on erosion. Moreover, with an increase in particle size, both the erosion gradient range and maximum erosion rate decrease.

Ultrasensitive detection of interleukin-6 enabled by three-dimensional spatial amplification

Accurately measuring interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels is crucial in both clinical medicine and research due to its role in various physiological and pathological processes. We present proof-of-concept of a novel three-dimensional (3D) spatial amplification method for developing highly sensitive and miniaturized IL-6 biosensors. We designed an IL-6 immunosensor platform utilizing a unique 3D microfluidic structure fabricated with femtosecond-pulsed laser processing. This design features a porous transducer element with over 4500 microcavities, thereby increasing the reaction area by 13-fold compared to traditional 2D designs while maintaining transparency. By combining this 3D structure with a competitive antigen-antibody reaction, the sensor achieved an exceptional limit of detection of 0.27 pg/mL for IL-6 in human blood samples. Additionally, we demonstrated effective control of liquid flow within the porous element using a reduction of pressure and centrifugation speeds. This 3D spatial amplification method offers a promising approach for developing highly sensitive and compact IL-6 biosensors. Such miniaturized sensors hold potential for point-of-care testing devices, enabling convenient and timely IL-6 analysis.

Причины повреждений корпусных конструкций в носовой оконечности судов

The operation of marine vessels, especially large-tonnage ones, is accompanied by the occurrence of serious damage to hull structures within bow in stormy conditions. A new mechanism to explain the catastrophic destruction of the side grillages of large-tonnage ships in the area of the bow is proposed. Simulation of the process of flow around the fore end when it is digged in a wave using SPH technology showed that when the flow speeds around the fore end occur when the vessel moves in developed waves, there is a sharp drop in pressure in certain areas of the bow end. This circumstance can lead to the occurrence of cavitation that is confirmed by modeling the process of flow around the fore end using ANSYS FLUENT software. During stall cavitation, a cavitation cavern of considerable size may arise, the collapse of which is accompanied by the occurrence of hydrodynamic loads that can destroy hull structures. A calculation method is proposed that allows one to estimate the magnitude of hydrodynamic loads acting on the ship’s hull during the collapse of a cavitation cavern. To prevent damage to the bow in storm conditions, a number of constructive measures have been proposed. One of the options for solving the problem is to install a deck fairing in the bow that eliminates the negative influence of structural cavitators in the traditional design when the bow is digged in the wave. It is also possible to install a compressed air supply system to those areas of the bow where vacuum occurs when a liquid flows around when digged in a wave.

Investigations on transport behaviours of rotating packed bed for CO2 capture by chemical absorption using CFD simulation

A rotating packed bed (RPB) has been proposed to overcome the limitations of high operating and capital costs involved in conventional columns which are used for chemical absorption-based carbon dioxide (CO2) capture. The design of large-scale RPBs depends on their transport characteristics. Owing to the difficulties in predicting the transport characteristics of RPBs experimentally, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation has been implemented. In this study, a two-dimensional (2D) volume of fluid (VOF) simulation is conducted to predict transport characteristics of RPB including, hydrodynamics, and physical and reactive mass transfers. To predict hydrodynamics of RPBs accurately, the liquid holdup by CFD simulation is compared against experimental prediction, showing a strong agreement between simulation and experimentation. Various liquid phase flow patterns within RPB are observed and these are cross-referenced with findings in the existing literature. Additionally, the impacts of rotational motion and flow rate are further assessed in the study. For the mass transfer performance, the prediction of the volumetric mass transfer coefficient, kLae of the air-water system from CFD simulation is studied. Two different mass transfer theories such as surface renewal theory and penetration theory are studied to predict kLae. It is observed that the kLae from the penetration theory closely follows the trend of the experimental data. Finally, a 2D simulation of the reactive absorption of CO2 by diethylenetriamine (DETA) in RPB is developed and compared with the existing available data in the literature. The present model underpredicts CO2 capture efficiency in RPB, which needs further improvement in reaction kinetics. In general, the present CFD model has the capability of predicting the transport characteristics of RPB.

New insights into the parameterization of the dry surface layer and its hydrogeochemical mechanism: An experimental study

Knowledge of the parameterization of the dry surface layer (DSL) is essential for evaluating near-surface water flow and water balance in arid and semi-arid areas. Existing studies have parameterized DSL thickness and vapor flow as functions of the soil moisture content (SMC) in the surface layer to predict soil evaporation. However, hydrochemical processes related to DSL development have been ignored, including changes in hydrochemistry, the underlying hydrochemical mechanism, and the role of dissolved substances in the DSL development. Herein, we performed a series of soil evaporation experiments for 260 days and explored the factors influencing DSL development (e.g., soil texture, atmospheric temperature, SMC, solutes). Evaporation experiments were performed using silty loess, sandy loess, and fine sand with a 60-cm water table. Results showed that the cumulative evaporation of silty loess, sandy loess, and fine sand over the experimental period were 1,391.52, 460.10, and 185.53 mm, respectively, which determined by the maximum height of liquid flow continuity. The content of total dissolved solids (TDS) and major ions at the surface soil were significantly higher than the values at deep depths of 5‒55 cm, which largely depend on evaporative water loss. Evolutionary trends of chemical facies in sand media along the liquid water migration were from HCO3-Ca type to SO4·Cl-Na type. This was attributed to mineral dissolution at a depth of 5–55 cm and their transport with liquid water, resulting in the precipitation of salt crystals at the surface soil. Furthermore, a consolidated DSL with a thickness of 3.0–3.5 cm in the sandy loess and a loose DSL with a thickness of 1.5–2.0 cm in fine sand were observed at the end of the experiments. The accumulation of solutes at the surface leads to a reduction in effective porosity and the aggregation of soil particles during continuous drying, which facilitates the consolidation of DSL in sandy loess. This overestimated the DSL thickness, resulting in a difference between the experimental and predicted evaporation rates by Fick's law. Overall, these results highlight the limitations of considering DSL thickness as a function of SMC only, providing new insights into hydrochemical processes and dissolved solutes involving DSL parameterization during continuous soil drying.

Statistical Analysis of Bubble Parameters from a Model Bubble Column with and without Counter-Current Flow

Bubble columns are widely used in numerous industrial processes because of their advantages in operation, design, and maintenance compared to other multiphase reactor types. In contrast to their simple design, the generated flow conditions inside a bubble column reactor are quite complex, especially in continuous mode with counter-current liquid flow. For the design and optimization of such reactors, precise numerical simulations and modelling are needed. These simulations and models have to be validated with experimental data. For this reason, experiments were carried out in a laboratory-scale bubble column using shadow imaging and particle image velocimetry (PIV) techniques with and without counter-current liquid flow. In the experiments, two types of gases—relatively poorly soluble air and well-soluble CO2—were used and the bubbles were generated with three different capillary diameters. With changing gas and liquid flow rates, overall, 108 different flow conditions were investigated. In addition to the liquid flow fields captured by PIV, shadow imaging data were also statistically evaluated in the measurement volume and bubble parameters such as bubble diameter, velocity, aspect ratio, bubble motion direction, and inclination. The bubble slip velocity was calculated from the measured liquid and bubble velocities. The analysis of these parameters shows that the counter-current liquid flow has a noticeable influence on the bubble parameters, especially on the bubble velocity and motion direction. In the case of CO2 bubbles, remarkable bubble shrinkage was observed with counter-current liquid flow due to the enhanced mass transfer. The results obtained for bubble aspect ratio are compared to known correlations from the literature. The comprehensive and extensive bubble data obtained in this study will now be used as a source for the development of correlations needed in the validation of numerical simulations and models. The data are available from the authors on request.

Dynamics of the ohmic heating and chemically reactive time-dependent flow of magnetized Casson fluid inside a rectangular pipe

Chemical reaction and ohmic heating can significantly influence the flow behavior and heat transfer characteristics in industrial processes involving non-Newtonian fluids. These processes include polymer processing, food processing, and manufacturing processes where non-Newtonian fluids are commonly encountered. Therefore, the impacts of chemical reaction and ohmic heating on the unsteady flow of an incompressible magnetized non-Newtonian Casson liquid through a rectangular pipe with a variable pressure gradient is scrutinized in this article. The impacts of heat generation/absorption and viscous dissipation are also incorporated through the energy equation. The numerical simulations of partial differential equations (PDEs) are acquired utilizing the finite difference method with the incorporating relaxation (SOR) algorithm. The impacts of dissimilar imperative parameters on various flow fields are scrutinized through graphs. Outcomes indicate that liquid velocity decreases with enhancing values of the Casson parameter. Furthermore, the liquid temperature has an enhancing behavior with the impact of the heat source/sink parameter. Comparisons of numerical results with previously published results show an excellent agreement. This kind of research may find specific industrial and medical utilizations such as glass manufacturing, crude oil purification, lubrication, paper production, blood transport study in cardiovascular design, etc.

Flow Velocity Computation in Solid–Liquid Two-Phase Flow by a Hybrid Network CNN–RKSVM

As an advanced detection technique, electrical resistive tomography (ERT) has been applied to detect the solid–liquid two-phase flow velocity based on available ERT measurements. The flow velocity computation by ERT must depend on the relative algorithms, including both the cross-correlation (CC) principle and convolutional neural networks (CNNs). However, these two types of algorithms have poor accuracy and generalization under complex measuring conditions and various flow patterns. To address this issue, in this paper, a hybrid network is proposed that combines a CNN with a reproducing kernel-based support vector machine (RKSVM) technique. The features hidden in ERT measurements are extracted using the CNN, and then the flow velocity is computed by the RKSVM in a high-dimensional feature space. According to the ERT measurements in an actual experimental platform, the results show that the hybrid network has higher accuracy and generalization ability for flow velocity computation compared with the existing CC, RKSVM, and CNN methods.

BALL VALVE FORCE CALCULATION

Valves are devices that are installed in pipelines, used devices and change cross-sections and regulate the flow of liquid or gas. Valves are divided into a number of types depending on the purpose of use: connecting-regulating, regulating, protective, special. The ball valve belongs to the group of connecting and regulating valves. Other valves, including the ball valve, consist of three main parts. These parts are the body, the transmission and the working body. In terms of body structure, they are of two types: straight and angled. In models with a straight body, the direction of flow at the inlet and outlet remains the same, while in angled models the direction can change up to 90°. Valves are drawers, valves, taps, etc. There are many types. One of the most common types are stopcocks. Shutoff valves are used in the oil and gas industry to prevent open gushing when drilling wells or to completely shut off the pipe channel when decommissioning wells. Mixers have the ability to create high volume. Mixers have become widespread due to their small size and low flow resistance. Disadvantages include difficult rotation as the diameter increases and riveting at high temperatures. Faucets come in spherical, conical, and cylindrical, depending on the plug design. The valve strength report determines the safety margin and stress of the valve parts. The power due to the valve force, friction force between the moving parts of the valve, axial force, etc. must be determined. Keywords: valves, valve, ball valve, ball valve, power metering, plug connection.

EMHD micropolar fluid flowing through a micro‐structural slipped surface with heat source/sink and chemical reaction

AbstractThe electromagnetohydrodynamic (EMHD) has a vital role due to its importance in aerospace and plasma physics, including energy transformation systems in which interaction between the liquid and magnetic field is crucial. Further, micropolar fluids with microstructural slip is used in the lubrication and liquid crystals. From this observation, the current study is conducted to express an EMHD flow of liquid on a microstructural slipped surface. The effects of a uniform heat source/sink (HS/S) with homogeneous and heterogeneous chemical reactions have been incorporated in energy and mass profiles. The governing equations are converted to ordinary differential equations using proper similarity variables. The converted equations are computed by the implementation of Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg (RKF) 4th 5th order with shooting technique. A list of the essential dimensionless constraints and graphs showing how they are affected are provided. The outcome of the problem shows that the electric parameter will improve the velocity but decline the microrotation profile. Further, both heterogeneous and homogeneous reactions have a decreasing concentration. While the heat distribution rate increases with greater magnetic and electric fields, the surface drag force decreases.

DROPLET MOTION ON HYDROPHOBIC AND HYDROPHILIC SURFACES USING LATTICE BOLTZMANN METHOD WITH BLOOD TEST MICROPAD APPLICATION

Laboratory sciences and disease diagnostics need accelerated medical tests, ease of testing for patients, and lower diagnostic costs. In this respect, one of the most innovative methods is paper-based microfluidic analysis tools, called micro-PAD. Since the chemical-based micro-PADs need sufficient blood to show an accurate blood test, the shape of the micro-PADs, the blood quantity, and the droplet flow to reach the end of the microchannels are important. Therefore, this research showed the liquid droplet motion on a heterogeneous (hydrophobic and hydrophilic) surface using the lattice Boltzmann method, and two star-shaped micro-PADs were modeled to investigate the effect of the droplet size and the droplet deflection from the center of the micro-PAD on liquid flow in microchannels. Based on the obtained results, fluid behavior was similar in two patterns (ten-pointed pattern and four-pointed pattern). This study compared the effects of parallel, convergent, and divergent channels in a four-pointed pattern on fluid velocity. The off-center error of the droplet was considered at the initial moment. The obtained results confirmed the direct relationship between the increased deviation of the center and the lack of uniformity in the fluid penetration. The present simulation results were validated against the laboratory data.

ELECTRO-OSMOTIC EFFECT ON PERISTALTIC FLOW OF PHAN–THIEN–TANNER FLUID IN A PLANAR CHANNEL

Abstract There are several factors that can cause the excessive accumulation of biofluid in human tissue, such as pregnancy, local traumas, allergic responses or the use of certain therapeutic medications. This study aims to further investigate the shear-dependent peristaltic flow of Phan–Thien–Tanner (PTT) fluid within a planar channel by incorporating the phenomenon of electro-osmosis. This research is driven by the potential biomedical applications of this knowledge. The non-Newtonian fluid features of the PTT fluid model are considered as physiological fluid in a symmetric planar channel. This study is significant, as it demonstrates that the chyme in the small intestine can be modelled as a PTT fluid. The governing equations for the flow of the ionic liquid, thermal radiation and heat transfer, along with the Poisson–Boltzmann equation within the electrical double layer, are discussed. The long-wavelength ( $\delta \ll 1$ ) and low-Reynolds-number approximations ( $Re \to 0$ ) are used to simplify the simultaneous equations. The solutions analyse the Debye electronic length parameter, Helmholtz–Smoluchowski velocity, Prandtl number and thermal radiation. Additionally, streamlines are used to examine the phenomenon of entrapment. Graphs are used to explain the influence of different parameters on the flow and temperature. The findings of the current model have practical implications in the design of microfluidic devices for different particle transport phenomena at the micro level. Additionally, the noteworthy results highlight the advantages of electro-osmosis in controlling both flow and heat transfer. Ultimately, our objective is to use these findings as a guide for the advancement of lab-on-a-chip systems.

Modeling and simulation of air-water upward annular flow characteristics in a vertical tube using CFD

Annular flow refers to a special type of two-phase flow pattern in which liquid flows as a thin film at the periphery of a pipe, tube, or conduit, and gas with relatively high velocity flows at the center of the flow section. This gas also includes dispersed liquid droplets. The liquid film flow rate continuously changes inside the tube due to two processes-entrainment and deposition. To determine the liquid holdup, pressure drop, the onset of dryout, and heat transfer characteristics in annular flow, it is important to have proper knowledge of flow characteristics. Especially a better understanding of entrainment fraction is important for the heat transfer and safe operation of two-phase flow systems operating in an annular two-phase flow regime. Therefore, the objective of this work is to develop a computational model for the simulation of the annular two-phase flow regime and assess the various existing models for the entrainment rate. In this work, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in ANSYS FLUENT has been applied to determine annular flow characteristics such as liquid film thickness, film velocity, entrainment rate, deposition rate, and entrainment fraction for various gas-liquid flow conditions in a vertical upward tube. The gas core with droplets was simulated using the Discrete Phase Model (DPM) which is based on the Eulerian-Lagrangian approach. The Eulerian Wall Film (EWF) model was utilized to simulate liquid film on the tube wall. Three different models of Entrainment rate were implemented and assessed through user-defined functions (UDF) in ANSYS. Finally, entrainment for fully developed flow was determined and compared with the experimental data available in the literature. From the simulations, it was obtained that the Bertodano correlation performed best in predicting entrainment fraction and the results were within the ±30 % limit when compared to experimental data.

Review : Field Flow Fractionation

Field flow Fractionation is a technique which is used for the separation of colloidal or high molecular weight substances in liquid solution, flowing through the separation platform, which does not have a stationary phase. It is similar to liquid chromatography, as it works on dilute solutions or suspensions of the solute, carried by a flowing eluent.separation is done by applying a fields like hydraulic, centrifugal, thermal, electrical, magnetic, gravitational or cross flowing, perpendicular to the direction of the sample .Field flow fractionation (FFF) is a chromatography-like separation technique used to separate macromolecules, colloids, and particles. The idea is straightforward. A parabolic velocity profile is created by a laminar flow of carrier liquid between two walls separated by approximately 0.1 mm

Experimental assessment of the heat shielding performance by the integration of phase change material and liquid cooling plate

This research focuses on innovative stealth equipment by integrating a liquid cooling plate and phase change material (PCM), and the temperature rise on the cold surface and PCM melting rate is reported to illustrate the PCM thermal behavior in lifting the heat shielding performance. Results show that the integrated PCM system is effective in delaying the temperature rise within a certain time. A slower temperature rise on the cold surface is found at the first 1200 s, and a significant acceleration in the temperature rise is given within 1200 s ∼ 2000 s as the heat flood breaks through the PCM layer. The PCM melting rate increases rapidly and then rises slowly, and the complete melting time is shortened as increasing heat power. The heat shielding performance is significantly reduced with increasing the liquid flow rate, and the influence of the coolant temperature on the temperature rise becomes more and more prominent as the completion of the PCM melting process. A slower temperature rise is observed at the lower PCM phase transition temperature, and a further increase in the PCM covering layer has little influence on the temperature rise at the initial stage.

Lattice Boltzmann study of liquid water flow and freezing in the gas diffusion layer

The flow and freezing process of liquid water in the gas diffusion layer (GDL) is studied using a proposed lattice Boltzmann method that integrates the multi-component pseudo-potential model and the enthalpy-based method. The evolution of liquid water, ice, and temperature distributions inside the GDL during this process is specifically analyzed, and the effect of GDL porous structure, such as porosity and carbon fiber diameter, is discussed. Results indicate that liquid water exhibits a propensity to break through the GDL through the regions characterized by larger pores, subsequently forming a liquid droplet on the GDL surface and beginning to freeze. The freezing process extends from the droplets to the CL side through the liquid pathways within the GDL. In addition, liquid water is more prone to freezing around carbon fibers. Due to the released latent heat during freezing, the temperature at the liquid water/ice interface stabilizes at 273 K. Moreover, it is also demonstrated that a large porosity and coarse carbon fibers both facilitate the flow of liquid water into the GDL where it then freezes, leading to more serious blockage of pores by ice and liquid water.

Exploring the thermal shielding performance by coupling phase change material to liquid cooling plate

To enhance the thermal shielding performance of high-temperature heat source target, an evolved cold shield system coupling phase change material (PCM) and liquid cooling plate with serpentine flow channel is developed. The thermal shielding effectiveness of the proposed system is illustrated by comparing the duration maintained at a lower temperature on the cold surface, and the temperature uniformity of the cold surface is analyzed to describe the role of PCM in the thermal shielding performance. The influences of the operating parameters of the liquid cooling plate and PCM physical parameters on the thermal shielding performance of the heat source targets are investigated. The results indicate that coupling PCM to a liquid cooling plate can effectively improve the thermal shielding performance. Increasing the heat power of the heat source target from 190 W to 231 W will lessen the advantage time from 3090 s to 1980 s for the coupled system. The advantage time is shortened by 1500 s as increasing the liquid volume flow rate from 0.26 L/min to 1.30 L/min. Lifting the starting temperature of the coolant from 15 °C to 25 °C prolongs the advantage time from 2130 s to 3090 s. The advantage time is improved by 660 s as increasing the PCM phase transition temperature from 26 °C to 30 °C, and increasing the PCM covering thickness from 8 mm to 10 mm extends the advantage time from 1830 s to 3090 s. Meanwhile, the temperature equalization of the cold surface for the coupled system is better than the single liquid cooling. These results indicate that the proposed coupled system has potential applications in improving thermal shielding performance as well as heat flow control, thermal insulation, and other areas of heat regulation.

Solar-heated mono-domain-structured ferrimagnetic cellulosic sponge fabricated by using bidirectional freeze casting for energy-efficient liquid adsorption

Liquid adsorption has a wide range of industrial and environmental applications. In recent years, interest in liquid adsorption technology that leverages porous materials has surged, primarily driven by these materials’ substantial surface area and adjustable wettability. However, high tortuous structures of conventional porous materials impede the flow of liquids, limiting their applicability in situations requiring rapid liquid adsorption such as oil spill cleanups. This study proposed two strategies for rapid liquid adsorption. We introduced a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) wedge to control ice crystal growth by generating a dual temperature gradient. This led to a mono-domain lamellar structure composed of vertically aligned channels. Cubic iron oxide nanoparticles (CION) were also utilized to enhance solar heating, that enabled rapid adsorption, even of high-viscosity liquids, without an external power supply unit for heating sorbents. The application of a solar-heated ferrimagnetic cellulosic sponge with precisely controlled channels facilitates the rapid removal of high-viscosity oils, which have traditionally been challenging for large-scale oil spill cleanups in oceans.