Complex Fluid Flow Research Articles

Calculation of a Complex 3-D Model of a Turbogenerator With End Region Regarding Electrical Losses, Cooling, and Heating

A significant problem of turbogenerators on complex end structures is overheating of local parts caused by end losses and complex fluid flow in the end region. Therefore, it is important to investigate the 3-D flow and heat transfer process in the end. Using a 200-MW air-cooled turbogenerator as an example, the influences of end cores and the actual shapes and material of the end coils, press finger, press plate, and copper shield are considered for the end field calculation; then, the physical and mathematical models of the coil end with involute portions are created. The 3-D electromagnetic field was calculated and the losses of different parts in the end and its distribution were obtained. Based on this, the losses from magnetic field calculations will be applied to the end as heat sources in the temperature field. For symmetry of the ventilated structure, the fluid and thermal physical models of the generator within the half-axial section were determined. A set of equations of fluid flow and heat transfer were derived from the fluid-solid conjugated heat transfer and the fluid and temperature distributions were obtained after solving the equations. All of the aforementioned will provide a theoretical basis for the generator safe operation.

The Voronoi Implicit Interface Method for computing multiphase physics.

We introduce a numerical framework, the Voronoi Implicit Interface Method for tracking multiple interacting and evolving regions (phases) whose motion is determined by complex physics (fluids, mechanics, elasticity, etc.), intricate jump conditions, internal constraints, and boundary conditions. The method works in two and three dimensions, handles tens of thousands of interfaces and separate phases, and easily and automatically handles multiple junctions, triple points, and quadruple points in two dimensions, as well as triple lines, etc., in higher dimensions. Topological changes occur naturally, with no surgery required. The method is first-order accurate at junction points/lines, and of arbitrarily high-order accuracy away from such degeneracies. The method uses a single function to describe all phases simultaneously, represented on a fixed Eulerian mesh. We test the method's accuracy through convergence tests, and demonstrate its applications to geometric flows, accurate prediction of von Neumann's law for multiphase curvature flow, and robustness under complex fluid flow with surface tension and large shearing forces.

A study on the flow field and local heat transfer performance due to geometric scaling of centrifugal fans

Scaled versions of fan designs are often chosen to address thermal management issues in space constrained applications. Using velocity field and local heat transfer measurement techniques, the thermal performance characteristics of a range of geometrically scaled centrifugal fan designs have been investigated. Complex fluid flow structures and surface heat transfer trends due to centrifugal fans were found to be common over a wide range of fan aspect ratios (blade height to fan diameter). The limiting aspect ratio for heat transfer enhancement was 0.3, as larger aspect ratios were shown to result in a reduction in overall thermal performance. Over the range of fans examined, the low profile centrifugal designs produced significant enhancement in thermal performance when compared to that predicted using classical laminar flow theory. The limiting non-dimensional distance from the fan, where this enhancement is no longer apparent, has also been determined. Using the fundamental information inferred from local velocity field and heat transfer measurements, selection criteria can be determined for both low and high power practical applications where space restrictions exist.

Computational fluid dynamics simulation for tuned liquid column dampers in horizontal motion

A Computational Fluid Dynamics model is presented in this study for the simulation of the complex fluid flows with free surfaces inside the Tuned Liquid Column Dampers in horizontal motion. The characteristics of the fluid model of the TLCD in horizontal motion include the free surface of the multiphase flow and the horizontal moving frame. In this study, the time depend unsteady Standard turbulent model based on Navier-Stokes equations is chosen. The volume of fluid (VOF) method and sliding mesh technique are adopted to track the free surface of water inside the vertical columns of TLCD and treat the moving boundary of the walls of TLCD in horizontal motion. Several model solution parameters comprising different time steps, mesh sizes, convergence criteria and discretization schemes are examined to establish model parametric independency results. The simulation results are compared with the experimental data in the dimensionless amplitude of the water column in four different configured groups of TLCDs with four different orifice areas. The predicted natural frequencies and the head loss coefficient of TLCDs from CFD model are also compared with the experimental data. The predicted numerical results agree well with the available experimental data.

Hydration-Responsive Folding and Unfolding in Graphene Oxide Liquid Crystal Phases

Graphene oxide is promising as a plate-like giant molecular building block for the assembly of new carbon materials. Its water dispersibility, liquid crystallinity, and ease of reduction offer advantages over other carbon precursors if its fundamental assembly rules can be identified. This article shows that graphene oxide sheets of known lateral dimension form nematic liquid crystal phases with transition points in agreement with the Onsager hard-plate theory. The liquid crystal phases can be systematically ordered into defined supramolecular patterns using surface anchoring, complex fluid flow, and microconfinement. Graphene oxide is seen to exhibit homeotropic surface anchoring at interfaces driven by excluded volume entropy and by adsorption enthalpy associated with its partially hydrophobic basal planes. Surprisingly, some of the surface-ordered graphene oxide phases dry into graphene oxide solids that undergo a dramatic anisotropic swelling upon rehydration to recover their initial size and shape. This behavior is shown to be a unique hydration-responsive folding and unfolding transition. During drying, surface tension forces acting parallel to the layer planes cause a buckling instability that stores elastic energy in accordion-folded structures in the dry solid. Subsequent water infiltration reduces interlayer frictional forces and triggers release of the stored elastic energy in the form of dramatic unidirectional expansion. We explain the folding/unfolding phenomena by quantitative nanomechanics and introduce the potential of liquid crystal-derived graphene oxide phases as new stimuli-response materials.

Geometric, variational discretization of continuum theories

This study derives geometric, variational discretization of continuum theories arising in fluid dynamics, magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), and the dynamics of complex fluids. A central role in these discretizations is played by the geometric formulation of fluid dynamics, which views solutions to the governing equations for perfect fluid flow as geodesics on the group of volume-preserving diffeomorphisms of the fluid domain. Inspired by this framework, we construct a finite-dimensional approximation to the diffeomorphism group and its Lie algebra, thereby permitting a variational temporal discretization of geodesics on the spatially discretized diffeomorphism group. The extension to MHD and complex fluid flow is then made through an appeal to the theory of Euler–Poincaré systems with advection, which provides a generalization of the variational formulation of ideal fluid flow to fluids with one or more advected parameters. Upon deriving a family of structured integrators for these systems, we test their performance via a numerical implementation of the update schemes on a cartesian grid. Among the hallmarks of these new numerical methods are exact preservation of momenta arising from symmetries, automatic satisfaction of solenoidal constraints on vector fields, good long-term energy behavior, robustness with respect to the spatial and temporal resolution of the discretization, and applicability to irregular meshes.

Self-consistent particle simulation of model-stabilized colloidal suspensions

Dynamics of model-stabilized colloidal suspensions were investigated by the self-consistent particle simulation method (SC), a new simulation algorithm that takes into account the interaction between the particles and suspending fluid. In this method, the fluid-particle interaction is introduced self-consistently by combining the finite element method (FEM) for fluid motion with Brownian dynamics (BD) for particle dynamics. To validate the reliability of the proposed algorithm, the shear dynamics of the stable particle suspensions were investigated. Relative viscosity and microstructure as a function of dimensionless shear rate at different volume fractions were in good agreement with previous observations. The robustness of the method was also verified through numerical convergence test. The effect of the fluid-particle interaction was well represented in simulations of two model problems, pressure-driven channel flow and rotating Couette flow. Plug-shaped velocity profile was observed in pressure-driven channel flow, which arised from shear thinning behavior of the stable suspension. In rotating Couette flow, shear banded nonlinear flow profile was observed. Although full hydrodynamic interaction (HI) was not rigorously taken into account, it successfully captured the macroscopic structure-induced flow field. It also takes advantage of the geometrical adaptability of FEM and computational efficiency of BD. We expect this newly developed simulation platform to be useful and efficient for probing the complex flow dynamics of particle systems as well as for practical applications in the complex flow of complex fluids.

Bifurcations: Focal Points of Particle Adhesion in Microvascular Networks

Particle adhesion in vivo is dependent on the microcirculation environment, which features unique anatomical (bifurcations, tortuosity, cross-sectional changes) and physiological (complex hemodynamics) characteristics. The mechanisms behind these complex phenomena are not well understood. In this study, we used a recently developed in vitro model of microvascular networks, called SMN, for characterizing particle adhesion patterns in the microcirculation. SMNs were fabricated using soft-lithography processes followed by particle adhesion studies using avidin and biotin-conjugated microspheres. Particle adhesion patterns were subsequently analyzed using CFD-based modeling. Experimental and modeling studies highlighted the complex and heterogeneous fluid flow patterns encountered by particles in microvascular networks resulting in significantly higher propensity of adhesion (>1.5×) near bifurcations compared with the branches of the microvascular networks. Bifurcations are the focal points of particle adhesion in microvascular networks. Changing flow patterns and morphology near bifurcations are the primary factors controlling the preferential adhesion of functionalized particles in microvascular networks. SMNs provide an in vitro framework for understanding particle adhesion.

Studies of the flow of air in a mixed-flow pump using numerical simulations

This article presents an investigation of the three-dimensional (3D) turbulent flow through the impeller passages and surroundings of a mixed-flow pump. Rotating passages of turbomachinery contain some very interesting and complex fluid flow phenomena. The model tested has five impeller blades mounted on a conical hub and nine stator blades in a diffuser which brings the diagonally outward flow back to the axial direction. Numerical calculations of the unsteady flow were carried out with the code Fluent, using air as the working fluid. Three models have been applied for turbulence closure: standard k-epsilon, renormalization group k-epsilon, and Reynolds stress model, using conventional wall functions near solid surfaces. For this transient 3D computation, the numerical grid has been decomposed into eight separate regions in order to process these in a parallel cluster of desktop computers. The results obtained show entirely reasonable correlations with previously published experimental data, as detailed in the performance curve comparisons and also in the numerical and experimental flow fields. These outcomes confirm that such a complex transient phenomenon may be reasonably captured by means of a commercial computational fluid dynamics code.

Pattern palette for complex fluid flows

Pattern palette for complex fluid flows

First-order system least squares and the energetic variational approach for two-phase flow

This paper develops a first-order system least-squares (FOSLS) formulation for equations of two-phase flow. The main goal is to show that this discretization, along with numerical techniques such as nested iteration, algebraic multigrid, and adaptive local refinement, can be used to solve these types of complex fluid flow problems. In addition, from an energetic variational approach, it can be shown that an important quantity to preserve in a given simulation is the energy law. We discuss the energy law and inherent structure for two-phase flow using the Allen–Cahn interface model and indicate how it is related to other complex fluid models, such as magnetohydrodynamics. Finally, we show that, using the FOSLS framework, one can still satisfy the appropriate energy law globally while using well-known numerical techniques.

Rotational invariance in the three-dimensional lattice Boltzmann method is dependent on the choice of lattice

The lattice Boltzmann method has recently gained popularity as a tool for simulating complex fluid flows. It uses discrete sets of velocity vectors, or lattices, to create a reduced model of the molecular dynamics of a continuum fluid. While several lattices are believed to behave isotropically, there are reports of qualitatively incorrect results. However, thus far, the reason as to why a lack of isotropy occurs is not known. Based on the hypothesis that lower order lattices may not display rotational invariance, this study tests the isotropy of the D3Q15, D3Q19 and D3Q27 lattices by performing simulations at intermediate Reynolds numbers (50–500) and low Knudsen number (<0.0005) in an axisymmetrical geometry with a nozzle leading to a throat followed by a sudden expansion. The symmetry properties of the results were examined. It was found that at Re ⩾ 250 the D3Q15 and D3Q19 lattices produced different results depending on the plane of the lattice with which the flow was aligned. Lattice planes with fewer than six velocity vectors consistently produced results which were qualitatively different from the planes with six or more velocity vectors. These errors were not observed at Re = 50 or when a D3Q27 lattice was used. They appeared to be independent of grid density, collision operator and Ma. This suggests that the lattices which contain these planes are not fully isotropic and therefore do not properly replicate the behavior of a real fluid in this particular situation, notably downstream from the expansion. Predictions made using these models in more complex geometries may therefore be affected by the orientation of the lattice. When using LBM in CFD simulation (including validation) this study highlights the need for caution to ensure that the solution obtained is independent of the lattice orientation throughout the domain.

Advances in modelling of biomimetic fluid flow at different scales.

The biomimetic flow at different scales has been discussed at length. The need of looking into the biological surfaces and morphologies and both geometrical and physical similarities to imitate the technological products and processes has been emphasized. The complex fluid flow and heat transfer problems, the fluid-interface and the physics involved at multiscale and macro-, meso-, micro- and nano-scales have been discussed. The flow and heat transfer simulation is done by various CFD solvers including Navier-Stokes and energy equations, lattice Boltzmann method and molecular dynamics method. Combined continuum-molecular dynamics method is also reviewed.

A high-accuracy temporal–spatial pseudospectral method for time-periodic unsteady fluid flow and heat transfer problems

A temporal–spatial pseudospectral (TSP) method is proposed for the high-accuracy solutions of time-periodic unsteady fluid flow and heat transfer problems. In this method, both the spatial and temporal derivative terms in the governing equations are computed by pseudospectral method. The spatial derivatives are computed through Chebyshev and Lagrange polynomials while the time derivatives are computed by Fourier series. The TSP method is capable of directly finding out the periodic state solutions without the necessity to resolve the initial transient state solutions, hence holds high computational efficiency and high numerical accuracy properties for the time-periodic problems. This method is validated by three 2D benchmark problems: the time-periodic incompressible flow with exact solutions; the natural convection in enclosure with time-periodic temperature on one sidewall, and on both sidewalls. The TSP results fit well the exact solutions or the benchmark solutions and the TSP accuracy is much higher than the time marching spatial pseudospectral accuracy. Some time-dependent fluid flow and heat transfer characteristic parameters are analysed. The proposed TSP method could be further extended to more complex time-periodic unsteady fluid flow and heat transfer problems where high-accuracy results are required.

Fully coupled approach to modeling shallow water flow, sediment transport, and bed evolution in rivers

Our ability to predict complex environmental fluid flow and transport hinges on accurate and efficient simulations of multiple physical phenomenon operating simultaneously over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales, including overbank floods, coastal storm surge events, drying and wetting bed conditions, and simultaneous bed form evolution. This research implements a fully coupled strategy for solving shallow water hydrodynamics, sediment transport, and morphological bed evolution in rivers and floodplains (PIHM_Hydro) and applies the model to field and laboratory experiments that cover a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. The model uses a standard upwind finite volume method and Roe's approximate Riemann solver for unstructured grids. A multidimensional linear reconstruction and slope limiter are implemented, achieving second‐order spatial accuracy. Model efficiency and stability are treated using an explicit‐implicit method for temporal discretization with operator splitting. Laboratory‐and field‐scale experiments were compiled where coupled processes across a range of scales were observed and where higher‐order spatial and temporal accuracy might be needed for accurate and efficient solutions. These experiments demonstrate the ability of the fully coupled strategy in capturing dynamics of field‐scale flood waves and small‐scale drying‐wetting processes.

Stochastic modeling and multi-objective optimization for the APECS system

The Advanced Process Engineering Co-Simulator (APECS), developed at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory, is an integrated software suite that enables the process and energy industries to optimize overall plant performance with respect to complex thermal and fluid flow phenomena. The APECS system uses the process-industry standard CAPE-OPEN (CO) interfaces to combine equipment models and commercial process simulation software with powerful analysis and virtual engineering tools. The focus of this paper is the CO-compliant stochastic modeling and multi-objective optimization capabilities provided in the APECS system for process optimization under uncertainty and multiple and sometimes conflicting objectives. The usefulness of these advanced analysis capabilities is illustrated using a simulation and multi-objective optimization of an advanced coal-fired, gasification-based, zero-emissions electricity and hydrogen generation facility with carbon capture.

Small-world rheology: an introduction to probe-based active microrheology

We introduce active, probe-based microrheological techniques for measuring the flow and deformation of complex fluids. These techniques are ideal for mechanical characterization either when little sample is available, or when samples show significant spatial heterogeneity. We review recent results, paying particular attention to comparing and contrasting rheological parameters obtained from micro- and macro-rheological techniques.

Application of a simplified simulation method to the determination of arc efficiency of gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and experimental validation

To overcome the difficulty of solving a complex heat and fluid flow model of GTAW for predicting temperature distribution, cooling rate and weld pool geometry, a simplified simulation method has been followed in this study. The arc parameters as a measure of the heat distribution required for simulation were experimentally obtained from the arc images. The net heat flux was determined by the application of a simplified simulation method as opposed to calorimetric/genetic algorithm techniques used previously and validated experimentally. The arc efficiency was calculated as the ratio of net heat flux to the input power. The heat distribution parameter is found to be a function of current and independent of speed whereas the arc efficiency is independent of both current and travel speed. The value of arc efficiency determined in this study compares well with the data of previous studies, confirming the viability of the simulation method.

Transiciones de fase fuera del equilibrio en fluidos complejos

In this work, various examples of the flow of complex fluids are briefly exposed, in which an induced phase transition occurs out of the thermodynamic equilibrium under the flow strength. The imposed flow generates molecular ordering along certain directions in systems such as micellar solutions, particle suspensions, emulsions, polymer solutions, and so on. This ordering process may also produce flow-induced structures that under some conditions generate instabilities in the system. To recover the dynamic equilibrium, i.e., steady-state, the system separates in two or various phases, each one with different molecular order. This process is analogous to an equilibrium phase transition, in which the order parameter in this case is proportional to the critical velocity gradients of the system.

Finite Element Analysis of Turbulent Flows Using LES and Dynamic Subgrid‐Scale Models in Complex Geometries

An innovative computational model is presented for the large eddy simulation (LES) of multidimensional unsteady turbulent flow problems in complex geometries. The main objectives of this research are to know more about the structure of turbulent flows, to identify their three‐dimensional characteristic, and to study physical effects due to complex fluid flow. The filtered Navier‐Stokes equations are used to simulate large scales; however, they are supplemented by dynamic subgrid‐scale (DSGS) models to simulate the energy transfer from large scales toward subgrid‐scales, where this energy will be dissipated by molecular viscosity. Based on the Taylor‐Galerkin schemes for the convection‐diffusion problems, this model is implemented in a three‐dimensional finite element code using a three‐step finite element method (FEM). Turbulent channel flow and flow over a backward‐facing step are considered as a benchmark for validating the methodology by comparing with the direct numerical simulation (DNS) results or experimental data. Also, qualitative and quantitative aspects of three‐dimensional complex turbulent flow in a strong 3D blade passage of a Francis turbine are analyzed.