Fluid Mechanics Model Research Articles

Study on Time Factors in the Smoke Control Process of Highway Tunnel Fires

Fire is the most deadly risk during tunnel operation. Early rapid response and a reasonable smoke control plan are very important to evaluate tunnel fire performance. In order to study the relevant time factors for smoke management in a highway tunnel, firstly, the logical sequence and time of the fire alarm system (FAS) startup are investigated and analyzed. Then, according to the one-dimensional fluid mechanics model, the time rule of adjusting the airflow field in the tunnel from the normal operation stage to the emergency ventilation state is analyzed theoretically. Finally, the abovementioned theoretical formulas are verified through the employment of model experiments. The analysis shows that the time that passes from the start of the fire to when the exhaust fan is activated is close to 3 minutes. The time required to form a stable critical wind speed, however, is close to 7 minutes, which is longer than the 5 minutes it takes for the fire to reach its maximum temperature. Due to inertia, it takes about 0.5 to 2 minutes for the air velocity in tunnels of different lengths to drop from the traffic piston wind speed to the critical wind speed. If reverse smoke extraction is required, however, the duration is between 3 and 8 minutes. The conclusion is of guiding significance for the preparation of the emergency linkage control scheme for tunnels, as well as for the setting of initial boundary conditions for CFD fire simulations.

Flood Inundation Prediction

Every year flood events lead to thousands of casualties and significant economic damage. Mapping the areas at risk of flooding is critical to reducing these losses, yet until the last few years such information was available for only a handful of well-studied locations. This review surveys recent progress to address this fundamental issue through a novel combination of appropriate physics, efficient numerical algorithms, high-performance computing, new sources of big data, and model automation frameworks. The review describes the fluid mechanics of inundation and the models used to predict it, before going on to consider the developments that have led in the last five years to the creation of the first true fluid mechanics models of flooding over the entire terrestrial land surface.

Microvascular fluid flow in ex vivo and engineered lungs.

In recent years, it has become common to experiment with ex vivo perfused lungs for organ transplantation and to attempt regenerative pulmonary engineering using decellularized lung matrices. However, our understanding of the physiology of ex vivo organ perfusion is imperfect; it is not currently well understood how decreasing microvascular barrier affects the perfusion of pulmonary parenchyma. In addition, protocols for lung perfusion and organ culture fluid-handling are far from standardized, with widespread variation on both basic methods and on ideally controlled parameters. To address both of these deficits, a robust, noninvasive, and mechanistic model is needed which is able to predict microvascular resistance and permeability in perfused lungs while providing insight into capillary recruitment. Although validated mathematical models exist for fluid flow in native pulmonary tissue, previous models generally assume minimal intravascular leak from artery to vein and do not assess capillary bed recruitment. Such models are difficult to apply to both ex vivo lung perfusions, in which edema can develop over time and microvessels can become blocked, and to decellularized ex vivo organomimetic cultures, in which microvascular recruitment is variable and arterially perfused fluid enters into the alveolar space. Here, we develop a mathematical model of pulmonary microvascular fluid flow which is applicable in both instances, and we apply our model to data from native, decellularized, and regenerating lungs under ex vivo perfusion. The results provide substantial insight into microvascular pressure-flow mechanics, while producing previously unknown output values for tissue-specific capillary-alveolar hydraulic conductivity, microvascular recruitment, and total organ barrier resistance.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We present a validated model of pulmonary microvascular fluid mechanics and apply this model to study the effects of increased capillary permeability in decellularized and regenerating lungs. We find that decellularization alters microvascular steady-state mechanics and that re-endothelialization partially rescues key biologic parameters. The described model provides powerful insight into intraorgan microvascular dynamics and may be used to guide regenerative engineering experiments. We include all data and derivations necessary to replicate this work.

A thermal fluid mechanical model of stress evolution for wire feeding-based laser additive manufacturing

Wire feeding-based laser additive manufacturing (WFLAM), highlighting high flexibility and efficiency, is widely used in large-scale structures. However, the heat input accumulation and large-scale effect lead to severe stress and deformation in the large-scale structures. This paper presented a novel coupled thermal fluid mechanical model of stress evolution considering the molten pool fluid flow influence by combining the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model and the finite element method (FEM) model. In the CFD model, the fluid flow and heat transfer are considered; in the FEM model, the thermo-elastoplastic theory is used based on the non-linear material parameters. An accurate mapping algorithm was proposed to transfer the volume of fluid (VOF) and the temperature value from the CFD data to the FEM mesh. This model could obtain a more accurate temperature field than the thermal-mechanical model with the regular heat source. Besides, the model could consider the influence of the shape on the stress accurately. The simulation results show the tensile stress on the root can be increased from 370 MPa to more than 800 MPa, with the influence of the sharp angle defects. At the sidewall, the influence of the surface angle on the residual Mises stress is around 1100 MPa/rad.

Unsteady conjugate model of fluid mechanics and mass transfer for butanol pervaporation process by non-porous membrane

A diffusion-convective mass transfer mathematical conjugated model of butanol recovery from a re-circulating aqueous solution by pervaporation using a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane was developed based on computational fluid dynamics. Discretized continuity, linear momentum, and convective-diffusion mass transfer equations were solved by an in-house code based on the finite volume method for a laminar flow with a flat attached non-porous membrane. In addition, a novel numerical procedure to determine the butanol diffusivity in the PDMS membrane was developed based on the solution of the conjugate unsteady convection-diffusion model that included five coupled partial differential equations. The evolution of the distribution of the velocity profile in the fluid flow and the transient variation of butanol concentration in the feed solution and inside the PDMS membrane were determined. Variations in time and space of the dimensionless mass flux along the length of the pervaporation module were calculated from the conjugate convection-diffusion mass transfer model. The numerical predictions of the butanol mass flux in the feed solution exhibited good agreement with the experimental results with an error smaller than 3%. Understanding the mechanisms of mass and fluid transport phenomena by computational modeling can be helpful for improving the design of pervaporation processes.

Droplets dynamics theory and micro-flow field experiments of improving self-humidifying feature and maximum power density in fuel cells

Micro-flow field is a preeminent stratagem for improving Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) output performance. Elucidating the droplet dynamics behavior in the micro-channel and its impact on water management is essential. This work has investigated that, for the same radius droplets, the maximum driving pressure difference of droplets will increase by 560% approximately in micro-channel due to the matched characteristic dimension through theoretical analysis based on the fluid mechanics model. The micro-flow field (0.5mm×0.5mm channel) in PEMFC can promote the maximum power density by about 48% compared to the normal-flow field (1mm×1mm channel) in PEMFC by experiments under the same operating conditions and membrane electrode assembly. Simultaneously, PEMFC with the micro-flow field can obtain the most excellent performance without humidifying the air. Its self-humidification characteristic makes it possible to cancel the humidification equipment in the auxiliary system in the future.

Transmantle Pressure Computed from MR Imaging Measurements of Aqueduct Flow and Dimensions.

Measuring transmantle pressure, the instantaneous pressure difference between the lateral ventricles and the cranial subarachnoid space, by intracranial pressure sensors has limitations. The aim of this study was to compute transmantle pressure noninvasively with a novel nondimensional fluid mechanics model in volunteers and to identify differences related to age and aqueductal dimensions. Brain MR images including cardiac-gated 2D phase-contrast MR imaging and fast-spoiled gradient recalled imaging were obtained in 77 volunteers ranging in age from 25-92 years of age. Transmantle pressure was computed during the cardiac cycle with a fluid mechanics model from the measured aqueductal flow rate, stroke volume, aqueductal length and cross-sectional area, and heart rate. Peak pressures during caudal and rostral aqueductal flow were tabulated. The computed transmantle pressure, aqueductal dimensions, and stroke volume were estimated, and the differences due to sex and age were calculated and tested for significance. Peak transmantle pressure was calculated with the nondimensional averaged 14.4 (SD, 6.5) Pa during caudal flow and 6.9 (SD, 2.8) Pa during rostral flow. It did not differ significantly between men and women or correlate significantly with heart rate. Peak transmantle pressure increased with age and correlated with aqueductal dimensions and stroke volume. The nondimensional fluid mechanics model for computing transmantle pressure detected changes in pressure related to age and aqueductal dimensions. This novel methodology can be easily used to investigate the clinical relevance of the transmantle pressure in normal pressure hydrocephalus, pediatric communicating hydrocephalus, and other CSF disorders.

Fluid mechanics of facial masks as personal protection equipment (PPE) of COVID-19 virus.

A fluid mechanics model of inhaled air gases, nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2) gases, and exhaled gas components (CO2 and water vapor particles) through a facial mask (membrane) to shield the COVID-19 virus is established. The model was developed based on several gas flux contributions that normally take place through membranes. Semiempirical solutions of the mathematical model were predicted for the N95 facial mask accounting on several parameters, such as a range of porosity size (i.e., 1-30nm), void fraction (i.e., 10-3%-0.3%), and thickness of the membrane (i.e., 10-40 µm) in comparison to the size of the COVID-19 virus. A unitless number (Nr) was introduced for the first time to describe semiempirical solutions of O2, N2, and CO2 gases through the porous membrane. An optimum Nr of expressing the flow of the inhaled air gases, O2 and N2, through the porous membrane was determined (NO2 = NN2 = -4.4) when an N95 facial mask of specifications of a = 20nm, l = 30 µm, and ε = 30% was used as a personal protection equipment (PPE). The concept of the optimum number Nr can be standardized not only for testing commercially available facial masks as PPEs but also for designing new masks for protecting humans from the COVID-19 virus.

Fluid Dynamic Approaches for Prediction of Spray Drift from Ground Pesticide Applications: A Review

Spray drifts have been studied by mathematical models and computer simulations as an essential complement to lab and field tests, among which are fluid dynamic approaches that help to understand the transport of spray droplets in a turbulent atmosphere and their potential impacts to the environment. From earlier fluid mechanical models to highly computational models, scientific advancement has led to a more realistic prediction of spray drift, but the current literature lacks reviews showing the trends and limitations of the existing approaches. This paper is to review the literature on fluid-mechanical-based modelling of spray drift resulting from ground spray applications. Consequently, it provides comprehensive understanding of the transition and development of fluid dynamic approaches and the future directions in this research field.

Experimental research on the interaction between electromagnetic wave and plasma

The basis of plasma stealth technology is the attenuation of electromagnetic waves by plasma. In this study, the calculation principle of the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is introduced and a FDTD time–space coupling model of electromagnetic wave propagation in plasma is established. The time-domain variation characteristics of electromagnetic waves entering the plasma are analyzed. The plasma parameter distribution under different conditions obtained using the COMSOL fluid mechanics model is introduced into the FDTD model. The plasma reflectivity measurement experiment was carried out in a microwave anechoic chamber, and the influence of different experimental conditions on the plasma reflectivity was analyzed. The variation of reflectivity under different plasma parameter distributions is obtained. The results show that increasing electron density and plasma thickness and enhanced plasma distribution uniformity are beneficial for improving the attenuation effect of plasma on electromagnetic waves. These results provide a reference for the inductively coupled plasma parameter distribution in a closed quartz cavity, which provides a basis for the plasma to attenuate the electromagnetic waves.

Investigation on the multiphase vortex and its fluid-solid vibration characters for sustainability production

Real-time monitoring of the vortex flow field has vital significance for industrial processes, including metallurgy refining, rocket fuel system, and hydropower station operation. It can improve the yield rate and resource utilization and ensure high-efficiency sustainability production. However, the formation mechanism of a multiphase vortex, involving the dynamic tracking of multi-layer interface, critical multiphase coupling, and fluid-solid vibration wave transition, is still unclear. To address these matters, a numerical modeling-solving method for a multiphase vortex is proposed. With the coupled level-set and volume-of-fluid (CLSVOF) method, a fluid mechanic model is built up to acquire the interface evolution laws and multiphase coupling mechanism. A fluid-solid vibration dynamic model is conducted, and a displacement solution method with Flügge equations is presented to reveal vibration wave transition mechanism. A mesh updating method with spring smoothing and local reconstruction is presented to optimize the numerical process. Numerical results demonstrate that a critical penetrating state contains multiple solutions with the initial disturbance; the coupling energy shock induces a pressure oscillation phenomenon and appears intensive vibration with higher amplitudes and wider frequency bands. At the critical penetrating stage, the vibration signal takes on a transient distortion character, and its nonlinear shock components concentrate in the frequency range of 45–50 Hz.

Modeling Left Ventricle Perfusion in Healthy and Stenotic Conditions.

A theoretical fluid mechanical model is proposed for the investigation of myocardial perfusion in healthy and stenotic conditions. The model hinges on Terzaghi’s consolidation theory and reformulates the related unsteady flow equation for the simulation of the swelling–drainage alternation characterizing the diastolic–systolic phases. When compared with the outcome of experimental in vivo observations in terms of left ventricle transmural perfusion ratio (T.P.R.), the analytical solution provided by the present study for the time-dependent blood pressure and flow rate across the ventricle wall proves to consistently reproduce the basic mechanisms of both healthy and ischemic perfusion. Therefore, it could constitute a useful interpretative support to improve the comprehension of the basic hemodynamic mechanisms leading to the most common cardiac diseases. Additionally, it could represent the mathematical basis for the application of inverse methods aimed at estimating the characteristic parameters of ischemic perfusion (i.e., location and severity of coronary stenoses) via downstream ventricular measurements, possibly inspiring their assessment via non-invasive myocardial imaging techniques.

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction as a regulator of alveolar-capillary oxygen flux: A computational model of ventilation-perfusion matching.

The relationship between regional variabilities in airflow (ventilation) and blood flow (perfusion) is a critical determinant of gas exchange efficiency in the lungs. Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction is understood to be the primary active regulator of ventilation-perfusion matching, where upstream arterioles constrict to direct blood flow away from areas that have low oxygen supply. However, it is not understood how the integrated action of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction affects oxygen transport at the system level. In this study we develop, and make functional predictions with a multi-scale multi-physics model of ventilation-perfusion matching governed by the mechanism of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. Our model consists of (a) morphometrically realistic 2D pulmonary vascular networks to the level of large arterioles and venules; (b) a tileable lumped-parameter model of vascular fluid and wall mechanics that accounts for the influence of alveolar pressure; (c) oxygen transport accounting for oxygen bound to hemoglobin and dissolved in plasma; and (d) a novel empirical model of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. Our model simulations predict that under the artificial test condition of a uniform ventilation distribution (1) hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction matches perfusion to ventilation; (2) hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction homogenizes regional alveolar-capillary oxygen flux; and (3) hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction increases whole-lobe oxygen uptake by improving ventilation-perfusion matching.

Simulation of non-Newtonian viscoplastic flows with a unified first order hyperbolic model and a structure-preserving semi-implicit scheme

We discuss the applicability of a unified hyperbolic model for continuum fluid and solid mechanics to modeling non-Newtonian flows and in particular to modeling the stress-driven solid-fluid transformations in flows of viscoplastic fluids, also called yield-stress fluids. In contrast to the conventional approaches relying on the non-linear viscosity concept of the Navier-Stokes theory and representation of the solid state as an infinitely rigid non-deformable solid, the solid state in our theory is deformable and the fluid state is considered rather as a “melted” solid via a certain procedure of relaxation of tangential stresses similar to Maxwell’s visco-elasticity theory. The model is formulated as a system of first-order hyperbolic partial differential equations with possibly stiff non-linear relaxation source terms. The computational strategy is based on a staggered semi-implicit scheme which can be applied in particular to low-Mach number flows as usually required for flows of non-Newtonian fluids. The applicability of the model and numerical scheme is demonstrated on a few standard benchmark test cases such as Couette, Hagen-Poiseuille, and lid-driven cavity flows. The numerical solution is compared with analytical or numerical solutions of the Navier-Stokes theory with the Herschel-Bulkley constitutive model for nonlinear viscosity.

Numerical research on a novel flow field design for vanadium redox flow batteries in microgrid

The microgrid (MG) composed of vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB), wind energy, and photovoltaic (PV) renewable energy, it is an effective energy solution. It has attracted much attention because it can effectively solve the problems of randomness, intermittentness, and uncontrollability of renewable energy. The VRFB plays a vital role, and its performance determines the power quality of the MG. This research analyses the development status of renewable energy, the structure of MG, and the problems of VRFB in MG. It is proposed to improve the overall performance of the battery to make up for the defect of low energy density. As the performance of VRFB is strongly affected by the electrolyte's flow rate, designing a novel flow field structure to increase the flow rate and improve the electrolyte uniformity is very important to improve battery performance. The research designed the traditional rectangular cross-section into a trapezoidal cross-section to increase the flow rate of the electrolyte and improve the uniformity of the electrolyte. Numerical simulation results show that the new flow field structure can significantly improve the electrolyte flow, alleviate the concentration polarization of the battery, and improve battery performance and efficiency. Therefore, it is found that a reasonable flow field structure design is helpful for the optimization and application of VRFB's performance. Highlights The development status of renewable energy, the structure and configuration of the microgrid, and the existing problems of VRFB energy storage are analyzed. Establishing a VRFB model for electrochemistry and fluid mechanics. Designing a novel flow field structure to improve the overall performance of the battery.

Comparison of various zero‐dimensional models to analyze the brachial artery blood flow of an arterio‐venous fistula during hemodialysis procedure

AbstractOne of the most recommended vascular accesses for hemodialysis is an autogenous arterio‐venous fistula (AVF), which is a surgically created conduit between an artery and a vein. AVFs can be compromised by stenosis‐induced arterial or venous thrombosis. An effective and efficient mathematical fluid mechanical model can provide insight into the mechanisms for stenosis and thrombosis. In an earlier paper, a laminar entry flow model (Shah) was applied to a fifth order lumped parameter zero dimensional (0D) model to predict the inlet flow rate in the brachial artery of an AVF. ODE45, a built in MATLAB ordinary differential equation (ODE) solver, was used to produce the solution. The Shah model showed closer correlation with a computational fluid dynamics model, performed in COMSOL, than did the Poiseuille flow model. In this study, an outlet flow rate in the brachial artery of an AVF is generated with third, fourth, and fifth order lumped parameter zero dimensional models with laminar and turbulent flow conditions within different arterial segments. Butcher's sixth order Runge‐Kutta (RK) method was used as an ODE solver and the results were compared with the MATLAB ODE solvers (ODE45 and ODE113). The lumped parameter model solved with Butcher's sixth order RK method generated less oscillation with a more stable and consistent outlet flow rate in comparison to the other solvers. Brachial artery blood flow, modeled with Shah's entry flow equation in the inlet segment and Blasius turbulent equation modeled at the outlet segment prior to the beginning of the anastomosis, generated an average outlet flow rate similar to that of clinical data. The dependence of brachial artery on the flow equations indicates the importance of wisely selecting flow resistance models and the effect of blood pressure and peripheral resistance on fistula maturation. The average and peak flow rate also depended on the ODE solver. Third and fourth order lumped parameter models generated results similar to the fifth order model only at normal peripheral resistance. Therefore, this study can help to understand the AVF performance in vitro and guide the application of an appropriate lumped parameter model for blood flow prediction.

Fluid mechanical modeling of the upper urinary tract.

The upper urinary tract (UUT) consists of kidneys and ureters, and is an integral part of the human urogenital system. Yet malfunctioning and complications of the UUT can happen at all stages of life, attributed to reasons such as congenital anomalies, urinary tract infections, urolithiasis and urothelial cancers, all of which require urological interventions and significantly compromise patients' quality of life. Therefore, many models have been developed to address the relevant scientific and clinical challenges of the UUT. Of all approaches, fluid mechanical modeling serves a pivotal role and various methods have been employed to develop physiologically meaningful models. In this article, we provide an overview on the historical evolution of fluid mechanical models of UUT that utilize theoretical, computational, and experimental approaches. Descriptions of the physiological functionality of each component are also given and the mechanical characterizations associated with the UUT are provided. As such, it is our aim to offer a brief summary of the current knowledge of the subject, and provide a comprehensive introduction for engineers, scientists, and clinicians who are interested in the field of fluid mechanical modeling of UUT. This article is categorized under: Cancer > Biomedical Engineering Infectious Diseases > Biomedical Engineering Reproductive System Diseases > Biomedical Engineering.

Foraging trade-offs, flagellar arrangements, and flow architecture of planktonic protists

Unicellular flagellated protists are a key element in aquatic microbial food webs. They all use flagella to swim and to generate feeding currents to encounter prey and enhance nutrient uptake. At the same time, the beating flagella create flow disturbances that attract flow-sensing predators. Protists have highly diverse flagellar arrangements in terms of number of flagella and their position, beat pattern, and kinematics, but it is unclear how the various arrangements optimize the fundamental trade-off between resource acquisition and predation risk. Here we describe the near-cell flow fields produced by 15 species and demonstrate consistent relationships between flagellar arrangement and swimming speed and between flagellar arrangement and flow architecture, and a trade-off between resource acquisition and predation risk. The flow fields fall in categories that are qualitatively described by simple point force models that include the drag force of the moving cell body and the propulsive forces of the flagella. The trade-off between resource acquisition and predation risk varies characteristically between flow architectures: Flagellates with multiple flagella have higher predation risk relative to their clearance rate compared to species with only one active flagellum, with the exception of the highly successful dinoflagellates that have simultaneously achieved high clearance rates and stealth behavior due to a unique flagellar arrangement. Microbial communities are shaped by trade-offs and environmental constraints, and a mechanistic explanation of foraging trade-offs is a vital part of understanding the eukaryotic communities that form the basis of pelagic food webs.

The Pressure Control of High Pressure Tubing Together with Problems about Carbon Deposit

In this article, we solve the controlling problems raised by the problem for the part A of the 2019 Chinese University Students Mathematical Modeling Competition—Pressure Control of High Pressure Tubing. Also we have considered the actual problems that may arise, and give a feasible controlling plan. This article is based on fluid mechanics model and micro-element thinking. With the help of software tools such as Excel, Microsoft Visual Studio, and C++ language for programming calculations and simulations, we finally give a feasible solution to stabilizing the pressure in the high-pressure oil pipe, which provides a reference to improve engine efficiency.

Quantifying the force in flow-cell based single-molecule stretching experiments.

The flow-cell based single-molecule manipulation technique has found many applications in the study of DNA mechanics and protein-DNA interactions. However, the force in these experiments has not been fully characterized and is usually limited to a moderate force regime (<25 pN). In this work, using the "tethered-bead" assay, the hydrodynamic drag of DNA has been quantitatively evaluated based on a "bead-spring chain" model. The force derived from the Brownian motion of the bead thus contains both contributions from this equivalent hydrodynamic drag of DNA and the pulling force from the tethered bead. Next, using flow-cell based DNA pulling experiments, the linear relationship between the flow rate and total hydrodynamic force on the bead-DNA system has been demonstrated to be valid over a wide force range (0-110 pN). Consequently, the force can be directly converted from the flow rate by a linear factor that can be calibrated either by the bead's Brownian motion at low flow rates or using DNA overstretching transition. Furthermore, the hydrodynamic force and torque due to the shear flow on the bead as well as the equivalent stretching force on DNA are calculated based on theoretical models with the hydrodynamic drag on DNA also considered. The calculated force-extension curves show a good agreement with the measured ones. These results offer important insights into the force in flow-cell based single-molecule stretching experiments and provide a foundation for establishing flow-cells as a simple, low-cost, yet flexible and precise tool for single-molecule force measurements over a wide force range.