Fluid Simulation Research Articles

Innovative Design and Fast Iterative Manufacturing of Micro-Turbojet Engines at Low Cost

The turbojet is the foundation of the gas turbine engine, which combines knowledge of fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, mechanical design, manufacturing, and jet propulsion. This paper describes in detail the inspiration source, design process, fluid dynamics analysis, manufacturing steps, ignition test method and test process of small jet engines. 3D modeling software SolidWorks was used for the preliminary modeling and fluid simulation was performed to optimize the design. Part of the model was produced by 3D resin printing technology, and the turbine engine model was driven by compressed air for no-load testing to verify the feasibility and structural stability of the resin model. Subsequently, some parts were printed with metal materials, combined with traditional machining techniques to complete production and assembly, and finally successfully carried out static ignition tests. The micro turbojet engine designed in this paper has successfully achieved static ignition test and demonstrated the feasibility of efficient development with limited resources and low manufacturing cost. This exploration proves the feasibility of rapid iteration technology route. The market prospect and manufacturing cost of micro turbojet are also analyzed.

Impact of left atrial appendage occlusion in atrial flow evaluated through 4D flow cardiac magnetic resonance

Abstract Introduction Device-related thrombus (DRT) and peri-device leak constitute significant complications following left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO), primarily due to its association with strokes and thromboembolic events. Patient-specific fluid simulations have been employed to explore this hypothesis(1). However, these simulations require detailed anatomical and physiological data, rely on certain assumptions when defining boundary conditions, and involve long computational times. Recently, there has been growing interest in the use of 4D flow cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging for various cardiovascular diseases, owing to its capability to reproduce blood flow. While its role in the LAAO scenario has been evaluated in silico(2), there are no reported cases of its application in patients undergoing LAAO. Purpose Our objective was to evaluate the impact of LAAO in atrial flow through 4D flow CMR. Methods Five patients undergone LAAO were included in the pilot study. A pre- and 90-days post-procedure 4D flow CMR scans were performed. One of the patients was excluded due to suboptimal image quality. To assess the impact of LAAO on atrial flow dynamics, three parameters were evaluated: a) mean velocity, b) stasis velocity ratio, and c) endothelial cell activation potential (ECAP) index — all associated with an elevated risk of thrombus formation(3,4). Results Baseline and procedural characteristics, along with imaging results, are presented in Table 1. Preprocedural 4D flow CMR for all patients revealed low velocities (Figure 1A) and a high ECAP index (Figure 2A) in the left atrial appendage, indicating flow stasis and an elevated risk of thrombus formation. Successful device implantation was performed in all cases, and no periprocedural complications were detected. Postprocedural 4D flow CMR was feasible in all cases, and no artifacts were detected despite the presence of the LAAO device. An objective increase in velocities and a decrease in the ECAP index were observed in all cases following LAAO. No DRT or ischemic events were reported during follow-up. Conclusions Our preliminary study demonstrates that 4D flow CMR provides valuable information on left atrial flow dynamics following the LAAO procedure. Further studies are warranted to evaluate this promising technique.Table 1.Patient characteristicsFigure 1 and 2.Representative example

Using the Discrete Wavelet Transform for Lossy On‐the‐Fly Compression of GPU Fluid Simulations

ABSTRACTHigh‐performance computing in fluid dynamics frequently confronts substantial memory demands, especially in large‐scale applications. Data compression techniques can alleviate these memory constraints, but introduce new challenges. This paper introduces an innovative on‐the‐fly low‐overhead lossy compression technique tailored for GPU‐based fluid simulations, utilizing the discrete wavelet transform (DWT). The technique is applicable to any numerical scheme where the data is stored on a regular grid and the time step is computed using a stencil. Our approach significantly diminishes memory requirements, achieving up to a 10‐fold long‐term reduction on a D3Q27 simulation, while minimally impacting the simulation accuracy. The methodology is built around careful design choices to achieve a satisfactory compression ratio/speed trade‐off. It effectively maintains mass conservation and accurately preserves essential discontinuities in simulations. Extensive testing with a D3Q27 Lattice‐Boltzmann method (LBM) simulation on a single GPU has shown that large‐scale grids can be processed with minimal impact on the simulation accuracy and acceptable compression times. This compression technique demonstrates a robust capability to handle memory limitations in fluid simulations, opening the door to more complex and larger‐scale simulations.

Coupling of Fluid and Particle-in-Cell Simulations of Ambipolar Plasma Thrusters

Ambipolar plasma thrusters are an appealing technology due to multiple system-related advantages, including propellant flexibility and the absence of electrodes or neutralizer. Understanding the plasma generation and acceleration mechanisms is key to improving the performance and capabilities of these thrusters. However, the source and plume regions inside are often simulated separately, and no self-consistent strategy exists which can couple these different simulations together. This paper introduces the MUlti-regime Plasma Equilibrium Transport Solver (MUPETS), a self-consistent coupled model integrating a fluid solver for the plasma dynamics in the source, which are collision-driven, with a kinetic Particle-In-Cell (PIC) code for the plasma dynamics in the magnetic nozzle, which involve expansion across a diverging magnetic field. The methodology begins by solving the plasma source with the classical Bohm condition at the thruster’s throat. The resulting plasma profiles (density, temperature, speed) are input into the PIC code for the magnetic nozzle. The PIC code calculates the plasma plume expansion and determines the electric field at the thruster’s throat. This electric field is then used as a boundary condition in the fluid code, where it replaces the Bohm assumption, and the fluid simulation is repeated. This iterative process continues until convergence. In comparing the MUPETS results with those for an experimental thruster, the plasma densities at the thruster’s throat differed by less than 2–5% between the fluid and PIC regions. The thrust predictions agreed with the experimental trend, and were kept well within the measurement’s uncertainty band. These results validate the effectiveness of the coupling strategy for enhancing plasma thruster simulation accuracy.

Numerical Simulation of MHD Oldroyd-B Fluid with Thermal Radiation and Chemical Reactions Using Chebyshev Wavelets

The study has been carried out to analyze the Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) boundary layer flow, heat and mass transfer of the two-dimensional viscoelastic Oldroyd-B fluid over a vertical stretching sheet in the presence of thermal radiation and chemical reaction with suction/injection in a steady state. The governing equations of the system are partial differential equations, which then give rise to a set of highly nonlinear coupled ordinary differential equations using similarity transformations. The nonlinearity in the differential equations is dealt with quasilinearization technique. The resultant equations are numerically solved using Chebyshev wavelet collocation method. The effects of magnetic field, radiation, chemical reaction and buoyancy parameters are investigated. The numerical values of local skin friction coefficient, local Nusselt number and local Sherwood number are also tabulated and analyzed. We observe that the increase in buoyancy parameters enhances the velocity profiles and larger values of magnetic field decrease the velocity profiles but increases the temperature and concentration profiles. Error analysis has been done to check the convergence of the numerical scheme.

Dynamic characteristics analysis of shock absorber based on fluid simulation

Pneumatic spring dampers are extensively utilized within hydraulic systems, and the flow characteristics of the internal oil play a crucial role in determining noise and vibration levels. To validate the mechanical structure's reliability, the shock absorber was simplified and the fluid domain was extracted using a CFD method. The velocity field and pressure field under different conditions were then simulated and analyzed. A finite element model of the flow field was established, and its accuracy was verified by comparing simulation results of gas side pressure with experimental results. According to the working principle of the oil-gas spring, dynamic active surfaces in contact with the main piston and dynamic driven surfaces in contact with the floating piston were defined, determining moving conditions for dynamic grids. The results indicate that as the diameter of flow channels increases, there is a decrease in average pressure drop within the oil chamber (i.e., pressure loss within the flow field). Additionally, as bend angle increases, average pressure drop decreases. However, optimization effects become less significant beyond a certain bend angle.

Fast simulation strategy for capacitively-coupled plasmas based on fluid model

Fluid simulations are widely used in optimizing the reactor geometry and improving the performance of capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) sources in industry, so high computation speed is very important. In this work, a fast method for CCP fluid simulation based on the framework of Multi-physics Analysis of Plasma Sources (MAPS) is developed, which includes a multi-time-step explicit upwind scheme to solve electron fluid equations, a semi-implicit scheme and an iterative method with in-phase initial value to solve Poisson's equation, an explicit upwind scheme with limited artificial diffusion to solve heavy particle fluid equations, and an acceleration method based on fluid equation modification to reduce the periods required to reach equilibrium. In order to prove the validity and efficiency of the newly developed method, benchmarking against COMSOL and comparison with experimental data have been performed in argon discharges on the Gaseous Electronics Conference (GEC) reactor. Besides, the performance of each acceleration method is tested, and the results indicated that the multi-time-step explicit Euler scheme can effectively decline the computational burden in the bulk plasma and reduce the time cost on the electron fluid equations by half. The in-phase initial value method can greatly decrease the iteration times required to solve linear equations and lower the computational time of Poisson's equation by 77 %. The acceleration method based on equation modification can reduce the periods required to reach equilibrium by two-thirds.

Evaluating the Seismic Resilience of Above-Ground Liquid Storage Tanks

Historical seismic events have repeatedly highlighted the susceptibility of above-ground liquid storage steel tanks, underscoring the critical need for their proper design to minimize potential damage due to seismic forces. A significant failure mechanism in these structures, which play essential roles in the extraction and distribution of various raw or refined materials—many of which are flammable or environmentally hazardous—is the dynamic buckling of the tank walls. This study introduces a numerical framework designed to assess the earthquake-induced hydrodynamic pressures exerted on the walls of cylindrical steel tanks. These pressures result from the inertial forces generated during seismic activity. The computational framework incorporates material and geometric nonlinearities and models the tanks using four-node shell elements with two-point integration, specifically Belytschko shell elements. The Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) method is employed to accommodate substantial structural and fluid deformations, enabling a full simulation of fluid–structure interaction through highly nonlinear algorithms. Experimental test data are utilized to validate the proposed modeling approach, particularly in replicating sloshing phenomena and identifying stress concentrations that may lead to wall buckling. The study further presents results from a parametric analysis that varies the height-to-radius and radius-to-thickness ratios of a typical anchored flat-bottomed tank, examining the seismic performance of this common storage system. These results provide insights into the relationship between tank properties and mechanical behavior under dynamic loading conditions.

Investigating the Impact of Pad Groove Depth Reduction on Process Variation in Oxide Chemical Mechanical Polishing

Abstract The groove depth of a polishing pad diminishes due to continuous wear from the diamond conditioner. Over the course of approximately 20 hours of use, this reduction in groove depth enhances slurry flow across both the pad grooves and surface. A fluid simulation analysis indicates that the new slurry mass fraction at 0.51 seconds increases from 72.34% for an 850 µm groove depth to 100.00% for a 250 µm depth. Consequently, polishing performance metrics including removal rate, within-wafer nonuniformity (WIWNU), and added defects exhibit variations commensurate with groove depth alterations. To explore the influence of process parameters on these polishing performance metrics, oxide film polishing experiments were conducted using pads with initial groove depths of 250, 500, 750, and 850 µm. The effects of process parameters, including pad cut rate, retainer ring pressure, and slurry flow rate on polishing were separately examined across different groove depth pads. Generally, shallow groove pads display improved removal rates but worse WIWNU. Additionally, the maximum surface temperature of the pads was recorded, serving as an indirect indicator of individual parameter effects. The findings have implications for advanced process control, guiding the optimization of polishing protocol in consideration of pad lifetime.

Enabling large-scale and high-precision fluid simulations on near-term quantum computers

Quantum computational fluid dynamics (QCFD) offers a promising alternative to classical computational fluid dynamics (CFD) by leveraging quantum algorithms for higher efficiency. This paper introduces a comprehensive QCFD method, including an iterative method “Iterative-QLS” that suppresses error in quantum linear solver, and a subspace method to scale the solution to a larger size. We implement our method on a superconducting quantum computer, demonstrating successful simulations of steady Poiseuille flow and unsteady acoustic wave propagation. The Poiseuille flow simulation achieved a relative error of less than 0.2%, and the unsteady acoustic wave simulation solved a 5043-dimensional matrix. We emphasize the utilization of the quantum–classical hybrid approach in applications of near-term quantum computers. By adapting to quantum hardware constraints and offering scalable solutions for large-scale CFD problems, our method paves the way for practical applications of near-term quantum computers in computational science.

First integrated core-edge fluid simulation of ITER’s Limiter–Divertor transition with SolEdge-HDG

This work explores the Limiter–Divertor transition (L–D) during the current ramp-up of ITER’s Q = 10 baseline plasma scenario at various central line-integrated density nli values. The analysis, based on transport simulations performed with the latest version of SoleEdge-HDG, focuses on the time evolution of heat and ion particle fluxes, revealing regions of elevated temperature on the inner wall and plasma-facing components (PFCs) despite moderate loads. The investigation also delves into the effects of perpendicular convection flux terms on density build-up, comparing different formulations and their interplay with auxiliary heating sources. Furthermore, the paper shows the impact of taking into account the evolution of the parallel neutral momentum on plasma and neutral density at the targets in the context of an ITER steady-state scenario.

Simulating 2D Fluid Motion with the Smooth Particle Hydrodynamic Approach

Abstract Virtual two-dimensional (2D) fluid simulation is useful for directly simulating fluids in various situations, including geological simulations for landslides and fluid simulations for teaching. This research aims to simulate the behaviour of three different types of fluids (water, coconut oil, and glycerine) in a 2D container and analyse how these three types of fluids behave under various conditions, including interactions with boundaries. The research used Python programming to simulate fluids and the Wondershare Filmora X application to combine images. The Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics method simulated fluid in a 2D container with 10,000 particles by deriving the force density field directly from the Navier-Stokes equations. The Navier-Stokes equations were utilized to find the acceleration and velocity of fluid particles by considering external forces, internal forces, and gravity through this method. Acceleration and velocity were validated due to wall collisions, collisions with boundaries, and collisions between particles, which caused changes in particle position and velocity. During visualization, the fluid velocity decreased over time due to attenuation caused by interactions between neighbour particles, particles with boundaries, and particles with walls. From the simulation, it was observed that the fluid flowed from a higher place to a lower place, with fluid particles taking the shape of the container and the surface of the fluid forming waves. On the other hand, simulations with boundaries indicated that smaller gap sizes and higher viscosities led to increased difficulty in fluid penetration into the gap within the container.

Minimum Local Anesthetic Dose of Ropivacaine in Cesarean Section for Real-Time Ultrasound-Guided Spinal Anesthesia Using 24-Gauge versus 26-Gauge Needles Based on Fluid Simulation Technology: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Previous research has demonstrated that real-time ultrasound-guided (UG) spinal anesthesia requires a higher minimum local anesthetic dose (MLAD) compared to traditional methods. However, the precise MLAD of ropivacaine for UG cesarean sections remains undetermined. In this study, we ascertained the MLAD of ropivacaine for cesarean section. We also investigated the mechanism underlying the diffusion of ropivacaine within the spinal canal using fluid simulation technology. We randomly placed 60healthy parturients undergoing elective cesarean section with real-time UG spinal anesthesia into Groups I (26-gauge spinal needle) and II (24-gauge spinal needle). For the first parturient in both groups, 15 mg of ropivacaine was administered intrathecally. Based on the effective or ineffective response of the previous parturient, the dose for the subsequent parturient was increased or decreased by 1 mg. Spinal anesthesia characteristics and side effects were recorded. A computer-generated spinal canal model was developed. Leveraging fluid dynamics simulation technology, we documented the diffusion of ropivacaine in the spinal canal using 26-and 24-gauge spinal needles. The MLADs in Groups I and II were 12.728 mg (12.339-13.130 mg) and 9.795 mg (9.491-10.110 mg), respectively. No significant difference was observed in the onset times and durations of sensory or motor blocks, incidence of complications, or neonatal Apgar scores between both groups. Fluid simulation modeling indicated that the 26-gauge spinal needle achieved a higher distribution level more quickly; however, its peak drug concentration was lower compared to the 24-gauge spinal needle. For cesarean section anesthetization, the required MLAD of ropivacaine when using a real-time UG 26-gauge spinal needle is significantly greater than that with a 24-gauge needle. The spinal needle diameter influences ropivacaine's MLAD by markedly affecting its diffusion rate within the spinal canal.

Numerical Comparative Investigating of PEMFC with Novel Hybrid Zigzag Channels: Reaction, Transport and Drainage Enhancements

The impact of flow channel design on mass transport and drainage in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is significant, thereby influencing the reaction rate. Based on conventional wavy design, this study introduces two novel hybrid zigzag flow channels (asynchronous and synchronous) with both zigzag sidewalls and bottom wall, aiming in further improving mass and heat transfer, as well as drainage capacity to achieve better fuel cell performance. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the net power densities of both asynchronous and synchronous hybrid zigzag channels show a 28.7% and 44.4% improvement at low voltage, respectively. The implementation of the asynchronous hybrid zigzag flow channel has been observed to result in a notable reduction in pressure drop, amounting to 9.2%, while concurrently enhancing power output by 10.7% in comparison to a conventional zigzag channel. Additionally, the novel hybrid zigzag designs improve mass transfer efficiency at high current density and exhibits better temperature distribution uniformity. Moreover, the volume of fluid simulations illustrate that hybrid zigzag channels are highly effective in removing accumulated water, surpassing the straight channel with a drainage rate exceeding 54%, as well as a lower surface liquid coverage.

Numerical Investigation on Two-Phase Flow Pressure Drop in Cathode Channels of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

As liquid water is produced by electrochemical reactions in a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell, liquid–gas two-phase flow forms within the porous structure of the electrodes and gas channels (GCs), resulting in complex gas pressure drop within GCs. This study investigates the two-phase flow pressure drop in a GC connected with a fibrous gas diffusion layer (GDL) using volume of fluid simulations. Fibrous GDLs are stochastically reconstructed to give a rather realistic liquid water breakthrough, and the effect of GDL straight and curved carbon fibers is studied. The results show that droplet breakthrough position and breakthrough size are dependent on the carbon fiber shape, resulting in further distinct pressure drop in GCs. It is also found that the two-phase flow pressure drop has no close correlation with the water content within the GC but a strong relationship with the liquid flow types. Specifically, the cross-section liquid area variation along the gas flow direction is found to be proportional to the pressure drop variation. This study aims to provide the information required for an accurate two-phase flow pressure drop prediction model.

Applications and Prospects of Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics in Tunnel and Underground Engineering

Smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) is a state-of-the-art numerical simulation method in fluid mechanics. It is a novel approach for modeling and comprehending complex fluid behaviors. In contrast to traditional grid-dependent techniques like finite element and finite difference methods, SPH utilizes a meshless, purely Lagrangian approach, offering significant advantages in fluid simulations. By leveraging a set of arbitrarily distributed particles to represent the continuous fluid medium, SPH enables the precise estimation of partial differential equations. This grid-free methodology effectively addresses many challenges associated with conventional methods, providing a more adaptable and efficient solution framework. SPH’s versatility is evident across a broad spectrum of applications, ranging from advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to complex computational solid mechanics (CSM), and proves effective across various scales—from micro to macro and even astronomical phenomena. Although SPH excels in tackling problems involving multiple degrees of freedom, complex boundaries, and large discontinuous deformations, it is still in its developmental phase and has not yet been widely adopted. As such, a thorough understanding and systematic analysis of SPH’s foundational theories are critical. This paper offers a comprehensive review of the defining characteristics and theoretical foundations of the SPH method, supported by practical examples derived from the Navier–Stokes (N-S) equations. It also provides a critical examination of successful SPH applications across various fields. Additionally, the paper presents case studies of SPH’s application in tunnel and underground engineering based on practical engineering experiences and long-term on-site monitoring, highlighting SPH’s alignment with real-world conditions. The theory and application of SPH have thus emerged as highly dynamic and rapidly evolving research areas. The detailed theoretical analysis and case studies presented in this paper offer valuable insights and practical guidance for scholars and practitioners alike.

Advancing particle forces and motion dynamics in centrifugal concentrator based on flow field simulation

ABSTRACT The forces and motion state of particles within the fluid domain of the Knelson concentrator have long been a focal point for researchers. Presently, Stokes’ flow laws are commonly employed as the basis for theoretical calculations. However, this approach somewhat deviates from reality due to challenges in determining the Reynolds number of particles in the centrifugal force field during practical work. Additionally, the relationship between the Reynolds number and the drag coefficient remains undetermined in certain ranges. This study presents a high predictive relationship curve, obtained using fitting software, to supplement and rectify the limitations in the existing relationship. Leveraging fluid simulation software, this research determines the Reynolds number of particles of different sizes and densities within the fluid, offering a methodological reference for similar flow field problems. A new drag coefficient function is proposed and validated for the Reynolds number range of 1 to 20, addressing a gap in existing theoretical models. The simulation results indicate that under the suitable separation conditions of −0.074 + 0.02 mm particles, the concentrate particles overcome the flushing effect of the reverse washing water and move in the opposite direction to the fluid. This advancement not only improves the theoretical framework but also offers significant academic and practical value by enhancing the efficiency of particle separation in the Knelson concentrator.

A novel process of chemical-mechanical fluid-solid coupling polishing with high-quality and high-efficiency for turbine blisk

Turbine blisk is the core part of an aero-engine, which is characterized by its complex blade profile, resulting in the difficulty of its polishing. In this study, a novel process of chemical-mechanical fluid-solid coupling polishing was proposed to achieve high-quality and high-efficiency polishing for the blisk. Analyzed the principle of chemical-mechanical fluid-solid coupling polishing process of the blisk with the material of K418 nickel-based alloy. Then, established the material removal theoretical model of the process, and investigated the influence law of process parameters on the blisk surface force state to obtain the optimal parameters by using FLUENT fluid simulation. Moreover, simulated the abrasive particle trajectory to reveal the formation mechanism of the blisk surface with high-quality and high-efficiency. Furtherly, experiment shows that the novel process can effectively improve the blisk surface quality, and the surface roughness Ra decreased from 3.151 μm to 0.779 μm. This method provides a novel solution for precision polishing of the complex structural parts.

Process-based reconstruction of digital rock based on discrete element method considering thermal-mechanical coupling effect and actual particle shape

The digital rock is a crucial platform for numerical simulations of pore-scale flow in various fields such as geo-energy, carbon (CO2) sequestration, and hydrogen (H2) storage. Under these conditions, rocks deform, and pore structures change due to temperature and stress effects. However, existing methods for reconstructing digital rocks, such as physical experimental, stochastic simulation, and machine learning, can not consider the influence of high temperature and stress. Therefore, a process-based reconstruction method based on the discrete element method (DEM) considering the thermal-mechanical coupling effect is proposed in this paper. Initially, the computed tomography (CT) images are segmented based on the watershed algorithm, and a contour database is established using the spherical harmonic analysis method. A clump template library is then constructed in PFC3D (Particle Flow Code in 3 Dimensions). Subsequently, the DEM model is established using clumps from the template library according to porosity and particle radius distribution, and the model's accuracy is evaluated based on two-point and linear path correlation functions. Micro-mechanical and thermal parameters between particles are calibrated, and different temperature and stress boundary conditions are applied to obtain digital rocks under varying conditions. Finally, digital rocks' geometric and topological structures under different conditions are analyzed, and permeability and relative permeability are calculated. Using Bentheim sandstone as an example, digital rocks are constructed under various temperature and stress conditions. The research findings indicate that high temperatures and stress result in decreased pore and throat radii, elongated throats, deteriorated connectivity, reduced porosity, and permeability, making the digital rocks more water-wet. This study provides theoretical guidance for the accurate pore-scale flow simulation of geo-energy fluids, CO2, and H2.

Tracking complex singularities of fluids on log-lattices

Abstract In 1981, Frisch and Morf (1981 Phys. Rev. A 23 2673–705) postulated the existence of complex singularities in solutions of Navier–Stokes equations. Present progress on this conjecture is hindered by the computational burden involved in simulations of the Euler equations or the Navier–Stokes equations at high Reynolds numbers. We investigate this conjecture in the case of fluid dynamics on log-lattices, where the computational burden is logarithmic concerning ordinary fluid simulations. We analyze properties of potential complex singularities in both 1D and 3D models for lattices of different spacings. Dominant complex singularities are tracked using the singularity strip method to obtain new scalings regarding the approach to the real axis and the influence of normal, hypo and hyper dissipation.