Fluid Transport System Research Articles

A design principle of root length distribution of plants.

Shaping a plant root into an ideal structure for water capture is increasingly important for sustainable agriculture in the era of global climate change. Although the current genetic engineering of crops favours deep-reaching roots, here we show that nature has apparently adopted a different strategy of shaping roots. We construct a mathematical model for optimal root length distribution by considering that plants seek maximal water uptake at the metabolic expenses of root growth. Our theory finds a logarithmic decrease of root length density with depth to be most beneficial for efficient water uptake, which is supported by biological data as well as our experiments using root-mimicking network systems. Our study provides a tool to gauge the relative performance of root networks in transgenic plants engineered to endure a water deficit. Moreover, we lay a fundamental framework for mechanical understanding and design of water-absorptive growing networks, such as medical and industrial fluid transport systems and soft robots, which grow in porous media including soils and biotissues.

SCADA Based Remote Monitoring and Control of Pressure & Flow in Fluid Transport System Using IMC-PID Controller

Ubiquitous sensing enabled for monitoring and control in the industrial sector are mostly WSN (Wireless Sensor Network) based systems or SCADA systems which all suffer from noteworthy limitations. WSN based systems are not homogenous or incompatible systems and they lack coordinated communication and transparency among regions and processes. Hence in order to enhance the proprietary of remote monitoring and control technology, this paper emphasizes the development of IoT based architecture with local intelligent using IMC based PID controller can be integrated with DCS/SCADA and this research work spectacle only the development and application of Local Intelligence present in the proposed IoT architecture for remote monitoring and control of concerned field parameters. This proposed local intelligence tactic governs the input and output from a hardware platform positioned on a process plant, organize added processing power for meticulous analysis in the control center by the use of software integration, data acquisition and logging on a created hybrid database, and spectacle significant processed post-data statistics to operators via a standard DCS/SCADA HMI. The established local intelligence is experimentally validated in the lab scale experimental fluid transport system to monitor and control pressure and flow rate parameters remotely by incorporating with CENTUM CS 3000.The simulation and experimental results of Local Intelligence using an IMC-PID controller on a lab scale fluid transport system are conveyed with its numerical data.

Underwater superoleophobicity of a superhydrophilic surface with unexpected drag reduction driven by electrochemical water splitting

In a fluid transport system, fouling and drag force are key issues because they cause additional expenditure for cleaning and fuel consumption, respectively. Various surface treatments, especially wettability control, have been explored to solve the related problems. However, surface modification has inherent limitations because it has conflicting effects on the anti-fouling and drag force. A superhydrophilic surface has an excellent anti-fouling property underwater because of its excellent oleophobicity, but it also causes drag enhancement due to its high affinity towards water. On the other hand, the superhydrophobic surface shows a drag-reducing effect due to the formation of an air layer underwater, but at the same time, it is easily contaminated by oil due to its high oleophilicity. Herein, we suggest a novel method to overcome these conflicting effects for a superhydrophilic surface for anti-fouling and drag enhancement by employing electrochemical gas generation. Due to its large effective surface area and underwater superaerophobicity, the superhydrophilic surface is ideal for use as an electrocatalyst for electrochemical water splitting (EWS). The small and fine air bubbles (~30 μm sizes) generated on a superhydrophilic electrode surface form an air layer, which lowers the fluid density near the surface and induces a drag reduction efficiency of ~26.5% compared to the flat surface. This value is comparable to the superhydrophobic surface, which has a high drag reduction efficiency. The current study presents an original idea that combines the oleophobicity and superaerophobicity of a superhydrophilic surface for realizing EWS-bubble induced anti-fouling and drag reduction effects simultaneously, which has not been reported before.

An extravascular fluid transport system based on structural framework of fibrous connective tissues in human body.

ObjectiveInterstitial fluid in extracellular matrices may not be totally fixed but partially flow through long‐distance oriented fibrous connective tissues via physical mechanisms. We hypothesized there is a long‐distance interstitial fluid transport network beyond vascular circulations.Materials and methodsWe first used 20 volunteers to determine hypodermic entrant points to visualize long‐distance extravascular pathway by MRI. We then investigated the extravascular pathways initiating from the point of thumb in cadavers by chest compressor. The distributions and structures of long‐distance pathways from extremity ending to associated visceral structures were identified.ResultsUsing fluorescent tracer, the pathways from right thumb to right atrium wall near chest were visualized in seven of 10 subjects. The cutaneous pathways were found in dermic, hypodermic and fascial tissues of hand and forearm. The perivascular pathways were along the veins of arm, axillary sheath, superior vena cava and into the superficial tissues on right atrium. Histological and micro‐CT data showed these pathways were neither blood nor lymphatic vessels but long‐distance oriented fibrous matrices, which contained the longitudinally assembled micro‐scale fibres consistently from thumb to superficial tissues on right atrium.ConclusionsThese data revealed the structural framework of the fibrous extracellular matrices in oriented fibrous connective tissues was of the long‐distance assembled fibres throughout human body. Along fibres, interstitial fluid can systemically transport by certain driving‐transfer mechanisms beyond vascular circulations.

Reversible Mechanical Deformations of Soft Microchannel Networks for Sensing in Soft Robotic Systems

Microfluidics has enabled numerous applications in, for example, analytical chemistry, medical diagnostics, microelectronics, and soft robotics. In most of these applications, the geometries of the microchannels are of fixed dimensions that (ideally) remain invariant during operation. In soft robotics, however, the geometries of the microchannels contained in soft actuation systems are inherently dynamic, and the specific dimensions are expected to change during operation, and, by extension, the fluid transport properties of the system are variable. If this characteristic is not properly considered, or if methods are not developed to control it, the progress of soft robotic devices with distributed fluid transport systems can be hampered. Herein, the deformation of soft microchannel networks is investigated using a finite‐element method and experimental observations, and the understandings are applied to imbibe sensing capabilities in soft robots that have integrated microfluidic networks with dynamic channel geometries of predictable dimensions. This approach enables the fabrication of soft fluid transport systems with deterministic deformation characteristics—a capability that is specifically applied to touch and actuation sensing in soft actuators. This work provides insight into the channel deformation processes expected in soft robotic systems with embedded networks of microchannels, enabling devices with reliable/predictable transport properties.

Student’s Perceptions Regarding Assessment Changes in a Fluid Mechanics Course

The main objective of this study is to evaluate students’ perceptions regarding different methods of assessment and which teaching/learning methodologies may be the most effective in a Fluid Transport System course. The impact of the changes in the assessment methodology in the final students’ grades and attendance at theoretical classes is also analysed, and the results show that students’ attendance at theoretical classes changed significantly. The students prefer and consider more beneficial for their learning assessment through several questions/problems and small tests during theoretical lessons instead of a single moment of evaluation. For them, the traditional teaching/learning methodology is still considered the most effective one. At the same time, students perceive that the development of the Practical Work (PW) and several moments of assessment had positive repercussions on the way they focus on the course content and keep up with the subjects taught, providing knowledge on the area under study, encouraging collaborative work and stimulating the students’ intellectual curiosity. Largely, students agree that the PW is an important tool in their learning process and recommend it as a teaching activity. In general, students are confident with the knowledge acquired with the PW and feel able to size fluid transport systems.

PDGF-B Is Required for Development of the Glymphatic System

SUMMARYThe glymphatic system is a highly polarized cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) transport system that facilitates the clearance of neurotoxic molecules through a brain-wide network of perivascular pathways. Herein we have mapped the development of the glymphatic system in mice. Perivascular CSF transport first emerges in hippocampus in newborn mice, and a mature glymphatic system is established in the cortex at 2 weeks of age. Formation of astrocytic endfeet and polarized expression of aquaporin 4 (AQP4) consistently coincided with the appearance of perivascular CSF transport. Deficiency of platelet-derived growth factor B (PDGF-B) function in the PDGF retention motif knockout mouse line Pdgfbret/ret suppressed the development of the glymphatic system, whose functions remained suppressed in adulthood compared with wild-type mice. These experiments map the natural development of the glymphatic system in mice and define a critical role of PDGF-B in the development of perivascular CSF transport.

Soft Sensors to Monitoring a Multivariate Nonlinear Process Using Neural Networks

In general, industrial processes have a multivariable nature, with multiple inputs and multiple outputs. Such systems are more difficult to monitor and control due to interactions between the input and output variables. Focusing on these issues, the development of soft sensors to monitor multivariate nonlinear processes using neural networks is proposed. Experiments were performed to monitor the pressure and flow values on an experimental platform (fluid transport system) using developed soft sensors. With the monitoring using soft sensor, it is possible to make processes more reliable, with better performance and with less difficulty in detecting and solving possible failures.

Nano-Biohybrids: In Vivo Synthesis of Metal-Organic Frameworks inside Living Plants.

Plants have a complex passive fluid transport system capable of internalizing small molecules from the environment, and this system offers an ideal route for augmenting plants with functional nanomaterials. Current plant augmentation techniques use pre-formed nanomaterials and permeabilizing agents or plant cuttings. A so far unexplored concept is the formation of the functional material, in situ, from precursors small enough to be passively internalized through the roots without harming the plants. Metal-organic frameworks are ideal for in situ synthesis as they are composed of metal ions coordinated with organic ligands and have recently been mineralized around single-celled organisms in mild aqueous conditions. Herein, the synthesis of two types of metal-organic frameworks, zinc(2-methylimidazole)2 and lanthanide2 (terephthalate)3 , are reported inside a variety of plants. In situ synchrotron experiments help elucidate the formation kinetics and crystal phases of the nano-biohybrid plants. Plants augmented with luminescent metal-organic frameworks are utilized for small molecule sensing, although other applications, such as pathogen sensing, proton conductive plants, improved CO2 capture, bacteria-free nitrogen fixation, drought and fungi-resistance, and enhanced photosynthesis and photocatalysis, are foreseeable. Overall, the generation of functional materials inside of fully intact plants could lead to more complex nano-biohybrid sensors and organisms augmented with superior performance characteristics.

Fluid-transport evaluation of lateral condensation, GuttaCore™ and continuous wave of obturation techniques

To achieve success in endodontic treatment, the root canal system should be as sealed as possible with suitable material such as gutta-percha and sealer. Objective: This study compare the apical leakage of roots obturated with GuttaCore™, lateral condensation, and continuous wave obturation through a computerized fluid-transport system. Material and methods: Fifty-two freshlyextracted upper molars were used. The disto-buccal roots were cut and standardized to 10 mm long. The root canals were prepared at working length with WaveOne primary reciprocating files. The specimens were randomly divided and filled by one of the following obturation techniques: GuttaCore™, lateral condensation or continuous wave obturation, using SILCO sealer. The positive controls were left unfilled and the negative controls were totally coated with cyanoacrylate and three layers of nail polish. The roots were stored in relative humidity for 72 h at 37°C, allowing the sealer to set. After this period, the roots were connected to a computerized fluid-transport system, and the apical leakage was analyzed. Results: The results were expressed in µL.cmH2O-1.min-1 x10-4 1.36 atm. The data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey´s tests. The specimens of the positive control group showed extreme amounts of apical leakage. There was no leakage in the negative ontrols. The statistical analysis indicated that continuous wave obturation and GuttaCore™ showed lower leakage than the lateral condensation technique (p<0.05). No difference was found among the continuous wave obturation and GuttaCore™ (p>0.05). Conclusion: Continuous wave obturation and GuttaCore™ showed lower leakage than the lateral condensation technique. There was no difference between the continuous wave obturation and GuttaCore™. The fluid-transport system used in this study allowed an accurate quantitative measurement of leakage using simpler equipment.

Mechanisms initiating fluid migration at Snøhvit and Albatross fields, Barents Sea

The southwestern Barents Sea, part of the epicontinental Barents Sea located between Norway and the Svalbard archipelago, hosts several mature petroleum systems. Large gas chimneys, leaking faults and seabed pockmarks are proof that hydrocarbon leakage has taken place previously in this part of the Barents Sea. Glacial erosion, being one of the major episodes of erosion and uplift, has probably caused fluid leakage out of proven hydrocarbon reservoirs and fluid migration along permeable carrier beds. We use 3D seismic data from the Snohvit gas field to focus on the nature of the fluid transport systems and the origins and potential mechanisms for how fluids migrated from deep-seated reservoirs. Mapping of the trap of the reservoirs at Snohvit has allowed us to determine potential spill point locations, coinciding with major gas chimneys and several faults that extend into shallow strata. We explain how uplift and erosion caused gas expansion in the reservoirs allowing the gas to reach below the spill point located at the gas–water contact level at the bottom of the closure. Fluids, such as hydrocarbons, may have escaped through these spills points, leading to the emplacement and development of the aforementioned gas chimneys. Similarly, migration of fluids may have taken place along faults, reactivated by glaciotectonic processes and connected with spill points at reservoir depth. Both gas chimneys and faults have allowed gas to migrate into and be trapped in shallow gas accumulations within the Torsk Formation and below the upper regional unconformity.

Form, shape and function: segmented blood flow in the choriocapillaris.

The development of fluid transport systems was a key event in the evolution of animals and plants. While within vertebrates branched geometries predominate, the choriocapillaris, which is the microvascular bed that is responsible for the maintenance of the outer retina, has evolved a planar topology. Here we examine the flow and mass transfer properties associated with this unusual geometry. We show that as a result of the form of the choriocapillaris, the blood flow is decomposed into a tessellation of functional vascular segments of various shapes delineated by separation surfaces across which there is no flow, and in the vicinity of which the transport of passive substances is diffusion-limited. The shape of each functional segment is determined by the distribution of arterioles and venules and their respective relative flow rates. We also show that, remarkably, the mass exchange with the outer retina is a function of the shape of each functional segment. In addition to introducing a novel framework in which the structure and function of the metabolite delivery system to the outer retina may be investigated in health and disease, the present work provides a general characterisation of the flow and transfers in multipole Hele-Shaw configurations.

Optimal electro-osmotic pumping of a micro-duct with finned structures

This article is aimed to present an analytic study of electro-osmotic (EO) pumping of a micro-duct with inserted fin vanes. Finned structures are known to be an efficient and very important tool in conducting heat generated in fluid transport system, such as Joule’s heating in micro-fluidic devices. The present semi-analytical analysis is performed under the Debye–Hückel approximation (DHA), enabling us to explicitly investigate the combined effects of various parameters for optimizing the EO pumping rate while retaining substantial fin vanes for heat removal. A mathematical model based on the solutions of two fundamental EO flows is introduced to explain how the choice of the fin vane width may optimize the EO pumping rate in the general case. Moreover, we present the optimized EO flow rates in diagrams plotted on the plane of zeta potentials, which may serve as an easily used reference for engineering design and applications.

Three-dimensional study of a one-way, flexible magnetorheological elastomer-based micro fluid transport system

This paper presents a three-dimensional study of a controllable flexible magnetically-activated micropump. The tubular micropump employs magnetically induced deformation of magnetorheological elastomer and one-way flexible conical valves for fluid transport. Three-dimensional magneto–fluid–solid interaction analysis is employed to investigate the performance of the system. The effects of key material, geometric, and magnetic parameters on the effectiveness of the system are examined. It is demonstrated that the proposed system can propel the fluid unidirectionally, and the volume of the transported fluid is significantly affected by some of the design parameters.

Characterization of flow homogeneity downstream of a slotted orifice plate in a two-phase flow using electrical resistance tomography

Two-phase flows are complex and unpredictable in nature, commonly encountered in a majority of fluid transport systems. The accurate measurement of two-phase flow is critical for a wide range of applications from wet stream to multiphase flows. There are different methods to meter two-phase flow in various industries. One approach is to produce a flow meter that does not require the individual flow components to be separated and measured separately. This goal can be met if a homogenized mixture is produced which can be measured by a standard single phase flow meter. The slotted orifice plate was invented as a flow meter for single phase flows, it is independent upon upstream flow conditions. Slotted orifice plate flow meter's utilization in two-phase flow revealed that it is highly capable of working as a flow conditioner transforming most of the multiphase flow regimes into a fairly uniform mixture. This study measures how the relative homogeneity of an air/water mixture varies downstream of the slotted plate in a horizontal pipe for various upstream conditions including elongated bubble and slug flow regimes using electrical resistance tomography (ERT). According to this study, the optimal location with a maximum homogeneity was determined to be between 1.5 and 2.5 pipe diameters downstream of the slotted orifice plate. This indicates that placing a slotted orifice plate at the obtained distance upstream of another flow meter such as a venturi coupled with a density measuring device like a radiation based densitometer or an electrical impedance device will help in obtaining accurate multiphase flow rate measurement.

Continuous directional water transport on the peristome surface of Nepenthes alata.

Numerous natural systems contain surfaces or threads that enable directional water transport. This behaviour is usually ascribed to hierarchical structural features at the microscale and nanoscale, with gradients in surface energy and gradients in Laplace pressure thought to be the main driving forces. Here we study the prey-trapping pitcher organs of the carnivorous plant Nepenthes alata. We find that continuous, directional water transport occurs on the surface of the 'peristome'--the rim of the pitcher--because of its multiscale structure, which optimizes and enhances capillary rise in the transport direction, and prevents backflow by pinning in place any water front that is moving in the reverse direction. This results not only in unidirectional flow despite the absence of any surface-energy gradient, but also in a transport speed that is much higher than previously thought. We anticipate that the basic 'design' principles underlying this behaviour could be used to develop artificial fluid-transport systems with practical applications.

Comparison of Two-Phase Pipe Flow in OpenFOAM with a Mechanistic Model

Two-phase pipe flow is a common occurrence in many industrial applications such as power generation and oil and gas transportation. Accurate prediction of liquid holdup and pressure drop is of vast importance to ensure effective design and operation of fluid transport systems. In this paper, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) study of a two-phase flow of air and water is performed using OpenFOAM. The two-phase solver, interFoam is used to identify flow patterns and generate values of liquid holdup and pressure drop, which are compared to results obtained from a two-phase mechanistic model developed by Petalas and Aziz (2002). A total of 60 simulations have been performed at three separate pipe inclinations of 0°, +10° and -10° respectively. A three dimensional, 0.052m diameter pipe of 4m length is used with the Shear Stress Transport (SST) k - ɷ turbulence model to solve the turbulent mixtures of air and water. Results show that the flow pattern behaviour and numerical values of liquid holdup and pressure drop compare reasonably well to the mechanistic model.

A flexible micro fluid transport system featuring magnetorheological elastomer

This study presents a flexible magnetically-actuated micro fluid transport system utilizing an isotropic magnetorheological elastomer (MRE). Theoretical modeling and analysis of this system is presented for a two-dimensional model. This fluid transport system can propel the fluid by applying a fluctuating magnetic field on the MRE. The magneto-fluid-structure interaction analysis is employed to determine movement of the solid domain and the velocity of the fluid under a controllable magnetic field. The effects of key material, geometric, and magnetic parameters on the behavior of this system are examined. It is demonstrated that the proposed system can propel the fluid unidirectionally, and the volume of the transported fluid is significantly affected by some of the design parameters.

Biomechanical Analysis of Infectious Biofilms.

The removal of infectious biofilms from tissues or implanted devices and their transmission through fluid transport systems depends in part of the mechanical properties of their polymeric matrix. Linking the various physical and chemical microscopic interactions to macroscopic deformation and failure modes promises to unveil design principles for novel therapeutic strategies targeting biofilm eradication, and provide a predictive capability to accelerate the development of devices, water lines, etc, that minimise microbial dispersal. Here, our current understanding of biofilm mechanics is appraised from the perspective of biophysics , with an emphasis on constitutive modelling that has been highly successful in soft matter. Fitting rheometric data to viscoelastic models has quantified linear and nonlinear stress relaxation mechanisms, how they vary between species and environments, and how candidate chemical treatments alter the mechanical response. The rich interplay between growth, mechanics and hydrodynamics is just becoming amenable to computational modelling and promises to provide unprecedented characterisation of infectious biofilms in their native state.

Interpreting Students’ Perceptions in Fluid Mechanics Learning Outcomes

The objective of this study is to analyse the impact of introducing a practical work in the learning process of the Fluid Transport Systems course in Chemical Engineering degree. The students, in groups of two or three elements, were free to choose the application case in order to develop the practical work proposed by the responsible teachers. The students selected a centrifugal pump to supply water to houses or buildings and designed the piping system. The practical work was evaluated through the written report. The students’ perceptions were analysed through a questionnaire. The learning outcomes were also considered in order to understand how the fluid mechanics concepts were acquired. In the teachers’ point of view the teamwork should enable the development of students’ soft skills and competencies, promoting the ability to integrate and work in teams. The students changed their learning processing and perception becoming more reflective and less accommodative, forcing them to think critically and share opinions. Regarding the Fluid Mechanics assessment, the practical work increased, in average, the final grade at least one value.