Fluid Forces Research Articles

Analysis of fluid forces impacting on the impeller of a mixed flow blood pump with computational fluid dynamics.

This study presents four different impeller designs to compare hydrodynamic forces. Numerical simulation studies are performed via computational fluid dynamics to specify and investigate the hydraulic forces impacting the impeller of the mixed-flow blood pump with a volute. The design point of this pump is that the flow rate is 5 L/min, the rotational speed is 8000 rpm, and the manometric head is 100 mmHg. The designed impellers are placed in the same volute and simulation studies are performed with the same mesh size (17.3 million cells) of the pumps. The simulation studies have been conducted in setting 1050 kg/m3 blood density, 35 cP fluid viscosity, and SST-kω turbulence model. Additionally, this study examines the changes in hydraulic forces and hydraulic efficiency with fluid viscosity. As a result of experimental simulation studies, the highest hydraulic efficiencies of 40.87% and 39.5% are achieved in the case of the shaftless-grooveless and shafted-grooveless impeller, respectively. The maximum axial forces are obtained from the pump with the shaftless-grooveless impeller. Whereas radial forces, maximum values are calculated in the pump with the shaftless-outer groove impeller for all flow rates. Finally, the wall shear stresses, which are important for blood pump designs, are evaluated and the maximum value of 227 Pa is observed in the pump impeller with a shaftless-grooved.

Measurement of intelligent computing via Levenberg Marquardt algorithm (LMA) for accurate prediction of fluid forces in a transient non-Newtonian thermal flow

Predicting precise results for the quantities of interest in time-dependent Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations requires a significant investment of computational resources and time. To get around these issues, CFD simulations have been joined with Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). An optimally configured artificial neural network (ANN) is given the training and validation data sets produced by computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The flow around a cylinder, which is a well-known benchmark problem for incompressible flows, has been taken into consideration by the hybrid-CFD system. The mathematical model is based on the non-stationary Navier-Stokes and energy equations with viscosity. The basic architecture of the ANN model consists of 10 hidden layers, three output levels, and five input layers. Fast second-order LMA, a top-tier approach, was used to train the network. Both the Mean Square Error (MSE) and the coefficient of determination (R) provide statistical evidence that the ANN projected values for the drag and lift coefficients and average Nusselt number obtained from the finite element analysis are accurate. This analysis suggests that ANNs have the potential to significantly cut down on the amount of time and energy needed to run time-dependent simulations.

Fiber motion in rotor spinning unit airflow: Numerical simulation and experimental validation

Airflow-assisted manufacturing holds significant promise across various applications, including rotor spinning, where airflow is crucial for fiber transfer and ultimately affects yarn performance. This study introduces a three-dimensional model of flexible fiber motion within the flow field of a rotor spinning unit. The fiber is modeled as cylindrical segments connected by rigid joints, with the segments experiencing fluid torques and the joints subjected to fluid forces. The model accounts for the fiber bending and torsional deformation. Fiber motion is determined by solving the translational and rotational equations, alongside the fiber–wall interactions. Emphasis is placed on the fiber stripping process from the opening roller. Supported by the numerical methods validated through visualization experiments and further corroborated by spinning examinations, we advance the understanding of the motion behavior of fibers released from different initial positions in the rotor spinning unit, and specifically, delve into the impact of airflow patterns on fiber movement. The developed numerical methodology and findings are vital for optimizing rotor spinning unit design and effectively harnessing airflow technology in processing.

Forces and grain–grain contacts in bidisperse beds sheared by viscous fluids

In a recent paper [Gonzalez et al., “Bidisperse beds sheared by viscous fluids: Grain segregation and bed hardening,” Phys. Fluids 35, 103326 (2023)], we investigated the motion of grains within a granular bed sheared by a viscous fluid and showed how segregation and hardening occur in the fluid- (bedload) and solid-like (creep) regions. In this paper, we inquire further into the mechanisms leading to grain segregation in a bidisperse bed, and how the forces are distributed. For that, we carried out numerical simulations at the grain scale by using computational fluid dynamics–discrete element method, with which we were able to track the positions, velocities, forces, and solid contacts underwent by each grain. We show that during the upward motion of large grains the direct action of fluid forces is significant in the middle and upper parts of the bedload layer, while only contact forces are significant in the creep layer and lower part of the bedload layer. We also show that in all cases the particles experience a moment about a −45° contact point (with respect to the horizontal plane) when migrating upward, whether entrained by other contacts or directly by the fluid. In addition, we show the variations in the average solid–solid contacts, and how forces caused either by solid–solid contacts or directly by the fluid are distributed within the bed. Our results provide the relationship between force propagation and reorganization of grains in sheared beds, explaining mechanisms found, for example, in river beds and landslides.

Flow-induced vibrations of an equilateral triangular prism at subcritical Reynolds number

It has been well known that the shear layers behind a prism at subcritical Reynolds number (Re) remain persistently stable. However, potential response of an elastically mounted non-circular prism at subcritical Re is still open. In this study, we numerically investigate the flow-induced vibrations of an equilateral triangular prism at subcritical laminar flow using the immersed boundary method. The prism is allowed to vibrate only in the transverse direction. It is found that the prism vibration could be excited and sustained at subcritical Re due to the instability triggered by the prism's movability. Within angles of attack α = 0°–60°, the triangular prism experiences three responses: i.e., vortex-induced vibration (VIV) at α = 0°–30°, large-amplitude vibration at α = 37.5°–46.5°, and galloping at α = 47.5°–60°. The characteristics of vibration amplitude, frequency, and dependence of fluid forces on reduced velocity and α are investigated. Eight different wake modes exist behind the prism, i.e., one stable mode, two shear layer modes, and five vortex shedding modes. In the VIV regime, the 2S mode (2 single vortices per vibration cycle) is the only vortex shedding mode, while the vortex shedding mode with more than two vortices is unique in the other two regimes. In the end, we discuss (i) the influences of Re and mass ratio and (ii) prediction of the galloping instability using quasi-steady analysis. It is found that three different response regimes are noticed, although their characteristics are strongly affected by the two factors. Quasi-steady approach could provide a reasonable prediction of the emergence of galloping instability for non-circular prism.

Microfluidics-based stable production of monodisperse giant unilamellar vesicles by oil-phase removal from double emulsion

Giant liposomes, or giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs), have been utilized as cell-size bioreactors to replicate the physical and chemical properties of biological cells. However, conventional methods for preparing GUVs typically lack precise control over their size. Several research groups have recently developed microfluidic techniques to create monodisperse GUVs by generating water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) droplets with a thin oil layer that subsequently transform into GUVs. However, the formation of a thin oil shell requires the intricate control of the flow rate, which can be both challenging and unstable. In this study, we investigated the design of a two-step flow-focusing microfluidic channel to produce stable W/O/W droplets. These droplets underwent substantial oil layer reduction through spontaneous removal by fluidic shear forces. Consequently, the majority of the oil layer in the W/O/W droplets was reduced, improving uniformity of GUVs.

Physics-based modeling of debris flows and assessing the performance of effective mitigation measures

BackgroundClimate change-induced geohazards are increasingly posing a critical threat to the sustained functionality and resilience of constructed infrastructures. Among these hazards, debris flows represent significant natural disasters, particularly in mountainous terrains, causing widespread property damage and loss of life globally. These phenomena involve complex interactions between solid and fluid forces, resulting in long run-out distances and high-speed flows. Predicting and monitoring debris flows is challenging due to the intricate interplay of these forces.ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to evaluate the structural damage caused by debris flows and assess the efficacy of rigid barrier structures with passages/apertures.MethodEmploying Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics, a Lagrange-based mesh-free computational technique, the researchers simulated the impact of debris on a stiff structure. The focus was on the Rishiganga river valley in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, a region recently devastated by a debris flow that severely compromised essential infrastructure, including a hydroelectric power station. The research entailed modeling the debris flow in this specific locale and analyzing its effects on an assumed downstream rigid structure. Additionally, the study explored the outcomes of introducing a rigid barrier upstream.Results and ConclusionResults indicated a substantial reduction in the impact on the downstream structure with the presence of an upstream rigid structure. Moreover, as the number of apertures in the upstream barrier was increased, the impact of flow on the downstream structure further diminished, because of a more streamlined flow pattern.

Fluid Force Reduction and Flow Structure at a Coastal Building with Different Outer Frame Openings Following Primary Defensive Alternatives: An Experiment-Based Review

A well-constructed tsunami evacuation facility can be crucial in a disaster. Understanding a tsunami’s force and the flow structure variation across various building configurations are essential to engineering designs. Hence, this study assessed the steady-state flow structure at building models (BM) incorporating outer frame openings, including piloti-type designs with a different width-to-spacing ratio of piloti-type columns following an embankment model (EM) with a vegetation model (VM). The experiments also demonstrated the outer frame opening percentage’s impact and orientation toward the overtopping tsunami flow at the BM. The results show that the arrangement of an opening on the outer frame and the piloti-type columns are critical in reducing the tsunami force concerning the experimental setup. Moreover, allowing a free surface flow beneath the BM implies that the correct piloti-pillar arrangement is crucial for resilient structure design. In addition, the three-dimensional numerical simulation was utilized to explain the turbulence intensity of the overtopping flow around the critical BM type. The derived resistance coefficient (CR) defined the drag and the hydrostatic characteristics at the BM due to the overtopping tsunami flow. Furthermore, for the impervious BM, the value CR was consistent with the previous studies, while the CR value for the BMs with an outer frame opening was directly coincident with the percentage of porosity.

Influence of reservoir water saturation on coalbed methane development: Based on multi-field coupling numerical simulation

Water in coal reservoirs serves as both the driving force of reservoir fluid and the resistance to coalbed methane (CBM) migration. However, the impact and control mechanism of water saturation on CBM development in the field have not been revealed yet. The evolution of reservoir dynamics and gas production rate under various initial water saturation conditions is simulated based on the COMSOL multiphysics numerical simulation software. The simulation results show that the reduction of initial water saturation can significantly enhance the effective permeability of the reservoir gas phase, which can be increased by up to 4764%. This increases the rate of gas production, which is the main mechanism for controlling production by water saturation in the reservoir. For high water saturation reservoirs, the positive effect of inter-well interference should be reasonably utilized, and high well network density should be used to rapidly increase gas-effective permeability. For low water saturation reservoirs, the negative effect of inter-well interference should be avoided, and low well network density should be used to increase the control of single well reserves.

Numerical Study of Vortex-Excited Vibration of Flexible Cylindrical Structures with Surface Bulge

This study conducted numerical simulations of three-dimensional vortex-induced vibrations (VIV) on cylindrical bodies with various surface protrusion coverage rates, systematically investigating the impact of coverage and protrusion height on the vibrational response of flexible cylinders. The fluid forces on the surface of the riser were resolved using the finite volume method, while the structural forces were solved with the finite element method. A strongly coupled approach was employed for iterative updates between the flow field and structural field data, achieving a bidirectional flow–structure coupling simulation of VIV in a marine environment. The study further explored the performance of surface protrusions in suppressing VIV and considered protrusion heights of 0.1 times the cylinder diameter (0.1D) under coverage rates (CR) of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%, as well as seven different protrusion heights of 0.05D, 0.1D, and 0.15D at a 20% coverage rate. The mechanism of VIV suppression by surface protrusions was identified as altering the separation point of the shear layer and the frequency of vortex shedding through the vortices formed between the surface protrusions. It was found that a 20% coverage rate with a protrusion height of 0.01D (CR20) effectively suppressed the VIV of the cylinder, showing the best performance in VIV suppression, with an efficiency of 30.04%. These results provide a theoretical basis for designing more efficient VIV suppression devices and contribute to enhancing the resistance of marine structures against vortex-induced vibrations.

A semi-analytical transient undisturbed velocity correction scheme for wall-bounded two-way coupled Euler-Lagrange simulations

Force closure models employed in Euler-Lagrange (EL) point-particle simulations rely on the accurate estimation of the undisturbed fluid velocity at the particle center to evaluate the fluid forces on each particle. Due to the self-induced velocity disturbance of the particle in the fluid, two-way coupled EL simulations only have access to the disturbed velocity. The undisturbed velocity can be recovered if the particle-generated disturbance is estimated. In the present paper, we model the velocity disturbance generated by a regularized forcing near a planar wall, which, along with the temporal nature of the forcing, provides an estimate of the unsteady velocity disturbance of the particle near a planar wall. We use the analytical solution for a singular in-time transient Stokeslet near a planar wall (Felderhof [1]) and derive the corresponding time-persistent Stokeslets. The velocity disturbance due to a regularized forcing is then obtained numerically via a discrete convolution with the regularization kernel. The resulting Green's functions for parallel and perpendicular regularized forcing to the wall are stored as pre-computed temporal correction maps. By storing the time-dependent particle force on the fluid as fictitious particles, we estimate the unsteady velocity disturbance generated by the particle as a scalar product between the stored forces and the pre-computed Green's functions. Since the model depends on the analytical Green's function solution of the singular Stokeslet near a planar wall, the obtained velocity disturbance exactly satisfies the no-slip condition and does not require any fitted parameters to account for the rapid decay of the disturbance near the wall. The numerical evaluation of the convolution integral makes the present method suitable for arbitrary regularization kernels. Additionally, the generation of parallel and perpendicular correction maps enables to estimate the velocity disturbance due to particle motion in arbitrary directions relative to the local flow. The convergence of the method is studied on a fixed particle near a planar wall, and verification tests are performed in the Stokes regime on a settling particle parallel to a wall and a free-falling particle perpendicular to the wall.

Finite Element Analysis and Computational Fluid Dynamics for the Flow Control of a Non-Return Multi-Door Reflux Valve

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of a multi-door check valve using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEA) to evaluate flow performance under pressure test conditions, with an emphasis on its ability to prevent backflow. Check valves are essential components in various industries, ensuring fluid flow in one direction only while preventing reverse flow. The non-return multi-door reflux valve is increasingly preferred due to its superior backflow prevention, fluid control, and effective flow regulation. Rigorous testing under varying pressure conditions is essential to ensure that these valves perform optimally. This study uses CFD and FEA simulations to evaluate the structural integrity and flow characteristics of the valve, including pressure drop, flow velocity, backflow prevention effectiveness, and flow coefficient. A high-fidelity 3D model was created to simulate the valve’s behavior under various conditions, analyzing the effects of parameters such as the number of doors, their orientation, geometry, and operating conditions. The CFD results demonstrated a significant reduction in backflow and pressure drop across the valve. However, localized turbulence and flow separation near the valve doors, particularly under partially open conditions, have raised concerns about potential wear. The velocity profiles indicated a uniform distribution at full opening with laminar velocity profiles and minimal resistance to flow. The results of the FEA showed that the stresses induced by the fluid forces were below critical levels, with the highest stress concentrations observed around the hinge points of the valve doors. Although the valve structure remained intact under normal operating conditions, some areas may have required reinforcement to ensure long-term durability. Combined CFD and FEA analyses demonstrated that the valve effectively preserves system integrity, prevents backflow, and maintains consistent performance under various pressure and flow conditions. These findings provide valuable insights into design improvements, performance optimization, and enhancing the efficiency and reliability of reflux valve systems in industrial applications.

Observation and Prediction of Instability due to RD Fluid Force in Rotating Machinery by Operational Modal Analysis

In recent years, as rotating machinery has become smaller and more efficient, various types of shaft vibration problems have arisen. Failure of rotating machinery may lead to major accidents and infrastructure shutdowns. Therefore, to prevent failures of rotating machinery, there is a growing need for the vibration analysis technology at the design stage and condition monitoring during operation stage. One of causes of the shaft vibration problems in rotating machinery is the rotordynamic (RD) fluid force acting on fluid elements such as journal bearings, seals, turbine blades, and so on. RD fluid force has a significant effect on the stability of rotating machinery and can destabilize the system. In recent years, operational modal analysis (OMA) methods, which identify modal parameters based on the measured data of a machine's operational condition, have been investigated in the condition monitoring. In this paper, the estimation of the modal parameters of rotating machinery using OMA from only the time history response of displacement data and, in particular, the prediction of the destabilization of rotating machinery caused by RD fluid force are investigated. As a result, the modal parameters are well estimated and, in particular, the destabilization of one mode due to RD fluid force is predicted and explained. The results are in good agreement with the results of the eigenvalue analysis of the original system, and the method is validated. Furthermore, the proposed method is applied to experimental data of the system destabilized by fluid force. The change in stability with rotational speed is observed, and the characteristics of the mode toward destabilization are confirmed. The results show the validity of OMA's predictions of destabilization in the experiments.

Combined fluid and ferrofluid buoyancy force, heat absorption and non linear ferro-viscosity effects on ferro- hydrodynamics fluid flow in orthogonal porous surface

Mixed convection incompressible ferro-hydrodynamic (FHD) boundary layer fluid flow on vertical porous curvilinear orthogonal surfaces is examined in our present study in presence of combined fluid and ferro-fluid buoyancy force, nonlinear ferro-viscosity parameter, and heat absorption/generation effects. Design/Methodology/Approach: Types of Prandtl momentum and thermal boundary layer partial differential equations in a curvilinear system are converted into non-dimensional ordinary nonlinear differential equations (ODE) by introducing dimensionless velocities, temperature functions and similarity variable. Missing initial conditions are found by shooting method and solving the system of nonlinear ODEs by Runge-Kutta integration scheme of order six. With the help of MATLAB, the numerical solutions are graphically displayed in the forms of primary velocity profile, secondary velocity profile, and temperature profile. Three types of magnetic nano-ferrofluid are considered such as water-based ferrofluid (Taiho W-40), Hydrocarbon based ferrofluid (EMG-901) and kerosene-based ferrofluid (C1-20B) whose Prandtl numbers are 44.3, 79.3 and 128 respectively shown in Table 1. For kerosene based ferro-fluid, Table 3 presents the coefficient of skin friction and heat flux. Finding: The effects of combined fluid and ferrofluid buoyancy forces, nonlinear ferro-viscosity parameter, suction/injection, and heat absorption/generation parameters on the velocity and temperature profiles are investigated. Our physical interest is to calculate the local shearing stresses and the local heat flux at the surface. Finally, we have made comparisons of the results which are highlighted the validity of our numerical calculations adopted for the presence study.

Estimation of added effects and their frequency dependence in various fluid–structure interaction problems

This paper focuses on a fluid–structure interaction topic—the determination of added effects caused by fluid forces acting on a body, considering the standard linear equation of motion. We present various problems that assume small-displacement oscillations of single and multiple bodies in inviscid irrotational (potential) flow or viscous incompressible flow in both closed domain and external flow. For inviscid flow, effects of geometric parameters on the added effects were studied. The presented results extend results known from the literature. For viscous flow, frequency dependence of the added effects was studied for a wide range of frequency. The added effects were computed from data from numerical simulations of fluid flow, where the body oscillations were modeled using the dynamic mesh approach. Effects of the phase shift caused by the dynamic mesh were addressed. The added mass was compared with the corresponding value determined for inviscid flow where applicable. The results show strong dependence of the added effects on many parameters, making their proper computation challenging even for simplified cases.

Impact of dyke and vegetation on fluid force and moment reduction under sub and supercritical flow conditions

Flooding is the most common natural disaster throughout the world and requires efficient management. Therefore, the current investigation aimed to explore the impact of a composite defense system comprising dyke and vegetation on flow dynamics and velocity reduction. Experiments were conducted in an open channel setup with an adjustable bed slope and transparent sidewalls, and the vegetation model was replicated as real trees such as Eucalyptus trees. The study involved calculating several parameters, including flow velocity, reduction of fluid force index (RFI%), reduction in moment index (RMI%), and hydrostatic and hydrodynamic forces. These calculations were done by changing the channel bed slope and keeping the flow rate (discharge) constant while considering both subcritical and supercritical flow conditions. Moreover, regression analysis was performed for the prediction of RFI% and RMI% under various flow conditions. Also, statistical analyses were performed to assess the effectiveness of the defense system in reducing fluid force and moment indices. The result of the current investigation indicates that the highest values of RFI% and RMI% under subcritical flow conditions were 79% and 88%, while under supercritical flow conditions they were 94% and 78%, respectively. Moreover, a velocity reduction of 69% was observed under subcritical flow, while 84% was observed under supercritical flow conditions. Under subcritical flow conditions, RFI% and RMI% enhanced by enhancing Froude number (Fr) because of an increase in velocity reduction and hydraulic jump formation. Similar trends were observed under supercritical flow conditions, with effective mitigation of high-velocity flows by the composite system. The finding of current research helps in providing effective techniques for flood management.

Numerical analysis on performance evaluation of photovoltaic thermal systems using ternary hybrid nanofluids and forced convection around copper cylinders

This study evaluates the performance of a photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) system using forced convection and ternary hybrid nanofluids, comprising water with cobalt, zinc, and silver. The PV/T system includes a glass absorber, polycrystalline silicon, and a flow channel with eight copper cylinders, positioned at 20 %, 40 %, 60 %, and 80 % along the channel, both above and below the flow path for optimal thermal conductivity. The working fluid is modeled under turbulent, steady-state conditions using the κ−ε turbulence model.Numerical simulations via COMSOL Multiphysics 6.0 evaluate the system's thermal and fluid dynamics, focusing on local Nusselt numbers and photovoltaic cell thermal efficiency compared to a baseline. The investigation spans Reynolds numbers from 10,000 to 100,000, nanoparticle volume fractions of 1 %–20 %, and aspect ratios of 0.1–0.3. The aspect ratio in this study is defined as the ratio of the height of a square obstacle within the flow channel to the total height of the flow channel. A supervised machine learning framework develops predictive regression models for system analysis. Results show fluid force at the outlet increases by about 1200 % and 1300 % for aspect ratios of 0.1 and 0.3 as the Reynolds number rises. The Nusselt number enhances by 420 % and 466 % at a 20 % nanoparticle volume fraction for aspect ratios of 0.1 and 0.3, respectively, with a 9 % improvement in photovoltaic cell efficiency. This work uniquely applies machine learning to derive regression equations for fluid force, Nusselt number, and electrical efficiency, an approach not previously explored in laminar flow studies.

Study of self-assembly between two magnetic particle chains in magnetorheological fluids

The self-assembly behavior of individual magnetic particles in magnetorheological liquids has been extensively analyzed in previous studies, but the self-assembly behavior between chains of magnetic particles has rarely been investigated. In this paper, the self-assembly mechanism between chains of magnetic particles is investigated using simulation and experimental methods. Firstly, a two-dimensional coupling simulation numerical model of particle-magnetic field-flow field is constructed by analyzing the magnetic force, fluid force and contact interaction force between magnetic particles. The accuracy of the simulation model was verified through experiments. Then the attraction and repulsion dividing line of two magnetic particle chains are analytically calculated by simulation combined with parametric scanning. And analyze the law of the influence of the number of magnetic particles between magnetic particle chains on the attraction and repulsion dividing line. Finally, the different self-assembly behaviors that occur when magnetic particle chains are in different regions of attraction and repulsion between them are experimentally verified. Thus, this study provides new insights into the self-assembly mechanism between chains of magnetic particles in magnetorheological fluids in terms of the effect of the number of magnetic particles on the attraction–repulsion dividing line.

Modal Analysis and Optimization of Fluid-Structure Coupling for Rotor and Inner Cylinder of Vertical Condensate Pump

Background: Low-frequency resonance is one of the common issues encountered during the variable-frequency operation of condensate water pumps. There have been numerous patents and papers proposing solutions to address the low-frequency resonance problem in condensate water pumps. However, the solutions for resonance problems often need to be tailored to specific circumstances. Methods: Based on the acoustic method, the dynamic model of the rotor and inner cylinder of Jiangsu Guohua Chenjiagang Power Plant 2B condensate pump is established to compare the difference between dry modal and fluid-structure coupling modal, the influence of perpendicularity, concentricity and bearing wear on the natural frequency of rotor is studied. Results: The rotor is rigid under normal conditions. When the bearing is worn, the frequency of the rotor will be greatly reduced and may fall into the frequency conversion operation range to excite resonance. The deviation of perpendicularity and concentricity will not directly lead to the decrease of rotor modal but will lead to the increase of bearing stress, aggravate bearing wear, and then affect the rotor modal. As the inner cylinder only relies on the fixed support at the top, the structure stiffness is low, which may lead to low-frequency resonance. By adding two support structures at the guide vane, the first-order modal frequency of the inner cylinder can be increased from 3.29 Hz to 28.88 Hz, effectively avoiding the operating frequency range of the system. Conclusion: This study can guide the optimization of similar pump structures.

Particle motion and flow contribution in a double-row hydraulic harvesting model for deep-sea mining

The double-row hydraulic sluicing model is widely used in deep-sea mining collecting systems. However, there has been limited research focusing on its flow contributions and the relationship with particle motions. In this paper, a double-row hydraulic sluicing collector with high pickup efficiency is designed. The flow characteristics, the mechanics of the flow field, and the movement of particles in the collector are analyzed in detail through numerical calculations and experiments. The flow contributions and the collecting mechanism are clearly highlighted through aspects such as the frequency of pressure fluctuations and flow-induced vortices. The high-speed jet rolls upward after hitting the ground, forming a high-pressure area on the ground. The upwelling in the collection area is generated by the combination of the high-pressure area and the upward rolling of fluid. Regarding the particles, it is observed that particle motion can be divided into two main stages, rapid acceleration, followed by slow deceleration. Some particles may fall back when rising. Additionally, the analysis of fluid forces on the particles indicates that drag force and pressure gradient force have significant influence on particle motion.