Gas Velocity Field Research Articles

Liquid atomization in a high-speed coaxial gas jet

The paper studies the process of liquid atomization in high-speed gas jets with application to a subject of high-rate fuel nozzles. Experiments were carried out for gas-liquid jet with the central-axis feeding of liquid to the outlet of a confuser-type nozzle with pumping of air in subsonic and supersonic flow regimes. The energy balance approach was developed for describing a gas-liquid jet. This provided us the needed data for comprehensive description of the gasliquid jet: gas velocity field without liquid, shadow visualization of geometry and wavy structure of a jet with liquid and with pure gas, velocity profiles for liquid phase, spray droplet size, spray concentration and spatial distribution. The gas-liquid flow was characterized by Weber number from the time of liquid jet breakup till the final spray.

Spotting the differences between active and non-active twin galaxies on kpc-scales: a pilot study

We present a pilot study aimed to identify large-scale galaxy properties that could play a role in activating a quiescent nucleus. To do so, we compare the properties of two isolated nearby active galaxies and their non-active twins selected from the Calar Alto Legacy Integral Field Area (CALIFA) survey. This pilot sample includes two barred and two unbarred galaxies. We characterise the stellar and ionised gas kinematics and also their stellar content. We obtain simple kinematic models by fitting the full stellar and ionised gas velocity fields and just the approaching/receding sides. We find that the analysed active galaxies present lopsided disks and higher values of the global stellar angular momentum ($\lambda_{R}$) than their non-active twins. This could be indicating that the stellar disks of the AGN gained angular momentum from the inflowing gas that triggered the nuclear activity. The inflow of gas could have been produced by a twisted disk instability in the case of the unbarred AGN, and by the bar in the case of the barred AGN. In addition, we find that the central regions of the studied active galaxies show older stellar populations than their non-active twins. The next step is to statistically explore these galaxy properties in a larger sample of twin galaxies.

Modeling and Design Improvement of a Scrubber for Cooling of Flue Gas During Combustion of Fuel Oil and Petroleum Coke at Thermal Power Plants

Scrubber operations were studied using the Flow Vision software system, which made it possible to obtain a picture of the distribution of velocity, temperature, and pressure fields of the flue gas inside the scrubber, and estimate the operation of the gas distributors and intake equipment based on the standard deviation of the modulus of the axial speed. Based on the analysis that was conducted, design changes were adopted that are based on the design of flue gas cooling scrubber by refinement of the ammonia-sulfate desulfurization process.

OUP accepted manuscript

We present a survey of CO(3-2) molecular line emission in the circumnuclear region of M31 with the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT), aiming to explore the physical conditions of the molecular gas. Significant CO(3-2) lines are detected primarily along the so-called nuclear spiral, out to a projected galactocentric radius of 700 pc at a linear resolution of ~50 pc. We find that the velocity field of the molecular gas is in rough agreement with that of the ionized gas previously determined from optical observations. Utilizing existed CO(2-1) and CO(1-0) measurements in selected regions of the nuclear spiral, we derive characteristic intensity ratios of CO(3-2)/CO(2-1) and CO(3-2)/CO(1-0), which are both close to unity and are significantly higher than the typical intensity ratios in the disk. Such line ratios suggest high kinetic temperatures of the gas, which might be due to strong interstellar shocks prevalent in the circumnuclear region.

The first 62 AGN observed with SDSS-IV MaNGA – III: stellar and gas kinematics

We investigate the effects of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) on the gas kinematics of their host galaxies, using MaNGA data for a sample of 62 AGN hosts and 109 control galaxies (inactive galaxies). We compare orientation of the line of nodes (kinematic Position Angle - PA) measured from the gas and stellar velocity fields for the two samples. We found that AGN hosts and control galaxies display similar kinematic PA offsets between gas and stars. However, we note that AGN have larger fractional velocity dispersion $\sigma$ differences between gas and stars [$\sigma_{frac}=(\sigma_{\rm gas}-\sigma_{stars})/\sigma_{\rm stars}$] when compared to their controls, as obtained from the velocity dispersion values of the central (nuclear) pixel (2.5" diameter). The AGN have a median value of $\sigma_{\rm frac}$ of $<\sigma_{frac}>_{\rm AGN}=0.04$, while the the median value for the control galaxies is $<\sigma_{frac}>_{\rm CTR}=-0.23$. 75% of the AGN show $\sigma_{frac}>-0.13$, while 75% of the normal galaxies show $\sigma_{\rm frac}<-0.04$, thus we suggest that the parameter $\sigma_{\rm frac}$ can be used as an indicative of AGN activity. We find a correlation between the [OIII]$\lambda$5007 luminosity and $\sigma_{frac}$ for our sample. Our main conclusion is that the AGN already observed with MaNGA are not powerful enough to produce important outflows at galactic scales, but at 1-2 kpc scales, AGN feedback signatures are always present on their host galaxies.

Effect of nozzle geometry on the gas dynamics and evaporation rates of Suspension High Velocity Oxy Fuel (SHVOF) thermal spray: A numerical investigation

Thermally sprayed coatings formed from sub-micron or nanoparticles feedstock provide enhanced coating properties and Suspension High Velocity Oxy Fuel (SHVOF) thermal spray is a process that allows the deposition of dense coatings from fine particulates. However, in SHVOF thermal spray, submicron and nanoparticles are significantly influenced by fluctuations in the gas velocity and temperature field because of the turbulence and disturbance of the gas fields from the breakup of the suspension due to the small inertia of the particles. In this study, an ethanol suspension containing widely used engineering ceramic particles, TiO2, with four different particle concentrations was considered 0, 10, 15 and 25 wt%. The aim of this paper was to model four nozzle geometries and to investigate the influence the nozzle geometry has on the gas flow and the evaporation rate at four particle concentrations. Comparing four nozzle geometries it is found that the gas exits the longer barrel nozzles at a high velocity; while the velocity in the free jet region beyond the shock diamonds is greater for the shorter nozzles. It is seen that the shorter the nozzle the higher the gas temperature in the free jet; which is due to the lower contact time of the gas with the cooled nozzle walls. This study also considered the effect the nozzle geometry has on the evaporation of the suspension. It was found that the longer the combustion chamber the lower the maximum evaporation rate. Moreover, higher particle concentrations result in evaporation commencing closer to the nozzle inlet due to the lower volatile fraction of the suspension.

Visualization of flow conditions inside spiral jet mills with different nozzle numbers– Analysis of unloaded and loaded mills and correlation with grinding performance

Plenty of operational and geometric parameters have effects on spiral jet milling. Changes in the parameters cause distinctions in the flow conditions inside the mill and thereby also lead to consequences regarding the milled product. A new type of experimental spiral jet mill apparatus with almost entire optical accessibility enables a very convenient variation of the operational and geometric parameters as well as the determination of the flow conditions inside the spiral jet mill via non-invasive optical methods. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements with diethylhexyl sebacat (DEHS) tracer droplets as well as solid barium sulphate micro particles were carried out to investigate the flow conditions inside the spiral jet mill. The differences between the net milling gas velocity fields and the velocity fields of loaded spiral jet mills were exposed. With the mill being loaded, the comminution zone decreases in the horizontal direction as well as decreases and deflects in the vertical direction. Besides, the analysis of the velocity fields inside the mill apparatus showed that decreasing milling nozzle numbers lead to increasing velocities inside the spiral jet mill, even if the mass flow rate of the gas supply is kept constant and the nozzle jet velocity is limited to sonic velocity at choked flow. With decreasing milling nozzle numbers, broader comminution zones and increasing lengths of the milling jets were investigated. As a consequence, a better grinding efficiency was expected and also confirmed with decreasing milling nozzle number by grinding experiments, as the new type of experimental apparatus was constructed in a fully operative way concerning the grinding ability.

On the Leakage, Torque, and Dynamic Force Coefficients of Air in Oil (Wet) Annular Seal: A Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis Anchored to Test Data

Subsea pumps and compressors must withstand multiphase flows whose gas volume fraction (GVF) or liquid volume fraction (LVF) varies over a wide range. Gas or liquid content as a dispersed phase in the primary stream affects the leakage, drag torque, and dynamic forced performance of secondary flow components, namely seals, thus affecting the process efficiency and mechanical reliability of pumping/compressing systems, in particular during transient events with sudden changes in gas (or liquid) content. This paper, complementing a parallel experimental program, presents a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to predict the leakage, drag power, and dynamic force coefficients of a smooth surface, uniform clearance annular seal supplied with air in oil mixture whose inlet GVF varies discretely from 0.0 to 0.9, i.e., from a pure liquid stream to a nearly all-gas content mixture. The test seal has uniform radial clearance Cr = 0.203 mm, diameter D = 127 mm, and length L = 0.36 D. The tests were conducted with an inlet pressure/exit pressure ratio equal to 2.5 and a rotor surface speed of 23.3 m/s (3.5 krpm), similar to conditions in a pump neck wear ring seal. The CFD two-phase flow model, first to be anchored to test data, uses an Euler–Euler formulation and delivers information on the precise evolution of the GVF and the gas and liquid streams' velocity fields. Recreating the test data, the CFD seal mass leakage and drag power decrease steadily as the GVF increases. A multiple-frequency shaft whirl orbit method aids in the calculation of seal reaction force components, and from which dynamic force coefficients, frequency-dependent, follow. For operation with a pure liquid, the CFD results and test data produce a constant cross-coupled stiffness, damping, and added mass coefficients, while also verifying predictive formulas typical of a laminar flow. The injection of air in the oil stream, small or large in gas volume, immediately produces force coefficients that are frequency-dependent; in particular the direct dynamic stiffness which hardens with excitation frequency. The effect is most remarkable for small GVFs, as low as 0.2. The seal test direct damping and cross-coupled dynamic stiffness continuously drop with an increase in GVF. CFD predictions, along with results from a bulk-flow model (BFM), reproduce the test force coefficients with great fidelity. Incidentally, early engineering practice points out to air injection as a remedy to cure persistent (self-excited) vibration problems in vertical pumps, submersible and large size hydraulic. Presently, the model predictions, supported by the test data, demonstrate that even a small content of gas in the liquid stream significantly raises the seal direct stiffness, thus displacing the system critical speed away to safety. The sound speed of a gas in liquid mixture is a small fraction of those speeds for either the pure oil or the gas, hence amplifying the fluid compressibility that produces the stiffness hardening. The CFD model and a dedicated test rig, predictions and test data complementing each other, enable engineered seals for extreme applications.

Experimental investigation of particle-laden flows in an oxy-coal combustion chamber for non-reacting conditions

Investigating the two-phase flow in close-to-realistic geometries is essential to gain a more detailed understanding of coal combustion. Particularly the slip velocity between solid fuel particles and the surrounding gas phase has a significant effect on local heat transfer and gas composition. Experimental investigations that focus on two-phase flows in combustion chambers are sparse. In this work the two-phase flow in a combustion chamber optimized for oxy-coal operation is investigated for non-reacting conditions. The aim is to advance the measurement technique and to reveal the differences of particle and gas velocities needed to estimate the instantaneous slip velocity of the particles. The investigation covers the most important regions for flame stabilization where volatiles are released: inside the quarl and directly downstream of the quarl close to the dump plane. The quarl and large parts of the combustion chamber are made of quartz glass, enabling particle image velocimetry (PIV) and particle tracking velocimetry (PTV). Two-phase PIV/PTV measurements were performed using tracer particles (0.5 µm) to track the gas flow and solid particles (40–80 µm) representing grinded coal. Using double-exposure Mie imaging, gas phase tracers and particles were simultaneously recorded and separated during post-processing. As the gas and the particle velocity fields are measured simultaneously, the slip velocity is accessible. Measurement errors are estimated and discussed in detail. Differences of gas and particle velocity fields are shown and particle trajectories are analyzed. Operation conditions covered flows for three different particle loadings with relevance for oxy-coal and air-coal combustion.

Experimental and numerical research on the performance of an energy-saving elevated kang in rural buildings of northeast China

Traditional Chinese Kang is frequently used for space heating in rural areas of northern China, since it is easy to construct and offers various benefits for a rural building, including cooking, heating, providing a place for sleeping and so on. However, various problems, such as smoke leakage, non-uniformity of the kang surface temperature and so on, exist in a rural building heated by Chinese kang. Here, a novel kang system called energy-saving elevated kang (ESEK) is proposed based on the ordinary elevated kang (OEK) model. Experimental results showed that the comprehensive efficiency can be improved by 6.06%. Under the same operation condition, the indoor temperature of ESEK is 2.2 °C–5.3 °C higher than that of OEK, creating a more comfortable indoor thermal environment. In addition, the temperature field of the upper surface and the velocity field of flue gas of ESEK under different boundary conditions were studied in detail using the Fluent software. Simulation results indicated that the temperature of ESEK has better uniformity. Furthermore, the optimal inlet velocity of flue gas should be between 0.5 m/s and 0.7 m/s. The ESEK proposed in this paper is suitable for application in rural buildings to improve the indoor thermal environment.

SDSS-IV MaNGA: characterizing non-axisymmetric motions in galaxy velocity fields using the Radon transform

We show how the Radon transform (defined as a series of line integrals through an image at different orientations and offsets from the origin) can be used as a simple, non-parametric tool to characterize galaxy velocity fields, specifically their global kinematic position angles (PA_k) and any radial variation or asymmetry in PA_k. This method is fast and easily automated, making it particularly beneficial in an era where IFU and interferometric surveys are yielding samples of thousands of galaxies. We demonstrate the Radon transform by applying it to gas and stellar velocity fields from the first ~2800 galaxies of the SDSS-IV MaNGA IFU survey. We separately classify gas and stellar velocity fields into five categories based on the shape of their radial PA_k profiles. At least half of stellar velocity fields and two-thirds of gas velocity fields are found to show detectable deviations from uniform coplanar circular motion, although most of these variations are symmetric about the center of the galaxy. The behavior of gas and stellar velocity fields is largely independent, even when PA_k profiles for both components are measured over the same radii. We present evidence that one class of symmetric PA_k variations is likely associated with bars and/or oval distortions, while another class is more consistent with warped disks. This analysis sets the stage for more in-depth future studies which explore the origin of diverse kinematic behavior in the galaxy population.

Star formation and gas inflows in the OH megamaser galaxy IRAS03056+2034

We have obtained observations of the OH Megamaser galaxy IRAS03056+0234 using Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) Integral Field Unit (IFU), Very Large Array (VLA) and Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The HST data reveals spiral arms containing knots of emission associated to star forming regions. The GMOS-IFU data cover the spectral range of 4500 to 7500 \AA\ at a velocity resolution of 90 km s$^{-1}$ and spatial resolution of 506 pc. The emission-line flux distributions reveal a ring of star forming regions with radius of 786 pc centred at the nucleus of the galaxy, with an ionized gas mass of 1.2$\times$ 10$^{8}$M$_{\odot}$, an ionizing photon luminosity of log Q[H$^{+}$]=53.8 and a star formation rate of 4.9 M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$. The emission-line ratios and radio emission suggest that the gas at the nuclear region is excited by both starburst activity and an active galactic nucleus. The gas velocity fields are partially reproduced by rotation in the galactic plane, but show, in addition, excess redshifts to the east of the nucleus, consistent with gas inflows towards the nucleus, with velocity of $\sim$45 km s$^{-1}$ and a mass inflow rate of $\sim$7.7$\times$10$^{-3}$ M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$.

Gemini IFU, VLA, and HST observations of the OH megamaser galaxy IRAS F23199+0123: the hidden monster and its outflow

We present Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) Integral field Unit (IFU), Very Large Array (VLA) and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations of the OH Megamaser (OHM) galaxy IRASF23199+0123. Our observations show that this system is an interacting pair, with two OHM sources associated to the eastern (IRAS23199E) member. The two members of the pair present somewhat extended radio emission at 3 and 20~cm, with flux peaks at each nucleus. The GMOS-IFU observations cover the inner $\sim$6kpc of IRAS23199E at a spatial resolution of 2.3~kpc. The GMOS-IFU flux distributions in H$\alpha$ and [NII]$\lambda$6583 are similar to that of an HST [NII]+H$\alpha$ narrow-band image, being more extended along the northeast-southwest direction, as also observed in the continuum HST F814W image. The GMOS-IFU H$\alpha$ flux map of IRAS23199E shows three extranuclear knots attributed to star-forming complexes. We have discovered a Seyfert 1 nucleus in this galaxy, as its nuclear spectrum shows an unresolved broad (FWHM$\approx$2170 kms$^{-1}$) double-peaked H$\alpha$ component, from which we derive a black hole mass of M$_{BH}$= 3.8$^{+0.3}_{-0.2}\times 10^{6}$M$_{\odot}$. The gas kinematics shows low velocity dispersions ($\sigma$) and low [NII]/H$\alpha$ ratios for the star-forming complexes and higher $\sigma$ and [NII]/H$\alpha$ surrounding the radio emission region, supporting interaction between the radio-plasma and ambient gas. The two OH masers detected in IRASF23199E are observed in the vicinity of these enhanced $\sigma$ regions, supporting their association with the active nucleus and its interaction with the surrounding gas. The gas velocity field can be partially reproduced by rotation in a disk, with residuals along the north-south direction being tentatively attributed to emission from the front walls of a bipolar outflow.

Modification of a recuperator construction with CFD methods

Abstract The purpose of the work was initial modification of the construction of a commercially produced heat exchanger – recuperator with CFD (computational fluid dynamics) methods, based on designs and process parameters which were provided. Uniformity of gas distribution in the space between the tubes of the apparatus as well as the pressure drop in it were taken as modification criteria. Uniformity of the gas velocity field between the tubes of the heat exchanger should cause equalization of the local individual heat transfer coefficient values and temperature value. Changes of the apparatus construction which do not worsen work conditions of the equipment, but cause savings of constructional materials (elimination or shortening some parts of the apparatus) were taken into consideration.

Gas dynamics in the inner few AU around the Herbig B[e] star MWC297

We present near-infrared AMBER (R = 12, 000) and CRIRES (R = 100, 000) observations of the Herbig B[e] star MWC297 in the hydrogen Br-gamma-line. Using the VLTI unit telescopes, we obtained a uv-coverage suitable for aperture synthesis imaging. We interpret our velocity-resolved images as well as the derived two-dimensional photocenter displacement vectors, and fit kinematic models to our visibility and phase data in order to constrain the gas velocity field on sub-AU scales. The measured continuum visibilities constrain the orientation of the near-infrared-emitting dust disk, where we determine that the disk major axis is oriented along a position angle of 99.6 +/- 4.8 degrees. The near-infrared continuum emission is 3.6 times more compact than the expected dust-sublimation radius, possibly indicating the presence of highly refractory dust grains or optically thick gas emission in the inner disk. Our velocity-resolved channel maps and moment maps reveal the motion of the Br-gamma-emitting gas in six velocity channels, marking the first time that kinematic effects in the sub-AU inner regions of a protoplanetary disk could be directly imaged. We find a rotation-dominated velocity field, where the blue- and red-shifted emissions are displaced along a position angle of 24 +/- 3 degrees and the approaching part of the disk is offset west of the star. The visibility drop in the line as well as the strong non-zero phase signals can be modeled reasonably well assuming a Keplerian velocity field, although this model is not able to explain the 3 sigma difference that we measure between the position angle of the line photocenters and the position angle of the dust disk. We find that the fit can be improved by adding an outflowing component to the velocity field, as inspired by a magneto-centrifugal disk-wind scenario.

On the dispersion of liquid in coaxial supersonic gas jet

The aim of this work was to study the dispersion of liquids in gas jets in connection with the creation of high productivity nozzles. For effective combustion of fuel, systems with intensive air supply to the spray of a liquid are promising. In connection with this, a supersonic coaxial jet was experimentally studied with a central supply of liquid beyond the slit of the confuser nozzle at the modes Npr = 4 and Npr = 6. New data are obtained on the structure of the gas-liquid jet: the gas velocity field, the shadow visualization of the geometry and wave structure of the jet with and without liquid, the velocity profiles of the liquid phase, the dispersion of the droplets. The spatial distribution of the concentration of the spray was first determined. From these data, the parameters of the dispersion processes are obtained in terms the We numbers. A physical model of a supersonic coaxial gas-liquid jet with a central fluid supply is proposed.

İNDÜKSİYON EŞLENİKLİ ARGON PLAZMASINDA AKIŞ DEBİSİ VE BOBİN LOKASYONUNUN SİSTEM ÇALIŞMA PARAMETRELERİNE ETKİSİ İLE İLGİLİ SİMÜLASYONLAR

The usage areas of the plasmatron has been increasing due to the very high level of temperature which they can reach. They are used widely in the plasma-wind tunnels to create the atmospheric test conditions of high velocity aircrafts and spacecrafts while entering atmosphere. Additionally, most efficient coal and bio-mass burning also, syngas production from burning of the coal and biomass can be achieved with the high temperature plasmatrons. They are also used in the tests of high temperature resistance materials, plasma metallurgy and related scientific researches. The usage of simulation is very important to determination and verification for technical requirements of a plasma and plasmatron system before it’s production, the time, cost and technical risks can be minimized before investing money to the production and development by simulating the related plasma system. In this work, a system that is consisted of inductive coupled plasma (ICP) is investigated by making related computer simulations. Investigated simulations are gas flow simulation, heat transfer simulation and plasma simulation and, these simulations are performed as coupled. In these simulations, the RF frequency is chosen as 13.56 MHz and vacuum pressure is chosen as 1 Torr. This vacuum level is selected appropriately for atmospheric re-entry experimental conditions. The mass flow rate is adjusted as a low and a high level, Q 1 =3 mg/s and Q 2 = 90 mg/s respectively. With these setting the changes of flow, heat and plasma parameters are investigated. Totally, 7 different chemical reaction is added to the realized simulations. The magnetic field distribution, the electric field induced from this magnetic field, the magnetic field magnitude, flow temperature distribution, convective heat transfer distribution, plasma gas velocity field, plasma gas pressure distribution and plasma electron density distribution is calculated in these simulations and, these results are compared for the different gas mass flow rate. Finally, the location of the coils which gives the RF electrical energy to the ICP plasma are slid to where the plasma gas is leaving from the geometry which respect to symmetry axis-z. The simulations are performed when the coils are in the middle and in the gas exit of the geometry. In these two different configurations, the power which this system is taken and mass flow rates are kept the same. These values are 3500 Watt and 90 mg/s respectively. Afterward with the change of the coils location, the plasma electron temperature and plasma gas temperature are investigated for 1-D and 2-D distribution and they are compared for discussion.

Integral field spectroscopy of the inner kpc of the elliptical galaxy NGC 5044

We used Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) in the Integral Field Unit mode to map the stellar population, emission line flux distributions and gas kinematics in the inner kpc of NGC 5044. From the stellar populations synthesis we found that the continuum emission is dominated by old high metallicity stars ($\sim$13 Gyr, 2.5Z$\odot$). Also, its nuclear emission is diluted by a non thermal emission, which we attribute to the presence of a weak active galactic nuclei (AGN). In addition, we report for the first time a broad component (FWHM$\sim$ 3000km$s^{-1}$) in the H$\alpha$ emission line in the nuclear region of NGC 5044. By using emission line ratio diagnostic diagrams we found that two dominant ionization processes coexist, while the nuclear region (inner 200 pc) is ionized by a low luminosity AGN, the filamentary structures are consistent with being excited by shocks. The H$\alpha$ velocity field shows evidence of a rotating disk, which has a velocity amplitude of $\sim$240kms$^{-1}$ at $\sim$ 136 pc from the nucleus. Assuming a Keplerian approach we estimated that the mass inside this radius is $1.9\times10^9$ $M_{\odot}$, which is in agreement with the value obtained through the M-$\sigma$ relation, $ M_{SMBH}=1.8\pm1.6\times10^{9}M_{\odot}$. Modelling the ionized gas velocity field by a rotating disk component plus inflows towards the nucleus along filamentary structures, we obtain a mass inflow rate of $\sim$0.4 M$_\odot$. This inflow rate is enough to power the central AGN in NGC 5044.

Meshless methods for ‘gas – evaporating droplet’ flow modelling

The main ideas of simulation of two-phase flows, based on a combination of the conventional Lagrangian or fully Lagrangian (Osiptsov) approaches for the dispersed phase and the mesh-free vortex and thermal-blob methods for the carrier phase, are summarised. In the approach based on a combination of the fully Lagrangian approach for the dispersed phase and the vortex blob methods for the carrier phase the problem of calculation of all parameters in both phases (including particle concentration) is reduced to the solution of a high-order system of ordinary differential equations, describing transient processes in both carrier and dispersed phases. It contrast to this approach, in the approach based on a combination of the conventional Lagrangian approaches for the dispersed phase and the vortex and thermal-blob methods for the carrier phase the non-isothermal effects in the two-phase flow were taken into account. The one-way coupled, two-fluid approach was used in the analysis. The gas velocity field was restored using the Biot-Savart integral. Both these approaches were applied to modelling of two processes: the time evolution of a two-phase Lamb vortex and the development of an impulse two-phase jet. Various flow patterns were obtained in the calculations, depending on the initial droplet size.

Parametric study on density stratification erosion caused by a horizontal steam jet interacting with a vertical plate obstruction

During postulated severe accident scenarios in nuclear power plants, a hydrogen-rich layer might form at the top of the reactor containment. Various flow patterns resulting from the release of steam from the primary circuit might break the layer and redistribute hydrogen in the containment. The prediction of the gas transport during the accident requires detailed modeling of the processes involved. Advanced lumped parameter codes or computational fluid dynamics codes are used for this purpose. These codes need to be validated against experimental data obtained in large scale experimental facilities, where scale distortions are reduced. In order to obtain the required data with high spatial and temporal resolution, experiments were carried out in the PANDA facility in Switzerland as a part of OECD/HYMERES (HYdrogen Mitigation Experiments for Reactor Safety) project. The present experiments address the breakup of a layer rich in helium (used as simulant for hydrogen), under steam environment and its redistribution in two interconnected vessels (total volume of 183.3m3) under the action of a diffused flow resulting from the interaction of a horizontal steam jet with a vertical plate obstruction. The influence of the distance between the jet exit and the obstruction on the flow pattern was investigated. Spatial and temporal distribution of the gas concentration, the temperature and local gas velocity field were measured. It was found that a small change in the geometric configuration lead to a large change in the flow pattern. Reducing the jet-obstruction distance slowed down the helium-layer erosion process by a factor of two. Additionally, the creation of a concentration stratification in the adjacent vessel connected by an interconnecting pipe was observed.