Flow Model Research Articles

Two-species model for nonlinear flow of wormlike micelle solutions. Part II: Experiment

Applications often expose wormlike micelle solutions to a very wide range of shear and temperature conditions. The two-species model presented in Part I [Salipante et al., J. Rheol. 68 (2024)] describes the nonlinear rheology over a wide range of shear rates. Here, we compare the model predictions to measurements using a combination of microcapillary and rotational rheology to measure the viscosity of surfactant solutions across seven decades of shear rate and five decades of viscosity. The effect of temperature is studied between 20 and 60 °C for different surfactant concentrations. Model parameters are determined from both small-amplitude shear measurements and fitting to the nonlinear data. Under shear stress, the model predicts due to hindered combination kinetics that the average micelle length decreases from several micrometers to a few hundred nanometers. At sufficiently high stress, the micelle shear rheology exhibits a transition from entangled wormlike behavior to a dilute rod rheology in agreement with the model. Transient stress-growth measurements exhibit a large overshoot, which is rather well predicted by the model with hindered combination rate. Microcapillary flow birefringence also is adequately predicted by the model, confirming the accuracy of its predicted micelle lengths and exhibiting a marked change in stress-optic response at the transition between entangled polymers and dilute rods. The relaxation of retardance after flow cessation follows model predictions that include micelle-micelle interactions, which are sensitive to the rotational diffusivity and length. These methods can be applied broadly to explore relationships between composition and performance.

Two-species model for nonlinear flow of wormlike micelle solutions. Part I: Model

We develop a rheological model to approximate the nonlinear rheology of wormlike micelles using two constitutive models to represent a structural transition at high shear rates. The model is intended to describe the behavior of semidilute wormlike micellar solutions over a wide range of shear rates whose parameters can be determined mainly from small-amplitude equilibrium measurements. Length evolution equations are incorporated into reactive Rolie-Poly entangled-polymer rheology and dilute reactive-rod rheology, with a kinetic exchange between the two models. Although the micelle length is remarkably reduced during flow, surprisingly, we propose that they are not shortened by stress-enhanced breakage, which remains thermally driven. Instead, we hypothesize that stretching energy introduces a linear potential that decreases the rate of recombination and reduces the mean micelle length. This stress-hindered recombination approach accurately describes transient stress-growth upon start-up shear flow, and it predicts a transition of shear viscosity and alignment response observed at high shear rates. The proposed mechanism applies only when self-recombination occurs frequently. The effect of varying the relative rate of self-recombination on the rheology of wormlike micelles at high shear rates is yet to be explored.

Emergent actin flows explain distinct modes of gliding motility

AbstractDuring host infection, Toxoplasma gondii and related unicellular parasites move using gliding, which differs fundamentally from other known mechanisms of eukaryotic cell motility. Gliding is thought to be powered by a thin layer of flowing filamentous (F)-actin sandwiched between the plasma membrane and a myosin-covered inner membrane complex. How this surface actin layer drives the various gliding modes observed in experiments—helical, circular, twirling and patch, pendulum or rolling—is unclear. Here we suggest that F-actin flows arise through self-organization and develop a continuum model of emergent F-actin flow within the confines provided by Toxoplasma geometry. In the presence of F-actin turnover, our model predicts the emergence of a steady-state mode in which actin transport is largely directed rearward. Removing F-actin turnover leads to actin patches that recirculate up and down the cell, which we observe experimentally for drug-stabilized actin bundles in live Toxoplasma gondii parasites. These distinct self-organized actin states can account for observed gliding modes, illustrating how different forms of gliding motility can emerge as an intrinsic consequence of the self-organizing properties of F-actin flow in a confined geometry.

Investigation of Different Throat Concepts for Precipitation Processes in Saturated Pore-Network Models

AbstractThe development of reliable mathematical models and numerical discretization methods is important for the understanding of salt precipitation in porous media, which is relevant for environmental problems like soil salinization. Models on the pore scale are necessary to represent local heterogeneities in precipitation and to include the influence of solution-air-solid interfaces. A pore-network model for saturated flow, which includes the precipitation reaction of salt, is presented. It is implemented in the open-source simulator DuMu$$^{\textrm{X}}$$ X . In this paper, we restrict ourselves to one-phase flow as a first step. Since the throat transmissibilities determine the flow behaviour in the pore network, different concepts for the decreasing throat transmissibility due to precipitation are investigated. We consider four concepts for the amount of precipitation in the throats. Three concepts use information from the adjacent pore bodies, and one employs a pore-throat model obtained by averaging the resolved pore-scale model in a thin-tube. They lead to different permeability developments, which are caused by the different distribution of the precipitate between the pore bodies and throats. We additionally apply two different concepts for the calculation of the transmissibility. One obtains the precipitate distribution from analytical assumptions, the other from a geometric minimization principle using a phase-field evolution equation. The two concepts do not show substantial differences for the permeability development as long as simple pore-throat geometries are used. Finally, advantages and disadvantages of the concepts are discussed in the context of the considered physical problem and a reasonable effort for the implementation and computational costs.

Stationary regimes and parametrization of ekman friction in the Karman model of flow induced by external vortical body force

The detailed study of stationary regimes of Karman axisimmetric flow induced by external vortical body force is done. It is extracted two stationary regimes – with small (Batchelor regime) and with substantial (Stewartson regime) secondary circulation. The diagram of regimes existence is plotted in the space of flow parameters – Rossby and small Ekman numbers. For the flow decaying to the stationary flow in the Batchelor regime a theoretical model is proposed with which it was possible to derive a parametrization of linear friction coefficient, Ekman pumping velocity, stationary pressure from mean flow characterictics (vorticity and divergence). In the Stewartson regime a parameterization of the stationary flow is proposed and also numerically studied a decay rate. It is shown a good agreement between theoretical and numerical model results.

Conversion of a piston–cylinder dimensional dataset to the effective area of a mechanical pressure generator

Abstract Recent developments in diameter metrology at NIST have improved the dimensional characterization of piston–cylinder assemblies (PCAs) to unprecedented precision. For the newest generation of PCAs, the standard uncertainty in the measurement of the outer diameter is 12 nm , while uncertainty in the measurement of the inner diameter is 14 nm . With a high-accuracy dimensional dataset in hand, the task of determining the pressure generated by a specific PCA is reduced to converting the diameter (and straightness and roundness) to an effective area (and distortion coefficient). The details on how this was performed for the artifact PCA2062 are described. PCA2062 was dimensioned in 2017 and 2020; the area repeated within 0.2 × 10 − 6 ⋅ A 0 . The calculation produced estimates of fall rate and rotation decay that agreed with experimental observations within 12 %. The fall rate is proportional to the square of the gap width; therefore, the agreement between calculation and measurement validates the dimensional estimate of the gap width within ( 36 ± 42 ) nm , where the 42 nm standard uncertainty is governed by the present state of flow theory. The piston gage model is buttressed by three comparison tests against a laser barometer, which support a view that PCA2062 is linear and reproducible within 0.2 μ Pa Pa − 1 . Finally, an estimate of uncertainty in the effective area of a dimensioned artifact is provided: as expected, the diameter measurement is the main culprit, but there are open questions regarding the flow model that preclude an accurate evaluation of the distortion coefficient. For the 530 kPa operating range of PCA2062, distortion is not a significant problem, but the effect would be dominant in assemblies operating at 1 MPa and above.

Direct Steam Generation Methodology in Horizontal Tubes for Parabolic Trough Solar Collectors Designing

Purpose: The present work has the objective to describe the methodology that is been carried out for the optimization of a computational tool for Parabolic Trough Solar Collector (PTC) designing and assessment, the optimization is centered in a new section where de solar collector produces steam directly, named Direct Steam Generation (DSG). Theoretical reference: A PTC collector consist of a sheet with parabolic cross section with a high reflectance surface, at the focus of the parabola is placed a tube whose material must have high thermal conductivity, this tube must be recovered by a selective coating for high solar radiation absorptivity and less emissivity. Surrounding the absorber, a coating transparent tube is placed concentric with high solar radiation transmissivity value. Into the absorber tube, the heat transfer fluid gains energy due to the concentration of the solar radiation giving as a result, a temperature increase at the outlet of the solar collector. Inside the absorber tube, the working fluid considered in this work is water, due to the objective is to produce steam directly. At the first and third section of the tube, preheating and overheating respectively, a full developed single phase flow is considered and the heat transfer depend on the Reynolds number, Prandtl number, the geometry and conductivity of the tube, related on Dittus-Boelter equation. The mayor analysis is located in the evaporation section, because of the flow patterns formation, depending directly on the mass flow and the steam quality, the Froude number indicates the flow pattern formed during the evaporation process, being the stratified and annular flow patterns the most significant. Method: The first version of the computational tool has some limitations: heat transfer fluid doesn´t have phase change, it means, liquid state is maintained, the parabola rim angle is 90° and only one concentric coating tube is considered. The software’s optimization is centered on the PTC collector designing and assessment for direct steam generation system (DSG). For this purpose, the absorber tube is divided into three sections: first for preheating, where water enters to ambient temperature and at the end reaches saturation temperature, at second section, the evaporation process begins with the water in saturated liquid state and ends to saturated steam state and at the third section, steam is superheated reaching the temperature´s condition imposed by the user. At the evaporation section, the heat transfer coefficient depends on the flow patterns formation as well as the pressure drop, where a separated flow model is applied for this analysis. Results and Conclusion: The optimization methodology for a computational tool, that is used for parabolic trough solar collector designing and assessment for direct steam generation system was analyzed. The absorber tube is divided into three segments, the first one for preheating, reaching the water from initial temperature to saturation temperature for the working pressure, the software will find the minimal length for reaching that condition and necessary mass flow is computed. The second step is evaporation, maintaining constant mass flow, evaporation begin when the saturation temperature is reached at the saturated liquid state and finishes at the saturated steam point, and the software find the minimal length for reaching this condition. The most important and complex variable for this section is the heat transfer coefficient, because of the formation of flow patterns, dominating two main phenomena, nucleate boiling and convective boiling, which are determined using the Froude number. Once saturated steam condition is covered, next section overheats the steam and the software finds the minimal length for the final temperature condition dictated by the user, also the quantity of steam produced maintaining constant mass flow condition. Finally, for the two phase flow phenomena carried out at the evaporation zone, the pressure drop is considered, analyzing some methods for frictional pressure drop in two phase flow, Friedel method is recommended due to the applicability and accuracy. Implications of research: The comprehension of PTC designing with DSG system implies a good knowledge of heat transfer in forced two phase flow into circular tubes, as well as pressure drop using a separated flow model. Originality/value: Using the methodology described in this work, the software´s applicability and versatility is enhanced, because of the implementation of another PTC collector configuration, generating steam directly, avoiding the use of great heat exchangers and synthetic oils as working fluids, which implies the reduction in the installation size and diminishing the total installation price.

Determining Groundwater Table in Slopes with Horizontal Drains and Design Framework for Length and Spacing

ABSTRACT Horizontal drains (HDs) are commonly implemented in slope stabilization to reduce the pore water pressure (PWP); however, they also cause complex three-dimensional (3D) variations in the groundwater table (GWT), which require intricate 3D flow models. To address this challenge, we propose a novel semi-empirical method based on a series of numerical simulations validated through numerical and field studies to determine the GWT of a slope with HDs. Subsequently, the proposed method was extended to calculate the average PWP (U) acting on a predefined slip surface via linear integration. The decrease of U (ΔU) resulting from HDs can be used to evaluate the performance of HDs. To create design charts that consider the impact of length and spacing of HDs on ΔU for a specific slope, we developed a Python-based computer program. Two case studies were conducted, which showed that ΔU increases with longer HDs and shorter spacing. The results also indicated that extending the HDs beyond a particular length does not significantly affect ΔU; it is highly sensitive to the spacing in short HDs and not sensitive in long HDs. Furthermore, we found that the total length of HDs required to achieve a target ΔU is less in wide spacings than in short spacings. In conclusion, long HDs with wide spacings are more effective and economical. Owing to the unique nature of each slope stability problem, this study offers a practical tool for analyzing the effectiveness of HDs instead of providing a general guide.

Research Hotspots and Trend Analysis in Modeling Groundwater Dense Nonaqueous Phase Liquid Contamination Based on Bibliometrics

Groundwater contamination by dense nonaqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) poses a severe environmental threat due to their persistence and toxicity. Modeling DNAPL contamination is essential for understanding their distribution, predicting contaminant spread, and developing effective remediation strategies, but it is also challenging due to their complex multiphase behavior. Over the past few decades, researchers have developed various models, including multiphase flow, mass transfer, and solute transport models, to simulate the distribution of DNAPLs. To understand the research trends in DNAPL modeling in groundwater, a bibliometric analysis was conducted using CiteSpace based on 614 publications from the WoS Core Collection database (1993–2023). The publications were statistically analyzed, and the research hotspots and trends were summarized. The statistical analysis of the publications indicates that the United States is leading the international research on DNAPL models, followed by China and Canada; the collaboration between countries and disciplines in this field needs to be strengthened. Keyword clustering and burst detection reveal that the current research hotspots focus on multiphase flow models, mass transfer models, back diffusion, and practical applications of the models; the research trends are centered on back diffusion mechanisms, the characterization of contamination source zones, and prediction of the contaminant distribution at real-world sites, as well as optimization of the remediation strategies.

Development of runoff generation models in the former USSR and Russia: a historical overview

The paper presents a historical overview of the development of hydrological models in the former USSR and Russia since the 1930s. An overwhelming number of hydrological papers were published in Russian, and they are not sufficiently familiar to the world hydrological community. The purpose of the review is to fill the gap and present the main achievements, some of which were pioneering for their time. The period under consideration is divided into three sub-periods. Pre-computer 1930-1950s were associated, first of all, with the development of models of unsteady water flow in river channels and linear flood-routing models; in 1960-1980s, many theoretical and practical foundations for modelling the processes of the hydrological cycle and the formation of river runoff were developed; and the Russian era following 1991, when several notable advancements in the considered field were also made.

Comparative Study of Temperature and Pressure Variation Patterns in Hydrogen and Natural Gas Storage in Salt Cavern

Clarifying the distribution of temperature and pressure in the wellbore and cavern during hydrogen injection and extraction is crucial for quantitatively assessing cavern stability and wellbore integrity. This paper establishes an integrated flow and heat transfer model for the cavern and wellbore during hydrogen injection and withdrawal, analyzing the variations in temperature and pressure in both the wellbore and the cavern. The temperature and pressure parameters of hydrogen and natural gas within the chamber and wellbore were compared. The specific conclusions are as follows. (1) Under identical injection and withdrawal conditions, the temperature of hydrogen in the chamber was 10 °C higher than that of natural gas, and 16 °C higher in the wellbore. The pressure of hydrogen in the chamber was 2.9 MPa greater than that of natural gas, and 2.6 MPa higher in the wellbore. (2) A comparative analysis was conducted on the impact of surrounding rock’s horizontal and numerical distance on temperature during hydrogen and natural gas injection processes. As the distance from the cavity increases, from 5 to 15 m, the temperature fluctuation in the surrounding rock diminishes progressively, with the temperature effect in the hydrogen storage chamber extending to at least 10 m. (3) The influence of rock thermal conductivity parameters on temperature during the processes of hydrogen injection and natural gas extraction is also compared. The better the thermal conductivity, the deeper the thermal effects penetrate the rock layers, with the specific heat capacity having the most significant impact.

Construction of Solid-Liquid Two-Phase Flow and Wear Rate Prediction Model in Multiphase Pump Based on Mixture Model-Discrete Phase Model Combination Method

Blade wear is the critical problem in the operation of multiphase pump. This paper presents a numerical study of the multiphase flow of multiphase pump. The trajectory of particles in the pump is calculated by the discrete phase model. Then, the simulation results are compared with the model test results of the pump to verify the correctness of the simulation method. The results show that the particles in the impeller domain are mainly near the hub, and the particles in the diffuser domain form a agglomerated area in the middle of the flow channel. The average wear rate of the impeller is more affected by the particle size than that of the diffuser. The maximum wear rate of blade surface increases first and then decreases with the increase of particle size. According to the wear data under different particle sizes, the regression model between particle size and wear rate is fitted to predict the wear of mixed transport pump in actual operation. The research results have important reference value for the prediction of the wear performance of the multiphase pump.

A numerical investigation of the polyethylene glycol‐based tetra hybrid nanofluid flow over a stretched porous rotatory disk

AbstractPolyethylene glycol (PEG) is a great heat and mass transmissive fluid that has promising applications in medical, pharmaceutical, and electronic industries. Tetra‐hybrid nanofluids (HNFs) are the most upgraded version of heat and mass transmissive nanofluids that are synthesized by dispersing four distinct nanoparticles in the carrier fluid. The study of the flow of nanofluids and their advanced classes across rotatory disks is receiving remarkable interest in research and innovation due to their considerable applications like gas turbine rotors, aeronautical, medical equipment, rotating machinery, thermal power developing systems, and so forth. Therefore, the present paper aims to inspect the magnetohydrodynamic, steady, three‐dimensional, and incompressible flow of a non‐Newtonian tetra‐HNF over a stretched porous rotating disk. The chosen tetra‐HNF consists of four distinct nanoparticles namely, molybdenum disulfide, copper oxide, magnesium oxide, and zirconium oxide with PEG as the carrier fluid. The flow model is modified with innovative impacts of variable thermal conductivity, thermal radiation, chemical reaction, variable mass diffusivity, and suction/injection to make this research more convenient. The mathematical computation is conducted via the bvp4c numerical method, and the outputs are determined via tables and graphs. Mounting values of the Deborah number amplify the axial velocity while augmentation is noticed in the fluid's radial and azimuthal velocities for rising values of the rotation parameter. Besides, the rotation parameter aids in enhancing both the heat and mass transportation rates while the chemical reaction parameter significantly aids the mass transportation rate. One of the significant results of this inspection is that tetra‐HNF exhibits better heat and mass transportation rates than the ternary‐HNF, and the HNF whereas it has lesser skin friction than the ternary‐HNF, and the HNF.

12518 Development Of A Four-compartment, Dynamic (In Vivo) Model For Insulin Disposition In Healthy Humans: Use Of Fick’s Law To Model Plasma-interstitial Insulin Flux

Abstract Disclosure: R.I. Dorin: None. C.R. Qualls: None. Introduction: Metabolic elimination of insulin (I) in vivo includes pathways mediated by high-affinity and potentially saturable insulin receptor binding; endogenous insulin secreted into the portal vein is subject to first pass elimination. The rate of insulin flux between vascular (Vp) and interstitial (Vi) compartments is often modeled by first order rate constants; here we analyzed an alternative approach using Fick’s law. Methods: The four-compartment, insulin (I) model is expressed by four differential equations that represent I flow (mass/time) in 4 volumes (V) (or compartments) having 3 corresponding elimination rate functions (α): (i) vascular plasma (Vp), (ii) interstitial (Vi, αi), (iii) hepatic (Vh, αh), and (iv) kidney (Vk, αk). Fick’s law was used to model diffusion of insulin between Vp and Vi; Michaelis-Menten like functions were used for saturable elimination functions (αh and αi); rates of hepatic (HPF) and renal (KPF) plasma flow were from literature. Realistic bounds for solved parameters (insulin permeability constant [k, L/min] and αi [min-[1]]) were developed by test bed analysis of published plasma (Ip) and interstitial (Ii) insulin concentration data. The inverse problem (estimating parameters) used Ip data from insulin-modified, frequently sampled iv glucose tolerance (IM-FSIVGT) studies performed in 40 healthy, non-diabetic women (1). Parameter solutions for individual subjects were obtained by iterative least squares method minimizing differences between model-predicted and measured Ip. Results: For infusion of exogenous I (ZI) at a constant rate (e.g., insulin clamp), reported steady state Ii/Ip data suggest that interstitial insulin elimination (αi) is conditionally saturable. Together with non-steady state data for Ip and Ii, initial estimates of k and αi were obtained. Steady state solutions give rise to four algebraic equations: (1) Ii/Ip = a, where a < 1 is consistent with experimental data, (2) Ih is a reduced version of a linear combination of Ip and endogenous insulin secretion (Zβ), where the factor of reduction (b) is <1, (3) Ik/Ip = d, where d<1, and (4) Ip is a linear combination of (i) ZI and (ii) the reduced (by factor b) Zβ. For Ip, this linear combination of ZI and reduced Zβ is also normalized by factor c (weighted sum of k, HPF, and KPF). Conclusions: (i) The proposed insulin flow model using Fick’s law was advantageous in providing realistic parameters and solutions that are tractable to physiologic interpretation, (ii) a simplified version of this model is generalizable to C-peptide, and (iii) since measurement of Ii is impractical in the clinical setting, the proposed prediction model may provide useful modeling adjunct to personalize pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic strategies for insulin administered by subcutaneous, iv, and hybrid closed-loop insulin pump routes. 1. Gower et al. Nutrition & Metabolism (2016) 13:2 Presentation: 6/1/2024

Comparative analysis of macroscopic traffic models for evaluating shockwaves under lane closures on an urban highway using the LWR model

ABSTRACT Lane closure due to traffic crashes is a complex phenomenon that negatively affects the operational performance of highways and leads to secondary lane closures. The present study investigates the effects of shockwaves caused by a heavy vehicle run-off-road crash on a three-lane urban highway in Isfahan, Iran. Additionally, the study simulates the effects of lane closures on shockwaves and density using the Lighthill, Whitham, and Richards (LWR) theory and macroscopic traffic flow based on field data. An analysis of traffic flow models revealed that one-lane and two-lane closures reduce maximum flow by 29% and 61%, respectively, compared to normal conditions. The results showed that the minimum relative error (RE) for lane closures is associated with shockwave models based on the Underwood speed-density model, expanded using the Taylor series. Therefore, the shockwave model based on the Underwood model with Taylor series expansion outperforms other models.

Understanding admixture fractions: theory and estimation of gene-flow.

Estimation of admixture proportions has become one of the most commonly used computational tools in population genomics. However, there is remarkably little population genetic theory on statistical properties of these variables. We develop theoretical results that can accurately predict means and variances of admixture proportions within a population using models with recombination and genetic drift. Based on established theory on measures of multilocus disequilibrium, we show that there is a set of recurrence relations that can be used to derive expectations for higher moments of the admixture proportions distribution. We obtain closed form solutions for some special cases. Using these results, we develop a method for estimating admixture parameters from estimated admixture proportions obtained from programs such as Structure or Admixture. We apply this method to HapMap 3 data and find that the population history of African Americans, as expected, is not best explained by a single admixture event between people of European and African ancestry. The model of constant gene flow starting at 8 generations and ending at 2 generations before present gives the best fit.

New insights on the origin of the Richardson-Richards equation

ABSTRACT The Richardson-Richards equation (RRE), despite known shortcomings especially in regard to preferential flow, provides the basis for the vast majority of unsaturated flow models in use today. L.F. Richardson published this equation in 1922, nine years before L.A. Richards. Whereas Richards approached this problem directly from the groundbreaking developments of Edgar Buckingham, Richardson, surprisingly, cited as his starting point only the earlier work of L.J. Briggs. Collectively, these four scientists’ published and unpublished work reveals that: (1) Briggs’ work, though qualitative, captured the essential physical principles needed for quantifying unsaturated flow; (2) Buckingham came very close to deriving the RRE and explained why he stopped short of doing so; (3) derivation of the RRE from the work of either Briggs or Buckingham required only modest developmental work; and (4) besides deriving the RRE, Richards carried through much of the experimental agenda that Buckingham considered a necessary precursor to mathematical treatment.

Study on the effect of Lorentz force on the nuclear reactor core melt stratification in electromagnetic cold crucible

To understand the effect of the Lorentz force on core melt stratification during experiments, a multi-physical field coupling model of electromagnetic induction, non-isothermal flow, and two-phase flow is established in this paper. The evolution of the layered core melt in the electromagnetic cold crucible is studied for different relative densities and phase volume fraction ratios between metal and oxide. The calculation results show that the coupling model can accurately describe the structural evolution of core melt. The Lorentz force cannot change the relative positions of the metal and oxide, but it can significantly affect the morphology of the core melt. If the density of the metal is less than that of the oxide, the Lorentz force causes the light metal with a small phase volume fraction to form a hemispherical shape in the top center of the crucible. As the phase volume fraction increases, the Lorentz force become weaker than those of gravity and buoyancy. The light metal is then flat. When the metal density is greater than the oxide density, the Lorentz force causes the heavy metal with a small phase volume fraction to appear as a hemisphere, but causes the heavy metal with a large phase volume fraction to appear as an ellipsoid in the lower part of the crucible.

Charging of an Air–Rock Bed Thermal Energy Storage under Natural and Forced Convection

An air-rock bed thermal storage system was designed for small-scale powered generation and analyzed with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) using ANSYS-Fluent simulation. An experimental system was constructed to compare and validate the simulation model results. The storage unit is a cylindrical steel container with granite rock pebbles as a storage medium. The CFD simulation used a porous flow model. Transient-state simulations were performed on a 2D axisymmetric model using a pressure-based solver. During charging, heat input that keeps the bottom temperature at 550 °C was applied to raise the storage temperature. Performance analysis was conducted under various porosities, considering natural and forced convection. The natural convection analysis showed insignificant convection contribution after 10 h of charging, as observed in both average air velocity and the temperature profile plots. The temperature distribution profiles at various positions for both convection modes showed good agreement between the simulation and experimental results. Additionally, both cases exhibited similar temperature growth trends, further validating the models. Forced convection reduced the charging time from 60 h to 5 h to store 70 MJ of energy at a porosity of 0.4, compared to natural convection, which stored only 50 MJ in the same time. This extended charging period was attributed to poor natural convective heat transfer, indicating that relying solely on natural convection for thermal energy storage under the given conditions is not practical. Using a small fan to enhance heat transfer, forced convection is a more practical method for charging the system, making it suitable for power generation applications.

Identifying synthetic variables influencing the reproducible microfluidic synthesis of ZIF nano- and micro-particles

The reproducible synthesis of nano- and -micro particles is a critical step in multiple synthetic and industrial processes. Microfluidic synthesis offers numerous advantages for development of precise, reliable, and industrially useful synthesis protocols. However, the influence of different synthetic variables on reproducibility in microfluidic synthesis is underexplored. In this work, we systematically study the influence of key synthetic parameters on the microfluidic synthesis of four Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks (ZIFs): ZIF-7, ZIF-8, ZIF-9, and ZIF-67. Utilizing a coiled tube microfluidic setup, we explore the influence of key synthetic parameters such as reagent concentration, stoichiometry, aging time, and nine modulators (pH-altering agents, surfactants, and polar polymers). Most importantly, we evaluate the impact of these variables in combination with the role of mixing, using the Dean flow model. Lastly, we focus on the reproducibility problems that a coiled reactor presents at specific flowrates and how these problems can be recognized and avoided. Overall, the insights collected from this work inform the design of synthetic protocols and enhance material reproducibility and control in microfluidic nano- and micro-particle synthesis.