Multidimensional Flows Research Articles

Global existence for the multi-dimensional compressible viscoelastic flows

The global solutions in critical spaces to the multi-dimensional compressible viscoelastic flows are considered. The global existence of the Cauchy problem with initial data close to an equilibrium state is established in Besov spaces. Using uniform estimates for a hyperbolic–parabolic linear system with convection terms, we prove the global existence in the Besov space which is invariant with respect to the scaling of the associated equations. Several important estimates are achieved, including a smoothing effect on the velocity, and the L 1 -decay of the density and deformation gradient.

A Continuity-Based Semi-implicit Scheme for Transient Two-Phase Flows

A robust and fast-running numerical method is presented for multidimensional two-phase flows. It is based on a semi-implicit method, where the momentum equation is solved explicitly and the pressure equation is derived by combining the momentum and continuity equations. The energy equation is decoupled from the pressure equation so that the coefficient matrix of the pressure equation is symmetric. The finite volume method with an unstructured grid is used for the discretization of the governing equations for a complex geometry. The present method is verified through a set of conceptual problems and applied to the analysis of the small-break loss of coolant accident of an integral-type reactor.

An improved numerical scheme to evaluate the pressure gradient on unstructured meshes for two-phase flow analysis

In multi-dimensional two-phase flows, a local pressure is very important because it directly influences the phase change and it may lead to a great change in the flow field. This in turn puts emphasis on the accurate evaluation of local pressure gradient. This paper presents a new numerical scheme to evaluate the pressure gradient at cell centers on unstructured meshes for a three-dimensional thermal-hydraulic code, named CUPID. The results of the new scheme for a simple test function, a gravity-driven cavity, and a wall boiling two-phase flow are compared with those of the previous schemes in the CUPID code.

A new approach of a limiting process for multi-dimensional flows

An enhanced Multi-dimensional Limiting Process (e-MLP) is developed for the accurate and efficient computation of multi-dimensional flows based on the Multi-dimensional Limiting Process (MLP). The new limiting process includes a distinguishing step and an enhanced multi-dimensional limiting process. First, the distinguishing step, which is independent of high order interpolation and flux evaluation, is newly introduced. It performs a multi-dimensional search of a discontinuity. The entire computational domain is then divided into continuous, linear discontinuous and nonlinear discontinuous regions. Second, limiting functions are appropriately switched according to the type of each region; in a continuous region, there are no limiting processes and only higher order accurate interpolation is performed. In linear discontinuous and nonlinear discontinuous regions, TVD criterion and MLP limiter are respectively used to remove oscillation. Hence, e-MLP has a number of advantages, as it incorporates useful features of MLP limiter such as multi-dimensional monotonicity and straightforward extensionality to higher order interpolation. It is applicable to local extrema and prevents excessive damping in a linear discontinuous region through application of appropriate limiting criteria. It is efficient because a limiting function is applied only to a discontinuous region. In addition, it is robust against shock instability due to the strict distinction of the computational domain and the use of regional information in a flux scheme as well as a high order interpolation scheme. This new limiting process was applied to numerous test cases including one-dimensional shock/sine wave interaction problem, oblique stationary contact discontinuity, isentropic vortex flow, high speed flow in a blunt body, planar shock/density bubble interaction, shock wave/vortex interaction and, particularly, magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) cloud-shock interaction problems. Through these tests, it was verified that e-MLP substantially enhances the accuracy and efficiency with both continuous and discontinuous multi-dimensional flows.

A new shock-capturing technique based on Moving Least Squares for higher-order numerical schemes on unstructured grids

This paper presents a shock detection technique based on Moving Least Squares reproducing kernel approximations. The multiresolution properties of these kinds of approximations allow us to define a wavelet function to act as a smoothness indicator. This MLS sensor is used to detect the shock waves. When the MLS sensor is used in a finite volume framework in combination with slope limiters, it improves the results obtained with the single application of a slope-limiter algorithm. The slope-limiter algorithm is activated only at points where the MLS sensor detects a shock. This procedure results in a decrease of the artificial dissipation introduced by the whole numerical scheme. Thus, this new MLS sensor extends the application of slope limiters to higher-order methods. Moreover, as Moving Least Squares approximations can handle scattered data accurately, the use of the proposed methodology on unstructured grids is straightforward. The results are very promising, and comparable to those of essentially non-oscillatory (ENO) and weighted ENO (WENO) schemes. Another advantage of the proposed methodology is its multidimensional character, that results in a very accurate detection of the shock position in multidimensional flows.

Analysis of thermo–hydro–mechanical process in the engineered barrier system of a high-level waste repository

This paper presents a simulation of the KAERI's engineering scale experiment, KENTEX which is to study the thermal, hydrological and mechanical (THM) processes occurring in the engineered barrier system of a high-level waste repository. The simulation was performed by using the computer code, TOUGH2, which analyzes the multi-dimensional fluid and heat flows of multiphase, multicomponent fluid mixture in unsaturated medium. The detailed geometry of KENTEX was incorporated into the model, and the laboratory experiments were carried out to determine the thermal, hydrological and mechanical properties of bentonite, which were used as input parameters for the simulation. The calculated results on the temperature, water content, and total pressure distribution throughout the bentonite buffer were compared with the experimental ones.

Modeling and Numerical Simulations of Immiscible Compressible Two-Phase Flow in Porous Media by the Concept of Global Pressure

A new formulation is presented for the modeling of immiscible compressible two-phase flow in porous media taking into account gravity, capillary effects, and heterogeneity. The formulation is intended for the numerical simulation of multidimensional flows and is fully equivalent to the original equations, contrary to the one introduced in Chavent and Jaffre (Mathematical Models and Finite Elements for Reservoir Simulation, 1986). The main feature of this formulation is the introduction of a global pressure. The resulting equations are written in a fractional flow formulation and lead to a coupled system which consists of a nonlinear parabolic (the global pressure equation) and a nonlinear diffusion–convection one (the saturation equation) which can be efficiently solved numerically. A finite volume method is used to solve the global pressure equation and the saturation equation for the water and gas phase in the context of gas migration through engineered and geological barriers for a deep repository for radioactive waste. Numerical results for the one-dimensional problem are presented. The accuracy of the fully equivalent fractional flow model is demonstrated through comparison with the simplified model already developed in Chavent and Jaffre (Mathematical Models and Finite Elements for Reservoir Simulation, 1986).

Numerical effects of the semi-conservative form of momentum equations for multi-dimensional two-phase flows

Some of the thermal hydraulics codes for multi-dimensional two-phase flow analysis use the non-conservative form of momentum equations for numerical convenience. From a mathematical point of view, these equations are equal to those in the conservative form. But, numerical integration of the non-conservative momentum equations over a control volume results in different solution characteristics, which may cause inaccurate solutions under some two-phase flow conditions. In this paper, a semi-conservative form of the momentum equations is suggested which is close to the conservative form but still maintains the feature of the non-conservative form. The numerical results of the semi-conservative and the non-conservative forms are compared against analytical solutions and the solutions of the FLUENT code that uses the conservative form. The results clearly showed that the semi-conservative form of the momentum equations provides better solutions than the non-conservative form, especially for heterogeneous two-phase flows.

Improvement of Core Modeling in ICARE/CATHARE: Application to the Calculation of a Six-Inch-Break LOCA Leading to a Severely Degraded Situation

In order to analyze the course of a hypothetical severe accident, the French “Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire” in the last decade has developed computer codes that have been extensively used for supporting the Level 2 Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA2) and, in general, for the safety analysis of French pressurized water reactors (PWRs).In particular, the computer code ICARE/CATHARE V1 is a tool that has been widely validated and intensively used within the framework of the PSA2 of the 900-MW(electric) French PWR. This code has been tested on many accident scenarios, and the results obtained have been considered to be satisfactory and reliable up to the end of the early degradation phase. But, severe accidents in PWRs are characterized by a continuous evolution of the core geometry due to chemical reactions, melting, and mechanical failure of the rods and other structures. These local variations of the porosity and other parameters lead to multidimensional flows and heat transfers. So, the lack of a multidimensional two-phase thermal-hydraulic model appeared to be prejudicial to achieve best-estimate reactor studies with ICARE/CATHARE V1 in the case of large core blockages and/or in the case of large cavity appearance. In accordance, a full multidimensional modeling (covering both the fluid flow and the corium behavior) was developed and introduced in a new ICARE/CATHARE version referenced as V2, which includes two options for the thermal-hydraulic modeling: either one-dimensional (1D) or two-dimensional (2D).The first part of this paper demonstrates that without activating the new V2 models, ICARE/CATHARE V2(1D) is able to reproduce the results obtained with ICARE/CATHARE V1 on the basis of a 6-in.-break loss-of-coolant accident. Then, in order to illustrate some of the new V2 modeling improvements, the last part is focused on the results obtained with ICARE/CATHARE V2(2D), and a preliminary comparison is made with ICARE/CATHARE V2(1D).This 1D-2D comparison points out in particular the important role that could be played in the course of a severe accident by the multidimensional flow pattern.

The method of fundamental solutions for solving incompressible Navier–Stokes problems

A novel meshless numerical procedure based on the method of fundamental solutions (MFS) is proposed to solve the primitive variables formulation of the Navier–Stokes equations. The MFS is a meshless method since it is free from the mesh generation and numerical integration. We will transform the Navier–Stokes equations into simple advection–diffusion and Poisson differential operators via the operator-splitting scheme or the so-called projection method, instead of directly using the more complicated fundamental solutions (Stokeslets) of the unsteady Stokes equations. The resultant velocity advection–diffusion equations and the pressure Poisson equation are then calculated by using the MFS together with the Eulerian–Lagrangian method (ELM) and the method of particular solutions (MPS). The proposed meshless numerical scheme is a first attempt to apply the MFS for solving the Navier–Stokes equations in the moderate-Reynolds-number flow regimes. The lid-driven cavity flows at the Reynolds numbers up to 3200 for two-dimensional (2D) and 1000 for three-dimensional (3D) are chosen to validate the present algorithm. Through further simulating the flows in the 2D circular cavity with an eccentric rotating cylinder and in the 3D cube with a fixed sphere inside, we are able to demonstrate the advantages and flexibility of the proposed meshless method in the irregular geometry and multi-dimensional flows, even though very coarse node points are used in this study as compared with other mesh-dependent numerical schemes.

Lattice kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of convective-diffusive systems

Diverse phenomena in physical, chemical, and biological systems exhibit significant stochasticity and therefore require appropriate simulations that incorporate noise explicitly into the dynamics. We present a lattice kinetic Monte Carlo approach to simulate the trajectories of tracer particles within a system in which both diffusive and convective transports are operational. While diffusive transport is readily accounted for in a kinetic Monte Carlo simulation, we demonstrate that the inclusion of bulk convection by simply biasing the rate of diffusion with the rate of convection creates unphysical, shocklike behavior in concentrated systems due to particle pile up. We report that elimination of shocklike behavior requires the proper passing of blocked convective rates along nearest-neighbor chains to the first available particle in the direction of flow. The resulting algorithm was validated for the Taylor-Aris dispersion in parallel plate flow and multidimensional flows. This is the first generally applicable lattice kinetic Monte Carlo simulation for convection-diffusion and will allow simulations of field-driven phenomena in which drift is present in addition to diffusion.

Nonreflecting boundary conditions based on nonlinear multidimensional characteristics

AbstractNonlinear characteristic boundary conditions based on nonlinear multidimensional characteristics are proposed for 2‐ and 3‐D compressible Navier–Stokes equations with/without scalar transport equations. This approach is consistent with the flow physics and transport properties. Based on the theory of characteristics, which is a rigorous mathematical technique, multidimensional flows can be decomposed into acoustic, entropy, and vorticity waves. Nonreflecting boundary conditions are derived by setting corresponding characteristic variables of incoming waves to zero and by partially damping the source terms of the incoming acoustic waves. In order to obtain the resulting optimal damping coefficient, analysis is performed for problems of pure acoustic plane wave propagation and arbitrary flows. The proposed boundary conditions are tested on two benchmark problems: cylindrical acoustic wave propagation and the wake flow behind a cylinder with strong periodic vortex convected out of the computational domain. This new approach substantially minimizes the spurious wave reflections of pressure, density, temperature, and velocity as well as vorticity from the artificial boundaries, where strong multidimensional flow effects exist. The numerical simulations yield accurate results, confirm the optimal damping coefficient obtained from analysis, and verify that the method substantially improves the 1‐D characteristics‐based nonreflecting boundary conditions for complex multidimensional flows. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Multi-dimensional limiting process for three-dimensional flow physics analyses

The present paper deals with an efficient and accurate limiting strategy for multi-dimensional compressible flows. The multi-dimensional limiting process (MLP) which was successfully proposed in two-dimensional case [K.H. Kim, C. Kim, Accurate, efficient and monotonic numerical methods for multi-dimensional compressible flows. Part II: Multi-dimensional limiting process, J. Comput. Phys. 208 (2) (2005) 570–615] is modified and refined for three-dimensional application. For computational efficiency and easy implementation, the formulation of MLP is newly derived and extended to three-dimensional case without assuming local gradient. Through various test cases and comparisons, it is observed that the newly developed MLP is quite effective in controlling numerical oscillation in multi-dimensional flows including both continuous and discontinuous regions. In addition, compared to conventional TVD approach, MLP combined with improved flux functions does provide remarkable increase in accuracy, convergence and robustness in steady and unsteady three-dimensional compressible flows.

Numerical simulation of cavitation dynamics using a cavitation-induced-momentum-defect (CIMD) correction approach

A new unsteady cavitation event tracking model is developed for predicting vapor dynamics occurring in multi-dimensional incompressible flows. The procedure solves incompressible Navier–Stokes equations for the liquid phase supplemented with an additional vapor transport equation for the vapor phase. The novel cavitation-induced-momentum-defect (CIMD) correction methodology developed in this study accounts for cavitation inception and collapse events as relevant momentum-source terms in the liquid phase momentum equations. The model tracks cavitation zones and applies compressibility effects, employing homogeneous equilibrium model (HEM) assumptions, in constructing the source term of the vapor transport model. Effects of vapor phase accumulation and diffusion are incorporated by detailed relaxation models. A modified RNG k – ε model, including the effects of compressibility in the vapor regions, is employed for modeling turbulence effects. Numerical simulations are carried out using a finite volume methodology available within the framework of commercial CFD software code Fluent v.6.2. Simulation results are in good qualitative agreement with experiments for unsteady cloud cavitation behavior in planar nozzle flows. Multitude of mechanisms such as formation of vortex cavities, vapor cluster shedding and coalescence, cavity pinch off are sharply captured by the CIMD approach. Our results indicate the profound influence of re-entrant jet motion and adverse pressure gradients on the cavitation dynamics.

Wavenumber-extended high-order oscillation control finite volume schemes for multi-dimensional aeroacoustic computations

A new numerical method toward accurate and efficient aeroacoustic computations of multi-dimensional compressible flows has been developed. The core idea of the developed scheme is to unite the advantages of the wavenumber-extended optimized scheme and M-AUSMPW+/MLP schemes by predicting a physical distribution of flow variables more accurately in multi-space dimensions. The wavenumber-extended optimization procedure for the finite volume approach based on the conservative requirement is newly proposed for accuracy enhancement, which is required to capture the acoustic portion of the solution in the smooth region. Furthermore, the new distinguishing mechanism which is based on the Gibbs phenomenon in discontinuity, between continuous and discontinuous regions is introduced to eliminate the excessive numerical dissipation in the continuous region by the restricted application of MLP according to the decision of the distinguishing function. To investigate the effectiveness of the developed method, a sequence of benchmark simulations such as spherical wave propagation, nonlinear wave propagation, shock tube problem and vortex preservation test problem are executed. Also, throughout more realistic shock–vortex interaction and muzzle blast flow problems, the utility of the new method for aeroacoustic applications is verified by comparing with the previous numerical or experimental results.

Sectional Modeling of Aerosol Dynamics in Multi-Dimensional Flows

The integration of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with computer modeling of aerosol dynamics is needed in several practical applications. The use of a sectional size distribution is desirable because it offers generality and flexibility in describing the evolution of the aerosol. However, in the presence of condensational growth the sectional method is computationally expensive in multidimensional flows, because a large number of size sections is required to cope with numerical diffusion and achieve accuracy in the delicate coupling between the competing processes of nucleation and condensation. The present work proposes a methodology that enables the implementation of the sectional method in Eulerian multidimensional CFD calculations. For the solution of condensational growth a number conservative numerical scheme is proposed. The scheme is based on a combination of moving and fixed particle size grids and a re-mapping process for the cumulative size distribution, carried out with cubic spline interpolation. The coupling of the aerosol dynamics with the multidimensional CFD calculations is performed with an operator splitting technique, permitting to deal efficiently with the largely different time scales of the aerosol dynamics and transport processes. The developed methodology is validated against available analytical solutions of the general dynamic equation. The appropriateness of the methodology is evaluated by reproducing the numerically demanding case of nucleation-condensation in an experimental aerosol reactor. The method is found free of numerical diffusion and robust. Good accuracy is obtained with a modest number of size sections, whereas the computational time on a common personal computer remained always reasonable.

A dynamic mesh adaptation method for magnetohydrodynamics problems

A dynamic adaptation method is used to numerically solve the MHD equations. The basic idea behind the method is to use an arbitrary nonstationary coordinate system for which the numerical procedure and the mesh refinement mechanism are formulated as a unified differential model. Numerical examples of multidimensional MHD flows on dynamic adaptive meshes are given to illustrate the method.

Numerical simulations of particle migration in suspension flows: Frame-invariant formulation of curvature-induced migration

The objective of this work is to investigate what mechanisms should be employed to qualitatively/quantitatively predict particle migration in a suspension flow. Based on the diffusive flux model originally proposed by Phillips et al. [R.J. Phillips, R.C. Armstrong, R.A. Brown, A.L. Graham, A constitutive equation for concentrated suspensions that account for shear-induced particle migration, Phys. Fluids A 4 (1992) 30–40], we survey the accuracy of three models including original Phillips model (Model I), modified Phillips model with curvature-induced migration mechanism (Model II), and finally the modified Model II with volume-fraction-dependent parameters (Model III). The empirical parameters which appear in the three models are determined by fitting to independent concentric Couette experiments. The accuracy of three models in concentric Couette problem is comparable except that Model III shows more improved predictions near the inner cylinder. However, the predictions of the three models are entirely different on a qualitative level for parallel plate problems and the existence and direction of particle migration are severely model-dependent. Models II and III predict no migration or very slight migration at high volume fraction, which is in good agreement with the previous experiments, whereas Model I predicts inward migration. We show that Model III accurately predicts a solid-free region near the center at low volume fraction, which was experimentally observed. In addition to a survey of migration mechanisms, we developed a frame-invariant curvature-induced migration model applicable to multi-dimensional flows. A transient 2D mixed-order finite element method (FEM) code was implemented to compare the predictions of the three models in a 2D problem. In this work, we considered the eccentric Couette problem, which is often used as a benchmarking problem. Though there is not much difference among the three models, Model III predicts that the particle migration is slightly retarded at high shear rate regions.

Transonic shock wave in an infinite nozzle asymptotically converging to a cylinder

We construct a single transonic shock wave pattern in an infinite nozzle asymptotically converging to a cylinder, which is close to a uniform transonic shock wave. In other words, suppose there is a uniform transonic shock wave in an infinite cylinder nozzle which can be constructed easily, if we perturbed the supersonic incoming flow and the infinite nozzle a little bit, we can obtain a transonic wave near the uniform one. As a consequence, we can show that the uniform transonic wave is stable with respect to the perturbation of the incoming flow and nozzle wall. Based on the theory of [G.Q. Chen, M. Feldman, Existence and stability of multi-dimensional transonic flows through an infinite nozzle of arbitrary cross-sections, Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal. 184 (2007) 185–242], the crucial parts of this paper are to derive the uniform Schauder estimates of the linear elliptic equation for the infinite nozzle asymptotically converging to a cylinder.

Low-dimensional maps for piecewise smooth oscillators

Dynamics of the piecewise smooth nonlinear oscillators is considered, for which, general methodology of reducing multidimensional flows to low-dimensional maps is proposed. This includes a definition of piecewise smooth oscillator and creation of a global iterative map providing an exact solution. The global map is comprised of local maps, which are constructed in the smooth sub-regions of phase space. To construct this low-dimensional map, it is proposed to monitor the points of intersections of a chosen boundary between smooth subspaces by a trajectory. The dimension reduction is directly related to the dimension of the chosen boundary, and the lower its dimension is, the larger dimension reduction can be achieved. Full details are given for a drifting impact oscillator, where the five-dimensional flow is reduced to one-dimensional (1D) approximate analytical map. First an exact two-dimensional map has been formulated and analysed. A further reduction to 1D approximate map is introduced and discussed. Standard nonlinear dynamic analysis reveals a complex behaviour ranging from periodic oscillations to chaos, and co-existence of multiple attractors. Accuracy of the constructed maps is examined by comparing with the exact solutions for a wide range of the system parameters.