Low Pressure Region Research Articles

Ethane Triggered Gate-Opening in a Flexible-Robust Metal-Organic Framework for Ultra-high Purity Ethylene Purification.

Priority recognition separation of inert and larger ethane molecules from high-concentration ethylene mixtures instead of traditional thermodynamic or size sieving strategy is a fundamental challenge. Herein, we report the ethane triggered gate-opening in the flexible-robust metal-organic framework Zn(ad)(min), the 3-methylisonicotinic acid ligand can spin as a flexible gate when adsorbing the cross-section well-matched ethane molecule, thus achieving the unprecedent ethane adsorption capacity (62.6cm3 g-1) and ethane/ethylene uptake ratio (3.34) under low-pressure region (0.1 bar and 298 K). The ethane-induced structural transition behavior is uncovered by a collaboration of single-crystal X-ray diffraction, in-situ variable pressure X-ray diffraction and theoretical calculations, elucidating the synergetic mechanism of cross-section matching and multiple supramolecular interactions within the tailor-made pore channels. Dynamic breakthrough experiments revealed the outstanding separation performance of Zn(ad)(min) in the production of ultra-high purity ethylene (> 99.995%) with a productivity of up to 39.2 L/kg under ambient conditions.

Analysis of flow and energy dissipation in pump turbine with small guide vane opening

In this study, a detailed flow state analysis of a reversible pump turbine (RPT) under small guide vane opening conditions was conducted using both numerical simulation and experimental methods on three analysis planes at 0.5 span. The entropy production rate (EPR) in entropy production theory was utilized to visualize the location and magnitude of energy losses in the flow process. The focus was placed on the coherent vortex structures in the volute, stay vane, guide vane, and runner flow path. The results demonstrate that, throughout the runner’s cycle, the leading edge of the guide vane experiences low-pressure regions with uneven pressure distribution within the runner channel. Velocity streamlines reveal flow separation and vortex generation at the typical guide vane trailing edge, with a maximum velocity reaching 49.7. Analysis of radial force and torque on typical guide vanes and the runner indicates that radial force and torque on the guide vanes do not significantly change, with the radial force coefficient CF r−x varying between 0.254 and 1.3. Major energy losses are concentrated behind the trailing edge of the guide vane, primarily in the form of jet wake. Coherent vortex structures are observed in the volute, stay vane, guide vane, and runner flow path, with slight turbulent wake at the trailing edge of the stay vane, clear shedding vortex streets, and vortex build-up in the bladeless area between the guide vane and the runner.

Modulator-Directed Counterintuitive Catenation Control for Crafting Highly Porous and Robust Metal-Organic Frameworks with Record High SO2 Uptake Capacity.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is an important industrial feedstock that can be directly utilized or catalytically transformed to value-added chemicals such as sulfuric acid. The development of regenerable porous sorbents for the highly efficient storage and energy-minimal release of toxic SO2 operating under ambient conditions has attracted growing interest. Herein, we report the topology-guided construction of highly porous acs-type metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) through a counterintuitive modulator-directed catenation control approach. In contrast to the conventional modulator facilitated coordination competition that favors the thermodynamic catenated phase, we show that the elevation of modulator concentration can promote the formation of the noncatenated phase probably through a sublattice dissolution pathway. The assembly of a custom-designed trigonal prismatic triptycene-quinoxaline linker and trinuclear Fe3O cluster affords either the threefold catenated SJTU-219 or noncatenated SJTU-220 with desired acs net. Impressively, the synthetic approach is applicable to various metal ions, including Al3+, V3+, and even Ti4+. The noncatenated SJTU-220 exhibits an extraordinary SO2 sorption capacity of 29.6 mmol g-1 at 298 K and 1 bar, surpassing all reported solid sorbents. The uptake capacity can be further raised to 35.6 mmol g-1 via the replacement of Fe3+ with kinetically more inert Cr3+, resulting in a staggering ∼329-fold volume reduction compared with free ideal SO2 gas. Computational simulations suggest that unique Fe3+···S(SO2) interactions dominate the SO2 seeding process, facilitating the efficient packing of SO2 molecules in the large channels. Besides, the exceptionally low uptake at the low pressure region implies global weak framework-SO2 interactions, which offer great potential for practically implementing an "easy-on/easy-off" SO2 delivery system.

Aerodynamic Performance and Numerical Validation Study of a Scaled-Down and Full-Scale Wind Turbine Models

Understanding the aerodynamic performance of scaled-down models is vital for providing crucial insights into wind energy optimization. In this study, the aerodynamic performance of a scaled-down model (12%) was investigated. This validates the findings of the unsteady aerodynamic experiment (UAE) test sequence H. UAE tests provide information on the configuration and conditions of wind tunnel testing to measure the pressure coefficient distribution on the blade surface and the aerodynamic performance of the wind turbine. The computational simulations used shear stress transport and kinetic energy (SST K-Omega) and transitional shear stress transport (SST) turbulence models, with wind speeds ranging from 5 m/s to 25 m/s for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Phase VI and 4 m/s to 14 m/s for the 12% scaled-down model. The aerodynamic performance of both cases was assessed at representative wind speeds of 7 m/s for low, 10 m/s for medium, and 20 m/s for high flow speeds for NREL Phase VI and 7 m/s for low, 9 m/s medium, and 12 m/s for the scaled-down model. The results of the SST K-Omega and transitional SST models were aligned with experimental test measurement data at low wind speeds. However, the SST K-Omega torque values exhibited a slight deviation. The transitional SST and SST K-Omega models yielded aerodynamic properties that were comparable to those of the 12% scaled-down model. The torque values obtained from the simulation for the full-scale NREL Phase VI and the scaled-down model were 1686.5 Nm and 0.8349 Nm, respectively. Both turbulence models reliably predicted torque and pressure coefficient values that were consistent with the experimental data, considering specific flow regimes. The pressure coefficient was maximum at the leading edge of the wind turbine blade on the windward side and minimum on the leeward side. For the 12% scaled-down model, the flow simulation results bordering the low-pressure region of the blade varied slightly.

Numerical simulations on aerodynamic drag reduction of a 25° Ahmed body by jet flow

In this work, for the aerodynamic characteristics of a 25° Ahmed body, I reduce its aerodynamic drag by adding airflow nozzles at the rear of its model and carrying out computational fluid dynamics simulations and analyses under the flow velocity of the jet port of 10, 20, and 30 m/s respectively, and meanwhile set up the airflow outlets at different locations of the model slope for simulation analyses under the flow velocity of the jet port of 20 m/s. The best up to 16.4% drag reduction rate is achieved in the simulations. The results show that the best drag reduction effect is achieved when the velocity of the jet outlet is 10 m/s. In contrast, the increase in the velocity of the jet outlet will lead to the early separation of the boundary layer, which in turn enhances its aerodynamic drag. As for different airflow outlets, while injecting airflow into the low-pressure region on the slope surface due to the boundary layer separation, moderately moving the jet port downward to enhance the pressure on the front and back of the model can achieve a better drag reduction effect.

Explosion limits of binary mixtures of ammonia and additives (hydrogen, natural gas, and diethyl ether)

This study investigates the explosion limits of ammonia (NH3) and the effect of three different active fuels, hydrogen (H2), natural gas (NG), and diethyl ether (C2H5OC2H5, DEE), on the explosive characteristics of NH3 through comprehensive chemical kinetics analysis. The results reveal that the explosion limits of NH3 exhibit the narrowest explosive range and display comparatively weakest explosive reactivity among the four fuels, presenting a monotonic changing trend. Reaction pathway analysis unveils that with increasing temperature, NH2 tends to oxidize more predominantly through the NH-N2H2-NNH-N2 pathway, while the conversion of NH2 to H2NO pathway decreases. Therefore, the introduction of active fuels significantly enhances the explosive reactivity of NH3. However, their impact under various temperature-pressure conditions presents nuanced and diversified characteristics. When a 0.5 % mole fraction of active fuel is added to NH3, DEE exhibits the most significant enhancement in medium to high-pressure conditions, while H2 predominates at low pressure, with NG consistently demonstrating the least pronounced enhancement. Upon the active fuel proportion being increased to 20 %, the promoting effect of DEE remains the most significant in the medium to high-pressure region, while NG has surpassed H2 as the secondary dominant fuel. In the low-pressure region, NH3-H2 still demonstrates the highest reactivity, followed by NH3-DEE, while NH3-NG exhibits the least reactivity. These findings provide valuable insights into the widespread utilization and scientific exploration of ammonia as a fuel source.

Simulating the Rising Air Bubbles Stream through Heavy Fuel Oil Residue Bubble Column Reactor using COMSOL

Several industrial operations rely on the rise of air bubbles through heavy fuel oil residue (HFOr), including oil recovery and wastewater treatment. In order to increase efficiency and decrease expenses, it is necessary to understand the peculiarities of this process. With the help of COMSOL Multiphysics, we numerically simulate the ascent of a single air bubble via HFOr in this article. The dimensions of the container used in the simulations were (100) mm in diameter and (200) mm in height, with an air bubble diameter of 4.5 mm. For an air bubble ascending through an HFOr column, the predicted numerical outcomes are contrasted with nine experimental versions. As the bubble rose higher, the region with the greatest number of vortices was located on its side. The remaining vortex is contained inside the bubble. In addition, since drag decreases the flow, a lighter fluid usually exhibits a region of strong vortex and low pressure. Because of the oscillation effect, the results reveal that the rising velocity initially rises and then gradually falls between 0.6 and 0.65 s. The air bubbles' wavy motion is caused by the high fluid density, which becomes worse as the air velocity gets higher. The values of the drag coefficient rise sharply with decreasing air extrusion speed. It turns out that the height of the fluid has an inverse relationship with the pressure.

Flame propagation, explosion hazard, and pollutant emission characterization of typical clean fuels leaks in plateau low-pressure region

To accelerate energy transformation and sustainable development, various countries are rushing to lay hydrogen doped natural gas pipelines. However, the installation of pipelines will pass through plateau low-pressure region, and the impact of low-pressure environments on the flame propagation, explosion hazards, and pollutant emission characteristics of hydrogen doped natural gas is not yet clear. To solve this problem, a combination of constant volume combustion experiment and numerical simulations is used. The characterization parameters of flame, explosion and pollutant concentration of natural gas/H2/air under low-pressure environment are obtained, and their chemical reaction kinetics are analyzed. When the pressure drops, the laminar burning velocity (LBV) of them increases, and the Lewis number (Le) gradually increases by more than 1. Thermal diffusion is stronger than mass diffusion, and the growth rate of flame thickness exceeds 26 %. The effect of hydrodynamic instability enhances, causing an increment in the average size of flame cells, the critical instability radius, and the Markstein length (Lu). At the equivalent ratio (φ) of 1, there is a change from negative to positive in the Lu, and flame stability continuously strengthens. The explosion overpressure is reduced by 78 % to 90 %, the explosion temperature by 16 % to 20 %. As the φ increases, the LBV exhibits an inverted U-shaped relationship, reaching its maximum value near “φ = 1″. The flame stability first weakens and then strengthens. The explosion hazard is strongest in the range of ”φ = 1–1.2″. With a decrease in pressure, the total reaction rate of fuel consumption is reduced by more than 50 %. The continuous reaction distance is extended by 12 %. Changes in pressure have a relatively weak impact on the content of CO and CO2. The increase in the φ results in an increase in CO content of over 7 %. The content of CO2 reaches its maximum value around “φ = 1″. It is an essential reference for the safe delivery of hydrogen energy and the reduction of environmental pollution.

Coanda Effect Displayed in a Giant Intracranial Aneurysm.

The Coanda effect is a fluid dynamics phenomenon in which a fluid jet adheres to a convex or flat surface. This effect occurs when a liquid or gas jet emerging from an orifice clings to an adjacent surface and entrains the surrounding fluid, creating a lower-pressure region along its path that maintains its attachment to the surface. The Coanda effect accounts for the behavior of blood flow in the fetal right atrium and the dispersion of eccentric mitral regurgitation jets along atrial walls. This series of interesting images depicting a large 4 × 3.75 cm saccular intracranial aneurysm suggests that the Coanda effect may play a role in the pathophysiology of intracranial aneurysms and could be an underlying factor in their formation, progression, or rupture.

Exploring cavitation dynamics and noise reduction in hydraulic machinery with bionic leading edge impeller

Cavitation and induced noise are common issues in the operation of mixed-flow pumps, affecting their stability. Studying these phenomena is of both academic and engineering interest. Previous research has mainly focused on modifying the impeller blade profile or optimizing the pump structure to reduce cavitation and noise. In this paper, we apply a bionic design to the mixed-flow pump impeller by mimicking the natural shape of a humpback whale's pectoral fin on the leading edge of the blade. We compare the cavitation suppression and noise reduction effects of this design with those of a conventional mixed-flow pump. Unsteady flow calculations for the original pump at different flow rates revealed that at its rated speed, increasing flow rates led to lower pressure in the low-pressure region on the suction surface of the impeller, expanding the cavitation-prone area. By applying the bionic design, we studied the unsteady cavitation flow and its induced noise. Results showed that the impeller and guide vane experienced larger pressure pulsations at the rotation frequency and its multiples. The bionic modification increased the cavitation initiation speed and reduced the cavity volume within the runner. With an NPSH (net positive suction head) of 6.76, the void volume in the bionic pump was only 79% of that in the original pump, and the head increased by 16%. Additionally, the bionic design reduced the maximum far-field sound pressure level by 12.5%, achieving significant noise reduction. This study demonstrates that the bionic design effectively controls dynamic flow separation, reduces flow-induced noise, and enhances the mixed-flow pump's performance. These findings have important theoretical and practical implications for optimizing mixed-flow pump design, improving energy efficiency, and reducing noise.

Numerical investigation of vehicle water entry with angle of attack

This paper investigates the water entry of a vehicle with angle of attack (AOA) through numerical methods, employing the volume-of-fluid multiphase flow model and overset grid technique. The validity of the numerical model is confirmed through experimental verification. Building upon this, the study analyzes the motion characteristics, cavity evolution, and flow field distribution of the vehicle during water entry, considering the influence of AOA and falling velocity. Numerical findings indicate that the collapse of the right side of the cavity induces a transient lateral force on the vehicle, resulting in vehicle tilting. Moreover, an increase in initial velocity delays vehicle tilt, while an increase in AOA reduces vehicle motion stability, leading to earlier tilting. Initially, the vehicle rotates counterclockwise around the Oz axis of the projectile coordinate system. Subsequent to cavity collapse, the vehicle experiences an opposing moment, leading to a reduction in rotation speed and eventual rotation in the opposite direction. Water impact triggers sudden changes in the vehicle's lift and drag coefficients, while cavity sticking induces a minor abrupt change in the lift coefficient. Following cavity collapse, both lift and drag coefficients exhibit significant oscillations. Unlike typical cavity collapse phenomena, the flow field on the right side of the vehicle undergoes alternating high-pressure and low-pressure regions.

Spatial correlations and risk transmission of virtual water flow at city scale: A case study of the Yellow River Basin

By introducing virtual water (VW) flow correlation coefficients and risk indicators, this study examines the VW transmission relationship between urban agglomerations and cities in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) and its impact on regional water resources pressure. The results show that: except for the Shandong Peninsula Urban Agglomeration (SPUA) and Central Plains Urban Agglomeration (CPUA), the other urban agglomerations primarily act as VW exporting regions, while virtual water-importing cities are concentrated in the eastern regions. Notably, the Ningxia Urban Agglomeration (NUA) demonstrates significantly higher values in VW impact and sensitivity coefficients than the remaining six urban agglomerations. First-tier cities generally display lower virtual water impact and sensitivity coefficients, whereas emerging cities exhibit the opposite trend. Additionally, we observe uneven risk variations between VW importing and exporting regions. Taking NUA as an example, the risk increase resulting from VW exports significantly exceeds the risk reduction associated with VW imports in the corresponding regions. It's important to highlight that first-tier cities consistently decrease water resource risk through VW imports in both study years. However, among second and third-tier cities, only 38.9% experience reduced water resource risk through VW imports. Therefore, we recommend a focused examination of VW imports and exports in western region urban agglomerations, cities, and second and third-tier cities within the watershed. Leveraging virtual water's asymmetric and high-value transfer can alleviate water resource pressure and scarcity risks in high-pressure regions by shifting them to lower-pressure regions, thus mitigating water resource stress across regions.

A coordination polymer based on ionic-type ligand for efficient separation of C2H2/C2H4 and C3H4/C3H6 mixtures

C2–C3 alkyne/alkene adsorption and separation is a critical process in industrial production, but it remains challenging due to the similar size of gas molecules. Herein, based on an ionic-type ligand, a porous coordination polymer with inherent positive charged sites has been successfully constructed by 1D chains through non-conventional CH···O hydrogen bonds. The flexible framework shows adsorption ability for C2H2 while negligible adsorption of C2H4; and a much earlier steep increase for C3H4 isotherm compared to C3H6 isotherm in the low-pressure region. Ideal adsorbed solution theory further illustrated that the framework has the ability to separate C2H2/C2H4 and C3H4/C3H6 mixtures.

Analysis on the Influence of Duct Casing Geometry on the Performance of a Ducted Fan

This paper aims to evaluate the influence of an electric ducted fan’s (EDF) geometry on its performance through parameter correlation analysis. Sample data was first built by generating new EDF models with varying duct casing geometries through optimal space-filling (OSF) sampling method. Afterwards, each model was numerically solved with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to obtain each model’s thrust, required power, and efficiency. It is found that the casing’s inlet lip diameter displays the greatest influence on the EDF’s total thrust, as the inlet diameter determines the casing’s surface area affected by the low-pressure region ahead of the rotating fan blades. Additionally, it is found that length of the casing’s exhaust lip affects the EDF’s efficiency, while the exhaust lip diameter displays the highest correlation with the fan’s required power.

Dynamics of a single cavitation bubble near a cylindrical blind hole

Cavitation bubble dynamics, such as microjets and moving shock waves, are strongly influenced by their surroundings. We investigated the complex bubble behavior during the growth and collapse stages near a blind hole. The simultaneous study, which is a combination of experiment and numerical methods, was performed. The single bubble was induced by a laser focus beam near a blind hole in the cuvette and measured by a high-speed camera with an image processing method. Numerical predictions were conducted for a detailed further investigation of the pressure and velocity fields near and inside the bubble. A fully compressible two-phase Navier-Stokes solver based on the homogeneous flow assumption was used. Both experimental and numerical results showed good agreement with each other. Strong deformation of the bottom bubble surface evolution was observed at low standoffs above the hole entrance. An extremely high-velocity microjet with a mushroom cap-shaped bubble was predicted under high standoffs below the hole entrance. Secondary cavitation in the blind hole was observed experimentally, and we discussed the low-pressure region caused by the interaction among the shock wave, bubble, and blind hole. Consequently, the tendencies of maximum microjet velocity and time-dependent surface pressure in the collapse phase are suggested.

Direct Numerical Simulation of Tandem-Wing Aerodynamic Interactions at Low Reynolds Number

A three-dimensional direct numerical simulation was conducted to investigate the vortex–wing interactions through two NACA 0012 stationary wings placed in tandem at a low Reynolds number Re=10,000. The aerodynamic characteristics and three-dimensional flow structures were analyzed for the tandem wings. The back wing disturbed by the upstream vortices gained an evident increase in aerodynamic performance, where the advantage is related to the suppression of the large-scale vortex formation near the trailing edge. The Liutex method was applied to visualize the vortical structures for investigating the three-dimensional evolution and instability when interacting with the back wing. The upstream wake triggered dual-secondary vortices and intensified the secondary instability on the back wing. The induced vortices contributed to the lift enhancement because they provided an extra low-pressure region when propagating downstream on the suction side of the back wing. Because of the three-dimensional destabilization, the vortex interaction in the evolution process accelerated the transition and injection of the high-momentum flow into the boundary layer attached to the back wing, energizing the turbulent boundary layer and eliminating the large-scale separation near the trailing edge. This study provided a new perspective on the enhanced aerodynamic performance of tandem layout.

Effect of shape and thermal conductivity of microstructured capillary-porous coatings on heat transfer during evaporation and boiling in thin horizontal liquid layers

Investigation results on heat transfer during evaporation and boiling in thin horizontal liquid layers on 2D modulated capillary-porous coatings with a sinusoidal profile in a wide range of relative pressures and layer heights are presented in this paper. Coatings were made on a 3D laser printer using the technology of additive selective laser sintering (SLS). One coating was made of bronze with a modulation wavelength equal to the Laplace constant of the working fluid and two coatings were made of stainless steel and bronze with a doubled wavelength. The experimental data obtained on the coatings were compared with each other and with the values obtained by evaporation and boiling of n-dodecane on a smooth surface under the same conditions. It is shown that in the region of low relative pressures in liquid layers with a height less than the Laplace constant, heat transfer intensification achieved on a sample made of a material with low thermal conductivity (stainless steel) was five times higher as compared to a smooth surface. In the range of relative pressures, when nucleate boiling was observed in the layers, the temperature difference reached on the bronze coatings was approximately 3–4 times less than on a smooth surface. The temperature difference for the stainless steel coating changed little with an increase in the heat flux. In pre-crisis conditions, the temperature difference during boiling on the stainless steel coating was less than on the bronze coatings in the entire range of relative pressures and layer heights. The highest critical heat fluxes were obtained on a bronze coating with a modulation wavelength equal to the Laplace constant.

Sampling of plasma plume from atmosphere into vacuum for reliable Langmuir probe diagnostics

Langmuir probes cannot be used to diagnose cold atmospheric plasma jet, because their presence in the high electric field after-glow region modifies the plasma parameters that they are intended to measure. Here, we propose a system to sample the plasma plume from ambient conditions into a low-pressure region, where probe analysis can be accomplished. The effect of such a sampling process on the number density and velocity of the gas has been studied through simulations and using analytical equations. Simulation results regarding the effect of chamber and orifice dimensions on these parameters, have been presented. Based on this study an experimental chamber was fabricated and Langmuir probe analysis of the sampled plasma was done. Continuum flowing plasma theory was applied and the plasma density and electron temperature were estimated to be 1.8 × 1020m−3 and 4.7 eV respectively for the operating condition of 3 W plasma power at 12 kHz.

On-Site Characterization of Automotive Diffuser Aerodynamics by 3D LPT

This investigation proposes a novel LPT facility featuring Helium-Filled Soap Bubbles flow tracers, LED illumination and two high-speed cameras to characterize the dominating flow patterns within automotive underbodies. A remote control (RC) car model, fitted with custom-made floor and diffusers, traverses a region of seeded air following the Ring of Fire methodology. Underground-placed cameras view the car through a transparent panel, providing unparalleled optical access to the underbody of the car. The on-site measurement setup and the interaction between car model and ground enhance the realism and fidelity of the experiments, while potentially reducing testing costs associated with wind tunnel operation. The setup is shown to be a valid alternative to conventional testing approaches to capture flow separation, 3D flow evolution and differences in the flow field between the four tested configurations, whereby the diffuser angle was varied in the range between 5° and 20°. The 15° diffuser led to the largest velocity and pressure peaks under the car, whereas the 10° diffuser produced the most downforce thanks to the diffuser “pumping” effect, leading to a large region of low pressure under the vehicle. Notably, the 20° diffuser featured the most prominent flow separation at the diffuser’s leading edge, heavily affecting its ability to sustain low pressures under the car. The results show that the wide tyres have a major impact on the underbody flow, because their large wakes induce mass flow leakage through the sides of the car, thus disrupting the mechanism of downforce generation and impairing the generation of streamwise vortices.

Effect of Axial Clearance Variation on Dual-Rotor Flowmeter Performance.

This study examines the impact of axial clearance variations on the performance characteristics of a dual-rotor flowmeter (DRT-FM) through numerical simulations, with the validity of the numerical results verified by calibration experiments. The results indicate that within the range of 200 L/h to 1600 L/h, the K factors of different groups increase as clearance increases. The K factor of the 0.80 mm group is the largest, showing an average increase of around 6% compared to that of the 0.50 mm group. Additionally, Linearity E also decreased, with a minimum of 1.07% in the 0.65 mm group, significantly lower than the 3.33% in the 0.50 mm group. Furthermore, the pressure loss increased slightly, with the 0.65 mm group having the largest pressure loss; however, at a flow rate of 1600 L/h, the pressure loss only increases by 0.186 kPa compared to that of the 0.50 mm group. Flow field analysis reveals that changes in axial clearance predominantly affect pressure distribution. Larger clearances reduce low-pressure regions on upstream and downstream transition surfaces, thereby reducing energy loss due to pressure changes. Entropy analysis further demonstrates that higher axial clearance decreases energy loss in the upstream and downstream stationary domains, optimizing the DRT-FM's energy characteristics.