Slush Flow Research Articles

Архитектура программного средства с открытым исходным кодом для численного моделирования потоков на горных склонах

In this paper, we compare two approaches to describe the dynamics of flows on mountain slopes using the depth-averaged equations of continuum mechanics and using the complete, not depth-averaged, equations of continuum mechanics for three-dimensional modeling. Using these two approaches, a simulation of an experimental slush flow in the tank and the interaction of the flow with dam barrier protection was carried out. Numerical solutions are compared with experimental data. Also, both approaches are applied to the calculation of an avalanche in the 22nd avalanche cite of Mount Yukspor (Khibiny). Avalanche run-out distance and the shape of the avalanche deposits are compared with field data obtained from the measurement of a real avalanche. In the course of a numerical experiment, distributions of such quantities as flow velocity, depth, density, molecular and turbulent viscosity, values of the density of turbulent kinetic energy, dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy, and shear stress at the bottom of the flow were obtained. Using the obtained data a mathematical model is developed to describe the entrainment of the underlying material by the flow during slope erosion and the deposition of the flow material on the slope. To implement the obtained mathematical model, the architecture of the multiphaseEulerChangeFoam solver was developed, which implements a three-phase multi-velocity model with phase exchange between the material of the underlying surface and the material of the flow. The classic solver multiphaseEulerFoam from the OpenFOAM package is taken as a basis for the developed solver.

Seismic location and tracking of snow avalanches and slush flows on Mt. Fuji, Japan

Abstract. Avalanches are often released at the dormant stratovolcano Mt. Fuji, which is the highest mountain of Japan (3776 m a.s.l.). These avalanches exhibit different flow types from dry-snow avalanches in winter to slush flows triggered by heavy rainfall in late winter to early spring. Avalanches from different flanks represent a major natural hazard as they can reach large dimensions with run-out distances up to 4 km, destroy parts of the forest, and sometimes damage infrastructure. To monitor the volcanic activity of Mt. Fuji, a permanent and dense seismic network is installed around the volcano. The small distance between the seismic sensors and the volcano flank (<10 km) allowed us to detect numerous avalanche events from the seismic recordings and locate them in time and space. We present the detailed analysis of three avalanche or slush flow periods in the winters of 2014, 2016, and 2018. The largest events (size class 4–5) are detected by the seismic network at maximum distances of about 15 km, and medium-size events (size class 3–4) within a radius of 9 km. To localize the seismic events, we used the automated approach of amplitude source location (ASL) based on the decay of the seismic amplitudes with distance from the moving flow. The recorded amplitudes at each station have to be corrected by the site amplification factors, which are estimated by the coda method using data from local earthquakes. Our results show the feasibility of tracking the flow path of avalanches and slush flows with considerable precision (on the order of magnitude of 100 m) and thus estimating information such as the approximate run-out distance and the average front speed of the flows, which are usually poorly known. To estimate the precision of the seismic tracking, we analyzed aerial photos of the release area and determined the flow path and run-out distance, estimated the release volume from the meteorological records, and conducted numerical simulations with Titan2D to reconstruct the dynamics of the flow. The precision as a function of time is deduced from the comparison with the numerical simulations, showing mean location errors ranging between 85 and 271 m. The average front speeds estimated seismically, which ranged from 27 to 51 m s−1, are consistent with the numerically predicted speeds. In addition, we deduced two scaling relationships based on seismic parameters to quantify the size of the mass flow events. Our results are indispensable for assessing avalanche risk in the Mt. Fuji region as seismic records are often the only available dataset for this natural hazard. The approach presented here could be applied in the development of an early-detection and location system for avalanches based on seismic sensors.

Magnitude and frequency of debris and slush flows in the Khibiny mountain valleys, Kola Peninsula, NW Russia

Abstract. Available results for five studied valleys of the Khibiny Mountains, Kola Peninsula, suggest that slush flows and, possibly for some valleys, typical debris flows with lower frequency, are a leading mechanism for downstream sediment delivery and valley floor topographical formation. Typical fluvial topography in slush flow-affected basins is extremely suppressed or nonexistent, since under such conditions, stream channels are unable to rework slush flow deposits. The recovery phase of fluvial topography can serve as an indicator of the magnitude and time passed since the last extreme event. A combination of grain size analysis, radionuclide fingerprinting with the 232Th content in the finer-grained sediment matrix (size <10 mm) and 14C dating, were applied to reveal the age and common structure of debris and slush flow environments and to investigate the main factors in their lithodynamics. Those helped to estimate transportation distances and capacities of the flows and the amount of fluvial reworking of its deposits with time. Application of radiocarbon dating to determine absolute ages (about 30 dates) of stabilization periods for the colluvial cones, mountain fans and valley bottoms and integration with other available chronological data provided a basis for distinguishing several stages of decreased activity of debris and slush flows and extreme slope failures through the second half of the Holocene. Field mapping and remote sensing data interpretation revealed spatial distribution patterns of debris and slush flows. Geomorphic analysis of large relic landforms in valley bottoms confirms, in general, the case for a significant reduction of debris flow magnitude since the last deglaciation and distinct shift to slush flow processes with much lower clastic content. A reliable chronology of the early events is yet to be obtained representing a challenging problem for future research.

An experimental investigation into Martian gully formation: a slush-flow model

Abstract To understand the potential applicability of the process of ‘slush flow’ (a sediment-carrying flow with water and ice) to gullies on Mars, we undertook a series of flume experiments at Earth surface temperatures and pressures, which we subsequently scaled for Mars. Experiments were conducted in a 3 × 0.5 m hinged flume filled with medium-grain-size sand. The experiments were performed over a slope angle range of 10°–30°, corresponding to the slope range for gullies observed on Mars. A water ice mix, or ‘slush’, was flowed through a 19 mm-diameter silicone hose and released onto the surface at the top of the slope. A variety of morphometric parameters were measured on each form produced in the flume. The forms produced in our experiments developed the three principal morphological components of Martian gullies: alcove, channel and apron, and had a diversity of planimetric forms. The forms produced during simulations compared well to slush flows in terrestrial arctic climates, and open up the possibility that some Martian gullies may result from slush flows associated with the thawing of permafrost-active layers or surface frost under favourable thermal regimes.

Impacts of precipitation on the cryologic regime of stream channels

AbstractThis paper examines the controlling influence of snow and rain on river ice processes in creeks and streams. Winter precipitation (in the form of rain and snow) has been observed to affect river ice processes and channel parameters of low and high gradient channels in unsuspected ways that can have significant impacts on channel hydraulics, hydrology and habitat. On a low gradient stream, a snowfall event initiated the development of an ice cover by creating unconsolidated snow slush bridges that eventually froze in place. Afterward, both snowfalls and rainfalls in alternation with cold spells dramatically increased the thickening rate of the ice cover well beyond that predicted by classic equations. In a smaller low‐gradient agricultural creek, wind‐blown snow impeded the formation of an ice cover by insulating the flow from cold atmospheric conditions. On steep channels (of different sizes and morphologies), anchor snow slush has been seen to accumulate on the bed substrate. As opposed to anchor ice, anchor snow slush is not believed to require supercooling water conditions to form nor to stay in place. Finally, in a steep headwater creek, a rain‐on‐snow event generated a snow slush flow and multiple snow slush jams. This phenomenon was seen to divert most of the water out of the channel into another watershed and concomitantly signalled a mid‐winter breakup in the greater watershed downstream. These observations suggest that the role of precipitation on small channel winter ice morphology and water flows, levels and currents has been severely underestimated and that any ecological winter studies, hydraulic structure designs and river modelling efforts need to include processes that are sometimes dominated by rain, slush and snow. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Review of the Modelling of Slush Hydrogen Flows

In the perspective of mass savings related to future launchers, the use of slush hydrogen as propellant is attractive. Due to its higher density, the use of slush hydrogen could lead to the mass reduction of propellant and the utilisation of smaller tanks. However, the use of slush hydrogen in rocket engines presents different challenges. The first one is the production of slush hydrogen. Other aspects are the problems induced by the use of slush in a propulsion system: slush flow in pipes and singularities, design of a compatible turbopump and injection of slush in a combustion chamber. In order to prepare numerical tools for supporting future technical activities, ISA has undertaken a large effort in the direction of the modelling of slush hydrogen flows. The work has been split in two parts: the engineering modelling for slush flows in pipe lines and the preparation of more advanced models. At first, an extensive review of the available studies on this topic reported in the literature has been undertaken. Then, an engineering model has been selected and incorporated in a numerical tool. The different issues in term of modelling related to slush hydrogen have been identified and a potential model for future computational fluid dynamics calculations has been selected.

4-5-1 高効率水素エネルギーシステム開発のためのスラッシュ流体の矩形管内流動特性(4-5 水素エネルギーシステム2,Session4 新エネルギー,研究発表)

4-5-1 高効率水素エネルギーシステム開発のためのスラッシュ流体の矩形管内流動特性(4-5 水素エネルギーシステム2,Session4 新エネルギー,研究発表)

Numerical study of the two-phase flow characteristics of slush nitrogen

The fundamental two-phase flow characteristics of slush nitrogen in a pipe are numerically investigated to develop effective cooling performance for long-distance superconducting cable. First, the governing equations of two-phase slush nitrogen flow based on the unsteady thermal non-equilibrium two-fluid model are constructed and several flow characteristics are numerically calculated taking into account the effects of the slush volume fraction, the thermodynamic behavior of slush, and the duct shape. Furthermore, the numerical results are compared with previous experimental results on pressure loss measurement and visualization measurement in two-phase slush nitrogen flow along the longitudinal direction of the pipe. Results of this research show that it is possible to reduce the pressure loss by using a two-phase slush flow under the high Reynolds number condition and by applying the appropriate volume fraction of slush particles. The optimized thermal flow conditions for cryogenic two-phase slush nitrogen with practical use of latent heat for slush melting are predicted for the development of a new type of superconducting cooling system.

スラッシュ窒素の二相流動特性に関する数値解析

The fundamental two-phase flow characteristics of slush nitrogen in a pipe are numerically investigated to develop effective cooling performance for long-distance superconducting cables. First, the governing equations of two-phase slush nitrogen flow based on the unsteady thermal non-equilibrium two-fluid model are constructed and several flow characteristics are numerically calculated taking into account the effects of slush volume fraction, thermodynamic behavior of slush, and duct shape. Furthermore, the numerical results are compared with previous experimental results on pressure loss measurement and visualization measurement in two-phase slush nitrogen flow along the longitudinal direction of the pipe. According to this research, it is found that reducing the pressure loss using a two-phase slush flow is possible under the high Reynolds number condition and by applying the appropriate volume fraction of slush particles. The optimized thermal flow conditions for cryogenic two-phase slush nitrogen with practical use of latent heat for slush melting are predicted for the development of a new type of superconducting cooling system.