Streamline Flow Research Articles

A computational study of the influence of wavy arteries and veins on hemodynamic characteristics in an unsteady state

The present work is focused on the study of hemodynamic characteristics for tortuous arteries/veins in a pulsatile flow. This work is an extension of an earlier work by the author, which reported the hemodynamic characteristics in a steady flow situation. It is a well-known fact that various geometric parameters affect the hemodynamics, such as the diameter of vessels, the diameter of mother and daughter tubes in bifurcation, the angle between them, and their relative magnitudes. This paper is focused on the effect of tortuosity produced in straight and bifurcating tubes under pulsatile flow conditions. A heartbeat rate of 120 bpm is considered for pulsation, covering one cycle of systole and diastole. The measure of tortuosity is defined by the varying pitch and the amplitude. The present analysis is carried out computationally using ANSYS. Results are presented through secondary flow streamline, velocity profile, and its effect on wall shear stress. Key findings are that secondary vortices are observed in the bifurcated model and counter-rotating vortices are observed in the wavy tube geometry. The velocity distribution is asymmetric in the case of the plain bifurcation geometry. In the case of the wavy tube and bifurcated geometry, there is a shift in peak velocity from the inner to the outer wall, depending on the crest and trough positions of the tortuous vein. Relative change in magnitude of velocity for wavy tube depends on the depth and pitch of wavy wall of the tortuous tube. The velocity reduces with an increase in time step for unsteady flow.

Microfluidics-A novel technique for high-quality sperm selection for greater ART outcomes.

Microfluidics represent a quality sperm selection technique. Human couples fail to conceive and this is so in a significant population of animals worldwide. Defects in male counterpart lead to failure of conception so are outcomes of assisted reproduction affected by quality of sperm. Microfluidics, deals with minute volumes (μL) of liquids run in small-scale microchannel networks in the form of laminar flow streamlines. Microfluidic sperm selection designs have been developed in chip formats, mimicking invivo situations. Here sperms are selected and analyzed based on motility and sperm behavioral properties. Compared to conventional sperm selection methods, this selection method enables to produce high-quality motile sperm cells possessing non-damaged or least damaged DNA, achieve greater success of insemination in bovines, and achieve enhanced pregnancy rates and live births in assisted reproduction-in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Besides, the concentration of sperm available to oocyte can be controlled by regulating the flow rate in microfluidic chips. The challenges in this technology are commercialization of chips, development of fully functional species-specific microfluidic tools, limited number of studies available in literature, and need of thorough understanding in reproductive physiology of domestic animals. In conclusion, incorporation of microfluidic system in assisted reproduction for sperm selection may promise a great success in IVF and ICSI outcomes. Future prospectives are to make this technology more superior and need to modify chip designs which is cost effective and species specific and ready for commercialization. Comprehensive studies in animal species are needed to be carried out for wider application of microfluidic sperm selection in invitro procedures.

Space Quasi-Periodic Steady Euler Flows Close to the Inviscid Couette Flow

We prove the existence of steady space quasi-periodic stream functions, solutions for the Euler equation in a vorticity-stream function formulation in the two dimensional channel R×[-1,1]\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${{\\mathbb {R}}}\ imes [-1,1]$$\\end{document}. These solutions bifurcate from a prescribed shear equilibrium near the Couette flow, whose profile induces finitely many modes of oscillations in the horizontal direction for the linearized problem. Using a Nash–Moser implicit function iterative scheme, near such equilibrium we construct small amplitude, space reversible stream functions, slightly deforming the linear solutions and retaining the horizontal quasi-periodic structure. These solutions exist for most values of the parameters characterizing the shear equilibrium. As a by-product, the streamlines of the nonlinear flow exhibit Kelvin’s cat eye-like trajectories arising from the finitely many stagnation lines of the shear equilibrium.

Analyzing heat transfer and entropy generation in catheterized, stenosed arteries

A frequent cardiovascular condition that reduces blood flow is arterial stenosis. Tangent stress pressure, produced by a stenotic blood artery, diminishes the arterial side and results in an aneurysm. We explored the dynamics of entropy generation in blood stream via arteries observing mild overlapping stenosis, using a Prandtl fluid and focusing on the eccentric placement of catheters to enhance patient comfort. The governing equations assume conditions of mild stenosis and low Reynolds number, and applied the homotopy perturbation method. Several critical physical aspects are characterized, including velocity, temperature, impedance, entropy generation, wall shear stress, the Bejan number, and flow streamlines. The results show that a rise in the catheter radius tends to elevate impedance levels, whereas an increase in eccentricity, amplitude ratio, and inner cylinder speed leads to a decrease. These behaviors may serve to optimize catheter placement to minimize patient discomfort during medical interventions.

Pragmatic Prediction Model of Droplet Trajectory in a Turbine Cascade

Abstract Droplet deposition on a turbine cascade is important for the turbine system performance but its experimental analysis is difficult. Thus, the simulation of a droplet liquid phase in a gas flow field was studied to optimize turbine cascade design. However, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based approach for such droplet problems requires enormous costs. Thus, the application of CFD simulation in the turbine blade's early-stage design is challenging, requiring iterative optimization for adjusting design with performance prediction. Therefore, this study proposed an analytical prediction method, having a reasonable cost and moderate accuracy, as an alternative to the whole multi-phase numerical simulation approach. The proposed method predicts droplet motion using the outline of the turbine blade and gas–liquid physical properties. Furthermore, the approach was validated by performing a three-dimensional Eulerian–Lagrangian simulation with low-pressure turbine blade T106. It was found that the droplet trajectories in the turbine cascade are governed by Stokes number. Furthermore, the streamlines of the gas flow were characterized by the shape of the turbine blade. The proposed model reproduced droplet trajectories obtained using CFD within an error margin of 10%. Consequently, it was concluded that the proposed analytical model is a promising approach to predict the droplet trajectory in a turbine cascade, obtained by the three-dimensional numerical simulation at a low cost.

Numerical study of energy consumption in spacer-filled feed channels through 3D inverse modeling and computational fluid dynamics

This project employs advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to investigate the complex flow field dynamics within the channel of membrane module featuring a commercially available feed spacer. Utilizing Micro-CT scanning, the intricate three-dimensional (3D) structure of the spacer is accurately captured, enhancing the precision of the simulation models. The project focuses on the effects of varying Reynolds number (Re) and Aspect Ratio (AR) on the energy consumption within the feed channel of membrane module, analyzing streamline patterns, vorticity, and flow separation angles in detail. Findings indicate that the total enstrophy identification method effectively pinpoints areas of high energy consumption, especially at lower Re levels where flow separation significantly contributes to hydraulic losses. As Re increases, the separation vortex shifts rearward, resulting in a marked decrease in the energy consumption coefficient. Furthermore, the flow separation angle consistently declines with increasing Re, stabilizing at higher levels. Significantly, a reduction in AR from 1.015 to 0.725 more than doubles the decrease in flow separation angle, highlighting substantial potential energy savings through spacer design optimization. These insights are crucial for improving the design and efficiency of spiral wound membrane modules and for refining feed spacer configurations to enhance performance.

The Impact of Heat Transfer and a Magnetic Field on Peristaltic Transport with Slipping through an Asymmetrically Inclined Channel

This theoretical investigation explores the intricate interplay of slip, heat transfer, and magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD) on peristaltic flow within an asymmetrically inclined channel. The channel walls exhibit sinusoidal undulations to simulate flexibility. The governing equations for continuity, momentum, and energy are utilized to mathematically represent the flow dynamics. Employing the perturbation method, these nonlinear equations are systematically solved, yielding analytical expressions for key parameters such as stream function, temperature distribution, and pressure gradient. This study meticulously examines the influence of various physical parameters on flow characteristics, presenting comprehensive visualizations of flow streamlines, fluid axial velocity profiles, and pressure gradient distributions. Noteworthy findings include the observation that the axial velocity of the fluid increases by 55% when the slip parameter is increased from 0 to 0.1, indicative of enhanced fluid transport. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that the pressure gradient amplifies by 80% with increased magnetic field strength from 0.5 to 4, underscoring the significant role of MHD effects on overall flow behavior. In essence, this investigation elucidates the complex dynamics of peristaltic flow in an asymmetrically inclined channel under the combined influence of slip, heat transfer, and magnetohydrodynamics. It sheds light on fundamental mechanisms that govern fluid dynamics in complex geometries and under diverse physical conditions.

VR Simulation and Implementation of Robotics: A Tool for Streamlining and Optimization

This article explores the significance of simulation-based analysis in understanding the effectiveness of material handling strategies. By utilizing simulation models, businesses can optimize production processes, streamline flows, and enhance overall logistics efficiency. In today’s competitive market landscape, the significance of product manipulation cannot be overstated. It directly influences consumer perception and plays a pivotal role in gaining a competitive advantage. Simulation-based analysis has emerged as a powerful tool for optimizing production processes and enhancing logistics efficiency. Robotics sorting and loading offer increased accuracy, speed, and efficiency over manual processes. Their implementation boost productivity, cuts costs, and enhances working conditions. In today’s competitive market, effective product handling shapes consumer perception and competitiveness. VR simulation-based analysis optimizes manufacturing, logistics, and robotics, driving efficiency. Through advanced VR simulation models, businesses streamline operations, adapt to market dynamics, and embrace automation, enhancing competitiveness.

Numerical simulation of flow over short crested weirs - case study: Quarter-circular crested weir

In this study, the flow characteristics over a quarter-circular crested spillway (QCCS) were investigated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The simulations included an in-depth analysis of parameters such as flow velocity, pressure distribution, and streamline patterns. The RNG turbulence model was used to simulate the flow field and hydraulic characteristics. In particular, the simulations were performed at the design discharge. The numerical results were carefully compared with laboratory observations, showing that there is good agreement between the simulated results and the observed data. The results of the numerical simulation showed that the streamlines are completely in line with the curvature of the crest and that there is no separation zone (separation of the streamlines from the surface of the crest). furthermore, there is no negative pressure zone along the crest, which means that the risk of cavitation is eliminated. The highest value of velocity and the lowest pressure of flow occur at the outlet end of the crest.

Theoretical simulation of steady flowing manifold in hybrid pneumatic power system

Improving the energy efficiency of existing power systems is part of energy conservation and carbon reduction efforts. Internal combustion engines (ICEs) are currently the most commonly used power source in transportation, and they can be combined with gas power sources to form hybrid power systems for enhanced energy efficiency and potential commercialization. This study introduces hybrid pneumatic systems that integrate energy from ICEs and exhaust gas through a manifold to reuse waste heat. However, the turbulence caused by compressed air in the manifold can prevent the smooth transfer and mixing of thermal energy, leading to reduced power at the final outlet. We use ANSYS Fluent software to conduct heat flow streamline analysis of the three-dimensional flow field in the manifold structure, with key parameters including throttle valve opening, manifold geometry, pressure, and temperature. Through this analysis, we explore the flow situation and heat transfer phenomenon inside the pipe, observe the flow field changes in the pipe, and adjust the diameter of the compressed air end channel for effective thermal energy. A backflow with velocity magnitude up to 72 m/s in high pressure case can be solved by compressing pipe and temperature increases from 349.9 K to 682.5 K with more efficient heat transfer and gas mixing. Thermal power, enthalpy, and mass flow rate of the hybrid power system are also investigated, enabling the ICE to operate at its optimal point. The waste heat from the ICE can also be recycled and converted into effective mechanical energy through flow work.

Enhancement of aerodynamic performance of Savonius wind turbine with airfoil-shaped blade for the urban application

The present study introduces a novel rotor configuration with an airfoil-shaped blade, based on the low-speed high-lift FX74-CL5-140 airfoil, for enhancing the performance of the Savonius wind turbine for a practical application in urban areas. The preferment of the present design over the original one with a semicircular shape is confirmed by the sequence of unsteady two-dimensional (2D) numerical simulation. The results demonstrate a new power coefficient peak (up to 16.5 % better than that of the original rotor) could be gained at the tip speed ratio (TSR) of 1.1. The effective working range is further extended to TSR > 0.7 compared to that at TSR > 1.0 in the literature. Insight into the flow dynamic, including pressure, velocity, streamline, and wake analysis, reveals that the thick blade near the overlap region, benefiting in terms of the turbine’s high performance. The airfoil blade increases the momentum energy around the rotor, changes the pressure on the concave side, and varies the origin of the pressure force, leading to an increase in the moment arm with more torque exhibited on the rotor at high TSR. In addition, the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) analysis is also performed to better understand the flow phenomena behind the rotor. Overall, the present design is beneficial for urban applications because it can enhance the rotor performance without losing the omnidirectional and compactness features.

Visualization of streamline flow in healthy volunteers.

Visualization of streamline flow in healthy volunteers.

Visualization of streamline flow in patients with AAA.

Visualization of streamline flow in patients with AAA.

Seepage Behavior of Underwater Tunnels in Stratum with Inclined Surface: Insights from Numerical Analysis

This paper is to investigate the seepage behavior of underwater tunnel with inclined boundary at the contact between water body and underwater stratum. Extensive finite element analyses using COMSOL are performed considering various magnitudes of inclination degree of underwater soil surface. The rationality of the numerical analysis method is demonstrated via comparing with analytical solutions. It is found that the inclined boundary has a significant impact on the seepage field of underwater tunnel. The hydraulic head distribution, streamline evolution, velocity and other aspects are comprehensively analyzed, and relevant conclusions are drawn. The streamlines in waters are not vertically downward, but presents a certain acute angle distribution with the stratum direction. And the interface angle toward the depth is larger. Streamlines will also become denser. The streamline flows into the tunnel from all directions. And the attenuation speed of water head in the lower part of tunnel is less than that in the upper part. Thereby serving the optimal design and construction of practical projects.

The profound effect of heat transfer on magnetic peristaltic flow of a couple stress fluid in an inclined annular tube

In this study, we explore the analysis of peristaltic flow with heat transfer occurring within the gap between coaxial inclined tubes. The inner tube’s wall is rigid, while the outer tube’s wall features a sinusoidal wave propagating through it. The cylindrical system is employed to formulate the problem. The flow is characterized using continuity, momentum, and energy equations. We apply the assumption of long wavelength and the low Reynolds number approximation to simplify the nonlinear governing equation, subsequently solving it through perturbation techniques. We investigate the impact of crucial parameters, such as the magnetic field, porous media, slipping conditions, and others, on the peristaltic flow of a couple stress fluid. Our focus lies on assessing their influence on axial velocity, pressure gradient, and flow streamlines. The outcomes are visually presented through graphical representations. Notably, an increase in the slipping parameter results in a reduction of fluid velocity, attributed to the reverse slipping of the flow. The introduction of a magnetic field leads to an augmentation of the pressure gradient. Moreover, elevating the peristaltic amplitude and heat source induces the formation of a vortex within the flow. The presence of porous media leads to an increase in the pressure difference of the fluid flow. The primary objective of this research is to enhance our understanding of the peristaltic motion of non-Newtonian fluid dynamics, specifically incorporating a couple stress fluid. This contributes to a deeper understanding of crucial fluids, such as blood, within the human circulatory system. The implications extend to biological and industrial applications like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radiosurgery, advancing our scholarly understanding of fluid behavior, especially in non-Newtonian scenarios.

Numerical Modelling of NACA 0015 Airfoil Under the Erosion Condition

Airfoil that experiences erosion caused by flying debris that hit the airfoil can affect the performance of the airfoil. This research was studied to determine the effect of erosion with varying erosion length using numerical methods on the performance of the NACA 0015 airfoil. This research was simulated using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach. Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) is implemented as the governing equation. The turbulence model used in this research is the k-epsilon model. The Reynolds number used is 1.5 x 10⁶. This research proves that the erosion effect can reduce the Cl value and increase the Cd value on the NACA 0015 airfoil. Increasing the erosion length on the airfoil can also affect the Cl value and Cd value, but this effect is insignificant. In the contour visualization, it can be seen that the airfoil that is experiencing erosion has a pressure contour that increases in the upper chamber and decreases in the lower chamber compared to the airfoil that does not experience erosion so that it can reduce the lifting force of the NACA 0015 airfoil. The flow velocity and streamline contours also show greater circulation in the erosion airfoil, which can accelerate the stall by 1o AoA. Then, variations in increasing erosion length on the airfoil do not show any significant differences in pressure contours or circulating flow.

Free flow over and under cylindrical weir-gates with a flow extender

ABSTRACT The complex field of free flow around a cylindrical weir – gate with and without a flow extender is investigated experimentally. The effects of the gap between the channel bed and the cylinder on the discharge characteristics of the cylindrical weir-gate are studied. It is observed that the ratio of the gate to weir discharge increased non-linearly with the normalized opening height. Four triangular downstream extensions of the cylinder oriented at, θ = 0, 10, 20, and 30 degrees were tested, and the minimum underflow to overflow discharge ratio was observed for θ = 10°. The highest improvement in discharge coefficients was 16% ± 6% for extender orientation angles of θ = 10°. The effects of opening height and extender angle on flow streamlines, pressure distribution, vortex strength, turbulent kinetic energy, and Reynolds stresses were investigated. A region of negative pressure was observed near the weir crest and the peak negative pressure increased with the opening height. The size and orientation of downstream wakes were measured, and it was found that the length of wakes varies from 0.30 to 1.06 times the diameter of the cylinder. The experiments showed that for a constant normalized opening height, the vortex center point formed further downstream as the upstream water head increased.

Comparing Plasma Anisotropy Associated with Solar Wind Discontinuities and Alfvénic Fluctuations

Solar wind magnetic field fluctuations exhibit a complex multiscale nature, often encompassing ion-scale discontinuities and MHD-scale Alfvénic fluctuations. Both of these types of structures are thought to play a critical role in plasma heating and turbulence dissipation. Here we comparatively analyze the plasma pressure anisotropies within discontinuities and adjacent Alfvénic fluctuations, leveraging unique solar wind observations from orbit conjunctions between the ARTEMIS and WIND missions, along the same flow streamline, though about 150 Earth radii apart. Based on 11 cases of such observations, we compare direct measurements of plasma anisotropy from particle instruments with its estimates from anisotropic MHD theory using the ratios of correlated ion velocity and Alfvén speed variations Δ v i /Δ v A. We find that (1) sporadically observed discontinuities associated with bifurcated reconnection current sheets harbor significant parallel electron anisotropies of >0.2; (2) direct electron measurements in all events reveal a median anisotropy of ∼0.07 for Alfvénic fluctuations and ∼0.17 for discontinuities; (3) anisotropic MHD predicts even more disparate total anisotropies within Alfvénic fluctuations and discontinuities, with a median value of ∼0.15 for the former and ∼0.57 for the latter; (4) the differences between theory-predicted and directly measured anisotropies imply that the ion contribution to anisotropy is significant and likely dominant within both types of structures, an assertion which we partly verify using simultaneous ion measurements from WIND. Our observations confirm that such discontinuities play a uniquely important role in producing solar wind plasma heating and anisotropy.

Hemodynamic influence of mild stenosis morphology in different coronary arteries: a computational fluid dynamic modelling study.

Introduction: Mild stenosis [degree of stenosis (DS) < 50%] is commonly labeled as nonobstructive lesion. Some lesions remain stable for several years, while others precipitate acute coronary syndromes (ACS) rapidly. The causes of ACS and the factors leading to diverse clinical outcomes remain unclear. Method: This study aimed to investigate the hemodynamic influence of mild stenosis morphologies in different coronary arteries. The stenoses were modeled with different morphologies based on a healthy individual data. Computational fluid dynamics analysis was used to obtain hemodynamic characteristics, including flow waveforms, fractional flow reserve (FFR), flow streamlines, time-average wall shear stress (TAWSS), and oscillatory shear index (OSI). Results: Numerical simulation indicated significant hemodynamic differences among different DS and locations. In the 20%-30% range, significant large, low-velocity vortexes resulted in low TAWSS (<4dyne/cm2) around stenoses. In the 30%-50% range, high flow velocity due to lumen area reduction resulted in high TAWSS (>40dyne/cm2), rapidly expanding the high TAWSS area (averagely increased by 0.46cm2) in left main artery and left anterior descending artery (LAD), where high OSI areas remained extensive (>0.19 cm2). Discussion: While mild stenosis does not pose any immediate ischemic risk due to a FFR > 0.95, 20%-50% stenosis requires attention and further subdivision based on location is essential. Rapid progression is a danger for lesions with 20%-30% DS near the stenoses and in the proximal LAD, while lesions with 30%-50% DS can cause plaque injury and rupture. These findings support clinical practice in early assessment, monitoring, and preventive treatment.

Flow states of two dimensional active gels driven by external shear.

Using a minimal hydrodynamic model, we theoretically and computationally study the Couette flow of active gels in straight and annular two-dimensional channels subject to an externally imposed shear. The gels are isotropic in the absence of externally- or activity-driven shear, but have nematic order that increases with shear rate. Using the finite element method, we determine the possible flow states for a range of activities and shear rates. Linear stability analysis of an unconfined gel in a straight channel shows that an externally imposed shear flow can stabilize an extensile fluid that would be unstable to spontaneous flow in the absence of the shear flow, and destabilize a contractile fluid that would be stable against spontaneous flow in the absence of shear flow. These results are in rough agreement with the stability boundaries between the base shear flow state and the nonlinear flow states that we find numerically for a confined active gel. For extensile fluids, we find three kinds of nonlinear flow states in the range of parameters we study: unidirectional flows, oscillatory flows, and dancing flows. To highlight the activity-driven spontaneous component of the nonlinear flows, we characterize these states by the average volumetric flow rate and the wall stress. For contractile fluids, we only find the linear shear flow and a nonlinear unidirectional flow in the range of parameters that we studied. For large magnitudes of the activity, the unidirectional contractile flow develops a boundary layer. Our analysis of annular channels shows how curvature of the streamlines in the base flow affects the transitions among flow states.