Three-dimensional Flow Dynamics Research Articles

Experimental investigation of three-dimensional flow dynamics in a laboratory-scale meandering channel under subcritical flow condition

This study investigates the three-dimensional turbulence flow properties in a meandering channel under subcritical flow conditions, specifically focusing on a few critical parameters such as three-dimensional velocity behaviour, Turbulent kinetic energy, skewness, and kurtosis. A model study has been attempted by considering the same sinuosity, Froude number, and bed material from an Indian peninsular river to understand the basic hydrodynamics of a meandering channel. Understanding these critical parameters is crucial for comprehending the complex flow behaviour and its implications in meandering channels. Experimental measurements were conducted to collect data on Velocity, Turbulent Kinetic energy, skewness, and kurtosis in all three directions. The objective was to analyse their variations and behaviour along the meandering path, providing insights into the flow dynamics and turbulence characteristics. Advanced measurement techniques, such as Acoustic Doppler Velocimeters (ADV), were utilized to obtain accurate and detailed data. The study revealed distinct patterns and trends in the velocity, Turbulent Kinetic energy, skewness, and kurtosis along the flow path of a sand bed meandering channel. These parameters were found to vary significantly in different sections, highlighting the influence of channel geometry and flow conditions. Graphical representations of the flow profiles were employed to visualize the spatial distribution and understand the variations in these turbulence properties. The findings of this study enhance our understanding of the three-dimensional turbulence flow properties in sand bed meandering channels under subcritical flow conditions. The results offer valuable information for designing hydraulic structures, flood control measures, and river restoration projects.

Optimization of Reynolds stress model coefficients at multiple discrete flow regions for three-dimensional realizations of fractal-generated turbulence

The quantification of global turbulence statistical moments generated by grid turbulators is crucial for the enhancement of conjugate heat transfer in industrial thermo-fluid systems. As such, there is a need for precise, low-cost alternatives to numerically model three-dimensional flow dynamics of fractal-generated turbulence (FGT) behind multilength-scale square fractal grids (SFGs), in contrast to previously-reported direct numerical simulations. In this study, a numerical framework consisting of multiple applications of the Reynolds stress model (RSM), each employing its own distinct set of optimized coefficient values, is developed by segregating an FGT flow domain into its production and decay regions with Nelder-Mead optimization on key coefficients then performed independently for each region. The flow fields predicted by such RSM framework achieved overall disparities below 3% and 13% w.r.t. reported experimental measurements of mean velocity and turbulence intensity, respectively, considering the evolution in the flow domain along the streamwise, vertical, and spanwise directions. This is therefore the first documentation of any RANS-turbulence model being validated for mean velocity and turbulence intensity predictions of FGT in all three-dimensions. Thereafter, this proposed RSM framework is generalized to predict industry-relevant turbulence statistical moments of four additional FGT flows. The predicted centerline-statistics are verified against reported experiments, and the findings potentially enable realizations of FGT induced by arbitrary SFGs without relying on a posteriori validation while eliminating further reliance on the Nelder-Mead optimization algorithm on a case-by-case basis. The findings indicate a potential to apply the model coefficients as continuous functions of space to simulate the entire FGT domain. Overall, the accurate and numerically sustainable realizations of FGT in 3D provide valuable insights to engineer potent fluid-solid heat transfer via passive turbulence management within HVAC systems.

Numerical analyses of the flow past a short rotating cylinder

This work studies the three-dimensional flow dynamics around a rotating circular cylinder of finite length, whose axis is positioned perpendicular to the streamwise direction. Direct numerical simulations and global stability analyses are performed within a parameter range of Reynolds number $Re=DU_\infty /\nu <500$ (based on cylinder diameter $D$ , uniform incoming flow velocity $U_\infty$ ), length-to-diameter ratio ${\small \text{AR}}=L/D\leq 2$ and dimensionless rotation rate $\alpha =D\varOmega /2U_\infty \leq 2$ (where $\varOmega$ is rotation rate). By solving Navier–Stokes equations, we investigated the wake patterns and explored the phase diagrams of the lift and drag coefficients. For a cylinder with ${\small \text{AR}}=1$ , we found that when the rotation effect is weak ( $0\leq \alpha \lesssim 0.3$ ), the wake pattern is similar to the unsteady wake past the non-rotating finite-length cylinder, but with a new linear unstable mode competing to dominate the saturation state of the wake. The flow becomes stable for $0.3\lesssim \alpha \lesssim 0.9$ when $Re<360$ . When the rotation effect is strong ( $\alpha \gtrsim 0.9$ ), new low-frequency wake patterns with stronger oscillations emerge. Generally, the rotation effect first slightly decreases and then sharply increases the $Re$ threshold of the flow instability when $\alpha$ is relatively small, but significantly decreases the threshold at high $\alpha$ ( $0.9<\alpha \leq 2$ ). Furthermore, the stability analyses based on the time-averaged flows and on the steady solutions demonstrate the existence of multiple unstable modes undergoing Hopf bifurcation, greatly influenced by the rotation effect. The shapes of these global eigenmodes are presented and compared, as well as their structural sensitivity, visualising the flow region important for the disturbance development with rotation. This research contributes to our understanding of the complex bluff-body wake dynamics past this critical configuration.

Enhanced energy extraction in small-scale wind turbines through slot-based passive blowing

The increasing demand for sustainable energy has spurred research and development of wind turbines. In this study, a passive flow-control technique using a non-uniform curved slot is proposed. The slot is engraved on the mid-chord region of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Phase VI wind turbine blade, between the quarter-span and tip radial stations. The impact of slot-induced flow control is investigated using three-dimensional transient computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling across a range of wind speeds, including pre-stall and deep-stall conditions. Aerodynamic analyses are performed to ascertain the influence of slot-flow on the complex three-dimensional flow dynamics around the blade. The slotted blade demonstrates significant improvements in low-speed shaft torque and power compared to the baseline blade. Additionally, the slotted blade experiences increment in the inherent thrust and flapwise bending moments. Detailed wake flow field and surface flow visualization indicate that the slot promotes a more streamlined attached flow across the blade span, delaying flow transition and suppressing turbulence on the blade surface and downstream wake. The slot-flow also reduces radial flow and tip-vorticity anomalies along the blade. Overall, flow control enhancement achieved by the slotted blade significantly boosts the annual energy production of the wind turbine.

Effect of system composition on mixing in binary fluidised beds

The influence of bed composition – that is, the relative proportions of different components – on the mixing of fluidised beds containing mixtures of Geldart group B and D particles is of considerable importance to a variety of contemporary industrial processes, such as plastic recycling and biomass gasification. In this study, we use Positron Emission Particle Tracking (PEPT) to analyse the detailed, three-dimensional flow dynamics of such a system and, from these measurements, determine the rate of mixing as a function of bed composition. Our results show that for comparatively small fractions (ϕD≲30%) of Group D particles, the system’s mixing dynamics are only weakly affected by variations in ϕD. For higher concentrations, however, the mixing effectiveness of the system is observed to decrease sharply, and marked changes in the system’s flow patterns are observed, with a previously undocumented meta-stable state recorded for the highest concentrations of group D particles.

Three-dimensional flow dynamics and mixing in a gas-centered liquid-swirl coaxial injector at supercritical pressure

Three-dimensional flow dynamics and mixing in a gas-centered liquid-swirl coaxial injector at supercritical pressure is numerically studied using the large-eddy-simulation technique. In this class of injectors, typical of liquid-fueled propulsion engines, high-temperature gaseous oxygen (GOX) is axially delivered into the center tube and kerosene is tangentially injected through discrete orifices into the coaxial annulus. The operating conditions and geometry mimic those of the main injector elements used in staged-combustion propulsion engines. The present work details the full three-dimensional flow evolution over the entire injector configuration, including axial and circumferential dynamics that are essential for small-scale mixing between GOX and kerosene. Various key flow structures and instability mechanisms in the injector, including axial and azimuthal shear-layer instabilities, secondary instabilities (baroclinic torque and volume dilatation), centrifugal instability, flow recirculation, and acoustic motion, are identified. The significance of these instability mechanisms is explored in the context of streamwise and azimuthal vorticity transport. The GOX core is found to exhibit a hexagonal shape, mainly due to the interactions of vortex rings detached from the center post and coaxial annulus. For comparison, a cylindrical sector of the configuration is also simulated. The results of the present study will support the design and development of high-performance injectors for future propulsion applications.

Nanoparticles and nonlinear thermal radiation properties in the rheology of polymeric material

The present analysis is related to the dynamics of polymeric liquids (Oldroyd-B model) with the presence of nanoparticles. The rheological system is considered under the application of nonlinear thermal radiations. Energy and concentration equations are presented when thermophoresis and Brownian motion effects are present. Bidirectional form of stretching is considered to interpret the three-dimensional flow dynamics of polymeric liquid. Making use of the similarity transformations, problem is reduced into ordinary differential system which is approximated by using HAM. Influence of physical parameters including Deborah number, thermophoresis and Brownian motion on velocity, temperature and mass fraction expressions are plotted and analyzed. Numerical values for local Sherwood and Nusselt numbers are presented and discussed.

Visual Observation of Three-Dimensional Flow Dynamics in Complex Structure and CMFD simulation

Visual Observation of Three-Dimensional Flow Dynamics in Complex Structure and CMFD simulation

Head-on collisions of vortex rings upon round cylinders

Vortical structures and behaviour associated with vortex-ring collisions upon round cylinders with different cylinder-to-vortex-ring diameter ratios were studied using laser-induced fluorescence and time-resolved particle-image velocimetry techniques. Circular vortex rings of Reynolds number 4000 and three diameter ratios of $D/d=1$, 2 and 4 were considered in the present investigation. Results reveal that the collision behaviour is very different from that associated with flat surfaces, in which vortex disconnection and reconnection processes caused by the strong interactions between primary and secondary vortex rings produce small-scale vortex ringlets that eject away from the cylinders. For the cylinder with the largest diameter ratio used here, these vortex ringlets move towards each other along the collision axis, where they eventually collide to produce a vortex dipole that propagates upstream. However, as the diameter ratio decreases, these vortex ringlets are produced further away from the collision axis, which results in them ejecting away from the cylinder at increasingly larger angles relative to the collision axis. Trajectories of key vortex cores were extracted from the experimental results to demonstrate quantitatively the strong sensitivity of these vortical motions upon the diameter ratio. Furthermore, significant differences in the primary vortex-ring circulation along convex surfaces and straight edges after the collisions are observed. In particular, vortex flow models are presented here to better illustrate the highly three-dimensional flow dynamics of the collision behaviour, as well as highlighting the strong dependency of the secondary vortex-ring formation, vortex disconnection/reconnection processes, and ejection of the resulting vortex ringlets upon the diameter ratio. As such, these results are expected to shed more light on the more general scenario of vortex-ring collisions upon arbitrarily contoured solid boundaries.

Numerical and experimental study of shock waves emanating from an open-ended rectangular tube

We examine the dynamics of a high-speed shock-induced flow near the open end of a shock tube using the particle image velocimetry (PIV) and the background oriented schlieren (BOS) methods along with two- and three-dimensional numerical simulations. In experiments, planar shock waves (\(M=1.3\)–1.6) are discharged from a rectangular (\(24\,\hbox {mm} \times 48\,\hbox {mm}\)) low-pressure section of a shock tube open to the atmosphere. Due to the rectangular exit geometry, the resulting flow is highly three-dimensional and, thus, more complicated, compared to well-studied circular/axisymmetric geometries. The study focuses on the spatio-temporal flow structure up to 1 ms after the shock wave diffraction. PIV and BOS visualization techniques share the same post-processing principle, and the iterative multi-step cross-correlation algorithm applied in the PIV software is adapted here for the calculation of background pattern displacement on the BOS images. Particular attention is given to the resolution of flow regions where sharp gradients are present, such as a diffracted shock front or embedded shocks. Computational fluid dynamic simulations of the problem are also conducted to validate the experimental results and methods and to gain more insight into the three-dimensional flow dynamics. PIV and BOS images are found to be consistent with the corresponding numerical flow visualizations.

Dynamics of laminar circular jet impingement upon convex cylinders

Flow dynamics associated with a laminar circular jet impinging upon a convex cylinder has been investigated by laser-induced fluorescence and digital particle-image velocimetry techniques. Cylinder-to-jet diameter ratios of 1, 2, and 4 were investigated, while the jet-to-cylinder separation distance was kept at four jet diameters throughout. Flow visualization and λ2 criterion results show that once the jet ring-vortices impinge upon the cylindrical surface, they move away from the impingement point by wrapping themselves partially around the surface. As the cylinder diameter increases, wall boundary layer separation, vortex dipole formation, and separation locations are initiated earlier along the cylindrical surface, producing significantly larger wakes. Along the cylinder straight-edges, ring-vortex cores are significantly smaller after impingement. This is due to accentuated vortex-stretching caused by partial wrapping around the cylindrical surface by the ring-vortices, on top of their movement away from the impingement point. Interestingly, vortex dipoles demonstrate a strong tendency to travel upstream and interact with other upstream vortex dipoles, instead of moving downstream gradually seen for flat-surface jet-impingements. Wall shear stress results are also presented to quantify the effects of cylinder diameter-ratio on surface skin friction distribution. Finally, these preceding observations are corroborated and explained in a three-dimensional flow dynamics model presented here.

Comparative analysis of hydrodynamics of treatment wetlands using finite volume models with empirical data

A numerical visualization study of wetlands is detailed in this article using finite volume methods. The aim of this study is to model treatment efficiency of the wetlands in terms of the residence time distribution function. Shape and depth of wetlands are critically analysed to find the optimal flow requirement for effective treatment. Laminar three-dimensional flow dynamics is used to simulate the slow water flows that occur in treatment wetlands. Slow inlet flows are assumed. Dye is used as the tracer to characterize the hydrodynamics within the wetlands. Three different geometrical configurations, namely square, square with two islands, and triangle, respectively, are simulated. The variation in the tracer concentration is studied as a function of recirculation volumes, flow rates, time and depth of the wetland for each of the wetland shapes. The change in the variation of tracer concentration at inlet and exit helps to assess treatment effectiveness. In another case, glycerine is used to simulate sewage flow. Plug flow is prominent in sewage-laden wetlands. The results obtained from the above-illustrated case studies are compared with each other to assess the reproducibility of the optimal flow model. Multi-parameter regression models for residence time distribution functions are derived to characterize flow through constructed wetlands of different shapes.

Skin friction on a flapping plate in uniform flow.

To calculate the energy costs of swimming or flying, it is crucial to evaluate the drag force originating from skin friction. This topic seems not to have received a definite answer, given the difficulty in measuring accurately the friction drag along objects in movement. The incoming flow along a flat plate in a flapping normal motion has been considered, as limit case of a yawed cylinder in uniform flow, and applying the laminar boundary layer assumption it is demonstrated that the longitudinal drag scales as the square root of the normal velocity component. This lends credit to the assumption that a swimming-like motion may induce a drag increase because of the compression of the boundary layer, which is known as the 'Bone-Lighthill boundary-layer thinning hypothesis'. The boundary-layer model however cannot predict the genuine three-dimensional flow dynamics and in particular the friction at the leeward side of the plate. A multi-domain, parallel, compact finite-differences Navier-Stokes solution procedure is considered, capable of solving the full problem. The time-dependent flow dynamics is analysed and the general trends predicted by the simplified model are confirmed, with however differences in the magnitude of the friction coefficient. A tentative skin friction formula is proposed for flow states along a plate moving at steady as well as periodic normal velocities.

Three-dimensional flow dynamics of an argon RF plasma with dc jet assistance: a numerical study

Time-dependent three-dimensional numerical simulation based on a large-eddy simulation approach is conducted to ascertain the complicated thermofluid dynamics of an argon radio-frequency (RF) inductively coupled plasma with a direct-current (dc) plasma jet assistance, considering non-uniform densities and properties in time and space as well as turbulence generation and suppression. Using a combination of numerical schemes suitable to capture vortices, the present simulation successfully shows unsteady behaviour of the plasma as well as wave-like interfaces between a high-temperature flow and a low-temperature flow as a result of the balance of fluid-dynamical instability and a viscous diffusion effect. Small cold vortices generated near a dc jet injector are entrained into and merged with vortices generated around the dc jet. Subsequently, they interact with large vortices in an RF induction coil region, which causes a much more complex vortex structure.

Global existence and long-time asymptotics for rotating fluids in a 3D layer

The Navier–Stokes–Coriolis system is a simple model for rotating fluids, which allows to study the influence of the Coriolis force on the dynamics of three-dimensional flows. In this paper, we consider the NSC system in an infinite three-dimensional layer delimited by two horizontal planes, with periodic boundary conditions in the vertical direction. If the angular velocity parameter is sufficiently large, depending on the initial data, we prove the existence of global, infinite-energy solutions with nonzero circulation number. We also show that these solutions converge toward two-dimensional Lamb–Oseen vortices as t→∞.

Numerical simulation of three-dimensional flow dynamics in a hot water storage tank

A hot water storage device is one of the most common household appliances yet it is also one of the biggest sources of energy consumption. With natural resources fading, it is imperative that typical high-energy users such as hot water systems are made as energy efficient as possible. Research has shown that the thermal performance of a hot water system can be increased by maximising the level of thermal stratification within the storage tank, which could lead to huge energy saving. To analyse the effects of tank geometry and operating conditions on the thermal stratification within a storage tank, seven three-dimensional models have been numerically simulated by using the computational fluid dynamics program Fluent with realistic boundary and initial conditions applied. The level of thermal stratification in each model has been quantified using exergy analyses. The results show that increasing the tanks height/diameter aspect ratio, decreasing inlet/outlet flow rates and moving the inlet/outlet to the outer extremities of the tank all result in increasing levels of thermal stratification.

Evaluation Method for Flow Accelerated Corrosion of Components by Corrosion Analysis Coupled with Flow Dynamics Analysis

The troubles of major components and structural materials in nuclear power plants have often been caused by flow-induced vibration, corrosion, and their overlapping effects. In order to establish safe and reliable plant operation, it is required to forecast future troubles based on combined analyses of flow dynamics and corrosion and prevent them at very early stages. Corrosion analysis models have been combined with three-dimensional flow dynamics and heat transfer analysis models to evaluate corrosion damage (e.g., stress corrosion cracking [SCC] and flow-accelerated corrosion [FAC]) of major components and structural materials. The models are divided into the following two parts. First is a prediction model of future trouble on materials. The distribution of oxidant concentrations along the flow path are obtained by solving water radiolysis reactions in the boiling water reactor primary cooling water and hydrazine and oxygen reactions in pressurized water reactor secondary cooling water. Then, the distribution of electrochemical corrosion potential (ECP) along the flow path is obtained by oxidant concentration based on a mixed potential model. Higher ECP enhances the possibility of SCC, while lower ECP accelerates FAC. Second is an evaluation model of wall thinning caused by FAC. At the location with a higher possibility for FAC occurrence, a trend of wall thinning is evaluated, and the lifetime is estimated for preventive maintenance.

Combined experimental and numerical analysis of the flow structure into the left ventricle

Fluid dynamics is used for diagnosis in cardiology only to a partial extent. Indeed several aspects of cardiac flows and their relation with pathophysiology are unknown. The flow that develops into the left ventricle is here studied by using a combination of numerical and experimental models. The former allows a detailed three-dimensional analysis, the latter can be used in conditions, like in presence of turbulence, that are out of reach of the current computational power. The three-dimensional flow dynamics is analyzed in terms of its vortical structure. The study, within its limitations, provides further physical understanding about the intraventricular flow structure. This could eventually support the development of cardiac diagnostic indicators based on fluid dynamics.

Three-dimensional flow dynamics around deflectors

Many river rehabilitation projects to enhance the aquatic habitat focus on the creation of pool and riffle habitat by the implementation of flow deflectors, with various degrees of successes and failures. A more comprehensive understanding of the complex three-dimensional flow dynamics that induces scour around instream structures is required for a more effective design. The objective of this study is to examine the three-dimensional mean and turbulent flow characteristics around paired flow deflectors for various types of deflector design in a laboratory flume. Three deflector angles (45°, 90° and 135°) and two deflector heights (with flow under and over the deflector height) were tested over a smooth (plexiglas) bed and a sand bed. Three-dimensional velocity measurements were taken with an acoustic Doppler velocimeter at several planform positions at two heights above the bed. Results show that the 90° deflectors create the most important disturbance in the mean flow field, in turbulence intensity and bed shear stress. There is, however, a marked difference in the spatial distribution of the mean and turbulent parameters over a mobile bed and over a smooth, fixed bed. This stresses the importance of understanding the feedback between bed topography and flow dynamics and limits the applicability of conclusions drawn from plane bed experiments to natural rivers. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Erratum: Mesoscopic solvent simulations: Multiparticle-collision dynamics of three-dimensional flows [Phys. Rev. E66, 036702 (2002)

Received 31 January 2003DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.67.059901©2003 American Physical Society