Turbulent Coaxial Jet Research Articles

Analysis of the explicit volume diffusion subgrid closure for the [formula omitted] model to interfacial flows over a wide range of Weber numbers

The explicit volume diffusion (EVD) method was recently proposed for simulating interfacial flows based on the volume of fluid method. In this work, the EVD equations are derived rigorously from the Σ−Y (surface density and mass fraction) perspective under the large eddy simulation (LES) framework. Volume averaging is applied over an explicit length scale ℓV that is grid-independent. The sub-volume flux and stress are closed through gradient diffusion and viscosity models that account for the presence of an interface and turbulence, and have the correct limits in the absence of interface vorticity and in the pure phases. An EVD equation for Σ is introduced for the first time to model the volume averaged surface tension. The EVD model and closures are tested for three different liquid jet breakup cases: a series of laminar round jets in the Rayleigh-Plateau regime (12<Wel<34), a turbulent coaxial air-blast jet (Weg=75) and a high Weber number turbulent crossflow (Weg=330). Numerical convergence and sensitivity to ℓV are investigated, along with comparisons to linear theory, experimental data, empirical correlations and previous simulations. The effects of the closures on flow dynamics and key dimensionless numbers are also analysed.

Manufacturing process of liposomal Formation: A coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation

A method of producing liposomes has been previously developed using a continuous manufacturing technology that involves a co-axial turbulent jet in co-flow. In this study, coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CG-MD) simulations were used to gain a deeper understanding of how the self-assembly process of liposomes is affected by the material attributes (such as the concentration of ethanol) and the process parameters (such as temperature), while also providing detailed information on a nano-scale molecular level. Specifically, the CG-MD simulations yield a comprehensive internal view of the structure and formation mechanisms of liposomes containing DPPC, DPPG, and cholesterol molecules. The importance of this work is that structural details on the molecular level are proposed, and such detail is not possible to obtain through experimental studies alone. The assessment of structural properties, including the area per lipid, diffusion coefficient, and order parameters, indicated that a thicker bilayer was observed at higher ethanol concentrations, while a thinner bilayer was present at higher temperatures. These conditions led to more water penetrating the interior of the bilayer and an unstable structure, as indicated by a larger contact area between lipids and water, and a higher coefficient of lipid lateral diffusion. However, stable liposomes were found through these evaluations at lower ethanol concentrations and/or lower process temperatures. Furthermore, the CG-MD model was further compared and validated with experimental and computational data including liposomal bilayer thickness and area per lipid measurements.

Gas–liquid coaxial atomization with swirl in high-pressure environments

We present recent experimental results on the dynamics of atomization of a liquid column by a coaxial turbulent gas jet, under varying air angular momentum (swirl) conditions and densities. We compare between atomization under atmospheric conditions and in a pressurized environment where the atomizing and ambient air density is 5 times the atmospheric level. For both conditions, the parameter space includes a gas-to-liquid momentum ratio in the range of M=25−56 and swirl ratios of SR=0−1. High-speed shadowgraphy images in the spray near-field are used to quantify the spatial and temporal evolution of the liquid–gas interface. In the mid-field, Phase Doppler Interferometry, collected radially across the spray, quantify droplet size, velocity, and number density distributions. At high pressure and with increasing M, we observe a decrease in spray angle when SR=0 but a spray angle increase when SR>0.5 (critical swirl). We reconcile these observations with the crown de-wetting mechanism, first observed in X-ray shadowgraphs of the spray. Crown de-wetting depends on gas inertia relative to the liquid, which increases linearly with atomization environment pressure, leading to this switch in behavior. This mechanism also explains the modified droplet radial distribution in the mid-field, with critical transition from concave to convex-shaped trends in the mean droplet size profile. Finally, we reconstruct the full spray droplet population from radial measurements, showing that swirl not only modifies the transport of droplets in the spray cross-section, but also enhances break-up and reduces the Sauter Mean Diameter globally, for all momentum ratios and pressure conditions tested.

Numerical investigation of coaxial turbulent jet

The paper presents a numerical study of a compressible and turbulent coaxial jet, using a Large Eddy Simulation type approach. This study focuses on the implementation of a high-performance and modern numerical method to meet the requirements in terms of results accuracy and calculation cost. The code was parallelized using the Message Passing Interface 'MPI' library. Inviscid fluxes are evaluated using a new linearization solver for the equations characteristic of approximate Riemann problem and the solution has been advanced over time using an explicit two-step McCormack method. The purpose of this study is to understand the initial stage of the transition process from laminar to turbulent flow in coaxial jets. Therefore, it has been determined that the first step in the transition process from laminar to turbulent flow in coaxial jets is initiated by the development of Helmholtz (primary vortices) in sheer layers, while three-dimensionalization turbulence is initiated in the second step with the emergence of secondary vortices. The transverse evolution of Reynolds tensors showed that the axial Reynolds tensor contribution is associated with primary instability while the transversal Reynolds tensor contribution is associated with secondary instability. Flow self-similarity state is obtained in fully developed turbulence region. Axi-symmetric mode predominates on each shear layer in the initial flow region. The results obtained are in good agreement with experimental results similar to this study's simulated jet.

Spatio-temporal dynamics of an acoustically forced cryogenic coaxial jet injector

This study focuses on the application of dynamical systems theory to characterize the local susceptibility of a nonreacting, cryogenic, coaxial-jet, rocket injector to transverse acoustics. This is achieved using trajectories of the phase space obtained from high-speed imaging data, which reveal the underlying dynamical states of the system. Recurrence analysis is then used to obtain regular patterns in low-dimensional sub-space plots and provide a measure of the local response through recurrence quantification analysis. Of particular interest is quantification of the spatio-temporal coupling of the jet with the external acoustics as a function of the relative momentum flux ratio between the outer and inner jets. At lower outer-to-inner jet momentum flux ratios (J < 1), the jets have a relatively strong local response to acoustic coupling in the near field. This is followed by a sharp drop in this response further downstream where a broad range of instabilities indicates turbulent breakdown of the acoustic mode. This is in contrast to higher outer-to-inner jet momentum flux ratios (J > 1), for which the jets are intermittently coupled to the acoustic mode throughout the entire axial domain due to the presence of a second harmonic or natural instability mode. These dynamical systems analysis tools are used in conjunction with wavelet filtering to improve the utility of high-speed backlit images and are qualitatively consistent with wavelet analysis of the acoustic mode within the flow. The utility of these methods for quantifying the local susceptibility of turbulent coaxial jets to acoustic perturbations can provide powerful insight for the design and optimization of passive or active control systems for bipropellant rocket injectors and other potential propulsion applications.

Process Robustness in Lipid Nanoparticle Production: A Comparison of Microfluidic and Turbulent Jet Mixing.

The recent clinical and commercial success of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for nucleic acid delivery has incentivized the development of new technologies to manufacture LNPs. As new technologies emerge, researchers must determine which technologies to assess and how to perform comparative evaluations. In this article, we use a quality-by-design approach to systematically investigate how the mixer technology used to form LNPs influences LNPstructure. Specifically, a coaxial turbulent jet mixer and a staggered herringbone microfluidic mixer were systematically compared via matched formulation and process conditions. A full-factorial design-of-experiments study with three factors and three levels was executed for each mixer to compare process robustness in the production of antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) LNPs. ASO-LNPs generated with the coaxial turbulent jet mixer were consistently smaller, had a narrower particle size distribution, and had a higher ASO encapsulation as compared to the microfluidic mixer, but had a greater variation in internal structure with less ordered cores. A subset of the study was replicated for mRNA-LNPs with comparable trends in particle size and encapsulation, but more frequent bleb features for LNPs produced by the coaxial turbulent jet mixer. The study design used here provides a road map for how researchers may compare different mixer technologies (or process changes more broadly) and how such studies can inform process robustness and manufacturing control strategies.

Multi-scalar mixing in turbulent coaxial jets

Although natural and industrial flows often transport and mix multiple scalars, relatively few studies of turbulent multi-scalar mixing have been undertaken. In the present work, a novel three-wire thermal-anemometry-based probe – capable of simultaneously measuring velocity, helium concentration and temperature – is used to investigate the evolution of multiple scalars ($\phi _1$,$\phi _2$,$\phi _3$) and velocity in turbulent coaxial jets. The jets consist of (i) a centre jet containing a mixture of helium and air ($\phi _1$), (ii) an annular jet containing pure (unheated) air ($\phi _2$) and (iii) a coflow of (pure) heated air ($\phi _3$). Axial measurements are made at three different momentum flux ratios ($M=0.77, 2.1, 4.2$). Increasing$M$was observed to result in complex, competing effects. Larger momentum flux ratios cause the potential core of the centre jet to decrease in size, greater scalar fluctuations and more rapid correlation of$\phi _1$and$\phi _2$. However, at the same time, certain statistics, including those describing the velocity field, evolve more slowly. Moreover, the flow near the beginning of the fully merged region appears to be less mixed at higher values of$M$. The present work finally demonstrates that differences can be observed in the evolution and mixing of coaxial jets between those in which$M&lt;1$and those in which$M&gt;1$, thereby presenting an opportunity by which the mixing process in coaxial jets may be controlled.

Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Paclitaxel-Loaded Polymeric Micelles.

A continuous manufacturing technology based on coaxial turbulent jet in coflow was previously developed to produce paclitaxel-loaded polymeric micelles. Herein, coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CG-MD) simulations were implemented to better understand the effect of the material attributes (i.e., the drug-polymer ratio and the ethanol concentration) and process parameters (i.e., temperature) on the self-assembly process of polymeric micelles as well as to provide molecular details on micelle instability. An all-atom (AA) poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (lactic acid) (PEG-PLA) polymer model was developed as the reference for parameterizing a coarse-grained (CG) model, and the AA polymer model was further validated with experimental glass transition temperature (Tg). The model transferability was verified by comparing structural properties between the AA and CG models. The CG model was further validated with experimental data, including micelle particle size measurements and drug encapsulation efficiency. Furthermore, the encapsulation of paclitaxel into the polymeric micelles was included in the simulations, taking into consideration the interactions between the paclitaxel and the polymers. The results from various points of view demonstrated a strong dependence of the shape of the micelles on the drug encapsulation, with micelles transitioning from spherical to ellipsoidal structures with an increasing paclitaxel amount. Simulation data were also used to identify the critical aggregation number (i.e., the number of polymer and drug molecules required for transition from one shape to another). Improved micellar structural stability was found with a larger micellar size and less solvent accessibility. Lastly, an evaluation was performed on the micellar dissociation free energy using a steered molecular dynamics simulation over a range of temperatures and ethanol concentrations. These simulations revealed that at higher ethanol and temperature conditions, micelles become destabilized, resulting in greater paclitaxel release. The increased drug release was determined to originate from the solvation of the hydrophobic core, which promoted micellar swelling and an associated reduction in hydrophobic interactions, leading to a loosely packed micellar structure.

Numerical simulation of reynolds number effect of a free incompressible isothermal turbulent coaxial jet

This paper studies the effect of Reynolds number on a two-dimensional free incompressible isothermal coaxial turbulent jet over a range of high Reynolds numbers. This is necessary because of its application in noise control and mixing. The Reynolds numbers at the nozzle exit were 9824, 19648, 29472, 39296 and 49120. The models were designed in ANSYS Design Modeler and the numerical simulation was done using a finite volume based Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in ANSYS FLUENT using the two-dimensional Realizable turbulence model. The Governing equations were discretized using the finite volume method with the solution based on the PISO algorithm. The decay of centerline velocity, turbulent kinetic energy profile, the radial profile of axial velocity and similarity profile were investigated along the flow direction. Contour plot indicates that the velocity is high at the jet exit and decreases downstream due to the rapid mixing of the inner and outer jet and the surrounding fluid. It is found generally that Reynolds number plays significant role especially before self-similarity region. The result shows that increasing the Reynolds number give rise to more turbulence which in turn decreases the potential core length, turbulent kinetic energy and enhances the mixing of the fluid. However, at the jet exit, the flow with the lowest Reynolds number has the highest turbulent kinetic energy because it suffers the greater shear. The spreading of the jet was more or less independent of the Reynolds number beyond the self-similarity region. It is also found that the velocity profile is brought to congruence at about z/D=25 for the Reynolds numbers considered

Spray dispersion regimes following atomization in a turbulent co-axial gas jet

A canonical co-axial round-jet two-fluid atomizer where atomization occurs over a wide range of momentum ratios: $M=1.9 - 376.4$ is studied. The near field of the spray, where the droplet formation process takes place, is characterized and linked to droplet dispersion in the far field of the jet. Counterintuitively, our results indicate that in the low-momentum regime, increasing the momentum in the gas phase leads to less droplet dispersion. A critical momentum ratio of the order of $M_c=50$ , that separates this regime from a high-momentum one with less dispersion, is found in both the near and far fields. A phenomenological model is proposed that determines the susceptibility of droplets to disperse beyond the nominal extent of the gas phase based on a critical Stokes number, $St=\tau _p/T_E=1.9$ , formulated based on the local Eulerian large scale eddy turnover time, $T_E$ , and the droplets’ response time, $\tau _p$ . A two-dimensional phase space summarizes the extent of these different regimes in the context of spray characteristics found in the literature.

Simultaneous measurements of velocity, gas concentration, and temperature by way of thermal-anemometry-based probes

Many natural and engineering flows transport more than one scalar. Moreover, to study the scalar mixing therein, knowledge of the velocity field is also essential. For this reason, the present work describes the development of a three-wire thermal-anemometry-based probe to simultaneously measure velocity, helium concentration, and temperature in turbulent flows. It is first demonstrated, both theoretically and experimentally, that the temperature measured by a cold-wire thermometer is effectively insensitive to helium concentration. Then, building on recent work by Hewes and Mydlarski (2021 Meas. Sci. Technol. 32 105305), which pertains to the design of interference probes (i.e. thermal-anemometry-based probes used to measure velocity and gas concentration), a novel temperature compensation technique is proposed to extend their use to non-isothermal flows. The performance of the compensation technique is validated in turbulent coaxial jets by combining the cold-wire thermometer and interference probe to form a three-wire probe. Given that the three-wire probe can be employed to obtain simultaneous measurements of velocity and multiple scalars, it can therefore be used investigate phenomena such as multi-scalar mixing, including differential diffusion.

Investigation of three-scalar subgrid-scale mixing in turbulent coaxial jets

Abstract

Continuous processing of paclitaxel polymeric micelles

A continuous polymeric micelle processing platform was successfully developed, which eliminated batch-to-batch variation in critical quality attributes (for example, size and polydispersity that are typically associated with batch processing). A continuous precipitation process was achieved via coaxial turbulent jet in co-flow technology allowing precise control of particle size with average particle size in the range 15 to 70 nm and low polydispersity. Critical relationships between material attributes (e.g., block copolymer design), process parameters (e.g., polymer concentration, organic to aqueous flow rate ratios, and temperature), and critical quality attributes (e.g., size and polydispersity) of the polymeric micelles were realized via multiple designs of experiments studies. Both polymer molecular weight and concentration were shown to influence the micelle polydispersity index. Notably, higher molecular weight polymer required higher processing temperatures to produce monodispersed particles and were generally of larger size. Using optimized conditions, paclitaxel polymeric micelles that are qualitatively and quantitatively equivalent to commercial Genexol PM were produced, exhibiting comparable quality attributes including particle size, size distribution, morphology, drug loading, release characteristics, and stability. Lastly, a dynamic light scattering method was adapted to determine the critical micelle concentration and aggregation number of the block copolymers, providing useful information about the raw material.

Artificial neural networks in tandem with molecular descriptors as predictive tools for continuous liposome manufacturing

The current study utilized an artificial neural network (ANN) to generate computational models to achieve process optimization for a previously developed continuous liposome manufacturing system. The liposome formation was based on a continuous manufacturing system with a co-axial turbulent jet in a co-flow technology. The ethanol phase with lipids and aqueous phase resulted in liposomes of homogeneous sizes. The input features of the ANN included critical material attributes (CMAs) (e.g., hydrocarbon tail length, cholesterol percent, and buffer type) and critical process parameters (CPPs) (e.g., solvent temperature and flow rate), while the ANN outputs included critical quality attributes (CQAs) of liposomes (i.e., particle size and polydispersity index (PDI)). Two common ANN architectures, multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) models and multiple-input–single-output (MISO) models, were evaluated in this study, where the MISO outperformed MIMO with improved accuracy. Molecular descriptors, obtained from PaDEL-Descriptor software, were used to capture the physicochemical properties of the lipids and used in training of the ANN. The combination of CMAs, CPPs, and molecular descriptors as inputs to the MISO ANN model reduced the training and testing mean relative error. Additionally, a graphic user interface (GUI) was successfully developed to assist the end-user in performing interactive simulated risk analysis and visualizing model predictions.

Continuous synthesis of stable ferrocene nanoparticles using a self-aligned coaxial turbulent jet mixer

Ferrocene nanoparticles possess an outstanding characteristic as a drug delivery carrier, in being able to trigger on-demand release of drugs in a specific condition with reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, due to the limitation of the conventional bulk nanoprecipitation method, uniform and highly stable nanoparticles have still been difficult to develop. In this study, we developed device-mediated ferrocene nanoparticles (D-FNPs) with highly controlled uniform size and long-term stability through a flash nanoprecipitation method using a self-aligned coaxial turbulent jet mixer. The self-aligned coaxial turbulent jet mixer could be easily assembled using commercial tube fittings, which enabled the coaxial self-alignment of fluidic parts. In addition, by utilizing diaphragm pumps and pulsation dampers for the control of fluid flow, the coaxial turbulent jet mixer could be operated in a fully continuous manner. Thus, the D-FNPs could be prepared in a continuous manner with a high production rate of 633 mg/min. The D-FNPs were highly stable in aqueous media for 3 months. In addition, after lyophilization without any cryoprotectants, the D-FNPs exhibited stable dispersion in aqueous solution. Importantly, the D-FNPs maintained their original outstanding ROS-responsive characteristics, while showing no cytotoxicity.

High-speed continuous production of polymeric nanoparticles with improved stability using a self-aligned coaxial turbulent jet mixer

Continuous synthesis of polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) has been intensively studied due to its great potential to produce NPs with the physicochemical properties of reproducibility and controllability. Here, we developed a self-aligned coaxial turbulent jet mixer for high-speed continuous synthesis of polymeric NPs. The coaxial turbulent jet mixer can be constructed using commercial tube fittings and tubes. Since those fluidic components are self-aligned coaxially, leak-free jet mixers can be assembled without the use of tools or specialized skills in robust manner. Using the jet mixer with polystyrene (PS) solution, uniform polymeric NPs can be synthesized in a fully continuous manner, for which diaphragm pumps and pulsation dampers are used for continuous control of the flow. We also improved the dispersion stability of the PS NPs in aqueous solution against centrifugation by introducing polystyrene-poly(ethylene oxide) diblock copolymer (PS-b-PEO) as steric stabilizer. The NPs prepared using the coaxial turbulent jet mixer were smaller and more uniform in size compared to NPs synthesized by a bulk nanoprecipitation method.

Eulerian–Lagrangian CFD-microphysics modeling of a near-field contrail from a realistic turbofan

Aircraft contrails contribute to climate change through global radiative forcing. As part of the general effort aimed at developing reliable decision-making tools, this paper demonstrates the feasibility of implementing a Lagrangian ice microphysical module in a commercial CFD code to characterize the early development of near-field contrails. While engine jets are highly parameterized in most existing models in a way that neglects the nozzle exit-related aspects, our model accounts for the geometric complexity of modern turbofan exhausts. The modeling strategy is based on three-dimensional URANS simulations of an aircraft nozzle exit involving a bypass and a core jet (Eulerian gas phase). Solid soot and ice particles (dispersed phase) are individually tracked using a Lagrangian approach. The implemented microphysical module accounts for the main process of water-vapor condensation on pre-activated soot particles known as heterogeneous condensation. The predictive capabilities of the proposed model are demonstrated through a comprehensive validation set based on the jet-flow dynamics and turbulence statistics in the case of compressible, turbulent coaxial jets. Simulations of contrail formation from a realistic nozzle-exit geometry of the CFM56-3 engine (short-cowl nozzle delivering a dual stream jet with a bypass rate of 5.3) were also carried out in typical cruise flight conditions ensuring contrail formation. The model provides reliable predictions in terms of the plume dilution and ice-particle properties as compared to available in-flight and numerical data. Such a model can then be used to characterize the impact of nozzle-exit parameters on the optical and microphysical properties of near-field contrails.

The effect of subgrid-scale modeling on LES of turbulent coaxial jets

Large eddy simulation (LES) is an efficient technique to simulate turbulent flows of practical interest, based on the elimination of flow scales smaller than a characteristic length and direct resolution of the largest scales. There is a variety of subgrid-scale models available in the literature to describe the turbulence in small scales, with different levels of complexity and computational cost. Although many advances have been achieved since the development of the LES technique, there is still no consensus on a definitive subgrid model for generic use in engineering applications. The objective of this work is to analyze the effect of subgrid modeling in LES of turbulent coaxial jets. Simulations were carried out for a test problem using the Smagorinsky, Germano and velocity structure function models, and results were compared with experimental data from the literature. The best results for average properties were found with the Smagorinsky model with an optimal ad hoc coefficient, while the dynamic model of Germano was the one that best described the turbulent features. These results show that this type of comparative analysis is of fundamental importance to obtain reliable results when addressing new problems.

Effect of co-flow velocity ratio on evolution of poly-disperse particles in coaxial turbulent jets: A large-eddy simulation study

In the present work, the particle-laden coaxial turbulent jet flow is studied using large-eddy simulation (LES). An Eulerian–Lagrangian framework is used to study the interaction between the continuous phase (air) and the discrete phase (glass bead particles). The solver is validated, using single-phase and particle-laden simulations, with reference data from experiments. A good match is observed between the present results and the reference data, for centerline velocity decay and radial profiles of axial velocity. Simulations are performed for three co-flow velocity ratios of 0, 1, and 1.5. The results pertaining to particle characteristics are presented for three different particle size-classes. The effect of the co-flow velocity ratio on the particle size–velocity correlation and velocity statistics of both phases are studied with an emphasis on understanding the differences in the particle dispersion due to co-flow around the central jet. It is observed that the particle size–velocity correlation is negative in the potential core region, and it becomes positive as one moves downstream. For heavy particles, the axial distance required to attain the same velocity as that of air increases with an increase in the co-flow velocity ratio. The size-conditioned particle number density profiles along the axial and radial directions of coaxial jets showed some interesting trends that could be explained based on the particle Stokes number effect. Significant radial dispersion of particles is realized when the corresponding Stokes number (StL), defined based on large-scale turbulent eddies, is of the order of one. The axial evolution of the characteristic particle size exhibited non-monotonic trends for all co-flow ratios. Overall, the present work demonstrates potential application of LES for an in-depth study of dispersion of poly-disperse particles in turbulent coaxial jets.

Heat Transfer From a Heated Flat Surface Due to Swirling Coaxial Turbulent Jet Impingement

Abstract Heat transfer from an isothermally hot flat surface due to swirling coaxial turbulent jet impingement is investigated numerically. The coaxial jet construction consists of implanting a thin-walled round tube inside a coaxial outer pipe. Two different fluid streams or jets, having different average velocities, flow through the inner tube, and the annular space between the inner tube and the outer pipe. The ratio of the average velocities of the jets, the ratio of the pipe diameters, the jet exit Reynolds number, the strength of the swirl, and the separation distance from the jet exit to the impingement surface are the main parameters for this flow configuration. The effects of the swirl strength on the jet impingement heat transfer at the target surface are investigated by computing the flow and thermal fields for various combinations of the problem parameters. The presented results contain the plots of the flow streamlines, the contours of the temperature, the contours of the swirl velocity, as well as the distribution of the local and average Nusselt number on the impingement surface. It is found that, compared to the single round jet, the coaxial jet produces enhanced and more uniform heat transfer at the heated surface. The jet-spreading and mixing are affected by the imposed jet swirl which modifies the heat transfer process. Thus, the heat transfer compared to a non-swirling jet is either enhanced or diminished depending on the combination of the problem parameters.