Turbulent Water Flow Research Articles

Effects of wall heating on wall pressure fluctuations and flow noise in a low-Reynolds-number turbulent channel flow with temperature-dependent viscosity

Wall pressure fluctuations and flow noise substantially degrade sonar detection performance and the acoustic stealth performance of underwater vehicles. This paper numerically investigates the effects of wall heating on wall pressure fluctuations in turbulent channel flow of water with temperature-dependent viscosity, exploring a novel method for controlling wall pressure fluctuations and flow noise in underwater vehicles. Large-eddy simulation (LES) is employed for the numerical calculation of the flow field, while a hybrid method combining LES with Lighthills acoustic analogy is employed to predict flow noise. The numerical results show that when the temperature difference between the wall and the incoming flow is 30 K and 50 K, the peak root-mean-square pressure fluctuations decrease by 6.76% and 8.91%, respectively. Wall heating stabilizes the pressure field near the wall, with the spectral levels of wall pressure fluctuations showing average decreases of approximately 1 dB and 2 dB. Wall heating weakens the energy-containing structures of wall pressure fluctuations and increases the overall convection velocity by 1.22% and 3.81%, respectively. Flow structure analysis reveals that the weakening of energy-containing structures results from the suppression of the vortex structures in the near-wall region. In the wall heating cases, peak turbulent kinetic energy decreases by 12.6% and 15.8%, respectively. Moreover, the sound pressure level of flow noise decreases with increasing wall temperature, with the maximum noise reduction exceeding 3 dB. Previous studies have not yet explored the effects of viscosity reduction caused by wall heating on wall pressure fluctuations and flow noise. This study demonstrates that wall heating is a promising method for reducing wall pressure fluctuations and flow noise.

Computation of Green's functions for the acoustic scattering by an elastic structure excited by a turbulent flow in water

To model the hydrodynamic noise produced by an elastic ship hull or propeller excited by a turbulent boundary layer, we need an efficient method to compute the acoustic scattering by an elastic body surrounded by a fluid. In 3D, Boundary Element Methods (BEM) are used to reduce the computational costs, for both the fluid and the elastic body. A natural way to compute the boundary integral representation (BIR) of the sound pressure is to use formulations based on the free space acoustic and elastic Green's functions. However, since the turbulent flow along the elastic body is known only statistically, the use of these Green's functions would be too expensive. A remedy is to compute a Green's function adapted to the physical problem, thus satisfying the transmission conditions of the fluid-structure problem. This so-called "tailored Green's function" is determined by solving a coupled acoustic-elastic problem with the BEM, and leads to a simplified BIR of the sound pressure compatible with a stochastic source term. We first validate the computation of the tailored Green's function over a classic spherical geometry. Then we compare the scattering of multiple quadrupoles by elastic or rigid NACA0012 profiles.

Numerical Investigation of Thermal Performance for Turbulent Water Flow through Dimpled Pipe

Dimples are tiny indentations on the surfaces of the body that enhance heat transfer and alter fluid flow characteristics on or within the body. Numerical investigations were conducted to analyse the heat transfer and flow characteristics in a cross-combined dimple tube in the range of Reynolds numbers from 6000 to 14000. The finite volume method recognised a novel enhancement model utilising methods for composite-form surfaces. Compared to a smooth tube working similarly, the effects significantly improve the heat transfer index, performance evaluation criteria, and friction factor. A three-dimensional simulation was conducted to clarify the underlying process by which dimples affect thermal performance. The simulation findings suggest that the dimples effectively enhance heat transfer by altering the temperature distribution and increasing the temperature gradient within the central area of the dimple section. A concave surface profile disrupts the flow and prevents the formation of a stable boundary layer, promoting the mixing of hot and cold fluids. Furthermore, the study investigates how geometric characteristics impact thermal and hydraulic efficiencies, emphasising that larger dimples improve overall thermo-hydraulic performance. Specifically, the heat transfer enhancement achieved an average increase of 17.3%, ranging from 18.03% to 38.6%, surpassing that of the traditional smooth tube.

РАЗРАБОТКА ФИЗИКО-МАТЕМАТИЧЕСКОЙ МОДЕЛИ РАЗРУШЕНИЯ ПЛОТИН СМЕШАННОГО ТИПА

When the body of dams of various types is destroyed, the problems of interaction of water flows with soil from local materials and with the concrete base of the dam, as well as the development of filtration processes in the body of the dam, become relevant. This model allows us to describe both the mechanism of failure of mixed-type dams and the erosion of soil in the coastal zone, for example, formed as a result of a breakthrough wave, which leads to catastrophic consequences. To obtain practical results, there is a need to simplify the processes being studied. The main problem in problems of soil erosion by turbulent water flow is an adequate description of sediment transport. Typically, for these purposes, semi-empirical formulas are used, obtained for various conditions (extremely rarely specified) and giving very different results. In this work, to describe the processes of soil erosion, the theory of the bottom layer is used, which makes it possible to derive a formula for sediment consumption theoretically. The proposed model combines approaches developed in well-known models of continuum theory and hydraulics.

Optimizing flow uniformity and velocity fields in aquaculture tanks by modifying water inlets and nozzles arrangement: A computational fluid dynamics study

Ensuring optimal conditions for fish, especially in terms of uniform velocity fields, is crucial for aquaculture systems to attain self-cleaning efficiency in rearing tanks and better fish behavior, which ultimately impacts their survival and growth. The current study presented a full-scale computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of three types of circular, square and square arc angle tanks used in aquaculture farms to choose the most optimal tank based on the flow uniformity and velocity field. At the next step, the optimal arrangement of the inlet number, inlet location, inlet angle, as well as the number of nozzles on each inlet was reconfigured to create the most optimal tank. The simulations were done using the CFD software FLUENT distributed by the ANSYS Corporation. The software calculates velocities in the tanks by solving the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations of continuity and momentum that govern the mean turbulent flow of water. The results illustrated circular and square arc angle tanks had significantly more uniform fluid velocity compared to the square tanks, which the square arc angle tank due to better flow velocity near the wall and space utilization was selected for further rearrangements. Additionally, the implementation of two entrance pipes near the corner of the two parallel walls with an entry angle of 0° in a square arc angle tank resulted in a more consistent water velocity. As the number of inlet nozzles increased to six, the water streamlines became more uniform, suggesting a more consistent water velocity throughout the tank. However, when the number of input nozzles increased to nine, the tension on the nozzle apertures were increased probably due to the decrease of distance between them. Findings of the present study concluded that two inlets in the corner with an entry angle of 0° and six nozzles on each inlet pipe could provide the optimum water velocity in the square arc angle tanks.

New Insights into Turbulent and Laminar Flow Relationships Using Darcy–Weisbach and Poiseuille Laws

Analytical solutions for turbulent and laminar water flow conditions are developed considering the drainage process of a simple tank reservoir, using the Darcy–Weisbach and the Poiseuille laws, respectively. Near the critical value of the Reynolds number, the Darcy–Weisbach and the Poiseuille laws do not match, and there is a gap regarding the possibility of describing the drainage analytically. This gap corresponds to the critical zone of the Moody diagram, where theoretically a constant discharge occurs under a decreasing hydraulic gradient. In the critical zone, this hydraulic behavior of the flow reflects the different energy losses occurring during the drainage, as the laminar flow is a more efficient flow condition than the turbulent one. In natural systems (e.g., springs and karst aquifers), a smooth transition from the turbulent to the laminar water flow occurs due to the heterogeneity in the medium.

Coupling of sediment transport phenomena with turbulent surface flows: mathematical modeling, finite volume approximation and test simulations

Several sediment transport models coupled with shallow water equations have been developed in the literature over the past few decades. The water flow in the presence of abrupt bottom slopes distorts and cause turbulence. This phenomenon is well-known in the sediment transport theory. Sediment transport models based on shallow water equations do not include turbulence effects or the phase-lag between water velocity and bottom velocity. In this study, we consider a one-dimensional free surface turbulent water flow with sediment and morphodynamic. We propose a new one-dimensional acceleration-dissipation mathematical sediment transport model that considers the distortion of horizontal profile velocity in transport. The model is an improved version of existing averaged sediment transport models. In the new model, there is a distinction between fluid velocity and bottom velocity through a new bedload equation. The mathematical model is a system of nonlinear hyperbolic partial differential equations that are approximated by a stable and robust finite volume scheme presented in the path-conservative framework. Numerical tests are performed to demonstrate the efficiency of the developed theory.

Stochastic Analysis and Modeling of Velocity Observations in Turbulent Flows

Highly turbulent water flows, often encountered near human constructions like bridge piers, spillways, and weirs, display intricate dynamics characterized by the formation of eddies and vortices. These formations, varying in sizes and lifespans, significantly influence the distribution of fluid velocities within the flow. Subsequently, the rapid velocity fluctuations in highly turbulent flows lead to elevated shear and normal stress levels. For this reason, to meticulously study these dynamics, more often than not, physical modeling is employed for studying the impact of turbulent flows on the stability and longevity of nearby structures. Despite the effectiveness of physical modeling, various monitoring challenges arise, including flow disruption, the necessity for concurrent gauging at multiple locations, and the duration of measurements. Addressing these challenges, image velocimetry emerges as an ideal method in fluid mechanics, particularly for studying turbulent flows. To account for measurement duration, a probabilistic approach utilizing a probability density function (PDF) is suggested to mitigate uncertainty in estimated average and maximum values. However, it becomes evident that deriving the PDF is not straightforward for all turbulence-induced stresses. In response, this study proposes a novel approach by combining image velocimetry with a stochastic model to provide a generic yet accurate description of flow dynamics in such applications. This integration enables an approach based on the probability of failure, facilitating a more comprehensive analysis of turbulent flows. Such an approach is essential for estimating both short- and long-term stresses on hydraulic constructions under assessment.

Effects of interface model on performance of a vortex pump in CFD simulations

That the predicted head of a vortex pump is higher than that measured experimentally is very common in simulations of turbulent flow in such pumps. To identify why, reported here is a study of the turbulent flow of water in a vortex pump with a specific speed of 76 and fluid domains with 1/8-impeller and whole-impeller geometrical models and smooth walls using the 3D steady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations, the standard k–ɛ model, and a scalable wall function in ANSYS CFX 2019 R2. The results show that the aforementioned phenomenon is related to the choice of interface model. With the 1/8-impeller model, the head predicted by the frozen rotor model agrees with the experimental head. By contrast, the transient rotor model provides a reasonably accurate head against the experimental head but requires huge computing resources and overestimates the pump efficiency, and the stage model is unsuitable for predicting the head of the pump. The flow patterns in the vaneless chamber and impeller predicted with the 1/8-impeller model are more uniform because of artificial fluid mixing on the interface than those predicted with the whole-impeller model by using the frozen rotor model, and the flow patterns predicted with the whole-impeller model by using the transient rotor model are in between. The hydraulic performance of the pump is predicted with the 1/8-impeller model and frozen rotor model at various viscosities, and the flow-rate, head, and efficiency correction factors are determined and correlated with the impeller Reynolds number.

Effect of turbulent flow on the oxide properties of carbon steel in alkaline water

The purpose of this study is to investigate the changes in the morphology, chemical state, defect density, and impedance of oxides formed on SA 106 Gr.B carbon steel by turbulent water flow at the micro and atomic levels. A compact magnetite layer composed of multi-faceted particles is formed in stagnant water, while a porous magnetite layer composed of particles without a certain shape is formed in turbulent water. Ferrous ions are preferentially dissolved from the oxide in turbulent water, which increases the vacancies in the oxide lattice. An increase in the concentration of point defects is shown to be comparable to an increase in the corrosion rate of carbon steel. The flow-accelerated corrosion behavior is also well correlated with the electrochemical impedance parameters including the charge transfer resistance and capacitance. Our study provides a further understanding of carbon steel corrosion under turbulent water flow conditions.

Efficiency assessment of vortex tubular enameled coalescing devices for oil emulsion destabilization

The greatest intensity of the process of dispersion and subsequent coalescence of oil droplets in emulsified wastewater of oilfields takes place in the near-wall areas of tubular coalescing devices. Strengthening of the wall effect is possible by covering the surface of the flowing part of the coalescing device with silicate enamel, which provides the effect of sliding of the turbulent flow of waste water (emulsion) on a thin adhesive layer that appears directly on the surface of the enamel. Experimental studies to determine the effectiveness of treatment of oily wastewater in tubular vortex-type coalescing devices were carried out on an experimental unit consisting of three coalescing devices connected in series. Each coalescing device was a tubular shaft coaxially connected to the inlet and outlet chambers. Vortex tubular coalescing devices made of stainless steel (not coated with enamel) and vortex coalescing devices of similar design coated with silicate enamel were used in the experiments. The wastewater treated in the unit was sedimented, and the concentrations of oil and suspended particles were determined in the clarified water. Analysis of the data obtained showed that at the time of wastewater treatment from 1.1 to 6.3 s sedimentation effect on oil particles after coalescing devices coated with enamel on average by 1.5 to 1.8% was higher than the sedimentation effect obtained after the treatment of oil emulsion in coalescing devices not coated with enamel. The sedimentation effect on suspended solids in the second series of experiments was greater than the sedimentation effect observed in the first series by an average of 1.1-1.4 %.

THERMAL-FLUID-STRUCTURE INTERACTION OF TURBULENT FLOW IN A CIRCULAR PIPING SYSTEM WITH U-BEND

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of the governing parameters on the thermal stresses and deformations in the U-bend piping system. The mathematical models are solved numerically for the turbulent water flow through both copper and aluminum pipes with a wide range of Reynolds number, outlet gauge pressure, and temperature. The maximum value of the Nusselt number is calculated at the outer surface and after the exit from the U-bend. The maximum deformation is found at the outer surface in the middle of the U-bend due to the combined thermal and pressure loads. The results are presented for the deformations and the equivalent stresses under various operation conditions. It is found that the maximum equivalent stresses are generated on the inner side of the U-bend with higher values in the cases of the flow with maximum values of Reynolds number, outlet pressure, and temperature difference.

A New Class of Simple, General and Efficient Finite Volume Schemes for Overdetermined Thermodynamically Compatible Hyperbolic Systems

In this paper, a new efficient, and at the same time, very simple and general class of thermodynamically compatible finite volume schemes is introduced for the discretization of nonlinear, overdetermined, and thermodynamically compatible first-order hyperbolic systems. By construction, the proposed semi-discrete method satisfies an entropy inequality and is nonlinearly stable in the energy norm. A very peculiar feature of our approach is that entropy is discretized directly, while total energy conservation is achieved as a mere consequence of the thermodynamically compatible discretization. The new schemes can be applied to a very general class of nonlinear systems of hyperbolic PDEs, including both, conservative and non-conservative products, as well as potentially stiff algebraic relaxation source terms, provided that the underlying system is overdetermined and therefore satisfies an additional extra conservation law, such as the conservation of total energy density. The proposed family of finite volume schemes is based on the seminal work of Abgrall [1], where for the first time a completely general methodology for the design of thermodynamically compatible numerical methods for overdetermined hyperbolic PDE was presented. We apply our new approach to three particular thermodynamically compatible systems: the equations of ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) with thermodynamically compatible generalized Lagrangian multiplier (GLM) divergence cleaning, the unified first-order hyperbolic model of continuum mechanics proposed by Godunov, Peshkov, and Romenski (GPR model) and the first-order hyperbolic model for turbulent shallow water flows of Gavrilyuk et al. In addition to formal mathematical proofs of the properties of our new finite volume schemes, we also present a large set of numerical results in order to show their potential, efficiency, and practical applicability.

Influence of Vertical Hydrologic Exchange Flow, Channel Flow, and Biogeochemical Kinetics on CH4 Emissions From Rivers

AbstractCH4 emissions from inland water are highly uncertain in the current global CH4 budget, especially for rivers and streams due to sparse measurements and the uncertainty of measurements caused by turbulent water flow. A previous study has revealed that vertical hydrologic exchange flow (VHEF) is the main regulator of CH4 emissions from riverbed sediments. However, to what extent the understanding obtained from the plot‐scale can be extended to the reach scale and basin scale remains unknown. To address this challenge, we developed a process‐based model to estimate CH4 flux at the air‐water interface using the attributes available in the national hydrography data set. It calculates the annual mean flux of VHEF, CH4 production in sediments, and CH4 transport in the river channel in a sequential manner. Model performance is evaluated by CH4 efflux observed at the Hanford reach of the Columbia River. We show that reach‐wise sediment hydrologic and biogeochemical conditions estimated from the national hydrography data set could serve as a good indicator of CH4 emissions from rivers. Aerobic methane oxidation and export to the downstream are the dominant ways of total CH4 loss for the large lowland river. The hotspots of CH4 emissions are likely to be at the reaches with fine sediments and slow channel velocity. This study demonstrates the possibility of quantifying CH4 emissions at the reach scale and the modeling framework has the potential to be extended to the basin scale to improve estimates of CH4 emissions from lotic inland water.

Different groundwater behaviour in deep karst boreholes: the case of Jadro spring basin (Dinaric karst, Croatia)

The paper analyzes the data of groundwater level (GWL), groundwater temperature (TW), and electrical conductivity (EC) measurements in three deep piezometers (B1, B2, B3) in the Jadro spring basin, taken from October 2010 to December 2021. The variation of these parameters is analyzed at different time scales: annually, monthly, daily (24 hours), and hourly. They are compared with the data of the same parameters measured at the Jadro Spring. The analysis of the maximum observed rise and fall rates of the GWL showed that the piezometers were drilled in very different karst environments. Piezometer B1 is located in a karst matrix where the water flows predominantly in a diffuse laminar (slow-flow) regime. Piezometers B2 and B3 are located in a fault line where numerous large karst underground formations occur and rapid turbulent water flow takes place. The mean annual flows of the Jadro Spring strongly depend on the mean annual GWL-s in each of the piezometers. For much of the year (about 99%), the GWL in all three piezometers is more than 210 m below the ground surface. As the measuring sensors are located near the bottom of the piezometers, the groundwater temperature is almost stagnant. It is always at 12.5 ºC in piezometer B1 and behaves almost identically in piezometer B3. Water temperature is the highest in piezometer B2 and hovers around the average value of 13.5 ºC. At the Jadro Spring, the average water temperature is 12.95 ºC. The electrical conductivity values are the highest in piezometers B2 and B3, with an average of around 0.5 mS/cm. They are lower in piezometer B1, where they range around an average value of 0.465 mS/cm, while at the Jadro Spring, they vary from 0.40 mS/cm to 0.48 mS/cm, with an average value of 0.44 mS/cm. A distinct seasonal pattern in groundwater level behavior is evident across all piezometers. However, no discernible upward or downward trend is observed.

Numerical investigation of entropy generation of turbulent flow in twisted tri-lobed tubes

Twisted tri-lobed tubes have garnered attention due to their exceptional heat transfer efficiency and straightforward fabrication. Existing literature lacks comprehensive assessments of the overall heat transfer performance of twisted tri-lobed tubes from the perspective of energy loss and irreversibility. This research aims to investigate entropy generation during turbulent water flow within twisted tri-lobed tubes, examining the influence of geometric parameters on local and average entropy production. Findings indicate that larger small circle radius (r) and straight lengths (l), coupled with smaller transition circle radius (R) and twist pitch lengths (p), result in diminished local and average heat transfer entropy production while enhancing local and average frictional entropy production, with heat transfer entropy generation dominating the overall entropy production. Additionally, with increasing Reynolds numbers, all twisted tubes demonstrate an increasing trend in average frictional entropy production, except for some cases (Case 1-Case 4) that exhibit an initial rise followed by a decline in average heat transfer entropy generation. Among the examined Reynolds range, Case 4 displays lower overall irreversibility compared to a plain tube. Following the second law of thermodynamics, Case 4 is preferred. The findings and methodology contribute to enhancing the thermodynamic evaluation of convective heat transfer in twisted tri-lobed tubes.

A Life Outside.

How do the morphologies of organisms affect their physical interactions with the environment and other organisms? My research in marine systems couples field studies of the physical habitats, life history strategies, and ecological interactions of organisms with laboratory analyses of their biomechanics. Here, I review how we pursued answers to three questions about marine organisms: (a) how benthic organisms withstand and utilize the water moving around them, (b) how the interaction between swimming and turbulent ambient water flow affects where small organisms go, and (c) how hairy appendages catch food and odors. I also discuss the importance of different types of mentors, the roadblocks for women in science when I started my career, the challenges and delights of interdisciplinary research, and my quest to understand how I see the world as a dyslexic.

CFD simulation of an axial discharge rotor-stator mixer: LES versus RANS predictions

The large eddy simulation (LES) technique is used to model the turbulent flow of water in a two-stage, axial discharge, in-line rotor-stator mixer. The WALE sub-grid scale model is employed, and the resulting filtered velocity field is ensemble averaged to predict the mean velocity, turbulent kinetic energy, energy dissipation rate, and energy production rate. The results of these 3-D sliding mesh simulations are compared to analogous RANS predictions on similar meshes using the realizable k-ε turbulence model. Stator slot flow rate and rotor torque/power draw are also monitored. RANS and LES predict similar mean velocity profiles, flow rate and rotor torque. LES predicts higher turbulent kinetic energy, but lower dissipation rate compared to RANS. Results from a coarse and refined computational mesh are compared to discuss the significance of resolving smaller scales for LES. The effect of operating conditions on throughput, power draw, and other quantities of practical utility are also discussed. It was found that prediction of macroscopic quantities such as flow rate and power draw can be done efficiently using either RANS or LES on a relatively course mesh while capturing turbulence quantities requires a well refined LES simulation.

Integrated numerical modeling to quantify transport and fate of microplastics in the hyporheic zone.

Despite the significance of rivers and streams as pathways for microplastics (MP) entering the marine environment, limited research has been conducted on the behavior of MP within fluvial systems. Specifically, there is a lack of understanding regarding the infiltration and transport dynamics of MP across the streambed interface and within the hyporheic sediments. In this study, transport and retention of MP are investigated using a new numerical modeling approach. The model is built as a digital twin of accompanying flume experiments, which are used to validate the simulation results. The model accurately represents particle transport in turbulent water flow and within the hyporheic zone (HZ). Simulations for transport and infiltration of 1µm MP particles into a sandy streambed demonstrate that the advection-dispersion equation can be used to adequately represent particle transport for pore-scale sized MP within the HZ. To assess the applicability of the modeling framework for larger MP, the experiment was repeated using 10µm particles. The larger particles exhibited delayed infiltration and transport behavior, and while the model successfully represented the spatial extent of particle transport through the HZ, it was unable to fully replicate hyporheic transit times. This study is the first to combine explicit validation against experimental data, encompassing qualitative observations of MP concentration patterns and quantification of fluxes. By that, it significantly contributes to our understanding of MP transport processes in fluvial systems. The study also highlights the advantages and limitations of employing a fully integrated modeling approach to investigate the transport and retention behavior of MP in rivers and streams.

REGULARITIES OF HYDROCHEMICAL DYNAMICS IN A TWO-DIMENSIONAL TURBULENT FLOW OF NATURAL WATER

The variability of the composition and properties of natural waters, which creates numerous difficulties in water use, cannot always be explained by the influence of external influencing factors, such as weathering or leaching of rocks, a change in the phases of the water regime, etc. This is especially true for subdiurnal and subhourly quality variability, which can be caused by complex, previously unknown dynamic hydrochemical processes. Such a conclusion follows from the results of the study of turbidity and pH of natural water given in the work, obtained with an increased frequency of measurements. These results indicate the existence of a quasi-cyclic change in the controlled parameters with different periods, from every minute to daily. The study of observational data allows us to make an assumption that in this case the hydrochemical dynamics is due to direct and reverse energy cascades in a two-dimensional turbulent flow of natural water, in which the impurity subsystem is prone to stratification.