Generation and stabilization of detonation in a plane elbowed channel

The problem of detonation initiation in a supersonic flow of a stoichiometric propane-air mixture in a plane elbowed channel of constant width is considered. In the bend zone the channel walls are made in the shape of circles of given radii, whose lengths are determined by the given angle of the channel turn. An investigation is performed within the framework of the single-stage combustion kinetics using a numerical method based on the Godunov scheme and included in an original program complex, or a “virtual experimental setup”, developed for performing multiparameter calculations and flow visualization. The critical conditions of detonation generation are determined as functions of the oncoming flow velocity, the channel turn angle and width, and the radii of curvature of the walls.     

Sensitivity analysis of low Reynolds number channel flow using the finite volume method

An unsteady finite volume‐based fractional step algorithm solved on a staggered grid has been developed for computing design sensitivity parameters in two‐dimensional flows. Verification of the numerical code is performed for the case of low Reynolds number, pressure‐driven flow through a straight channel, which has an exact steady‐state solution to the Navier–Stokes equations. Sensitivity of the flow to the channel height, fluid viscosity, and imposed pressure gradient is considered. Three different numerical techniques for computing the design sensitivity parameters: finite difference, complex‐step differentiation, and sensitivity equation method (SEM), are compared in terms of numerical error (relative to the exact solution), computational expense, and ease of implementation. Results indicate that, of all the three methods, complex step is the most accurate and requires the least computational time. In addition, treatment of the boundary conditions in SEM is addressed, within the framework of the present finite volume approach, with special attention given to parameter dependence in the boundary conditions. Error estimation based on the Grid Convergence Index provides a good indication of the exact error in the SEM solutions. An example of application of the use of sensitivity parameters to estimate the propagation of input uncertainty through the numerical simulation is also provided. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical study of concentrated fluid–particle suspension flow in a wavy channel

The particle migration effects and fluid–particle interactions occurring in the flow of highly concentrated fluid–particle suspension in a spatially modulated channel have been investigated numerically using a finite volume method. The mathematical model is based on the momentum and continuity equations for the suspension flow and a constitutive equation accounting for the effects of shear‐induced particle migration in concentrated suspensions. The model couples a Newtonian stress/shear rate relationship with a shear‐induced migration model of the suspended particles in which the local effective viscosity is dependent on the local volume fraction of solids. The numerical procedure employs finite volume method and the formulation is based on diffuse‐flux model. Semi‐implicit method for pressure linked equations has been used to solve the resulting governing equations along with appropriate boundary conditions. The numerical results are validated with the analytical expressions for concentrated suspension flow in a plane channel. The results demonstrate strong particle migration towards the centre of the channel and an increasing blunting of velocity profiles with increase in initial particle concentration. In the case of a stenosed channel, the particle concentration is lowest at the site of maximum constriction, whereas a strong accumulation of particles is observed in the recirculation zone downstream of the stenosis. The numerical procedure applied to investigate the effects of concentrated suspension flow in a wavy passage shows that the solid particles migrate from regions of high shear rate to low shear rate with low velocities and this phenomenon is strongly influenced by Reynolds numbers and initial particle concentration. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the orientation of ellipsoidal particles in a turbulent shear flow

Direct numerical simulation (DNS) of small prolate ellipsoidal particles suspended in a turbulent channel flow is reported. The coupling between the fluid and the particles is one-way. The particles are subjected to the hydrodynamic drag force and torque valid for creeping flow conditions. Six different particle cases with varying particle aspect ratios and equivalent response times are investigated. Results show that, in the near-wall region, ellipsoidal particles tend to align with the mean flow direction, and the alignment increases with increasing particle aspect ratio. When the particle inertia increases, the particles are less oriented in the spanwise direction and more oriented in the wall-normal direction. In the core region of the channel, the orientation becomes isotropic.     

SPH modelling of depth‐limited turbulent open channel flows over rough boundaries

A numerical model based on the smoothed particle hydrodynamics method is developed to simulate depth‐limited turbulent open channel flows over hydraulically rough beds. The 2D Lagrangian form of the Navier–Stokes equations is solved, in which a drag‐based formulation is used based on an effective roughness zone near the bed to account for the roughness effect of bed spheres and an improved sub‐particle‐scale model is applied to account for the effect of turbulence. The sub‐particle‐scale model is constructed based on the mixing‐length assumption rather than the standard Smagorinsky approach to compute the eddy‐viscosity. A robust in/out‐flow boundary technique is also proposed to achieve stable uniform flow conditions at the inlet and outlet boundaries where the flow characteristics are unknown. The model is applied to simulate uniform open channel flows over a rough bed composed of regular spheres and validated by experimental velocity data. To investigate the influence of the bed roughness on different flow conditions, data from 12 experimental tests with different bed slopes and uniform water depths are simulated, and a good agreement has been observed between the model and experimental results of the streamwise velocity and turbulent shear stress. This shows that both the roughness effect and flow turbulence should be addressed in order to simulate the correct mechanisms of turbulent flow over a rough bed boundary and that the presented smoothed particle hydrodynamics model accomplishes this successfully. © 2016 The Authors International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd     

Investigation of the influence of the conditions of swirling on the structure of a two-phase flow in an expanding channel

Both experimental and theoretical investigations show that the main feature in the structure of sufficiently strongly swirling gas flows is the presence in then of reverse circulation regions whose configuration depends very strongly both on the law of swirling of the flow and the conditions at the entrance as well as on the channel geometry [1–6]. In expanding channels, the occurrence of such regions is most probable in the axial region [7, 8]. In short annular channels for which the characteristic transverse and longitudinal dimensions are of the same order, reverse flow arises in the exit part of the channel along its inner wall [6, 9]. Hitherto, the investigations have been made for single-phase gas flows. The present paper reports a numerical investigation of the influence of particles of a condensed phase on the intensity of the reverse flow and the structure of the gas flow in an annular expanding channel under conditions of thermal, mass, and mechanical interaction of the phases. The method of stabilization was used to solve the boundary-value problem. The system of equations describing the axisymmetric unsteady flow of the two-phase medium was integrated by means of Godunov's difference scheme [10, 11]. The calculations were made for different conditions of injection of the particles of the condensed phase into the channel.     

Investigation of solution of Navier–Stokes equations using a variational formulation

A variational formulation for the solution of two dimensional, incompressible viscous flows has been developed by one of the authors.¹ The main objective of the present paper is to demonstrate the applicability of this approach for the solution of practical problems and in particular to investigate the introduction of boundary conditions to the Navier-Stokes equations through a variational formulation. The application of boundary conditions for typical internal and external flow problems is presented. Sample cases include flow around a cylinder and flow through a stepped channel. Quadrilateral, bilinear isoparametric elements are utilized in the formulation. A single-step, implicit, and fully coupled numerical integration scheme based on the variational principle is employed. Presented results include sample cases with different Reynolds numbers for laminar and turbulent flows. Turbulence is modelled using a simple mixing length model. Numerical results show good agreement with existing solutions.     

Adverse and favorable mixed convection heat transfer in a two-side heated square channel

Experimental heat transfer measurements and analysis for mixed convection in a vertical square channel are presented. Water flow directions are selected such that buoyancy assists or opposes the bulk flow pressure gradient. Unlike most previous experiments with symmetrically heated circular tubes, the present configuration uses an asymmetric heating condition (two sides heated and two sides insulated) and shows significant increase in the Nusselt number for both assisted and opposed flow conditions. Observed heat transfer coefficient distributions are different from the symmetrically heated channels; and this difference in heat transfer coefficient is attributed to the formation of buoyancy driven large-scale flow structures. In general, opposed flow shows higher heat transfer coefficients, and the Nusselt number ratio is observed to increase as Gr/Re or Gr/Re² ratios increase for both assisted and opposed flow conditions. A correlation based on the buoyancy parameter predicts the heat transfer pattern well in both assisted and opposed mixed convection. The range of Reynolds numbers discussed (Re=400–10,000) is of importance for direct numerical simulations and the details provided here can serve as the benchmark data required for complicated buoyancy affected turbulence simulations.     

Numerical and experimental study on the motion characteristics of single bubble in a complex channel

This paper is an extended study from previous work. In this study, the focus is paid to the dynamics of bubble rising and deformation in a complex channel, while the previous work is in straight channel. For this purpose, a three-dimensional lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is employed to simulate the dynamics behaviour of a bubble rising in a complex channel consisting of three half-round throats. To validate the numerical method, a visual experiment was carried out by means of a high-speed digital camera and computer image processing technology. The behaviour of the rising bubble through glycerine solution in a complex channel was recorded. Some physical parameters such as rising velocities, trajectory and shapes of the bubble were calculated and processed based on the experimental data. In the same conditions, the trajectory, shapes and rising velocities of the bubble were simulated during its rising process by the proposed LBM. The numerical results are in good agreement with the experimental results. It demonstrates that LBM used in this work is feasible for simulating two-phase flow in such a complex channel.     

An immersed boundary method wall model for high‐Reynolds‐number channel flow over complex topography

High‐Reynolds‐number channel flows regularly encounter topographies composed of multiple length scales and that protrude into the boundary layer. Physically, the presence of immersed obstacles leads to increased velocity gradients, turbulence production, and manifestation of wakes. Considerable challenges are associated with numerically describing the presence of obstacles in channel flows. Common approaches include generation of a computational mesh that is uniquely designed for the flow and obstacle, the immersed boundary method, and terrain‐following coordinates. There are challenges and limitations associated with each of these techniques. Specification of boundary conditions representing the perimeter of solid obstacles is a primary challenge of the immersed boundary method. In this document, a simplistic canopy stress‐like wall model is used to impose boundary conditions. The model isolates aerodynamically relevant local frontal areas through evaluation of the gradient of the topographic height field. The gradient of the height field describes both the surface‐normal direction and the frontal area, making it ideal for detecting areas on which the flow impinges. The model is tested in numerical simulations of turbulent half‐channel flow over topographies with different obstacles affixed–right prisms, rectangular prisms, ellipsoidal mounds, and sinusoids. In all cases, the performance is strong relative to datasets presented in the literature. Results are finally presented for numerical simulation of flow over complex synthetic fractal‐like topography and a synthetic city. These results show interesting trends in how the turbulent multiscale flow field responds to multiscale topography. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

THREE-DIMENSIONAL VISCOUS FLOW THROUGH A ROTATING CHANNEL: A PSEUDOSPECTRAL MATRIX METHOD APPROACH

A Fourier–Chebyshev pseudospectral method is used for the numerical simulation of incompressible flows in a three-dimensio nal channel of square cross-section with rotation. Realistic, non-periodic boundary conditions that impose no-slip conditions in two directions (spanwis e and vertical directions) are used. The Navier–Stokes equations are integrated in time using a fractional step method. The Poisson equations for pressure and the Helmholtz equation for velocity are solved using a matrix diagonalization (eigenfunction decomposition) method, through which we are able to reduce a three-dimensional matrix problem to a simple algebraic vector equation. This results in signficant savings in computer storage requirement, particularly for large-scale computations. Verification of the numerical algorithm and code is carried out by comparing with a limiting case of an exact steady state solution for a one-dimensional channel flow and also with a two-dimensional rotating channel case. Two-cell and four-cell two-dimensional flow patterns are observed in the numerical experiment. It is found that the four-cell flow pattern is stable to symmetri cal disturbances but unstable to asymmetrical disturbances.     

Study of laminar–turbulent flow transition under pulsatile conditions in a constricted channel

In this paper, direct numerical simulation is performed to investigate a pulsatile flow in a constricted channel to gain physical insights into laminar–turbulent–laminar flow transitions. An in-house computer code is used to conduct numerical simulations based on available high-performance shared memory parallel computing facilities. The Womersley number tested is fixed to 10.5 and the Reynolds number varies from 500 to 2000. The influences of the degree of stenosis and pulsatile conditions on flow transitions and structures are investigated. In the region upstream of the stenosis, the flow pattern is primarily laminar. Immediately after the stenosis, the flow recirculates under an adverse streamwise pressure gradient, and the flow pattern transitions from laminar to turbulent. In the region far downstream of the stenosis, the flow becomes re-laminarised. The physical characteristics of the flow field have been thoroughly analysed in terms of the mean streamwise velocity, turbulence kinetic energy, viscous wall shear stresses, wall pressure and turbulence kinetic energy spectra.     

The linearized Boltzmann equation with Cercignani–Lampis boundary conditions: Basic flow problems in a plane channel

A polynomial expansion procedure and the ADO (analytical discrete-ordinates) method are used to solve a collection of basic flow problems based on the linearized Boltzmann equation for rigid-sphere interactions and the Cercignani–Lampis boundary conditions with a free choice of the accommodation coefficients at each boundary. In particular, three classical problems defined by flow in a plane-parallel channel (Poiseuille, thermal-creep, and Couette flow) are solved (essentially) analytically and evaluated to a very high numerical standard. Some comparisons with known kinetic models are also reported.     

Numerical analysis of turbulent structure in compound meandering open channel by algebraic Reynolds stress model

The turbulent flow in a compound meandering channel with a rectangular cross section is one of the most complicated turbulent flows, because the flow behaviour is influenced by several kinds of forces, including centrifugal forces, pressure‐driven forces and shear stresses generated by momentum transfer between the main channel and the flood plain. Numerical analysis has been performed for the fully developed turbulent flow in a compound meandering open‐channel flow using an algebraic Reynolds stress model. The boundary‐fitted coordinate system is introduced as a method for coordinate transformation in order to set the boundary conditions along the complicated shape of the meandering open channel. The turbulence model consists of transport equations for turbulent energy and dissipation, in conjunction with an algebraic stress model based on the Reynolds stress transport equations. With reference to the pressure–strain term, we have made use of a modified pressure–strain term. The boundary condition of the fluctuating vertical velocity is set to zero not only for the free surface, but also for computational grid points next to the free surface, because experimental results have shown that the fluctuating vertical velocity approaches zero near the free surface. In order to examine the validity of the present numerical method and the turbulent model, the calculated results are compared with experimental data measured by laser Doppler anemometer. In addition, the compound meandering open channel is clarified somewhat based on the calculated results. As a result of the analysis, the present algebraic Reynolds stress model is shown to be able to reasonably predict the turbulent flow in a compound meandering open channel. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A criterion for detection of the onset of Dean instability in Newtonian fluids

Dean instability for Newtonian fluids in laminar secondary flow in 180° curved channels was studied experimentally and numerically. The numerical study used Fluent CFD code to solve the Navier–Stokes equations, focusing on flow development conditions and the parameters influencing Dean instability. An accurate criterion based on the radial gradient of the axial velocity was defined that allows detection of the instability threshold, and this criterion is used to optimize the grid geometry. The effects on Dean instability of the curvature ratio (from 5.5 to 20) and aspect ratio (from 0.5 to 12) are studied. In particular, we show that the critical value of the Dean number decreases with the increasing duct curvature ratio. The variation of the critical Dean number with duct aspect ratio is less regular.In the experimental study, flows were visualized in several tangential positions of a 180° curved channel with aspect ratio 8 and curvature ratio 10. The flow is hydrodynamically developed at the entrance to the curved channel. The critical Dean number is detected and the development of secondary flow vortices by additional counter-rotating vortex pairs is observed. A diagram of different critical Dean numbers is established.     

Slip-Flow over Lubricated Surfaces

Slip-flow boundary conditions have been used in a direct numerical simulation of incompressible turbulent flow in a plane lubricated channel to mimic the unsteady dynamics of the thin lubricating films present at both channel walls. The results are compared with data from a full simulation, in which also the flow inside the lubrication layers was resolved. By replacing the lubrication layers with the slip-flow conditions, both turbulence statistics and coherent near-wall structures in the bulk-fluid are surprisingly well reproduced. In this approach the need to resolve the flow within the lubricating films is eliminated and the computational efforts are therefore reduced.     

Development of a generalized multi‐layer model for 3‐D simulation of free surface flows

A mathematical model was developed for three‐dimensional (3‐D) simulation of free surface flows. In this model, the flow depth is divided into a number of layers and shallow water equations are integrated in each layer to derive the hydrodynamic equations. To give a general form to this model, each layer is assumed to be non‐horizontal with varying thickness in the flow domain. A non‐orthogonal curvilinear coordinate system is employed in the model, to allow for flexibility in dealing with the irregular geometry of natural watercourses. Due to the similarity in governing equations, two‐dimensional (2‐D) depth averaged programs can be developed into a multi‐layer model. The development for a depth averaged program and its numerical scheme is described in this paper. Experimental data and semi‐analytical solutions are used to evaluate the performance of the model. Three different cases of open channel flow are tested: 1‐flow in a straight open channel, 2‐the flow development region in a channel, and 3‐flow in a meandering channel. It is shown that the model has the capability to predict velocity distribution and secondary flows in complex 3‐D flow conditions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bathymetry reconstruction based on the zero-inertia shallow water approximation

The knowledge of the channel bed topography is paramount in modeling the hydrodynamics of open channel flows. Indeed, flow models based on the Shallow Water Approximation require prior information on the channel bed topography to accurately capture the flow features in natural rivers, estuaries, and flood plains. We present here a numerical technique for reconstructing the channel bed topography from given free surface elevation data for steep open channel flows for which the zero-inertia shallow water approximation holds. In this context, the shallow water equations are modified by neglecting inertia terms while retaining the effects of the bed slope and friction terms. We show in this work that by algebraic manipulation, we can recast the governing equations into a single first-order partial differential equation which describes the inverse problem which consists in finding the bed topography from known free surface elevation data. Interestingly, the analysis shows that the inverse problem does not require the knowledge of the bed roughness. The forward problem is solved using MacCormack’s explicit numerical scheme by considering unsteady modified shallow water equations. However, the inverse problem is solved using the method of characteristics. The results of the inverse and the forward problem are successfully tested against each other on two different test cases.