Numerical simulations of complex yield-stress fluid flows

Viscoplasticity is characterized by a yield stress, below which the materials will not deform and above which they will deform and flow according to different constitutive relations. Viscoplastic models include the Bingham plastic, the Herschel-Bulkley model and the Casson model. All of these ideal models are discontinuous. Analytical solutions exist for such models in simple flows. For general flow fields, it is necessary to develop numerical techniques to track down yielded/unyielded regions. This can be avoided by introducing into the models a regularization parameter, which facilitates the solution process and produces virtually the same results as the ideal models by the right choice of its value. This work reviews several benchmark problems of viscoplastic flows, such as entry and exit flows from dies, flows around a sphere and a bubble and squeeze flows. Examples are also given for typical processing flows of viscoplastic materials, where the extent and shape of the yielded/unyielded regions are clearly shown. The above-mentioned viscoplastic models leave undetermined the stress and elastic deformation in the solid region. Moreover, deviations have been reported between predictions with these models and experiments for flows around particles using Carbopol, one of the very often used and heretofore widely accepted as a simple “viscoplastic” fluid. These have been partially remedied in very recent studies using the elastoviscoplastic models proposed by Saramito.     

Nonhomogeneous Incompressible Herschel–Bulkley Fluid Flows Between Two Eccentric Cylinders

The equations for the nonhomogeneous incompressible Herschel–Bulkley fluid are considered and existence of a weak solution is proved for a boundary-value problem which describes three-dimensional flows between two eccentric cylinders when in each two-dimensional cross-section annulus the flow characteristics are the same. The rheology of such a fluid is defined by a yield stress τ* and a discontinuous stress-strain law. A fluid volume stiffens if its local stresses do not exceed τ*, and a fluid behaves like a nonlinear fluid otherwise. The flow equations are formulated in the stress–velocity–density–pressure setting. Our approach is different from that of Duvaut–Lions developed for the classical Bingham viscoplastic fluids. We do not apply the variational inequality but make use of an approximation of the generalized Bingham fluid by a non-Newtonian fluid with a continuous constitutive law.     

The Dean instability in power-law and Bingham fluids in a curved rectangular duct

The laminar flow of power-law and yield-stress fluids in 180° curved channels of rectangular cross section was studied experimentally and numerically in order to understand the effect of rheological fluid behavior on the Dean instability that appears beyond a critical condition in the flow. This leads to the apparition of Dean vortices that differ from the two corner vortices created by the channel wall curvature.Flow visualizations showed that the Dean vortices develop first in the near-wall zone on the concave (outer) wall, where the shear rate is higher and the viscosity weaker; then they penetrate into the centre of the channel cross section where power-law fluids have high viscosity and Bingham fluids are unyielded in laminar flow. Based on the complete formation on the concave wall of the new pairs of counter-rotating vortices (Dean vortices), the critical value of the Dean number decreases as the power-law index increases for the power-law fluids, and the Bingham number decreases for the Bingham fluids. For power-law fluids, a diagram of critical Dean numbers, based on the number of Dean vortices formed, was established for different axial positions. For the same flow conditions, the critical Dean number obtained using the axial velocity gradient criterion was smaller then that obtained with the visualization technique.     

Multi-layer channel flows with yield stress fluids

We present results of a computational study of visco-plastically lubricated plane channel multi-layer flows, in which the yield stress fluid layers are unyielded at the interface. We demonstrate that symmetric 3-layer flows may be established for wide ranges of viscosity ratio (m), Bingham number (B) and interface position (y_i), for Reynolds numbers Re ≤ 100. Here an inner Newtonian layer is sandwiched between 2 layers of Bingham fluid. Results are presented illustrating the variation of development length with the main dimensionless parameters and for different inlet sizes. We also show that these flows may be initiated by injecting either fluid into a steady flow of the other fluid. The flows are established quicker when the core fluid is injected into a channel already full of the outer fluid. In situations where the inner fluid flow rate is dominant we observed inertial symmetry breaking in the symmetric start-up flows as Re was increased. Asymmetry is also observed in studying temporal nonlinear stability of these flows, which appear stable up to moderate Re and significant amplitudes. In general the flows destabilize at lower Re and perturbation amplitudes than do the analogous core-annular pipe flows, but 1–1 comparison is hard. When the flow is stable the decay characteristics are very similar to those of the pipe flows. In the final part of the paper we explore more exotic flow effects. We show how flow control could be used to position layers asymmetrically within the flow, and how this effect might be varied transiently. We demonstrate that more complex layered flows can be stably achieved, e.g. a 7-layered flow is established. We also show how a varying inlet position can be used to “write” in the yield stress fluid: complex structures that are advected with the flow and encapsulated within the unyielded fluid.     

Frottements et pertes de pression des fluides non newtoniens dans des conduites non circulaires

The study of fluid flow in a duct requires characteristic parameters of the flow and dimensionless numbers to correlate and compare experimental results. For Newtonian fluids in simple configurations, the definition of the Reynolds number is quite standard, but for non-Newtonian fluid flows in ducts with arbitrary shape of cross section, the dependence of the apparent viscosity with the shear rate requires a generalization of this dimensionless number. This note proposes a general method valid for a large class of non-Newtonian fluids and for all duct shapes. An application is developed for a viscoelastic flow through a rectangular duct. Results obtained in the present investigation are in a good agreement with available correlations. To cite this article: M. Mahfoud et al., C. R. Mecanique 333 (2005).     

Progress in numerical simulation of yield stress fluid flows

Numerical simulations of viscoplastic fluid flows have provided a better understanding of fundamental properties of yield stress fluids in many applications relevant to natural and engineering sciences. In the first part of this paper, we review the classical numerical methods for the solution of the non-smooth viscoplastic mathematical models, highlight their advantages and drawbacks, and discuss more recent numerical methods that show promises for fast algorithms and accurate solutions. In the second part, we present and analyze a variety of applications and extensions involving viscoplastic flow simulations: yield slip at the wall, heat transfer, thixotropy, granular materials, and combining elasticity, with multiple phases and shallow flow approximations. We illustrate from a physical viewpoint how fascinating the corresponding rich phenomena pointed out by these simulations are.     

Axial laminar flow of viscoplastic fluids in a concentric annulus subject to wall slip

The flow of non-Newtonian fluids in annular geometries is an important problem, especially for the extrusion of polymeric melts and suspensions and for oil and gas exploration. Here, an analytical solution of the equation of motion for the axial flow of an incompressible viscoplastic fluid (represented by the Hershel–Bulkley equation) in a long concentric annulus under isothermal, fully developed, and creeping conditions and subject to true or apparent wall slip is provided. The simplifications of the analytical model for Hershel–Bulkley fluid subject to wall slip also provide the analytical solutions for the axial annular flows of Bingham plastic, power-law, and Newtonian fluids with and without wall slip at one or both surfaces of the annulus.     

Very slow flow of Bingham viscoplastic fluid around a circular cylinder

Numerical simulations have been used to study the flow of a Bingham viscoplastic fluid around a circular cylinder in an infinite medium with negligible inertia effects. Papanastasiou's regularisation technique has been adopted to approximate the model. The case corresponding to preponderant plasticity effects has been particularly studied and convergence of the solutions examined in detail. The flow kinematics and stresses have been determined. The rigid zones have been identified and characterised. At large Oldroyd numbers, when plasticity effects become preponderant, a viscoplastic boundary layer appears around the cylinder. The characteristics of this viscoplastic boundary layer are quantified. The results are compared with existing theoretical results, concerning particularly the predictions of the viscoplastic boundary layer theory and the plasticity theory.     

Stability of a Rayleigh-Bénard Poiseuille flow for yield stress fluids—Comparison between Bingham and regularized models

A linear stability analysis of a Rayleigh-Bénard Poiseuille flow is performed for yield stress fluids whether we use the Bingham or regularized models. A fundamental difference between those models is that the effective viscosity is not defined in the plug zone for the Bingham model, while it is defined in the whole domain for the regularized models. For these models, the viscosity depends highly on a parameter ? near the axis and increases drastically in an intermediate region. The convergence of the critical conditions between the simple and the Bingham models is not obtained. However, we show that the Bercovier and Papanastasiou models can tend to the exact Bingham results.     

Viscoplastic flow between two approaching or parallel circular plates

The problem of the flow of a viscoplastic medium between two parallel circular plates in translatory coaxial relative motion is solved. The Bingham model [1] of a viscoplastic medium is assumed. The problem is solved in the inertialess thin layer approximation [2] for arbitrary values of the viscosity coefficient and yield stress.Moscow. Translated from Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 1, pp. 9–17, January–February, 1996.     

Free circular viscoplastic fluid flow with a hydrolubricant layer in the gap between coaxial cylinders

Free circular viscoplastic fluid flow in the gap between coaxial cylinders with a hydrolubricant layer on the inner cylinder is investigated theoretically. Mathematical models of the velocities and shear stresses for the transported and lubricating fluids in the laminar flow regime are proposed.     

On the description of the motion of the yield surface in unsteady shearing flows of a Bingham fluid as a jerk wave

In the unsteady shearing flows of a Bingham fluid, the yield surface may move laterally into the fluid with a finite speed. The exact nature of this motion can be explained by assuming that it is a jerk wave. That is, the yield surface is a singular surface across which the velocity, the acceleration and the velocity gradient are continuous, whereas the jerk, which is the time derivative of the acceleration, the spatial gradient of the acceleration and the second gradient of the velocity all suffer jumps. Simultaneously, across this singular surface, the shear stress, its time derivative and its gradient are continuous, while the corresponding temporal and spatial gradients of second order suffer jumps, with Hadamard’s Lemma defining the speed of propagation of the jerk wave. These theoretical assumptions are found to hold true in a shearing flow of a Bingham fluid in an unbounded domain, studied by Sekimoto. It is further shown that the same kinematical and dynamical conditions explain the movement of yield surfaces in the shearing flows of all viscoplastic fluids.     

Flow of a Viscoplastic Fluid on a Rotating Disk

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Displacement of yield-stress fluids in a fracture

We consider a displacement of several yield-stress fluids in a Hele-Shaw cell. The topic is relevant to the development of a model for the flow of multiple phases inside a narrow fracture with application to hydraulically fracturing a hydrocarbon-bearing underground formation. Existing models for fracturing flows include only pure power-law models without yield stress, and the present work is aimed at filling this gap. The fluids are assumed to be immiscible and incompressible. We consider fluid advection in a plane channel in the presence of density gradients. Gravity is taken into account, so that there can be slumping and gravitational convection. We use the lubrication approximation so that governing equations are reduced to a 2D width-averaged system formed by the quasi-linear elliptic equation for pressure and transport equations for volume concentrations of fluids. The numerical solution is obtained using a finite-difference method. The pressure equation is solved using an iterative algorithm and the Multigrid method, while the transport equations are solved using a second-order TVD flux-limiting scheme with the superbee limiter. This numerical model is validated against three different sets of experiments: (i) gravitational slumping of fluids in a closed Hele-Shaw cell, (ii) viscous fingering of fluids with a high viscosity contrast due to the Saffman–Taylor (S–T) instability in a Hele-Shaw cell at microgravity conditions, (iii) displacement of Bingham fluids in a Hele-Shaw cell with the development of fingers due to the S–T instability. Good agreement is observed between simulations and laboratory data. The model is then used to investigate the joint effect of fingering and slumping. Numerical simulations show that the slumping rate of yield-stress fluid is significantly less pronounced than that of a Newtonian fluid with the same density and viscosity. If a low-viscosity Newtonian fluid is injected after a yield-stress one, the S–T instability at the interface leads to the development of fingers. As a result, fingers penetrating into a fluid with a finite yield stress locally decrease the pressure gradient and unyielded zones develop as a consequence.     

Computations with viscoplastic and viscoelastoplastic fluids

This numerical study focuses on regularised Bingham-type and viscoelastoplastic fluids, performing simulations for 4:1:4 contraction?Cexpansion flow with a hybrid finite element?Cfinite volume subcell scheme. The work explores the viscoplastic regime, via the Bingham?CPapanastasiou model, and extends this into the viscoelastoplastic regime through the Papanastasiou?COldroyd model. Our findings reveal the significant impact that elevation has in yield stress parameters, and in sharpening of the stress singularity from that of the Oldroyd/Newtonian models to the ideal Bingham form. Such aspects are covered in field response via vortex behaviour, pressure-drops, stress field structures and yielded?Cunyielded zones. With rising yield stress parameters, vortex trends reflect suppression in both upstream and downstream vortices. Viscoelastoplasticity, with its additional elasticity properties, tends to disturb upstream?Cdownstream vortex symmetry balance, with knock-on effects according to solvent-fraction and level of elasticity. Yield fronts are traced with increasing yield stress influences, revealing locations where relatively unyielded material aggregates. Analysis of pressure drop data reveals significant increases in the viscoplastic Bingham?CPapanastasiou case, O (12%) above the equivalent Newtonian fluid, that are reduced to 8% total contribution increase in the viscoelastoplastic Papanastasiou?COldroyd case. This may be argued to be a consequence of strengthening in first normal stress effects.     

Front‐tracking by the level‐set and the volume penalization methods in a two‐phase microfluidic network

Two‐phase immiscible fluids in a two‐dimensional micro‐channels network are considered. The incompressible Stokes equations are used to describe the Newtonian fluid flow, while the Oldroyd‐B rheological model is used to capture the viscoelastic behavior. In order to perform numerical simulations in a complex geometry like a micro‐channels network, the volume penalization method is implemented. To follow the interface between the two fluids, the level‐set method is used, and the dynamics of the contact line is modeled by Cox law. Numerical results show the ability of the method to simulate two‐phase flows and to follow properly the contact line between the two immiscible fluids. Finally, simulations with realistic parameters are performed to show the difference when a Newtonian fluid is pushed by a viscoelastic fluid instead of a Newtonian one. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the flow of fluids through inhomogeneous porous media due to high pressure gradients

Most porous solids are inhomogeneous and anisotropic, and the flows of fluids taking place through such porous solids may show features very different from that of flow through a porous medium with constant porosity and permeability. In this short paper we allow for the possibility that the medium is inhomogeneous and that the viscosity and drag are dependent on the pressure (there is considerable experimental evidence to support the fact that the viscosity of a fluid depends on the pressure). We then investigate the flow through a rectangular slab for two different permeability distributions, considering both the generalized Darcy and Brinkman models. We observe that the solutions using the Darcy and Brinkman models could be drastically different or practically identical, depending on the inhomogeneity, that is, the permeability and hence the Darcy number.     

Analysis on creeping channel flows of compressible fluids subject to wall slip

Creeping channel flows of compressible fluids subject to wall slip are widely encountered in industries. This paper analyzes such flows driven by pressure in planar as well as circular channels. The analysis elucidates unsteady flows of Newtonian fluids subject to the Navier slip condition, followed by steady flows of viscoplastic fluids, in particular, Herschel–Bulkley fluids and their simplifications including power law and Newtonian fluids, that slip at wall with a constant coefficient or a coefficient inversely proportional to pressure. Under the lubrication assumption, analytical solutions are derived, validated, and discussed over a wide range of parameters. Analysis based on the derived solutions indicates that unsteadiness alters cross-section velocity profiles. It is demonstrated that compressibility of the fluids gives rise to a concave pressure distribution in the longitudinal direction, whereas wall slip with a slip coefficient that is inversely proportional to pressure leads to a convex pressure distribution. Energy dissipation resulting from slippage can be a significant portion in the total dissipation of such a flow. A distinctive feature of the flow is that, in case of the pressure-dependent slip coefficient, the slip velocity increases rapidly in the flow direction and the flow can evolve into a pure plug flow at the exit.     

Pore Network Modeling of the Effects of Viscosity Ratio and Pressure Gradient on Steady-State Incompressible Two-Phase Flow in Porous Media

We perform steady-state simulations with a dynamic pore network model, corresponding to a large span in viscosity ratios and capillary numbers. From these simulations, dimensionless steady-state time-averaged quantities such as relative permeabilities, residual saturations, mobility ratios and fractional flows are computed. These quantities are found to depend on three dimensionless variables, the wetting fluid saturation, the viscosity ratio and a dimensionless pressure gradient. Relative permeabilities and residual saturations show many of the same qualitative features observed in other experimental and modeling studies. The relative permeabilities do not approach straight lines at high capillary numbers for viscosity ratios different from 1. Our conclusion is that this is because the fluids are not in the highly miscible near-critical region. Instead they have a viscosity disparity and intermix rather than forming decoupled, similar flow channels. Ratios of average mobility to their high capillary number limit values are also considered. Roughly, these vary between 0 and 1, although values larger than 1 are also observed. For a given saturation, the mobilities are not always monotonically increasing with the pressure gradient. While increasing the pressure gradient mobilizes more fluid and activates more flow paths, when the mobilized fluid is more viscous, a reduction in average mobility may occur.

     

Simulation of three‐dimensional flows over moving objects by an improved immersed boundary–lattice Boltzmann method

An improved immersed boundary–lattice Boltzmann method (IB–LBM) developed recently [28] was applied in this work to simulate three‐dimensional (3D) flows over moving objects. By enforcing the non‐slip boundary condition, the method could avoid any flow penetration to the wall. In the developed IB–LBM solver, the flow field is obtained on the non‐uniform mesh by the efficient LBM that is based on the second‐order one‐dimensional interpolation. As a consequence, its coefficients could be computed simply. By simulating flows over a stationary sphere and torus [28] accurately and efficiently, the proposed IB–LBM showed its ability to handle 3D flow problems with curved boundaries. In this paper, we further applied this method to simulate 3D flows around moving boundaries. As a first example, the flow over a rotating sphere was simulated. The obtained results agreed very well with the previous data in the literature. Then, simulation of flow over a rotating torus was conducted. The capability of the improved IB–LBM for solving 3D flows over moving objects with complex geometries was demonstrated via the simulations of fish swimming and dragonfly flight. The numerical results displayed quantitative and qualitative agreement with the date in the literature. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.