Multiphase fluid dynamics and transport processes of low capillary number cavitating flows

To better understand the multiphase fluid dynamics and associated transport processes of cavitating flows at the capillary number of 0.74 and 0.54, and to validate the numerical results, a combined computational and experimental investigation of flows around a hydrofoil is studied based on flow visualizations and time-resolved interface movement. The computational model is based on a modified RNG k-ε model as turbulence closure, along with a vapor-liquid mass transfer model for treating the cavitation process. Overall, favorable agreement between the numerical and experimental results is observed. It is shown that the cavi- tation structure depends on the interaction of the water-vapor mixture and the vapor among the whole cavitation stage, the interface between the vapor and the two-phase mixture exhibits substantial unsteadiness. And, the adverse motion of the interface relates to pressure and velocity fluctuations inside the cavity. In particular, the velocity in the vapor region is lower than that in the two-phase region.     

Effect of tube diameter on Preston tube calibration curves for the measurement of wall shear stress

The effect of tube diameter (d) on Preston tube calibration curves for the measurement of wall shear stress (τ_w) in a zero pressure gradient turbulent boundary layer has been investigated. Five different outside diameter tubes of 1.46, 1.82, 3.23, 4.76 and 5.54 mm, corresponding to (d/δ) of 0.022, 0.027, 0.048, 0.071 and 0.082 were used to measure τ_w at Reynolds numbers based on momentum thickness (R_θ) of 2800–4100. The calibration curves of Patel (V.C. Patel, J. Fluid Mech. 23 (part I) (1965) 185–208) and Bechert (D.W. Bechert, AIAA J. 34 (1) (1995) 205–206) are both dependent on the tube diameter. The maximum difference in the τ_w measurements from the different tubes using Patel's calibration is about 8%, while Bechert's calibration gives a maximum difference of approximately 18%.     

A turbulent near-wall model on convective heat transfer from an abrupt expansion tube

Turbulent heat transfer from a sudden expansion pipe subjected to an externally convective boundary condition is studied numerically using the proposed modified turbulence model. Both HYBRID and QUICK schemes are employed for comparison purposes. The calculated velocity distribution and turbulent kinetic energy show a significant improvement over the existing model solutions. The present results of center-line velocity, temperature distribution and Nusselt number under a limiting condition compare well with the available experimental data.     

Rarefied gas flow in concentric annular tube: Estimation of the Poiseuille number and the exact hydraulic diameter

The fully developed flow of rarefied gases through circular ducts of concentric annular cross sections is solved via kinetic theory. The flow is due to an externally imposed pressure gradient in the longitudinal direction and it is simulated by the BGK kinetic equation, subject to Maxwell diffuse-specular boundary conditions. The approximate principal of the hydraulic diameter is investigated for first time in the field of rarefied gas dynamics. For the specific flow pattern, in addition to the flow rates, results are reported for the Poiseuille number and the exact hydraulic diameter. The corresponding parameters include the whole range of the Knudsen number and various values of the accommodation coefficient and the ratio of the inner over the outer radius. The accuracy of the results is validated in several ways, including the recovery of the analytical solutions at the hydrodynamic and free molecular limits.     

Comparison of near-wall treatment methods for high Reynolds number backward-facing step flow

A comparison of near-wall treatment methods using different turbulence models for flow over a backward-facing step is presented. A Reynolds number (Re) of about 38,000 (U _∞ = 44.2 m/s), based on the step height and the mean stream velocity, was considered. An appropriate near-wall treatment method is critical to the choice of turbulence model used to predict wall-bounded flow. Predictions were obtained by applying standard wall functions, non-equilibrium wall functions and a two-layer model with six different turbulence models. These results were compared with data by Driver and Seegmiller (“Backward-facing step with inclined opposite wall—experiments by driver and seegmiller”, 1985a, http://cfd.me.umist.ac.uk/ercoftac [2003, Jan 31]). Non-equilibrium wall functions with modified k ? ? models predicted the closest reattachment length. However, the two-layer model gave results more representative of the entire flow pattern. The predictions show that a proper combination of turbulence models and near-wall treatment methods give reliable results.     

Effect of near-wall turbulence enhancement on the mechanisms of particle deposition

The modification of deposition mechanisms of small particles in wall turbulence due to enhanced near-wall fluctuations is presented. The direct numerical simulation database of turbulent air flow over a water surface populated by gravity-capillary waves of small wave slope was used to mimic the enhancement in fluctuation intensity. Lagrangian tracking of particles is performed under the assumption of one-way coupling between the particles and the flow. Two sets of particles have been considered with inertial response times of 5 and 15, respectively, normalized using the friction velocity at the air–water interface and the kinematic viscosity of air. Compared to wall-bounded flow, the particle deposition rates on the interface were found to be considerably higher; specifically for the low-inertia particles, an eightfold increase was observed. The deposition rate for particles of higher inertia increased by only 60%. The correlation characterizing particle deposition rates for wall-bounded flows, where the deposition rate is proportional to the square of the particle response time, was found to be invalid for the flow with enhanced near-wall turbulence. Comparison with experimental results on particle deposition onto rough walls showed better correlation. Depositing particles were divided into free-flight and diffusional deposition populations. Since the primary effect of the interfacial waves is to increase the turbulence intensity in the near-interface region with high particle concentration, a remarkable increase in diffusional deposition is observed. As in wall-bounded flows, diffusional deposition is seen to be the dominant mechanism of deposition. The free-flight mechanism, where particles acquire velocities high enough to travel directly to the interface, remains unaffected by enhanced near-wall velocity fluctuations.     

Effect of correcting near-wall forces on nanoparticle transport in a microchannel

This paper studies the importance of corrections that account for the presence of walls on the forces acting on nanoparticles during their transport in microchannels. Theoretical and experimental investigations have reported anisotropic and hindered motion of nanoparticles near a microchannel wall. To investigate the influence of the near-wall effects, various conditions were examined. In particular, computer simulations were performed with and without the near-wall correction of forces. The corresponding capture efficiency and the average penetration of the captured nanoparticles were compared, and the importance of the near-wall corrections was assessed. Effects were evaluated for the nanoparticle diameter, the channel width, the channel length, and the pressure gradient. The results indicate that the inclusion of wall effects is crucial for the analysis of nanoparticle transport in microchannels.     

Effect of nanoparticles mean diameter on mixed convection heat transfer of a nanofluid in a horizontal tube

Fully developed mixed convection of a nanofluid (water/Al₂O₃) has been studied numerically. Two-phase mixture model has been used to investigate the effects of nanoparticles mean diameter on the flow parameters. The calculated results demonstrate that the convection heat transfer coefficient significantly increases with decreasing the nanoparticles means diameter. However it does not significantly change the hydrodynamics parameters. Nanoparticles distribution at the tube cross section shows that the non-uniformity of the particles distribution augments when using larger nanoparticles and/or considering relatively high value of the Grashof numbers.     

Effect of correcting near-wall forces on nanoparticle transport in a microchannel

This paper studies the importance of corrections that account for the presence of walls on the forces act- ing on nanoparticles during their transport in microchannels.Theoretical and experimental investigations have reported anisotropic and hindered motion of nanoparticles near a microchannel wall. To investigate the influence of the near-wall effects, various conditions were examined. In particular, computer simu- lations were performed with and without the near-wall correction of forces. The corresponding capture efficiency and the average penetration of the captured nanoparticles were compared, and the importance of the near-wall corrections was assessed. Effects were evaluated for the nanoparticle diameter, the chan- nel width, the channel length, and the pressure gradient. The results indicate that the inclusion of wall effects is crucial for the analysis of nanoparticle transport in microchannels.     

Stability and capillary dynamics of circular vortex sheets

We investigate the motion of circular vortex sheets with surface tension. A linear stability analysis shows that high modes of the circular vortex sheet are stabilized by surface tension, and the sheet is stable if surface tension is larger than a critical value. The modes of perturbations, n = 1 and 2, are always stable, regardless of surface tension, and the mode n = 3 is also stable for large surface tension. The numerical results show that a stable vortex sheet rotates and oscillates weakly. The oscillations of each mode of the interface mainly consist of two travelling waves of different frequencies in time. The amplitude and the period of the oscillation depend on the mode of the perturbation and surface tension. We also perform long-time computations for the unstable evolution of circular sheets. For a high Weber number, ripples are produced on the sheets, as well as pinching and self-intersection. It is found that the appearance of ripples is associated with the growth of noise. For an intermediate Weber number, the sheet evolves to an exotic structure with small spikes on the fingers, while for a low Weber number, it is nonlinearly stable.     

Onset of flow instability in a heated capillary tube

We study the stability of flow in a heated capillary tube with an evaporating meniscus. The behavior of the vapor/liquid system, which undergoes small perturbations, is analyzed by linear approximation, in the frame of a one-dimensional model of capillary flow, with a distinct interface. The effect of the physical properties of both phases, the wall heat flux and the capillary sizes, on the flow stability is studied. The velocity, pressure and temperature oscillations in a capillary tube with a constant wall heat flux or a constant wall temperature are determined. A scenario of a possible process at small and moderate Peclet numbers corresponding to the flow in capillaries is considered. The boundaries of stability, subdividing the domains of stable and unstable flows, are outlined, and the values of geometrical and operating parameters corresponding to the transition from stable to unstable flow are estimated. It is shown that the stable capillary flow occurs at relatively small wall heat fluxes, whereas at high ones, the flow is unstable, with continuously growing velocity, pressure and temperature oscillations.     

Coalescence of viscous drops translating through a capillary tube

An experimental study of the interaction and coalescence of viscous drops moving through a cylindrical capillary tube under low Reynolds number conditions is presented. The combined pressure- and buoyancy-driven motion of drops in a Newtonian continuous phase is examined. The interaction between two drops is quantified using image analysis, and measurements of the coalescence time are reported for various drop size ratios, Bond numbers, and viscosity ratios. The time scale for coalescence in the non-axisymmetric configuration is found to be substantially larger than that for coalescence in the axisymmetric configuration. Measurements of the radius of the liquid film formed between the two drops at the instant of apparent contact are used in conjunction with a planar film drainage model to predict the dependence of the coalescence time on drop size ratio for coalescence of low viscosity-ratio drops in the axisymmetric configuration.     

Experimental free coating flows at high capillary and Reynolds number

 Experimental studies are carried out to enhance the fundamental understanding of coating processes over a broad parametric range. Experiments herein identify the phenomena leading to the formation of an asymptotic meniscus profile, which eventually develops a cusp at the interface. The non-dimensional parameters that describe these phenomena are identified. In addition, flow visualization is carried out to reveal the entire flow structure using a visible laser. Two phenomena of free coating are identified depending on a parameter called the property number(Po). When Po is larger than about 0.5, the non-dimensional final film thickness (T ₀) becomes constant beyond the capillary number(Ca) of about unity. When Po is less than about 0.1, T ₀ depends on Ca and the Reynolds number(Re) but it becomes constant beyond the Weber number(=Ca Re) of about 0.2. In both cases T ₀ becomes constant as the effect of surface tension on the meniscus becomes relatively unimportant. The cusp formation is due to the effect of inertia(Re). The effect of applicator dimensions on T ₀ is also investigated for large Re flows. Received: 12 May 1998/Accepted: 19 January 1999     

Critical tube diameter for detonation transmission and critical initiation energy of spherical detonation

Two experimental setups are used to study propagation and attenuation of blast waves. In the first one, the blast wave is generated by a spherical detonation, and in the second one, the blast wave is created by the diffraction of a planar detonation propagating in a tube. The similarity of these phenomena appears clearly by means of dimensionless space-time and pressure-space diagrams of shock wave propagation. Dimensionless variables are expressed as a function of the supplied energy. Two energy formulations are proposed: a piston model and a bulk energy model. The established diagrams cover a wide range of industrial applications. Under critical conditions, the energy released by a planar detonation is correlated to the ignition source energy supply and a relationship which links the critical radius of detonation to the critical tube diameter. Received 5 July 1997 / Accepted 13 July 1998