Cold flow experiments in an entrained flow gasification reactor with a swirl-stabilized pulverized biofuel burner

Short particle residence time in entrained flow gasifiers demands the use of pulverized fuel particles to promote mass and heat transfer, resulting high fuel conversion rate. The pulverized biomass particles have a wide range of aspect ratios which can exhibit different dispersion behavior than that of spherical particles in hot product gas flows. This results in spatial and temporal variations in temperature distribution, the composition and the concentration of syngas and soot yield. One way to control the particle dispersion is to impart a swirling motion to the carrier gas phase. This paper investigates the dispersion behavior of biomass fuel particles in swirling flows. A two-phase particle image velocimetry technique was applied to simultaneously measure particle and gas phase velocities in turbulent isothermal flows. Post-processed PIV images showed that a poly-dispersed behavior of biomass particles with a range of particle size of 112–160 µm imposed a significant impact on the air flow pattern, causing air flow decelerated in a region of high particle concentration. Moreover, the velocity field, obtained from individually tracked biomass particles showed that the swirling motion of the carrier air flow gives arise a rapid spreading of the particles.     

不同参数下环形通道内湍流旋流流动的模拟

应用一种合理考虑湍流一旋流相互作用及湍流脉动各向异性的新的代数ＲｅｙｎｏｌｄＳ应力模型,对环形通道内的湍流旋流流动进行了数值模拟．研究了旋流数、进口轴向速度和内外半径比等参数对环形通道内湍流旋流流动的影响,以及由此产生的流场变化对强化环形通道内传热的作用．     

Structure of the nonisothermal swirling gas-droplet flow behind an abrupt tube expansion

Flow structure and heat and mass transfer in a swirling two-phase stream is numerically modeled using the Reynolds stress transport model. The gas phase is described by the 3DRANS system of equations with account for the inverse influence of particles on the transport processes in the gas. The gas phase turbulence is calculated using the Reynolds stress transport model with account for the presence of disperse particles. The two-phase nonswirling flow behind an abrupt tube expansion contains a secondary corner vortex which is absent from the swirling flow. The disperse phase is redistributed over the tube cross-section. Large particles are concentrated in the wall region of the channel under the action of the centrifugal forces, while the smaller particles are in the central zone of the chamber.     

Stability of plane self-similar flows in expanding regions

The possibility of applying geometrical acoustics to the investigation of the stability of flows in expanding regions was pointed out by Galin and Kulikovskii [1], who investigated the stability of homogeneous gas flows separated by discontinuity surfaces. Eckhoff [2] applied geometrical acoustics to the analysis of the stability of solutions of symmetric hyperbolic systems whose coefficients do not depend explicitly on the time. The treatment was given for unbounded regions in the case when acoustic points are absent. The stability of gas-dynamic flows satisfying these restrictions was considered by Eckhoff and Storesletten [3, 4]. The present paper is devoted to the question of the stability of plane self-similar flows in expanding regions [5] with respect to weak two-dimensional perturbations. Propagation of perturbations through the gas is described in the approximation of geometrical acoustics [6–8]. The intensity of the perturbations is characterized by the total energy E of a wave packet, whose behavior as t → ∞ is chosen as the criterion of stability of the considered flow. It is shown that E → 0 with the time in problems of a strong explosion and a decelerated piston. In the problem of an accelerated piston, the total energy of weak perturbations increases unboundedly with the time.     

Induced flow close to the entry of a jet into a channel

The flow investigated here appears as a result of the ejecting action of a turbulent jet in conditions when a jet, after emerging from a cylindrical nozzle, impinges into a gas flow channel. Such conditions occur in gas distribution systems. A review of the investigations of flows induced by jets and the solution of a number of problems are contained in [1]. A distinctive feature of the problem investigated below is the stronger development of local characteristics and the specific flow geometry, and also its spatial inhomogeneity. The method of integral transforms is used and formulas for determining the velocity about the nozzle and the flow in the vicinity of jet entry into the gas channel are obtained.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 1, pp. 126–133, January–February, 1976.The author thanks T. Kh. Sedel'nikov for valuable suggestions.     

Unsteady flows of an erosion plasma in irradiation of solid targets by annular beams

In recent times high-pressure physics has made ever wider application of constructions which use convergent shock waves [1–8]. The study of gas dynamic flows with convergent shock waves imposes the need for more careful calculation of the motions of a gas in regions whose dimensions are much less than the characteristic dimensions of the flow. In the present study the numerical method is used to study the gas dynamic phenomena accompanying the irradiation of solid obstacles by annular beams of monochromatic radiation.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 6, pp. 179–182, November–December, 1988.In conclusion we note that at very short durations t t_k the solution to the problem is similar to the flow during separation of a gaseous toroid [19].     

Stability of flows with discontinuity surfaces

A study is made in the linear formulation of flows with homogeneous distribution of the parameters in expanding regions separated by boundaries that are either discontinuity surfaces of an arbitrary nature or surfaces with effective boundary conditions. Examples of such flows are the decay of an arbitrary discontinuity [1] and flow in a tube with a region of heat release [2].Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 5, pp. 10–18, September–October, 1982.We thank A. G. Kulikovskii for helpful discussions.     

Analysis of flow in an annular duct with large injection at the walls

Viscous heat-conducting compressible fluid flow in an annular duct formed by two coaxial cylinders with large injection at the walls is investigated. An asymptotic solution exhibiting the influence of the axial symmetry of the duct is obtained in the vicinity of the y axis and is compared with the results of exact numerical calculations. Asymptotic solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations have been obtained earlier for flows in a plane channel with various rates of wall injection in the case of an incompressible gas [1, 2] and a compressible gas [3].Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 3, pp. 135–139, May–June, 1976.     

Investigation of isothermal flow of a mixture of gas and particles in a channel of variable section

Isothermal flow of a gas with particles is investigated analytically, which makes it possible to analyze all possible flow regimes in channels of different shapes. It is shown that in a channel of constant section there are two possibilities: either an equilibrium regime is established with constant flow parameters, or the gas reaches the velocity of sound, and then further flow in the channel is impossible (blocking of the channel). In a contracting nozzle, blocking also occurs if the channel is sufficiently long. In an expanding nozzle when there are particles in the gas with a velocity lower than the gas velocity, it is possible to have flow regimes with transition through the velocity of sound: a subsonic flow goes over into a supersonic flow and, conversely, it is also possible to have a flow in which there is blocking of the channel, which is quite different from the flow of a pure gas in an expanding nozzle and is due to the influence of interphase friction on the flow. The variation of the pressure along the flow can be nonmonotonic with points of local maximum or minimum which do not coincide with the singular point at which the gas velocity reaches the velocity of sound. In the case of nonequilibrium gas flows with particles in a Laval nozzle, the velocity of the gas may become equal to the isothermal velocity of sound not only in the exit section of the nozzle or in its expanding part, as noted in [4–6], but also at the minimal section, since it is possible to have flows for which the velocities of the phases are equalized at this section.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 6, pp. 61–68, October–December, 1981.     

Density-stratified Sadovskii flow in a channel

Stably density-stratified and nonstratified flows in a channel past a pair of symmetrical closed-streamline vortices on the channel axis are considered. The numerical results obtained cover the whole range of subcritical stratification and eddy lengths. An asymptotic solution for a very long closed-streamline region is found. The results can be used directly in the asymptotic theory of separated flows at high Reynolds number. Sadovskii flows are plane potential inviscid flows past a pair of closed-streamline regions of uniform vorticity. The flow velocity may be discontinuous at the boundary of the closed-streamline region. The analysis below is restricted to the specific case of continuous velocity distribution, so that the Bernoulli constant jump at the eddy boundary is zero. Unbounded nonstratified flows of this kind were studied in [1, 2]. Calculations of the corresponding channel flow were restricted to relatively wide channels. Closely related problems were also considered in [3, 4].Translated from Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No.4, pp. 118–123, May–June, 1993.     

Calculation of the momentum and heat transfer in turbulent gas-particle jet flows

The equations for the second moments of the dispersed-phase velocity and temperature fluctuations are used for calculating gas-suspension jet flows within the framework of the Euler approach. The advantages of introducing the equations for the second moments of the particle velocity fluctuations has previously been quite convincingly demonstrated with reference to the calculation of two-phase channel boundary flows [9–11]. The flows considered below have a low solid particle volume concentration, so that interparticle collisions can be neglected and, consequently, the stochastic motion of the particles is determined exclusively by their involvement in the fluctuating motion of the carrier flow. In addition to the equations for the turbulent energy of the gas and its dissipation, the calculation scheme includes the equations for the turbulent energy and turbulent heat transfer of the solid phase; however, the model constructed does not contain additional empirical constants associated with the presence of the particles in the flow.Translated from Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No.3, pp. 69–80, May–June, 1992.     

Characterization of particle-laden, confined swirling flows by phase-doppler anemometry and numerical calculation

The particle dispersion characteristics in a confined swirling flow with a swirl number of approx. 0.5 were studied in detail by performing measurements using phase-Doppler anemometry (PDA) and numerical predictions. A mixture of gas and particles was injected without swirl into the test section, while the swirling airstream was provided through a co-flowing annular inlet. Two cases with different primary jet exit velocities were considered. For these flow conditions, a closed central recirculation bubble was established just downstream of the inlet.

The PDA measurements allowed the correlation between particle size and velocity to be obtained and also the spatial change in the particle size distribution throughout the flow field. For these results, the behaviour of different size classes in the entire particle size spectrum, ranging from about 15 to 80 μm, could be studied, and the response of the particles to the mean flow and the gas turbulence could be characterized. Due to the response characteristics of particles with different diameters to the mean flow and the flow turbulence, a considerable separation of the particles was observed which resulted in a streamwise increase in the particle mean number diameter in the core region of the central recirculation bubble. For the lower particle inlet velocity (i.e. low primary jet exit velocity), this effect is more pronounced, since here the particles have more time to respond to the flow reversal and the swirl velocity component. This also gave a higher mass of recirculating particle material.

The numerical predictions of the gas flow were performed by solving the time-averaged Navier-Stokes equations in connection with the well known kε turbulence model. Although this turbulence model is based on the assumption of isotropic turbulence, the agreement of the calculated mean velocity profiles compared to the measured gas velocities is very good. The gas-phase turbulent kinetic energy, however, is considerably underpredicted in the initial mixing region. The particle dispersion characteristics were calculated by using the Lagrangian approach, where the influence of the particulate phase on the gas flow could be neglected, since only very low mass loadings were considered. The calculated results for the particle mean velocity and the mass flux are also in good agreement with the experiments. Furthermore, the change in the particle mean diameter throughout the flow field was predicted approximately, which shows that the applied simple stochastic dispersion model also gives good results for such very complex flows. The variation of the gas and particle velocity in the primary inlet had a considerable impact on the particle dispersion behaviour in the swirling flow and the particle residence time in the central recirculation bubble, which could be determined from the numerical calculations. For the lower particle inlet velocity, the maximum particle size-dependence residence time within the recirculation region was considerably shifted towards larger particles.     

Numerical simulation of particle migration in asymmetric bifurcation channel

In this work we provide numerical validation of the particle migration during flow of concentrated suspension in asymmetric T-junction bifurcation channel observed in a recent experiment [1]. The mathematical models developed to explain particle migration phenomenon basically fall into two categories, namely, suspension balance model and diffusive flux model. These models have been successfully applied to explain migration behavior in several two-dimensional flows. However, many processes often involve flow in complex 3D geometries. In this work we have carried out numerical simulation of concentrated suspension flow in 3D bifurcation geometry using the diffusive flux model. The simulation method was validated with available experimental and theoretical results for channel flow. After validation of the method we have applied the simulation technique to study the flow of concentrated suspensions through an asymmetric T-junction bifurcation composed of rectangular channels. It is observed that in the span-wise direction inhomogeneous concentration distribution that develops upstream persists throughout the inlet and downstream channels. Due to the migration of particles near the bifurcation section there is almost equal partitioning of flow in the two downstream branches. The detailed comparison of numerical simulation results is made with the experimental data.     

Compact bend for a supersonic two-dimensional flow

A channel realizing a compact bend in the class of channels proposed by Stepanov and Oswatitsch [1, 2] and based on the use of a “potential vortex” flow has been constructed and investigated numerically. The dependence of the size of the channel on the Mach number of the initial flow has been obtained numerically. A bend is proposed on the basis of multiple use of isentropic compression and rarefaction waves and regions of their interaction. Such flows have already been obtained and analyzed [3, 4]. Such channels are compared and it is shown, in particular, that at small Mach numbers of the initial flow the newly proposed channel is smaller than the channel based on the use of the potential vortex flow.     

Solution of a variational problem for the flow in an MHD generator

The most complete study and construction of extremal plasma flow regimes in the channel of an MHD generator may be accomplished using the methods of variational calculus. The variational problem of conducting-gas motion in an MHD channel was first discussed in [1]. The general formulation of the problem for the MHD generator was considered in [2]. Solutions of variational problems for particular cases of extremal flows are given in [2–5].The present study obtains the solution of the variational problem of the flow of a variable conductivity plasma in an MHD generator which has maximal output power for given channel length or volume. An analysis of the solution is made, and a comparison of the extremal flows with optimized flow in a generator with constant values of the electrical efficiency and flow Mach number is carried out.     

On the shapes of swirling annular jets of a liquid

Annular jets of an incompressible liquid moving in a gas at rest are of interest for applications. A critical analysis of the investigations into jets from centrifugal nozzles is contained in [1]. These investigations elucidated the experimentally observed tulip and bubble jet shapes, and also predict the existence of annular jets of periodic shape. However, simplifications of the flow details are made to obtain the results. For example, in the equations describing the equilibrium of the forces acting on the film, no allowance is made for forces that arise on account of the curving of its shape in the meridional sections nor for the variability of the tangential velocity component in the field of the centrifugal forces. In the present paper, the method of [2] is used to derive equations that describe the flow of swirling annular jets of liquid with uniform profile of the longitudinal velocities in an undisturbed ideal medium with allowance for surface tension and gravity forces and also the pressure difference outside and within the jet. The results of calculations are given that illustrate the dependence of the jet shapes on the relative contributions of the capillary and inertial forces and also the pressure difference, the intensity of the initial swirling, the angle at which the liquid leaves the nozzle, and the gravity force.Translated from Izyestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 5, pp. 144–148, September–October, 1979.I am grateful to V. Ya. Shkadov for interest in the work.     

A Comparison of Large Scale Extraction Methods in the Study of Annular Wake Flow

Large scale periodic structures can exist in selected flow fields. Examples are the Precessing Vortex Core in swirling flows, vortex shedding behind a cylinder or the wake of an annular jet. A number of techniques are available to extract these large scales from the turbulent fluctuations in the flow field. In this paper, an analysis is made of three such methods: Eulerian Time Filtering (ETF), Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) and non-linear least-squares regression POD (NLSR-POD). The accuracy of the three different extraction methods is compared quantitatively with phase averaged data of an annular wake flow. This flow was chosen as a test case, since it is widely used in industrial applications, such as for example bluff-body burners. It was shown that all three methods were able to reconstruct the flow field with reasonable accuracy. These techniques are therefore applicable to a number of periodic flows. The big advantage of these extraction methods is that they require 20 times less experimental data compared to phase averaging. All three methods require more or less the same computational time and since the computational time is a few orders of magnitude lower than the measurement time, application of these techniques results in a very large reduction in the total time to obtain the flow field characteristics. This results in a significant reduction of time in the design process of such flows.     

Experimental study of flow and heat transfer in rib-roughened rectangular channels

Secondary flow patterns, pressure drop and heat transfer in rib-roughened rectangular channels have been investigated. The aspect ratio of the channels is 1–8, and ribs are attached to the wide channel walls in order to set up swirling motions. The geometries tested consist of channels having cross ribs, parallel ribs, cross V-ribs, parallel V-ribs, and multiple V-ribs (Swirl Flow Tube). The flow patterns were investigated using smoke wire visualization and LDV measurements. The smoke wire experiments have been performed at Re=1100 and the LDV measurements at Re=3000 at periodic fully developed conditions. The heat transfer and pressure drop are described by j and f factors for Reynolds numbers from 500 to 15 000. The distributions of axial mean velocity and turbulent fluctuations are strongly influenced by the secondary flows. Large mean velocities and small fluctuations are found in regions where the secondary flow is directed towards a surface, while small mean velocities and large fluctuations are found in regions where the secondary flow is directed away from a surface. The Swirl Flow Tube provides a significant increase in the j factor at Reynolds numbers from 1000 to 2000, but unfortunately also an increase in the f factor. At higher Reynolds numbers, the j and f factors of the Swirl Flow Tube are of the same order of magnitude as for the other rib-roughened channels. It is found that the flow direction in a channel with parallel V-ribs has important influence on the j/f ratio. At Reynolds numbers above 4000, this channel provides the highest j/f ratio if the V-ribs are pointing upstream; while it provides the lowest j/f ratio of all rib configurations, if the V-ribs are pointing downstream.     

A note on co-current laminar flows of two immiscible elastico-viscous liquids

Summary An analysis is presented of steady (isothermal) co-current laminar flows of two immiscible elasticoviscous liquids in cylindrical channels to include (i) unidirectional stratified flow with ripple-free, plane liquid interface, and (ii) concentric-layered swirling flow with ripple-free cylindrical liquid interface. The general conditions are derived for such two-phase channel flows to be physically realizable. It is shown that, whereas (under certain circumstances)single-phase laminar flows are physically possible,two-phase flows, on the other hand, of liquids of the same class may not be. But liquids of theRoberts type (Roberts 1953), with a normal stress difference equivalent to an extra simple tension along the streamlines in simple shearing, are capable of steady unidirectional flowin all circumstances (whether in single or two-phase flow), though they are not in a privileged position so far astwo-phase swirling flows are concerned.     

Non equilibrium gas-liquid flows in variable cross section ducts

The behaviour of two-phase high velocity flows in variable cross section ducts was investigated using a one-dimensional numerical model developed for the study of the annular flow configuration. Heat, mass, and momentum transfer between the phases during the flow were considered. The validation of the calculation procedure was made with some experimental data for the air-water couple, while the main application concerned the evaluation of momentum transfer from an expanding gas to an entrained liquid stream in droplet form. A liquid metal-gas flow was considered to simulate the process taking place in a plant where electrical power is generated by a liquid metal flowing in a magnetic field (MHD). The effectiveness of energy and momentum transfer between the liquid and the gas phase during the expansion was evaluated and the influence of nozzles with different convergence angles was investigated.