Unsteady mixed flows in non uniform closed water pipes: a Full Kinetic Approach

We recall the Pressurized and Free Surface model constructed for the modeling of unsteady mixed flows in closed water pipes where transition points between the free surface and pressurized flow are treated as a free boundary associated to a discontinuity of the gradient of pressure. Then we present a numerical kinetic scheme for the computations of unsteady mixed flows in closed water pipes. This kinetic method that we call FKA for “Full Kinetic Approach” is an easy and mathematically elegant way to deal with multiple transition points when the changes of state between free surface and pressurized flow occur. We use two approaches namely the “ghost waves approach” and the “Full Kinetic Approach” to treat these transition points. We show that this kinetic numerical scheme has the following properties: it is wet area conservative, under a CFL condition it preserves the wet area positive, it treats “naturally” the flooding zones and most of all it is very easy to implement it. Finally numerical experiments versus laboratory experiments are presented and the scheme produces results that are in a very good agreement. We also present a numerical comparison with analytic solutions for free surface flows in non uniform pipes: the numerical scheme has a very good behavior. A code to code comparison for pressurized flows is also conducted and leads to a very good agreement. We also perform a numerical experiment when flooding and drying flows may occur and finally make a numerical study of the order of the kinetic method.     

Mixed-finite element and finite volume discretization for heavy brine simulations in groundwater

Recently, a new theory of high-concentration brine transport in groundwater has been developed. This approach is based on two nonlinear mass conservation equations, one for the fluid (flow equation) and one for the salt (transport equation), both having nonlinear diffusion terms. In this paper, we present and analyze a numerical technique for the solution of such a model. The approach is based on the mixed hybrid finite element method for the discretization of the diffusion terms in both the flow and transport equations, and a high-resolution TVD finite volume scheme for the convective term. This latter technique is coupled to the discretized diffusive flux by means of a time-splitting approach. A commonly used benchmark test (Elder problem) is used to verify the robustness and nonoscillatory behavior of the proposed scheme and to test the validity of two different formulations, one based on using pressure head ψ and concentration c as dependent variables, and one using pressure p and mass fraction ω as dependent variables. It is found that the latter formulation gives more accurate and reliable results, in particular, at large times. The numerical model is then compared against a semi-analytical solution and the results of a laboratory test. These tests are used to verify numerically the performance and robustness of the proposed numerical scheme when high-concentration gradients (i.e., the double nonlinearity) are present.     

Numerical modeling of 3-D flow on porous broad crested weirs

Gabion weirs with optional design as a broad crested weirs are suitable structures to reduce flash flood with a minimal negative impact on the water environment. In the present study, the 3-D flow was simulated around gabion weirs with respect to free-surface water. The Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations are solved to predict water surface over the gabion weir. The VOF method with the geometric reconstruction scheme was applied to treat the complex free-surface flow. Simulations were performed using three variants of the k–ε and the RSM models to find the water level and velocity distribution profile and results are compared with several experimental data available in the literature. The structured mesh was used for all domains with high dense mesh near the solid region. A comparison between experimental data and simulations indicates that the k–ε model can be used to predict the complex flow and water level with high accuracy.     

Investigation on the effect of trailing edge ejection on a turbine cascade

This paper presents a detailed experimental and numerical investigation for a turbine cascade with different trailing edge ejection. The numerical simulation is based on Three-Dimensional Navier–Stokes equations coupled with an effective ejection model, where a high resolution non-oscillatory scheme, LU-SGS implicit algorithm and Baldwin-Lomax turbulence model are employed. The experiments presented in this paper focused on a transonic turbine cascade performance with different ejection to validate the numerical simulation results. The results show that the blowing ratio has a small effect on the Mach number distribution and exit flow angle with two slot types. However the energy loss coefficient increases initially, and subsequently has a decrease tendency with the increasing of blowing ratio. The ejection from the symmetry slot blows away the vortex at the blade trailing edge and strengthens the mixing between the wake and main flow. The ejection from the pressure side cutback only clears up the vortex near the slot surface, and has small effect on the flow field near the trailing edge.     

Numerical modelling of free-surface shallow flows over irregular topography with complex geometry

A well-balanced Godunov-type finite volume algorithm is developed for modelling free-surface shallow flows over irregular topography with complex geometry. The algorithm is based on a new formulation of the classical shallow water equations in hyperbolic conservation form. Unstructured triangular grids are used to achieve the adaptability of the grid to the geometry of the problem and to facilitate localised refinement. The numerical fluxes are calculated using HLLC approximate Riemann solver, and the MUSCL-Hancock predictor–corrector scheme is adopted to achieve the second-order accuracy both in space and in time where the solutions are continuous, and to achieve high-resolution results where the solutions are discontinuous. The novelties of the algorithm include preserving well-balanced property without any additional correction terms and the wet/dry front treatments. The good performance of the algorithm is demonstrated by comparing numerical and theoretical results of several benchmark problems, including the preservation of still water over a two-dimensional hump, the idealised dam-break flow over a frictionless flat rectangular channel, the circular dam-break, and the shock wave from oblique wall. Besides, two laboratory dam-break cases are used for model validation. Furthermore, a practical application related to dam-break flood wave propagation over highly irregular topography with complex geometry is presented. The results show that the algorithm can correctly account for free-surface shallow flows with respect to its effectiveness and robustness thus has bright application prospects.     

The effects of bed form roughness on total suspended load via the Lattice Boltzmann Method

Bed forms in natural rivers and man-made channels provide the dominant contribution to overall flow resistance and hence significantly affect sediment transport rate. Many laboratory experiments and field observations have been conducted on bed forms, and it was found that theoretical flat-bed assumptions do not give the correct estimation for the total suspended load (TSL). In this study, we present a systematic numerical investigation of turbulent open-channel flows over bed forms using the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM). A static Smagorinsky model is incorporated into LBM to account for turbulence, and the dynamic interface between fluid and air is captured by a free-surface model. The time-averaged flow velocity, turbulence intensity and Reynolds shear stress in LBM simulations show an excellent agreement with the available experimental data. In addition, the coherent flow structures induced by the bed forms qualitatively agree with previous numerical results from Large Eddy Simulations based the Navier–Stokes equations. We then proceed to investigate the effects of bed form roughness, quantified by the total friction factor f_T, on sediment transport. It is found that the prediction of the TSL based on the theoretical flat-bed assumptions may lead to an overestimation of up to 30%, depending on the bed form roughness. In addition, the normalized TSL is linearly proportional to f_T and nearly inversely proportional to the ratio of downward settling velocity and upward turbulence induced diffusion. Our work proposes a general law linking these quantities to estimate the TSL, which has the potential for a more efficient and accurate engineering design of man-made channels and improved river management.     

Laguerre polynomial approach for solving linear delay difference equations

This paper presents a numerical method for the approximate solution of mth-order linear delay difference equations with variable coefficients under the mixed conditions in terms of Laguerre polynomials. The aim of this article is to present an efficient numerical procedure for solving mth-order linear delay difference equations with variable coefficients. Our method depends mainly on a Laguerre series expansion approach. This method transforms linear delay difference equations and the given conditions into matrix equation which corresponds to a system of linear algebraic equation. The reliability and efficiency of the proposed scheme are demonstrated by some numerical experiments and performed on the computer algebraic system Maple.     

A finite volume scheme for a model coupling free surface and pressurised flows in pipes

A model is derived for the coupling of transient free surface and pressurized flows. The resulting system of equations is written under a conservative form with discontinuous gradient of pressure. We treat the transition point between the two types of flows as a free boundary associated to a discontinuity of the gradient of pressure. The numerical simulation is performed by making use of a Roe-like finite volume scheme that we adapted to such discontinuities in the flux. The validation is performed by comparison with experimental results.     

Hopf bifurcations to quasi-periodic solutions for the two-dimensional plane Poiseuille flow

This paper studies various Hopf bifurcations in the two-dimensional plane Poiseuille problem. For several values of the wavenumber α, we obtain the branch of periodic flows which are born at the Hopf bifurcation of the laminar flow. It is known that, taking α ≈ 1, the branch of periodic solutions has several Hopf bifurcations to quasi-periodic orbits. For the first bifurcation, calculations from other authors seem to indicate that the bifurcating quasi-periodic flows are stable and subcritical with respect to the Reynolds number, Re. By improving the precision of previous works we find that the bifurcating flows are unstable and supercritical with respect to Re. We have also analysed the second Hopf bifurcation of periodic orbits for several α, to find again quasi-periodic solutions with increasing Re. In this case the bifurcated solutions are stable to superharmonic disturbances for Re up to another new Hopf bifurcation to a family of stable 3-tori. The proposed numerical scheme is based on a full numerical integration of the Navier-Stokes equations, together with a division by 3 of their total dimension, and the use of a pseudo-Newton method on suitable Poincaré sections. The most intensive part of the computations has been performed in parallel. We believe that this methodology can also be applied to similar problems.     

Assessment of subgrid-scale models for the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations

In this paper, we assess two kinds of subgrid finite element methods for the two-dimensional (2D) incompressible Naver-Stokes equations (NSEs). These methods introduce subgrid-scale (SGS) eddy viscosity terms which do not act on the large flow structures. The eddy viscous terms consist of the fluid flow fluctuation strain rate stress tensors. The fluctuation tensor can be calculated by a elliptic projection or a simple L² projection (projective filter) in finite element spaces. The finite element pair P₂/P₁ is adopted to numerically implement analysis and computation. We give a complete error analysis based on the assumptions of some regularity conditions. On the part of numerical tests, the numerical computations for the stationary flows show that the numerical results agree with some benchmark solutions and theoretical analysis very well. Furthermore, the given SGS models are applied to the non-stationary fluid flows.     

Performance of turbulence models for flows through rough pipes

The Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations were solved along with turbulence models, namely k–ε, k–ω, Reynolds stress models (RSM), and filtered Navier–Stokes equations along with Large Eddy Simulation (LES) to study the fully-developed turbulent flows in circular pipes roughened by repeated square ribs with various spacings. Solutions of these flows were obtained using the commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software Fluent. The numerical results were validated against experimental measurements and other numerical data published in literature. The performance of the turbulence models was compared and discussed. All the RANS models and LES model were observed to perform equally well in predicting the time-averaged flow statistics. However no instantaneous information can be obtained from the RANS results. Therefore, when a rough overview of the flow process in a pipe roughened by repeated ribs is needed, any one of the RANS models can be of value. On the other hand, the instantaneous as well as time-averaged flows could be studied with more insight using LES, albeit at a cost of CPU effort at least one order higher.     

2D numerical simulation of submerged hydraulic jumps

Hydraulic jumps are usually used to dissipate energy in hydraulic engineering. In this paper, the turbulent submerged hydraulic jumps are simulated by solving the unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes equations along with the continuity equation and the standard k–? equations for turbulence modeling. The Lagrangian moving grid method is employed for the simulation of the free surface. In the developed model, kinematic free-surface boundary condition is solved simultaneously with the momentum and continuity equations, so that the water elevation can be obtained along with velocity and pressure fields as part of the solution. Computational results are presented for Froude numbers ranging from 3.2 to 8.2 and submergence factors ranging from 0.24 to 0.85. Comparisons with experimental measurements show that numerical model can simulate the velocity field, variation of free surface, maximum velocity, Reynolds shear and normal stresses at various stations with reasonable accuracy.     

Numerical modelling of subcritical open channel flow using the K-ε turbulence model and the penalty function finite element technique

A numerical model has been developed that employs the penalty function finite element technique to solve the vertically averaged hydrodynamic and turbulence model equations for a water body using isoparametric elements. The full elliptic forms of the equations are solved, thereby allowing recirculating flows to be calculated. Alternative momentum dispersion and turbulence closure models are proposed and evaluated by comparing model predictions with experimental data for strongly curved subcritical open channel flow. The results of these simulations indicate that the depth-averaged two-equation k-ε turbulence model yields excellent agreement with experimental observations. In addition, it appears that neither the streamline curvature modification of the depth-averaged k-ε model, nor the momentum dispersion models based on the assumption of helicoidal flow in a curved channel, yield significant improvement in the present model predictions. Overall model predictions are found to be as good as those of a more complex and restricted three-dimensional model.     

Similarity solutions for mixed convection boundary layer flow over a permeable horizontal flat plate

The effects of suction and injection on steady laminar mixed convection boundary layer flow over a permeable horizontal flat plate in a viscous and incompressible fluid is investigated in this paper. The similarity solutions of the governing boundary layer equations are obtained for some values of the suction and injection parameter f₀, the constant exponent n of the wall temperature as well as the mixed convection parameter λ. The resulting system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations is solved numerically for both assisting and opposing flow regimes using a finite-difference scheme known as the Keller-box method. Numerical results for the reduced skin friction coefficient, the reduced local Nusselt number, and the velocity and temperature profiles are obtained for various values of the parameters considered. Dual solutions are found to exist for the opposing flow.     

超声速、高超声速粘性气体分离流动的显隐式差分解法

本文利用反扩散的两步显、隐式差分方法,求解了超声速、高超声速粘性气体绕二维、三维压缩拐角的层流和湍流分离运动.结果表明,它既能获得很好的精度,又能大大缩短计算机时.     

Numerical solution of laminar incompressible generalized Newtonian fluids flow

This paper deals with the numerical solution of laminar viscous incompressible flows for generalized Newtonian fluids in the branching channel. The generalized Newtonian fluids contain Newtonian fluids, shear thickening and shear thinning non-Newtonian fluids. The mathematical model is the generalized system of Navier-Stokes equations. The finite volume method combined with an artificial compressibility method is used for spatial discretization. For time discretization the explicit multistage Runge-Kutta numerical scheme is considered. Steady state solution is achieved for t → ∞ using steady boundary conditions and followed by steady residual behavior. For unsteady solution a dual-time stepping method is considered. Numerical results for flows in two dimensional and three dimensional branching channel are presented.     

A kinetic formulation for a model coupling free surface and pressurised flows in closed pipes

The aim of this paper is to present a kinetic formulation of a model for the coupling of transient free surface and pressurised flows. Firstly, we revisit the system of Saint-Venant equations for free surface flow: we state some properties of Saint-Venant equations, we propose a kinetic formulation and we verify that this kinetic formulation leads to a Gibbs equilibrium that minimises (in some general case) an energy and preserves the still water steady state. Secondly, we propose a model for pressurised flows in a Saint-Venant-like conservative formulation. We then propose a kinetic formulation and we verify that this kinetic formulation leads to a Gibbs equilibrium that minimises in any case an energy and preserves the still water steady state. Finally, we propose a dual model that couples these two types of flow.     

Second order unconditionally convergent and energy stable linearized scheme for MHD equations

In this paper, we propose an efficient numerical scheme for magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) equations. This scheme is based on a second order backward difference formula for time derivative terms, extrapolated treatments in linearization for nonlinear terms. Meanwhile, the mixed finite element method is used for spatial discretization. We present that the scheme is unconditionally convergent and energy stable with second order accuracy with respect to time step. The optimal L ² and H ¹ fully discrete error estimates for velocity, magnetic variable and pressure are also demonstrated. A series of numerical tests are carried out to confirm our theoretical results. In addition, the numerical experiments also show the proposed scheme outperforms the other classic second order schemes, such as Crank-Nicolson/Adams-Bashforth scheme, linearized Crank-Nicolson’s scheme and extrapolated Gear’s scheme, in solving high physical parameters MHD problems.     

Depth-averaged modeling of free surface flows in open channels with emerged and submerged vegetation

The resistance induced by vegetation on the flow in a watercourse should be considered in projects of watercourse management and river restoration. Depth-averaged numerical model is an efficient tool to study this problem. In this study, a depth-averaged model using the finite volume method on a staggered curvilinear grid and the SIMPLEC algorithm for numerical solution is developed for simulating the hydrodynamics of free surface flows in watercourses with vegetation. For the model formulation the vegetation resistance is treated as a momentum sink and represented by a Manning type equation, and turbulence is parameterized by the k–ε equations. An analytical equation is derived to represent the resistance induced by submerged vegetation by an equivalent Manning roughness coefficient. Numerical simulation is carried out for the flow in an open channel with a 180° bend, and the flow in a curved open channel partly covered by emerged vegetation, as well as the flow in a straight trapezoidal channel with submerged vegetation. The agreement between the computed results and the measured data is generally good, showing that the resistance due to emerged or submerged vegetation can be represented accurately by the Manning roughness equation. The computed results demonstrate that the depth-averaged modeling is a reasonable and efficient tool to study flows in watercourses with vegetations.     

Comparison of turbulence models in simulating swirling pipe flows

Swirling flow is a common phenomenon in engineering applications. A numerical study of the swirling flow inside a straight pipe was carried out in the present work with the aid of the commercial CFD code fluent. Two-dimensional simulations were performed, and two turbulence models were used, namely, the RNG k–ε model and the Reynolds stress model. Results at various swirl numbers were obtained and compared with available experimental data to determine if the numerical method is valid when modeling swirling flows. It has been shown that the RNG k–ε model is in better agreement with experimental velocity profiles for low swirl, while the Reynolds stress model becomes more appropriate as the swirl is increased. However, both turbulence models predict an unrealistic decay of the turbulence quantities for the flows considered here, indicating the inadequacy of such models in simulating developing pipe flows with swirl.