A computational model of a transcritical R744 ejector based on a homogeneous real fluid approach

A mathematical model of the compressible transonic single- and two-phase flow of a real fluid is discussed in this paper. The model was originally developed to simulate a refrigerant flow through a heat pump ejector. In the proposed approach, a temperature-based energy equation is replaced with an enthalpy-based formulation, in which the specific enthalpy, instead of the temperature, is an independent variable. A thermodynamic and mechanical equilibrium between gaseous and liquid phases is assumed for the two-phase flow. Consequently, real fluid properties, such as the density, the dynamic viscosity and the diffusion coefficient, are defined as functions of the pressure and the specific enthalpy. The energy equation formulation is implemented in commercial CFD software using subroutines that were developed in-house. The formulations was tested extensively for a single-phase flow of the R141b refrigerant, and for a two-phase flow of the R744 fluid (carbon dioxide) that occurred in a 3-D model of the ejector motive nozzle. In the model validation procedure, a satisfactory comparison between the experimental and computational results of the primary and secondary mass flow rates was obtained for both flow regimes. In addition, in the case of the R744 flow, the pressure distribution along the centre line of the ejector was accurately predicted as well. Furthermore, the results also shows that geometry modelling and measurement accuracy play an important in the final numerical results. As a result of the reasonable computational times, this method can be effectively used for the design of ejectors and also in geometric optimisation computations.     

Assessment of turbulence modeling for gas flow in two-dimensional convergent–divergent rocket nozzle

In the present study, the turbulent gas flow dynamics in a two-dimensional convergent–divergent rocket nozzle is numerically predicted and the associated physical phenomena are investigated for various operating conditions. The nozzle is assumed to have impermeable and adiabatic walls with a flow straightener in the upstream side and is connected to a plenum surrounding the nozzle geometry and extended in the downstream direction. In this integrated component model, the inlet flow is assumed a two-dimensional, steady, compressible, turbulent and subsonic. The physics based mathematical model of the considered flow consists of conservation of mass, momentum and energy equations subject to appropriate boundary conditions as defined by the physical problem stated above. The system of the governing equations with turbulent effects is solved numerically using different turbulence models to demonstrate their numerical accuracy in predicting the characteristics of turbulent gas flow in such complex geometry. The performance of the different turbulence models adopted has been assessed by comparing the obtained results of the static wall pressure and the shock position with the available experimental and numerical data. The dimensionless shear stress at the nozzle wall and the separation point are also computed and the flow field is illustrated. The various implemented turbulence models have shown different behavior of the turbulent characteristics. However, the shear-stress transport (SST) k–ω model exhibits the best overall agreement with the experimental measurements. In general, the proposed numerical procedure applied in the present paper shows good capability in predicting the physical phenomena and the flow characteristics encountered in such kinds of complex turbulent flow.     

Note on the uniqueness of subsonic Euler flows in an axisymmetric nozzle

In this paper, we consider the uniqueness of globally subsonic compressible flows through an infinitely long axisymmetric nozzle. The flow is governed by the steady Euler equations and satisfies no-flow boundary conditions on the nozzle walls. We will show that for given mass flux and Bernoulli’s function in the upstream, the subsonic flow is unique in the class of all axisymmetric solutions, which possess the asymptotic behaviors at the far fields. This result extends the uniqueness of solutions in the previous paper Du and Duan (2011) [1].     

Global subsonic Euler flows in an infinitely long axisymmetric nozzle

In this paper, we consider global subsonic compressible flows through an infinitely long axisymmetric nozzle. The flow is governed by the steady Euler equations and has boundary conditions on the nozzle walls. Existence and uniqueness of global subsonic solution are established for an infinitely long axisymmetric nozzle, when the variation of Bernoulli's function in the upstream is sufficiently small and the mass flux of the incoming flow is less than some critical value. The results give a strictly mathematical proof to the assertion in Bers (1958) [2]: there exists a critical value of the incoming mass flux such that a global subsonic flow exists uniquely in a nozzle, provided that the incoming mass flux is less than the critical value. The existence of subsonic flow is obtained by the precisely a priori estimates for the elliptic equation of two variables. With the assumptions on the nozzle in the far fields, the asymptotic behavior can be derived by a blow-up argument for the infinitely long nozzle. Finally, we obtain the uniqueness of uniformly subsonic flow by energy estimate and derive the existence of the critical value of incoming mass flux.     

Examples of steady subsonic flows in a convergent-divergent approximate nozzle

We construct special solutions of the full Euler system for steady compressible flows in a convergent-divergent approximate nozzle and study the stability of the purely subsonic flows. For a given pressure p₀ prescribed at the entry of the nozzle, as the pressure p₁ at the exit decreases, the flow patterns in the nozzle change continuously: there appear subsonic flow, subsonic-sonic flow, transonic flow and transonic shocks. Our results indicate that, to determine a subsonic flow in a two-dimensional nozzle, if the Bernoulli constant is uniform in the flow field, then this constant should not be prescribed if the pressure, density at the entry and the pressure at the exit of the nozzle are given; if the Bernoulli constant and both the pressures at the entrance and the exit are given, the average of the density at the entrance is then totally determined.     

Space-time discontinuous Galerkin method for the solution of fluid-structure interaction

The paper is concerned with the application of the space-time discontinuous Galerkin method (STDGM) to the numerical solution of the interaction of a compressible flow and an elastic structure. The flow is described by the system of compressible Navier-Stokes equations written in the conservative form. They are coupled with the dynamic elasticity system of equations describing the deformation of the elastic body, induced by the aerodynamical force on the interface between the gas and the elastic structure. The domain occupied by the fluid depends on time. It is taken into account in the Navier-Stokes equations rewritten with the aid of the arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) method. The resulting coupled system is discretized by the STDGM using piecewise polynomial approximations of the sought solution both in space and time. The developed method can be applied to the solution of the compressible flow for a wide range of Mach numbers and Reynolds numbers. For the simulation of elastic deformations two models are used: the linear elasticity model and the nonlinear neo-Hookean model. The main goal is to show the robustness and applicability of the method to the simulation of the air flow in a simplified model of human vocal tract and the flow induced vocal folds vibrations. It will also be shown that in this case the linear elasticity model is not adequate and it is necessary to apply the nonlinear model.     

A numerical study on the effect of cavitation erosion in a diesel injector

The consequences of geometry alterations in a diesel injector caused by cavitation erosion are investigated with numerical simulations. The differences in the results between the nominal design geometry and the eroded one are analyzed for the internal injector flow and spray formation. The flow in the injector is modeled with a three-phase Eulerian approach using a compressible pressure-based multiphase flow solver. Cavitation is simulated with a nonequilibrium mass transfer rate model based on the simplified form of the Rayleigh–Plesset equation. Slip velocity between the liquid-vapor mixture and air is included in the model by solving two separate momentum conservation equations. The eroded injector is found to result in a loss in the rate of injection but also lower cavitation volume fraction inside the nozzle. The injected sprays are then simulated with a Lagrangian method considering as initial conditions the predicted flow characteristics at the exit of the nozzle. The results obtained show wider spray dispersion for the eroded injector and shorter spray tip penetration.     

A remark on determination of transonic shocks in divergent nozzles for steady compressible Euler flows

In this paper we construct a class of transonic shock in a divergent nozzle which is a part of an angular sector (for two-dimensional case) or a cone (for three-dimensional case) which does not contain the vertex. The state of the compressible flow depends only on the distance from the vertex of the angular sector or the cone. It is supersonic at the entrance, while for appropriately given large pressure at the exit, a transonic shock front appears in the nozzle and the flow becomes subsonic after passing it. The position and strength of the shock is automatically adjusted according to the pressure given at the exit. We demonstrate these phenomena by using the two-dimensional and three-dimensional full steady compressible Euler systems. The idea involved is to solve discontinuous solutions of a class of two-point boundary value problems for systems of ordinary differential equations. Results established in this paper may be used to analyze transonic shocks in general nozzles.     

Derivation of the method of characteristics for the fluid dynamic solution of flow advection along porous wall channels

This paper describes in detail a novel formulation of the method of characteristics for its application to solve one-dimensional compressible unsteady non-homentropic flow advected along porous wall channels. In particular, the method is implemented into a wall-flow monolith Diesel particulate filter model whose purpose is the pressure drop prediction. The flow inside the monolith channels is considered to be one-dimensional and the flow through the porous wall treated as a source term agree with the Darcy’s law. The flow dynamic behaviour at internal nodes of the channels is solved by means of shock capturing methods, whereas the end nodes, or boundary conditions, are solved applying the method of characteristics. The derived solution in this study of the Riemann variables and the entropy level includes the variation along the space–time plane due to cross-section area changes, friction and heat transfer as traditionally stated, but also takes into account the key influence on every line of the flow leaving or entering to the channels through the porous walls.     

Numerical analyis of turbulent flow in a Coanda ejector

The task of this study is to investigate the influence of various geometric parameters and pressure ratios on the Coanda ejector performance. For numerically investigations we use an implicit formulation of the compressible Reynolds-average Navier-Stokes equations (RANS) for axisymmetric flow with a shear stress transport k − ω (SST model) turbulence model. The numerically results was obtained for a total pressure range 1-5 Bars, imposed at the reservoir inlet. The effect of various factors, such as, the pressure ratio, primary nozzle and ejector configurations on the system performance has been evaluated based on defined performance parameters. The numerical results have been compared with theoretical and experimental results for a given Coanda ejector configuration. (© 2011 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A complete analysis of axial piston pump leakage and output flow ripples

The paper is focused on understanding the flow losses and the resulting flow/pressure dynamics in a piston pump. Initially, equations to evaluate leakages in all piston pump gaps will be presented and tested against numerical models, later the equations will be linked to determine the general pressure/flow pump dynamic characteristics. The model will also provide the temporal pressure in each piston/cylinder chamber and the temporal leakage in all pump clearances. A test rig able to measure the dynamic pressure inside a piston chamber was build and employed to evaluate pressure ripple dynamics as a function of turning speed, outlet pressure and swash plate angle. The comparison between experimental and simulated results is very good, giving confidence to the model presented. The advantage of using the analytical approach is that explicit equations allow a more direct understanding of the effect of dimension changes and operating conditions on pump dynamics. Fluid used hydraulic oil ISO 32.     

Non-Uniqueness of Almost Unidirectional Inviscid Compressible Flow

Our aim is to find roots of the non-unique behavior of gases which can be observed in certain axisymmetric nozzle geometries under special flow regimes. For this purpose, we use several versions of the compressible Euler equations. We show that the main reason for the non-uniqueness is hidden in the energy decomposition into its internal and kinetic parts, and their complementary behavior. It turns out that, at least for inviscid compressible flows, a bifurcation can occur only at flow regimes with the Mach number equal to one (sonic states). Analytical quasi-one-dimensional results are supplemented by quasi-one-dimensional and axisymmetric three-dimensional finite volume computations. Good agreement between quasi-one-dimensional and axisymmetric results, including the presence of multiple stationary solutions, is presented for axisymmetric nozzles with reasonably small slopes of the radius.     

Towards a general condition based maintenance model for a stochastic dynamic system

This paper considers a stochastic dynamic system subject to random deterioration, with regular condition monitoring and preventive maintenance. A model is presented to advise at a monitoring check what maintenance action to take based upon the condition monitoring and preventive maintenance information obtained to date. A general assumption adopted in the paper is that the performance of the system concerned can not be described directly by the monitored information, but is correlated with it stochastically. The model is relevant to a large class of condition monitoring techniques currently employed in industry including vibration and oil analysis. The model is constructed under fairly general conditions and includes two novel developments. Firstly, the concept of the conditional residual time is used to measure the condition of the monitored system at the time of a monitoring check, and secondly, contrary to previous practice, the monitored observation is now assumed to be a function of the system condition. Relationships between the observed history of condition monitoring, preventive maintenance actions, and the condition of the system are established. Methods for estimating model parameters are discussed. Since the model presented is generally beyond the scope for an analytical solution, a numerical approximation method is also proposed. Finally, a case example is presented to illustrate the modelling concepts in the case of non-maintained plant.     

Modeling of flow separation of assist gas as applied to laser cutting of thick sheet metal

The present paper describes the results of mathematical modeling of supersonic flows of a viscous compressible gas, obtained by numerically solving three-dimensional full Navier–Stokes equations, and also the results of experiments with visualization of gas jet flows in channels geometrically similar to the laser cut. Separation of the gas flow from the cut front is predicted numerically and then validated by experiments on a model setup. The gas flow structure arising in a narrow channel behind a sonic (conical) or supersonic nozzle is described. Specific features of originating in the flow separation on a smooth surface in a narrow channel are examined, and mechanisms controlling the separation are proposed. Flow separation directly affects the changes in the shape and structure of striations and is the one of main reason for the worse quality of the laser cut surface. It is shown that the changes in the structures of striations over the thickness of the sheet being cut are closely related to aerodynamic features of jet flows of the assisting gas in the cut channel.     

Large Eddy Simulations of Swirling Nozzle-Jet Flow Undergoing Vortex Breakdown

We developed a numerical setup to simulate swirling jet flow undergoing vortex breakdown. Our simulation code CONCYL solves the compressible Navier-Stokes equations in cylindrical coordinates using high-order numerical schemes. A nozzle is included in the computational domain to account for more realistic inflow boundary conditions. Preliminary results of a Re = 5000 compressible swirling jet at Mach number M a = 0.6 with an azimuthal velocity as high as the maximum axial velocity (swirl number S = 1.0 ) capture the fundamental characteristics of this flow type: At a certain point in time the jet spreads and develops into a conical vortex breakdown. A stagnation point-flow in the vicinity of the jet axis is clearly visible with the stagnation point located close to the nozzle exit. The stagnation point precesses in time around the jet axis, moving up- and downstream. (© 2011 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

同心圆管间无粘可压缩旋转流动的稳定性研究

本文主要研究了两个同心圆管之间无粘可压缩旋转流动的稳定性问题.首先推导出了关于径向扰动速度分量的可压缩线化微分方程.利用类似于Ludwieg的分析方法,推导了可压缩旋转流的两个稳定性准则.然后用有限差分方法数值求解了本征值问题,给出了时间增长率,并验证了稳定性准则的正确性.最后讨论了压缩性对稳定性的影响.     

Strong solutions to 1D compressible Navier‐Stokes/Allen‐Cahn system with free boundary

This paper is concerned with a diffuse interface model for two‐phase flow of compressible fluids with a type of free boundary. We establish the existence and uniqueness of global strong solutions of a coupled Navier‐Stokes/Allen‐Cahn system in 1D.     

The convexity for compressible subsonic cavity flows

In this paper, we first show that the flow velocity takes its maximum on the free boundary, provided that the nozzle wall and obstacle satisfy some corresponding geometric assumptions. Second, the convexity of the free boundary to the compressible subsonic cavity flows will be established. Finally, the optimal regularity of the free boundary at the detachment point is obtained.     

Existence in non‐smooth domain for compressible liquid crystals

This paper is devoted to the existence of compressible liquid crystals system in non‐smooth domain. We are tempted to prove the convergence of solutions depending on that of corresponding spatial domains for liquid crystals equations of compressible flow. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.