Numerical study on heavy rigid particle motion in a plane wake flow by spectral element method

Experimental particle dispersion patterns in a plane wake flow at a high Reynolds number have been predicted numerically by discrete vortex method (Phys. Fluids A 1992; 4 :2244–2251; Int. J. Multiphase Flow 2000; 26 :1583–1607). To address the particle motion at a moderate Reynolds number, spectral element method is employed to provide an instantaneous wake flow field for particle dynamics equations, which are solved to make a detail classification of the patterns in relation to the Stokes and Froude numbers. It is found that particle motion features only depend on the Stokes number at a high Froude number and depend on both numbers at a low Froude number. A ratio of the Stokes number to squared Froude number is introduced and threshold values of this parameter are evaluated that delineate the different regions of particle behavior. The parameter describes approximately the gravitational settling velocity divided by the characteristic velocity of wake flow. In order to present effects of particle density but preserve rigid sphere, hollow sphere particle dynamics in the plane wake flow is investigated. The evolution of hollow particle motion patterns for the increase of equivalent particle density corresponds to that of solid particle motion patterns for the decrease of particle size. Although the thresholds change a little, the parameter can still make a good qualitative classification of particle motion patterns as the inner diameter changes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stability analysis of annular flow structure, using a discrete form of the “two-fluid model”

The differential form of the “two-fluid model” for annular flow, neglecting surface tension, is ill-posed, and it is not suited for examining the stability of the steady-state solutions with respect to the average film thickness. It is shown here that a discrete (difference) representation of the two-fluid model may lead to an appropriate criterion for the stability of the steady-state solutions. Exactly the same criterion is obtained from the requirement that the kinematic waves will propagate in the downstream direction. The suggested discrete form of the “two-fluid model” is used to perform transient simulation and for examining the system response to finite disturbances.     

Spurious currents in finite element based level set methods for two‐phase flow

A study of spurious currents in continuous finite element based simulations of the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations for two‐phase flows is presented on the basis of computations on a circular drop in equilibrium. The conservative and the standard level set methods are used. It is shown that a sharp surface tension force, expressed as a line integral along the interface, can give rise to large spurious currents and oscillations in the pressure that do not decrease with mesh refinement. If instead a regularized surface tension representation is used, exact force balance at the interface is possible, both for a fully coupled discretization approach and for a fractional step projection method. However, the numerical curvature calculation introduces errors that cause spurious currents. Different ways to extend the curvature from the interface to the whole domain are discussed and investigated. The impact of using different finite element spaces and stabilization methods is also considered. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Legendre‐spectral element method for flow and heat transfer about an accelerating droplet

The problem of flow and heat transfer associated with a spherical droplet accelerated from rest under gravitational force is studied using a Legendre‐spectral element method in conjunction with a mixed time integration procedure to advance the solution in time. An influence matrix technique that exploits the superposition principle is adapted to resolve the lack of vorticity boundary conditions and to decouple the equations from the interfacial couplings. The computed flow and temperature fields, the drag coefficient, the Nusselt number, and the interfacial velocity and vorticity are presented for a drop moving vertically in a quiescent gas of infinite extent to illustrate the evolution of the flow and temperature fields. Comparison of the predicted drag coefficient and the Nusselt number against previous numerical and experimental results indicate good agreement. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fitted finite element discretization of two‐phase Stokes flow

We propose a novel fitted finite element method for two‐phase Stokes flow problems that uses piecewise linear finite elements to approximate the moving interface. The method can be shown to be unconditionally stable. Moreover, spherical stationary solutions are captured exactly by the numerical approximation. In addition, the meshes describing the discrete interface in general do not deteriorate in time, which means that in numerical simulations, a smoothing or a remeshing of the interface mesh is not necessary. We present several numerical experiments for our numerical method, which demonstrate the accuracy and robustness of the proposed algorithm. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The multi‐stage centred‐scheme approach applied to a drift‐flux two‐phase flow model

For two‐phase flow models, upwind schemes are most often difficult do derive, and expensive to use. Centred schemes, on the other hand, are simple, but more dissipative. The recently proposed multi‐stage (MUSTA ) method is aimed at coming close to the accuracy of upwind schemes while retaining the simplicity of centred schemes. So far, the MUSTA approach has been shown to work well for the Euler equations of inviscid, compressible single‐phase flow. In this work, we explore the MUSTA scheme for a more complex system of equations: the drift‐flux model, which describes one‐dimensional two‐phase flow where the motions of the phases are strongly coupled. As the number of stages is increased, the results of the MUSTA scheme approach those of the Roe method. The good results of the MUSTA scheme are dependent on the use of a large‐enough local grid. Hence, the main benefit of the MUSTA scheme is its simplicity, rather than CPU ‐time savings. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modelling of two‐dimensional laminar flow using finite element method

In this paper, a Galerkin weighted residual finite element numerical solution method, with velocity material time derivative discretisation, is applied to solve for a classical fluid mechanics system of partial differential equations modelling two‐dimensional stationary incompressible Newtonian fluid flow. Classical examples of driven cavity laminar flow and laminar flow past a cylinder are presented. Numerical results are compared with data found in the literature. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The numerical solution of the transient two‐phase flow in rigid pipelines

Consideration is given in this paper to the numerical solution of the transient two‐phase flow in rigid pipelines. The governing equations for such flows are two coupled, non‐linear, hyperbolic, partial differential equations with pressure dependent coefficients. The fluid pressure and velocity are considered as two principle dependent variables. The fluid is a homogeneous gas–liquid mixture for which the density is defined by an expression averaging the two‐component densities where a polytropic process of the gaseous phase is admitted. Instead of the void fraction, which varies with the pressure, the gas–fluid mass ratio (or the quality) is assumed to be constant, and is used in the mathematical formulation. The problem has been solved by the method of non‐linear characteristics and the finite difference conservative scheme. To verify their validity, the computed results of the two numerical techniques are compared for different values of the quality, in the case where the liquid compressibility and the pipe wall elasticity are neglected. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A spectral/hp least‐squares finite element analysis of the Carreau–Yasuda fluids

A least‐squares finite element model with spectral/hp approximations was developed for steady, two‐dimensional flows of non‐Newtonian fluids obeying the Carreau–Yasuda constitutive model. The finite element model consists of velocity, pressure, and stress fields as independent variables (hence, called a mixed model). Least‐squares models offer an alternative variational setting to the conventional weak‐form Galerkin models for the Navier–Stokes equations, and no compatibility conditions on the approximation spaces used for the velocity, pressure, and stress fields are necessary when the polynomial order (p) used is sufficiently high (say, p > 3, as determined numerically). Also, the use of the spectral/hp elements in conjunction with the least‐squares formulation with high p alleviates various forms of locking, which often appear in low‐order least‐squares finite element models for incompressible viscous fluids, and accurate results can be obtained with exponential convergence. To verify and validate, benchmark problems of Kovasznay flow, backward‐facing step flow, and lid‐driven square cavity flow are used. Then the effect of different parameters of the Carreau–Yasuda constitutive model on the flow characteristics is studied parametrically. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Extension of a high‐resolution scheme to 1D liquid–gas flow

This paper presents the extension of a high‐resolution conservative scheme to the one‐dimensional one‐pressure six‐equation two‐fluid flow model. Only mixtures of water and air have been considered in this study, both fluids have been characterized using simple equations of state, namely stiffened gas for the liquid phase and perfect gas for the gas phase. The resulting scheme is explicit and first‐order accurate in space and time. A second‐order version of the scheme has also been derived using the MUSCL strategy and slope limiters. Some numerical results show the good capabilities of this type of schemes in the solution of discontinuities in two‐fluid flow problems, all of them are based on water/air numerical benchmarks widely used in the two‐phase flow literature. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical study of wave propagation in compressible two‐phase flow

We propose a new model and a solution method for two‐phase two‐fluid compressible flows. The model involves six equations obtained from conservation principles applied to a one‐dimensional flow of gas and liquid mixture completed by additional closure governing equations. The model is valid for pure fluids as well as for fluid mixtures. The system of partial differential equations with source terms is hyperbolic and has conservative form. Hyperbolicity is obtained using the principles of extended thermodynamics. Features of the model include the existence of real eigenvalues and a complete set of independent eigenvectors. Its numerical solution poses several difficulties. The model possesses a large number of acoustic and convective waves and it is not easy to upwind all of these accurately and simply. In this paper we use relatively modern shock‐capturing methods of a centred‐type such as the total variation diminishing (TVD) slope limiter centre (SLIC) scheme which solve these problems in a simple way and with good accuracy. Several numerical test problems are displayed in order to highlight the efficiency of the study we propose. The scheme provides reliable results, is able to compute strong shock waves and deals with complex equations of state. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A numerical study of projection algorithms in the finite element simulation of three‐dimensional viscous incompressible flow

In this work a comparative study of two versions of the projection algorithm used either for time integration or as an iterative method to solve the three‐dimensional incompressible Navier–Stokes equations is presented. It is also shown that these projection algorithms combined with the finite element method are particularly suited for the treatment of outflow boundary conditions in the context of external flows. This assertion is illustrated by means of some numerical examples in which five types of boundary conditions are compared. The scheme is applied to simulate the flow past a cylinder clamped on two fixed parallel solid walls. Comparison with experimental data available for this problem shows good agreement of the velocity and pressure fields, both computed with continuous piecewise linear elements. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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.     

Spectral/hp penalty least‐squares finite element formulation for unsteady incompressible flows

In this paper, we present spectral/hp penalty least‐squares finite element formulation for the numerical solution of unsteady incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. Pressure is eliminated from Navier–Stokes equations using penalty method, and finite element model is developed in terms of velocity, vorticity and dilatation. High‐order element expansions are used to construct discrete form. Unlike other penalty finite element formulations, equal‐order Gauss integration is used for both viscous and penalty terms of the coefficient matrix. For time integration, space–time decoupled schemes are implemented. Second‐order accuracy of the time integration scheme is established using the method of manufactured solution. Numerical results are presented for impulsively started lid‐driven cavity flow at Reynolds number of 5000 and transient flow over a backward‐facing step. The effect of penalty parameter on the accuracy is investigated thoroughly in this paper and results are presented for a range of penalty parameter. Present formulation produces very accurate results for even very low penalty parameters (10–50). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Improving the accuracy of the capacitance method for void fraction measurement

Void fraction measurements were made using capacitance method. Five capacitor configurations were manufactured and tested; parallel, strip-type plates, ring-type plates, unidirectional, and double-helix. The void fraction was simulated by nonflow air-paraffin wax, air-glass, air-wood, and air-Freon 113 systems. The relative statistical error in void fraction measurement was minimized by taking into account the spacing between the ends of the two electrodes.     

Preconditioned Krylov subspace methods used in solving two‐dimensional transient two‐phase flows

This paper investigates the performance of preconditioned Krylov subspace methods used in a previously presented two‐fluid model developed for the simulation of separated and intermittent gas–liquid flows. The two‐fluid model has momentum and mass balances for each phase. The equations comprising this model are solved numerically by applying a two‐step semi‐implicit time integration procedure. A finite difference numerical scheme with a staggered mesh is used. Previously, the resulting linear algebraic equations were solved by a Gaussian band solver. In this study, these algebraic equations are also solved using the generalized minimum residual (GMRES) and the biconjugate gradient stabilized (Bi‐CGSTAB) Krylov subspace iterative methods preconditioned with incomplete LU factorization using the ILUT(p, τ) algorithm. The decrease in the computational time using the iterative solvers instead of the Gaussian band solver is shown to be considerable. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Riemann solver and upwind methods for a two‐phase flow model in non‐conservative form

We present a theoretical solution for the Riemann problem for the five‐equation two‐phase non‐conservative model of Saurel and Abgrall. This solution is then utilized in the construction of upwind non‐conservative methods to solve the general initial‐boundary value problem for the two‐phase flow model in non‐conservative form. The basic upwind scheme constructed is the non‐conservative analogue of the Godunov first‐order upwind method. Second‐order methods in space and time are then constructed via the MUSCL and ADER approaches. The methods are systematically assessed via a series of test problems with theoretical solutions. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Two‐dimensional modeling for stability analysis of two‐phase stratified flow

The effect of wavelength and relative velocity on the disturbed interface of two‐phase stratified regime is modeled and discussed. To analyze the stability, a small perturbation is imposed on the interface. Growth or decline of the disturbed wave, relative velocity, and surface tension with respect to time will be discussed numerically. Newly developed scheme applied to a two‐dimensional flow field and the governing Navier–Stokes equations in laminar regime are solved. Finite volume method together with non‐staggered curvilinear grid is a very effective approach to capture interface shape with time. Because of the interface shape, for any time advancement, a new grid is performed separately on each stratified field, liquid, and gas regime. The results are compared with the analytical characteristics method and one‐dimensional modeling. This comparison shows that solving the momentum equation including viscosity term leads to physically more realistic results. In addition, the newly developed method is capable of predicting two‐phase stratified flow behavior more precisely than one‐dimensional modeling. It was perceived that the surface tension has an inevitable role in dissipation of interface instability and convergence of the two‐phase flow model. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mathematical modelling of two‐phase non‐Newtonian flow in a helical pipe

Governing equations for a two‐phase 3D helical pipe flow of a non‐Newtonian fluid with large particles are derived in an orthogonal helical coordinate system. The Lagrangian approach is utilized to model solid particle trajectories. The interaction between solid particles and the fluid that carries them is accounted for by a source term in the momentum equation for the fluid. The force‐coupling method (FCM), developed by M.R. Maxey and his group, is adopted; in this method the momentum source term is no longer a Dirac delta function but is spread on a numerical mesh by using a finite‐sized envelop with a spherical Gaussian distribution. The influence of inter‐particle and particle–wall collisions is also taken into account. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.