Simulation of mass balance behavior in a large-scale circulating fluidized bed reactor

We determine using a compound model the influence of the mass of granular matter on the behavior of a supercritical circulating fluidized bed (CFB) reactor. Population balance enables a stationary-regime modeling of the mass flow of granular matter inside a CFB unit in a large-scale. The simulation includes some important dynamic processes of gas-particle flows in fluidized bed such as attrition, fragmentation, elutriation, and fuel combustion. Numerical calculations with full boiler loading were performed of operational parameters such as furnace temperature, furnace pressure, feeding materials mass flows, and excess air ratio. Furthermore, three bed inventory masses were adopted as experimental variables in the simulation model of mass balance. This approach enables a sensitivity study of mass flows of granular matter inside a CFB facility. Some computational results from this population balance model obtained for a supercritical CFB reactor are presented that show consistency with the operational data for large-scale CFB units.     

Measured Reynolds stress distributions and energy budgets of a fully pulsed round air jet

 Most particle-tracking velocimetry (PTV) algorithms are not suitable for calculating the velocity vectors of a fluid flow subjected to strong deformation, because these algorithms deal only with flows due to translation. Accordingly, it is necessary to develop a novel algorithm applicable to flows subjected to strong deformations such as rotation, shear, expansion and compression. This paper proposes a novel particle tracking algorithm using the velocity gradient tensor (VGT) which can deal with strong deformations and demonstrates that this algorithm is applicable to some basic fluid motions (rigidly rotating flow, Couette flow, and expansion flow). Furthermore, the performance of this algorithm is compared with the binary image cross-correlation method (BICC), the four-consecutive-time-step particle tracking method (4-PTV), and the spring model particle tracking algorithm (SPG) using simulations and experimental data. As a result, it is shown that this novel algorithm is useful and applicable for the highly accurate measurement and analysis of fluid flows subjected to strong deformations. Received: 9 February 1999/Accepted: 22 November 1999     

Computation of axisymmetric confined jets in a diffuser

The paper reports on a numerical study of turbulent confined jets in a conical duct with a 5° divergence. The flow has a large ratio of jet to ambient velocities at the entrance so that it gives rise to strong recirculation. The calculations are carried out with a general finite volume method designed for calculating incompressible elliptic flows with complex boundaries. Turbulence is simulated by the standard κ–? model. The sensitivity of the solution to numerical discretization errors is examined using three convection schemes, i.e. hybrid central/upwind differencing, QUICK and SOUCUP, on two grids consisting of 68 × 50 and 102 × 82 points respectively. An examination is also made of the influence of inlet boundary conditions on the predicted flow field. The computed results are compared with experimental data for mean axial velocity, turbulent shear stress and turbulent kinetic energy profiles. It is shown that the calculations reproduce the essential features of the flow observed in the experiments.     

Instabilities in viscoelastic flow through an axisymmetric sudden contraction

Kinematics and dynamics of the viscoelastic flow in an axisymmetric 4 : 1 sudden contraction geometry are studied for a highly elastic polyisobutylene (PIB) based polymer solution (referred to as PIB-Boger fluid). The critical conditions for the onset of the elastic instabilities and the dynamics of the resulting secondary flows are measured for various flow rates. The spatio-temporal characteristics of the flow are determined by instantaneous pressure measurements and streakline photography. The nonlinear dynamics of the global flow field both upstream and downstream of the contraction plane are systematically examined. New dynamic flow behavior and elastic instabilities downstream of the contraction plane are reported. It is shown that the instantaneous pressure measurements along with flow visualization can be used as an effective tool to characterize viscoelastic flows in complex geometries.     

Investigation of the structure of turbulent flows in streamwise asymmetric corner configurations

The results of extensive experimental studies of the structure of three-dimensional flow in a region of interaction of asymmetrically developing incompressible turbulent boundary layers by a longitudinal flow around corner configurations are presented. The character of the originating secondary flows is analysed depending on the degree of the flow asymmetry and on the geometry of the leading edge corner. The mechanisms of origin, subsequent development and transformation of secondary flows along the length of a model are discussed. In particular, it is shown that a one-vortex scheme of the flow gradually transforms into a two-vortical one with increasing distance from the leading edge corner.     

Flow and Mixing Fields for Transported Scalar PDF Simulations of a Piloted Jet Diffusion Flame (‘Delft Flame III’)

Numerical simulation results are presented for ‘Delft Flame III’, a piloted jet diffusion flame with strong turbulence–chemistry interaction. While pilot flames emerge from 12 separate holes in the experiments, the simulations are performed on a rectangular grid, under the assumption of axisymmetry. In the first part of the paper, flow and mixing field results are presented with a non-linear first order k–ε model, with the transport equation for ε based on a modeled enstrophy transport equation, for cold and reactive flows. For the latter, the turbulence model is applied in combination with pre-assumed β-PDF modeling for the turbulence–chemistry interaction. The mixture fraction serves as conserved scalar. Two chemistry models are considered: chemical equilibrium and a steady laminar flamelet model. The importance of the turbulence model is highlighted. The influence of the chemistry model is noticeable too. A procedure is described to construct appropriate inlet boundary conditions. Still, the generation of accurate inlet boundary conditions is shown to be far less important, their effect being local, close to the nozzle exit. In the second part of the paper, results are presented with the transported scalar PDF approach as turbulence–chemistry interaction model. A C₁ skeletal scheme serves as chemistry model, while the EMST method is applied as micro-mixing model. For the transported PDF simulations, the model for the pilot flames, as an energy source term in the mean enthalpy transport equation, is important with respect to the accuracy of the flow field predictions. It is explained that the strong influence on the flow and mixing field is through the turbulent shear stress force in the region, close to the nozzle exit.     

A novel slightly compressible model for low Mach number perfect gas flow calculation

By analyzing the characteristics of low Mach number perfect gas flows, a novel Slightly Compressible Model (SCM) for low Mach number perect gas flows is derived. In view of numerical calculations, this model is proved very efficient, for it is kept within thep-v frame but does not have to satisfy the time consuming divergence-free condition in order to get the incompressible Navier-Stokes equation solution. Writing the equations in the form of conservation laws, we have derived the characteristic systems which are necessary for numerical calculations. A cell-centered finite-volume method with flux difference upwind-biased schemes is used for the equation solutions and a new Exact Newton Relaxation (ENR) implicit method is developed. Various computed results are presented to validate the present model. Laminar flow solutions over a circular cylinder with wake developing and vortex shedding are presented. Results for inviscid flow over a sphere are compared in excellent agreement with the exact analytic incompressible solution. Three-dimensional viscous flow solutions over sphere and prolate spheroid are also calculated and compared well with experiments and other incompressible solutions. Finally, good convergent performances are shown for sphere viscous flows. The project supported by the Basic Research on Frontier Problems in Fluid and Aerodynamics in China and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (19772069)     

A comparative study of central and upwind difference schemes using the primitive variables

The use of the velocity-pressure formulation of the Navier-Stokes equations for the numerical solution of fluid flow problems is favoured for free-surface problems, more involved flow configurations, and three-dimensional flows. Many engineering problems involve such features in addition to strong inertial effects. The computational instabilities arising from central-difference schemes for the convective terms of the governing equations impose serious limitations on the range of Reynolds numbers that can be investigated by the numerical method. Solutions for higher Reynolds numbers Re > 1000 could be reached using upwind-difference schemes. A comparative study of both schemes using a method based on the primitive variables is presented. The comparison is made for the model problem of the driven flow in a square cavity. Using a central scheme stable solutions of the pressure and velocity fields were obtained for Reynolds numbers up to 5000. The streamfunction and vorticity fields were calculated from the resulting velocity field and compared with previous solutions. It is concluded that total upwind differencing results in a considerable change in the flow pattern due to the false diffusion. For practical calculations, by a proper choice of a small amount of partial upwind differencing the vorticity diffusion near the walls and the global features of the solutions are not sigificantly altered.     

Dynamics of swirling jet flows

Experimental investigations of near-field structure of coaxial flows are presented for four different configurations: coaxial jets without rotation (reference case), outer flow rotating only (OFRO), inner-jet rotating only (IJRO) and corotating jets (CRJ). The investigations are performed in a cylindrical water tunnel, with an independent rotation of two coaxial flows. Laser tomography is used to document the flow field, and photographs are shown for different configurations. Time mean velocity profiles obtained by PIV, with and without swirl, are also presented. The dynamics of the swirling jets in the initial region (i.e. near the exit of the jets) is described. The effects of azimuthal velocity and axial velocity ratio variations on flow dynamics are examined. The appearance and growth of the first instabilities are presented and compared with some theoretical results, as is the influence of the rotation (inner or outer) on the dominating structures.     

Influence of the magnetic field on merging flow of the Powell-Eyring fluids: an exact solution

In this article, the merging flow of the stagnation point and the stretching (or shrinking) flows for the Powell-Eyring fluid (one of the non-Newtonian fluids) in the presence of magnetic field is formulated and analyzed mathematically. An analytical solution was developed on the basis of the homotopy analysis method. The effect of the Hartmann number on fluid-velocity and skin-friction is examined. It is observed that the intensive magnetic field reduces the growth of the reverse/secondary flow which is generated after the mixing of the stagnation-point and shrinking-sheet flows. The magnetic force dominates on the viscous force for stretching as well as for shrinking flows. Furthermore, the magnetic force intensifies the axial velocity of the fluids (the Newtonian as well as the Powell-Eyring fluids) but it decays the transverse-velocity of the fluids. Present results are validated with the existing results for the Newtonian fluids and found comparable with negligible errors.     

Hydromagnetic oscillatory Couette flow in rotating system with induced magnetic field

This paper presents a study of hydromagnetic Couette flow of an incompress- ible and electrically conducting fluid between two parallel rotating plates, one of which is oscillating in its own plane. A uniform transverse magnetic field is used, and the induced magnetic field is taken into account. The exact solution to the governing equations is obtained in a closed form. The solution to the problem in the case of vanishing and small finite magnetic Prandtl numbers is also derived from the general solution. The asymp- totic behavior of the solution for large values of the frequency parameter is analyzed to gain some physical insights into the flow pattern. Expressions for the shear stress at both the oscillatory and stationary plates due to primary and secondary flows and mass flow rate in the primary and secondary flow directions are also obtained. The results of the fluid velocity and the induced magnetic field are presented. The shear stresses on the plates due to the primary and secondary flows and the corresponding mass flow rates are presented in a tabular form.     

Experimental investigation of secondary steady flows in Faraday surface waves

It is shown that in the two-dimensional Faraday surface waves excited in a vertically oscillating rectangular water-filled vessel there is a system of secondary circulatory flows that occupies the entire fluid volume between the vessel bottom and the free surface. In parallel with the oscillations at the wave frequency, the fluid particles are slowly displaced in accordance with these circulatory flows. The secondary flow velocity field is measured and the trajectories of individual fluid particles in the standing wave are determined. The experimental data are compared with the Longuet-Higgins model. It is shown that the initial stage of formation of regular structures on the surface of a sediment layer on the vessel bottom may be related with the presence of secondary circulatory flows.     

Electromagnetic control of seawater flow around circular cylinders

We investigate numerically the electromagnetic control of seawater flows over an infinitely long circular cylinder. Stripes of electrodes and magnets, wrapped around the cylinder surface, produce a tangential body force (Lorentz force) that stabilizes the flow. This mechanism delays flow separation, reduces drag and lift, and finally suppresses the von Kármán vortex street. Results from two-dimensional simulations of the Navier–Stokes equations in a range 10<Re<300 and Lorentz force calculations are presented. Emphasis is placed on the disclosure of physical phenomena as well as a quantitative detection of the flow field and forces. It is shown that the drag strongly depends on the geometry of the electromagnetic actuator and on its location at the cylinder surface. The effect of flow control increases with larger Reynolds numbers, since the boundary layer thickness and the penetration depth of the Lorentz force are closely connected.     

The thermoconvective instability of plane poiseuille flow heated from below: A proposed benchmark solution for open boundary flows

The transient two-dimensional Navier-Stokes and energy equations have been solved numerically for flow in a horizontal channel heated from below in the Boussinesq limit. For the set of dimensionless parameters chosen, the flow consists of periodic transverse travelling waves resulting from a convective instability. The solution is proposed as a benchmark for the application of outflow boundary conditions (OBC) in time-dependent flows with strong buoyancy effects. Richardson extrapolation in both time and space is used in obtaining the solution. Field plots and profiles of velocity, temperature, vorticity and streamfunction at selected axial positions and times are also presented from the finest grid and smallest time step calculation. The calculations have been made on an extended domain so that the effects of OBC used in the present study would be negligible in the test region.     

Numerical Study of the Aerodynamic Performance of a Train with a Crosswind for Different Embankment Heights

A numerical study using improved delayed detached eddy simulation (IDDES) was used to investigate the influence of the embankment height on the aerodynamic performance of a high-speed train travelling under the influence of a crosswind. The results of the flow predictions were used to explore both the instantaneous and the time-averaged flows and the resulting aerodynamic forces, moments and slipstreams. An increase of the aerodynamic drag and side forces as well as the lift force of the head and middle cars were observed with rising embankment height. While the lift force of the tail car decreased with the increasing embankment height. Furthermore, the height of the embankment was found to have a strong influence on the slipstream on the leeward side of the train. The correlation between the embankment height and the slipstream velocity on the windward side, was rather small. The flow structures in the near-wake of the leeward side of the train, responsible for the aerodynamic properties of the train were analyzed, showing strong dependency on the embankment height.

     

Calculation of three-dimensional weakly expanding flow in jets and channels

The results are given of a calculation of laminar flow in a channel of square section and the motion of a turbulent jet from a cruciform nozzle in an ambient flow. To calculate the secondary flows, the field of the transverse velocity is decomposed into irrotational and solenoidal components. The results of the calculation of the flow in the channel are compared with the calculations of other authors and experimental data. To calculate the flow in the turbulent jet, a one-parameter turbulence model is used, and the influence of the inhomogeneity of the distribution of the longitudinal component of the velocity on the components of the Reynolds stress tensor is taken into account. The results of calculation of the flow in the jet behind a cruciform nozzle are compared with experimental data.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 4, pp. 36–44, July–August, 1984.     

Modeling the Turbulent Vortex Wake Behind a High-Lift Wing

A mathematical model and the results of a numerical simulation of the multiple vortex structure behind the high-lift wing (with deflected flaps) of a civil aircraft model are presented. The calculations are performed within the framework of the simplified (with allowance for the specific features of the flow under consideration) three-dimensional Reynolds equations using three turbulence models. The results obtained are compared with the experimental data; a considerable influence of the streamline curvature, typical of vortex flows, not only on the turbulence parameters but also on the parameters of the average flow is demonstrated. As a result, only one of the turbulence models considered, namely, that taking the streamline curvature and rotation effects on the turbulence into account, ensures acceptable accuracy of the main wake characteristics.     

On The Validation of LES Applied to Internal Combustion Engine Flows: Part 1: Comprehensive Experimental Database

Improved understanding of in-cylinder flows requires knowledge from well-resolved experimental velocimetry measurements and flow simulation modeling. Engine simulations using large eddy simulations (LES) are making large progress and the need for well documented velocimetry measurements for model validation is high. This work presents velocimetry measurements from PIV, high-speed PIV, stereoscopic PIV, and tomographic PIV to extensively describe the in-cylinder flow field in a motored optical engine operating at 800 RPM. These measurements also establish a comprehensive database designed for LES model development and validation. Details of the engine, engine accessory components, and well-controlled boundary conditions and engine operation are presented. The first two statistical moments of the flow field are computed and show excellent agreement among the PIV database. Analysis of statistical moments based on limited sample size is presented and is important for modeling validation purposes. High-speed PIV resolved the instantaneous flow field throughout entire engine cycles (i.e. 719 consecutive crank-angles), while tomographic PIV images are further used to investigate the 3D flow field and identify regions of strong vortical structures identified by the Q-criterion. Principle velocity gradient components are computed and emphasize the need to resolve similar spatial scales between experimental and modeling efforts for suitable model validation.     

A geometric approach for predicting vertical stationary profiles of weakly inertial advecting-diffusing particles in closed incompressible flows

Mixing of weakly inertial particles in closed flows is often addressed by considering individual particles as passive advecting-diffusing tracers, subjected to an additional settling velocity resulting from body forces (e.g. gravity). We show that the qualitative and quantitative features of the vertical particle distribution (i.e. the horizontal cross-sectional averages of particle concentration) can be predicted from the structure of the flow resulting from the superposition of the stirring field and the settling velocity. The prediction is based upon the observation that the resulting flow can be divided into two nonoverlapping regions, namely trajectories that are confined within the mixing space (recirculation loops), and trajectories that cross the mixing space. The spatial extent of these regions is exploited to define an effective vertical convective velocity entering the one-dimensional lumped model. Model two-dimensional flows possessing different flow patterns are used to illustrate the proposed estimate for effective velocity. A CFD-computed three-dimensional turbulent flow inside a baffled stirred vessel is used as a benchmark test to assess the model performance in typical industrial flows.