Visualization of vortical flows in computational fluid dynamics

The concepts and methods of the visual representation of fluid dynamics computations of vortical flows are studied. Approaches to the visualization of vortical flows based on the use of various definitions of a vortex and various tests for its identification are discussed. Examples of the visual representation of solutions to some fluid dynamics problems related to the computation of vortical flows in jets, channels, and cavities and of the computation of separated flows occurring in flows around bodies of various shapes are discussed.     

Detailed computational and experimental fluid dynamics of fluidized beds

To describe the hydrodynamic phenomena prevailing in large industrial scale fluidized beds continuum models are required. The flow in these systems depends strongly on particle–particle interaction and gas–particle interaction. For this reason, proper closure relations for these two interactions are vital for reliable predictions on the basis of continuum models. Gas–particle interaction can be studied with the use of the lattice Boltzmann model (LBM), while the particle–particle interaction can suitably be studied with a discrete particle model. In this work it is shown that the discrete particle model, utilizing a LBM based drag model, has the capability to generate insight and eventually closure relations in processes such as mixing, segregation and homogeneous fluidization.     

Modeling and control of parafoils based on computational fluid dynamics

The determination of aerodynamic parameters of parafoil canopies has been a crucial issue because it affects the model precision. To calculate the aerodynamic coefficients of a canopy, the lifting-line theory has been used in the traditional method. However, because of the existence of leading-edge incisions, there are some restrictive assumptions in lifting-line theory when one is calculating the aerodynamic coefficients of a canopy. Therefore in this article we calculate the aerodynamic coefficients on the basis of computational fluid dynamics. As an improvement, the effects of a leading-edge incision and trailing-edge deflection are considered. Firstly, lift and drag coefficients are obtained by use of computational fluid dynamics. Then the least-squares method is used to identify incision and deflection factors. Furthermore, an eight-degrees-of-freedom mathematical model of a parafoil system is established on the basis of the parameters obtained. Finally, a novel control algorithm, generalized predictive control based on a characteristic model, is applied to the system. The precision of the model established and the effectiveness of the proposed control method are validated by simulation and airdrop testing.     

Convenient system of FEM test functions for computational fluid dynamics

For the development of finite element schemes, a fundamentally new system of test functions defined on a finite element that is a convex quadrilateral is proposed. Due to the remarkable properties of the system (specifically, mutual orthogonality), the resulting matrices can be simplified and the corresponding construction procedures can be made more transparent, especially for problems in computational fluid dynamics. Thus, the system of test functions may play an important role in finite element methods as applied to two-dimensional problems.     

On the computational utility of posynomial geometric programming solution methods

Ten codes or code variants were used to solve the five equivalent posynomial GP problem formulations. Four of these codes were general NLP codes; six were specialized GP codes. A total of forty-two test problems was solved with up to twenty randomly generated starting points per problem. The convex primal formulation is shown to be intrinsically easiest to solve. The general purpose GRG code called OPT appears to be the most efficient code for GP problem solution. The reputed superiority of the specialized GP codes GGP and GPKTC appears to be largely due to the fact that these codes solve the convex primal formulation. The dual approaches are only likely to be competitive for small degree of difficulty, tightly constrained problems.     

A computational fluid mechanics solution to the Monge-Kantorovich mass transfer problem

Summary. The Monge-Kantorovich mass transfer problem [31] is reset in a fluid mechanics framework and numerically solved by an augmented Lagrangian method. Received August 30, 1998 / Published online September 24, 1999     

Analysis of performance of an iron-bath reactor using computational fluid dynamics

The performance of an iron-bath reactor has been studied using a comprehensive numerical model that combines a computational fluid dynamics approach for the gas phase and a heat and mass balance model for the bath. The model calculates:

• •coal, ore, flux and oxygen consumption;
• •post-combustion ratio (PCR);
• •heat-transfer efficiency (HTE);
• •off-gas temperature and composition;
• •heat transfer and chemical reactions between gas and iron and slag droplets; and
• •heat transfer between gas and bath, refractories and lance.

The model was validated with data reported by the Nippon Steel Corporation for a 100 t pilot plant, and the calculated and measured data are in good agreement. Modelling results showed that the dominant mechanisms of heat transfer from the gas to the bath are radiation to the slag surface and convection heat transfer to droplets.     

Inter-comparison and validation of computational fluid dynamics codes in two-stage meandering channel flows

This paper presents a study in the inter-comparison and validation of three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics codes which are currently used in river engineering. Finite volume codes PHOENICS, FLUENT and SSIIM; and finite element code TELEMAC3D are considered in this study. The work has been carried out by competent hydraulic modellers who are users of the codes and not involved in their development. This paper is therefore written from the perspective of independent practitioners of the techniques. In all codes, the flow calculations are performed by solving the three-dimensional continuity and Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations with the k–ε turbulence model. The application of each code was carried out independently and this led to slightly different, but nonetheless valid, models. This is particularly seen in the different boundary conditions which have been applied and which arise in part from differences in the modelling approaches and methodology adopted by the different research groups and in part from the different assumptions and formulations implemented in the different codes. Similar finite volume meshes are used in the simulations with PHOENICS, FLUENT and SSIIM while in TELEMAC3D, a triangular finite element mesh is used. The ASME Journal of Fluids Engineering editorial policy is taken as a minimum framework for the control of numerical accuracy. In all cases, grid convergence is demonstrated and conventional criteria, such as Y⁺, are satisfied. A rigorous inter-comparison of the codes is performed using large-scale experimental data from the UK Flood Channel Facility for a two-stage meandering channel. This example data set shows complex hydraulic behaviour without the additional complications found in natural rivers. Standardised methods are used to compare each model with the available experimental data. Results are shown for the streamwise and transverse velocities, secondary flow, turbulent kinetic energy, bed shear stress and free surface elevation. They demonstrate that the models produce similar results overall, although there are some differences in the predicted flow field and greater differences in turbulent kinetic energy and bed shear stress. This study is seen as an essential first step in the inter-comparison of some of the computational fluid dynamics codes used in the field of river engineering.     

Experimental analysis of convergence of the numerical solution to a generalized solution in fluid dynamics

Convergence of the approximate solution of fluid dynamics problems obtained using Godunov’s scheme to the discontinuous solution is investigated.     

Effective computational methods for the solution of ferroelectroelastic problems under complex loading

Enhanced numerical methods for the solution of three-dimensional nonlinear electromechanically coupled boundary value problems are considered. A vector potential finite element formulation with return mapping algorithm and consistent tangent operator is developed. The accuracy and robustness of the algorithms are assessed with the help of numerical examples concerning a ferroelectroelastic analysis of structures under complex multiaxial non-proportional loading. (© 2010 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Perturbed iterative solution of nonlinear equations with applications to fluid dynamics

In this work a technique has been developed to solve a set of nonlinear equations with the assumption that a solution exists. The algorithm involves nonlinear Gauss-Seidel iteractions and at each iteration the value of the iterate is added to a predetermined perturbation parameter which is computed in terms of quantities already known. This perturbation parameter has two properties: (i) it determines the mode of convergence, that means it shows how many more computations are required so that convergence may be achieved, and (ii) it accelerates the rate of convergence. The algorithm is computationally simple. Several nonlinear equations have been studied. The results seem to be encouraging.     

Implicit contact dynamics and Hamilton-Jacobi theory

In this paper, we introduce implicit Hamiltonian dynamics in the framework of contact geometry in two different ways: first, we introduce classical implicit Hamiltonian dynamics on a contact manifold, followed by evolution Hamiltonian dynamics. In the first case, implicit contact Hamiltonian dynamics is defined as a Legendrian submanifold of a tangent contact space, whilst the implicit evolution dynamic is understood as a Lagrangian submanifold of a certain symplectic space embedded into the tangent contact space. To conclude, we propose a geometric Hamilton-Jacobi theory for both of these formulations.     

Perturbed iterative solution of coupled nonlinear systems with application to fluid dynamics

The perturbed iterative scheme developed in [3] is extended in this work to solve coupled systems of nonlinear equations. The algorithm consists of computing distinct perturbation parameters for each system at each iteration and adding these to corresponding nonlinear Gauss-Seidel iterates. It has been found computationally that such an algorithm significantly improves the convergence properties of Gauss-Seidel iterations. The method has been successfully applied to several coupled nonlinear systems of equations some of which are discussed in this work.     

Determination of open boundary conditions for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) from interior observations

An optimization approach for the determination of open boundary conditions for Computational Fluid Dynamics is introduced, whereas the error between the solution σ and interior observations ω is minimized. The numerical weather prediction (NWP) model ALADIN–Austria provides data of wind speed and wind direction at virtual weather stations within the area of interest. Also, data from real weather stations and other sources can be incorporated into the model, respectively. In this work, the optimization method is applied to the constant density Navier–Stokes Equations. Thereby, for stabilizing the ill-posed pseudo inverse problem several regularization methods are reviewed. Further, numerical studies are carried out to identify the supreme regularization method for the presented application. Finally, the algorithm is applied to the micro- and meso-scale flow over the Grimming mountain, Austria. The results are compared with real weather station data and show suitable correlation with the measurements.     

Investigation of supercomputer capabilities for the scalable numerical simulation of computational fluid dynamics problems in industrial applications

Two main issues of the efficient usage of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in industrial applications—simulation of turbulence and speedup of computations—are analyzed. Results of the investigation of potentials of the eddy-resolving approaches to turbulence simulation in industrial applications with the use of arbitrary unstructured grids are presented. Algorithms for speeding up the scalable high-performance computations based on multigrid technologies are proposed.     

The numerical solution of a model problem biharmonic equation by using Extrapolated Alternating Direction Implicit methods

The numerical solution of the 2-dimensional biharmonic equation over the unit square by using Extrapolated Alternating Direction Implicit (E.A.D.I.) methods is studied. To approximate the biharmonic equation both a 13-point and a 25-point difference replacements are considered. In each case E.A.D.I. schemes are used together with the acceleration parameter fixed during the iterations or varying according to the Douglas set of parameters. Finally optimum E.A.D.I. schemes are given for every value of the numberN of mesh subdivisions in each co-ordinate direction.     

Implicit runge-kutta methods for differential inclusions

This paper is concerned with the application of implicit Runge-Kutta methods suitable for stiff initial value problems to initial value problems for differential inclusions with upper semicontinuous right-hand sides satisfying a uniform one-sided Lipschitz condition and a growth condition. The problems could stem from differential equations with state discontinuous right-hand sides. It is shown that there exist methods with higher order of convergence on intervals where the solution is smooth enough. Globally we get at least the order one.     

Numerical simulation of scour around a submarine pipeline using computational fluid dynamics and discrete element method

Scour under a submarine pipeline can lead to structural failure; hence, a good understanding of the scour mechanism is paramount. Various numerical methods have been proposed to simulate scour, such as potential flow theory and single-phase and two-phase turbulent models. However, these numerical methods have limitations such as their reliance on calibrated empirical parameters and inability to provide detailed information. This paper investigates the use of a coupled computational fluid dynamics-discrete element method (CFD-DEM) model to simulate scour around a pipeline. The novelty of this work is to use CFD-DEM to extract detailed information, leading to new findings that enhance the current understanding of the underlying mechanisms of the scour process. The simulated scour evolution and bed profile are found to be in good agreement with published experimental results. Detailed results include the contours of the fluid velocity and fluid pressure, particle motion and velocity, fluid forces on the particles, and inter-particle forces. The sediment transport rate is calculated using the velocity of each single particle. The quantitative analysis of the bed load layer is also presented. The numerical results reveal three scour stages: onset of scour, tunnel erosion, and lee-wake erosion. Particle velocity and force distributions show that during the tunnel erosion stage, the particle motion and particle–particle interactive forces are particularly intense, suggesting that single-phase models, which are unable to account for inter-particle interactions, may be inadequate. The fluid pressure contours show a distinct pressure gradient. The pressure gradient force is calculated and found to be comparable with the drag force for the onset of scour and the tunnel erosion. However, for the lee-wake erosion, the drag force is shown to be the dominant mechanism for particle movements.