Conditions of Rayleigh-Bénard convection onset and heat transfer in a near-critical medium

Thermal gravity convection in a horizontal layer of compressible perfect gas heated from below and a van der Waals gas near the critical state is investigated. The characteristics of the isentropic equilibrium of a compressible medium with a van der Waals equation of state are considered. The known conditions of convection onset in the perfect and van der Waals gases are checked on the basis of a solution of the complete and linearized equations. The restrictions imposed in deriving the known formulas for the adiabatic temperature gradients used in the conditions of absence and onset of convection are discussed. The characteristics of the convective heat transfer are examined, including the causes of the heat-transfer deterioration in the near-critical medium above the hydrostatic equilibrium threshold.     

Gas-kinetic unified algorithm for plane external force-driven flows covering all flow regimes by modeling of Boltzmann equation

The nonequilibrium steady gas flows under the external forces are essentially associated with some extremely complicated nonlinear dynamics, due to the acceleration or deceleration effects of the external forces on the gas molecules by the velocity distribution function. In this article, the gas-kinetic unified algorithm (GKUA) for rarefied transition to continuum flows under external forces is developed by solving the unified Boltzmann model equation. The computable modeling of the Boltzmann equation with the external force terms is presented at the first time by introducing the gas molecular collision relaxing parameter and the local equilibrium distribution function integrated in the unified expression with the flow state controlling parameter, including the macroscopic flow variables, the gas viscosity transport coefficient, the thermodynamic effect, the molecular power law, and molecular models, covering a full spectrum of flow regimes. The conservative discrete velocity ordinate (DVO) method is utilized to transform the governing equation into the hyperbolic conservation forms at each of the DVO points. The corresponding numerical schemes are constructed, especially the forward-backward MacCormack predictor-corrector method for the convection term in the molecular velocity space, which is unlike the original type. Some typical numerical examples are conducted to test the present new algorithm. The results obtained by the relevant direct simulation Monte Carlo method, Euler/Navier-Stokes solver, unified gas-kinetic scheme, and moment methods are compared with the numerical analysis solutions of the present GKUA, which are in good agreement, demonstrating the high accuracy of the present algorithm. Besides, some anomalous features in these flows are observed and analyzed in detail. The numerical experience indicates that the present GKUA can provide potential applications for the simulations of the nonequilibrium external-force driven flows, such as the gravity, the electric force, and the Lorentz force fields covering all flow regimes.     

Some Pitfalls in the Modelling of Convective Flows in Porous Media

Some modelling deficiencies in various recent papers, on convective flows in porous media, are pointed out and discussed. These deficiencies are related to the Forchheimer coefficient, mixed double-diffusive convection, magnetohydrodynamic mixed convection, convection in a rarefied gas, and geophysical phenomena.     

Perfect gas convection in a porous medium between two coaxial horizontal cylinders of large length

Natural convection of a perfect gas in a porous medium between two coaxial horizontal cylinders of large length located in heat-conducting space is considered. The two-dimensional problem (thin porous ring) is investigated in a plane orthogonal of the axis of the cylinders. The dependence of the criterion of the onset of convection on the non-Boussinesq parameters is studied. In the steady-state case an analytic solution of the nonlinear problem is obtained and its asymptotic behavior is considered for large Rayleigh numbers and when the compressibility criterion tends to zero. The gas flow rate in the ring and other characteristics of convection are studied as functions of the gas compressibility criterion and a constant temperature gradient given far away from the contour.     

A finite element solutionof three-dimensional mixed convection gas flows in horizontal chnnels using preconditioned iterative metrix methods

An algorithm is presented for the finite element solution of three-dimensional mixed convection gas flows in channels heated from below. The algorithm uses Newton's method and iterative matrix methods. Two iterative solution algorithms, conjugate gradient squared (CGS) and generalized minimal residual (GMERS), are used in conjunction with a preconditioning technique that is simple to implement. The preconditioner is a subset of the full Jacobian matrix centered around the main diagonal but retaining the most fundamental axial coupling of the residual equations. A domain-renumbering scheme that enhances the overall algorithm performance is proposed on the basis of and analysis of the preconditioner. Comparison with the frontal elimination method demonstrates that the iterative method will be faster when the front width exceeds approximately 500. Techniques for the direct assembly f the problem into a compressed sparse row storage format are demonstrated. Elimination of fixed boundary conditions is shown to decrease the size of the matrix problem by up to 30%. Finally, fluid flow solutions obtained with the numerical technique are presented. These solutions reveal complex three-dimensional mixed convection fluid flow phenomena at low Reynolds numbers, including the reversal of the direction of longitudinal rolls in the presence of a strong recirculation in the entrance region of the channel.     

稀薄流到连续流的气体运动论模型方程算法研究

通过引入碰撞松弛参数和当地平衡态分布函数对BGK模型方程进行修正，确定含流态控制参数可描述不同流域气体流动特性的气体分子速度分布函数的简化控制方程。发展和应用离散速度坐标法于气体分子速度空间，利用一套在物理空间和时间上连续而速度空间离散的分布函数来代替原分布函数对速度空间的连续依赖性。基于非定常时间分裂数值计算方法和无波动、无自由参数的NND耗散差分格式，建立直接求解气体分子速度分布函数的气体运动论有限差分数值方法。推广应用改进的Gauss-Hermite无穷积分法和华罗庚－王元提出的以单和逼近重积分的黄金分割数论积分方法等，对离散速度空间进行宏观取矩获取物理空间各点的气体流动参数，由此发展一套从稀薄流到连续流各流域统一的气体运动论数值算法。通过对不同Knudsen数下一维激波管问题、二维圆柱绕流和三维球体绕流的初步数值实验表明文中发展的数值算法是可行的。     

基于Boltzmann模型方程的气体运动论统一算法研究

模型方程出发,研究确立含流态控制参数可描述不同流域气体流动特征的气体分子速度分布函数方程; 研究发展气体运动论离散速度坐标法, 借助非定常时间分裂数值计算方法和NND差分格式, 结合DSMC方法关于分子运动与碰撞去耦技术, 发展直接求解速度分布函数的气体运动论耦合迭代数值格式; 研制可用于物理空间各点宏观流动取矩的离散速度数值积分方法, 由此提出一套能有效模拟稀薄流到连续流不同流域气体流动问题统一算法. 通过对不同Knudsen数下一维激波内流动、二维圆柱、三维球体绕流数值计算表明, 计算结果与有关实验数据及其它途径研究结果(如DSMC模拟值、N-S数值解)吻合较好, 证实气体运动论统一算法求解各流域气体流动问题的可行性. 尝试将统一算法进行HPF并行化程序设计, 基于对球体绕流及类``神舟'返回舱外形绕流问题进行HPF初步并行试算, 显示出统一算法具有很好的并行可扩展性, 可望建立起新型的能有效模拟各流域飞行器绕流HPF并行算法研究方向. 通过将气体运动论统一算法推广应用于微槽道流动计算研究, 已初步发展起可靠模拟二维短微槽道流动数值算法; 通过对Couette流、Poiseuille流、压力驱动的二维短槽道流数值模拟, 证实该算法对微槽道气体流动问题具有较强的模拟能力, 可望发展起基于Boltzmann模型方程能可靠模拟MEMS微流动问题气体运动论数值计算方法研究途径.      

气体运动论数值算法在微槽道流中的应用研究

简要介绍基于Boltzmann模型方程的气体运动论数值算法基本思想及其对二维微槽道流动问题数值计算的推广，并阐述适用于微尺度流动问题的气体运动论边界条件数值处理方法。通过对压力驱动的二维微槽道流动问题进行数值模拟，将不同Knudsen数下的微槽道流计算结果分别与有关DSMC模拟值和经滑移流理论修正的N—S方程解进行比较分析，表明基于Boltzmann模型方程的气体运动论数值算法对微槽道气体流动问题具有很好的模拟能力。     

A VORTICITY–STREAMFUNCTION FORMULATION FOR STEADY INCOMPRESSIBLE TWO-DIMENSIONAL FLOWS

A vorticity–streamfunction formulation for incompressible planar viscous flows is presented. The standard kinematic field equations are discretized using centred finite difference schemes and solved in a coupled way via a Newton-like linearization scheme. The linearized system of partial differential equations is handled through the restarting linear GMRES algorithm, preconditioned by means of an incomplete LU approximate factorization. The proposed solution technique constitutes a fast and robust algorithm for treating laminar flows at high Reynolds numbers. The pressure field is obtained at a subsequent step by solving a convection– diffusion equation in terms of the stagnation pressure, which presents certain advantages compared with the widely used static pressure Poisson equation. Results are shown for a wide variety of applications including internal and external flows.     

The flow gradients in the vicinity of a shock wave for a thermodynamically imperfect gas

Supersonic rotational planar and axisymmetric flows of a non-viscous, non-heat-conductive gas with arbitrary thermodynamic properties in the vicinity of a steady shock wave are studied. The differential equations describing the gas flow upstream and downstream of the discontinuity surface and the dynamic compatibility conditions at this discontinuity are used. The gas flow non-uniformity in the shock vicinity is described by the spatial derivatives of the gasdynamic parameters at a point on the shock surface. The parameters are the gas pressure, density, and velocity vector. The derivatives with respect to the directions of the streamline and normal to it, and of the shock surface and normal to it, are considered. Spatial derivatives of all gasdynamic parameters are expressed through the flow non-isobaric factor along the streamline, the streamline curvature, and the flow vorticity and non-isoenthalpy factors. An algorithm for determining these factors of the gas flow downstream of a shock wave is developed. Example calculations of these factors for imperfect oxygen and thermodynamically perfect gas are presented. The influence coefficients of the upstream flow factors on the downstream flow factors are calculated. The gas flow in the vicinity of the shock is described by the isolines of gasdynamic parameters. Uniform planar and axisymmetric flows at different distances from the axis of symmetry are examined; the isobars, isopycnics, isotachs and isoclines are used to characterize the downstream flow behind a curved shock in an imperfect gas.     

Upstream monotonic interpolation for scalar transport with application to complex turbulent flows

A new monotonic scheme for the approximation of steady scalar transport is formulated and implemented within a collocated finite-volume/pressure-correction algorithm for general turbulent flows in complex geometries. The scheme is essentially a monotonic implementation of the quadratic QUICK interpolation and uses a continuous and compact limiter to secure monotonicity. The principal purpose is to allow an accurate and fully bounded, hence stable, approximation of turbulence convection in the context of two-equation eddy viscosity and Reynolds stress transport modelling of two- and three-dimensional flows, both subsonic and transonic. Among other benefits, this capability permits an assessment to be made of the adequacy of approximating turbulence convection with first-order upwind schemes in conjunction with higher-order formulations for mean-flow properties—a widespread practice. The performance characteristics of the bounded scheme are illustrated by reference to computations for scalar transport, for a transonic flow in a Laval nozzle, for one separated laminar flow and for two separated turbulent flows computed with a non-linear RNG model and full Reynolds stress closure.     

Calculation of stagnation streamline quantities in hypersonic blunt body flows

An approximate method for the efficient calculation of stagnation-streamline quantities in hypersonic flows about spheres or cylinders is suggested. Based on the local similarity of the flow field the two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations are simplified to a one-dimensional approximation for the stagnation streamline. These equations are solved with an implicit finite-volume scheme. Comparisons with fully two–dimensional Euler and Navier–Stokes calculations for flows about spheres are presented, that include perfect gas flows and flows in chemical non-equilibrium. Comparisons with a number of experiments conclude this report. Received 8 May 1996 / Accepted 31 October 1996     

A fractional two‐step implicit algorithm using curvilinear collected grids

An efficient fractional two‐step implicit algorithm is reported to simulate incompressible fluid flows in a boundary‐fitted curvilinear collocated grid system. Using the finite volume method, the convection terms are discretized by the high‐accuracy Roe's scheme to minimize numerical diffusion. An implicitness coefficient Π is introduced to accelerate the rate of convergence. It is demonstrated that the proposed algorithm links the fractional step method to the pressure correction procedure, and the SIMPLEC method could be considered as a special case of the fractional two‐step implicit algorithm (when Π=1). The proposed algorithm is applicable to unsteady flows and steady flows. Three benchmark two‐dimensional laminar flows are tested to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm. Performance is measured by sensitivity analyses of the efficiency, accuracy, grid density, grid skewness and Reynolds number on the solutions. Results show that the model is efficient and robust. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Response to Comment on “Combined Forced and Free Convective Flow in a Vertical Porous Channel: The Effects of Viscous Dissipation and Pressure Work” by A. Barletta and D. A. Nield,Transport in Porous Media,DOI 10.1007/s11242-008-9320-y, 2009

This short note is a response to the comment on our recently published paper cited in the title. All points raised by the author of the comment are discussed. It is shown that one of the remarks, concerning eigenflow solutions in the limiting case of forced convection, does not have a sound physical basis. In fact, it refers to a circumstance, a fluid with a thermal expansion coefficient greater than that of a perfect gas, of marginal or no interest in the framework of convection in porous media.     

Mathematical Modeling of Flows Inside Rotating Bodies Made of Cellular-Porous Materials

A physicomathematical model is developed, which describes gas flows inside rapidly rotating bodies made of cellular-porous materials. Asymptotic and numerical solutions are obtained for some problems of forced centrifugal convection inside cylindrical cellular-porous bodies. The effect of the governing parameters (drag coefficient and dimensionless length of the cylinder) on characteristics and types of flows is considered. __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 46, No. 6, pp. 78–85, November–December, 2005.     

Multiphase flow model developed for simulating gas hydrate transport in horizontal pipe

The hydrate formation or dissociation in deep subsea flow lines is a challenging problem in oil and gas transport systems. The study of multiphase flows is complex while necessary due to the phase changes (i.e., liquid, solid, and gas) that occur with increasing the temperature and decreasing the pressure. A one-dimensional multiphase flow model coupled with a transient hydrate kinetic model is developed to study the characteristics of the multiphase flows for the hydrates formed by the phase changes in the pipes. The multiphase flow model is derived from a multi-fluid model, while has been widely used in modelling multiphase flows. The heat convection between the fluid and the ambient through the pipe wall is considered in the energy balance equation. The developed multiphase flow model is used to simulate the procedure of the hydrate transport. The results show that the formation of the hydrates can cause hold-up oscillations of water and gas.     

Thermo-Gravitational Convection in a Near-Critical Fluid in a Side-Heated Enclosed Cavity

Convection near a thermodynamic critical point in a square cavity with lateral heating is investigated numerically on the basis of the Navier-Stokes equations for a compressible gas with a Van-der-Waals equation of state. Comparison of a near-critical fluid and a perfect gas with parameters equal to those of the real fluid near the critical point shows that, with the development of convection, the dynamics of these two media are qualitatively different; however, a certain similarity is observed for the steady-state regime. The dependence of the steady-state flow and heat transfer characteristics on the nondimensional governing parameters is investigated.     

Attainment of maximum levels of natural convective heat transfer across major cavities using as a coolant a mixture of two pure gases instead of air

The enhancement of heat transfer in natural convection cavities is a very difficult task because of the intervening low fluid velocities. It is of fundamental and practical interest to explore alternative instruments that are power-independent and exclude surface modifications for the augmentation of heat transfer in these cavities. One feasible way for enhancing heat transfer rates passively in cavities filled with a gas is to stimulate the mechanism by natural convection of heat. The central objective of this paper is to employ a mixture of two pure gases that yields levels of heat transfer increments that are unattainable by each pure gas acting along (or even by air). In general, dimensional analysis insinuates that four transport properties affect natural convection flows: density, isobaric specific heat capacity, dynamic viscosity and thermal conductivity. Simple correlation equations of power form are useful to engineers for a quick estimate of the magnitudes of the space-mean heat transfer coefficient. Detailed computations were made for four different gases: air, pure helium, pure argon, and a mixture of pure helium and pure argon and the relative merits of each of them have been discussed. Five major cavities of relevance in applications of thermal engineering have been analyzed in this work. Received on 6 August 1999     

A variant of the low-Reynolds-number two-equation turbulence model applied to variable property mixed convection flows

Previous work has demonstrated that the low-Reynolds-number model of Launder and Sharma (1974) offers significant advantages over other two-equation turbulence models in the computation of highly non-universal buoyancy-influenced (or “mixed convection”) pipe flows. It is known, however, that the Launder and Sharma model does not possess high quantitative accuracy in regard to simpler forced convection flows. A variant of the low-Reynolds-number scheme is developed here by reference to data for constant property forced convection flows. The re-optimized model and the Launder and Sharma formulation are then examined against experimental measurements for mixed convection flows, including cases in which variable property effects are significant.