Brownian dynamics simulation of multiphase suspension of disc-like particles and polymers

A computational model is proposed for simulating the flow of polymer nanocomposites. This model is based on a multiphase suspension of disc-like particles and polymers. The particles are represented by oblate spheroid particles that interact with each other via the Gay-Berne (GB) potential, and the polymers are modeled by finitely extensible nonlinear elastic (FENE) chains that interact with each other via the repulsive Lennard-Jones potential. The interaction between an oblate spheroid particle and a FENE chain is also considered using a modified GB potential. A Brownian dynamics simulation of the shear flows of this system was conducted to investigate the orientation behavior of disc-like particles and the rheological properties of this system. The orientation of disc-like particles was affected by polymers, and the particles in a suspension were well aligned in flows because of the flow orientation property of polymers. The predicted shear viscosity exhibited shear thinning, and the normal stress differences agree qualitatively with experimental measurements of polymer/clay nanocomposites. The simulation results suggest that the present model has the potential to be used as a computational model for polymer nanocomposites.     

Viscoelastic plastic rheological model for particle filled polymer melts

A viscoelastic plastic model for suspension of small particles in polymer melts has been developed. In this model, the total stress is assumed to be the sum of stress in the polymer matrix and the filler network. A nonlinear viscoelastic model along with a yield criterion were used to represent the stresses in the polymer matrix and the filler network, respectively. The yield function is defined in terms of differential equations with an internal parameter. The internal parameter models the evolution of structure changes during floc rupture and restoration. The theoretical results were obtained for steady and oscillatory shear flow and compared with experimental data for particle filled thermoplastic melt. The experimental data included the steady state shear strress over a wide range of shear rates, the transient stress in a start up shear flow, stress relaxation after cessation of a steady state shear flow, the step shear and the oscillatory shear flow at various amplitudes.     

砂土地基锚板基础抗拔承载力PFC数值分析

在模型试验的基础上,采用PFC离散单元法对条形锚板基础在中密砂土地基中的抗拔性能进行了数值分析。数值模拟采用簇颗粒单元来模拟砂粒的不规则形状,颗粒级配根据模型试验福建标准砂的级配按照相似级配法生成,细观参数根据数值双轴试验确定。水平锚板数值模拟结果与模型试验结果基本一致。与模型试验结果相比,颗粒流数值模拟能得到颗粒间接触力链的分布及其演化规律,能从细观角度来探明宏观抗拔承载力特性的演化机理。在此基础上对倾斜锚板上拔过程进行了模拟,分析了锚板前后砂粒的运动趋势以及接触力链的演化规律,并与已有承载力结果进行了对比分析。     

Experimental and Numerical Study of Gel Particles Movement and Deposition in Porous Media After Polymer Flooding

Gel particle, a promising conformance control technology, is recently applying to after-polymer-flooding reservoirs by reusing the remaining polymer in porous media. However, there is no available numerical model which is useful for simulating the conformance control. A series of lab experiments are conducted to explore the main characters of gel particles movements after polymer flooding. Four main mechanisms, namely, swelling, synergy with remaining polymer, shear breaking, and deformation migration, are recognized and described by mathematical formulas. Based on the physical experiments, a numerical model is established to simulate gel particles propagation after polymer flooding. In particular, gel particles are treated as an additional component in aqueous phase. The interaction between the particle gels and the remaining polymer is simplified by aqueous viscosity relationship and particle gel grain size variation. Two transport forms, plugging and deformation migration, are embodied in the model, and the local pressure gradient controls which form the propagation belongs to. The retention of particle gels will cause pore volume decrease and therefore reduce the permeability of thief zones to bypassing water to less swept zones. An iterative method is employed to decouple the gel particle profile control model, which is robust and fairly time-saving. In particular, the flow model is numerically solved by the IMPSAT method and the gel particles continuity equation is explicitly solved by using an operator splitting technique. The newly developed model is validated by history matching results of 1D experiments and actual application case. The results suggest that the presented model is helpful to optimize parameters for profile control for gel particle profile control technology.     

Extensional flow behavior of polymer solutions and particle suspensions in a spinning motion

Mechanical spinning of fluid filaments was used to generate an extensional flow, in which rheological measurements were obtained for a Newtonian fluid, two aqueous polymer solutions, and two fluid suspensions of rod-shaped particles. The tensile stress was determined by measuring the tensile force of the fluid filament while the kinematics were determined from photographic measurement of the filament profile and the assumption of a flat velocity profile. The measured tensile stresses for the Newtonian fluid matched predicted stresses, thereby confirming the validity of the experimental technique.The spinning behavior of each polymer solution could be correlated as stress versus extension rate. The apparent “spinning viscosity” increased with increasing rate of extension, in contrast to shear-thinning behavior in viscometric flow. For the fluid suspensions, the presence of rod-shaped particles increased the apparent viscosity far more in extensional flow than in shear. Tensile stresses calculated from a theoretical formula for suspensions proposed by Batchelor agreed rather well with experiment. Some general criteria for the interpretation of the spinning experiment are proposed, and some microrheological implications of the present findings are discussed.     

Numerical calculations for two-phase jet flow of a mixture of pulverized-coal and gas

In this paper, Euler-Lagrange type equations are used to describe the jet flow of a mixture of pulverized-coal and gas, which is an unsteady axisymmetric two-phase flow. By means of the finite-difference method, the coal particle's distribution, velocity and trajectory in the flow field are obtained. The coal particles are represented by a finite number of computational particles. Each particle's diameter is randomly assigned according to a given distribution. The states of the computational particles are different from each other. Turbulence is accounted for in a stochastic model. Explicit time-splitting scheme is used to calculate the strongly coupling interphase term. The numerical results are reasonable. The comparison between the numerical results and the experiment data for the case of the oil droplet injection shows good agreement. This numerical technique can be extended to the calculation of other two-phase flows of dilute particles or a droplet system. Mr. Mei Renwei also participated in the work of this paper.     

Numerical simulation of heat transfer in a micro channel heat sinks using nanofluids

In this study, a numerical simulation of copper microchannel heatsink (MCHS) using nanofluids as coolants is presented. The nanofluid is a mixture of pure water and nanoscale metallic or nonmetallic particles with various volume fractions. Also, the effects of various volume fractions, volumetric flow rate and various materials of nanoparticles on the performance of MCHS have been developed. A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model was developed using the commercial software package FLUENT, to investigate the conjugate fluid flow and heat transfer phenomena in micro channel heatsinks. The results show that the cooling performance of a microchannel heat sink with water based nanofluid containing Al₂O₃ (vol 8%) is enhanced by about 4.5% compared with micro channel heatsink with pure water. Nanofluids reduce both the thermal resistance and the temperature difference between the top (heated) surface of the MCHS and inlet nanofluid compared with that pure water. The cooling performance of a micro channel heat sink with metal nanofluids improves compared with that of a micro channel heat sink with oxide metal nanofluids because the thermal conductivity of metal nanofluid is higher than oxide metal nanofluids. Micro channel heat sinks with nanofluids are expected to be good candidates as the next generation cooling devices for removing ultra high heat flux.     

Converging radial flow of dilute polymer solutions

A characteristic time of dilute polymer solutions is determined from a converging radial flow experiment. The influence of the intradisk separation and of the polymer concentration on this time is studied. Present results are compared to results obtained with a diaphragm. The main limitations of the experiments are pointed out.     

Computer simulation of the rheology of concentrated star polymer suspensions

We use particle-based computer simulations to study the rheology of suspensions of high-functionality star polymers with long entangled arms. Such particles have properties which are intermediate between those of soft colloidal particles and entangled polymer chains. In the simulations, each star polymer is coarse-grained to a single particle. In order to faithfully reproduce dynamical properties, it is very important to not only include time-averaged interactions (potentials of mean force) but to also account for transient interactions induced by entanglements between the arms of different star polymers. Using a model which has all these features, it is found that, for sufficiently high shear rates, the start-up shear stress displays an overshoot. With increasing concentration, the core interactions increasingly dominate the initial stress response, leading to a maximum in the stress overshoot at relatively low strain values (0.1 to 0.5). Transient forces start to dominate after this initial stage. In a simulated experiment in which the shear rate is suddenly stepped-down from a high to a lower value, the stress shows a clear undershoot, with the minimum stress again at a relatively low strain value (based on the new shear rate). Finally, it is shown that a stress plateau develops in the flow curve. This plateau is absent when the transient forces between the polymer stars are not taken into account.     

Numerical simulation of drag-reducing channel flow by using bead-spring chain model

Numerical simulations of the drag-reducing turbulent channel flow caused by polymer addition are performed. A bead-spring chain model is employed as a model of polymer aggregation. The model consists of beads and springs to represent the polymer dynamics. Three drag-reduction cases are studied with different spring constants that correspond to the relaxation time of the polymer. The energy budget is mainly focused upon to discuss the drag-reduction mechanism. Our results show that a decreasing pressure-strain correlation mainly contributes to strengthening the anisotropy of the turbulence. Furthermore, energy transport by the polymer models attenuates the turbulence. These viscoelastic effects on the drag-reducing flow are intensified with decreasing spring constant. By visualizing the flow field, it is found that this polymer energy transport is related to the orientation of the polymer.     

非牛顿流体在非均质油藏渗流压力场实验

在非均质油藏模型上进行非牛顿流体流动物理模拟实验，对比研究水驱、聚合物驱和交联聚合物对提高石油采收率的影响．通过布置高精度的压差传感器测量不同驱替过程模型中的渗流压力场的动态变化，成胶后的交联聚合物封堵了高渗条区，改变了油藏内流体流动方向，驱替出低渗区内油，提高了采收率．     

格子Boltzmann模型的改进与流体力学方程

流体的流动可以看成是分子以上水平的粒子基本运动组合而成,任何一个粒子系统的Hamiltonian都是由动能和势能这两部分所组成.借助于Hamiltonian建立了微观粒子和宏观流体之间的能量守恒准则,发展了一个适合于热流场数值模拟的格子Boltzmann模型.从该模型可以还原出宏观的流体力学方程,所得动量方程的黏性输运项除了具有Navier-Stokes黏性力的特征外还与非定常的、非线性的动量通量和非定常的内能相关.用该模型对Benard热对流进行了数值模拟,很好地再现了Benard cell,并且克服了热格子Boltzmann模型数值稳定性差的不足.     

页岩气和致密砂岩气藏微裂缝气体传输特性

页岩气和致密砂岩气藏发育微裂缝,其开度多在纳米级和微米级尺度且变化大,因此微裂缝气体传输机理异常复杂.本文基于滑脱流动和努森扩散模型,分别以分子之间碰撞频率和分子与壁面碰撞频率占总碰撞频率的比值作为滑脱流动和努森扩散的权重系数,耦合这两种传输机理,建立了微裂缝气体传输模型. 该模型考虑微裂缝形状和尺度对气体传输的影响. 模型可靠性用分子模拟数据验证.结果表明:(1)模型能够合理描述微裂缝中所有气体传输机理,包括连续流动,滑脱流动和过渡流动;(2)模型能够描述不同开发阶段,微裂缝中各气体传输机理对传输贡献的逐渐变化过程;(3)微裂缝形状和尺度影响气体传输,相同开度且宽度越大的微裂缝,气体传输能力越强,且在高压和微裂缝大开度的情况下表现更明显.      

The rheology of suspensions of porous zeolite particles in polymer solutions

We present data and predictive models for the shear rheology of suspended zeolite particles in polymer solutions. It was found experimentally that suspensions of zeolite particles in polymer solutions have relative viscosities that dramatically exceed the Krieger–Dougherty predictions for hard sphere suspensions. Our investigations show that the major origin of this discrepancy is due to the selective absorption of solvent molecules from the suspending polymer solution into zeolite pores. The effect raises both the polymer concentration in the suspending medium and the particle volume fraction in the suspension. Consequently, both the viscosity of the polymer solution and the particle contribution to the suspension viscosity are increased. We propose a predictive model for the viscosity of porous zeolite suspensions by incorporating a solvent absorption parameter, α, into the Krieger–Dougherty model. We experimentally determined the solvent absorption parameter by comparing viscosity data for suspensions of porous and nonporous MFI zeolite particles. Our results are in good agreement with the theoretical pore volume of MFI particles.     

Numerical simulation of particle migration in asymmetric bifurcation channel

In this work we provide numerical validation of the particle migration during flow of concentrated suspension in asymmetric T-junction bifurcation channel observed in a recent experiment [1]. The mathematical models developed to explain particle migration phenomenon basically fall into two categories, namely, suspension balance model and diffusive flux model. These models have been successfully applied to explain migration behavior in several two-dimensional flows. However, many processes often involve flow in complex 3D geometries. In this work we have carried out numerical simulation of concentrated suspension flow in 3D bifurcation geometry using the diffusive flux model. The simulation method was validated with available experimental and theoretical results for channel flow. After validation of the method we have applied the simulation technique to study the flow of concentrated suspensions through an asymmetric T-junction bifurcation composed of rectangular channels. It is observed that in the span-wise direction inhomogeneous concentration distribution that develops upstream persists throughout the inlet and downstream channels. Due to the migration of particles near the bifurcation section there is almost equal partitioning of flow in the two downstream branches. The detailed comparison of numerical simulation results is made with the experimental data.     

A two‐grid fictitious domain method for direct simulation of flows involving non‐interacting particles of a very small size

The full resolution of flows involving particles whose scale is hundreds or thousands of times smaller than the size of the flow domain is a challenging problem. A naive approach would require a tremendous number of degrees of freedom in order to bridge the gap between the two spatial scales involved. The approach used in the present study employs two grids whose grid size fits the two different scales involved, one of them (the micro‐scale grid) being embedded into the other (the macro‐scale grid). Then resolving first the larger scale on the macro‐scale grid, we transfer the so obtained data to the boundary of the micro‐scale grid and solve the smaller size problem. Since the particle is moving throughout the macro‐scale domain, the micro‐scale grid is fixed at the centroid of the moving particle and therefore moves with it. In this study we combine such an approach with a fictitious domain formulation of the problem resulting in a very efficient algorithm that is also easy to implement in an existing CFD code. We validate the method against existing experimental data for a sedimenting sphere, as well as analytical results for motion of an inertia‐less ellipsoid in a shear flow. Finally, we apply the method to the flow of a high aspect ratio ellipsoid in a model of a human lung airway bifurcation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

土体颗粒物流动物质点法模拟的弹塑性和非牛顿流体本构模型比较研究

土体颗粒物流动是一种典型的大变形破坏,具有非牛顿流体的流动特征。准确模拟土体颗粒物的流动及冲击过程,对滑坡和泥石流等地质灾害的防治具有重要意义。物质点法是一种无网格粒子类方法,已在各类大变形问题中得到了广泛应用。以往土体颗粒物流动的模拟,通常采用弹塑性本构模型,但缺乏对非牛顿本构模型的模拟分析。本文引入非牛顿本构模型的模拟分析,旨在为土体颗粒物流动模拟提供一种新的方法与思路。非牛顿本构模型的模拟分析是将非牛顿广义Cross模型引入三维物质点法,通过人工阻尼力模拟颗粒间的摩擦力,对土体颗粒物的坍塌、沿斜面滑动以及冲击障碍物等问题进行了动态模拟,研究了其运动全过程,并与弹塑性本构模型的模拟结果进行了对比验证。结果表明,基于非牛顿流体本构模型的物质点法可以较好地模拟土体颗粒物加速、减速到再次稳定的流动全过程及其对障碍物的冲击效应。     

Micro/meso simulation of a fluidized bed in a homogeneous bubbling regime

Due to the wide range of spatial scales and the complex features associated to fluid/solid and solid/solid interactions in a dense fluidized bed, the system can be studied at different length scales, namely micro, meso and macro. In this work, we select a flow configuration relevant of a homogeneous liquid/solid fluidization and compare computed results from Particle Resolved Simulation (PRS) with those from locally averaged Euler/Lagrange simulation. PRS at the micro-scale is carried out by a parallel Distributed Lagrange Multiplier (DLM) solver in the framework of fictitious domain methods (Wachs, 2011a, 2015). For meso-scale simulations, the set of mass and momentum conservation equations is averaged in control volumes encompassing few particles and momentum transfer between the two phases is modeled using appropriate drag laws. Both methods are coupled to a Discrete Element Method (DEM) combined with a soft-sphere contact model to solve the Newton–Euler equations with collisions for the particles in a Lagrangian framework (Wachs et al., 2012). A test case of intermediate size with 2000 spheres is chosen as a sensible compromise between size limitations of the meso-scale model for an appropriate averaging process and computational resources required to run micro-scale simulations. These two datasets yield new insight on momentum transfer at different spatial scales in the flow, and question the validity of certain approximations adopted in the meso-scale model. Results demonstrate an acceptable agreement between the micro- and meso-scale predictions on integral measures as pressure drop and bed height. Investigating more detailed features of the flow, it has been shown that particles fluctuations are considerably suppressed in meso-scale simulations and in particular the particles transverse motion is underestimated, regardless of the selected drag law. The origin of these dependencies is carefully investigated by reconstructing the closure laws based on PRS results and comparing them to the closure laws proposed in the literature.     

Feasibility study on strengthening heating effect of high power short pulse laser on biological tissue by micro/nano metal particles

A new method for enhancing the heating effect of high power short pulse laser on biological tissue by micro/nano metal particles was proposed. Theoretical analysis of the influences of the micro/nano particle kind, the concentration and the microcosmic distribution of micro/nano particles on the temperature response was carried out with a multi-layer hyperbolic heat conduction model with volumetric heat generation. The results indicate that embedding micro/nano particles could improve the surface temperature increase of biological tissue with short duration and reduce the deeper material temperature under the same heating condition, which would help strengthen the heating effects of high power short pulse laser on biological tissue. This study may open a new technical approach for improving laser applications.     

微管中非混溶两种流体运动界面的特征

以平流泵为压力源,在不同管径的石英微管中进行流动试验,显微镜观察和拍摄水-气界面和油-水界面,在微米尺度下进行了不同流速的运动界面实验,研究了微管中非混溶两种流体运动界面的特征,以及润湿性对流体在微管中流动界面的影响.实验中观察到了润湿界面的滞后现象,即界面随流速的不同而改变的现象.实验结果表明:水在微管中流动的气液界面随着流速的不同形状发生改变,流速较小时,界面基本保持为凹液面;随着流速的增加,液面由凹液面向平液面发展,进而发展为凸液面.在表面张力的作用下,微管的尺寸越小,两种流体的性质差别越大,界面的润湿滞后现象越不明显,讨论了界面和润湿滞后存在的问题和可能的应用.