A novel hybrid solid-like fluid-like (SLFL) method for the simulation of dry granular flows

This paper proposes a novel hybrid method to simulate the dry granular flow of materials over a wide range of inertial numbers that simultaneously covers the quasi-static and dense granular flow regimes. To overcome the lack of incremental objectivity whenever large deformations occur in solid-like regimes and to remove computational singularities in fluid-like regimes close to rest, the elastic–perfectly plastic theory based on the Drucker–Prager yield criterion is combined with the theory of dense granular flows. By implementing some new modifications at the boundaries and removing all ghost particles, smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) is used as the framework for the method. A number of benchmark problems have been solved to show the capabilities of the new modified SPH method. Precise prediction of both location and pressure makes the modifications comparable with the previous works on SPH. Finally, the method is used to solve the classic 2D dry granular cliff collapse problem and to model dry granular material flow inside a rotary drum. The outcomes of the numerical simulation show good agreement with tabletop experiments and published results.     

Retrieval of aerosol size distribution using improved quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization on spectral extinction measurements

An improved quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization (IQPSO) algorithm is employed to determine aerosol size distribution (ASD). The direct problem is solved using the anomalous diffraction approximation and Lambert–Beer's Law. Compared with the standard particle swarm optimization algorithm, the stochastic particle size optimization algorithm and the original QPSO, our IQPSO has faster convergence speed and higher accuracy within a smaller number of generations. Optimization parameters for the IQPSO were also evaluated; we recommend using four measurement wavelengths and 50 particles. Size distributions of various aerosol types were estimated using the IQPSO under dependent and independent models. Finally, experimental ASDs at different locations in Harbin were recovered using the IQPSO. All our results confirm that the IQPSO algorithm is an effective and reliable technique for estimating ASD.     

Experimental benchmark of a free plunging wing with imposed flap oscillations

The validation of fluid–structure interaction solvers is difficult since there is a lack of experimental data. Therefore, in this work an aeroelastic experiment is presented. The focus is on the temporal coupling between fluid and structure dynamics. Issues in the spatial coupling are eliminated by using a rigid wing. The wing, with a harmonically actuated 0.2c trailing edge flap, has a degree of freedom in the plunge (vertical) direction. The wing has a chord of 0.5 m and is suspended with springs. The wing motion is constrained by a vertical rail system.For simplicity attached flow is desired and therefore the set angle of attack is α=0°. The Reynolds number is approximately Re=700 000 and the flap deflects over a range of about ±2°. The damped natural frequency of the structure expressed as a reduced frequency is about k=0.194 and measurements are performed for reduced flap frequencies ranging from k=0.1 to k=0.3. Displacements and time dependent aerodynamic forces are measured and for k=0.198 2-D PIV measurements are performed. The planar PIV measurements are used to intrinsically determine the unsteady loads using Noca׳s method.As expected the aeroelastic problem shows similarities with a viscously damped mass–damper–spring, meaning the maximum excursion of the wing is found near the system eigenfrequency. The lift is dominated by the flap motion and the effective angle of attack due to the motion introduces phase shifts of the lift signal with respect to the flap phase angle.The experiment has been set up and executed with the necessary precision, but small ambiguities are found in the lift and drag disqualifying the data for validation. Nevertheless the data set provides a clear insight into typical loads and motions and can be used for comparative studies. It can also be used to (re)design future experiments to improve the quality of the data to the desired level of accuracy for validation.     

Estimating the tensile strength of super hard brittle materials using truncated spheroidal specimens

New approaches need to be introduced to measure the tensile capacity of super hard materials since the standard methods are not effective. To pursue this objective, a series of laboratory tests were constructed to replicate the fracture mechanism of diamond-based materials. Experiments indicate that under a certain compressive test condition, stresses normal to the axisymmetric line in truncated spheroidal specimens (bullet-shaped specimens) are in tension contributing to the tensile fracture of the material. From experimental and numerical studies, it is concluded that semi-prolate spheroidal specimens can be used to determine precisely the tensile strength of brittle stiff diamond-like composites.     

Relating geologic units and mobility system kinematics contributing to Curiosity wheel damage at Gale Crater,Mars

Curiosity landed on plains to the north of Mount Sharp in August 2012. By June 2016 the rover had traversed 12.9 km to the southwest, encountering extensive strata that were deposited in a fluvial-deltaic-lacustrine system. Initial drives across sharp sandstone outcrops initiated an unacceptably high rate of punctures and cracks in the thin aluminum wheel skin structures. Initial damage was found to be related to the drive control mode of the six wheel drive actuators and the kinematics of the rocker-bogie suspension. Wheels leading a suspension pivot were forced onto sharp, immobile surfaces by the other wheels as they maintained their commanded angular velocities. Wheel damage mechanisms such as geometry-induced stress concentration cracking and low-cycle fatigue were then exacerbated. A geomorphic map was generated to assist in planning traverses that would minimize further wheel damage. A steady increase in punctures and cracks between landing and June 2016 was due in part because of drives across the sharp sandstone outcrops that could not be avoided. Wheel lifetime estimates show that with careful path planning the wheels will be operational for an additional ten kilometers or more, allowing the rover to reach key strata exposed on the slopes of Mount Sharp.     

On the spray drying of uniform functional microparticles

Spray drying is a typical method to produce particles in dry powder forms at industrial scale.Most spray-dried products often show a wide range of particle properties even within the same batch.At Monash University,we utilise a microfluidic spray drying approach to generate uniform microparticles with tightly controlled characteristics and sizes in a scalable,almost waste-free process.The technique is useful to correlate the effects of formulation and spray drying conditions on the properties of spray-dried particles,and can be used to test new formulations for targeted applications such as encapsulation and release of active ingredients.The synthesis route can be applied to other self-assembling systems,including mesoporous,crystalline,and hierarchically structured microparticles.As spray drying is commonly used in commercial scales,the understanding of how functional particles are formed in relation to formulations and process conditions could assist in developing a cost effective,energy and material-efficient route to produce powders with better properties and ease of handling for more advanced applications such as selective adsorption and bio-separation.     

Demonstration of a coupled floating offshore wind turbine analysis with high-fidelity methods

This paper presents results of numerical computations for floating off-shore wind turbines using, as an example, a machine of 10-MW rated power. The aerodynamic loads on the rotor are computed using the Helicopter Multi-Block flow solver developed at the University of Liverpool. The method solves the Navier–Stokes equations in integral form using the arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian formulation for time-dependent domains with moving boundaries. Hydrodynamic loads on the support platform are computed using the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics method, which is mesh-free and represents the water and floating structures by a set of discrete elements, referred to as particles. The motion of the floating offshore wind turbine is computed using a Multi-Body Dynamic Model of rigid bodies and frictionless joints. Mooring cables are modelled as a set of springs and dampers. All solvers were validated separately before coupling, and the results are presented in this paper. The importance of coupling is assessed and the loosely coupled algorithm used is described in detail alongside the obtained results.     

Stress induced phase transitions in silicon

Silicon has a tremendous importance as an electronic, structural and optical material. Modeling the interaction of a silicon surface with a pointed asperity at room temperature is a major step towards the understanding of various phenomena related to brittle as well as ductile regime machining of this semiconductor. If subjected to pressure or contact loading, silicon undergoes a series of stress-driven phase transitions accompanied by large volume changes. In order to understand the material's response for complex non-hydrostatic loading situations, dedicated constitutive models are required. While a significant body of literature exists for the dislocation dominated high-temperature deformation regime, the constitutive laws used for the technologically relevant rapid low-temperature loading have severe limitations, as they do not account for the relevant phase transitions. We developed a novel finite deformation constitutive model set within the framework of thermodynamics with internal variables that captures the stress induced semiconductor-to-metal ($\mathrm{cd-Si}\to \mathrm{\beta }\mathrm{-Si}$), metal-to-amorphous ($\mathrm{\beta }\mathrm{-Si}\to \mathrm{a-Si}$) as well as amorphous-to-amorphous ($\mathrm{a-Si}\to \mathrm{hda-Si}$, $\mathrm{hda-Si}\to \mathrm{a-Si}$) transitions. The model parameters were identified in part directly from diamond anvil cell data and in part from instrumented indentation by the solution of an inverse problem. The constitutive model was verified by successfully predicting the transformation stress under uniaxial compression and load–displacement curves for different indenters for single loading–unloading cycles as well as repeated indentation. To the authors' knowledge this is the first constitutive model that is able to adequately describe cyclic indentation in silicon.     

Effect of adhesive thickness,adhesive type and scarf angle on the mechanical properties of scarf adhesive joints

The effects of adhesive thickness, adhesive type and scarf angle, which are determined as the main control parameters by the dimensional analysis, on the mechanical properties of a scarf adhesive joint (SJ) subjected to uniaxial tensile loading are examined using a mixed-mode cohesive zone model (CZM) with a bilinear shape to govern the interface separation. Particularly, the adhesive-dependence of the vital cohesive parameters of CZM, which mainly include initial stiffness, total fracture energy and separation strength, is introduced emphatically. The numerical results demonstrate that the ultimate tensile loading increases as the adhesive thickness decreases. Cross the ultimate tension, the joint loses the load-bearing capacity when adopting the brittle adhesive but sustains partial load-bearing capacity while selecting the ductile adhesive. In addition, for the joint with the ductile adhesive, the maximum applied displacement until the complete failure of it is directly proportional to the adhesive thickness, which is different from the case using the brittle adhesive. Taking the combination of the ultimate loading and applied displacement into account, failure energy is employed to evaluate the joint performances. The results show that the failure energy of the joint with the brittle adhesive increases as the adhesive thickness decreases. Conversely, the situation of the joint using the ductile adhesive is vice versa. Moreover, the effect of the adhesive thickness becomes more noticeable with decreasing the scarf angle owing to the variation of the proportion of each component of the mixed-mode. Furthermore, all the characteristic parameters (the ultimate tensile loading, the maximum applied displacement and the failure energy) that adopted to describe the performances of SJ increase as the scarf angle decreases. Finally, the numerical method employed in this study is validated by comparing with existing experimental results.     

Modeling dynamic brittle behavior of materials with circular flaws or pores

Compressive failure of brittle materials is driven primarily by crack growth from pre-existing flaws in the material. These flaws, such as grain boundaries, pores, preexisting cracks, inclusions and missing grains, are randomly spaced and have a range of possible shapes and sizes. The current work proposes a micromechanics-based model for compressive dynamic failure of brittle materials with circular pore flaws, which incorporates both the number density and the size distribution of flaws. Results show that the distribution of flaw sizes is very important, particularly at moderate strain rate, since analyses based solely on the mean flaw size overpredict strength. Therefore, in order to increase dynamic strength at low to moderate strain rates, it is most effective to control the presence of large flaws. At very high strain rates, however, crack growth is activated even in small flaws and therefore controlling the total number density rather than the size of the flaws is effective for increasing dynamic strength. Finally, the model shows that neglecting very small flaws in the pore population may not have significant effects on the results in many cases, suggesting that the model is a useful tool for identifying a minimum resolution required for experimental characterization of microstructure.     

Numerical investigation of droplet pre-dispersion in a monodisperse droplet spray dryer

Monodisperse droplet spray dryers have great advantages in particle formation through spray drying because of their ability to produce uniform sized particles. Experimental analyses of this system have shown that droplets atomized through the piezoceramic nozzle need to be sufficiently well dispersed before entering the drying chamber to achieve sufficiently dried particles. However, the dispersion dynamics cannot be readily observed because of experimental limitations, and key factors influencing the dispersion state currently remain unclear. This study carried out numerical simulations for droplet dispersions in the dispersion chamber, which allow this important process to be visualized. The systematic and quantitative analyses on the dispersion states provide valuable data for improving the design of the dispersion chamber, and optimizing the spray drying operation.     

Scalable gas-phase processes to create nanostructured particles

The properties of nanoparticles are often different from those of larger grains of the same solid material because of their very large specific surface area. This enables many novel applications, but properties such as agglomeration can also hinder their potential use. By creating nanostructured particles one can take optimum benefit from the desired properties while minimizing the adverse effects. We aim at developing high-precision routes for scalable production of nanostructured particles. Two gas-phase synthesis routes are explored. The first one - covering nanoparticles with a continuous layer - is carried out using atomic layer deposition in a fluidized bed. Through fluidization, the full surface area of the nanoparticles becomes available. With this process, particles can be coated with an ultra-thin film of constant and well-tunable thickness. For the second route - attaching nanoparticles to larger particles - a novel approach using electrostatic forces is demonstrated. The micron-sized particles are charged with one polarity using tribocharging. Using electrospraying, a spray of charged nanoparticles with opposite polarity is generated. Their charge prevents agglomeration, while it enhances efficient deposition at the surface of the host particle. While the proposed processes offer good potential for scale-up, further work is needed to realize large-scale processes.     

Application of the scale entropy diffusion model to describe a liquid atomization process

Whatever the situation, liquid atomization processes show a continuous evolution of the liquid system shape. However, such a system is a multiscale object, i.e., its shape cannot be fully described by a single geometrical parameter. The present work makes use of the scale entropy function to describe this multiscale object. This function is found similar to the scale distribution previously introduced to take into account the droplet shape in liquid spray characterization. Time-averaged scale entropy is locally measured on images of atomizing liquid flows issuing from a low injection pressure single-hole triple-disk nozzle. The advantage in using this nozzle is that the atomization process and the spray are inscribed in a plane and can be fully described by 2-D visualizations. The measurements are performed from the nozzle exit down to the spray region. The operating conditions consider varying injection pressure and liquid physical properties. The temporal evolution of the scale entropy is described by the scale entropy diffusion model. Initially developed in turbulence, this model introduces new parameters such as the scale diffusivity and the local scale entropy flux sink, which characterize the diffusion dynamic of the scale entropy in the scale space. For the first time, these parameters are measured and strong correlations between them and the working conditions are evidenced. Furthermore, new parameters are introduced such as a scale viscosity and the total scale entropy flux lose. These results demonstrate the relevance of the scale entropy diffusion model to describe a liquid atomization process. This application is the first of its kind.     

A STUDY ON DROPLET VELOCITY OF ETHANOL DURING ELECTROSPRAYING PROCESS AT CONE-JET MODE

研究液滴在静电喷雾下的速度特性是理解喷雾形态的形成及演化的关键.结合锥射流模式下乙醇静电喷雾实验数据,建立了静电喷雾二维轴对称模型.基于离散相液滴运动方程、连续相空气运动方程、电场方程以及用户自定义函数,进行了数值求解,获得了锥射流模式下的乙醇静电喷雾形态、空间电场分布以及液滴速度场分布.考虑了不同空气入口流速的影响,得到了乙醇/空气同轴射流静电喷雾形态的变化规律.结果表明,喷雾外围液滴与空气流场有较强的相互作用,导致喷雾中轴线附近的液滴速度分布变化较小,而在喷雾外围处的液滴速度分布沿径向剧烈变化;随着空气入口速度的增大,乙醇/空气同轴射流静电喷雾形态先趋于发散,当空气入口速度大于喷雾外围液滴轴向速度时,喷雾形态则趋于聚拢.因此,除改变施加电压、液体流量和电极结构外,通过控制空气入口速度来影响喷雾液滴速度场,也可获得不同的静电喷雾效果.     

Numerical and experimental investigation on droplet dynamics and dispersion of a jet engine injector

In the case of turbine combustors operating with liquid fuel the combustion process is governed by the liquid fuel atomization and its dispersion in the combustion chamber. By highly unsteady flow field conditions the transient interaction between the liquid and the gaseous phase is of interest, because it results in a temporal variation of air–fuel ratio which leads to a fluctuating temperature distribution. The objective of this research was the investigation of transient flow field phenomena (e.g. large coherent structures) on droplet dynamics and dispersion of an isothermal flow (of inert water droplets) as a necessary first step towards a full analysis of spray combustion in real-life devices. The advanced injector system for lean jet engine combustors PERM (Partial Evaporated Rapid Mixing) was applied, generating a dilute polydispersed spray in a swirled flow field. Experiments were performed using Phase Doppler Anemometry (PDA) and a patternator to determine the droplet polydispersity, concentration maps, and velocity profiles in the flow. An important finding is the effect of large-scale coherent structures due mainly to the precessing of the vortex core (PVC) of the swirling air jet on the particle dispersion patterns. The experimental results then serve as reference data to assess the accuracy of the Eulerian–Lagrangian computations using a Large Eddy Simulation (LES), a Unsteady Reynolds-Average Navier–Stokes Simulation (URANS) and two simplified (steady-state) simulations. There, a simplified droplet injection model was used and the required boundary conditions of injected droplet sizes were obtained from measurements. Important transient effects of deterministic droplet separation observed during experiments, could be perfectly replicated with this injection model. It is convincingly shown, through extensive computations, that the resolution of instantaneous vortical structures is indeed crucial; hence the LES, or a reasonably-well resolved URANS are preferred over the steady-state solutions with additional, stochastic-type, turbulent dispersion models.     

等离子熔射粉末颗粒飞行过程格子Boltzmann法仿真

为考察等离子熔射过程中粉末的飞行过程,本文在已开发的正六边形7-b it格子Bo ltzm ann(LB)方法等离子射流的温度场和速度场的计算模型基础上,采用单个颗粒加速方程,建立了一个随机算法,实现了对粉末颗粒在射流场中运动过程的仿真;计算结果通过动画演示了粉末飞行的全过程,表明初始位置越靠近射流场出口中心的粉末颗粒加速越充分,并且在射流场一定的情况下,减小粉末颗粒直径可以提高粉末速度,但会降低粉末利用率。     

Amorphous particle deposition and product quality under different conditions in a spray dryer

Deposition of amorphous particles, as a prevalent problem particularly in the spray drying of fruit and vegetable juices, is due to low-molecular weight sugars and is strongly dependent on the condition of the particles upon collision with the dryer wall. This paper investigates the condition of the amorphous particles impacting the wall at different drying conditions with the aim of elucidating the deposition mechanism and physical phenomena in the drying chamber. A model sucrose-maltodextrin solution was used to represent the low-molecular-weight sugar. Particle deposits were collected on sampling plates placed inside the dryer for analyses of moisture content, particle rigidity (using SEM) and size distribution. Moisture content was adopted as a general indicator of stickiness. Product particles collected at the bottom of the experimental dryer were found to have higher moisture than particle deposits on samplers inside the dryer. Moisture content profile in the dryer shows that apart from the atomizer region, where particles are relatively wet, particle deposits at other regions exhibit similar lower moisture content. At the highest temperature adopted in the experiments, particles became rubbery suggesting liquid-bridge formation as the dominant deposition mechanism. Further analysis on particles size distribution reveals a particle segregation mechanism whereby smaller particles follow preferentially to the central air stream while larger particles tend to re-circulate in the chamber, as predicted in past CFD simulation. The findings from this work will form the basis and provide validating data for further modeling of wall deposition of amorphous particles in spray drying using CFD.     

Surface structuring of case hardened chain pins by cold-sprayed microparticles to modify friction and wear properties

This paper presents the results of the application of a cold spray technique for structuring metallic surfaces with microparticles. The resulting changes in surface properties were characterized to observe their influences on the tribological behavior of the structured surface. The spray technique was applied to a technical component, a 16MnCr5 steel chain pin, designed to be mounted in a linear reciprocating tribometer. TiO₂ microparticles were used to structure the surface with a homogeneous distribution of singly dispersed particles, rather than a homogeneous closed coating on the surface. Tribometer tests were performed to directly compare structured and unstructured chain pins, and a significantly reduced sliding friction coefficient was observed for the structured pin. The pins were characterized in detail by surface analysis prior to and after application of the tribological load to set the surface parameters and surface chemistry, even on the microscale. It was confirmed that the particle structuring induced changes in the surface properties, and the durability of the changes after tribological loading was evaluated.     

Surface structuring of case hardened chain pins by cold-sprayed microparticles to modify friction and wear properties

This paper presents the results of the application of a cold spray technique for structuring metallic surfaces with microparticles.The resulting changes in surface properties were characterized to observe their influences on the tribological behavior of the structured surface.The spray technique was applied to a technical component,a 16MnCr5 steel chain pin,designed to be mounted in a linear reciprocating tribometer.TiO_2 microparticles were used to structure the surface with a homogeneous distribution of singly dispersed particles,rather than a homogeneous closed coating on the surface.Tribometer tests were performed to directly compare structured and unstructured chain pins,and a significantly reduced sliding friction coefficient was observed for the structured pin.The pins were characterized in detail by surface analysis prior to and after application of the tribological load to set the surface parameters and surface chemistry,even on the microscale.It was confirmed that the particle structuring induced changes in the surface properties,and the durability of the changes after tribological loading was evaluated.     

PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SUPERPARAMAGNETIC FUNCTIONAL POLYMERIC MICROPARTICLES

Superparamagnetic poly(styrene-divinylbenzene-glycidyl methacrylate) (Pst-DVB-GMA) microparticles were prepared via a modified suspension polymerization process. A magnetic fluid was first prepared by a chemical co-precipitation method. Then magnetic microparticles were produced by mixing the monomers and the magnetic fluid with water in the presence of a stabilizer poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) to form a suspension, and finally benzoyl peroxide was added to initiate the co-polymerization. The morphology and magnetic properties of the microparticles were examined by TEM and VSM. The spherically shaped microparticles, with a size range of 4 to 7 pm, showed distinct superparamagnetic characteristics. XRD was used to investigate the structure of the magnetite particles dispersed in the polymer matrix. The microparticles with epoxy groups on their surface can be applied directly to the seoaration of biomolecules.