Numerical analysis of conservative unstructured discretisations for low Mach flows

Unstructured meshes allow easily representing complex geometries and to refine in regions of interest without adding control volumes in unnecessary regions. However, numerical schemes used on unstructured grids have to be properly defined in order to minimise numerical errors. An assessment of a low Mach algorithm for laminar and turbulent flows on unstructured meshes using collocated and staggered formulations is presented. For staggered formulations using cell‐centred velocity reconstructions, the standard first‐order method is shown to be inaccurate in low Mach flows on unstructured grids. A recently proposed least squares procedure for incompressible flows is extended to the low Mach regime and shown to significantly improve the behaviour of the algorithm. Regarding collocated discretisations, the odd–even pressure decoupling is handled through a kinetic energy conserving flux interpolation scheme. This approach is shown to efficiently handle variable‐density flows. Besides, different face interpolations schemes for unstructured meshes are analysed. A kinetic energy‐preserving scheme is applied to the momentum equations, namely, the symmetry‐preserving scheme. Furthermore, a new approach to define the far‐neighbouring nodes of the quadratic upstream interpolation for convective kinematics scheme is presented and analysed. The method is suitable for both structured and unstructured grids, either uniform or not. The proposed algorithm and the spatial schemes are assessed against a function reconstruction, a differentially heated cavity and a turbulent self‐igniting diffusion flame. It is shown that the proposed algorithm accurately represents unsteady variable‐density flows. Furthermore, the quadratic upstream interpolation for convective kinematics scheme shows close to second‐order behaviour on unstructured meshes, and the symmetry‐preserving is reliably used in all computations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Finite element and sensitivity analysis of thermally induced flow instabilities

This paper presents a finite element algorithm for the simulation of thermo‐hydrodynamic instabilities causing manufacturing defects in injection molding of plastic and metal powder. Mold‐filling parameters determine the flow pattern during filling, which in turn influences the quality of the final part. Insufficiently, well‐controlled operating conditions may generate inhomogeneities, empty spaces or unusable parts. An understanding of the flow behavior will enable manufacturers to reduce or even eliminate defects and improve their competitiveness. This work presents a rigorous study using numerical simulation and sensitivity analysis. The problem is modeled by the Navier–Stokes equations, the energy equation and a generalized Newtonian viscosity model. The solution algorithm is applied to a simple flow in a symmetrical gate geometry. This problem exhibits both symmetrical and non‐symmetrical solutions depending on the values taken by flow parameters. Under particular combinations of operating conditions, the flow was stable and symmetric, while some other combinations leading to large thermally induced viscosity gradients produce unstable and asymmetric flow. Based on the numerical results, a stability chart of the flow was established, identifying the boundaries between regions of stable and unstable flow in terms of the Graetz number (ratio of thermal conduction time to the convection time scale) and B, a dimensionless ratio indicating the sensitivity of viscosity to temperature changes. Sensitivities with respect to flow parameters are then computed using the continuous sensitivity equations method. We demonstrate that sensitivities are able to detect the transition between the stable and unstable flow regimes and correctly indicate how parameters should change in order to increase the stability of the flow. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Group and phase velocities in the free-surface visco-potential flow: New kind of boundary layer induced instability

Water wave propagation can be attenuated by various physical mechanisms. One of the main sources of wave energy dissipation lies in boundary layers. The present work is entirely devoted to thorough analysis of the dispersion relation of the novel visco-potential formulation. Namely, in this study we relax all assumptions of the weak dependence of the wave frequency on time. As a result, we have to deal with complex integro-differential equations that describe transient behaviour of the phase and group velocities. Using numerical computations, we show several snapshots of these important quantities at different times as functions of the wave number. Good qualitative agreement with previous study [D. Dutykh, Eur. J. Mech. B/Fluids 28 (2009) 430] is obtained. Thus, we validate in some sense approximations made anteriorly. There is an unexpected conclusion of this study. According to our computations, the bottom boundary layer creates disintegrating modes in the group velocity. In the same time, the imaginary part of the phase velocity remains negative for all times. This result can be interpreted as a new kind of instability which is induced by the bottom boundary layer effect.     

Diffusion in fluids with large mean free paths: Non-classical behavior between Knudsen and Fickian limits

Diffusion in fluids is analyzed at non-classical conditions, intermediate between the Knudsen and Fickian limits. The fluid is considered in the framework of the Einstein’s diffusion evolution equation involving expansions of the density distribution in powers of displacement and time. The standard truncation of these expansions results in the classical model of diffusion; however, higher-order terms lead to a departure from classical behavior. This has not been studied or discussed adequately in the literature previously.Here, we present an exact solution of the Einstein’s diffusion evolution equation without truncation of the density expansions. This solution illustrates limitations in the classical truncations and demonstrates non-classical effects due to large mean free paths, λ. In particular, this new solution shows that, at large λ, there are significant quantitative deviations from classical diffusion profiles. In addition, this solution demonstrates a dramatic change in the diffusion mechanism from the state where the molecular motions are predominantly ballistic to one of molecular chaos. This has implications for fundamentals of fluids between the Knudsen and Fickian limits, and for a variety of fields where evolution of a system includes random, multi-scale displacement of particles, such as nanotechnology, vacuum techniques, turbulence, and astrophysics.     

Numerical modeling of slug flow initiation in a horizontal channels using a two-fluid model

This paper presents a methodology for modeling slug initiation and growth in horizontal ducts. Transient two-fluid equations are solved numerically using a class of high-resolution shock capturing methods. The advantage of this method is that slug formation and growth in a stratified regime can be calculated directly from the solutions to the flow field differential equations. In addition, by using high-resolution shock capturing methods that do not contain numerical diffusion, the discontinuity generated by slugging in the flow field can be modeled with good accuracy. The two-fluid model is shown to be well-posed mathematically only under certain conditions. Under these circumstances, the two-fluid model is capable of correctly predicting and modeling the flow physics. When ill-posed, an unbounded instability occurs in the flow field solution, and the instability amplitude increases exponentially with decreasing mesh sizes. This work shows that there are three zones associated with slug formation. In addition, long wavelength slugs are shown to initiate from short wavelength waves. These short waves are generated at the interface of the two phases by the Kelvin-Helmholtz hydrodynamic instability. The results obtained through numerical modeling show good agreement with experimental results.     

Bond pricing under a Markovian regime-switching jump-augmented Vasicek model via stochastic flows

In this article, we shall explore the state of art of stochastic flows to derive an exponential affine form of the bond price when the short rate process is governed by a Markovian regime-switching jump-diffusion version of the Vasicek model. We provide the flexibility that the market parameters, including the mean-reversion level, the volatility rate and the intensity of the jump component switch over time according to a continuous-time, finite-state Markov chain. The states of the chain may be interpreted as different states of an economy or different stages of a business cycle. We shall provide a representation for the exponential affine form of the bond price in terms of fundamental matrix solutions of linear matrix differential equations.     

A microscopic pedestrian-simulation model and its application to intersecting flows

We develop a microscopic pedestrian-simulation model in which pedestrian positions are updated at discrete time steps. At each time step, each pedestrian probabilistically selects a direction of movement from a predetermined set according to a logit-type function that considers the dynamics of other pedestrians around, and then selects a step size that satisfies a certain distribution. We perform a number of field experiments on real intersecting pedestrian flows with four different angles. We then validate and calibrate the model using sample data on the deviation angles, step velocities, and velocity–density relations obtained from the experiments.     

Averaged Reynolds Equation for Flows between Rough Surfaces in Sliding Motion

The flow between rough surfaces in sliding motion with contacts between these surfaces, is analyzed through the volume averaging method. Assuming a Reynolds (lubrication) approximation at the roughness scale, an average flow model is obtained combining spatial and time average. Time average, which is often omitted in previous works, is specially discussed. It is shown that the effective transport coefficients, traditionally termed flow factors in the lubrication literature, that appear in the average equations can be obtained from the solution to two closure problems. This allows for the numerical determination of flow factors on firmer bases and sheds light on some arguments to the literature. Moreover, fluid flows through fractures form an important subset of problems embodied in the present analysis, for which macroscopisation is given.