On the slow motion of a cluster of bubbles under the combined action of gravity and thermocapillarity

The slow migration of N spherical bubbles under combined buoyancy and thermocapillarity effects is investigated by appealing solely to $3N+1$ boundary-integral equations. In addition to the theory and the associated implementation strategy, preliminary numerical results are both presented and discussed for a few clusters involving 2, 3, 4 or 5 bubbles with a special attention paid to the case of rigid configurations. To cite this article: A. Sellier, C. R. Mecanique 333 (2005).     

Axis switching in turbulent buoyant diffusion flames

Dynamics of buoyant diffusion flames from rectangular, square, and round fuel sources were investigated using direct numerical simulation (DNS). Fully three-dimensional simulations were performed employing high-order numerical methods and boundary conditions to solve governing equations for variable-density flow and finite-rate Arrhenius chemistry. Significant differences among the different cases were revealed in the vortex dynamics, entrainment rate, small-scale mixing, and consequently flame structures. Mixing and entrainment enhancement in non-circular flames in comparison with circular ones was explained using the Biot–Savart instability theory, which relates vortex dynamics to the local azimuthal curvature. An extension of the theory elucidated why rectangular flames entrain more efficiently and spread wider than square ones, although both configurations have corners. It also provided an explanation for the aspect ratio effects in the near field. In the far field, nonlinear effects were dominant and the general transport equations for vorticity were analyzed in detail. The corner effects and aspect ratio effects were shown to be augmented by the intricate interactions among vortex dynamics, combustion, and buoyancy through the various terms in the equations. The presence of corners in non-circular flames led to concentrated regions of fine-scale mixing and intense reactions centered around the corners. Moreover, the rectangular flames exhibited a different dynamic behavior from even the square one, by creating discrepancies in entrainment, mixing, and combustion between the minor and major axis directions. Increasing the aspect ratio exacerbated such directional discrepancies, and ultimately led to axis switching. It was the first time that axis switching was observed by DNS in a rectangular flame of aspect ratio 3, which raised further questions in combustion prediction and control. Finally, a unified explanation for corner and aspect ratio effects was given on the basis of the Biot–Savart instability theory and the vorticity transport equations.     

Drag-induced apparent mass gain in thermogravimetry

This paper shows how aerodynamic drag in thermogravimetric equipment may be corrected, and noise inherent in the data removed. Although it is entirely possible to correct drag-induced mass gain empirically, this publication is intended to allow the reader to understand the cause, correct for it, and remove noise appropriately. Apparent mass gain is described in terms of a generalised Stokes' formulation. A method is developed that enables the quantification of drag inside thermogravimetric equipment, which when combined with the Savitsky-Golay smoothing filter enables temperature-dependent apparent weight gain effects to be removed. It is necessary to account for this effect in proximate analysis and in the determination of kinetic parameters of thermal degradation.     

Comment on “Group solution of a time dependent chemical convective process” by M.M. Kassem and A.S. Rashed, Applied Mathematics and Computation, 215 (2009) 1671-1684

The mathematical model formulated by M.M. Kassem and A.S. Rashed in their article: “Group solution of a time dependent chemical convective process, Applied Mathematics and Computation, 215 (2009) 1671-1684”, through group analysis, is reformulated and interpreted correctly so that it can represent a feasible situation. A perturbation analysis that replaces their incorrect analysis is performed and proved to compare well with a finite difference solution of the problem.     

Validation of fluid–particle interaction force relationships in binary-solid suspensions

In this work several relationships governing solid–fluid dynamic interaction forces were validated against experimental data for a single particle settling in a suspension of other smaller particles. It was observed that force relationships based on Lattice-Boltzmann simulations did not perform as well as other interaction types tested. Nonetheless, it is apparent that, in the case of a suspension of different particle types, it is important that the correct choice is made as to how the contribution to the overall fluid–particle interaction force is split between buoyancy and drag. Experimental evidence clearly suggests that the “generalized” Archimedes’ principle (where the foreign particle is considered to displace the whole suspension and not just the fluid) provides the best result.     

Flow in heated straight rotating pipe

Fully developed laminar flow in a straight heated rotating pipe which includes the influence of both, coriolis force and buoyancy force, has been considered analytically. The solution has been obtained in terms of series expansions; the solution is therefore restricted to small values of the parameters involved.     

Analysis of flow and thermal field in nanofluid using a single phase thermal dispersion model

Flow and thermal field in nanofluid is analyzed using single phase thermal dispersion model proposed by Xuan and Roetzel [Y. Xuan, W. Roetzel, Conceptions for heat transfer correlation of nanofluids, Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer 43 (2000) 3701–3707]. The non-dimensional form of the transport equations involving the thermal dispersion effect is solved numerically using semi-explicit finite volume solver in a collocated grid. Heat transfer augmentation for copper–water nanofluid is estimated in a thermally driven two-dimensional cavity. The thermo-physical properties of nanofluid are calculated involving contributions due to the base fluid and nanoparticles. The flow and heat transfer process in the cavity is analyzed using different thermo-physical models for the nanofluid available in literature. The influence of controlling parameters on convective recirculation and heat transfer augmentation induced in buoyancy driven cavity is estimated in detail. The controlling parameters considered for this study are Grashof number (10³ < Gr < 10⁵), solid volume fraction (0 < ? < 0.2) and empirical shape factor (0.5 < n < 6). Simulations carried out with various thermo-physical models of the nanofluid show significant influence on thermal boundary layer thickness when the model incorporates the contribution of nanoparticles in the density as well as viscosity of nanofluid. Simulations incorporating the thermal dispersion model show increment in local thermal conductivity at locations with maximum velocity. The suspended particles increase the surface area and the heat transfer capacity of the fluid. As solid volume fraction increases, the effect is more pronounced. The average Nusselt number from the hot wall increases with the solid volume fraction. The boundary surface of nanoparticles and their chaotic movement greatly enhances the fluid heat conduction contribution. Considerable improvement in thermal conductivity is observed as a result of increase in the shape factor.     

Theoretical and numerical study of a thermal convection problem with temperature-dependent viscosity in an infinite layer

A convection problem with temperature-dependent viscosity in an infinite layer is presented. This problem has important applications in mantle convection. The existence of a stationary bifurcation is proven together with a condition to obtain the critical parameters at which the bifurcation takes place. A numerical strategy has been developed to calculate the critical bifurcation curves and the most unstable modes for a general dependence of viscosity on temperature. An exponential dependence of viscosity on temperature has been considered in the numerical calculations. Comparisons with the classic Rayleigh-Bénard problem with constant viscosity indicate that the critical temperature difference threshold decreases as the exponential rate parameter increases. The vertical velocity of the marginal mode exhibits motion concentrated in the region where viscosity is smaller.