Fluids

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25 pages, 13992 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unsteady Fluid Flows in the Slab Mold Using Anticlogging Nozzles

by María Guadalupe González-Solórzano, Rodolfo Morales Dávila, Javier Guarneros, Ismael Calderón-Ramos, Carlos Rodrigo Muñiz-Valdés and Alfonso Nájera-Bastida

Fluids 2022, 7(9), 288; https://doi.org/10.3390/fluids7090288 - 30 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1663

Abstract

The characterization of the fluid flow of liquid steel in a slab mold, using two nozzle designs under unclogged and clogged conditions, is performed using physical and mathematical simulations. Nozzle A, with an expanding and contracting geometry, yields larger sub-meniscus experimental velocities than [...] Read more.

The characterization of the fluid flow of liquid steel in a slab mold, using two nozzle designs under unclogged and clogged conditions, is performed using physical and mathematical simulations. Nozzle A, with an expanding and contracting geometry, yields larger sub-meniscus experimental velocities than nozzle B, with internal flow deflectors. The numerical predictions indicate quick time-changing velocity profiles in the submeniscus region between the mold’s narrow face and the nozzles. The flow deflectors in nozzle B have two effects; the high dissipation rate of kinetic energy in the upper-half length induces lower velocities in the ports than nozzle A. The neutralization of the biased flow caused by the sliding gate allows a balanced fluid through the ports. According to the results, nozzle A yields velocity profiles in the sub-meniscus region with larger standard deviations than nozzle B, leading to an unstable bath surface. The clogged nozzles produced biased-asymmetrical flow patterns in the mold, finding approximated matchings between numerical predictions and experimental measurements. The internal protrusions of the deposits lead to covariance losses of the bath surface wave heights. The use of internal deflectors helped to decrease the amount of clog material in nozzle B. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modelling and Simulation of Turbulent Flows)

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20 pages, 5433 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transient CFD Modelling of Air–Water Two-Phase Annular Flow Characteristics in a Small Horizontal Circular Pipe

by Jun Yao and Yufeng Yao

Fluids 2022, 7(6), 191; https://doi.org/10.3390/fluids7060191 - 2 Jun 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3406

Abstract

The liquid film formed around the inner walls of a small horizontal circular pipe often exhibits non-uniform distributions circumferentially, where the film is thinner at the top surface than the bottom one. Even with this known phenomenon, the problem remains a challenging task [...] Read more.

The liquid film formed around the inner walls of a small horizontal circular pipe often exhibits non-uniform distributions circumferentially, where the film is thinner at the top surface than the bottom one. Even with this known phenomenon, the problem remains a challenging task for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to predict the liquid film formation on the pipe walls, mainly due to inaccurate two-phase flow models that can induce an undesirable ‘dry-out’ phenomenon. Therefore, in this study, a user-defined function subroutine (ANNULAR-UDF) is developed and applied for CFD modelling of an 8.8 mm diameter horizontal pipe, in order to capture transient flow behaviour, flow pattern formation and evolving process and other characteristics in validation against experiments. It is found that CFD modelling is able to capture the liquid phase friction pressure drop about maximum of 30% in deviation, consistent to the correlated experimental data by applying an empirical correlation of Chisholm. Due to the gravity effect, the liquid film is generally thicker at the bottom wall than at the top wall and this trend can be further enhanced by increasing the superficial air–water velocity ratios. These findings could be valuable for HVAC industry applications, where some desirable annular flow features are necessary to retain to achieve high efficiency of heat transfer performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modelling and Simulation of Turbulent Flows)

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12 pages, 691 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Finding Closure Models to Match the Time Evolution of Coarse Grained 2D Turbulence Flows Using Machine Learning

by Xianyang Chen, Jiacai Lu and Grétar Tryggvason

Fluids 2022, 7(5), 154; https://doi.org/10.3390/fluids7050154 - 27 Apr 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2150

Abstract

Machine learning is used to develop closure terms for coarse grained model of two-dimensional turbulent flow directly from the coarse grained data by ensuring that the coarse-grained flow evolves in the correct way, with no need for the exact form of the filters [...] Read more.

Machine learning is used to develop closure terms for coarse grained model of two-dimensional turbulent flow directly from the coarse grained data by ensuring that the coarse-grained flow evolves in the correct way, with no need for the exact form of the filters or an explicit expression of the subgrid terms. The closure terms are calculated to match the time evolution of the coarse field and related to the average flow using a Neural Network with a relatively simple structure. The time dependent coarse grained flow field is generated by filtering fully resolved results and the predicted coarse field evolution agrees well with the filtered results in terms of instantaneous vorticity field in the short term and statistical quantities (energy spectrum, structure function and enstropy) in the long term, both for the flow used to learn the closure terms and for flows not used for the learning. This work shows the potential of using data-driven method to predict the time evolution of the large scales, in a complex situation where the closure terms may not have an explicit expression and the original fully resolved field is not available. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modelling and Simulation of Turbulent Flows)

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21 pages, 3081 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Calculation of the Pressure Field for Turbulent Flow around a Surface-Mounted Cube Using the SIMPLE Algorithm and PIV Data

by Nikolaos-Petros Pallas and Demetri Bouris

Fluids 2022, 7(4), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/fluids7040140 - 14 Apr 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3062

Abstract

The calculation of the pressure field on and around solid bodies exposed to external flow is of paramount importance to a number of engineering applications. However, conventional pressure measurement techniques are inherently linked to problems principally caused by their point-wise and/or intrusive nature. [...] Read more.

The calculation of the pressure field on and around solid bodies exposed to external flow is of paramount importance to a number of engineering applications. However, conventional pressure measurement techniques are inherently linked to problems principally caused by their point-wise and/or intrusive nature. In the present paper, we attempt to calculate a time-averaged two-dimensional pressure field by integrating PIV (particle image velocimetry) velocity measurements into a CFD code and modifying them by the respective correction step of the SIMPLE algorithm. Boundary conditions are applied from the PIV data as a three-layer area of constant velocities adjacent to the boundaries. A novel characteristic of the approach is the straightforward inclusion of the Reynolds stresses into the source terms of the momentum equations, calculated directly from the PIV statistics. The methodology is applied to three regions of the symmetry plane parallel to the main boundary layer flow past a surface-mounted cube. In spite of findings of deviations from the planar 2D flow assumption, the derived pressure fields and the adjusted velocity fields are found to be reliable, while the intrinsic turbulent nature of the flow is considered without modelling the Reynolds stresses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modelling and Simulation of Turbulent Flows)

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16 pages, 8992 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Analysis of the Primary Gas Boundary Layer Flow Structure in Laser Fusion Cutting in Context to the Striation Characteristics of Cut Edges

by Madlen Borkmann and Achim Mahrle

Fluids 2022, 7(1), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/fluids7010017 - 31 Dec 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2120

Abstract

In cutting metals with solid-state lasers, a characteristic cutting edge structure is generated whose formation mechanisms still elude a consistent explanation. Several studies suggest a major contribution of the pressurized gas flow. Particular emphasis must be devoted to the gas boundary layer and [...] Read more.

In cutting metals with solid-state lasers, a characteristic cutting edge structure is generated whose formation mechanisms still elude a consistent explanation. Several studies suggest a major contribution of the pressurized gas flow. Particular emphasis must be devoted to the gas boundary layer and its developing flow characteristics, since they determine the heat and momentum exchange between the cutting gas and the highly heated melt surface and thus the expulsion of the molten material from the kerf. The present study applies a CFD simulation model to analyze the gas flow during laser cutting with appropriate boundary conditions. Specifically, the gas boundary layer development is considered with a high spatial discretization of this zone in combination with a transition turbulence model. The results of the calculation reveal for the first time that the boundary layer is characterized by a quasi-stationary vortex structure composed of nearly horizontal geometry- and shock-induced separation zones and vertical vortices, which contribute to the transition to turbulent flow. Comparison of the results with the striation structure of experimental cut edges reveals a high agreement of the location, orientation, and size of the characteristic vortices with particular features of the striation structure of cut edges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modelling and Simulation of Turbulent Flows)

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23 pages, 8693 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Arbitrary Hybrid Turbulence Modeling Approach for Efficient and Accurate Automotive Aerodynamic Analysis and Design Optimization

by Saule Maulenkul, Kaiyrbek Yerzhanov, Azamat Kabidollayev, Bagdaulet Kamalov, Sagidolla Batay, Yong Zhao and Dongming Wei

Fluids 2021, 6(11), 407; https://doi.org/10.3390/fluids6110407 - 10 Nov 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2359

Abstract

The demand in solving complex turbulent fluid flows has been growing rapidly in the automotive industry for the last decade as engineers strive to design better vehicles to improve drag coefficients, noise levels and drivability. This paper presents the implementation of an arbitrary [...] Read more.

The demand in solving complex turbulent fluid flows has been growing rapidly in the automotive industry for the last decade as engineers strive to design better vehicles to improve drag coefficients, noise levels and drivability. This paper presents the implementation of an arbitrary hybrid turbulence modeling (AHTM) approach in OpenFOAM for the efficient simulation of common automotive aerodynamics with unsteady turbulent separated flows such as the Kelvin–Helmholtz effect, which can also be used as an efficient part of aerodynamic design optimization (ADO) tools. This AHTM approach is based on the concept of Very Large Eddy Simulation (VLES), which can arbitrarily combine RANS, URANS, LES and DNS turbulence models in a single flow field depending on the local mesh refinement. As a result, the design engineer can take advantage of this unique and highly flexible approach to tailor his grid according to his design and resolution requirements in different areas of the flow field over the car body without sacrificing accuracy and efficiency at the same time. This paper presents the details of the implementation and careful validation of the AHTM method using the standard benchmark case of the Ahmed body, in comparison with some other existing models, such as RANS, URANS, DES and LES, which shows VLES to be the most accurate among the five examined. Furthermore, the results of this study demonstrate that the AHTM approach has the flexibility, efficiency and accuracy to be integrated with ADO tools for engineering design in the automotive industry. The approach can also be used for the detailed study of highly complex turbulent phenomena such as the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability commonly found in automotive aerodynamics. Currently, the AHTM implementation is being integrated with the DAFoam for gradient-based multi-point ADO using an efficient adjoint solver based on a Sparse Nonlinear optimizer (SNOPT). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modelling and Simulation of Turbulent Flows)

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14 pages, 5205 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Origin of the Turbulence Structure in Wall-Bounded Flows, and Implications toward Computability

by T.-W. Lee

Fluids 2021, 6(9), 333; https://doi.org/10.3390/fluids6090333 - 17 Sep 2021

Viewed by 1719

Abstract

Coordinate-transformed analysis of turbulence transport is developed, which leads to a symmetric set of gradient expressions for the Reynolds stress tensor components. In this perspective, the turbulence structure in wall-bounded flows is seen to arise from an interaction of a small number of [...] Read more.

Coordinate-transformed analysis of turbulence transport is developed, which leads to a symmetric set of gradient expressions for the Reynolds stress tensor components. In this perspective, the turbulence structure in wall-bounded flows is seen to arise from an interaction of a small number of intuitive dynamical terms: transport, pressure and viscous. Main features of the turbulent flow can be theoretically prescribed in this way and reconstructed for channel and boundary layer flows, with and without pressure gradients, as validated in comparison with available direct numerical simulation data. A succinct picture of turbulence structure and its origins emerges, reflective of the basic physics of momentum and energy balance if placed in a specific moving coordinate frame. An iterative algorithm produces an approximate solution for the mean velocity, and its implications toward computability of turbulent flows is discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modelling and Simulation of Turbulent Flows)

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21 pages, 35533 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hydrodynamic Characterisation of a Garman-Type Hydrokinetic Turbine

by Santiago Laín, Leidy T. Contreras and Omar D. López

Fluids 2021, 6(5), 186; https://doi.org/10.3390/fluids6050186 - 14 May 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2667

Abstract

This paper presents a numerical study of the effects of the inclination angle of the turbine rotation axis with respect to the main flow direction on the performance of a prototype hydrokinetic turbine of the Garman type. In particular, the torque and force [...] Read more.

This paper presents a numerical study of the effects of the inclination angle of the turbine rotation axis with respect to the main flow direction on the performance of a prototype hydrokinetic turbine of the Garman type. In particular, the torque and force coefficients are evaluated as a function of the turbine angular velocity and axis operation angle regarding the mainstream direction. To accomplish this purpose, transient simulations are performed using a commercial solver (ANSYS-Fluent v. 19). Turbulent features of the flow are modelled by the shear stress transport (SST) transitional turbulence model, and results are compared with those obtained with its basic version (i.e., nontransitional), hereafter called standard. The behaviour of the power and force coefficients for the various considered tip speed ratios are presented. Pressure and skin friction coefficients on the blades are analysed at each computed turbine angular speed by means of contour plots and two-dimensional profiles. Moreover, the pressure and viscous contributions to the torque and forces experienced by the hydrokinetic turbine are examined in detail. It is demonstrated that the reason behind the higher power coefficient predictions of the transitional turbulence model, close to 6% at maximum efficiency, regarding its standard counterpart, is the smaller computed viscous torque contribution in the former. As a result, the power coefficient of the inclined turbine is around 35% versus the 45% obtained for the turbine with its rotation axis parallel to flow direction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modelling and Simulation of Turbulent Flows)

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