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25 pages, 9528 KB  
Article
Temperature Dependence of Cavitation Characteristics in a Space Micropump
by Danyang Zhou, Jintao Liu, Lilei Miao, Zhen Qu, Kaiyun Gu and Zhanhai Zhang
Aerospace 2026, 13(4), 355; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace13040355 - 10 Apr 2026
Abstract
This study numerically investigates the influence of different fluid temperatures on the cavitation characteristics of a space-use micropump under microgravity conditions. A homogeneous multiphase model coupled with a thermal modified Zwart–Gerber–Belamri cavitation model is employed, and the SST turbulence model is applied to [...] Read more.
This study numerically investigates the influence of different fluid temperatures on the cavitation characteristics of a space-use micropump under microgravity conditions. A homogeneous multiphase model coupled with a thermal modified Zwart–Gerber–Belamri cavitation model is employed, and the SST turbulence model is applied to resolve the cavitating flow under rated and off-design flow rates. Results indicate that cavitation behavior is strongly dependent on both temperature and flow rate. At low temperatures, cavitation intensity increases, leading to reductions in head and efficiency and a slight increase in shaft power. In contrast, elevated temperatures suppress cavitation development, resulting in milder performance degradation and, in some cases, slight improvements in head and shaft power. Internal flow analysis reveals that lower temperatures promote more extensive vapor fraction distributions and greater flow distortion, while entropy production analysis shows that cavitation contributes limited additional loss overall, though entropy generation rises markedly under combined low temperature and high flow rate conditions. The findings highlight that cavitation effects are more pronounced at low temperatures and are further amplified at higher flow rates, providing insights for the design and reliable operation of space micropumps in on-orbit thermal management systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Thermal Management in Aerospace Systems)
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33 pages, 6306 KB  
Article
High-Fidelity Weak Signal Extraction for Coiled Tubing Acoustic Telemetry via Micro-Lever Suspension and Joint Denoising
by Yingjian Xie, Hao Geng, Zhihao Wang, Haojie Xu, Hu Han and Dong Yang
Sensors 2026, 26(8), 2315; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26082315 - 9 Apr 2026
Abstract
In Coiled Tubing (CT) acoustic telemetry, the reliability of surface signal reception is severely challenged by the “contact dead zone” of traditional probes and complex nonstationary environmental noise. To address these issues, this paper proposes a hardware-software integrated solution for high-fidelity signal extraction. [...] Read more.
In Coiled Tubing (CT) acoustic telemetry, the reliability of surface signal reception is severely challenged by the “contact dead zone” of traditional probes and complex nonstationary environmental noise. To address these issues, this paper proposes a hardware-software integrated solution for high-fidelity signal extraction. In terms of hardware, a novel pickup probe based on the micro-lever principle is developed. By utilizing a pivoted lever structure with an optimized arm ratio of 2.6 to 1 and a full pressure-balanced mechanism, the design physically overcomes the contact dead zone inherent in traditional pressure-compensating probes and effectively isolates low frequency common-mode interference through a lateral floating architecture. In terms of software, a joint denoising model combining Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise and wavelet thresholding is proposed. A cross-correlation coefficient criterion is introduced to adaptively screen intrinsic mode functions and eliminate residual fluid turbulence noise. Field experiments on a 1500 ft full-scale circulation loop demonstrate that the proposed probe improves the detection sensitivity of the radial breathing mode by approximately 20.6 dB compared to the baseline, while effectively eliminating stick-slip friction noise during dynamic tripping. Furthermore, the joint algorithm increases the Signal to noise Ratio by an additional 16.9 dB under typical pumping conditions of 0.5 bpm, with a normalized cross-correlation exceeding 0.96. These results verify that the proposed method effectively solves the bottleneck of weak signal detection in deep wells, providing robust technical support for CT telemetry operations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Industrial Sensors)
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22 pages, 4959 KB  
Article
A Study on the Response of Monopile Foundations for Offshore Wind Turbines Using Numerical Analysis Methods
by Zhijun Wang, Di Liu, Shujie Zhao, Nielei Huang, Bo Han and Xiangyu Kong
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(8), 691; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14080691 - 8 Apr 2026
Abstract
The prediction of dynamic responses of offshore wind turbine foundations under wind-wave-current multi-field coupled loads is the cornerstone of safety in offshore wind power engineering. The currently widely adopted equivalent load application method, while computationally efficient, simplifies loads into concentrated forces applied at [...] Read more.
The prediction of dynamic responses of offshore wind turbine foundations under wind-wave-current multi-field coupled loads is the cornerstone of safety in offshore wind power engineering. The currently widely adopted equivalent load application method, while computationally efficient, simplifies loads into concentrated forces applied at the pile top and tower top, neglecting fluid-structure dynamic interaction mechanisms, which leads to deviations in response predictions. To overcome this limitation, this paper proposes a high-precision bidirectional fluid-structure interaction numerical framework. The fluid domain employs computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to construct an air-seawater two-phase flow model, utilizing the standard k-ε turbulence model and nonlinear wave theory to accurately simulate complex marine environments. The solid domain establishes a wind turbine-stratified seabed system via the finite element method (FEM), describing soil-rock mechanical properties based on the Mohr-Coulomb constitutive model. Comparative studies indicate that the equivalent static method significantly underestimates the displacement response of pile foundations, particularly under the extreme shutdown conditions examined in this study. This value should be interpreted as a case-specific observation rather than a universal deviation, and the discrepancy may vary with sea state, wind speed, current velocity, and wind–wave misalignment, thereby leading to non-conservative estimates of stress distribution. In contrast, the fluid-structure interaction method can reveal key physical processes such as local flow acceleration and wake–interference effects around the tower and the parked rotor under shutdown conditions, and the nonlinear interaction and resistance-increasing mechanisms between waves and currents. This model provides a reliable tool for safety assessment and damage evolution analysis of wind turbine foundations under extreme marine conditions, promoting the transformation of offshore wind power structure design from empirical formulas to mechanism-driven approaches. Full article
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18 pages, 2111 KB  
Article
Coupling Characteristics Simulation of Single-Phase Flow and Heat Transfer for R134a/R245fa Mixture in a Cross-Corrugated Plate Heat Exchanger Channel
by Ruonan Gao, Yanqi Chen, Chuang Wen and Ji Zhang
Energies 2026, 19(8), 1812; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19081812 - 8 Apr 2026
Abstract
To investigate the influence of working fluid composition on the thermo-hydraulic performance of plate heat exchangers (PHEs) under single-phase sensible heat transfer conditions, a three-dimensional steady-state numerical model was developed for a transverse corrugated channel with a chevron angle of 60°. The governing [...] Read more.
To investigate the influence of working fluid composition on the thermo-hydraulic performance of plate heat exchangers (PHEs) under single-phase sensible heat transfer conditions, a three-dimensional steady-state numerical model was developed for a transverse corrugated channel with a chevron angle of 60°. The governing equations were solved using the finite volume method implemented in ANSYS Fluent, in conjunction with the standard k–ε turbulence model. The analysis considered pure refrigerants R134a and R245fa, as well as their mixtures with mass ratios of 0.2, 0.5, and 0.8, with thermophysical properties assumed to be temperature-independent constants. The results indicate that as the mass fraction of R134a decreases from 1.0 to 0, the heat transfer coefficient (h) decreases from 1025 to 815 W/(m2·K), primarily attributed to the combined effects of reduced thermal conductivity and increased viscosity. Among the investigated cases, the R134a/R245fa mixture with a mass ratio of 0.8 provides the most favorable performance trade-off, exhibiting a heat transfer coefficient only 3.0% lower than that of pure R134a while achieving a 12.5% reduction in flow resistance compared with pure R245fa. Furthermore, the heat transfer coefficient is found to be weakly affected by heat flux in the range of 8000–20,000 W/m2; in contrast, increasing the mass flow rate from 0.001 to 0.005 kg/s enhances heat transfer coefficient by 65.1%, accompanied by a significant increase in pressure drop. Comparisons with established single-phase correlations for corrugated channels show average deviations of 6.5% for the Nusselt number and 3.8% for the friction factor. The present study provides useful guidance for working fluid selection and operational optimization of PHEs in applications dominated by sensible heat transfer, such as specific stages of heat pump cycles and medium-temperature waste heat recovery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section J1: Heat and Mass Transfer)
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22 pages, 2577 KB  
Article
DNS-Calibrated Physics-Informed Neural Networks with Learnable Constants for Reynolds Number Extrapolation in Turbulent Channel Flows
by Apostolos Palasis and Filippos Sofos
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(7), 3525; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16073525 - 3 Apr 2026
Viewed by 314
Abstract
This paper employs Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) for the reconstruction and modelling of mean velocity profiles in fully developed turbulent channel flow over a high friction Reynolds number (Reτ). The network is trained with a high-fidelity Direct Numerical Simulation [...] Read more.
This paper employs Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) for the reconstruction and modelling of mean velocity profiles in fully developed turbulent channel flow over a high friction Reynolds number (Reτ). The network is trained with a high-fidelity Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) dataset from channel flows, for Reτ=395–4186, and can extrapolate up to Reτ = 10,049. The model predicts the mean velocity in terms of the inner-law variables, u+, across Reynolds numbers using the inputs η=y+/Reτ and Reτ. A key novelty is the simultaneous optimisation of the network weights alongside two fundamental turbulence parameters, i.e., the von Kármán constant (κ) and the van Driest damping constant (A+), allowing the PINN to autonomously calibrate the near-wall damping and log-law scaling directly from the physics-augmented loss function. The model performance is evaluated using profile-based metrics (R2, mean square and absolute error) and integrated quantities (V¯+, Reb, and the skin-friction coefficient Cf), with comparisons against DNS-integrated friction values and classical theoretical values. The resulting hybrid framework offers a promising foundation for real-time digital twins and the acceleration of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solvers in canonical wall-bounded flows. By establishing a physically grounded connection between sparse data and structural constraints, these models enable accurate extrapolation into high Reynolds number regimes where the computational costs of traditional high-fidelity simulations are otherwise prohibitive. Full article
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41 pages, 18035 KB  
Article
Courtyard Orientation and Natural Ventilation Performance of Vernacular Housing in a Mild Plateau Climate: Evidence from One-Seal (Yikeyin) Dwellings in Central Yunnan
by Jingyi Ye, Yanzhe Wang, Xiaoya Zhang, Chao Dong, Chunlei Hu, Duopeng Wu, Yaqi Chen, Xueguo Guan and Yaoning Yang
Sustainability 2026, 18(7), 3529; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18073529 - 3 Apr 2026
Viewed by 225
Abstract
The traditional Yikeyin dwellings in central Yunnan exhibit a distinctive spatial layout and skywell design that passively adapt to the mild plateau monsoon climate through natural ventilation. Although their courtyard-based configuration and skylight design are widely recognized for climatic adaptability, the quantitative relationship [...] Read more.
The traditional Yikeyin dwellings in central Yunnan exhibit a distinctive spatial layout and skywell design that passively adapt to the mild plateau monsoon climate through natural ventilation. Although their courtyard-based configuration and skylight design are widely recognized for climatic adaptability, the quantitative relationship between courtyard orientation and ventilation performance remains insufficiently explored. This study integrates on-site environmental monitoring with validated Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to investigate how different courtyard orientations influence airflow organization and the indoor thermal environment. Based on detailed field surveys and measured data, three representative orientation schemes were established. The RNG k-ε turbulence model was adopted, and one-way coupled simulations using OpenFOAM and EnergyPlus were conducted to evaluate seasonal ventilation behavior and indoor thermal comfort. The findings reveal synergistic design principles between building orientation and courtyard spatial configuration, as well as spatial differentiation patterns contributing to thermal environment stability. Three orientation types—leeward, windward, and transitional—were identified, each demonstrating distinct advantages and limitations. The study quantitatively confirms the effectiveness of Yikeyin dwellings in utilizing natural ventilation for environmental regulation during both summer and winter seasons. These results provide scientific evidence and design support for modern buildings seeking to achieve enhanced ventilation performance and climatic adaptability. Full article
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20 pages, 5642 KB  
Article
Comparative Numerical Investigation of Gravitational and Impulse Store Separation in Highly Subsonic Flow
by Ilija Nenadić and Jelena Svorcan
Aerospace 2026, 13(4), 336; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace13040336 - 2 Apr 2026
Viewed by 242
Abstract
The safe release of external stores from aircraft is a complex aerodynamic problem governed by strong interactions between the store and the carrier. During separation, the store is subjected to rapidly varying pressure fields, strong aerodynamic interference, and inertial effects that collectively determine [...] Read more.
The safe release of external stores from aircraft is a complex aerodynamic problem governed by strong interactions between the store and the carrier. During separation, the store is subjected to rapidly varying pressure fields, strong aerodynamic interference, and inertial effects that collectively determine the trajectory and stability of the body in the critical milliseconds following release. This study presents a numerical investigation of the separation of an external store from the high-wing configuration aircraft. Both gravitational and impulse-based release mechanisms are examined across multiple suspension stations and a wide range of flight conditions. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods were employed using a density-based, compressible solver with SST k–ω turbulence modeling, combined with a fully coupled six-degree-of-freedom (6DOF) solver and dynamic mesh deformation techniques. The study considers a wide range of Mach numbers from 0.6 to 0.9 and angles-of-attack between −2° and 4°, and three different suspension stations located at the inner wing pylon, outer wing pylon, and fuselage centerline. These conditions strongly influence the aerodynamic environment around the store and therefore affect its initial motion after release and flight path. The impulse ejection forces used in the analysis come from experimental data and are applied through a user-defined function (UDF) at each time step, allowing the simulation to reproduce the ejection event as realistically as possible. Numerical results confirm that the flight paths of external store are highly non-symmetrical, requiring the employment of complex computational models for their successful resolution, and that they gravely depend on the operating conditions, carrier geometry as well as the suspension location. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Aeronautics)
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25 pages, 4273 KB  
Article
CFD–Experimental Analysis of Combustion and Energy Performance in an IDR Metallurgical Furnace Fueled with a Residual Oil–Solvent Blend
by Martha Angélica Cano-Figueroa, Hugo Arcos-Gutiérrez, Raúl Pérez-Bustamante, Isaías E. Garduño, Juan R.-Moreno, José A. Betancourt-Cantera and Victor Hugo Mercado-Lemus
J. Manuf. Mater. Process. 2026, 10(4), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmmp10040124 - 2 Apr 2026
Viewed by 355
Abstract
This study presents a combined computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and experimental evaluation of an adjustable direct-injection reciprocating (IDR) metallurgical furnace fueled by a multicomponent residual oil–solvent mixture. An axisymmetric CFD model, incorporating k–ω SST turbulence modeling, Eddy Dissipation Concept (EDC) combustion, and Discrete [...] Read more.
This study presents a combined computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and experimental evaluation of an adjustable direct-injection reciprocating (IDR) metallurgical furnace fueled by a multicomponent residual oil–solvent mixture. An axisymmetric CFD model, incorporating k–ω SST turbulence modeling, Eddy Dissipation Concept (EDC) combustion, and Discrete Ordinates radiation, was validated against infrared thermography and Process Analytical Technology (PAT) measurements obtained under actual operational conditions. The residual mixture operated in a turbulence-controlled regime (Da < 1), reaching maximum internal temperatures of 1199 °C and achieving a thermal efficiency of 84.6% (based on LHV). Numerical predictions agreed with thermographic data to within 5% across the stabilized operational window. Under comparable process parameters, the alternative fuel reduced cycle time and operational costs compared with diesel and natural gas whilst maintaining stable combustion. Methodological clarifications encompass a consolidated, dimensionally consistent set of equations, a QoI-based mesh-independence study, and a concise summary of the experimental configuration to enhance reproducibility. Full article
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16 pages, 5885 KB  
Article
Topographical Mitigation of Surge Flows: A Lagrangian Study on the Shielding Effect of Erodible Marine Beds
by Kyung Sung Kim
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(7), 668; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14070668 - 2 Apr 2026
Viewed by 229
Abstract
Dam-break flows over erodible beds represent a complex fluid–solid interaction problem characterized by extreme turbulence and rapid morphological changes. This study investigates the dynamics of such flows over inclined granular beds by integrating an advanced Moving Particle Semi-implicit (MPS) method. To accurately resolve [...] Read more.
Dam-break flows over erodible beds represent a complex fluid–solid interaction problem characterized by extreme turbulence and rapid morphological changes. This study investigates the dynamics of such flows over inclined granular beds by integrating an advanced Moving Particle Semi-implicit (MPS) method. To accurately resolve the transition between static and kinetic granular regimes, I introduce a state-dependent tangential friction model that explicitly distinguishes between sticking and sliding conditions based on local force balance. Furthermore, the momentum exchange between the fluid and solid phases is rigorously modeled using the porosity-dependent drag formulation. The numerical results demonstrate a distinct regime shift in energy dissipation: while low-inclination beds (0–4%) promote distributed sediment transport, steep-inclination beds (8–12%) trigger a localized “Shielding Effect”. In this regime, the surge’s horizontal kinetic energy is rapidly converted into vertical potential energy and frictional work, forming a deep sacrificial scour hole that acts as a topographical energy sink. This mechanism effectively mitigates the destructive potential of the surge in downstream areas. The proposed method provides a robust tool for predicting morphological feedback and designing topographical countermeasures for disaster mitigation in hydraulic and coastal environments. Full article
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22 pages, 17145 KB  
Article
Investigation of Different Emulsion Systems on the Performance of Microcapsules Based on Numerical Simulation
by Zihou Tian, Mingxian Liu, Yukang Zheng, Pengfei Ban, Jiace Xue and Jinliang An
Materials 2026, 19(7), 1385; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19071385 - 31 Mar 2026
Viewed by 280
Abstract
During microencapsulation, agitation is typically required to achieve the homogeneous dispersion of the reaction mixture, with the mixing and dispersion efficiency within the reactor being predominantly determined by the rotational speed. However, when the agitation speed exceeds a certain threshold, cavitation occurs during [...] Read more.
During microencapsulation, agitation is typically required to achieve the homogeneous dispersion of the reaction mixture, with the mixing and dispersion efficiency within the reactor being predominantly determined by the rotational speed. However, when the agitation speed exceeds a certain threshold, cavitation occurs during the stirring process. This cavitation phenomenon can significantly influence the properties of the resulting microcapsules. Therefore, this study combines the CFD simulation method with microcapsule preparation experiments, focusing on the occurrence of cavitation during the stirring process and its effect on the particle size of the prepared microcapsules. The CFD simulations analyzed flow field characteristics under different agitation speeds within the beaker, including phase distribution contours, streamline patterns, turbulent kinetic energy fields, and shear stress distributions. Different fluid flows were established by changing the rotating speed of the paddle, and the influence of each fluid flow on the particle size and distribution of the prepared microcapsules was determined. Particular emphasis was placed on examining the influence of rotational speeds ranging from 550 to 850 rpm on microcapsule particle size. Experimental validation confirmed that the impeller speed of 650 rpm provided superior flow field control, yielding microcapsules with the narrowest particle size distribution. This study elucidates the mechanism through which cavitation influences the microencapsulation process, thereby providing both theoretical insights and experimental support for the optimization of microcapsule preparation techniques. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Materials Simulation and Design)
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35 pages, 2912 KB  
Review
Total Thrombus-Formation Analysis System (T-TAS) in Aortopathies: A Conceptual and Potential Framework to Spatial Heterogeneity and Regional Context
by Sebastian Krych, Julia Gniewek, Marek Kolbowicz, Marta Stępień-Słodkowska, Maria Adamczyk, Tomasz Hrapkowicz and Paweł Kowalczyk
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(7), 3144; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27073144 - 30 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1026
Abstract
Thoracic aortopathies, including aneurysm and dissection, are complex vascular disorders characterized by structural alterations of the aortic wall that disrupt normal haemodynamics. Altered shear stress, turbulent flow, and endothelial dysfunction promote thrombus formation and modulate systemic hemostasis via platelet activation and the von [...] Read more.
Thoracic aortopathies, including aneurysm and dissection, are complex vascular disorders characterized by structural alterations of the aortic wall that disrupt normal haemodynamics. Altered shear stress, turbulent flow, and endothelial dysfunction promote thrombus formation and modulate systemic hemostasis via platelet activation and the von Willebrand factor–ADAMTS13 axis. The Total Thrombus-Formation Analysis System (T-TAS) is a microfluidic, flow-dependent assay that quantitatively evaluates thrombus formation under physiological shear conditions. Although studied in various cardiovascular contexts, its application in aortopathies remains largely unexplored, and no prospective studies have validated its clinical utility. Integrating T-TAS with computational haemodynamic approaches, such as two-way fluid–structure interaction simulations, enables assessment of the interplay between blood flow, vessel wall mechanics, pulse wave propagation, and local shear patterns. Patient-specific modelling, including individualized flow profiles, pressure distributions, and wall properties, may enhance mechanistic insights. Genetic variants in Fibrillin-1 gene (FBN1), Transforming Growth Factor Beta Receptor 1/2 (TGFBR1/2), Actin Alpha 2 (ACTA 2), and Myosin Heavy Chain 11 (MYH11) further contribute to structural vascular heterogeneity and diverse systemic haemostatic phenotypes, highlighting the need for personalized assessment. T-TAS should currently be considered an exploratory research tool rather than a validated diagnostic or prognostic method. This narrative review proposes a hypothesis-generating framework integrating structural, haemodynamic, molecular, and functional perspectives. Combining flow-based thrombosis assays with advanced modelling may inform future translational studies, improve mechanistic understanding of thrombus formation, and support personalized risk stratification and management in patients with thoracic aortopathies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Molecular Research in Thromboinflammation)
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26 pages, 6144 KB  
Article
Drag Coefficient and Correlation Equation for Ahmed-Model-Based Vehicle Platoon Driving in Terms of Speed and Distance Ratio
by Jun-Ho Choi, Hyoung-In Choi and Taek Keun Kim
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(7), 3333; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16073333 - 30 Mar 2026
Viewed by 133
Abstract
The Ahmed model significantly simplifies general vehicle geometry and has been employed extensively as a reference model for drag mechanism analysis. Platooning is a driving strategy that can reduce aerodynamic drag through intervehicle aerodynamic interactions. In this study, numerical analyses were performed under [...] Read more.
The Ahmed model significantly simplifies general vehicle geometry and has been employed extensively as a reference model for drag mechanism analysis. Platooning is a driving strategy that can reduce aerodynamic drag through intervehicle aerodynamic interactions. In this study, numerical analyses were performed under two-, three-, and four-vehicle platoon-driving conditions of the Ahmed model at various speeds and intervehicle distances. A RANS-based shear stress transport kω turbulence model was used to predict the drag coefficient (Cd) changes. A comparison with previously studied experimental data demonstrated high reliability, with a relative error of 0.6–5.0%. CFD analysis results showed that the drag reduction was significantly greater at shorter intervehicle distances, and that increasing the number of vehicles in a platoon reduced the fuel consumption. Furthermore, the intervehicle fluid interactions weakened and the Cd values became more similar with an increasing intervehicle distance. On this basis, a Cd correlation was proposed in terms of the speed and intervehicle distance. Our quantitative evaluation of the aerodynamic interactions between multiple vehicles during platoon driving and the analysis of Cd correlations that are applicable to real-world conditions can improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in real-world transportation systems. Full article
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35 pages, 5300 KB  
Article
Development of New Turbulent Prandtl Number Models for Low- and Medium-Prandtl-Number Fluids via Multi-Gene Gene Expression Programming
by Burak Pehlivan and Özgür Ekici
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(7), 3325; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16073325 - 30 Mar 2026
Viewed by 173
Abstract
The study of turbulent Prandtl number is important for turbulent flows with heat transfer. Despite its importance, no universal model exists that is able to capture its behavior for a range of molecular Prandtl numbers. In this study, new turbulent Prandtl number models [...] Read more.
The study of turbulent Prandtl number is important for turbulent flows with heat transfer. Despite its importance, no universal model exists that is able to capture its behavior for a range of molecular Prandtl numbers. In this study, new turbulent Prandtl number models were developed using multi-gene gene expression programming (MGGEP) based on direct numerical simulation (DNS) data for heated periodic channel flows. DNS datasets covering both medium- and low-Prandtl-number fluids were employed to construct more universal closures suitable for Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations. Two case studies were conducted. In the first case study, turbulent Prandtl number models optimized for air (Pr = 0.71) were obtained using the friction Reynolds number and normalized wall distance as the physical inputs. In the second case study, generalized models applicable to both medium- and low-Prandtl-number fluids (down to Pr = 0.025) were developed. A novel Galilean-invariant local Reynolds number parameter was introduced to accurately capture the near-wall behavior and spatial variations in turbulent heat transfer. The resulting models demonstrated mean percent relative errors below 3% for the turbulent Prandtl number compared with the DNS data, while existing models in the literature show errors of up to 26.7%. In terms of root mean square error for the periodic channel flow, medium Prandtl number studies showed root mean square error reduction from 0.0596 to 0.0302, and low-Prandtl-number studies exhibited root mean square error reduction from 0.3128 to 0.0256 when MGGEP models and models from the literature are compared with respect to turbulent Prandtl number. The models were also validated using the turbulent periodic pipe flow problem, where the mean percent relative error for the turbulent Prandtl number decreased from 31.0% to 5.8%. The developed models were subsequently implemented in RANS simulations, showing that the proposed turbulent Prandtl number models lead to highly accurate temperature predictions for the periodic channel flow problem. Full article
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33 pages, 5971 KB  
Article
Energy-Efficient and Reliable Hydrodynamic Separation of Spent Drilling Fluids: Experiments, Modeling, and Process Stability
by Bakytzhan Kaliyev, Beibit Myrzakhmetov, Bulbul Mauletbekova, Bibinur Akhymbayeva, Gulzada Mashatayeva, Yerik Merkibayev, Vladimir I. Golik and Boris V. Malozyomov
Energies 2026, 19(7), 1659; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19071659 - 27 Mar 2026
Viewed by 357
Abstract
The treatment of spent drilling fluids generated during the drilling of technological wells for uranium production represents an important engineering and environmental challenge associated with high energy consumption, significant waste generation, and the need for rational water use under arid regional conditions. Conventional [...] Read more.
The treatment of spent drilling fluids generated during the drilling of technological wells for uranium production represents an important engineering and environmental challenge associated with high energy consumption, significant waste generation, and the need for rational water use under arid regional conditions. Conventional phase separation methods based on gravitational settling and chemical–mechanical treatment are characterized by limited process controllability, long processing times, and increased consumption of reagents and energy. This study proposes an energy-efficient and reliable hydrodynamic technology for the treatment of spent drilling fluids based on the formation of controlled turbulent structures without the use of mechanical drives. The research object comprised spent drilling fluids (SDFs) generated during the drilling of technological wells for uranium production in the southern regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Kyzylorda region. Experimental investigations were carried out using a laboratory–pilot hydrodynamic disperser with variations in velocity gradient, treatment time, flocculant dosage, and suspension flow rate. A mathematical model linking hydrodynamic process parameters with phase separation kinetics and energy characteristics was developed. Model calibration by weighted nonlinear least squares yielded a stable parameter set with 95% confidence intervals, and model validation demonstrated good agreement between calculated and experimental data (MAPE 8.4%; maximum relative error 11.8%). It was established that the use of a hydrodynamic disperser provides separation efficiency of up to 90–95% under optimal operating conditions while reducing specific energy consumption and maintaining stable repeated-cycle performance within the investigated operating window. Experimental results confirm that implementation of the hydrodynamic technology enables a reduction in sludge volume by 40–60%, recovery of up to 60–80% of process water, and a significant decrease in waste requiring transportation and disposal. The obtained results demonstrate the high environmental and resource-saving efficiency of the proposed technology and its suitability for scaling and industrial implementation at facilities drilling technological wells for uranium production. The developed hydrodynamic approach can be considered an effective engineering platform for creating energy-efficient and sustainable systems for drilling fluid treatment in regions with limited water resources and remote industrial infrastructure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section B: Energy and Environment)
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16 pages, 3935 KB  
Article
Numerical Study of Shark-Skin Memetic Riblets on the Trailing Vortex and Boundary Layer Flow of the Wind Turbine Airfoil
by Xiaopei Yang, Renzhong Wang, Bin Zuo and Boyan Jiang
Fluids 2026, 11(4), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/fluids11040088 - 27 Mar 2026
Viewed by 294
Abstract
Shark skin grooves, known to reduce hydrodynamic drag, have inspired riblet structures for flow control. This study investigates their application to airfoils, where flow separation at high angles of attack (AOA) compromises aerodynamic stability and wind turbine performance. Numerical simulations were conducted using [...] Read more.
Shark skin grooves, known to reduce hydrodynamic drag, have inspired riblet structures for flow control. This study investigates their application to airfoils, where flow separation at high angles of attack (AOA) compromises aerodynamic stability and wind turbine performance. Numerical simulations were conducted using the SST k–ω model in ANSYS Fluent to analyze riblets placed on the suction surface (SS) of an airfoil. The riblets—oriented perpendicular to the flow—have a fixed height and width of 1 mm, with total lengths varying from 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, and 0.7 of the chord length. The influence of riblet geometry on trailing-edge (TE) vortex shedding and drag reduction under stall conditions is examined in detail. The results indicate that appropriately sized riblets suppress secondary vortex formation and extend the 2S vortex-shedding regime. Conversely, poorly dimensioned riblets can advance Hopf bifurcation in the wake. Analysis of the transient boundary layer structure reveals that the suppression of vortex shedding is primarily due to riblets attenuating fluid pulsation and Reynolds stresses caused by turbulent bursts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vortex Dynamics)
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