Daniel Valero

Bio: Daniel Valero is an academic researcher from UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education. The author has contributed to research in topics: Turbulence & Hydraulic jump. The author has an hindex of 12, co-authored 33 publications receiving 466 citations. Previous affiliations of Daniel Valero include University of Liège & Polytechnic University of Valencia.

Performance assessment of OpenFOAM and FLOW-3D in the numerical modeling of a low Reynolds number hydraulic jump

Abstract: A comparative performance analysis of the CFD platforms OpenFOAM and FLOW-3D is presented, focusing on a 3D swirling turbulent flow: a steady hydraulic jump at low Reynolds number. Turbulence is treated using RANS approach RNG k-e. A Volume Of Fluid (VOF) method is used to track the air-water interface, consequently aeration is modeled using an Eulerian-Eulerian approach. Structured meshes of cubic elements are used to discretize the channel geometry. The numerical model accuracy is assessed comparing representative hydraulic jump variables (sequent depth ratio, roller length, mean velocity profiles, velocity decay or free surface profile) to experimental data. The model results are also compared to previous studies to broaden the result validation. Both codes reproduced the phenomenon under study concurring with experimental data, although special care must be taken when swirling flows occur. Both models can be used to reproduce the hydraulic performance of energy dissipation structures at low Reynolds numbers. Two CFD models: OpenFOAM and FLOW-3D for hydraulic jump in low Reynolds numbers.Representative variables are compared for the two CFD results and experimental data.The model results are also compared to previous studies with good agreement.Both CFD codes had good behavior, but special care is required with swirling flows.A quantification of both models accuracy relating to studied variables is proposed.

Optical flow estimation in aerated flows

Abstract: Optical flow estimation is known from Computer Vision where it is used to determine obstacle movements through a sequence of images following an assumption of brightness conservation. This paper presents the first study on application of the optical flow method to aerated stepped spillway flows. For this purpose, the flow is captured with a high-speed camera and illuminated with a synchronized LED light source. The flow velocities, obtained using a basic Horn–Schunck method for estimation of the optical flow coupled with an image pyramid multi-resolution approach for image filtering, compare well with data from intrusive conductivity probe measurements. Application of the Horn–Schunck method yields densely populated flow field data sets with velocity information for every pixel. It is found that the image pyramid approach has the most significant effect on the accuracy compared to other image processing techniques. However, the final results show some dependency on the pixel intensity distribution...

Numerical Simulation of Hydraulic Jumps. Part 2: Recent Results and Future Outlook

Abstract: During the past two decades, hydraulic jumps have been investigated using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The second part of this two-part study is devoted to the state-of-the-art of the numerical simulation of the hydraulic jump. First, the most widely-used CFD approaches, namely the Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS), the Large Eddy Simulation (LES), the Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS), the hybrid RANS-LES method Detached Eddy Simulation (DES), as well as the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH), are introduced pointing out their main characteristics also in the context of the best practices for CFD modeling of environmental flows. Second, the literature on numerical simulations of the hydraulic jump is presented and discussed. It was observed that the RANS modeling approach is able to provide accurate results for the mean flow variables, while high-fidelity methods, such as LES and DES, can properly reproduce turbulence quantities of the hydraulic jump. Although computationally very expensive, the first DNS on the hydraulic jump led to important findings about the structure of the hydraulic jump and scale effects. Similarly, application of the Lagrangian meshless SPH method provided interesting results, notwithstanding the lower research activity. At the end, despite the promising results still available, it is expected that with the increase in the computational capabilities, the RANS-based numerical studies of the hydraulic jump will approach the prototype scale problems, which are of great relevance for hydraulic engineers, while the application at this scale of the most advanced tools, such as LES and DNS, is still beyond expectations for the foreseeable future. Knowledge of the uncertainty associated with RANS modeling may allow the careful design of new hydraulic structures through the available CFD tools.

Turbulence in open-channel flows

Abstract: Part I presents the statistical theory of turbulence, and Part 2 the coherent structures in open-channel flows and boundary layers. The book is intended for advanced students and researchers in hydraulic research, fluid mechanics, environmental sciences and related disciplines. References Index.

A numerical study of the effects of ambient wind direction on flow and dispersion in urban street canyons using the RNG k-ε turbulence model

Abstract: A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model with the renormalization group k–e turbulence scheme is developed. The model developed is used to investigate the effects of ambient wind direction on flow and dispersion around a group of buildings. According to the ambient wind direction, three flow patterns are identified in a view of the characteristics of the mean flow circulation generated in street canyons. In the first flow pattern, a portal vortex generated behind the east wall of the upwind building is symmetric about the center of the street canyon. In the second flow pattern, a portal vortex is also generated behind the east wall of the upwind building, but its horizontal axis is not perpendicular to the ambient wind direction. In the third flow pattern, the footprints of a portal vortex are located behind both the east and north walls of the upwind building. When the incident wind angle is 45°, flow is diagonally symmetric behind the upwind building. As the incident wind angle increases, pollutant escape from the street canyons decreases. Except for the case where the ambient wind direction is perpendicular to the buildings, pollutants are trapped in the portal vortex, thus exhibiting high concentration there.

Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering

Abstract: The Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering presents information regarding the engineering aspects of dredging, floods, ice, pollution, sediment transport, and tidal wave action that affect shorelines, waterways, and harbors. The development and operation of ports, harbors, and offshore facilities, as well as deep ocean engineering and shore protection and enhancement, are also covered. Other topics include the regulation and stabilization of rivers and the economics of beach nourishment.