R. Arun Kumar

Bio: R. Arun Kumar is an academic researcher from Indian Institute of Technology Madras. The author has contributed to research in topics: Jet (fluid) & Oblique shock. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 9 publications receiving 38 citations. Previous affiliations of R. Arun Kumar include Indian Institute of Science & Andong National University.

Effect of Geometric Configurations on the Starting Transients in Vacuum Ejector

Abstract: This paper investigates the starting transients in vacuum ejector and its dependence on various geometric configurations. Various geometric parameters investigated were the ratio of diffuser to pri...

A Study on Unsteady Shear Layer–Shock Interaction in a Vacuum Ejector-Diffuser System

Abstract: Ejectors are devices that are used to transport fluids or mix one stream of fluid with another by pure shearing action of the two streams. A conventional ejector system consists of a primary duct which supplies fluid with high momentum to a mixing chamber and the shearing action of the primary jet causes entrainment of secondary fluid into the mixing chamber. These systems find wide applications in engine thrust augmentation, mixing applications, refrigeration facilities, etc. Recently, ejector principle has been used to generate vacuum conditions and such facilities are generally termed as vacuum ejectors. Unlike the conventional ejector system, where a constant supply of secondary fluid is maintained, a vacuum ejector system draws secondary stream from a closed chamber, thereby creating a vacuum condition at secondary chamber. These systems are primarily used to create controlled vacuum exit conditions in high altitude testing (HAT) of rocket engines.

Numerical Simulation of the Effect of Finite Diaphragm Rupture Process on Micro Shock Tube Flows

Abstract: Recent years have witnessed the use of micro shock tube in various engineering applications like micro combustion, micro propulsion, particle delivery systems etc. The flow characteristics occurring in the micro shock tube shows a considerable deviation from that of well established conventional macro shock tube due to very low Reynolds number and high Knudsen number effects. Also the diaphragm rupture process, which is considered to be instantaneous process in many of the conventional shock tubes, will be crucial for micro shock tubes in determining the near diaphragm flow field and shock formation. In the present study, an axi-symmetric CFD method has been applied to simulate the micro shock tube, with Maxwell’s slip velocity and temperature jump boundary conditions. The effects of finite diaphragm rupture process on the flow field and the shock formation was investigated, in detail. The results show that the shock strength attenuates rapidly as it propagates through micro shock tubes.

Upstream Pressure Induced MR-RR Shock Transitions

Abstract: This study investigates the effect of upstream total pressure on shock transition from Mach reflection (MR) to regular reflection (RR). In the present work, the shock transitions in two geometric configurations are studied: (1) underexpanded confined jet and (2) convergent- divergent (C-D) nozzle with extended wall from the exit plane. The experimental study reveals that a MR shock structure is formed initially, for both cases, which then transforms to an RR with increase in primary jet total pressure. It was found that an increase in primary jet total pressure results in the downstream movement of the Mach stem with upstream Mach number and the shock angle of the first oblique shock leg in the MR remaining constant. This is in contradiction to the classical MR-RR transformations. The transformation in the present case is found to be a total pressure variation-induced transformation, which is a new kind of shock transformation.

Review of Multifunctional Separators: Stabilizing the Cathode and the Anode for Alkali (Li, Na, and K) Metal-Sulfur and Selenium Batteries.

Abstract: Alkali metal batteries based on lithium, sodium, and potassium anodes and sulfur-based cathodes are regarded as key for next-generation energy storage due to their high theoretical energy and potential cost effectiveness. However, metal-sulfur batteries remain challenged by several factors, including polysulfides' (PSs) dissolution, sluggish sulfur redox kinetics at the cathode, and metallic dendrite growth at the anode. Functional separators and interlayers are an innovative approach to remedying these drawbacks. Here we critically review the state-of-the-art in separators/interlayers for cathode and anode protection, covering the Li-S and the emerging Na-S and K-S systems. The approaches for improving electrochemical performance may be categorized as one or a combination of the following: Immobilization of polysulfides (cathode); catalyzing sulfur redox kinetics (cathode); introduction of protective layers to serve as an artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) (anode); and combined improvement in electrolyte wetting and homogenization of ion flux (anode and cathode). It is demonstrated that while the advances in Li-S are relatively mature, less progress has been made with Na-S and K-S due to the more challenging redox chemistry at the cathode and increased electrochemical instability at the anode. Throughout these sections there is a complementary discussion of functional separators for emerging alkali metal systems based on metal-selenium and the metal-selenium sulfide. The focus then shifts to interlayers and artificial SEI/cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) layers employed to stabilize solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) in metal-sulfur solid-state batteries (SSBs). The discussion of SSEs focuses on inorganic electrolytes based on Li- and Na-based oxides and sulfides but also touches on some hybrid systems with an inorganic matrix and a minority polymer phase. The review then moves to practical considerations for functional separators, including scaleup issues and Li-S technoeconomics. The review concludes with an outlook section, where we discuss emerging mechanics, spectroscopy, and advanced electron microscopy (e.g. cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and cryo-focused ion beam (cryo-FIB))-based approaches for analysis of functional separator structure-battery electrochemical performance interrelations. Throughout the review we identify the outstanding open scientific and technological questions while providing recommendations for future research topics.

Metal-Organic Framework-Supported Poly(ethylene oxide) Composite Gel Polymer Electrolytes for High-Performance Lithium/Sodium Metal Batteries.

Abstract: Thanks to their high energy density, lithium/sodium metal batteries (LMBs/SMBs) are considered to be the most promising next-generation energy storage system. However, the instability of the electrode/electrolyte interface and dendrite growth seriously hinders commercial application of LMBs/SMBs. In addition, traditional liquid electrolytes are inflammable and explosive. As a key part of the battery, the electrolyte plays an important role in solving the abovementioned problems. Although solid electrolytes can alleviate dendrite growth and liquid electrolyte leakage, their low ionic conductivity and poor interfacial contact are not conducive to improvement of overall LMBs/SMB performances. Therefore, it is necessary to find a balance between liquid and solid electrolytes. Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) are one means for achieving high-performance LMBs/SMBs because they combine the advantages of liquid and solid electrolytes. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) benefit from high specific surface areas, ordered internal porous structures, organic-inorganic hybrid properties, and show great potential in modified electrolytes. Here, Cu-based MOF-supported poly(ethylene oxide) composite gel polymer electrolytes (CGPEs) were prepared by ultraviolet curing. This CGPE exhibited high ionic conductivity, a wide electrochemical window, and a high ion transference number. In addition, it also exhibited excellent cycle stability in symmetric batteries and LMBs/SMBs. This study showed that CGPE had great practical application potential in the next-generation LMBs/SMBs.

Physics of vacuum generation in zero-secondary flow ejectors

Abstract: This paper aims to investigate the secondary flow characteristics and the associated vacuum generation caused with increase in the primary pressure ramping in zero-secondary flow ejectors. The sudden expansion of the primary jet into the diffuser during the ejector start-up results in flow separation from the shear layer formed between the primary and inducted flows and produces large recirculation bubbles in the top and bottom sides of the jet. These recirculation bubbles cause an induced flow from ambient air into the diffuser duct as well. The fluid supply from the reverse flow due to the shear layer separation and the induced flow from ambient air provide a counter momentum against fluid entrainment from a vacuum chamber. As a result of this, the initial vacuum generation process progresses in a slow rate. Thereafter, the primary jet expansion reaches a critical level and a rapid vacuum generation can be seen. It is found that with the jet expansion reaching a critical level, the fluid supply from the reverse flow is suddenly entrained back into the main jet at the maximum jet expansion point. This suddenly reduces the counter-momentum which has been prohibiting the entrainment of fluid from the vacuum chamber and results in rapid evacuation. This is followed by a stage in which the vacuum chamber pressure is increasing due to the attainment of a constant Mach number at the diffuser inlet and the jet pressure ramping. It is found that the secondary flow dynamics and the vacuum generation processes in rectangular and round ejectors show a close resemblance.

Shock and shear layer interaction in a confined supersonic cavity flow

Abstract: The impinging shock of varying strengths on the free shear layer in a confined supersonic cavity flow is studied numerically using the detached-eddy simulation. The resulting spatiotemporal variations are analyzed between the different cases using unsteady statistics, $x-t$ diagrams, spectral analysis, and modal decomposition. A cavity of length to depth ratio $[L/D]=2$ at a freestream Mach number of $M_\infty = 1.71$ is considered to be in a confined passage. Impinging shock strength is controlled by changing the ramp angle ($\theta$) on the top-wall. The static pressure ratio across the impinging shock ($p_2/p_1$) is used to quantify the impinging shock strength. Five different impinging shock strengths are studied by changing the pressure ratio: $1.0,1.2,1.5,1.7$ and $2.0$. As the pressure ratio increases from 1.0 to 2.0, the cavity wall experiences a maximum pressure of 25% due to shock loading. At [$p_2/p_1]=1.5$, fundamental fluidic mode or Rossiter's frequency corresponding to $n=1$ mode vanishes whereas frequencies correspond to higher modes ($n=2$ and $4$) resonate. Wavefronts interaction from the longitudinal reflections inside the cavity with the transverse disturbances from the shock-shear layer interactions is identified to drive the strong resonant behavior. Due to Mach-reflections inside the confined passage at $[p_2/p_1]=2.0$, shock-cavity resonance is lost. Based on the present findings, an idea to use a shock-laden confined cavity flow in an enclosed supersonic wall-jet configuration as passive flow control or a fluidic device is also demonstrated.