Showing papers on "Open-channel flow published in 1994"

Pressure-driven flow of suspensions : simulation and theory

Abstract: Dynamic simulations of the pressure-driven flow in a channel of a non-Brownian suspension at zero Reynolds number were conducted using Stokesian Dynamics. The simulations are for a monolayer of identical particles as a function of the dimensionless channel width and the bulk particle concentration. Starting from a homogeneous dispersion, the particles gradually migrate towards the centre of the channel, resulting in an homogeneous concentration profile and a blunting of the particle velocity profile. The time for achieving steady state scales as (H/a)3a/[left angle bracket]u[right angle bracket], where H is the channel width, a the radii of the particles, and [left angle bracket]u[right angle bracket] the average suspension velocity in the channel. The concentration and velocity profiles determined from the simulations are in qualitative agreement with experiment. A model for suspension flow has been proposed in which macroscopic mass, momentum and energy balances are constructed and solved simultaneously. It is shown that the requirement that the suspension pressure be constant in directions perpendicular to the mean motion leads to particle migration and concentration variations in inhomogeneous flow. The concept of the suspension ‘temperature’ – a measure of the particle velocity fluctuations – is introduced in order to provide a nonlocal description of suspension behaviour. The results of this model for channel flow are in good agreement with the simulations.

Fully developed turbulent pipe flow: a comparison between direct numerical simulation and experiment

Abstract: Direct numerical simulations (DNS) and experiments are carried out to study fully developed turbulent pipe flow at Reynolds number Rec ≈ 7000 based on centreline velocity and pipe diameter The agreement between numerical and experimental results is excellent for the lower-order statistics (mean flow and turbulence intensities) and reasonably good for the higher-order statistics (skewness and flatness factors) To investigate the differences between fully developed turbulent flow in an axisymmetric pipe and a plane channel geometry, the present DNS results are compared to those obtained from a channel flow simulation Beside the mean flow properties and turbulence statistics up to fourth order, the energy budgets of the Reynolds-stress components are computed and compared The present results show that the mean velocity profile in the pipe fails to conform to the accepted law of the wall, in contrast to the channel flow This confirms earlier observations reported in the literature The statistics on fluctuating velocities, including the energy budgets of the Reynolds stresses, appear to be less affected by the axisymmetric pipe geometry Only the skewness factor of the normal-to-the-wall velocity fluctuations differs in the pipe flow compared to the channel flow The energy budgets illustrate that the normal-to-the-wall velocity fluctuations in the pipe are altered owing to a different ‘impingement’ or ‘splatting’ mechanism close to the curved wall

Particle response and turbulence modification in fully developed channel flow

Abstract: The interactions between small dense particles and fluid turbulence have been investigated in a downflow fully developed channel in air. Particle velocities of, and fluid velocities in the presence of, 50 μm glass, 90 μm glass and 70 μm copper spherical beads were measured by laser Doppler anemometry, at particle mass loadings up to 80%. These particles were smaller than the Kolmogorov lengthscale of the flow and could respond to some but not all of the scales of turbulent motion. Streamwise mean particle velocity profiles were flatter than the mean fluid velocity profile, which was unmodified by particle loading. Particle velocity fluctuation intensities were larger than the unladen-fluid turbulence intensity in the streamwise direction but were smaller in the transverse direction. Fluid turbulence was attenuated by the addition of particles; the degree of attenuation increased with particle Stokes number, particle mass loading and distance from the wall. Turbulence was more strongly attenuated in the transverse than in the streamwise direction, because the turbulence energy is at higher frequencies in the transverse direction. Streamwise turbulence attenuation displayed a range of preferred frequencies where attenuation was strongest.

Effects of the computational time step on numerical solutions for turbulent flow

Abstract: Effects of large computational time steps on the computed turbulence were investigated using a fully implicit method. In turbulent channel flow computations the largest computational time step in wall units which led to accurate prediction of turbulence statistics was determined. Turbulence fluctuations could not be sustained if the computational time step was near or larger than the Kolmogorov time scale.

Frictional flow characteristics of water flowing through rectangular microchannels

Abstract: Experiments were conducted to investigate the flow characteristics of water flowing through rectangular microchannels having hydraulic diameters of 0.133-0.367 mm and H/W ratios of 0.333-1. Experimental results indicated that the laminar flow transition occurred at Reynolds numbers of 200-700. This critical Re for the laminar transition was strongly affected by the hydraulic diameter, decreasing with corresponding decreases in the microchannel. In addition, the size of the transition range was diminished and fully developed turbulent flow also occurred at much lower Re. The friction behavior of both the laminar and turbulent flow was found to depart from the classical thermqfluid correlations. lite friction factor, f, was found to be proportional to Re−1.98 rather than Re for the laminar condition, and proportional to Re−1.72i for turbulent flow. The geometric parameters, hydraulic diameter, and H/W were found to be the most important parameters and had a critical effect on the flow. Generally, increasing...

Flow and heat transfer in rotating-disc systems

Abstract: This book addresses rotor-stator systems. Topics covered include: Basic Equations; Laminar flow over a single disc; Turbulent flow over a single disc; Heat transfer from a single disc; Rotor-stator systems with no superposed flow; Rotor-stator systems with a superposed flow; Heat transfer in rotor-stator systems; and Sealing rotor-stator systems: The ingress Problem.

Turbulence characteristics in rough uniform open-channel flow

Abstract: Note: Extraits de differents periodiques scientifiques, 1994 et 1995. Reference Record created on 2004-09-07, modified on 2016-08-08

Flow structure in a three‐dimensional bubble column and three‐phase fluidized bed

Abstract: Macroscopic flow structures of 3-D bubble columns and gas-liquid-solid fluidization systems under various operating conditions are studied using particle image velocimetry. Flow visualization is also conducted with the aid of a laser sheeting technique. The refractive index matching technique is used to eliminate the opaqueness of solid particles occurring in the visualization study of gas-liquid-solid fluidization. Three flow regimes (dispersed bubble, vortical-spiral flow, and turbulent flow) are identified. The flow structure is investigated for various operating variables including liquid velocity, gas velocity, and particle holdups. Four flow regions (descending flow, vortical-spiral flow, fast bubble flow, and central plume) can generally be characterized in the vortical-spiral flow regime where the gross circulation pattern occurs. A conceptual model for the flow structure in the vortical-spiral flow regime is discussed. The transition of the flow regimes and structure in the vortical-spiral flow regime is postulated to be related to the Taylor instability for flow between two concentric rotating cylinders. Similarities between the flow structures of 2- and 3-D beds are also discussed.

Reynolds Number Effects in Wall-Bounded Turbulent Flows

Abstract: This paper reviews the state of the art of Reynolds number effects in wall-bounded shear-flow turbulence, with particular emphasis on the canonical zero-pressure-gradient boundary layer and two-dimensional channel flow problems. The Reynolds numbers encountered in many practical situations are typically orders of magnitude higher than those studied computationally or even experimentally. High-Reynolds number research facilities are expensive to build and operate and the few existing are heavily scheduled with mostly developmental work. For wind tunnels, additional complications due to compressibility effects are introduced at high speeds. Full computational simulation of high-Reynolds number flows is beyond the reach of current capabilities. Understanding of turbulence and modeling will continue to play vital roles in the computation of high-Reynolds number practical flows using the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations. Since the existing knowledge base, accumulated mostly through physical as well as numerical experiments, is skewed towards the low Reynolds numbers, the key question in such high-Reynolds number modeling as well as in devising novel flow control strategies is: what are the Reynolds number effects on the mean and statistical turbulence quantities and on the organized motions? Since the mean flow review of Coles (1962), the coherent structures, in low-Reynolds number wall-bounded flows, have been reviewed several times. However, the Reynolds number effects on the higher-order statistical turbulence quantities and on the coherent structures have not been reviewed thus far, and there are some unresolved aspects of the effects on even the mean flow at very high Reynolds numbers. Furthermore, a considerable volume of experimental and full-simulation data have been accumulated since 1962. The present article aims at further assimilation of those data, pointing to obvious gaps in the present state of knowledge and highlighting the misunderstood as well as the ill-understood aspects of Reynolds number effects.

Steady, laminar, flow of concentrated mud suspensions in open channel

Abstract: Flows of mud, in the form of a large amount more or less natural fine particle (less than 100μm) suspended in water are often encountered in industry and nature (sewage sludge, submarine landslides, moutain mud-flows coal slurries, drilling muds, etc). Data concerning these flows are often empirical. We aim here to describe laminar, free suface flows of such materials. On the basis of the majority of rhelogial results concering concentrated mud suspensions the constitutive equation of such fluids can generally be assumed to follow a Herschel & Bulkley model. Consequently, in the case of uniform flow on an infinitely wide, inclined plane or in a semi-cylindrical channel, the velocity distribution within the fluid can be computed exactly. For uniform flow in open channels with other cross-section types we propose to detetmine the discharge eqution in the form of a relation between two characteristic non-dimensional parameters and aspect ratios. In the case of a gradully varying but steady flow on a...

Incipient sediment motion on non-horizontal slopes

Abstract: The study investigates the threshold condition for the initiation of cohesionless sediment transport on a nonhorizontal streamwise slope. Theoretical study of the stability of a sediment particle lying on a non-horizontal bed slope shows that the critical shear stress is a function of the streamwise bed slope. Experiments conducted with a closed-conduit flow show that the equation derived from force analysis adequately evaluates the critical shear stress of sediments lying on slopes ranging from steep positive to negative (adverse). Tests conducted with a closed-conduit flow avoid the problems associated with those conducted with an open channel flow. In the latter flow condition, uniform flow is often difficult to achieve in a steep channel, and impossible to achieve when the streamwise bed slope is adverse.

Flow measuring apparatus

Abstract: This is an apparatus for accurately and reliably measuring fluid flow under turbulent or pulsating conditions with high signal to noise ratio and using a symmetrical design which works with flow in either direction. The apparatus is particularly well suited for measuring airflow in a bi-level respiratory system. The apparatus includes a flow conduit (34), an upstream sense tube (36) protruding into the flow conduit (34) with a notch opening (38) facing into the flow stream, a downstream sense tube (40) protruding into the flow conduit (34) with a notch opening (42) facing away from the flow stream, and a flow or pressure sensor/transducer (44) disposed in connecting lines (46, 48) between the upstream and downstream sense tubes (36, 40). The notched opening (38, 42) has a square, semi-cylindrical shape. The flow conduit (34) is either straight or angled.

Hydraulics of skimming flows over stepped channels and spillways

Abstract: Stepped chutes have become recently a popular method for discharging flood waters. The steps increase significantly the rate of energy dissipation taking place on the spillway face and reduce the size of the required downstream energy dissipation basin. This paper reviews the hydraulic characteristics of skimming flows. The onset of skimming flows is discussed. New results are presented to estimate the flow resistance along stepped chutes. The study indicates some major difference between the flow patterns on steep and flat stepped chutes. An analogy with flow over large roughness is developed. Then the calculations of the start of air entrainment are detailed. The results indicate that free surface aeration occurs much more upstream than on smooth spillways. The effects of flow aeration are later discussed.

Early development of karst systems: 1. Preferential flow path enlargement under laminar flow

Abstract: Modeling of flow and solutional processes within networks of interconnected conduits in limestone aquifers indicates that enlargement occurs very selectively during the early stages of karst aquifer development under laminar flow. If initial flow paths are uniform in size, almost all enlargement occurs along a single set of connected conduits that lie along a direct path between recharge and discharge locations and are aligned along the hydraulic gradient. With a sufficiently large variation in initial aperture widths, enlargement occurs along the flow path offering the least resistance to flow, but since flow rates in laminar flow are proportional to the fourth power of diameter but only linearly proportional to hydraulic gradient, the preferentially enlarged set of fractures may follow an indirect path. Results disfavor earlier suggestions that nonselective cave patterns result from artesian flows (at least under laminar flow conditions) and that all passages should be competitive until the onset of turbulent flow.

Forced Convection in a Porous Channel With Localized Heat Sources

Abstract: A numerical study is performed to analyze steady laminar forced convection in a channel filled with a fluid-saturated porous medium and containing discrete heat sources on the bottom wall. Hydrodynamic and heat transfer results are reported for two configurations: (1) a fully porous channel, and (2) a partially porous channel, which contains porous layers above the heat sources and is nonporous elsewhere. The flow in the porous medium is modeled using the Brinkman-Forchheimer extended Darcy model. Heat transfer rates and pressure drop are evaluated for wide ranges of Darcy and Reynolds numbers. Detailed results of the evolution of the hydrodynamic and thermal boundary layers are also provided

A Lagrangian dynamic subgrid-scale model turbulence

Abstract: A new formulation of the dynamic subgrid-scale model is tested in which the error associated with the Germano identity is minimized over flow pathlines rather than over directions of statistical homogeneity. This procedure allows the application of the dynamic model with averaging to flows in complex geometries that do not possess homogeneous directions. The characteristic Lagrangian time scale over which the averaging is performed is chosen such that the model is purely dissipative, guaranteeing numerical stability when coupled with the Smagorinsky model. The formulation is tested successfully in forced and decaying isotropic turbulence and in fully developed and transitional channel flow. In homogeneous flows, the results are similar to those of the volume-averaged dynamic model, while in channel flow, the predictions are superior to those of the plane-averaged dynamic model. The relationship between the averaged terms in the model and vortical structures (worms) that appear in the LES is investigated. Computational overhead is kept small (about 10 percent above the CPU requirements of the volume or plane-averaged dynamic model) by using an approximate scheme to advance the Lagrangian tracking through first-order Euler time integration and linear interpolation in space.

Low-Reynolds-number effects on near-wall turbulence

Abstract: Direct numerical simulations of a fully developed turbulent channel flow for two relatively small values of the Reynolds number are used to examine its influence on various turbulence quantities in the near-wall region. The limiting wall behaviour of these quantities indicates important increases in the r.m.s. value of the wall pressure fluctuations and its derivatives, the r.m.s. streamwise vorticity and in the average energy dissipation rate and the Reynolds shear stress. If the normalization is based on the wall shear stress and the kinematic viscosity, these changes are shown to be consistent with an increase in strength – but not the average diameter or average location – of the quasi-streamwise vortices in the buffer region. Evidence of this strengthening is provided by the increased sum of the stretching terms for the meansquare streamwise vorticity. It is also shown that a normalization based on Kolmogorov velocity and lengthscales, defined at the wall, is more appropriate in the near-wall region than scaling on the wall shear stress and kinematic viscosity.

Unsteady flow about a sphere at low to moderate Reynolds number. Part 1. Oscillatory motion

Abstract: A direct numerical simulation, based on spectral methods, has been used to compute the time-dependent, axisymmetric viscous flow past a rigid sphere. An investigation has been made for oscillatory flow about a zero mean for different Reynolds numbers and frequencies. The simulation has been verified for steady flow conditions, and for unsteady flow there is excellent agreement with Stokes flow theory at very low Reynolds numbers. At moderate Reynolds numbers, around 20, there is good general agreement with available experimental data for oscillatory motion. Under steady flow conditions no separation occurs at Reynolds number below 20; however in an oscillatory flow a separation bubble forms on the decelerating portion of each cycle at Reynolds numbers well below this. As the flow accelerates again the bubble detaches and decays, while the formation of a new bubble is inhibited till the flow again decelerates. Steady streaming, observed for high frequencies, is also observed at low frequencies due to the flow separation. The contribution of the pressure to the resultant force on the sphere includes a component that is well described by the usual added-mass term even when there is separation. In a companion paper the flow characteristics for constant acceleration or deceleration are reported.

A model for characterization of a vortex pair formed by shock passage over a light-gas inhomogeneity

Abstract: This work investigates the two-dimensional flow of a shock wave over a circular light-gas inhomogeneity in a channel with finite width. The pressure gradient from the shock wave interacts with the density gradient at the edge of the inhomogeneity to deposit vorticity around the perimeter, and the structure rolls up into a pair of counter-rotating vortices. The aim of this study is to develop an understanding of the scaling laws for the flow field produced by this interaction at times long after the passage of the shock across the inhomogeneity. Numerical simulations are performed for various initial conditions and the results are used to guide the development of relatively simple algebraic models that characterize the dynamics of the vortex pair, and that allow extrapolation of the numerical results to conditions more nearly of interest in practical situations. The models are not derived directly from the equations of motion but depend on these equations and on intuition guided by the numerical results. Agreement between simulations and models is generally good except for a vortex-spacing model which is less satisfactory. A practical application of this shock-induced vortical flow is rapid and efficient mixing of fuel and oxidizer in a SCRAMJET combustion chamber. One possible injector design uses the interaction of an oblique shock wave with a jet of light fuel to generate vorticity which stirs and mixes the two fluids and lifts the burning jet away from the combustor wall. Marble proposed an analogy between this three-dimensional steady flow and the two-dimensional unsteady problem of the present investigation. Comparison is made between closely corresponding three-dimensional steady and two-dimensional unsteady flows, and a mathematical description of Marble's analogy is proposed.

On the elimination of wall‐topography parameters from second‐moment closure

Abstract: Current generation second‐moment closures employ wall proximity/orientation parameters to ensure that the velocity fluctuations normal to the wall die out as the wall is approached faster than fluctuations parallel to the wall. The use of such devices renders the models unsuitable for application to surfaces of even moderately complex shape. It is argued that, for the case of flow parallel to the wall, no such parameters are needed if one adopts a model of the pressure–strain process that rigorously satisfies the two‐component limit. The assertion is supported by computations of flow in square and rectangular ducts as well as for the low‐Reynolds‐number plane channel flow.

Compressible viscous flow in slits with slip at the wall

Abstract: We study the time‐dependent compressible flow of a Newtonian fluid in slits using an arbitrary nonlinear slip law relating the shear stress to the velocity at the wall. This slip law exhibits a maximum and a minimum and so does the flow curve. According to one‐dimensional stability analyses, the steady‐state solutions are unstable if the slope of the flow curve is negative. The two‐dimensional flow problem is solved using finite elements for the space discretization and a standard fully implicit scheme for the time discretization. When compressibility is taken into account and the volumetric flow rate at the inlet is in the unstable regime, we obtain self‐sustained oscillations of the pressure drop and of the mass flow rate at the exit, similar to those observed with the stick‐slip instability. The effects of compressibility and of the length of the slit on the amplitude and the frequency of the oscillations are also examined.

Funnel‐shaped vortical structures in wall turbulence

Abstract: The structure of the turbulent boundary layer in a horizontal open channel was investigated experimentally by means of laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) and by flow visualization synchronized with the LDA. These experiments indicate that the dominant structures in the wall region are large scale streamwise vortices which originate at the wall and grow and expand into the outer flow region. The shape of the vortices is that of an expanding spiral, wound around a funnel which is laid sideways in the direction of flow. Most of the observations of wall turbulence phenomena made over the years, such as quasistreamwise vortices, ejections, and sweeps seem to be part of these funnel‐shaped vortices.

A numerical and experimental study of transition processes in an obstructed channel flow

Abstract: Incompressible Newtonian flow in a two-dimensional channel with periodically placed sharp edged baffles has been studied both by numerical simulation and by experimental flow visualization. The flow was observed to be steady and symmetric at low Reynolds numbers, with recirculating eddies downstream of each baffle. At a critical Reynolds number (based on channel width and cross-sectional mean velocity) of approximately 100 the flow became asymmetric and unsteady. This transition to unsteadiness led to an eddy shedding regime, with eddies formed and shed successively from each baffle. A stability study suggested that the mechanism for transition to unsteady flow is a Kelvin–Helmholtz instability associated with the shear layer formed downstream of the sharp edged baffles. The frequency of the unsteadiness is, however, dependent on the full flow field, and not only the shear layer characteristics. Experimental observations show that the instability is followed by a secondary transition to three-dimensional disordered flow. Experimentally observed flows in the two-dimensional regime were found to be in close agreement with the numerical simulation for both the steady and unsteady flows.