Showing papers on "Pressure drop published in 2002"

Fundamental issues related to flow boiling in minichannels and microchannels

Abstract: Flow boiling in small hydraulic diameter channels is becoming increasingly important in many diverse applications. The previous studies addressing the effects of the channel size on the flow patterns, and heat transfer and pressure drop performance are reviewed in the present paper. The fundamental questions related to the presence of nucleate boiling and characteristics of flow boiling in microchannels and minichannels in comparison to that in the conventional channel sizes (3 mm and above) are addressed. Also, the effect of heat exchanger configuration—single-channel and multichannel—on the heat transfer and pressure drop performance is reviewed. The areas for future research are identified.

Lattice-Boltzmann Simulations of Fluid Flows in MEMS

Abstract: The lattice Boltzmann model is a simplified kinetic method based on the particle distribution function. We use this method to simulate problems in MEMS, in which the velocity slip near the wall plays an important role. It is demonstrated that the lattice Boltzmann method can capture the fundamental behaviors in micro-channel flow, including velocity slip, nonlinear pressure drop along the channel and mass flow rate variation with Knudsen number. The Knudsen number dependence of the position of the vortex center and the pressure contour in micro-cavity flows is also demonstrated.

Transport of bubbles in square microchannels

Abstract: Liquid/gas flows are experimentally investigated in 200 and 525 μm square microchannels made of glass and silicon. Liquid and gas are mixed in a cross-shaped section in a way to produce steady and homogeneous flows of monodisperse bubbles. Two-phase flow map and transition lines between flow regimes are examined. Bubble velocity and slip ratio between liquid and gas are measured. Flow patterns and their characteristics are discussed. Local and global dry out of the channel walls by moving bubbles in square capillaries are investigated as a function of the flow characteristics for partially wetting channels. Two-phase flow pressure drop is measured and compared to single liquid flow pressure drop. Taking into account the homogeneous liquid fraction along the channel, an expression for the two-phase hydraulic resistance is experimentally developed over the range of liquid and gas flow rates investigated.

The Effects of Compression and Pore Size Variations on the Liquid Flow Characteristics in Metal Foams

Abstract: Open-cell aluminum foams were investigated using water to determine their hydraulic characteristics. Maximum fluid flow velocities achieved were 1.042 m/s. The permeability and form coefficient varied from 2.46×10 -10 m 2 and 8701 m -1 to 3529 × 10 -10 m 2 and 120 m -1 , respectively. It was determined that the flowrate range influenced these calculated parameters, especially in the transitional regime where the permeability based Reynolds number varied between unity and 26.5. Beyond the transition regime where Re K ≥30, the permeability and form coefficient monotonically approached values which were reported as being calculated at the maximum flow velocities attained. The results obtained in this study are relevant to engineering applications employing metal foams ranging from convection heat sinks to filters and flow straightening devices

Prediction of Two-Phase Pressure Gradients of Refrigerants in Horizontal Tubes

Abstract: Two-phase pressure drop data were obtained for evaporation in two horizontal test sections of 10.92 and 12.00 mm diameter for five refrigerants (R-134a, R-123, R-402A, R-404A and R-502) over mass velocities from 100 to 500 kg/m2 s and vapor qualities from 0.04 to 1.0. These data have then been compared against seven two-phase frictional pressure drop prediction methods. Overall, the method by Muller-Steinhagen and Heck (Muller-Steinhagen H, Heck K. A simple friction pressure drop correlation for two-phase flow in pipes. Chem. Eng. Process 1986;20:297–308) and that by Gronnerud (Gronnerud R. Investigation of liquid hold-up, flow-resistance and heat transfer in circulation type evaporators, part IV: two-phase flow resistance in boiling refrigerants. Annexe 1972-1, Bull. de l'Inst. du Froid, 1979) were found to provide the most accurate predictions while the widely quoted method of Friedel (Friedel L. Improved friction drop correlations for horizontal and vertical two-phase pipe flow. European Two-phase Flow Group Meeting, paper E2; June 1979; Ispra, Italy) gave the third best results. The data were also classified by two-phase flow pattern using the Kattan-Thome-Favrat (Kattan N, Thome JR, Favrat D. Flow boiling in horizontal tubes. Part 1: development of a diabatic two-phase flow pattern map. J. Heat Transfer 1998;120:140–7; Kattan N, Thome JR, Favrat D. Flow boiling in horizontal tubes. Part 2; new heat transfer data for five refrigerants. J Heat Transfer 1998;120:148–55; Kattan N, Thome JR, Favrat D. Flow boiling in horizontal tubes. Part 3: development of a new heat transfer model based on flow patterns. J. Heat Transfer 1998;120:156–65) flow pattern map. The best available method for annular flow was that of Muller-Steinhagen and Heck. For intermittent flow and stratified-wavy flow, the best method in both cases was that of Gronnerud. It was observed that the peak in the two-phase frictional pressure gradient at high vapor qualities coincided with the onset of dryout in the annular flow regime.

Measurements and modeling of two-phase flow in microchannels with nearly constant heat flux boundary conditions

Abstract: Two-phase forced convective flow in microchannels is promising for the cooling of integrated circuits. There has been limited research on boiling flow in channels with dimensions below 100 /spl mu/m, in which bubble formation and flow regimes can differ from those in larger channels. This work develops single and multi-channel experimental structures using plasma-etched silicon with pyrex glass cover, which allow uniform heating and spatially-resolved thermometry and provide optical access for visualization of boiling regimes. Boiling was observed with less than 5/spl deg/C of super-heating in rectangular channels with hydraulic diameters between 25 and 60 /spl mu/m. The channel wall widths are below 350 /spl mu/m, which minimizes solid conduction and reduces variations in the heat flux boundary condition. Pressure drop and wall temperature distribution data are consistent with predictions accounting for solid conduction and homogeneous two-phase convection.

Optimal design for flow uniformity in microchannel reactors

Abstract: Velocity and residence time distributions play a crucial role in the performance of microreactors for chemical synthesis. The specific features of fluid flow through multiplate microchannel reactors are examined by an approximate pressure drop model whose validity is confirmed through comparison with more detailed finite-volume calculations. The model results allow for determination of the influence of the geometrical characteristics of the microchannel structures on the flow distributions and are used to optimize the reactor design for maximum flow uniformity.

Condensation of Halogenated Refrigerants Inside Smooth Tubes

Abstract: The paper presents a new predicting model to compute the heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop during condensation inside smooth tubes when operating with pure or blended halogenated refrigerants, including the new high-pressure HFC fluids, for which the existing predicting methods are inadequate. The suggested model is based on a predictive study of the flow patterns occurring during the condensation process. Predictions from this new procedure are compared both with the authors' experimental data and with a wide experimental data bank from independent authors; excellent agreement is demonstrated in almost all cases. Heat transfer coefficients were obtained during condensation of refrigerants R-22, R-134a, R-125, R-32, R-236ea, R-407C, and R-410A in an 8 mm inside diameter plain tube, carried out at a saturation temperature ranging between 30 and 50°C, and mass velocities varying from 100 to 750 kg/(m2·s), over the entire vapor quality range. For zeotropic blended refrigerants, such as R-407C, the ...

Investigation of Liquid Flow in Microchannels

Abstract: Liquid flow in microchannels is investigated both experimentally and numerically. The experiments are carried out in microchannels with hydraulic diameters from 244 to 974 µ ma tReynolds numbers ranging from 230 to 6500. The pressure drop in these microchannels is measured in situ and is also determined by correcting global measurements for inlet and exit losses. Onset of turbulence is verified by flow visualization. The experimental measurements of pressure drop are compared to numerical predictions. Results show that conventional theory may be used to predict successfully the flow behavior in microchannels in the range of dimensions considered here. Nomenclature Dh =h ydraulic diameter, µm f = Darcy friction factor H = microchannel height, µm L = microchannel length, mm l = characteristic size of eddies in turbulent flow, m P = pressure, Pa Q =v olume flow rate, m 3 /s Re =R eynolds number U =a verage velocity in microchannel, m/s u = characteristic velocity scale of eddies in turbulent flow, m/s W = microchannel width, µm x + = entrance length, mm α = aspect ratio, H/W � P = pressure difference, Pa δ = uncertainty e = dissipation rate, m 2 /s 3 η =K olmogorov length scale, m µ = fluid viscosity, N · s/m 2 ν = kinematic viscosity, m 2 /s ρ = fluid density, kg/m 3 app = apparent fd = fully developed conditions

A fault constitutive relation accounting for thermal pressurization of pore fluid

Abstract: [1] The heat generated in a slip zone during an earthquake can raise fluid pressure and thereby reduce frictional resistance to slip. The amount of fluid pressure rise depends on the associated fluid flow. The heat generated at a given time produces fluid pressure that decreases inversely with the square root of hydraulic diffusivity times the elapsed time. If the slip velocity function is crack-like, there is a prompt fluid pressure rise at the onset of slip, followed by a slower increase. The stress drop associated with the prompt fluid pressure rise increases with rupture propagation distance. The threshold propagation distance at which thermally induced stress drop starts to dominate over frictionally induced stress drop is proportional to hydraulic diffusivity. If hydraulic diffusivity is 0.02 m2/s, estimated from borehole samples of fault zone material, the threshold propagation distance is 300 m. The stress wave in an earthquake will induce an unknown amount of dilatancy and will increase hydraulic diffusivity, both of which will lessen the fluid pressure effect. Nevertheless, if hydraulic diffusivity is no more than two orders of magnitude larger than the laboratory value, then stress drop is complete in large earthquakes.

Lubrication theory for electro-osmotic flow in a microfluidic channel of slowly varying cross-section and wall charge

Abstract: Electro-osmotic flow is a convenient mechanism for transporting fluid in microfluidic devices. The flow is generated through the application of an external electric field that acts on the free charges that exist in a thin Debye layer at the channel walls. The charge on the wall is due to the particular chemistry of the solid–fluid interface and can vary along the channel either by design or because of various unavoidable inhomogeneities of the wall material or because of contamination of the wall by chemicals contained in the fluid stream. The channel cross-section could also vary in shape and area. The effect of such variability on the flow through microfluidic channels is of interest in the design of devices that use electro-osmotic flow. The problem of electro-osmotic flow in a straight microfluidic channel of arbitrary cross-sectional geometry and distribution of wall charge is solved in the lubrication approximation, which is justified when the characteristic length scales for axial variation of the wall charge and cross-section are both large compared to a characteristic width of the channel. It is thereby shown that the volume flux of fluid through such a microchannel is a linear function of the applied pressure drop and electric potential drop across it, the coefficients of which may be calculated explicitly in terms of the geometry and charge distribution on the wall. These coefficients characterize the ‘fluidic resistance’ of each segment of a microfluidic network in analogy to the electrical ‘resistance’ in a microelectronic circuit. A consequence of the axial variation in channel properties is the appearance of an induced pressure gradient and an associated secondary flow that leads to increased Taylor dispersion limiting the resolution of electrophoretic separations. The lubrication theory presented here offers a simple way of calculating the distortion of the flow profile in general geometries and could be useful in studies of dispersion induced by inhomogeneities in microfluidic channels.

An Expermentally Validated Model for Two-Phase Pressure Drop in the Intermittent Flow Regime for Noncircular Microchannels

Abstract: We report the development of an experimentally validated model for pressure drop during intermittent flow of condensing refrigerant R134a in horizontal microchannels. Two-phase pressure drops were measured in five circular channels ranging in hydraulic diameter from 0.5 mm to 4.91 mm. For each tube under consideration, pressure drop measurements were first taken over the entire range of qualities from 100% vapor to 100% liquid. In addition, the tests for each tube were conducted for five different refrigerant mass fluxes between 150 kg/m 2 -s and 750 kg/m 2 -s. Results from previous work by the authors on condensation flow mechanisms in microchannel geometries were then used to identify data that corresponded to the intermittent flow regime. A pressure drop model was developed for a unit cell in the channel based on the observed slug/bubble flow pattern for these conditions. The unit cell comprises a liquid slug followed by a vapor bubble that is surrounded by a thin, annular liquid film. Contributions of the liquid slug, the vapor bubble, and the flow of liquid between the film and slug to the pressure drop were included

Fluid flow control device and method for use of same

Abstract: A fluid flow control device (60) for use in a wellbore to control the inflow of production fluids comprises a sand control screen (62) having a base pipe (64) with a first set of openings (66) that allows the production fluids to flow therethrough and a sleeve (74) coaxially disposed adjacent to the base pipe (64). The sleeve (74) has a second set of openings (76) that allows the production fluids to flow therethrough. The sleeve (74) is selectively positionable relative to the base pipe (64) such that a pressure drop in the production fluids is selectively controllable by adjusting an alignment of the first set of openings (66) relative to the second set of openings (76).

Modeling of microporosity, macroporosity, and pipe-shrinkage formation during the solidification of alloys using a mushy-zone refinement method: Applications to aluminum alloys

Abstract: A microporosity model, based on the solution of Darcy’s equation and microsegregation of gas, has been developed for arbitrary two- (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) geometry and coupled for the first time with macroporosity and pipe-shrinkage predictions. In order to accurately calculate the pressure drop within the mushy zone, a dynamic refinement technique has been implemented: a fine and regular finite volume (FV) grid is superimposed onto the finite-element (FE) mesh used for the heat-flow computations. For each time-step, the cells, which fall in the mushy zone, are activated, and the governing equations of microporosity formation are solved only within this domain, with appropriate boundary conditions. For that purpose, it is necessary to identify automatically the various liquid regions that may appear during solidification: open regions of liquid are connected to a free surface where a pressure is imposed, partially closed liquid regions are connected to an open region via the mushy zone, and closed regions are totally surrounded by the solid and/or mold. For partially closed liquid pockets, it is shown that an integral boundary condition applies before macroporosity appears. Finally, pipe shrinkage (i.e., shrinkage appearing at a free surface) is obtained by integration of the calculated interdendritic fluid flow over the open-region boundaries, thus ensuring that the total shrinkage (microporosity plus macroporosity and pipe shrinkage) respects the overall mass balance. This very general approach is applied to Al-Cu and Al-Si alloys.

Interface scaling in a two-dimensional porous medium under combined viscous, gravity, and capillary effects

Abstract: We have investigated experimentally the competition between viscous, capillary, and gravity forces during drainage in a two-dimensional synthetic porous medium. The displacement of a mixture of glycerol and water by air at constant withdrawal rate has been studied. The setup can be tilted to tune gravity, and pressure is recorded at the outlet of the model. Viscous forces tend to destabilize the displacement front into narrow fingers against the stabilizing effect of gravity. Subsequently, a viscous instability is observed for sufficiently large withdrawal speeds or sufficiently low gravity components on the model. We predict the scaling of the front width for stable situations and characterize it experimentally through analyses of the invasion front geometry and pressure recordings. The front width under stable displacement and the threshold for the instability are shown, both experimentally and theoretically, to be controlled by a dimensionless number F which is defined as the ratio of the effective fluid pressure drop (i.e., average hydrostatic pressure drop minus viscous pressure drop) at pore scale to the width of the fluctuations in the threshold capillary pressures.

Two-phase flow patterns, pressure drop, and heat transfer during boiling in minichannel flow passages of compact evaporators

Abstract: The small hydraulic diameters employed during flow boiling in compact evaporator passages are becoming more important in diverse applications including electronics cooling and fuel cell evaporators. The high pressure drop characteristics of these passages are particularly important as they alter the flow and heat transfer, especially in parallel multichannel configurations. The pressure drop oscillations often introduce dryout in some passages while their neighboring passages operate under single-phase mode. This article presents a comprehensive review of literature on evaporation in small-diameter passages along with some results obtained by the author for water evaporating in 1-mm-hydraulic-diameter multichannel passages. Critical heat flux is not covered in this article due to space constraints.

Technical note Two-dimensional viscous flow between slowly expanding or contracting walls with weak permeability

Abstract: Since the transport of biological fluids through contracting or expanding vessels is characterized by low seepage Reynolds numbers, the current study focuses on the viscous flow driven by small wall contractions and expansions of two weakly permeable walls. The scope is limited to two-dimensional symmetrical solutions inside a simulated channel with moving porous walls. In seeking an exact solution, similarity transformations are used in both space and time. The problem is first reduced to a nonlinear differential equation that is later solved both numerically and analytically. The analytical procedure is based on double perturbations in the permeation Reynolds number R and the wall expansion ratio a: Results are correlated and compared via variations in R and a: Under the auspices of small jRj and jaj; the analytical result constitutes a practical equivalent to the numerical solution. We find that, when suction is coupled with wall contraction, rapid flow turning is precipitated near the wall where the boundary layer is formed. Conversely, when injection is paired with wall expansion, the flow adjacent to the wall is delayed. In this case, the viscous boundary layer thickens as injection or expansion rates are reduced. Furthermore, the pressure drop along the plane of symmetry increases when the rate of contraction is increased and when either the rate of expansion or permeation is reduced. As nonlinearity is retained, our solutions are valid from a large cross-section down to the state of a completely collapsed system. r 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.