Effects of Swirl on Velocity-Field Uniformity in Disk Shape SOFC Channel Flow

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazumi Tsunoda ◽  
Kazuyuki Aminaka
Keyword(s):  
Swirling Flow ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Fluid Motion ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Flow Uniformity ◽  
Centripetal Acceleration ◽  
Current Collectors ◽  
Wide Range

Swirling flow behavior between two parallel disk shape plates was experimentally investigated with the aid of a particle image velocimetry (PIV). The experiment was performed at low Reynolds numbers (Re < 100) to simulate the practical operation in a disk shape planar-type solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). To improve flow uniformity, we designed a new channel with circle involute shape current collectors. In the new channel, a swirling flow was generated and its velocity in a core region was kept at nearly constant value toward the channel exit. This trend was observed regardless of flow rates, and hence flow uniformity was achieved over the wide range of Reynolds numbers. This is because a flow passage consisting of two adjacent involute shape current collectors functions as a constat-area channel due to the geometrical property of the circle involute. In order to understand the above mentioned flow behavior, a swirling fluid motion in the channel with the circle involute shape current collector was investigated by using steady state Euler’s equation of motion. We confirmed that the velocity component in the flow direction was dominant compared with that in the other direction and played primary role to maintain a swirling motion through the centripetal acceleration term.

Development of an Efficient Phase Separator for Space and Ground Applications

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiongjun Wu ◽  
Greg Loraine ◽  
Chao-Tsung Hsiao ◽  
Georges L. Chahine
Keyword(s):  
Swirling Flow ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Void Fractions ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Phase Separator

The limited amount of liquids and gases that can be carried to space makes it imperative to recycle and reuse these fluids for extended human operations. During recycling processes gas and liquid phases are often intermixed. In the absence of gravity, separating gases from liquids is challenging due to the absence of buoyancy. This paper discusses a phase separator that is capable of efficiently and reliably separating gas-liquid mixtures of both high and low void fractions in a wide range of flow rates that is applicable to reduced and zero gravity environments. The phase separator consists of two concentric cylindrical chambers. The fluid introduced in the space between the two cylinders enters the inner cylinder through tangential slots and generates a high intensity swirling flow. The geometric configuration is selected to make the vortex swirl intense enough to lead to early cavitation which forms a cylindrical vaporous core at the axis even at low flow rates. Taking advantage of swirl and cavitation, the phase separator can force gas out of the liquid into the central core of the vortex even at low void fraction. Gas is extracted from one end of the cylinder axial region and liquid is extracted from the other end. The phase separator has successfully demonstrated its capability to reduce mixture void fractions down to 10−8 and to accommodate incoming mixture gas volume fractions as high as 35% in both earth and reduced gravity flight tests. The phase separator is on track to be tested by NASA on the International Space Station (ISS). Additionally, the phase separator design exhibits excellent scalability. Phase separators of different dimensions, with inlet liquid flow rates that range from a couple of GPMs to a few tens of GPMs, have been built and tested successfully in the presence and absence of the gravity. Extensive ground experiments have been conducted to study the effects of main design parameters on the performance of the phase separator, such as the length and diameter of the inner cylinder; the size, location, and layout of injection slots and exit orifices, etc., on the swirling flow behavior, and on the gas extraction performance. In parallel, numerical simulations, utilizing a two-phase Navier-Stokes flow solver coupled with bubble dynamics, have been conducted extensively to facilitate the development of the phase separator. These simulations have enabled us to better understand the physics behind the phase separation and provided guideline for system parts optimization. This paper describes our efforts in developing the passive phase separator for both space and ground applications.

Viscoplastic Fluid Flow Between Parallel Plates With Triangular Obstacles

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nariman Ashrafi ◽  
Ali Sadeghi ◽  
Armin Chegini
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Flow ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Fluid Motion ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Viscoplastic Fluid ◽  
Bottom Plate ◽  
Parallel Plates ◽  
Plastic Fluid ◽  
Plastic Fluids ◽  
Fluid Characteristics

In the present research, the flow of visco-plastic fluid is investigated in a duct with triangular obstacles on the bottom plate. The effect of different inlet velocities on the flow behavior is observed specially around the obstacles. The viscosity as the function of velocity gradient and hence the Reynolds numbers, are obtained on certain lines for different values of fluid characteristics and flow indexes. Herschel-Bulkley model as a generalized model of visco-plastic fluids is used to simulate the fluid motion along the channel. Reverse flows and vortexes are shown before and past the obstacles.

Analysis and Experimental Visualization of the Flow Behavior Between Parallel Separated Cross-Corrugated Plates

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Luna ◽  
R. Romero-Mendez ◽  
A. Hernandez-Guerrero ◽  
J. L. Luviano-Ortiz
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Essential Feature ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Chaotic Mixing ◽  
Micro Particles ◽  
Critical Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Corrugated Plates ◽  
Channel Configuration

The experimental visualization of the flow patterns developed in a channel formed by parallel separated cross-corrugated plates is presented in this work. The flow visualization was carried out by seeding reflective micro-particles in water. The cross-corrugated plates were characterized by corrugations with sinusoidal profile, 0.083 m wavelength and 0.075 m amplitude, placed at ±45° relative to the main flow direction. While the wavelength-amplitude aspect ratio was kept fixed, both the uniform spacing between plates and Reynolds number were varied. The essential feature of the flow is the secondary swirling motion developed by the furrow flows because of the crossing among streams. Three flow regimes were found: steady, unsteady and chaotic mixing. At some critical Reynolds numbers, depending upon the separation between plates, the flow becomes unsteady and chaotic mixing appears first in the outlet of the channel. Chaotic mixing moves closer to the inlet of the channel as the Reynolds number is increased. The results show that the onset of chaotic mixing occurs at larger Reynolds numbers as the spacing is increased. The flow pattern of this channel configuration is compared to that reported for the chevron arrangement.

scholarly journals Comparing Internal Flow in Freezing and Evaporating Water Droplets Using PIV

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1489
Author(s):  
Linn Karlsson ◽  
Anna-Lena Ljung ◽  
T. Staffan Lundström
Keyword(s):  
Natural Convection ◽  
Marangoni Convection ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
Freezing Process ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Water Droplets ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Jet Printing

The study of evaporation and freezing of droplets is important in, e.g., spray cooling, surface coating, ink-jet printing, and when dealing with icing on wind turbines, airplane wings, and roads. Due to the complex nature of the flow within droplets, a wide range of temperatures, from freezing temperatures to heating temperatures, have to be taken into account in order to increase the understanding of the flow behavior. This study aimed to reveal if natural convection and/or Marangoni convection influence the flow in freezing and evaporating droplets. Droplets were released on cold and warm surfaces using similar experimental techniques and setups, and the internal flow within freezing and evaporating water droplets were then investigated and compared to one another using Particle Image Velocimetry. It was shown that, for both freezing and evaporating droplets, a shift in flow direction occurs early in the processes. For the freezing droplets, this effect could be traced to the Marangoni convection, but this could not be concluded for the evaporating droplets. For both evaporating and freezing droplets, after the shift in flow direction, natural convection dominates the flow. In the end of the freezing process, conduction seems to be the only contributing factor for the flow.

Experimental Investigation of Heat Transfer and Pressure Drop for Turbulent Air Flows in Hexagonal Channels

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Gomez ◽  
Regina Krussmann ◽  
Michael Böttcher ◽  
Frederik Arbeiter ◽  
Wolfgang Hering
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Heat Transfer Enhancement ◽  
Test Section ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Experimental Program ◽  
Transfer Enhancement ◽  
Fuel Rod ◽  
Annular Channels ◽  
Wide Range

The heat transfer enhancement through turbulence augmentation is recognized as a key factor for improving the safety and economic conditions in the development of both critical and subcritical innovative advanced gas cooled fast reactors (GFR) and transmutation systems. In the present work, a new experimental facility named L-STAR has been designed and erected at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) to study turbulence flow behavior and its heat transfer enhancement characteristics in gas cooled annular channels under a wide range of conditions. The main objective of the experimental study is to investigate and improve the understanding of complex turbulent convective enhancement mechanisms as well as the friction loss penalties of roughened fuel rod elements compared to smooth ones and to generate an accurate database for further development of physical models. Tests are being conducted in a closed gas loop at various Reynolds numbers with nearly uniform heat release conditions. The test section consists of an annular hexagonal cross-section channel with an inner electrical heater rod element (smooth and roughened), placed concentrically within the test section, to simulate the flow area of a fuel rod element in a fast gas cooled reactor. In the first step, experimental results of the fluid flow with a smooth heater rod are presented. The pressure drops, as well as axial temperature profiles within the heater rod surface have been measured at Reynolds numbers in the range from 3·103 to 7·104. Experimental program is continued with higher temperatures and the implementation of various artificial surface structures.

URBAN FACADE GEOMETRY ON OUTDOOR COMFORT CONDITIONS: A REVIEW

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
Elahe Mirabi ◽  
Nasrollahi Nazanin
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Air Flow ◽  
Urban Geometry ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Low Energy Buildings ◽  
Outdoor Comfort ◽  
Solar Access

<p>Designing urban facades is considered as a major factor influencing issues<br />such as natural ventilation of buildings and urban areas, radiations in the<br />urban canyon for designing low-energy buildings, cooling demand for<br />buildings in urban area, and thermal comfort in urban streets. However, so<br />far, most studies on urban topics have been focused on flat facades<br />without details of urban layouts. Hence, the effect of urban facades with<br />details such as the balcony and corbelling on thermal comfort conditions<br />and air flow behavior are discussed in this literature review. <strong>Aim</strong>: This<br />study was carried out to investigate the effective factors of urban facades,<br />including the effects of building configuration, geometry and urban<br />canyon’s orientation. <strong>Methodology and Results</strong>: According to the results,<br />the air flow behavior is affected by a wide range of factors such as wind<br />conditions, urban geometry and wind direction. Urban façade geometry<br />can change outdoor air flow pattern, thermal comfort and solar access.<br /><strong>Conclusion, significance and impact study</strong>: In particular, the geometry of<br />the facade, such as indentation and protrusion, has a significant effect on<br />the air flow and thermal behavior in urban facades and can enhance<br />outdoor comfort conditions. Also, Alternation in façade geometry can<br />affect pedestrians' comfort and buildings energy demands.</p>

Turbulent three-dimensional dielectric electrohydrodynamic convection between two plates

2012 ◽  
Vol 696 ◽  
pp. 228-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Kourmatzis ◽  
J. S. Shrimpton
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Data ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Energy Budgets ◽  
Turbulent Regime ◽  
Scalar Flux ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Scalar Variance

AbstractThe fundamental mechanisms responsible for the creation of electrohydrodynamically driven roll structures in free electroconvection between two plates are analysed with reference to traditional Rayleigh–Bénard convection (RBC). Previously available knowledge limited to two dimensions is extended to three-dimensions, and a wide range of electric Reynolds numbers is analysed, extending into a fully inherently three-dimensional turbulent regime. Results reveal that structures appearing in three-dimensional electrohydrodynamics (EHD) are similar to those observed for RBC, and while two-dimensional EHD results bear some similarities with the three-dimensional results there are distinct differences. Analysis of two-point correlations and integral length scales show that full three-dimensional electroconvection is more chaotic than in two dimensions and this is also noted by qualitatively observing the roll structures that arise for both low (${\mathit{Re}}_{E} = 1$) and high electric Reynolds numbers (up to ${\mathit{Re}}_{E} = 120$). Furthermore, calculations of mean profiles and second-order moments along with energy budgets and spectra have examined the validity of neglecting the fluctuating electric field ${ E}_{i}^{\ensuremath{\prime} } $ in the Reynolds-averaged EHD equations and provide insight into the generation and transport mechanisms of turbulent EHD. Spectral and spatial data clearly indicate how fluctuating energy is transferred from electrical to hydrodynamic forms, on moving through the domain away from the charging electrode. It is shown that ${ E}_{i}^{\ensuremath{\prime} } $ is not negligible close to the walls and terms acting as sources and sinks in the turbulent kinetic energy, turbulent scalar flux and turbulent scalar variance equations are examined. Profiles of hydrodynamic terms in the budgets resemble those in the literature for RBC; however there are terms specific to EHD that are significant, indicating that the transfer of energy in EHD is also attributed to further electrodynamic terms and a strong coupling exists between the charge flux and variance, due to the ionic drift term.

scholarly journals Focusing of Particles in a Microchannel with Laser Engraved Groove Arrays

Biosensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 263
Author(s):  
Tianlong Zhang ◽  
Yigang Shen ◽  
Ryota Kiya ◽  
Dian Anggraini ◽  
Tao Tang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Open Space ◽  
Lateral Displacement ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Particle Sedimentation ◽  
Nanoparticle Separation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Fs Laser ◽  
Channel Bottom ◽  
Myoblast Cells

Continuous microfluidic focusing of particles, both synthetic and biological, is significant for a wide range of applications in industry, biology and biomedicine. In this study, we demonstrate the focusing of particles in a microchannel embedded with glass grooves engraved by femtosecond pulse (fs) laser. Results showed that the laser-engraved microstructures were capable of directing polystyrene particles and mouse myoblast cells (C2C12) towards the center of the microchannel at low Reynolds numbers (Re < 1). Numerical simulation revealed that localized side-to-center secondary flows induced by grooves at the channel bottom play an essential role in particle lateral displacement. Additionally, the focusing performance proved to be dependent on the angle of grooves and the middle open space between the grooves based on both experiments and simulation. Particle sedimentation rate was found to critically influence the focusing of particles of different sizes. Taking advantage of the size-dependent particle lateral displacement, selective focusing of micrometer particles was demonstrated. This study systematically investigated continuous particle focusing in a groove-embedded microchannel. We expect that this device will be used for further applications, such as cell sensing and nanoparticle separation in biological and biomedical areas.

Numerical Analysis on the CO-NO Formation Production near Burner Throat in Swirling Flow Combustion System

2014 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamad Shaiful Ashrul Ishak ◽  
Mohammad Nazri Mohd Jaafar
Keyword(s):  
Swirling Flow ◽  
Reverse Flow ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Recirculation Region ◽  
Mixing Enhancement ◽  
Ansys Fluent ◽  
Pressure Losses ◽  
No Formation ◽  
Swirl Angle ◽  
Air Mixing

The main purpose of this paper is to study the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) prediction on CO-NO formation production inside the combustor close to burner throat while varying the swirl angle of the radial swirler. Air swirler adds sufficient swirling to the inlet flow to generate central recirculation region (CRZ) which is necessary for flame stability and fuel air mixing enhancement. Therefore, designing an appropriate air swirler is a challenge to produce stable, efficient and low emission combustion with low pressure losses. A liquid fuel burner system with different radial air swirler with 280 mm inside diameter combustor of 1000 mm length has been investigated. Analysis were carried out using four different radial air swirlers having 30°, 40°, 50° and 60° vane angles. The flow behavior was investigated numerically using CFD solver Ansys Fluent. This study has provided characteristic insight into the formation and production of CO and pollutant NO inside the combustion chamber. Results show that the swirling action is augmented with the increase in the swirl angle, which leads to increase in the center core reverse flow, therefore reducing the CO and pollutant NO formation. The outcome of this work will help in finding out the optimum swirling angle which will lead to less emission.  

Performance characteristics of flow in annular diffuser using CFD

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hardial Singh ◽  
Bharat Bhushan Arora
Keyword(s):  
Swirling Flow ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Pressure Recovery ◽  
Ansys Fluent ◽  
Pressure Loss Coefficient ◽  
Swirl Angle ◽  
Swirl Intensity ◽  
Annular Diffuser ◽  
Inlet Swirl ◽  
Total Pressure Loss Coefficient

Abstract An annular diffuser is a critical component of the turbomachinery, and its prime function is to reduce the flow velocity. The current work is carried to study the effect of four different geometrical designs of an annular diffuser using the ANSYS Fluent. The numerical simulations were carried out to examine the effect of fully developed turbulent swirling and non-swirling flow. The flow behavior of the annular diffuser is analyzed at Reynolds number 2.5 × 105. The simulated results reveal pressure recovery improvement at the casing wall with adequate swirl intensity at the diffuser inlet. Swirl intensity suppresses the flow separation on the casing and moves the flow from the hub wall to the casing wall of the annulus region. The results also show that the Equal Hub and Diverging Casing (EHDC) annular diffuser in comparison to other diffusers has a higher static pressure recovery (C p  = 0.76) and a lower total pressure loss coefficient of (C L  = 0.12) at a 17° swirl angle.

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