scholarly journals Elastic Turbulence of Aqueous Polymer Solution in Multi-Stream Micro-Channel Flow

Micromachines ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiayan Tai ◽  
Yee Cheong Lam

Viscous liquid flow in micro-channels is typically laminar because of the low Reynolds number constraint. However, by introducing elasticity into the fluids, the flow behavior could change drastically to become turbulent; this elasticity can be realized by dissolving small quantities of polymer molecules into an aqueous solvent. Our recent investigation has directly visualized the extension and relaxation of these polymer molecules in an aqueous solution. This elastic-driven phenomenon is known as ‘elastic turbulence’. Hitherto, existing studies on elastic flow instability are mostly limited to single-stream flows, and a comprehensive statistical analysis of a multi-stream elastic turbulent micro-channel flow is needed to provide additional physical understanding. Here, we investigate the flow field characteristics of elastic turbulence in a 3-stream contraction-expansion micro-channel flow. By applying statistical analyses and flow visualization tools, we show that the flow field bares many similarities to that of inertia-driven turbulence. More interestingly, we observed regions with two different types of power-law dependence in the velocity power spectra at high frequencies. This is a typical characteristic of two-dimensional turbulence and has hitherto not been reported for elastic turbulent micro-channel flows.

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 918 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shijie Wu ◽  
Matteo Rubinato ◽  
Qinqin Gui

At the present time, one of the most relevant challenges in marine and ocean engineering and practice is the development of a mathematical modeling that can accurately replicate the interaction of water waves with porous coastal structures. Over the last 60 years, multiple techniques and solutions have been identified, from linearized solutions based on wave theories and constant friction coefficients to very sophisticated Eulerian or Lagrangian solvers of the Navier-Stokes (NS) equations. In order to explore the flow field interior and exterior of the porous media under different working conditions, the Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) numerical simulation method was used to simulate the flow distribution inside and outside a porous media applied to interact with the wave propagation. The flow behavior is described avoiding Euler’s description of the interface problem between the Euler mesh and the material selected. Considering the velocity boundary conditions and the cyclical circulation boundary conditions at the junction of the porous media and the water flow, the SPH numerical simulation is used to analyze the flow field characteristics, as well as the longitudinal and vertical velocity distribution of the back vortex flow field and the law of eddy current motion. This study provides innovative insights on the mathematical modelling of the interaction between porous structures and flow propagation. Furthermore, there is a good agreement (within 10%) between the numerical results and the experimental ones collected for scenarios with porosity of 0.349 and 0.475, demonstrating that SPH can simulate the flow patterns of the porous media, the flow through the inner and outer areas of the porous media, and the flow field of the back vortex region. Results obtained and the new mathematical approach used can help to effectively simulate with high-precision the changes along the water depth, for a better design of marine and ocean engineering solutions adopted to protect coastal areas.


Author(s):  
Hee Joon Lee ◽  
Dongyao Liu ◽  
Shi-Chune Yao

Experiments were conducted on evaporative micro-channel systems of water, containing 48 parallel channels of 353 μm hydraulic diameter. The general correlation of two-phase pressure drop for an initial design purpose of evaporative micro-channel systems reported in [1] has been validated. For the water boiling in micro-channels, flow instability was observed. The instability criterion, proposed by Kandlikar [2], is able to predict the water experimental results. However, further examination of his criterion revealed that it can not predict the results of Brutin and Tadrist’s data of n-pentane. This is because the Bond number of water is 0.01, but 0.33 for n-pentane. As a result, the growing bubble of n-pentane may not cover the whole length of the micro-channel. A general expression of the effective length of squeezed bubbles in micro-channel was established for fluids at a wide range of Bond number. Using this proposed effective length, the Brutin and Tadrist’s experimental instability data can also be predicted satisfactorily.


Author(s):  
Hee Joon Lee ◽  
Shi-Chune Yao

During the operation of evaporative micro-channels, flow instability could be encountered. This phenomenon usually occurs when the Bond number of the fluid in the micro-channels is less than unity, so that a growing bubble is severely squeezed in the narrow channel and expands towards both upstream and downstream simultaneously. To reduce the flow instability, installation of an inlet orifice at the upstream, or making the micro-channel expanding at the downstream are found to be effective. An instability model for micro-channels was established, which takes into account the effects of both the inlet orifice and the channel expansion. Experiments of evaporating water micro system of 48 parallel micro-channels with 353 μm hydraulic diameter were conducted. The instability criterion of evaporative micro-channels with the effects of inlet orifice and expanding channel area are validated. Furthermore, to assist the general design of complex micro-channel network systems, a computational scheme is developed.


Author(s):  
Ryan Lewis ◽  
Yunda Wang ◽  
Paul Schroeder ◽  
Collin Coolidge ◽  
Ray Radebaugh ◽  
...  

A number of small electronic devices benefit from micro-scale low temperature operation. Recently we have developed micro cryogenic coolers (MCCs) using a low-pressure, mixed-refrigerant Joule-Thomson cycle. The cryocoolers utilizes a MEMS-enabled gas compressor coupled to a micro cold stage. Two cold stages have been developed: one which uses a fiber-enabled heat exchanger assembled to a micro-machined throttling valve, and another which uses a MEMS-based heat exchanger. A microcompressor has been developed which uses MEMS-based check valves coupled to a membrane, which is actuated with a mechanically amplified piezoelectric amplifier. The compressor measures a volume 15 mL, can generate a pressure ratio of 6:1 and a maximum flow-rate of 60 standard mL/min. The complete cryocooler has reached low temperatures of 177 K, although temperature instability has been an issue, due to 2-phase flow through the micro-channels. This paper will cover the development and testing of the micro cryogenic cooler, as well as an analysis of the micro channel flow. A proper understanding of the micro-channel flow allows us to design refrigerant mixtures to improve the cooling power, and modify the cooler to eliminate temperature instabilities.


2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khaled J. Hammad ◽  
George Papadopoulos

Abstract Phase-resolved PIV measurements were performed to reveal the detailed flow features within a triple impeller stirredtank. Two tests were performed: low and high rotational speeds, 175 and 575 RPM, respectively. The tests used an optically transparent mixing vessel to measure the 2D flow field characteristics along a vertical plane passing through the tank center. The measurements disclosed interesting in-plane vortical behavior that when measured at two angular positions with respect to the blade passage further indicated the three-dimensional flow behavior. For the low RPM case, a laminar flow nature was apparent, whereby vortical toroidal structures spanned around the stirrer vertical axis. Six such structures were dominant. For the high RPM case and for θ = 0° six dominant vortical structures were apparent. Their r-z plane location and size were different from that for the low RPM case. With blade passage four of these vortical structures appeared to merge into two, suggesting that constant toroidal vortical structures spanning around the stirrer axis were absent from the high RPM case. A switch between six distinct and four distinct in-plane vortical structures as the blades pass through the measurement plane further suggested a transitional flow field at 575 RPM.


Author(s):  
Huimeng Liu ◽  
Yongchang Liu ◽  
Li Cao

Abstract A novel modular single exhaust manifold called swirl turbocharging exhaust system is described. The flow field was modeled and compared with the flow behavior in MPC system. Numerical calculation results of the manifold flow show that its flow field characteristics were different from that of the MPC’s. To investigate the efficient two swirl turbocharging exhaust systems were designed and applied to two turbocharged diesel engines respectively. The test results reveal that both engines with the new type turbocharging system have promising performance.


2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josep Farré-Lladós ◽  
Jasmina Casals-Terré ◽  
Jordi Voltas ◽  
Lars G. Westerberg

Purpose – This paper aims to present a new methodology to manufacture micro-channels suitable for high operating pressures and micro particle image velocimetry (μPIV) measurements using a rapid-prototyping high-resolution 3D printer. This methodology can fabricate channels down to 250 μm and withstand pressures of up to 5 ± 0.2 MPa. The manufacturing times are much shorter than in soft lithography processes. Design/methodology/approach – The novel manufacturing method developed takes advantage of the recently improved resolution in 3D printers to manufacture an rapid prototyping technique part that contains the hose connections and a micro-channel useful for microfluidics. A method to assemble one wall of the micro-channel using UV curable glue with a glass slide is presented – an operation required to prepare the channel for μPIV measurements. Once built, the micro-channel has been evaluated when working under pressure and the grease flow behavior in it has been measured using μPIV. Furthermore, the minimum achievable channels have been defined using a confocal microscopy study. Findings – This technique is much faster than previous micro-manufacturing techniques where different steps were needed to obtain the micro-machined parts. However, due to current 3D printers ' resolutions (around 50 μm) and according to the experimental results, channels smaller than 250-μm2 cross-section should not be used to characterize fluid flow behaviors, as inaccuracies in the channel boundaries can deeply affect the fluid flow behavior. Practical implications – The present methodology is developed due to the need to validate micro-channels using μPIV to lubricate critical components (bearings and gears) in wind turbines. Originality/value – This novel micro-manufacturing technique overcomes current techniques, as it requires less manufacturing steps and therefore it is faster and with less associated costs to manufacture micro-channels down to 250-μm2 cross-section that can withstand pressures higher than 5 MPa that can be used to characterize microfluidic flow behavior using μPIV.


2012 ◽  
Vol 263-266 ◽  
pp. 843-846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Da Zhi Jiang ◽  
Jing Han

To research guide vanes' influences on flow fields of cylinder cage powder classifier at different angles, a study of guide vanes under 3 different angles is therefore undertaken examining air flow behavior. The investigation of these flow field characteristics made use of the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to simulate the air flow in the classifier. The results indicate that smaller angles of guide vanes can increase velocity but damage the stability of flow fields, and that those larger angles will reduce the velocity.


2014 ◽  
Vol 960-961 ◽  
pp. 451-455
Author(s):  
Dian Xun Li ◽  
Shu Sheng Zhang

To further deepen exploration of boiling in micro-channels a set of experiment system for micro-channel flow boiling is homemade, which includes experimental equipment required and experimental pieces of the design process. The channel is width of 100mm, length of 1200mm, and the groove depth of 95mm. The gasket thickness is 0.5mm, 1.0mm, 1.5mm or 2.0mm.


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