A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Analysis of an Undulatory Mechanical Fin Driven by Shape Memory Alloy

Many fishes use undulatory fin to propel themselves in the underwater environment. These locomotor mechanisms have a popular interest to many researchers. In the present study, we perform a three-dimensional unsteady computation of an undulatory mechanical fin that is driven by Shape Memory Alloy （SMA）. The objective of the computation is to investigate the fluid dynamics of force production associated with the undulatory mechanical fin. An unstructured, grid-based, unsteady Navier-Stokes solver with automatic adaptive remeshing is used to compute the unsteady flow around the fin through five complete cycles. The pressure distribution on fin surface is computed and integrated to provide fin forces which are decomposed into lift and thrust. The velocity field is also computed throughout the swimming cycle. Finally, a comparison is conducted to reveal the dynamics of force generation according to the kinematic parameters of the undulatory fin （amplitude, frequency and wavelength）.

COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS(CFD) SIMULATIONS OF DRAG REDUCTION WITH PERIODIC MICRO-STRUCTURED WALL

Computational fluid dynamics（CFD） simulations are adopted to investigate rectangular microchannel flows with various periodic micro-structured wall by introducing velocity slip boundary condition at low Reynolds number. The purpose of the current study is to numerically find out the effects of periodic micro-structured wall on the flow resistance in rectangular microchannel with the different spacings between microridges ranging from 15 to 60 pm. The simulative results indicate that pressure drop with different spacing between microridges increases linearly with flow velocity and decreases monotonically with slip velocity; Pressure drop reduction also increases with the spacing between microridges at the same condition of slip velocity and flow velocity. The results of numerical simulation are compared with theoretical predictions and experimental results in the literatures. It is found that there is qualitative agreement between them.

Computational Fluid Dynamics(CFD) Analysis and Optimization of Reconstructed Intake System of Cylinder Head Based on Slicing Reverse Method

To find out and improve the flow characteristics inside the intake system of cylinder head,the application of computational fluid dynamics(CFD)in the evaluation and optimization of the reconstructed intake system based on slicing reverse method was proposed.The flow characteristics were found out through CFD,and the velocity vector field,pressure field and turbulent kinetic energy field for different valve lifts were discussed,which were in good agreement with experimental data,and the quality of reconstruction was evaluated.In order to improve its flow characteristic,an optimization plan was proposed.The results show that the flow characteristics after optimization are obviously improved.The results can provide a reference for the design and optimization of the intake system of cylinder head.

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Modelling to Estimate Fluvial Bank Erosion—A Case Study

River bank erosion models are an important prerequisite for understanding the development of river meanders and for estimating likely land-loss and potential danger to floodplain infrastructure. Although bank erosion models have been developed that consider large-scale mass failure, the contribution of fluvial erosion (the process of particle-by-particle erosion due to the shearing action of the river flow) to bank retreat has not received as much consideration. In principle, such fluvial bank erosion rates can be quantified using excess shear stress formulations, but in practice, it has proven difficult to estimate the parameters involved. In this study, a series of three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations for a meander loop on the River Asker (200 m long) at Bridport in southern England were undertaken to elucidate the overall flow structures and in particular to provide estimates of the applied fluid shear stress exerted on the riverbanks. The CFD models, which simulated relatively low and relatively high flow conditions, were established using Fluent 6.2 software. The modelling outcomes show that the key qualitative features of the flow endure even as flow discharge varies. At bank full, the degrees of velocity and simulated shear stresses within the inner bank separation zones are shown to be higher than those observed under low flow conditions, and that these elevated shear stresses may be sufficient to result in the removal of accumulated sediments into the main downstream flow.

基于CFD-DEM耦合的梯级溜槽的设计与分析

针对传统物料转运过程中溜槽和输送带磨损严重、出口处粉尘浓度过高的问题,建立含臂架的梯级溜槽几何模型,采用基于计算流体力学与离散单元法(CFD-DEM)耦合的数值模拟方法,分析了臂架对转运溜槽的磨损以及对其出口处粉尘排放浓度的影响。仿真结果表明:含臂架的梯级溜槽可以有效控制物料流的速度和方向,降低对溜槽内表面的冲击磨损,降低出口处的粉尘量。

Application of Computational Fluid Dynamics and Fluid Structure Interaction Techniques for Calculating the 3D Transient Flow of Journal Bearings Coupled with Rotor Systems

Journal bearings are important parts to keep the high dynamic performance of rotor machinery. Some methods have already been proposed to analysis the flow field of journal bearings, and in most of these methods simplified physical model and classic Reynolds equation are always applied. While the application of the general computational fluid dynamics （CFD）-fluid structure interaction （FSI） techniques is more beneficial for analysis of the fluid field in a journal bearing when more detailed solutions are needed. This paper deals with the quasi-coupling calculation of transient fluid dynamics of oil film in journal bearings and rotor dynamics with CFD-FSI techniques. The fluid dynamics of oil film is calculated by applying the so-called ＂dynamic mesh＂ technique. A new mesh movement approacb is presented while the dynamic mesh models provided by FLUENT are not suitable for the transient oil flow in journal bearings. The proposed mesh movement approach is based on the structured mesh. When the joumal moves, the movement distance of every grid in the flow field of bearing can be calculated, and then the update of the volume mesh can be handled automatically by user defined function （UDF）. The journal displacement at each time step is obtained by solving the moving equations of the rotor-bearing system under the known oil film force condition. A case study is carried out to calculate the locus of the journal center and pressure distribution of the journal in order to prove the feasibility of this method. The calculating results indicate that the proposed method can predict the transient flow field of a journal bearing in a rotor-bearing system where more realistic models are involved. The presented calculation method provides a basis for studying the nonlinear dynamic behavior of a general rotor-bearing system.

Computational Fluid Dynamics Approach to the Effect of Mixing and Draft Tube on the Precipitation of Barium Sulfate in a Continuous Stirred Tank

The effect of mixing on the precipitation of barium sulfate in a continuous stirred tank is simulated numerically with different feeding location, feed concentration, impeller speed and residence time through solving the standard momentum and mass transport equations in combination with the moment equations for crystal population balance. The numerical method was validated with the literature data. The simulation results including the distribution of the local supersaturation ratio distribution in the precipitator, mean crystal size and coefficient of variation under different operating conditions compared well with experimental data in the literature. The effect of the presence of a draft tube on precipitation were also investigated, and it is suggested that the installation of a draft tube increased the mean crystal size, in general agreement with experimental work in the literature.

调谐液柱阻尼器-结构系统风致振动响应的CFD/CSD耦合分析方法

针对调谐液柱阻尼器(tuned liquid column damper, TLCD)难以建立其精确的非线性理论分析模型,且其力学性能试验成本高和耗时长等问题,首先采用计算流体动力学(CFD)数值模拟方法,对TLCD系统的力学性能和动力特征进行仿真模拟,在此基础上进一步提出了基于计算流体动力学/计算结构动力学(CFD/CSD)耦合分析方法,求解带TLCD系统的高层建筑结构的风致动力响应。通过开展某一TLCD系统在特定底部激励下的力学性能和动力特性试验,得到其内液体晃荡的自由液面波高和晃动力时程,验证了CFD数值模拟方法可以准确地分析TLCD水箱内液体的非线性晃动特征。随后对风工程领域广泛采用的76层建筑结构振动控制Benchmark模型,假设其顶部设置TLCD系统时主体结构在三种风速重现期(10、50和100年)风速对应的横风向动力风荷载激励下的风致控制效率,采用提出的CFD/CSD耦合分析方法,进行了数值仿真模拟分析。耦合分析结果表明,TLCD系统对Benchmark模型的风致加速度、速度和位移响应均有一定的控制效果,对加速度响应的控制效果要优于对位移响应的控制效果。该研究方法可为复杂TLCD系统对高层建筑的风振控制分析提供有效的参考。

Application of computational fluid dynamics simulation for submarine oil spill

Computational fluid dynamics （CFD） codes are being increasingly used in the simulation of submarine oil spills. This study focuses on the process of oil spills, from damaged submarine pipes, to the sea surface, using numerical models. The underwater oil spill model is developed, and a description of the governing equations is proposed, along with modifications required for the particalization of the control volume. Available experimental data were introduced to evaluate the validity of the CFD predictions, the results of which proved to be in good agreement with the experimental data. The effects of oil leak rate, leak diameter, current velocity, and oil density are investigated, by the validated CFD model, to estimate the undersea leakage time, the lateral migration distance, and surface diffusion range when the oil reaches the sea surface. Results indicate that the leakage time and lateral migration distance increase with decreasing leak rates and leak diameter, and increase with increasing current velocity and oil density. On the other hand, a large leak diameter, high density, high leak rate, or fast currents result in a greater surface diffusion range. The findings and analysis presented here will provide practical predictions of oil spills, and guidance for emergency rescues.

The influence of temperature on flow-induced forces on quartz-crystal-microbalance sensors in a Chinese liquor identification electronic-nose: three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics simulation and analysis

An electronic-nose is developed based on eight quartz-crystal-microbalance (QCM) gas sensors in a sensor box, and is used to detect Chinese liquors at room temperature. Each sensor is a highly-accurate and highly-sensitive oscillator that has experienced airflow disturbances under the condition of varying room temperatures due to unstable flow-induced forces on the sensors surfaces. The three-dimensional (3D) nature of the airflow inside the sensor box and the interactions of the airflow on the sensors surfaces at different temperatures are studied by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools. Higher simulation accuracy is achieved by optimizing meshes, meshing the computational domain using a fine unstructural tetrahedron mesh. An optimum temperature, 30 ℃, is obtained by analyzing the distributions of velocity streamlines and the static pressure, as well as the flow-induced forces over time, all of which may be used to improve the identification accuracy of the electronic-nose for achieving stable and repeatable signals by removing the influence of temperature.

COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS RESEARCH ON PRESSURE LOSS OF CROSS-FLOW PERFORATED MUFFLER

The pressure loss of cross-flow perforated of physical modeling, simulation and data processing. muffler has been computed with the procedure Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics （CFD） has been used to investigate the relations of porosities, flow velocity and diameter of the holes with the pressure loss. Accordingly, some preliminary results have been obtained that pressure loss increases with porosity descent as nearly a hyperbolic trend, rising flow velocity of the input makes the pressure loss increasing with parabola trend, diameter of holes affects little about pressure loss of the muffler. Otherwise, the holes on the perforated pipes make the air flow gently and meanly, which decreases the air impact to the wall and pipes in the muffler. A practical perforated muffler is used to illustrate the available of this method for pressure loss computation, and the comparison shows that the computation results with the method of CFD has reference value for muffler design.

基于CFD的FPSO风载荷规范计算适用性研究

[目的]目前,设计人员多使用针对大型油轮的OCIMF规范和针对海上平台的API规范对FPSO风载荷进行计算,但因FPSO船舶上层建筑更为复杂,需进一步研究这2种规范对于FPSO风载荷计算的适用性。[方法]建立具有通用型上部模块的某30万吨级大型FPSO数值模型,对恶劣海况下不同风向角、横倾角下的FPSO所受风载荷进行数值模拟,分析其中存在的遮蔽效应;与规范计算结果进行对比分析,讨论在风载荷作用下FPSO受到的横倾力矩。[结果]结果显示,船舶正浮状态受到的最大风载荷和横倾力矩出现在270°风向角;船舶横倾状态下受到的风载荷和横倾力矩比正浮状态更大,最大横倾力矩出现在10.5°横倾角280°风向角;采用API规范和OCIMF规范得到的FPSO风载荷计算结果与CFD计算结果相差较大,二者在270°风向角的结果与CFD分别相差13.6%和24.5%。[结论]数值仿真给出的流场细节有利于分析上部模块间的遮蔽效应,能够较为准确地预报船舶所受到的风载荷,可以为考虑遮蔽效应的FPSO稳性设计提供参考。

Computational Fluid Dynamics Based Bulbous Bow Optimization Using a Genetic Algorithm

Computational fluid dynamics （CFD） plays a major role in predicting the flow behavior of a ship. With the development of fast computers and robust CFD software, CFD has become an important tool for designers and engineers in the ship industry. In this paper, the hull form of a ship was optimized for total resistance using CFD as a calculation tool and a genetic algorithm as an optimization tool. CFD based optimization consists of major steps involving automatic generation of geometry based on design parameters, automatic generation of mesh, automatic analysis of fluid flow to calculate the required objective/cost function, and finally an optimization tool to evaluate the cost for optimization. In this paper, integration of a genetic algorithm program, written in MATLAB, was carried out with the geometry and meshing software GAMBIT and CFD analysis software FLUENT. Different geometries of additive bulbous bow were incorporated in the original hull based on design parameters. These design variables were optimized to achieve a minimum cost function of ＂total resistance＂. Integration of a genetic algorithm with CFD tools proves to be effective for hull form ootimization.

Computational fluid dynamics simulation of a novel bioreactor forsophorolipid production

This paper describes three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics(CFD) simulations of gas–liquid flow in a novel laboratory-scale bioreactor contained dual ventilation-pipe and double sieve-plate bioreactor(DVDSB)used for sophorolipid(SL) production. To evaluate the role of hydrodynamics in reactor design, the comparisons between conventional fed-batch fermenter and DVDSB on the hydrodynamic behavior are predicted by the CFD methods. Important hydrodynamic parameters of the gas–liquid two-phase system such as the liquid phase velocity field, turbulent kinetic energy and volume-averaged overall and time-averaged local gas holdups were simulated and analyzed in detail. The numerical results were also validated by experimental measurements of overall gas holdups. The yield of sophorolipids was significantly improved to 484 g·L^(-1)with a 320 h fermentation period in the new reactor.

Computational fluid dynamics simulation of gas-liquid two phases flow in 320 m^3 air-blowing mechanical flotation cell using different turbulence models

According to the recently developed single-trough floating machine with the world's largest volume(inflatable mechanical agitation flotation machine with volume of 320 m3) in China, the gas-fluid two-phase flow in flotation cell was simulated using computational fluid dynamics method. It is shown that hexahedral mesh scheme is more suitable for the complex structure of the flotation cell than tetrahedral mesh scheme, and a mesh quality ranging from 0.7 to 1.0 is obtained. Comparative studies of the standard k-ε, k-ω and realizable k-ε turbulence models were carried out. It is indicated that the standard k-ε turbulence model could give a result relatively close to the practice and the liquid phase flow field is well characterized. In addition, two obvious recirculation zones are formed in the mixing zones, and the pressure on the rotor and stator is well characterized. Furthermore, the simulation results using improved standard k-ε turbulence model show that surface tension coefficient of 0.072, drag model of Grace and coefficient of 4, and lift coefficient of 0.001 can be achieved. The research results suggest that gas-fluid two-phase flow in large flotation cell can be well simulated using computational fluid dynamics method.

Optimization study of a PEM fuel cell performance using 3D multi-phase computational fluid dynamics model

An optimization study using a comprehensive 3D, multi-phase, non-isothermal model of a PEM （proton exchange membrane） fuel cell that incorporates significant physical processes and key parameters affecting fuel cell performance is presented and discussed in detail. The model accounts for both gas and liquid phase in the same computational domain, and thus allows for the implementation of phase change inside the gas diffusion layers. The model includes the transport of gaseous species, liquid water, protons, energy, and water dissolved in the ion-conducting polymer. Water is assumed to be exchanged among three phases： liquid, vapottr, and dissolved, with equilibrium among these phases being assumed. This model also takes into account convection and diffusion of different species in the channels as well as in the porous gas diffusion layer, heat transfer in the solids as well as in the gases, and electrochemical reactions. The results showed that the present multi-phase model is capable of identifying important parameters for the wetting behaviour of the gas diffusion layers and can be used to identify conditions that might lead to the onset of pore plugging, which has a detrimental effect on the fuel cell performance. This model is used to study the effects of several operating, design, and material parameters on fuel cell performance. Detailed analyses of the fuel cell performance under various operating conditions have been conducted and examined.

Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of Shroud Design on Hemodynamic Performance and Blood Damage in a Centrifugal Blood Pump

Patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation still suffer from high rates of complication that linked to the flow field within the blood pump.So it is essential to optimise the geometry of the pump.The specification of shroud design is arguably the necessary design parameter in the centrifugal pump.However,the hemodynamic performances of the different shroud designs have not been studied extensively.In this study,ten different shroud designs were made and divided into two groups as the different covering locations(A:Covering the blade leading edge,B:Covering the blade trailing edge).In every group,six shroud designs with the covering proportions of 0,1/5,2/5,3/5,4/5,1 were made.Detailed computational fluid dynamics(CFD)analyses were performed to investigate their effects on hemodynamics and hydraulic performance at the constant flow condition(4000 rpm,5 L/min).The percentage volumes of the scalar shear stress in specific threshold(τ<1 Pa:Thrombosis,τ>9 Pa:the destruction of von Willebrand factor,τ>50 Pa:Platelet activation,τ>150 Pa:Break of red blood)were used to compare the blood damage of the different shroud designs.Also,the modified index of hemolysis(MIH)were calculated based on a Eulerian approach for different pumps.CFD simulations predicted an increase in the pump head,hydraulic efficiency,a fraction of fluid volume with scalar shear stress values above a threshold(9 Pa,50 Pa,150 Pa)and MIH with increasing shroud covering proportions from 0 to 1 in the same covering location.Also,these above results were higher in group B than group A.This means that the risks of the hemolysis,thrombosis and bleeding increased as the rise of the covering proportion and they were higher in the pump whose shroud covers the blade trailing edge.

Computational simulation of fluid dynamics in a tubular stirred reactor

The flow and concentration fields in a new style tubular stirred reactor were simulated by simulating the fluids dynamics(CFD),in which FLUENT software was used and the standard k-ε model and multiple reference frame(MRF) were adopted. The various values of initial rotating speed and inlet flow rate were adopted. Simulations were validated with experimental residence time distribution(RTD) determination. It is shown that the fluid flow is very turbulent and the flow pattern approaches to the plug flow. The velocity increases from shaft to the end of impeller,and the gradient is enlarged by increasing the rotating speed. Comparison between RTD curves shows that agitation can improve the performance of reactor. As the flow rate increases,the mean residence time decreases proportionally,and the variance of RTD lessens as well. When rotating speed increases to a certain value,the variance of RTD is enlarged by increasing rotating speed,but the mean residence time has no obvious change.

微孔的磨料水射流抛光CFD模拟及试验

为解决飞秒激光微孔难以抛光的问题,结合磨料水射流去除函数稳定、自适应性强等特点,采用磨料水射流抛光方法提高飞秒激光微孔质量。利用Fluent软件对不同工艺参数下的磨料水射流微孔抛光过程进行计算流体力学(computational fluid dynamics,CFD)模拟,分析不同参数下的流场分布、侵蚀速率及壁面剪切力作用规律;然后通过响应面法对射流靶距、射流压力及磨料粒径等3因素进行优化试验,以微孔内壁面剪切力均方差为响应值,建立其响应面方程,获得最佳抛光参数组合并进行试验验证。结果表明:射流压力对微孔内壁面剪切力的影响最大,当射流压力从0.80 MPa增至1.50 MPa时,微孔内壁面剪切力增大2倍以上。射流的不同结构段因性质不同可适用于不同工况。利用响应面法分析得到水射流微孔抛光的最佳工艺参数组合是:射流冲击角,90°;射流靶距,3.5 mm;射流压力,1.10 MPa;磨料粒径,15.0μm。在该条件下抛光微孔内壁面的表面粗糙度R_a降至0.354μm。磨料水射流抛光可显著改善微孔壁面质量,且响应面法预测的数据模型有较高准确性。

Analysis of interaction between surface and sewer pipe system based on computational fluid dynamics

To verify the accuracy of weir and orifice formula and analyze the hydraulic characteristics of exchange flow in a manhole,a three-dimensional numerical model was proposed to assess the exchange flow rate between the surface and sewer pipe systems based on the real-world scale model.The hydrodynamic model is based on the three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations including the standard k-εmodel for turbulence processes,and the volume of fluid(VOF)method for capturing the free surface.The results of the computational fluid dynamics(CFD)simulation are compared with the conventional overflow equations,showing that the weir and orifice formula is appropriate to determine the exchange flow rate between two systems in this specific study case.Streamlines and velocity contours at the center profile under both the inflow and surcharge conditions show that the exchange flow is directly related to the water level on the surface and the junction area between the manhole and right pipe.The results demonstrate the potential application of CFD in analyzing the interaction of urban flood flows,which can provide much clearer details of the interaction process.