Three-dimensional transient numerical simulation for intake process in the engine intake port-valve-cylinder system

This paper presents a KIVA-3 code based numerical model for three-dimensional transient intake flow in the intake port-valve-cylinder system of internal combustion engine using body-fitted technique, which can be used in numerical study on internal combustion engine with vertical and inclined valves, and has higher calculation precision. A numerical simulation (on the intake process of a two-valve engine with a semi-sphere combustion chamber and a radial intake port) is provided for analysis of the velocity field and pressure field of different plane at different crank angles. The results revealed the formation of the tumble motion, the evolution of flow field parameters and the variation of tumble ratios as important information for the design of engine in-take system.

Three-dimensional transient numerical simulation for gas exchange process in a four-stroke motorcycle engine

Three-dimensional transient numerical simulation of gas exchange process in a four-stroke motorcycle engine with a semi-spherical combustion chamber with two tilt valves was studied. Combination of the grid re-meshing method and the snapper technique made the valves move smoothly. The flow structure and pattern in a complete engine cycle were described in detail. Tumble ratios around the x-axis and y-axis were analyzed. Comparison of computed pressure with experimental pressure under motored condition revealed that the simulation had high calculation precision; CFD simulation can be regarded as an im-portant tool for resolving the complex aerodynamic behavior in motorcycle engines.

Forming condition of transient saturated zone and its distribution in residual slope under rainfall conditions

Rainfall, as one of the most significant factors triggering the residual soil slope failure, leads to not only the reduction of soil shear strength, but also the increase of soil weight and the decrease of matric suction as well. All these modifications in soil properties have important influence on the slope stability. The water infiltration and redistribution inside the slope are the preconditions of the slope stability under rainfall conditions. Based on the numerical simulation via finite element method, the water infiltration process under rainfall conditions was studied in the present work. The emphases are the formation, distribution and dissipation of transient saturated zone. As for the calculation parameters, the SWCC and the saturated permeability have been determined by pressure plate test and variable head test respectively. The entire process(formation, development, dissipation) of the transient saturated zone was studied in detail. The variations of volumetric water content, matric suction and hydraulic gradient inside the slope, and the eventually raise of groundwater table were characterized and discussed, too. The results show that the major cause of the formation of transient saturated zone is ascribed to the fact that the exudation velocity of rainwater on the wetting front is less than the infiltration velocity of rainfall; as a result, the water content of the soil increases. On the other hand, the formation and extension of transient saturated zone have a close relationship with rainfall intensity and duration. The results can help the geotechnical engineers for the deeper understanding of the failure of residual slope under rainfall condition. It is also suggested that the proper drainage system in the slope may be the cost-effective slope failure mitigation method.

A comprehensive fluid-solid coupling dynamic simulation for spatiotemporal distribution of regression rate in hybrid rocket motors

The spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of the regression rate are crucial aspects of the research on Hybrid Rocket Motor(HRM). This study presents a pioneering effort in achieving a comprehensive numerical simulation of fluid dynamics and heat transfer in both the fluid and solid regions throughout the entire operation of an HRM. To accomplish this, a dynamic grid technique that incorporates fluid–solid coupling is utilized. To validate the precision of the numerical simulations, a firing test is conducted, with embedded thermocouple probes being used to measure the inner temperature of the fuel grain. The temperature variations in the solid fuel obtained from both experiment and simulations show good agreement. The maximum combustion temperature and average thrust obtained from the simulations are found to deviate from the experimental results by only 3.3% and 2.4%, respectively. Thus, it can be demonstrated that transient numerical simulations accurately capture the fluid–solid coupling characteristics and transient regression rate. The dynamic simulation results of inner flow field and solid region throughout the entire working stage reveal that the presence of vortices enhances the blending of combustion gases and improves the regression rate at both the front and rear ends of the fuel grain. In addition, oscillations of the regression rate obtained in the simulation can also be well corresponded with the corrugated surface observed in the experiment. Furthermore, the zero-dimension regression rate formula and the formula describing the axial location dependence of the regression rate are fitted from the simulation results, with the corresponding coefficients of determination(R^(2)) of 0.9765 and 0.9298, respectively.This research serves as a reference for predicting the performance of HRM with gas oxygen and polyethylene, and presents a credible way for investigating the spatiotemporal distribution of the regression rate.

Transient simulation of regression rate on thrust regulation process in hybrid rocket motor

The main goal of this paper is to study the characteristics of regression rate of solid grain during thrust regulation process. For this purpose, an unsteady numerical model of regression rate is established. Gas–solid coupling is considered between the solid grain surface and combustion gas.Dynamic mesh is used to simulate the regression process of the solid fuel surface. Based on this model, numerical simulations on a H2O2/HTPB（hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene） hybrid motor have been performed in the flow control process. The simulation results show that under the step change of the oxidizer mass flow rate condition, the regression rate cannot reach a stable value instantly because the flow field requires a short time period to adjust. The regression rate increases with the linear gain of oxidizer mass flow rate, and has a higher slope than the relative inlet function of oxidizer flow rate. A shorter regulation time can cause a higher regression rate during regulation process. The results also show that transient calculation can better simulate the instantaneous regression rate in the operation process.

Investigation of Self-Priming Process of a Centrifugal Pump with Double Blades

The gas-liquid two-phase flow patterns of a centrifugal pump during the self-priming process were investigated numerically and experimentally.The Euler-Euler multiphase model and SST k-ω turbulence model were applied for simulating the self-priming process.Meanwhile,the changes of motor speed and self-priming height were considered in the simulation.The overall transient two-phase flow features and water level distributions were mapped.Results showed that the self-priming process was divided into three stages.The liquid level in inlet-pipe rose in oscillation during self-priming process.The variations of water level during self-priming process of numerical simulation and test result agreed well.The inlet-pipe(Ver)was filled at 22 s and 24 s respectively numerically and experimentally.The bubble cloud circulated in the volute during middle stage of self-priming process,and breakup into smaller bubbles by shear force and tongue,and then discharged into chamber.The bubbles in the outlet-pipe mainly included bubbly flow and slug flow at the last stage of self-priming process,which is morphologically consistent with the test results.Also,during the self-priming process,the reflux liquid was pressed by blades and fully mixed with gas;that is the way to realizing the function of self-priming.