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.

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.

Numerical Study on the Aerodynamic and Fluid−Structure Interaction of An NREL-5MW Wind Turbine

A 5-MW wind turbine has been modeled and analyzed for fluid-structure interaction and aerodynamic performance.In this study, a full-scale model of a 5-MW wind turbine is first developed based on a computational fluid dynamics(CFD) approach, in which the unsteady, noncompressible Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes(RANS) method is used. The main focus of the study is to analyze the tower shadow effect on the aerodynamic performance of the wind turbine under different inlet flow conditions. Subsequently, the finite element model is established by considering fluid/structure interactions to study the structural stress, displacement, strain distributions and flow field information of the structure under the uniform wind speed. Finally, the fluid-structure interaction model is established by considering turbulent wind and the tower shadow effect. The variation rules of the dynamic response of the one-way and two-way fluid-structure interaction(FSI) models under different wind speeds are analyzed, and the numerical calculation results are compared with those of the centralized mass model. The results show that the tower shadow effect and structural deformation are the main factors affecting the aerodynamic load fluctuation of the wind turbine, which in turn affects the aerodynamic performance and structural stability of the blades. The structural dynamic response of the coupled model shows significant similarity, while the structural displacement response of the former exhibits less fluctuation compared with the conventional centralized mass model. The one-way fluid-structure interaction(FSI)model shows a higher frequency of stress-strain and displacement oscillations on the blade compared with the two-way FSI model.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

Comprehensive Examination of Solar Panel Design: A Focus on Thermal Dynamics

In the 21st century, the deployment of ground-based Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Modules has seen exponential growth, driven by increasing demands for green, clean, and renewable energy sources. However, their usage is constrained by certain limitations. Notably, the efficiency of solar PV modules on the ground peaks at a maximum of 25%, and there are concerns regarding their long-term reliability, with an expected lifespan of approximately 25 years without failures. This study focuses on analyzing the thermal efficiency of PV Modules. We have investigated the temperature profile of PV Modules under varying environmental conditions, such as air velocity and ambient temperature, utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). This analysis is crucial as the efficiency of PV Modules is significantly impacted by changes in the temperature differential relative to the environment. Furthermore, the study highlights the effect of airflow over solar panels on their temperature. It is found that a decrease in the temperature of the PV Module increases Open Circuit Voltage, underlining the importance of thermal management in optimizing solar panel performance.

Computational fluid dynamics simulation of Hyperloop pod predicting laminar–turbulent transition

Three-dimensional compressible flow simulationswere conducted to develop a Hyperloop pod. Thenovelty is the usage of Gamma transition model, in whichthe transition from laminar to turbulent flow can be predicted.First, a mesh dependency study was undertaken,showing second-order convergence with respect to themesh refinement. Second, an aerodynamic analysis for twodesigns, short and optimized, was conducted with thetraveling speed 125 m/s at the system pressure 0.15 bar.The concept of the short model was to delay the transitionto decrease the frictional drag;meanwhile that of theoptimized design was to minimize the pressure drag bydecreasing the frontal area and introduce the transitionmore toward the front of the pod. The computed resultsshow that the transition of the short model occurred moreon the rear side due to the pod shape, which resulted in 8%smaller frictional drag coefficient than that for the optimizedmodel. The pressure drag for the optimized designwas 24% smaller than that for the short design, half ofwhich is due to the decrease in the frontal area, and theother half is due to the smoothed rear-end shape. The totaldrag for the optimized model was 14% smaller than that forthe short model. Finally, the influence of the systempressure was investigated. As the system pressure and theReynolds number increase, the frictional drag coefficientincreases, and the transition point moves toward the front,which are the typical phenomena observed in the transitionregime.

Review:Recent Development of High⁃Order⁃Spectral Method Combined with Computational Fluid Dynamics Method for Wave⁃Structure Interactions

The present paper reviews the recent developments of a high⁃order⁃spectral method(HOS)and the combination with computational fluid dynamics(CFD)method for wave⁃structure interactions.As the numerical simulations of wave⁃structure interaction require efficiency and accuracy,as well as the ability in calculating in open sea states,the HOS method has its strength in both generating extreme waves in open seas and fast convergence in simulations,while computational fluid dynamics(CFD)method has its advantages in simulating violent wave⁃structure interactions.This paper provides the new thoughts for fast and accurate simulations,as well as the future work on innovations in fine fluid field of numerical simulations.