Computational fluid dynamics simulation of formaldehyde emission characteristics and its experimental validation in environment chamber

We investigated the effect of supply air rate and temperature on formaldehyde emission characteristics in an environment chamber.A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics(CFD) chamber model for simulating formaldehyde emission in twelve different cases was developed for obtaining formaldehyde concentration by the area-weighted average method.Laboratory experiments were conducted in an environment chamber to validate the simulation results of twelve different cases and the formaldehyde concentration was measured by continuous sampling.The results show that there was good agreement between the model prediction and the experimental values within 4.3 difference for each case.The CFD simulation results varied in the range from 0.21 mg/m3 to 0.94 mg/m3,and the measuring results in the range from 0.17 mg/m3 to 0.87 mg/m3.The variation trend of formaldehyde concentration with supply air rate and temperature variation for CFD simulation and experiment measuring was consistent.With the existence of steady formaldehyde emission sources,formaldehyde concentration generally increased with the increase of temperature,and it decreased with the increase of air supply rate.We also provided some reasonable suggestions to reduce formaldehyde concentration and to improve indoor air quality for newly decorated rooms.

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 simulation and experimental analysis of ultrafine powder suspension

The suspension characteristics of ultrafine powder slurry in the stirred vessel were simulated by using computational fluid dynamics.The results show that the Rushton disk turbine impeller is more conducive to maintaining suspended homogeneity and circulation of slurry compared with the pitch blade turbine pumping up impeller and the pitch blade turbine pumping down impeller.And the increase in stirring speed enhances turbulent fluctuation and anisotropic velocity of the fluid at the cost of more power consumption,which improves dispersibility and suspensibility of the particles.Meanwhile,the change of impeller clearance has a weak influence on the flow pattern,and the impeller clearance of 0.32T(T is the diameter of the bottom of the reactor)can achieve better dispersivity and suspensibility of the particles with lower power consumption and larger axial velocity.The experiments of surface coating modification of ultrafine titanium dioxide(TiO2)were carried out under the same conditions for those of the simulation system.The surface film morphology and photocatalytic properties of the modified TiO2 were analyzed,and the obtained data are well consistent with the simulation results.

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.

Effect of the Particle Packing Configuration on Fixed Bed Performance

Fixed-bed reactors are generally considered the optimal choice for numerous multi-phase catalytic reactions due to their excellent performance and stability.However,conventional fixed beds often encounter challenges related to inadequate mass transfer and a high pressure drop caused by the non-uniform void fraction distribution.To enhance the overall performance of fixed beds,the impact of different packing configurations on performance was investigated.Experimental and simulation methods were used to investigate the fluid flow and mass transfer performances of various packed beds under different flow rates.It was found that structured beds exhibited a significantly lower pressure drop per unit length than conventional packed beds.Furthermore,the packing configurations had a critical role in improving the overall performance of fixed beds.Specifically,structured packed beds,particularly the H-2 packing configuration,effectively reduced the pressure drop per unit length and improved the mass transfer efficiency.The H-2 packing configuration consisted of two parallel strips of particles in each layer,with strips arranged perpendicularly between adjacent layers,and the spacing between the strips varied from layer to layer.

CFD Simulation and Experimental Study of a New Elastic Blade Wave Energy Converter

Small moving vehicles represent an important category of marine engineering tools and devices(equipment)typically used for ocean resource detection and maintenance of marine rights and interests.The lack of efficient power supply modes is one of the technical bottlenecks restricting the effective utilisation of this type of equipment.In this work,the performance characteristics of a new type of elastic-blade/wave-energy converter(EBWEC)and its core energy conversion component(named wave energy absorber)are comprehensively studied.In particular,computational fluid dynamics(CFD)simulations and experiments have been used to analyze the hydrodynamics and performance characteristics of the EBWEC.The pressure cloud diagrams relating to the surface of the elastic blade were obtained through two-way fluid-solid coupling simulations.The influence of blade thickness and relative speed on the performance characteristics of EBWEC was analyzed accordingly.A prototype of the EBWEC and its bucket test platform were also developed.The power characteristics of the EBWEC were analyzed and studied by using the blade thickness and motion cycle as control variables.The present research shows that the EBWEC can effectively overcome the performance disadvantages related to the transmission shaft torque load and power curve fluctuations of rigid blade wave energy converters(RBWEC).

Sheltering effect of punched steel plate sand fences for controlling blown sand hazards along the Golmud-Korla Railway:Field observation and numerical simulation studies

Sand fences made of punched steel plate(PSP)have recently been applied to control wind-blown sand in desertified and Gobi areas due to their strong wind resistance and convenient in situ construction.However,few studies have assessed the protective effect of PSP sand fences,especially through field observations.This study analyzes the effects of double-row PSP sand fences on wind and sand resistance using field observations and a computational fluid dynamics(CFD)numerical simulation.The results of field observations showed that the average windproof efficiencies of the first-row and second-row sand fences were 79.8%and 70.8%,respectively.Moreover,the average windproof efficiencies of the numerical simulation behind the first-row and second-row sand fences were 89.8%and 81.1%,respectively.The sand-resistance efficiency of the double-row PSP sand fences was 65.4%.Sand deposition occurred close to the first-row sand fence;however,there was relatively little sand on the leeward side of the second-row sand fence.The length of sand accumulation near PSP sand fences obtained by numerical simulation was basically consistent with that through field observations,indicating that field observations combined with numerical simulation can provide insight into the complex wind-blown sand field over PSP sand fences.This study indicates that the protection efficiency of the double-row PSP sand fences is sufficient for effective control of sand hazards associated with extremely strong wind in the Gobi areas.The output of this work is expected to improve the future application of PSP sand fences.

Application of FLUENT on fine-scale simulation of wind field over complex terrain

The state-of-art Computational Fluid Dynamics （CFD） codes FLUENT is applied in a fine-scale simulation of the wind field over a complex terrain. Several numerical tests are performed to validate the capability of FLUENT on describing the wind field details over a complex terrain. The results of the numerical tests show that FLUENT can simulate the wind field over extremely complex terrain, which cannot be simulated by mesoscale models. The reason why FLUENT can cope with extremely complex terrain, which can not be coped with by mesoscale models, relies on some particular techniques adopted by FLUENT, such as computer-aided design （CAD） technique, unstructured grid technique and finite volume method. Compared with mesoscale models, FLUENT can describe terrain in much more accurate details and can provide wind simulation results with higher resolution and more accuracy.

Process Modeling of Ferrofluids Flow for Magnetic Targeting Drug Delivery

Among the proposed techniques for delivering drugs to specific sites within the human body, magnetic targeting drug delivery surpasses due to its non-invasive character and its high targeting efficiency. Although there have been some analyses theoretically for magnetic drug targeting, very few researchers have addressed the hydrodynamic models of magnetic fluids in the blood vessel of human body. This paper presents a mathematical model to describe the hydrodynamics of ferrofluids as drug carriers flowing in a blood vessel under the applied magnetic field. A 3D flow field of magnetic particles in a blood vessel model is numerically simulated in order to further understand clinical application of magnetic targeting drug delivery. Simulation results show that magnetic nanoparticles can be enriched in a target region depending on the applied magnetic field intensity. Magnetic resonance imaging confirms the enrichment of ferrofluids in a desired body tissue of Sprague-Dawley rats. The simulation results coincide with those animal experiments. Results of the analysis provide the important information and can suggest strategies for improving delivery in favor of the clinical application.

Influence of site selection on natural ventilation in Chinese traditional folk house

The relationship between the site selection of a hilly terrain and the natural ventilation of the Dangdamen building complex,which is a traditional folk house,is revealed by a computational fluid dynamics（CFD）simulation.The wind press and speed distributions around the building in four cases with different weather conditions and topographies are simulated.The simulation results show that a hill can reduce the absolute values of the wind pressure at the windward and leeward sides of the building.The encouraging effect of the patio on the natural ventilation in a terrain with a hill is greater than that without a hill.The same situation occurs when comparing the patio effects between summer and winter.The wind speed around the building can be reduced by the hill as it is an obstacle and the degrees of the influence of the hill in summer and in winter are quite different because of different wind directions.The analysis results show that this kind of site selection,with the hill to the north,is a suitable way to settle the conflict of the natural ventilation requirements in summer and in winter under subtropical climate conditions,especially in houses with patios.

Numerical study of pressure drop for a new fibrous media model

An open-source computational fluid dynamics（CFD）code named OpenFOAM is used to validate the flow field characteristics（flow patterns and pressure drop）around a single cylinder.Results show that OpenFOAM is suitable for simulating the low Reynolds number flow and Shaw＇s analytical expression is one of the solutions to Stokes＇ paradox.Experiments are performed on fibrous media and OpenFOAM simulation is carried out using the Tronville-Rivers two-dimensional random fiber model in terms of the characteristics of pressure drop.It is shown that the Kuwabara model predicts the pressure drop of fibrous filter media more accurately than the Happel model,and the experimental pressure drop is between simulated pressure drops with both non-slip and full-slip boundaries on fiber surfaces.

CFD-supported optimization of flow distribution in quench tank for heat treatment of A357 alloy large complicated components

The flow distribution in quench tank for heat treatment of A357 alloy large complicated components was simulated using FLUENT computational fluid dynamics（CFD） software.The flow velocity and the uniformity of flow field in two types of quench tanks（with or without agitation system） were calculated.The results show that the flow field in the quench tank without agitation system has not evident regularity.While as for the quench tank with agitation system,the flow fields in different parameters have certain regularity.The agitation tanks have a distinct advantage over the system without agitation.Proper process parameters were also obtained.Finally,the tank model established in this work was testified by an example from publication.This model with high accuracy is able to optimize the tank structures and can be helpful for industrial production and theoretical investigation in the fields of heat treatment of large complicated components.

CFD-based optimization and design of multi-channel inorganic membrane tubes

As a major configuration of membrane elements,multi-channel porous inorganic membrane tubes were studied by means of theoretical analysis and simulation.Configuration optimization of a cylindrical 37-channel porous inorganic membrane tube was studied by increasing membrane filtration area and increasing permeation efficiency of inner channels.An optimal ratio of the channel diameter to the inter-channel distance was proposed so as to increase the total membrane filtration area of the membrane tube.The three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics(CFD) simulation was conducted to study the cross-flow permeation flow of pure water in the 37-channel ceramic membrane tube.A model combining Navier–Stokes equation with Darcy's law and the porous jump boundary conditions was applied.The relationship between permeation efficiency and channel locations,and the method for increasing the permeation efficiency of inner channels were proposed.Some novel multichannel membrane configurations with more permeate side channels were put forward and evaluated.

Analysis of Static Pressure in Area between Back Plate and Cylinder of a Carding Machine with CFD

To analyze static pressure between back plate and cylinder in an A186 carding machine,a fluid model is established. The model takes into account static pressure of airflow near back plate with the numerical simulation method of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in FLUENT software. The result of the simulation in the model shows that static pressure in this area quickly increases to its maximum then rapidly decreases to a lower fixed value from inlet to outlet along a zone between back plate and cylinder. Both rotating speeds of the cylinder and the taker-in affect static pressure from the inlet to the outlet,of which the cylinder rotating speed has more influence than that of taker-in. Numerical simulations reveal that static pressure on surface of back plate are in good agreement with the former result of experimental analysis.

Simulations of vertical jet penetration using a filtered two-fluid model in a gas-solid fluidized bed

The influence of a vertical jet located at the distributor in a cylindrical fluidized bed on the flow behavior of gas and particles was predicted using a filtered two-fluid model proposed by Sundaresan and coworkers. The distributions of volume fraction and the velocity of particles along the lateral direction were investigated for different jet velocities by analyzing the simulated results. The vertical jet penetration lengths at the different gas jet velocities have been obtained and compared with predictions derived from empirical correlations; the predicted air jet penetration length is discussed. Agreement between the numerical simulations and experimental results has been achieved.

An exploratory study of three-dimensional MP-PIC-based simulation of bubbling fluidized beds with and without baffles

In this study, the flow characteristics of Geldart A particles in a bobbling fluidized bed with and without perforated plates were simulated by the multiphase particle-in-cell （MP-PlC）-based Eolerian-Lagrangian method. A modified structure-based drag model was developed based on our previous work. Other drag models including the Parker and Wen-Yo-Ergon drag models were also employed to investigate the effects of drag models on the simulation results. Although the modified structure-based drag model better predicts the gas-solid flow dynamics of a baffle-free bubbling fluidized bed in comparison with the experimental data, none of these drag models predict the gas-solid flow in a baffled bobbling floidized bed sufficiently well because of the treatment of baffles in the Barracuda software. To improve the simulation accuracy, future versions of Barracuda should address the challenges of incorporating the bed height and the baffles.

Investigation of carbon dioxide photoreduction process in a laboratory-scale photoreactor by computational fluid dynamic and reaction kinetic modeling

The production of solar fuels via the photoreduction of carbon dioxide to methane by titanium oxide is a promising process to control greenhouse gas emissions and provide alternative renewable fuels. Although several reaction mechanisms have been proposed, the detailed steps are still ambiguous, and the limiting factors are not well defined. To improve our understanding of the mechanisms of carbon dioxide photoreduction, a multiphysics model was developed using COMSOL. The novelty of this work is the computational fluid dynamic model combined with the novel carbon dioxide photoreduction intrinsic reaction kinetic model, which was built based on three-steps, namely gas adsorption, surface reactions and desorption, while the ultraviolet light intensity distribution was simulated by the Gaussian distribution model and Beer-Lambert model. The carbon dioxide photoreduction process conducted in a laboratory-scale reactor under different carbon dioxide and water moisture partial pressures was then modeled based on the intrinsic kinetic model. It was found that the simulation results for methane, carbon monoxide and hydrogen yield match the experiments in the concentration range of 10^(−4) mol·m^(–3) at the low carbon dioxide and water moisture partial pressure. Finally, the factors of adsorption site concentration, adsorption equilibrium constant, ultraviolet light intensity and temperature were evaluated.

Impact of human motion on TVOCs inhalation dose under side re-circulated ventilation

The main objectives were to (1) calculate the total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) inhalation dose, (2) analyze the proportions of human’s inhaled contaminant dose from different sources, and (3) present a newly defined ratio of relative inhalation dose level (RIDL) to assess indoor air quality (IAQ). A user defined function based on CFD (computational fluid dynamics) was developed, which integrated human motion model with TVOCs emission model in a high sidewall air supply ventilation mode. Based on simulation results of 10 cases, it is shown that the spatial concentration distribution of TVOCs is affected by human motion. TVOCs diffusion characteristic of building material is the most effective way to impact the TVOCs inhalation dose. From the RIDL index, case A-2 has the most serious IAQ problem, while case D-1 is of the best IAQ.

Refractory Tubes with Innovative Liner Technology for Flow Control and Clean Steel Applications

Ladle shrouds(LS)and submerged entry nozzles(SEN)are flow control products used in continuous casting which transfer the liquid steel from the ladle to the tundish and further to the mould.Due to the strongly different and quickly changing temperature conditions before and during steel casting,highly thermal shock resistant refractory materials are required which simultaneously save steel process energy.A new technology embeds a special liner into the refractory body inner surface to reduce the heat transfer through the LS/SEN wall.To better understand the function of this insulation layer a mathematical model was applied.Temperature measurements carried out in the steel plant were compared with the simulation results.The research results indicate potential heat loss reduction and performance improvements in the steelmaking process.

In-situ remediation of deep petroleum-contaminated soil injection

A computational fluid dynamics(CFD)numerical simulation and field experiment were used to investigate optimal operating parameters of high-pressure jet grouting equipment and clarify the boundary law of the injection area in the remediation process.The response surface optimization design results show that the optimal injection pressure is 30 MPa,rotation speed is 23 r/min,commission speed is 30 cm/min,and the optimal injection diameter is 147.3 cm.Based on the CFD numerical simulation,the ratio of the injection core,turbulent zone,and seepage zone is approximately 1∶4∶2.The distribution law of jet core,turbulence zone and seepage zone at different cross-sections under 30 MPa operating conditions is as follows:The jet core radius is approximately 100 mm,the turbulence zone is mainly distributed at 100 to 500 mm,the seepage zone is mainly distributed at 500 to 700 mm,the seepage zone could be completed within 2 h,and the proportion of the three boundary zones in the injection zone is similar to that of the numerical simulation.This study provides theoretical parameters and practical reference for the remediation of deep pollution via in-situ chemical oxidation in the Loess Plateau soil environment.