Computational Fluid-dynamics of Liquid Phase Flow on Distillation Column Trays

A computational fluid-dynamics model is presented for predictingthe two-phase two-dimensional liquid phase flow on a distillationcolumn tray based on the modification of Navier-Stokes Equation byconsidering both the resistance and the enhanced turbulence createdby the uprising vapor. Experimental measurement of the local liquidphase velocity on an air-water simulator of 1.2 m in diameter byusing the hot film anemometer is briefly described. Two of theconventional fluid-dynamic constants are readjusted for the case ofliquid flow on a tray by fitting the experimental data.

On the Study of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles by Computational Fluid-Dynamics

Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV’s) are considered as advanced classes of vehicles, capable of performing pre-established missions without physical communication with the ground or human assistance. The research and development of this type of vehicles have been motivated, due to its excellent characteristics, ideal to the military, scientific and industrial sectors. Thus, the objective of this paper is to study fluid flow behavior past over AUV’s, without and with control surfaces (rudders), by Computational Fluid-Dynamics (CFD), aiming to obtain information about the impact of the operating depth and control surfaces on the vehicle's hydrodynamics, in order to help researchers and designers of this class of vehicles. Results of the drag coefficient, pressure, velocity and streamlines distribution around the vehicles are presented and analyzed.

Building Effects on a Horizontal-Axis Micro Wind Turbine： Experimental and Fluid-Dynamic Analysis

In this work, the efficiency ofa 1 kWp horizontal-axis wind turbine which is installed on the roof of the engineering building at the University of Salento has been evaluated, by means of CFD （computational fluid dynamic） and experimental data. Particularly, the influence of the building on the micro wind turbine performance has been studied and the numerical results （wind velocity fields and turbulence intensity above the building） have been compared with the experimental data collected over a period of three years. The results have shown that horizontal-axis wind turbines suffer from wake effect due to buildings, therefore, best sites in urban area have to be identified by a careful fluid dynamic analysis aimed at evaluating all causes that can reduce significantly the performance of the generator： in fact, building should allow to exploit increased wind intensity, but often this advantage is voided by turbulence phenomena, as in the case under investigation where the measured aerogenerator efficiency is lower than the nominal performance curve. Then, the best site can be found by crossing the contours of wind velocity with the turbulence intensity fields： in this way it is possible to localize an area （best location） where the aerogenerator can give maximum performance.

Prediction of Distillation Column Performance by Computational Mass Transfer Method

A computational mass transfer model is proposed for predicting the concentration profile and Murphree efficiency of sieve tray distillation column. The proposed model is based on using modified c＇2 -εc＇ two equations formulation for closing the differential turbulent mass transfer equation with improvement by considering the vapor injected from the sieve hole to be three dimensional. The predicted concentration distributions by using proposed model were checked by experimental work conducted on a sieve tray simulator of 1.2 meters in diameter for desorbing the dissolved oxygen in the feed water by blowing air. The model predictions were confirmed by the experimental measurement. The validation of the proposed model was further tested by comparing the simulated result with the performance of an industrial scale sieve tray distillation column reported by Kunesh et al. for the stripping of toluene from its water solution. The predicted outlet concentration of each tray and the Murphree tray efficiencies under different operating conditions were in agreement with the published data. The simulated turbulent mass transfer diffusivity on each tray was within the range of the experimental result in the same sieve column reported by Cai et al. In addition, the prediction of the influence of sieve tray structure on the tray efficiency by using the proposed model was demonstrated.

Fluid Dynamic Response of the Russia Seismically Differing Regions to the Global Geodynamics Processes

The results of the spectral-correlation analysis of the fluid-dynamic (radon and hydrogen) data monitoring obtained in the seismically active region—on Kamchatka and in conditions of Russian platform where compared to the results of the laser-deformometer measurements obtained on Caucasus. It allowed identify spectral components of the measured parameters, first of all, in the area of the lunar-solar tides. This identification have demonstrated the identical reaction of the mountain and platform regions to the global geodeformation processes of the tidal level and have shown the possibility of the measuring parameters response to the catastrophic events preparation processes. Really the prognostic effects in the investigated fields where indicated in periods of preparation and realization of the catastrophic earthquakes in Indian Ocean on December, 26, 2004 and on March, 28, 2005.

THERMAL BOUNDARY LAYER IN CFB BOILER RISER

Measurement of temperature profiles of gas-solid two-phase flow at different heights in commercial-scale circulating fluidized bed （CFB） boilers was carried out. Experimental results showed that the thickness of thermal boundary layer was generally independent of the distance from the air distributor, except when close to the riser outlet. Through analysis of flow and combustion characteristics in the riser, it was found that the main reasons for the phenomena were： 1 ） the hydrodynamic boundary layer was thinner than the thermal layer and hardly changed along the CFB boiler height, and 2） both radial and axial mass and heat exchanges were strong in the CFB boiler. Numerical simulation of gas flow in the outlet zone confirmed that the distribution of the thermal boundary layer was dominated by the flow field characteristics.