Optimal estimation of zonal velocity and transport through Luzon Strait using variational data assimilation technique

A P-vector method was optimized using variational data assimilation technique, with which the vertical structures and seasonal variations of zonal velocities and transports were investigated. The results showed that westward and eastward flowes occur in the Luzon Strait in the same period in a year. However the net volume transport is westward. In the upper level (0m -500m),the westward flow exits in the middle and south of the Luzon Strait, and the eastward flow exits in the north. There are two centers of westward flow and one center of eastward flow. In the middle of the Luzon Strait, westward and eastward flowes appear alternately in vertical direction. The westward flow strengthens in winter and weakens in summer. The net volume transport is strong in winter (5.53 Sv) but weak in summer (0.29 Sv). Except in summer, the volume transport in the upper level accounts for more than half of the total volume transport (0m bottom). In summer, the net volume transport in the upper level is eastward (1.01 Sv), but westward underneath.

Mass Transport in a Thin Layer of Bi-Viscous Mud Under Surface Waves

The mass transport in a thin layer of non-Newtonian bed mud under surface waves is examined with a two-fluid Stokes boundary layer model. The mud is assumed to be a bi-viscous fluid, which tends to resist motion for small-applied stresses, but flows readily when the yield stress is exceeded. Asymptotic expansions suitable for shallow fluid layers are applied, and the second-order solutions for the mass transport induced by surface progressive waves are obtained numerically. It is found that the stronger the non-Newtonian behavior of the mud, the more pronounced intermittency of the flow. Consequently, the mass transport velocity is diminished in magnitude, and can even become negative (i.e., opposite to wave propagation) for a certain range of yield stress.

Experimental Study Optimizing Hole Cleaning-Cuttings Transport in Oil Drilling Engineering

With a clear understanding of the drilling fluid techniques and the cutting taking mechanism, a new advanced model is set up for analyzing field data and quantitative forecast of cutting taking mechanism. Therefore, a number of values affecting the drilling rate and the hole cleaning are studied over a wide range of parameters. Drilling data obtained under high borehole pressure conditions are analyzed to determine the causes of the reduction in rate of penetration (ROP) as the borehole pressure increases, which in some cases is caused by the buildup of rock debris under the bit. The theoretical achievement and testing conclusions can be very instructional for horizontal well drilling. Much higher annular velocities are required for effective hole cleaning in directional wells than in vertical wells. High viscosity muds are observed to provide better transport than low viscosity muds.

Measuring the velocity of sand particles in an air/particle two-phase flow:A comparison of several commonly used methods

The velocity of blown sand particles is an important parameter in aeolian movement （a special case of gas particle two-phase flow） and has ever been a topic of interest. At present, several techniques have been applied in measuring velocity of the blown sand particles. This paper reviews the measurement results of several commonly used methods： photoelectric cell method, high-speed photographic method, Particle Dynamics Analyzer （PDA） method and Particle Image Velocimetry （PIV） method. Photoelectric cell method, high-speed photograph method and PDA method are useful in studying the velocity distribution of particles. PIV is a whole-flow-field technique and a useful tool to study the average velocity field in a target area. These methods got some similar results but considerable differences also exist. They have come to similar conclusions on the velocity distributions at a single height but direct measurement results with respect to the velocity distribution very close to the surface are still scarce except some PDA results. The magnitude of measured mean particle velocity differs greatly. The relationship obtained by different methods between mean particle velocity and wind velocity, particle size and possibly other influencing factors also differs considerably. Although several authors have proposed similar power functions to describe the variation with height of the mean particle velocity, the predicted results have wide differences. Each technique is based on some unique principles, and has its advantages and disad- vantages. To make full use of different techniques, a lot of work needs be done to validate them. Developing a reliable technique to measure the velocity of blown particles is still a necessary task in aeolian research.

Effects of gravel mulch on aeolian transport:a field wind tunnel simulation

The shape,size and coverage of gravels have significant impacts on aeolian sand transport.This study provided an understanding of aeolian transport over the gravel mulching surfaces at different wind velocities by means of a mobile wind tunnel simulation.The tested gravel coverage increased from 5% to 80%,with a progressive increment of 5%.The gravels used in the experiments have three sizes in diameter.Wind velocities were measured using 10 sand-proof pitot-static probes,and mean velocity fields were obtained and discussed.The results showed that mean velocity fields obtained over different gravel mulches were similar.The analysis of wind speed patterns revealed an inherent link between gravel mulches and mean airflow characteristics on the gravel surfaces.The optimal gravel coverage is considered to be the critical level above or below which aeolian transport characteristics differ strongly.According to the present study,the optimal gravel coverage was found to be around 30% or 40%.Threshold velocity linearly increased with gravel coverage.Sand transport rate first increased with height above the wind tunnel floor（Hf）,reaching a peak at some midpoint,and then decreased.

On residual velocities in sigma coordinates in narrow tidal channels

In shallow coastal regions where water surface fluctuations are non-negligible compared to the mean water depth,the use of sigma coordinates allows the calculation of residual velocity around the mean water surface level.Theoretical analysis and generic numerical experiments were conducted to understand the physical meaning of the residual velocities at sigma layers in breadth-averaged tidal channels.For shallow water waves,the sigma layers coincide with the water wave surfaces within the water column such that the Stokes velocity and its vertical and horizontal components can be expressed in discrete forms using the sigma velocity.The residual velocity at a sigma layer is the sum of the Eulerian velocity and the vertical component of the Stokes velocity at the mean depth of the sigma layer and,therefore,can be referred to as a semi-Lagrangian residual velocity.Because the vertical component of the Stokes velocity is one order of magnitude smaller than the horizontal component,the sigma residual velocity approximates the Eulerian residual velocity.The residual transport velocity at a sigma layer is the sum of the sigma residual velocity and the horizontal component of the Stokes velocity and approximates the Lagrangian residual velocity in magnitude and direction,but the two residual velocities are not conceptually the same.

A state-of-the-art review on transition between the fast fluidization and pneumatic transport of Geldart group B particles

The fluidization state in the circulating fluidized bed(CFB)boiler is crucial to its stable and safe operation.However,up to now,the research field has not reached unanimity on whether the fluidization regime that the upper furnace of the boiler operates in is the fast fluidization or pneumatic transport.To this end,this paper reviewed relevant research on the transition between the fast fluidization and pneumatic transport of Geldart group B particles,including the flow characteristics of the fast fluidization,the transition condition between the fast fluidization and pneumatic transport,the determination methods of the transport velocity utr and saturation carrying capacity G_(s)* and the influencing factors on these two parameters.Previous research findings can provide certain guidelines for the design and optimization of the CFB boiler,and result in plenty of prediction correlations for utr and G_(s)*.Nonetheless,owing to insufficient data available on Geldart group B particles,especially the ones obtained under high temperature or pressure conditions and in large-scale CFB apparatuses,the existing correlations are not well suited for the prediction of u_(tr) and G_(s)* of Geldart group B particles.Thus,further efforts are urgently demanded on the fast fluidization transition of Geldart group B particles.

The Effect of Grain Properties for Artificial Bedload Supply

The German Armed Forces University in Munich has conducted experiments in a laboratory flume to determine the influence of roundness on bed load transport.The investigations were assigned by the German Federal Institute of Hydrology (BIG),with a focus on incipient motion,transport velocity and the depth of mixing into the riverbed. The results of the experiments show that the transport velocity of angular graim is lower and the critical shear stress for incipient motion is slightly higher than of well-ro...

Mass transport in a thin layer of power-law fluid in an Eulerian coordinate system

The mass transport velocity in a thin layer of muddy fluid is studied theoretically. The mud motion is driven by a periodic pressure load on the free surface, and the mud is described by a power-law model. Based on the key assumptions of the shallowness and the small deformation, a perturbation analysis is conducted up to the second order to find the mean Eulerian velocity in an Eulerian coordinate system. The numerical iteration method is adopted to solve these non-linear equations of the leading order. From the numerical results, both the first-order flow fields and the second-order mass transport velocities are examined. The verifications are made by comparing the numerical results with experimental results in the literature, and a good agreement is confirmed.

An experimental investigation into modeling solids friction for fluidized dense-phase pneumatic transport of powders

Results are presented of an ongoing investigation into modeling friction in fiuidized dense-phase pneumatic transport of bulk solids. Many popular modeling methods of the solids friction use the dimen- sionless solids loading ratio and Froude number. When evaluated under proper scale-up conditions of pipe diameter and length, many of these models have resulted in significant inaccuracy. A technique for modeling solids friction has been developed using a new combination of dimensionless numbers, volu- metric loading ratio and the ratio of particle free settling velocity to superficial conveying air velocity, to replace the solids loading ratio and Froude number. The models developed using the new formalism were evaluated for accuracy and stability under significant scale-up conditions for four different prod- ucts conveyed through four different test rigs （subject to diameter and length scale-up conditions）. The new model considerably improves predictions compared with those obtained using the existing model, especially in the dense-phase region. Whereas the latter yields absolute average relative errors varying between 10% and 86%, the former yielded results with errors from 4% to 20% for a wide range of scale-up conditions. This represents a more reliable and narrower range of prediction that is suitable for industrial scale-up requirements.

A simulation study of airborne wear particles from laboratory wheel-rail contacts

Laboratory measurements of airborne particles from sliding contacts are often performed using a tri- bometer located in a ventilation chamber. Although knowledge of particle transport behavior inside the chamber is required because it can influence the analysis of measurements, this knowledge is lacking. A numerical model was built based on the same geometry as a pin-on-disc measurement system to explain particle transport behavior inside the chamber and to determine the deviation between real amounts of generated and measured particles at the outlet. The effect of controlled flow conditions on the airflow pattern and particle transport inside the chamber was studied for different experimental conditions. Cal- culations show that a complex airflow pattern is formed by the spinning disc, and that it differs for each rotational speed. Simulation results reveal that particle transport in the chamber is governed mainly by the airflow pattern. The deposition velocity in the chamber was estimated and the possibility that part of the generated particles would remain in the chamber was studied. This led to an approximate estima- tion of particle loss rate. A comparison between experimental and simulated results with respect to the particle mass flow rate close to the outlet yields a reference factor of 0.7, which provides an indication of the difference between measured and real values.