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1 – 10 of 323Wei Li, Yuxin Huang, Leilei Ji, Lingling Ma and Ramesh Agarwal
The purpose of this study is to explore the transient characteristics of mixed-flow pumps during startup process.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the transient characteristics of mixed-flow pumps during startup process.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a full-flow field transient calculation method of mixed-flow pump based on a closed-loop model.
Findings
The findings show the hydraulic losses and internal flow characteristics of the piping system during the start-up process.
Research limitations/implications
Large computational cost.
Practical implications
Improve the accuracy of current numerical simulation results in transient process of mixed-flow pump.
Originality/value
Simplify the setting of boundary conditions in the transient calculation.
Details
Keywords
Ziming Zhou, Fengnian Zhao and David Hung
Higher energy conversion efficiency of internal combustion engine can be achieved with optimal control of unsteady in-cylinder flow fields inside a direct-injection (DI) engine…
Abstract
Purpose
Higher energy conversion efficiency of internal combustion engine can be achieved with optimal control of unsteady in-cylinder flow fields inside a direct-injection (DI) engine. However, it remains a daunting task to predict the nonlinear and transient in-cylinder flow motion because they are highly complex which change both in space and time. Recently, machine learning methods have demonstrated great promises to infer relatively simple temporal flow field development. This paper aims to feature a physics-guided machine learning approach to realize high accuracy and generalization prediction for complex swirl-induced flow field motions.
Design/methodology/approach
To achieve high-fidelity time-series prediction of unsteady engine flow fields, this work features an automated machine learning framework with the following objectives: (1) The spatiotemporal physical constraint of the flow field structure is transferred to machine learning structure. (2) The ML inputs and targets are efficiently designed that ensure high model convergence with limited sets of experiments. (3) The prediction results are optimized by ensemble learning mechanism within the automated machine learning framework.
Findings
The proposed data-driven framework is proven effective in different time periods and different extent of unsteadiness of the flow dynamics, and the predicted flow fields are highly similar to the target field under various complex flow patterns. Among the described framework designs, the utilization of spatial flow field structure is the featured improvement to the time-series flow field prediction process.
Originality/value
The proposed flow field prediction framework could be generalized to different crank angle periods, cycles and swirl ratio conditions, which could greatly promote real-time flow control and reduce experiments on in-cylinder flow field measurement and diagnostics.
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Rajneesh Kumar and Pradeep Kumar Jha
The purpose of this study is to explore how a time-varying electromagnetic stirring (EMS) affects the fluid flow and solidification behavior in a slab caster continuous casting…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore how a time-varying electromagnetic stirring (EMS) affects the fluid flow and solidification behavior in a slab caster continuous casting mold. Further, the study of inclusion movements in the mold is carried out under the effect of a time-varying electromagnetic field.
Design/methodology/approach
A three-dimensional coupled numerical model of solidification and magnetohydrodynamics has been developed for slab caster mold to investigate the inclusions transport by discrete phase model with the use of user-defined functions. Enthalpy porosity and the Lagrangian approach are applied to analyze the behavior of solidification and inclusion.
Findings
The study shows that the magnetic field density distribution has a radial symmetry in relation to the stirrer’s center. As the EMS current intensity increases, the strength of the lower recirculation zone gradually decreases and nearly disappears at higher intensities. Additionally, the area of localized remelting zone expands in the solidification front with rising current intensity. The morphology of inclusions and EMS current intensity have a significant impact on the behavior and movement of inclusions within the molten steel.
Practical implications
By using the model, one can optimize the EMS parameter to enhance the quality of steel casting through the elimination of impurities and by improving the microstructure of cast that mainly depend on solidification and flow patterns of molten steel.
Originality/value
Until now, the use of time-varying EMS in the slab caster mold to study solidification and inclusion behavior has not been explored.
Details
Keywords
Liang Hu, Chengwei Liu, Rui Su and Weiting Liu
In a coaxial ultrasonic flow sensor (UFS), wall thickness is a vital parameter of the measurement tube, especially those with small inner diameters. The paper aims to investigate…
Abstract
Purpose
In a coaxial ultrasonic flow sensor (UFS), wall thickness is a vital parameter of the measurement tube, especially those with small inner diameters. The paper aims to investigate the influence of wall thickness on the transient signal characteristics in an UFS.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the problem was researched experimentally using a series of measurement tubes with different wall thicknesses. Second, a finite element method–based model in the time domain was established to validate the experimental results and further discussion. Finally, the plane wave assumption and oblique incident theory were used to analyze the wave propagation in the tube, and an idea of wave packet superposition was proposed to reveal the mechanism of the influence of wall thickness.
Findings
Both experimental and simulated results showed that the signal amplitude decreased periodically as the wall thickness increased, and the corresponding waveform varied dramatically. Based on the analysis of wave propagation in the measurement tube, a formula concerning the phase difference between wave packets was derived to characterize the signal variation.
Originality/value
This paper provides a new and explicit explanation of the influence of wall thickness on the transient signal in a co-axial UFS. Both experimental and simulated results were presented, and the mechanism was clearly described.
Details
Keywords
Krištof Kovačič, Jurij Gregorc and Božidar Šarler
This study aims to develop an experimentally validated three-dimensional numerical model for predicting different flow patterns produced with a gas dynamic virtual nozzle (GDVN).
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to develop an experimentally validated three-dimensional numerical model for predicting different flow patterns produced with a gas dynamic virtual nozzle (GDVN).
Design/methodology/approach
The physical model is posed in the mixture formulation and copes with the unsteady, incompressible, isothermal, Newtonian, low turbulent two-phase flow. The computational fluid dynamics numerical solution is based on the half-space finite volume discretisation. The geo-reconstruct volume-of-fluid scheme tracks the interphase boundary between the gas and the liquid. To ensure numerical stability in the transition regime and adequately account for turbulent behaviour, the k-ω shear stress transport turbulence model is used. The model is validated by comparison with the experimental measurements on a vertical, downward-positioned GDVN configuration. Three different combinations of air and water volumetric flow rates have been solved numerically in the range of Reynolds numbers for airflow 1,009–2,596 and water 61–133, respectively, at Weber numbers 1.2–6.2.
Findings
The half-space symmetry allows the numerical reconstruction of the dripping, jetting and indication of the whipping mode. The kinetic energy transfer from the gas to the liquid is analysed, and locations with locally increased gas kinetic energy are observed. The calculated jet shapes reasonably well match the experimentally obtained high-speed camera videos.
Practical implications
The model is used for the virtual studies of new GDVN nozzle designs and optimisation of their operation.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the developed model numerically reconstructs all three GDVN flow regimes for the first time.
Details
Keywords
Su Yong and Gong Wu-Qi
Abnormal vibrations often occur in the liquid oxygen kerosene transmission pipelines of rocket engines, which seriously threaten their safety. Improper handling can result in…
Abstract
Purpose
Abnormal vibrations often occur in the liquid oxygen kerosene transmission pipelines of rocket engines, which seriously threaten their safety. Improper handling can result in failed rocket launches and significant economic losses. Therefore, this paper aims to examine vibrations in transmission pipelines.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, a three-dimensional high-pressure pipeline model composed of corrugated pipes, multi-section bent pipes, and other auxiliary structures was established. The fluid–solid coupling method was used to analyse vibration characteristics of the pipeline under various external excitations. The simulation results were visualised using MATLAB, and their validity was verified via a thermal test.
Findings
In this study, the vibration mechanism of a complex high-pressure pipeline was examined via a visualisation method. The results showed that the low-frequency vibration of the pipe was caused by fluid self-excited pressure pulsation, whereas the vibration of the engine system caused a high-frequency vibration of the pipeline. The excitation of external pressure pulses did not significantly affect the vibrations of the pipelines. The visualisation results indicated that the severe vibration position of the pipeline thermal test is mainly concentrated between the inlet and outlet and between the two bellows.
Practical implications
The results of this study aid in understanding the causes of abnormal vibrations in rocket engine pipelines.
Originality/value
The causes of different vibration frequencies in the complex pipelines of rocket engines and the propagation characteristics of external vibration excitation were obtained.
Details
Keywords
Yang Zhou, Zhong Li, Yuhe Huang, Xiaohan Chen, Xinggang Li, Xiaogang Hu and Qiang Zhu
Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) in-situ alloying is a recently developed technology that provides a facile approach to optimizing the microstructural and compositional…
Abstract
Purpose
Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) in-situ alloying is a recently developed technology that provides a facile approach to optimizing the microstructural and compositional characteristics of the components for high performance goals. However, the complex mass and heat transfer behavior of the molten pool results in an inhomogeneous composition distribution within the samples fabricated by LPBF in-situ alloying. The study aims to investigate the heat and mass transfer behavior of an in-situ alloyed molten pool by developing a three-dimensional transient thermal-flow model that couples the metallurgical behavior of the alloy, thereby revealing the formation mechanism of composition inhomogeneity.
Design/methodology/approach
A multispecies multiphase computational fluid dynamic model was developed with thermodynamic factors derived from the phase diagram of the selected alloy system. The characteristics of the Al/Cu powder bed in-situ alloying process were investigated as a benchmark. The metallurgical behaviors including powder melting, thermal-flow, element transfer and solidification were investigated.
Findings
The Peclet number indicates that the mass transfer in the molten pool is dominated by convection. The large variation in material properties and temperature results in the presence of partially melted Cu-powder and pre-solidified particles in the molten pool, which further hinder the convection mixing. The study of simulation and experiment indicates that optimizing the laser energy input is beneficial for element homogenization. The effective time and driving force of the convection stirring can be improved by increasing the volume energy density.
Originality/value
This study provides an in-depth understanding of the formation mechanism of composition inhomogeneity in alloy fabricated by LPBF in-situ alloying.
Details
Keywords
Amit Kumar, Abhipsa P. Dash, Atul Kumar Ray, Priyabrata Sethy and Idamakanti Kasireddy
This study aims to examine the flow of unsteady mixed convective hybrid nanofluid over a rotating sphere with heat generation/absorption. The hybrid nanofluid contains different…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the flow of unsteady mixed convective hybrid nanofluid over a rotating sphere with heat generation/absorption. The hybrid nanofluid contains different shapes of nanoparticles (copper [Cu] and aluminium oxide [Al2O3]) in the base fluid (water [H2O]). The influence of different shapes (sphere, brick, cylinder, platelets and blades) of nanoparticle in water-based hybrid nanofluid is also investigated.
Design/methodology/approach
To analyse the nanomaterial, the flow model is established, and in doing so, the Prandtl’s boundary layer theory is incorporated into the present model. The bvp4c approach, i.e. finite difference method, is used to find the numerical solution of differential equations that is controlling the fluid flow. The effect of relevant flow parameters on nanofluid temperature and velocity profile is demonstrated in detailed explanations using graphs and bar charts, whereas numerical results for Nusselt number and the skin’s coefficient for various form parameters are presented in tabular form.
Findings
The rate of heat transfer is least for spherical-shaped nanoparticle because of its smoothness, symmetricity and isotropic behaviour. The rate of heat transfer is highest for blade-shaped nanoparticles as compared to other shapes (brick, cylindrical and platelet) of nanoparticles because the blade-shaped nanoparticles causes comparatively more turbulence flow in the nanofluid than other shapes of nanoparticle. Heat generation affects the temperature distribution and, hence, the particle deposition rate. The absorption of heat extracts heat and reduce the temperature across the rotating sphere. The heat generation/absorption parameter plays an important role in establishing and maintaining the temperature around the rotating sphere.
Research limitations/implications
The numerical study is valid with the exception of the fluctuation in density that results in the buoyancy force and the functional axisymmetric nanofluid transport has constant thermophysical characteristics. In addition, this investigation is also constrained by the assumptions that there is no viscosity dissipation, no surface slippage and no chemically activated species. The hybrid nanofluid Al2O3–Cu/H2O is an incompressible and diluted suspension. The single-phase hybrid nanofluid model is considered in which the relative velocity of water (H2O) and hybrid nanoparticles (Al2O3–Cu) is the same and they are in a state of thermal equilibrium.
Practical implications
Study on convective flow across a revolving sphere has its applications found in electrolysis management, polymer deposition, medication transfer, cooling of spinning machinery segments, spin-stabilized missiles and other industrial and technical applications.
Originality/value
The originality of the study is to investigate the effect of shape factor on the flow of electrically conducting hybrid nanofluid past a rotating sphere with heat generation/absorption and magnetic field. The results are validated and provide extremely positive balance with the recognised articles. The results of the study provide many appealing applications that merit further study of the problem.
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Florence Dami Ayegbusi, Emile Franc Doungmo Goufo and Patrick Tchepmo
The purpose of this study is to explore numerical scrutinization of micropolar and Walters-B non-Newtonian fluids motion under the influence of thermal radiation and chemical…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore numerical scrutinization of micropolar and Walters-B non-Newtonian fluids motion under the influence of thermal radiation and chemical reaction.
Design/methodology/approach
The two fluids micropolar and Walters-B liquid are considered to start flowing from the slot to the stretching sheet. A magnetic field of constant strength is imposed on their flow transversely. The problems on heat and mass transport are set up with thermal, chemical reaction, heat generation, etc. to form partial differential equations. These equations were simplified into a dimensionless form and solved using spectral homotopy analysis method (SHAM). SHAM uses the basic concept of both Chebyshev pseudospectral method and homotopy analysis method to obtain numerical computations of the problem.
Findings
The outcomes for encountered flow parameters for temperature, velocity and concentration are presented with the aid of figures. It is observed that both the velocity and angular velocity of micropolar and Walters-B and thermal boundary layers increase with increase in the thermal radiation parameter. The decrease in velocity and decrease in angular velocity occurred are a result of increase in chemical reaction. It is hoped that the present study will enhance the understanding of boundary layer flow of micropolar and Walters-B non-Newtonian fluid under the influences of thermal radiation, thermal conductivity and chemical reaction as applied in various engineering processes.
Originality/value
All results are presented graphically and all physical quantities are computed and tabulated.
Details
Keywords
En-Ze Rui, Guang-Zhi Zeng, Yi-Qing Ni, Zheng-Wei Chen and Shuo Hao
Current methods for flow field reconstruction mainly rely on data-driven algorithms which require an immense amount of experimental or field-measured data. Physics-informed neural…
Abstract
Purpose
Current methods for flow field reconstruction mainly rely on data-driven algorithms which require an immense amount of experimental or field-measured data. Physics-informed neural network (PINN), which was proposed to encode physical laws into neural networks, is a less data-demanding approach for flow field reconstruction. However, when the fluid physics is complex, it is tricky to obtain accurate solutions under the PINN framework. This study aims to propose a physics-based data-driven approach for time-averaged flow field reconstruction which can overcome the hurdles of the above methods.
Design/methodology/approach
A multifidelity strategy leveraging PINN and a nonlinear information fusion (NIF) algorithm is proposed. Plentiful low-fidelity data are generated from the predictions of a PINN which is constructed purely using Reynold-averaged Navier–Stokes equations, while sparse high-fidelity data are obtained by field or experimental measurements. The NIF algorithm is performed to elicit a multifidelity model, which blends the nonlinear cross-correlation information between low- and high-fidelity data.
Findings
Two experimental cases are used to verify the capability and efficacy of the proposed strategy through comparison with other widely used strategies. It is revealed that the missing flow information within the whole computational domain can be favorably recovered by the proposed multifidelity strategy with use of sparse measurement/experimental data. The elicited multifidelity model inherits the underlying physics inherent in low-fidelity PINN predictions and rectifies the low-fidelity predictions over the whole computational domain. The proposed strategy is much superior to other contrastive strategies in terms of the accuracy of reconstruction.
Originality/value
In this study, a physics-informed data-driven strategy for time-averaged flow field reconstruction is proposed which extends the applicability of the PINN framework. In addition, embedding physical laws when training the multifidelity model leads to less data demand for model development compared to purely data-driven methods for flow field reconstruction.
Details