scholarly journals Improved evaluation of granular media flows using an X-ray scanning compatible cone-plate setup

2021 ◽  
Vol 249 ◽  
pp. 03020
Author(s):  
Zohreh Farmani ◽  
Jing Wang ◽  
Ralf Stannarius ◽  
Martina Bieberle ◽  
Frank Barthel ◽  
...  

To understand the typically heterogeneous flowing behavior of granular materials, it is important to combine flow tests with three-dimensional imaging. To probe the flow behavior of granular materials over a wide range of flow rates, it is imperative to be able to impose such flow rates in a well controlled manner while performing imaging tests that are compatible with all imposed flow rates. Achieving both flow control and bulk imaging capacity is challenging for a number of reasons. Here, we describe the design of a setup in which we are able to do imaging while imposing a constant overall shear rate on a granular material. We characterize the setup in which flow tests will be performed, which consists of a bottom-driven cone-plate or double-cone design. We show that the setup can be integrated in x-ray microtomography devices to aid particle tracking based flow measurements. The design is also compatible with typical rheometer setups. We also perform high speed imaging of a granular flow in an ultra-fast x-ray scanner, for which we provide proof-of-principle data in a simplified shear setup. The designed flow geometry is also compatible with said high speed imaging facility, where particle image velocimetry can be employed to extract quantitative flow field data.

Author(s):  
Evelien A Zwanenburg ◽  
Mark A Williams ◽  
Jason Marc Warnett

Abstract X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) is frequently used for non-destructive testing with many applications in a wide range of scientific research areas. The difference in imaging speeds between synchrotron and lab-based scanning has reduced as the capabilities of commercially available CT systems have improved, but there is still a need for faster lab-based CT both in industry and academia. In industry high-speed CT is desirable for inline high-throughput CT at a higher resolution than currently possible which would save both time and money. In academia it would allow for the imaging of faster phenomena, particularly dynamic in-situ testing, in a lab-based setting that is more accessible than synchrotron facilities. This review will specifically highlight what steps can be taken by general users to optimise scan speed with current equipment and the challenges to still overcome. A critical evaluation of acquisition parameters across recent high-speed studies by commercial machine users is presented, indicating some areas that could benefit from the methodology described. The greatest impacts can be achieved by maximising spot size without notably increasing unsharpness, and using a lower number of projections than suggested by the Nyquist criterion where the anecdotal evidence presented suggests usable results are still achievable.


2021 ◽  
pp. 096739112199822
Author(s):  
Ahmed I Abou-Kandil ◽  
Gerhard Goldbeck

Studying the crystalline structure of uniaxially and biaxially drawn polyesters is of great importance due to their wide range of applications. In this study, we shed some light on the behaviour of PET and PEN under uniaxial stress using experimental and molecular modelling techniques. Comparing experiment with modelling provides insights into polymer crystallisation with extended chains. Experimental x-ray diffraction patterns are reproduced by means of models of chains sliding along the c-axis leading to some loss of three-dimensional order, i.e. moving away from the condition of perfect register of the fully extended chains in triclinic crystals of both PET and PEN. This will help us understand the mechanism of polymer crystallisation under uniaxial stress and the appearance of mesophases in some cases as discussed herein.


Author(s):  
B. R. Nichols ◽  
R. L. Fittro ◽  
C. P. Goyne

Many high-speed, rotating machines across a wide range of industrial applications depend on fluid film bearings to provide both static support of the rotor and to introduce stabilizing damping forces into the system through a developed hydrodynamic film wedge. Reduced oil supply flow rate to the bearings can cause cavitation, or a lack of a fully developed film layer, at the leading edge of the bearing pads. Reducing oil flow has the well-documented effects of higher bearing operating temperatures and decreased power losses due to shear forces. While machine efficiency may be improved with reduced lubricant flow, little experimental data on its effects on system stability and performance can be found in the literature. This study looks at overall system performance of a test rig operating under reduced oil supply flow rates by observing steady-state bearing performance indicators and baseline vibrational response of the shaft. The test rig used in this study was designed to be dynamically similar to a high-speed industrial compressor. It consists of a 1.55 m long, flexible rotor supported by two tilting pad bearings with a nominal diameter of 70 mm and a span of 1.2 m. The first bending mode is located at approximately 5,000 rpm. The tiling-pad bearings consist of five pads in a vintage, flooded bearing housing with a length to diameter ratio of 0.75, preload of 0.3, and a load-between-pad configuration. Tests were conducted over a number of operating speeds, ranging from 8,000 to 12,000 rpm, and bearing loads, while systematically reducing the oil supply flow rates provided to the bearings under each condition. For nearly all operating conditions, a low amplitude, broadband subsynchronous vibration pattern was observed in the frequency domain from approximately 0–75 Hz. When the test rig was operated at running speeds above its first bending mode, a distinctive subsynchronous peak emerged from the broadband pattern at approximately half of the running speed and at the first bending mode of the shaft. This vibration signature is often considered a classic sign of rotordynamic instability attributed to oil whip and shaft whirl phenomena. For low and moderate load conditions, the amplitude of this 0.5x subsynchronous peak increased with decreasing oil supply flow rate at all operating speeds. Under the high load condition, the subsynchronous peak was largely attenuated. A discussion on the possible sources of this subsynchronous vibration including self-excited instability and pad flutter forced vibration is provided with supporting evidence from thermoelastohydrodynamic (TEHD) bearing modeling results. Implications of reduced oil supply flow rate on system stability and operational limits are also discussed.


2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Chon ◽  
R. S. Amano

When the airflow patterns inside a lawn mower deck are understood, the deck can be redesigned to be efficient and have an increased cutting ability. To learn more, a combination of computational and experimental studies was performed to investigate the effects of blade and housing designs on a flow pattern inside a1.1mwide corotating double-spindle lawn mower deck with side discharge. For the experimental portion of the study, air velocities inside the deck were measured using a laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) system. A high-speed video camera was used to observe the flow pattern. Furthermore, noise levels were measured using a sound level meter. For the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) work, several arbitrary radial sections of a two-dimensional blade were selected to study flow computations. A three-dimensional, full deck model was also developed for realistic flow analysis. The computational results were then compared with the experimental results.


2019 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 118-128
Author(s):  
V. V. Balandin ◽  
V. V. Balandin ◽  
V. V. Parkhachev

Investigating impact interaction of solid and deformed bodies with obstacles of various physical natures requires developing experimental methodologies of registering the parameters of the interaction process. In experimental investigations of impact interaction of solids, it is common practice to measure displacement of strikers as a function of time, as well as their velocity and deceleration. To determine the displacement and velocity of a striker, a radio-interferometric methodology of registering the displacement of its rear end is proposed. In contrast with the registration methods based on high-speed filming and pulsed X-ray photography, the method using a millimeter-range radio-interferometer provides continuous high-accuracy registering of the displacement of the rear end of a striker in a wide range of displacement values. To test the effectiveness of the methodology, a series of experiments have been conducted on registering the motion of a cylindrical striker of an aluminum alloy, fired from a 20mm-dia gas gun. The displacement of the striker was also monitored using high-speed filming. The results of measuring using the two methodologies differ within the limits of the error of measurement. Based on the results of the above experiments, it has been concluded that the methodology of determining the displacement and velocity of strikers in a ballistic experiment using a mm-range radio-interferometer makes it possible to measure practically continuously large displacements (100 mm and larger) to a safe accuracy. The present methodology can be used for measuring the displacement and velocity of the rear end of a striker interacting with obstacles of various physical natures (metals, ceramics, soils, concretes, etc.).


Materials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuangnan Wang ◽  
Thomas Connolley ◽  
Iakovos Tzanakis ◽  
Dmitry Eskin ◽  
Jiawei Mi

Quantitative understanding of the interactions of ultrasonic waves with liquid and solidifying metals is essential for developing optimal processing strategies for ultrasound processing of metal alloys in the solidification processes. In this research, we used the synchrotron X-ray high-speed imaging facility at Beamline I12 of the Diamond Light Source, UK to study the dynamics of ultrasonic bubbles in a liquid Sn-30wt%Cu alloy. A new method based on the X-ray attenuation for a white X-ray beam was developed to extract quantitative information about the bubble clouds in the chaotic and quasi-static cavitation regions. Statistical analyses were made on the bubble size distribution, and velocity distribution. Such rich statistical data provide more quantitative information about the characteristics of ultrasonic bubble clouds and cavitation in opaque, high-temperature liquid metals.


Author(s):  
A. L. Kastengren ◽  
C. F. Powell ◽  
Z. Liu ◽  
K. Fezzaa ◽  
J. Wang

Phase-enhanced x-ray imaging has been used to examine the geometry and dynamics of four diesel injector nozzles. The technique uses a high-speed camera, which allows the dynamics of individual injection events to be observed in real time and compared. Moreover, data has been obtained for the nozzles from two different viewing angles, allowing for the full three-dimensional motions of the needle to be examined. This technique allows the needle motion to be determined in situ at the needle seat and requires no modifications to the injector hardware, unlike conventional techniques. Measurements of the nozzle geometry have allowed the average nozzle diameter, degree of convergence or divergence, and the degree of rounding at the nozzle inlet to be examined. Measurements of the needle lift have shown that the lift behavior of all four nozzles consists of a linear increase in needle lift with respect to time until the needle reaches full lift and a linear decrease as the needle closes. For all four nozzles, the needle position oscillates at full lift with a period of 170–180 μs. The full-lift position of the needle changes as the rail pressure increases, perhaps reflecting compression of the injector components. Significant lateral motions were seen in the two single-hole nozzles, with the needle motion perpendicular to the injector axis resembling a circular motion for one nozzle and linear oscillation for the other nozzle. The two VCO multihole nozzles show much less lateral motion, with no strong oscillations visible.


Author(s):  
Xiongjun Wu ◽  
Greg Loraine ◽  
Chao-Tsung Hsiao ◽  
Georges L. Chahine

The limited amount of liquids and gases that can be carried to space makes it imperative to recycle and reuse these fluids for extended human operations. During recycling processes gas and liquid phases are often intermixed. In the absence of gravity, separating gases from liquids is challenging due to the absence of buoyancy. This paper discusses a phase separator that is capable of efficiently and reliably separating gas-liquid mixtures of both high and low void fractions in a wide range of flow rates that is applicable to reduced and zero gravity environments. The phase separator consists of two concentric cylindrical chambers. The fluid introduced in the space between the two cylinders enters the inner cylinder through tangential slots and generates a high intensity swirling flow. The geometric configuration is selected to make the vortex swirl intense enough to lead to early cavitation which forms a cylindrical vaporous core at the axis even at low flow rates. Taking advantage of swirl and cavitation, the phase separator can force gas out of the liquid into the central core of the vortex even at low void fraction. Gas is extracted from one end of the cylinder axial region and liquid is extracted from the other end. The phase separator has successfully demonstrated its capability to reduce mixture void fractions down to 10−8 and to accommodate incoming mixture gas volume fractions as high as 35% in both earth and reduced gravity flight tests. The phase separator is on track to be tested by NASA on the International Space Station (ISS). Additionally, the phase separator design exhibits excellent scalability. Phase separators of different dimensions, with inlet liquid flow rates that range from a couple of GPMs to a few tens of GPMs, have been built and tested successfully in the presence and absence of the gravity. Extensive ground experiments have been conducted to study the effects of main design parameters on the performance of the phase separator, such as the length and diameter of the inner cylinder; the size, location, and layout of injection slots and exit orifices, etc., on the swirling flow behavior, and on the gas extraction performance. In parallel, numerical simulations, utilizing a two-phase Navier-Stokes flow solver coupled with bubble dynamics, have been conducted extensively to facilitate the development of the phase separator. These simulations have enabled us to better understand the physics behind the phase separation and provided guideline for system parts optimization. This paper describes our efforts in developing the passive phase separator for both space and ground applications.


2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (38) ◽  
pp. 23443-23449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharul Hasan ◽  
Vahid Niasar ◽  
Nikolaos K. Karadimitriou ◽  
Jose R. A. Godinho ◽  
Nghia T. Vo ◽  
...  

Solute transport in unsaturated porous materials is a complex process, which exhibits some distinct features differentiating it from transport under saturated conditions. These features emerge mostly due to the different transport time scales at different regions of the flow network, which can be classified into flowing and stagnant regions, predominantly controlled by advection and diffusion, respectively. Under unsaturated conditions, the solute breakthrough curves show early arrivals and very long tails, and this type of transport is usually referred to as non-Fickian. This study directly characterizes transport through an unsaturated porous medium in three spatial dimensions at the resolution of 3.25 μm and the time resolution of 6 s. Using advanced high-speed, high-spatial resolution, synchrotron-based X-ray computed microtomography (sCT) we obtained detailed information on solute transport through a glass bead packing at different saturations. A large experimental dataset (>50 TB) was produced, while imaging the evolution of the solute concentration with time at any given point within the field of view. We show that the fluids’ topology has a critical signature on the non-Fickian transport, which yet needs to be included in the Darcy-scale solute transport models. The three-dimensional (3D) results show that the fully mixing assumption at the pore scale is not valid, and even after injection of several pore volumes the concentration field at the pore scale is not uniform. Additionally, results demonstrate that dispersivity is changing with saturation, being twofold larger at the saturation of 0.52 compared to that at the fully saturated domain.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document