Simulation of Intermittent Flow Development in a Horizontal Pipe

2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamed Nasrfard ◽  
Hassan Rahimzadeh ◽  
Ali Ahmadpour ◽  
Ehsan Amani
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Intermittent Flow ◽  
Horizontal Pipe ◽  
Vof Model ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Air Water Interface ◽  
Elongated Bubble ◽  
Bubble Length ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽  
Inner Diameter

In this study, detailed three-dimensional (3D) numerical simulations of intermittent multiphase flows were carried out to investigate the slug initiation process and various features of intermittent flows inside a horizontal pipe. Air and water are used as working fluids. The domain used for simulations is a 14.4 m long pipe with 54 mm inner diameter. The volume of fluid (VOF) model was used to capture the air/water interface and its temporal evolution. Using the developed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, the slug formation and propagation along horizontal circular pipe were successfully predicted and studied comprehensively. Slug length and the frequency of slug formation, as two main features of intermittent flow, were used to validate the model against experimental results and available correlations in the literature. Three-dimensional numerical simulation of intermittent flow proved to be a powerful tool in tackling limitations of experiments and providing detailed data about various features of the intermittent flow. The effect of gas and liquid superficial velocities on the liquid slug and elongated bubble length was explored. Moreover, the study revealed new findings related to the elongated bubble shape and velocity field in the slug unit.

Taylor Bubbles of Viscous Slug Flow in Inclined Pipes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Longtong Abednego Dafyak ◽  
Buddhika Hewakandamby ◽  
Ahad Fayyaz ◽  
David Hann
Keyword(s):  
Void Fraction ◽  
Slug Flow ◽  
Silicone Oil ◽  
Empirical Models ◽  
Intermittent Flow ◽  
Horizontal Pipe ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Bubble Length ◽  
Pipe Inclination ◽  
Taylor Bubbles

Abstract Unique structures are formed when gases and liquids flow simultaneously in pipelines. The geometric characteristics of these structures are fundamental parameters in intermittent flow regimes. The length of liquid slugs and Taylor bubbles are inputs to mechanistic and empirical models for pressure drop estimation, slug catcher sizing and determination of the periods of no or low liquid in pipelines. Although slug flow has been studied for decades, there still exists a lack of comprehensive understanding of flow structures dynamics due to the complex interactions between the gas and liquid phases in two-phase flow. This study investigates the influence of pipe inclination on the length and hydrodynamics of large gas structures in intermittent flows, particularly, ‘Taylor bubbles’ in slug flow regime. An experimental study was conducted in a 67 mm ID pipe to estimate the bubble lengths of an air-silicone oil mixture from void fraction measurement using a twin-plane Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT) tool. The results show that the pipe inclination, gas and liquid flow rates have a substantial effect on the length of large bubbles in slug flow. Taylor bubbles get longer when the void fraction increases, or the pipe inclination deviates towards the horizontal pipe orientation. The influence of pipe inclination on bubble length is quite significant; this variation in bubble length with pipe inclination is attributed to the expansion or compression of large gas structures when there is an alteration on the forces acting on the bubble nose. The weight of the liquid column above the bubble nose which has been often neglected in earlier models was identified to have a notable effect on the volume occupied by the large bubbles and consequently, its length. A semi-mechanistic model is proposed based on the analysis of forces acting on the Taylor bubble nose in a quiescence liquid phase. A comparative analysis of the model and previous models shows that the proposed model outperforms existing mechanistic and empirical models across all pipe inclinations. This study gives an insight into the effect of pipe inclination on the length of large bubbles during slugging in pipes, as these bubbles can be up to 10 times longer in horizontal pipes compared to vertical pipes at the same flow conditions. The proposed model has the potential of estimating the length of large bubbles across all pipe inclinations in upward slug flow with acceptable accuracy, particularly for pipelines installed in undulating terrains.

Assessment of Unsteady Flows in Turbines

1992 ◽  
Vol 114 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. P. Sharma ◽  
G. F. Pickett ◽  
R. H. Ni
Keyword(s):  
Unsteady Flow ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Flow Simulation ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Flow Parameters ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Flow Features ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽  
Turbine Design ◽  
The Impact

The impacts of unsteady flow research activities on flow simulation methods used in the turbine design process are assessed. Results from experimental investigations that identify the impact of periodic unsteadiness on the time-averaged flows in turbines and results from numerical simulations obtained by using three-dimensional unsteady Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes indicate that some of the unsteady flow features can be fairly accurately predicted. Flow parameters that can be modeled with existing steady CFD codes are distinguished from those that require unsteady codes.

The Effect of Bench Arrangements on the Natural Ventilation of a Multispan Greenhouse

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunita Kruger ◽  
Leon Pretorius
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Lower Velocity ◽  
Cfd Models ◽  
Temperature Distributions ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽  
Plant Level

In this paper, the influence of various bench arrangements on the microclimate inside a two-span greenhouse is numerically investigated using three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models. Longitudinal and peninsular arrangements are investigated for both leeward and windward opened roof ventilators. The velocity and temperature distributions at plant level (1m) were of particular interest. The research in this paper is an extension of two-dimensional work conducted previously [1]. Results indicate that bench layouts inside the greenhouse have a significant effect on the microclimate at plant level. It was found that vent opening direction (leeward or windward) influences the velocity and temperature distributions at plant level noticeably. Results also indicated that in general, the leeward facing greenhouses containing either type of bench arrangement exhibit a lower velocity distribution at plant level compared to windward facing greenhouses. The latter type of greenhouses has regions with relatively high velocities at plant level which could cause some concern. The scalar plots indicate that more stagnant areas of low velocity appear for the leeward facing greenhouses. The windward facing greenhouses also display more heterogeneity at plant level as far as temperature is concerned.

Mechanism and Flow Control on the Mismatching of Impeller and Vaned Diffuser Caused by Inlet Prewhirl for Centrifugal Compressors

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiangqiang Huang ◽  
Xinqian Zheng ◽  
Aolin Wang
Keyword(s):  
Flow Control ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Vaned Diffuser ◽  
Inlet Distortion ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽  
Stagger Angle ◽  
Good Agreement ◽  
Matching Relation

Air often flows into compressors with inlet prewhirl, because it will obtain a circumferential component of velocity via inlet distortion or swirl generators such as inlet guide vanes. A lot of research has shown that inlet prewhirl does influence the characteristics of components, but the change of the matching relation between the components caused by inlet prewhirl is still unclear. This paper investigates the influence of inlet prewhirl on the matching of the impeller and the diffuser and proposes a flow control method to cure mismatching. The approach combines steady three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations with theoretical analysis and modeling. The result shows that a compressor whose impeller and diffuser match well at zero prewhirl will go to mismatching at non-zero prewhirl. The diffuser throat gets too large to match the impeller at positive prewhirl and gets too small for matching at negative prewhirl. The choking mass flow of the impeller is more sensitive to inlet prewhirl than that of the diffuser, which is the main reason for the mismatching. To cure the mismatching via adjusting the diffuser vanes stagger angle, a one-dimensional method based on incidence matching has been proposed to yield a control schedule for adjusting the diffuser. The optimal stagger angle predicted by analytical method has good agreement with that predicted by computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The compressor is able to operate efficiently in a much broader flow range with the control schedule. The flow range, where the efficiency is above 80%, of the datum compressor and the compressor only employing inlet prewhirl and no control are just 25.3% and 31.8%, respectively. For the compressor following the control schedule, the flow range is improved up to 46.5%. This paper also provides the perspective of components matching to think about inlet distortion.

Aerodynamic Measurements on the Interaction of Secondary Jets and Separation Bubble

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Samson ◽  
S. Sarkar
Keyword(s):  
Flat Plate ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Bubble Interactions ◽  
Separated Shear Layer ◽  
Bubble Length ◽  
Flow Visualizations ◽  
Turbulence Generation

The dynamics of separation bubble under the influence of continuous jets ejected near the semi-circular leading edge of a flat plate is presented. Two different streamwise injection angles 30° and 60° and velocity ratios 0.5 and 1 for Re = 25000 and 55000 (based on the leading-edge diameter) are considered here. The flow visualizations illustrating jet and separated layer interactions have been carried out with PIV. The objective of this study is to understand the mutual interactions of separation bubble and the injected jets. It is observed that flow separates at the blending point of semi-circular arc and flat plate. The separated shear layer is laminar up to 20% of separation length after which perturbations are amplified and grows in the second-half of the bubble leading to breakdown and reattachment. Blowing has significantly affected the bubble length and thus, turbulence generation. Instantaneous flow visualizations supports the unsteadiness and development of three-dimensional motions leading to formation of Kelvin-Helmholtz rolls and shedding of large-scale vortices due to jet and bubble interactions. In turn, it has been seen that both the spanwise and streamwise dilution of injected air is highly influenced by the separation bubble.

scholarly journals Three-Dimensional Navier–Stokes Analysis and Redesign of an Imbedded Bellmouth Nozzle in a Turbine Cascade Inlet Section

1996 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 529-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. W. Giel ◽  
J. R. Sirbaugh ◽  
I. Lopez ◽  
G. J. Van Fossen
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Experimental Measurements ◽  
Inlet Section ◽  
Turbine Cascade ◽  
Blade Cascade ◽  
Inlet Geometry ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽  
Transonic Turbine ◽  
Flow Nonuniformity

Experimental measurements in the inlet of a transonic turbine blade cascade showed unacceptable pitchwise flow nonuniformity. A three-dimensional, Navier–Stokes computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of the imbedded bellmouth inlet in the facility was performed to identify and eliminate the source of the flow nonuniformity. The blockage and acceleration effects of the blades were accounted for by specifying a periodic static pressure exit condition interpolated from a separate three-dimensional Navier–Stokes CFD solution of flow around a single blade in an infinite cascade. Calculations of the original inlet geometry showed total pressure loss regions consistent in strength and location to experimental measurements. The results indicate that the distortions were caused by a pair of streamwise vortices that originated as a result of the interaction of the flow with the imbedded bellmouth. Computations were performed for an inlet geometry that eliminated the imbedded bellmouth by bridging the region between it and the upstream wall. This analysis indicated that eliminating the imbedded bellmouth nozzle also eliminates the pair of vortices, resulting in a flow with much greater pitchwise uniformity. Measurements taken with an installed redesigned inlet verify that the flow nonuniformity has indeed been eliminated.

Influence of Gas-Liquid Two-Phase Intermittent Flow on Hydraulic Sand Dune Migration in Horizontal Pipelines

2010 ◽  
Vol 132 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Afshin Goharzadeh ◽  
Peter Rodgers ◽  
Chokri Touati
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Sand Dune ◽  
Front Velocity ◽  
Intermittent Flow ◽  
Sand Particle ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Horizontal Pipe ◽  
Particle Mobility ◽  
Three Phase ◽  
Gas Ratio

This paper presents an experimental study of three-phase flows (air-water-sand) inside a horizontal pipe. The results obtained aim to enhance the fundamental understanding of sand transportation due to saltation in the presence of a gas-liquid two-phase intermittent flow. Sand dune pitch, length, height, and front velocity were measured using high-speed video photography. Four flow compositions with differing gas ratios, including hydraulic conveying, were assessed for sand transportation, having the same mixture velocity. For the test conditions under analysis, it was found that the gas ratio did not affect the average dune front velocity. However, for intermittent flows, the sand bed was transported further downstream relative to hydraulic conveying. It was also observed that the slug body significantly influences sand particle mobility. The physical mechanism of sand transportation was found to be discontinuous with intermittent flows. The sand dune local velocity (within the slug body) was measured to be three times higher than the averaged dune velocities, due to turbulent enhancement within the slug body.

scholarly journals Analysis of Pressure Transient Following Rapid Filling of a Vented Horizontal Pipe

Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Li ◽  
David Zhu ◽  
Biao Huang
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Pressure Oscillation ◽  
Approximate Solutions ◽  
Periodic Wave ◽  
Oscillation Period ◽  
Maximum Pressure ◽  
Ansys Fluent ◽  
Horizontal Pipe ◽  
Sinusoidal Motion ◽  
Short Period

Rapid filling/emptying of pipes is commonly encountered in water supply and sewer systems, during which pressure transients may cause unexpected large pressure and/or geyser events. In the present study, a linearized analytical model is first developed to obtain the approximate solutions of the maximum pressure and the characteristics of pressure oscillations caused by the pressurization of trapped air in a horizontal pipe when there is no or insignificant air release. The pressure pattern is a typical periodic wave, analogous to sinusoidal motion. The oscillation period and the time when the pressure attains the peak value are significantly influenced by the driving pressure and the initial length of the entrapped air pocket. When there is air release through a venting orifice, analysis by a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model using ANSYS Fluent was also conducted to furnish insights and details of air–water interactions. Flow features associated with the pressurization and air release were examined, and an air–water interface deformation that one-dimensional models are incapable of predicating was presented. Modelling results indicate that the residual air in the system depends on the relative position of the venting orifice. There are mainly two types of pressure oscillation patterns: namely, long or short-period oscillations and waterhammer. The latter can be observed when the venting orifice is located near the end of the pipe where the air is trapped.

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