Optimal Configuration of Valves and Plumbing Lines in Complex Housing

Author(s):  
Pei Cao ◽  
Zhaoyan Fan ◽  
Robert Gao ◽  
Jiong Tang

In engineering design, the volume and weight of a number of systems consisting of valves and plumbing lines often need to be minimized. In current practice, this is facilitated under empirical experience with trial and error, which is time-consuming and may not yield the optimal result. This problem is intrinsically difficult due to the challenge in the formulation of optimization problem that has to be computationally tractable. In this research, we choose a sequential approach towards the design optimization, i.e., first optimizing the placement of valves under prescribed constraints to minimize the volume occupied, and then identifying the shortest paths of plumbing lines to connect the valves. In the first part, the constraints are described by analytical expressions, and two approaches of valve placement optimization are reported, i.e., a two-phase method and a simulated annealing-based method. In the second part, a three-dimensional routing algorithm is explored to connect the valves. Our case study indicates that the design can indeed be automated and design optimization can be achieved under reasonable computational cost. The outcome of this research can benefit both existing manufacturing practice and future additive manufacturing.

Author(s):  
Gustavo R. Anjos ◽  
Norberto Mangiavacchi ◽  
Jose Pontes ◽  
John Thome

A numerical method is described to study two-phase flows for single and multiple bubbles with phase change. The fluid flow equations are based on the Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian formulation (ALE) and the Finite Element Method (FEM), creating a new two-phase method with an improved model for the liquid-gas interface in microchannels. A successful adaptive mesh update procedure is also described for effective management of the mesh at the two-phase interface to remove, add and repair surface elements, since the computational mesh nodes move according to the flow. The Lagrangian description explicitly defines the two-phase interface position by a set of interconnected nodes which ensures a sharp representation of the boundary, including the role of the surface tension. The methodology proposed for computing the curvature leads to accurate results with moderate programming effort and computational cost and it can also be applied to different configurations with an explicit description of the interface. Such a methodology can be employed to study accurately many problems such as oil extraction and refinement in the petroleum area, design of refrigeration systems, modelling of biological systems and efficient cooling of electronics for computational purposes, being the latter the aim of this research. The obtained numerical results will be described, therefore proving the capability of the proposed new methodology.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Hatami ◽  
◽  
D Jing ◽  

In this study, two-phase asymmetric peristaltic Carreau-Yasuda nanofluid flow in a vertical and tapered wavy channel is demonstrated and the mixed heat transfer analysis is considered for it. For the modeling, two-phase method is considered to be able to study the nanoparticles concentration as a separate phase. Also it is assumed that peristaltic waves travel along X-axis at a constant speed, c. Furthermore, constant temperatures and constant nanoparticle concentrations are considered for both, left and right walls. This study aims at an analytical solution of the problem by means of least square method (LSM) using the Maple 15.0 mathematical software. Numerical outcomes will be compared. Finally, the effects of most important parameters (Weissenberg number, Prandtl number, Brownian motion parameter, thermophoresis parameter, local temperature and nanoparticle Grashof numbers) on the velocities, temperature and nanoparticles concentration functions are presented. As an important outcome, on the left side of the channel, increasing the Grashof numbers leads to a reduction in velocity profiles, while on the right side, it is the other way around.


2018 ◽  
pp. 14-18
Author(s):  
V. V. Artyushenko ◽  
A. V. Nikulin

To simulate echoes from the earth’s surface in the low flight mode, it is necessary to reproduce reliably the delayed reflected sounding signal of the radar in real time. For this, it is necessary to be able to calculate accurately and quickly the dependence of the distance to the object being measured from the angular position of the line of sight of the radar station. Obviously, the simplest expressions for calculating the range can be obtained for a segment or a plane. In the text of the article, analytical expressions for the calculation of range for two-dimensional and three-dimensional cases are obtained. Methods of statistical physics, vector algebra, and the theory of the radar of extended objects were used. Since the calculation of the dependence of the range of the object to the target from the angular position of the line of sight is carried out on the analytical expressions found in the paper, the result obtained is accurate, and due to the relative simplicity of the expressions obtained, the calculation does not require much time.


Author(s):  
Ikpe E. Aniekan ◽  
Owunna Ikechukwu ◽  
Satope Paul

Four different riser pipe exit configurations were modelled and the flow across them analysed using STAR CCM+ CFD codes. The analysis was limited to exit configurations because of the length to diameter ratio of riser pipes and the limitations of CFD codes available. Two phase flow analysis of the flow through each of the exit configurations was attempted. The various parameters required for detailed study of the flow were computed. The maximum velocity within the pipe in a two phase flow were determined to 3.42 m/s for an 8 (eight) inch riser pipe. After thorough analysis of the two phase flow regime in each of the individual exit configurations, the third and the fourth exit configurations were seen to have flow properties that ensures easy flow within the production system as well as ensure lower computational cost. Convergence (Iterations), total pressure, static pressure, velocity and pressure drop were used as criteria matrix for selecting ideal riser exit geometry, and the third exit geometry was adjudged the ideal exit geometry of all the geometries. The flow in the third riser exit configuration was modelled as a two phase flow. From the results of the two phase flow analysis, it was concluded that the third riser configuration be used in industrial applications to ensure free flow of crude oil and gas from the oil well during oil production.


Author(s):  
Tamas Szili-Torok ◽  
Jens Rump ◽  
Torsten Luther ◽  
Sing-Chien Yap

Abstract Better understanding of the lead curvature, movement and their spatial distribution may be beneficial in developing lead testing methods, guiding implantations and improving life expectancy of implanted leads. Objective The aim of this two-phase study was to develop and test a novel biplane cine-fluoroscopy-based method to evaluate input parameters for bending stress in leads based on their in vivo 3D motion using precisely determined spatial distributions of lead curvatures. Potential tensile, compressive or torque forces were not subjects of this study. Methods A method to measure lead curvature and curvature evolution was initially tested in a phantom study. In the second phase using this model 51 patients with implanted ICD leads were included. A biplane cine-fluoroscopy recording of the intracardiac region of the lead was performed. The lead centerline and its motion were reconstructed in 3D and used to define lead curvature and curvature changes. The maximum absolute curvature Cmax during a cardiac cycle, the maximum curvature amplitude Camp and the maximum curvature Cmax@amp at the location of Camp were calculated. These parameters can be used to characterize fatigue stress in a lead under cyclical bending. Results The medians of Camp and Cmax@amp were 0.18 cm−1 and 0.42 cm−1, respectively. The median location of Cmax was in the atrium whereas the median location of Camp occurred close to where the transit through the tricuspid valve can be assumed. Increased curvatures were found for higher slack grades. Conclusion Our results suggest that reconstruction of 3D ICD lead motion is feasible using biplane cine-fluoroscopy. Lead curvatures can be computed with high accuracy and the results can be implemented to improve lead design and testing.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (15) ◽  
pp. 6972
Author(s):  
Lihua Cui ◽  
Fei Ma ◽  
Tengfei Cai

The cavitation phenomenon of the self-resonating waterjet for the modulation of erosion characteristics is investigated in this paper. A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed to analyze the unsteady characteristics of the self-resonating jet. The numerical model employs the mixture two-phase model, coupling the realizable turbulence model and Schnerr–Sauer cavitation model. Collected data from experimental tests were used to validate the model. Results of numerical simulations and experimental data frequency bands obtained by the Fast Fourier transform (FFT) method were in very good agreement. For better understanding the physical phenomena, the velocity, the pressure distributions, and the cavitation characteristics were investigated. The obtained results show that the sudden change of the flow velocity at the outlet of the nozzle leads to the forms of the low-pressure zone. When the pressure at the low-pressure zone is lower than the vapor pressure, the cavitation occurs. The flow field structure of the waterjet can be directly perceived through simulation, which can provide theoretical support for realizing the modulation of the erosion characteristics, optimizing nozzle structure.


Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 906
Author(s):  
Ivan Bašták Ďurán ◽  
Martin Köhler ◽  
Astrid Eichhorn-Müller ◽  
Vera Maurer ◽  
Juerg Schmidli ◽  
...  

The single-column mode (SCM) of the ICON (ICOsahedral Nonhydrostatic) modeling framework is presented. The primary purpose of the ICON SCM is to use it as a tool for research, model evaluation and development. Thanks to the simplified geometry of the ICON SCM, various aspects of the ICON model, in particular the model physics, can be studied in a well-controlled environment. Additionally, the ICON SCM has a reduced computational cost and a low data storage demand. The ICON SCM can be utilized for idealized cases—several well-established cases are already included—or for semi-realistic cases based on analyses or model forecasts. As the case setup is defined by a single NetCDF file, new cases can be prepared easily by the modification of this file. We demonstrate the usage of the ICON SCM for different idealized cases such as shallow convection, stratocumulus clouds, and radiative transfer. Additionally, the ICON SCM is tested for a semi-realistic case together with an equivalent three-dimensional setup and the large eddy simulation mode of ICON. Such consistent comparisons across the hierarchy of ICON configurations are very helpful for model development. The ICON SCM will be implemented into the operational ICON model and will serve as an additional tool for advancing the development of the ICON model.


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