Turbulent Fluid Interfaces and Mixing Efficiency: Dynamics, Optimization, and Regularization

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto C. Aguirre ◽  
Haris J. Catrakis

In many fluid engineering devices, improved design and performance require knowledge of the dynamics of turbulent fluid interfaces. Depending on the device, and the application, the performance may be more sensitive to the large scales or the small scales of the interfaces. We distinguish between cases depending on whether the surface area of, or the volume enclosed by, the interfaces is practically more relevant. For turbulent interfaces, the surface area is dominated by the small scales whereas the volume enclosed is dominated by the large scales. We examine the interfacial dynamics in separated flows and we demonstrate the differences in the area-volume behavior in the context of mixing. Resolution effects on the interfacial behavior reveal that the mixing efficiency is strongly dominated by the large-scale interfacial properties. This has broad implications, at least for fluid-mixing devices, for the development of flow-prediction and flow-control techniques.

1993 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Frost ◽  
J. Halliday ◽  
A. S. Dee

Improved design and performance of continuous thickeners should be achieved through a better understanding of the sludge transport processes involved and the variability of sludge thickenability. A software package called PHOENICS was used to model the three-dimensional flow of sludge in the transport zone of a 20m diameter thickener. A mass transport efficiency was evaluated to test the efficacy of the ploughing system, and tracer simulations were performed to study the degree of back-mixing induced. Interpretation of the results suggests that:○Optimum orientation of the ploughs to the radial arm is 60° to 70°.○Transport of sludge to a central outlet occurs principally in the wake of the advancing ploughs, and that ploughs are less efficient than conventional theories dictate.○Sludge in the ploughing zone is mixed, thus potentially impairing thickener performance. The thickenability of mixed raw sludge arising at a large activated sludge works was monitored. Pronounced seasonal variations were observed, with a marked deterioration in thickenability in late summer and autumn. These were confirmed in trials of a 20m diameter continuous thickener. Consequently the proposed thickening strategy for this works has been revised.


2002 ◽  
Vol 471 ◽  
pp. 381-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
HARIS J. CATRAKIS ◽  
ROBERTO C. AGUIRRE ◽  
JESUS RUIZ-PLANCARTE ◽  
ROBERT D. THAYNE ◽  
BRENDA A. McDONALD ◽  
...  

Experiments have been conducted to investigate turbulent mixing and the dynamics of outer fluid interfaces, i.e. the interfaces between mixed fluid and pure ambient fluid. A novel six-foot-diameter octagonal-tank flow facility was developed to enable the optical imaging of fluid interfaces above the mixing transition, corresponding to fully developed turbulence. Approximately 10003 whole-field three-dimensional space– time measurements of the concentration field were recorded using laser-induced- fluorescence digital-imaging techniques in turbulent jets at a Reynolds number of Re ∼ 20 000, Schmidt number of Sc ∼ 2000, and downstream distance of ∼ 500 nozzle diameters. Multiple large-scale regions of spatially nearly uniform-concentration fluid are evident in instantaneous visualizations, in agreement with previous findings above the mixing transition. The ensemble-averaged probability density function of concentration is found to exhibit linear dependence over a wide range of concentration thresholds. This can be accounted for in terms of the dynamics of large-scale well- mixed regions. Visualization of the three-dimensional space–time concentration field indicates that molecular mixing of entrained pure ambient fluid is dynamically initiated and accomplished in the vicinity of the unsteady large scales. Examination of the outer interfaces shows that they are dynamically confined primarily near the instantaneous large-scale boundaries of the flow. This behaviour is quantified in terms of the probability density of the location of the outer interfaces relative to the flow centreline and the probability of pure ambient fluid as a function of distance from the centreline. The current measurements show that the dynamics of outer interfaces above the mixing transition is significantly different from the behaviour below the transition, where previous studies have shown that unmixed ambient fluid can extend across a wide range of transverse locations in the flow interior. The present observations of dynamical confinement of the outer interfaces to the unsteady large scales, and considerations of entrainment, suggest that the mechanism responsible for this behaviour must be the coupling of large-scale flow dynamics with the presence of small-scale structures internal to the large-scale structures, above the mixing transition. The dynamics and structure of the outer interfaces across the entire range of space–time scales are quantified in terms of a distribution of generalized level-crossing scales. The outer-interface behaviour determines the mixing efficiency of the flow, i.e. fraction of mixed fluid. The present findings indicate that the large-scale dynamics of the outer interfaces above the mixing transition provides the dominant contribution to the mixing efficiency. This suggests a new way to quantify the mixing efficiency of turbulent flows at high Reynolds numbers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 140 (4) ◽  
pp. 272-280
Author(s):  
Wataru Ohnishi ◽  
Hiroshi Fujimoto ◽  
Koichi Sakata

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Georgi G. Gochev ◽  
Volodymyr I. Kovalchuk ◽  
Eugene V. Aksenenko ◽  
Valentin B. Fainerman ◽  
Reinhard Miller

The theoretical description of the adsorption of proteins at liquid/fluid interfaces suffers from the inapplicability of classical formalisms, which soundly calls for the development of more complicated adsorption models. A Frumkin-type thermodynamic 2-d solution model that accounts for nonidealities of interface enthalpy and entropy was proposed about two decades ago and has been continuously developed in the course of comparisons with experimental data. In a previous paper we investigated the adsorption of the globular protein β-lactoglobulin at the water/air interface and used such a model to analyze the experimental isotherms of the surface pressure, Π(c), and the frequency-, f-, dependent surface dilational viscoelasticity modulus, E(c)f, in a wide range of protein concentrations, c, and at pH 7. However, the best fit between theory and experiment proposed in that paper appeared incompatible with new data on the surface excess, Γ, obtained from direct measurements with neutron reflectometry. Therefore, in this work, the same model is simultaneously applied to a larger set of experimental dependences, e.g., Π(c), Γ(c), E(Π)f, etc., with E-values measured strictly in the linear viscoelasticity regime. Despite this ambitious complication, a best global fit was elaborated using a single set of parameter values, which well describes all experimental dependencies, thus corroborating the validity of the chosen thermodynamic model. Furthermore, we applied the model in the same manner to experimental results obtained at pH 3 and pH 5 in order to explain the well-pronounced effect of pH on the interfacial behavior of β-lactoglobulin. The results revealed that the propensity of β-lactoglobulin globules to unfold upon adsorption and stretch at the interface decreases in the order pH 3 > pH 7 > pH 5, i.e., with decreasing protein net charge. Finally, we discuss advantages and limitations in the current state of the model.


Technologies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Hossam A. Gabbar ◽  
Ahmed M. Othman ◽  
Muhammad R. Abdussami

The evolving global landscape for electrical distribution and use created a need area for energy storage systems (ESS), making them among the fastest growing electrical power system products. A key element in any energy storage system is the capability to monitor, control, and optimize performance of an individual or multiple battery modules in an energy storage system and the ability to control the disconnection of the module(s) from the system in the event of abnormal conditions. This management scheme is known as “battery management system (BMS)”, which is one of the essential units in electrical equipment. BMS reacts with external events, as well with as an internal event. It is used to improve the battery performance with proper safety measures within a system. Therefore, a safe BMS is the prerequisite for operating an electrical system. This report analyzes the details of BMS for electric transportation and large-scale (stationary) energy storage. The analysis includes different aspects of BMS covering testing, component, functionalities, topology, operation, architecture, and BMS safety aspects. Additionally, current related standards and codes related to BMS are also reviewed. The report investigates BMS safety aspects, battery technology, regulation needs, and offer recommendations. It further studies current gaps in respect to the safety requirements and performance requirements of BMS by focusing mainly on the electric transportation and stationary application. The report further provides a framework for developing a new standard on BMS, especially on BMS safety and operational risk. In conclusion, four main areas of (1) BMS construction, (2) Operation Parameters, (3) BMS Integration, and (4) Installation for improvement of BMS safety and performance are identified, and detailed recommendations were provided for each area. It is recommended that a technical review of the BMS be performed for transportation electrification and large-scale (stationary) applications. A comprehensive evaluation of the components, architectures, and safety risks applicable to BMS operation is also presented.


MRS Bulletin ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 389-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph E.H. Sims

AbstractSome forms of renewable energy have long contributed to electricity generation, whereas others are just emerging. For example, large-scale hydropower is a mature technology generating about 16% of global electricity, and many smaller scale systems are also being installed worldwide. Future opportunities to improve the technology are limited but include upgrading of existing plants to gain greater performance efficiencies and reduced maintenance. Geothermal energy, widely used for power generation and direct heat applications, is also mature, but new technologies could improve plant designs, extend their lifetimes, and improve reliability. By contrast, ocean energy is an emerging renewable energy technology. Design, development, and testing of a myriad of devices remain mainly in the research and development stage, with many opportunities for materials science to improve design and performance, reduce costly maintenance procedures, and extend plant operating lifetimes under the harsh marine environment.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document