Numerical simulation of an electroosmotic micromixer with variable modules

Author(s):  
Qiaoyu Feng ◽  
Xueye Chen

We designed a new type of [Formula: see text]-type electroosmotic micromixer with variable modules (EMVMs). By applying 7V alternating current (AC) voltage to the EMVM, the mixing efficiency at different Reynolds number (Re) is discussed by changing the rotation angles of modules at different positions in different directions. We found that the mixing efficiency of the EMVM can reach 99% when the first block is rotated along the xz-axis. Then, we change the torsion angle of the same variable module and find that the mixing efficiency can reach 99.3% when the torsion is [Formula: see text]. Finally, we change the voltage value and find that the mixing efficiency of the EMVM increases with the increase of voltage values.

2015 ◽  
Vol 659 ◽  
pp. 671-675
Author(s):  
Supasit Prasertlarp ◽  
Sompong Putivisutisak

A 3-D numerical simulation is performed to study the flow dynamics and mixing characteristics between two different kinds of fluid within T-shaped micro-mixers. Water and ethanol are selected as the mixing fluids due to its application in calibrating the ultrasound imaging equipment. The present work focuses on the effects of inlet velocity and aspect ratio of the mixing channel. The Reynolds number is varied from 0.1 to 300 and the aspect ratio in the range between 0.2 and 1. The flow of interest is laminar, steady and without chemical reaction. It is found that at low Reynolds number, the stratified flow character is presented. As the velocity inlet increases, the mixing efficiency is decreased. However, for the Reynolds number greater than 100 the mixing efficiency is increased due to the buildup vortex structure. Furthermore, when increasing the Reynolds number, the pressure drop significantly increases. Thus, it is seen that both the inlet velocity and aspect ratio significantly affect the mixing efficiency and pressure drop.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 748
Author(s):  
Xiaoyan Bian ◽  
Yao Zhang ◽  
Qibin Zhou ◽  
Ting Cao ◽  
Bengang Wei

Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) modules are a new type of photovoltaic (PV) modules that are widely used in distributed PV stations on the roof of buildings for power generation. Due to the high installation location, BIPV modules suffer from lightning hazard greatly. In order to evaluate the risk of lightning stroke and consequent damage to BIPV modules, the studies on the lightning attachment characteristics and the lightning energy withstand capability are conducted, respectively, based on numerical and experimental methods in this paper. In the study of lightning attachment characteristics, the numerical simulation results show that it is easier for the charges to concentrate on the upper edge of the BIPV metal frame. Therefore, the electric field strength at the upper edge is enhanced to emit upward leaders and attract the lightning downward leaders. The conclusion is verified through the long-gap discharge experiment in a high voltage lab. From the experimental study of multi-discharge in the lab, it is found that the lightning interception efficiency of the BIPV module is improved by 114% compared with the traditional PV modules. In the study of lightning energy withstand capability, a thermoelectric coupling model is established. With this model, the potential, current and temperature can be calculated in the multi-physical field numerical simulation. The results show that the maximum temperature of the metal frame increases by 16.07 °C when 100 kA lightning current flows through it and does not bring any damage to the PV modules. The numerical results have a good consistency with the experimental study results obtained from the 100 kA impulse current experiment in the lab.


Author(s):  
Alessandro Chiarini ◽  
Maurizio Quadrio

AbstractA direct numerical simulation (DNS) of the incompressible flow around a rectangular cylinder with chord-to-thickness ratio 5:1 (also known as the BARC benchmark) is presented. The work replicates the first DNS of this kind recently presented by Cimarelli et al. (J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 174:39–495, 2018), and intends to contribute to a solid numerical benchmark, albeit at a relatively low value of the Reynolds number. The study differentiates from previous work by using an in-house finite-differences solver instead of the finite-volumes toolbox OpenFOAM, and by employing finer spatial discretization and longer temporal average. The main features of the flow are described, and quantitative differences with the existing results are highlighted. The complete set of terms appearing in the budget equation for the components of the Reynolds stress tensor is provided for the first time. The different regions of the flow where production, redistribution and dissipation of each component take place are identified, and the anisotropic and inhomogeneous nature of the flow is discussed. Such information is valuable for the verification and fine-tuning of turbulence models in this complex separating and reattaching flow.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-77
Author(s):  
Yue Wu ◽  
Junkai Huang ◽  
Jiafeng Chen

The long-span ice composite shell structure is a new type of ice and snow structure developed in recent years. The engineering practice of ice composite shell shows that sublimation is one of the important reasons for its damage and even collapse. In this paper, we firstly supplemented the existing H-K equation and obtained the revised ice sublimation equation through indoor evaporative plate experiment considering the influence of admixtures and wind speed. Afterwards, combining the simulations of solar radiation and CFD, the numerical simulation of sublimation distribution on the surface of were realized by programming in Grasshopper platform. During sublimation, the thickness of the ice composite shell decreases by 0.38 mm every 10 days and the sublimation rate on the sunny side was 1.7 times that on the shady side. Finally, the static performance and stability of the sublimated ice composite spherical shell were analyzed. After 70 days of sublimation, the thickness of the ice composite shell structure becomes thinner and uneven, which leads its sensitivity to external load increases.


Aerospace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 172
Author(s):  
Hengtao Shi

Recently, a new type of low-loss variable inlet guide vane (VIGV) was proposed for improving a compressor’s performance under off-design conditions. To provide more information for applications, this work investigated the effect of the Reynolds number and clearance flow on the aerodynamic characteristics of this new type of VIGV. The performance and flow field of two representative airfoils with different chord Reynolds numbers were studied with the widely used commercial software ANSYS CFX after validation was completed. Calculations indicate that, with the decrease in the Reynolds number Rec, the airfoil loss coefficient ω and deviation δ first increase slightly and then entered a high growth rate in a low range of Rec. Afterwards, a detailed boundary-layer analysis was conducted to reveal the flow mechanism for the airfoil performance degradation with a low Reynolds number. For the design point, it is the appearance and extension of the separation region on the rear portion; for the maximum incidence point, it is the increase in the length and height of the separation region on the former portion. The three-dimensional VIGV research confirms the Reynolds number effect on airfoils. Furthermore, the clearance leakage flow forms a strong stream-wise vortex by injection into the mainflow, resulting in a high total-pressure loss and under-turning in the endwall region, which shows the potential benefits of seal treatment.


Author(s):  
Chunhai Guo ◽  
Bin Wang ◽  
Zhenya Kang ◽  
Wenwu Zhang ◽  
Huilong Zheng

2008 ◽  
Vol 602 ◽  
pp. 209-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. J. GILLISSEN ◽  
B. J. BOERSMA ◽  
P. H. MORTENSEN ◽  
H. I. ANDERSSON

We use direct numerical simulation to study turbulent drag reduction by rigid polymer additives, referred to as fibres. The simulations agree with experimental data from the literature in terms of friction factor dependence on Reynolds number and fibre concentration. An expression for drag reduction is derived by adopting the concept of the elastic layer.


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