scholarly journals Design and Numerical Simulation of Biomimetic Structures to Capture Particles in a Microchannel

Fluids ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
Lung-Jieh Yang ◽  
Vivek-Jabaraj Joseph ◽  
Neethish-Kumar Unnam ◽  
Balasubramanian Esakki

The study of separating different sizes of particles through a microchannel has been an interest in recent years and the primary attention of this study is to isolate the particles to the specific outlets. The present work highly focuses on the design and numerical analysis of a microchip and the microparticles capture using special structures like corrugated dragonfly wing structure and cilia walls. The special biomimetic structured corrugated wing is taken from the cross-sectional area of the dragonfly wing and cilia structure is obtained from the epithelium terminal bronchioles to the larynx from the human body. Parametric studies were conducted on different sizes of microchip scaled and tested up in the range between 2–6 mm and the thickness was assigned as 80 µm in both dragonfly wing structure and cilia walls. The microflow channel is a low Reynolds number regime and with the help of the special structures, the flow inside the microchannel is pinched and a sinusoidal waveform pattern is observed. The pinched flow with sinusoidal waveform carries the particles downstream and induces the particles trapped in desired outlets. Fluid particle interaction (FPI) with a time-dependent solver in COMSOL Multiphysics was used to carry out the numerical study. Two particle sizes of 5 µm and 20 µm were applied, the inlet velocity of 0.52 m/s with an inflow angle of 50° was used throughout the study and it suggested that: the microchannel length of 3 mm with corrugated dragonfly wing structure had the maximum particle capture rate of 20 µm at the mainstream outlet. 80% capture rate for the microchannel length of 3 mm with corrugated dragonfly wing structure and 98% capture rate for the microchannel length of 2 mm with cilia wall structure were observed. Numerical simulation results showed that the cilia walled microchip is superior to the corrugated wing structure as the mainstream outlet can conduct most of the 20 µm particles. At the same time, the secondary outlet can laterally capture most of the 5 µm particles. This biomimetic microchip design is expected to be implemented using the PDMS MEMS process in the future.

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry Purnama ◽  
Jos Istiyanto

The application of spot-welding in the automotive industry, especially the electric-based vehicle frame structure, has been optimized to meet passenger and battery compartment safety factors. The present numerical study of the electric-based vehicle frame structure with the top hat cross-sectional model validated the experimental results of reference, which then modified the spot-welding pitch to determine the crashworthiness effect and criteria. The numerical simulation results show that reducing spot-welding pitch in vertical direction can increase energy absorption (EA) by 1.70% - 9.91%, while bringing spot-welding pitch closer to the flange's outer edge can reduce its maximum force (Fmax) by 8.11% - 21.67%. Keywords: Spot-welding; Top Hat Structure; Crashworthiness; Numerical Simulation; Electric Vehicle.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 3404
Author(s):  
Majid Hejazian ◽  
Eugeniu Balaur ◽  
Brian Abbey

Microfluidic devices which integrate both rapid mixing and liquid jetting for sample delivery are an emerging solution for studying molecular dynamics via X-ray diffraction. Here we use finite element modelling to investigate the efficiency and time-resolution achievable using microfluidic mixers within the parameter range required for producing stable liquid jets. Three-dimensional simulations, validated by experimental data, are used to determine the velocity and concentration distribution within these devices. The results show that by adopting a serpentine geometry, it is possible to induce chaotic mixing, which effectively reduces the time required to achieve a homogeneous mixture for sample delivery. Further, we investigate the effect of flow rate and the mixer microchannel size on the mixing efficiency and minimum time required for complete mixing of the two solutions whilst maintaining a stable jet. In general, we find that the smaller the cross-sectional area of the mixer microchannel, the shorter the time needed to achieve homogeneous mixing for a given flow rate. The results of these simulations will form the basis for optimised designs enabling the study of molecular dynamics occurring on millisecond timescales using integrated mix-and-inject microfluidic devices.


2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arun Prasad R ◽  
Thanigaiarasu S ◽  
Sembaruthi M ◽  
Rathakrishnan E

AbstractThe present numerical study is to understand the effect of air tabs located at the exit of a convergent nozzle on the spreading and mixing characteristics of correctly expanded sonic primary jet. Air tabs used in this study are two secondary jets issuing from constant diameter tubes located diametrically opposite at the periphery of the primary nozzle exit, normal to the primary jet. Two air tabs of Mach numbers 1.0 to 1.4, in steps of 0.1 are considered in this study. The mixing modification caused by air tabs are analysed by considering the mixing of uncontrolled (free) primary jet as a reference. Substantial enhancement in jet mixing is achieved with Mach 1.4 air tabs, which results in 80 % potential core length reduction. The total pressure profiles taken on the plane (YZ) normal to the primary jet axis, at various locations along the primary jet centreline revealed the modification of the jet cross sectional shape by air tabs. The stream-wise vortices and bifurcation of the primary jet caused by air tabs are found to be the mechanism behind the enhanced jet mixing.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Hitoshi Tanaka ◽  
Nguyen Xuan Tinh ◽  
Xiping Yu ◽  
Guangwei Liu

A theoretical and numerical study is carried out to investigate the transformation of the wave boundary layer from non-depth-limited (wave-like boundary layer) to depth-limited one (current-like boundary layer) over a smooth bottom. A long period of wave motion is not sufficient to induce depth-limited properties, although it has simply been assumed in various situations under long waves, such as tsunami and tidal currents. Four criteria are obtained theoretically for recognizing the inception of the depth-limited condition under waves. To validate the theoretical criteria, numerical simulation results using a turbulence model as well as laboratory experiment data are employed. In addition, typical field situations induced by tidal motion and tsunami are discussed to show the usefulness of the proposed criteria.


2013 ◽  
Vol 444-445 ◽  
pp. 1574-1578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Hua Xiao ◽  
Zhan Li Mao ◽  
Wei Guang An ◽  
Qing Song Wang ◽  
Jin Hua Sun

A numerical study of premixed propane/air flame propagation in a closed duct is presented. A dynamically thickened flame (TF) method is applied to model the premixed combustion. The reaction of propane in air is taken into account using a single-step global Arrhenius kinetics. It is shown that the premixed flame undergoes four stages of dynamics in the propagation. The formation of tulip flame phenomenon is observed. The pressure during the combustion process grows exponentially at the finger-shape flame stage and then slows down until the formation of tulip shape. After tulip formation the pressure increases quickly again with the increase of the flame surface area. The vortex motion behind the flame front advects the flame into tulip shape. The study indicates that the TF model is quite reliable for the investigation of premixed propane/air flame propagation.


Author(s):  
Hailing Yu

In ballasted concrete tie track, the tie-ballast interface can deteriorate resulting in concrete tie bottom abrasion, ballast pulverization and/or voids in tie-ballast interfaces. Tie-ballast voids toward tie ends can lead to unfavorable center binding support conditions that can result in premature concrete tie failure and possible train derailment. Direct detection of these conditions is difficult. There is a strong interest in assessing the concrete tie-ballast interface conditions indirectly using measured vertical deflections. This paper seeks to establish a link between the vertical deflection profile of a concrete tie top surface and the tie-ballast interface condition using the finite element analysis (FEA) method. The concrete tie is modeled as a concrete matrix embedded with prestressing steel strands or wires. The configurations of two commonly used concrete ties, one with 8 prestressing strands and the other with 20 prestressing wires, are employed in this study. All models are three-dimensional and symmetric about the tie center. A damaged plasticity model that can predict onset and propagation of tensile cracks is applied to the concrete material. The steel-concrete interface is homogenized and represented with a thin layer of cohesive elements sandwiched between steel and concrete elements. Strand- or wire-specific elasto-plastic bond models developed at the Volpe Center are applied to the cohesive elements to account for the interface bonding mechanisms. FE models are developed for both original and worn concrete ties, with the latter assuming hypothetical patterns of reduced cross sections resulting from abrasive interactions with the ballast. Static analyses of pretension release in these concrete ties are conducted, and vertical deflection gradients along tie lengths are calculated and shown to correspond well with the worn cross sectional patterns for a given reinforcement type. The ballast is further modeled with Extended Drucker-Prager plasticity, and hypothetical voids are applied toward the tie ends along the concrete tie-ballast interface to simulate center binding support conditions. The distance range over which the concrete tie is supported in the center is variable and yields different center binding severity. Static simulations are completed with vertical rail seat loads applied on the concrete tie-ballast assembly. The influences of various factors on the vertical deflection profile, including tie type, vertical load magnitude, center binding severity, cross sectional material loss and prestress loss, are examined based on the FEA results. The work presented in this paper demonstrates the potential of using the vertical deflection profile of concrete tie top surfaces to assess deteriorations in the tie-ballast interface. The simulation results further help to clarify minimum technical requirements on inspection technologies that measure concrete tie vertical deflection profiles.


Author(s):  
H. X. Liang ◽  
Q. W. Wang ◽  
L. Q. Luo ◽  
Z. P. Feng

Three-dimensional numerical simulation was conducted to investigate the flow field and heat transfer performance of the Cross-Wavy Primary Surface (CWPS) recuperators for microturbines. Using high-effective compact recuperators to achieve high thermal efficiency is one of the key techniques in the development of microturbine in recent years. Recuperators need to have minimum volume and weight, high reliability and durability. Most important of all, they need to have high thermal-effectiveness and low pressure-losses so that the gas turbine system can achieve high thermal performances. These requirements have attracted some research efforts in designing and implementing low-cost and compact recuperators for gas turbine engines recently. One of the promising techniques to achieve this goal is the so-called primary surface channels with small hydraulic dimensions. In this paper, we conducted a three-dimensional numerical study of flow and heat transfer for the Cross-Wavy Primary Surface (CWPS) channels with two different geometries. In the CWPS configurations the secondary flow is created by means of curved and interrupted surfaces, which may disturb the thermal boundary layers and thus improve the thermal performances of the channels. To facilitate comparison, we chose the identical hydraulic diameters for the above four CWPS channels. Since our experiments on real recuperators showed that the Reynolds number ranges from 150 to 500 under the operating conditions, we implemented all the simulations under laminar flow situations. By analyzing the correlations of Nusselt numbers and friction factors vs. Reynolds numbers of the four CWPS channels, we found that the CWPS channels have superior and comprehensive thermal performance with high compactness, i.e., high heat transfer area to volume ratio, indicating excellent commercialized application in the compact recuperators.


Author(s):  
Abhijit Mukherjee ◽  
Satish G. Kandlikar

Flow boiling through microchannels is characterized by nucleation of vapor bubbles on the channel walls and their rapid growth as they fill the entire channel cross-section. In parallel microchannels connected through a common header, formation of vapor bubbles often results in flow maldistribution that leads to reversed flow in certain channels. The reversed flow is detrimental to the heat transfer and leads to early CHF condition. One way of eliminating the reversed flow is to incorporate flow restrictions at the channel inlet. In the present numerical study, a nucleating vapor bubble placed near the restricted end of a microchannel is numerically simulated. The complete Navier-Stokes equations along with continuity and energy equations are solved using the SIMPLER method. The liquid-vapor interface is captured using the level set technique. The results show that with no restriction the bubble moves towards the nearest channel outlet, whereas in the presence of a restriction, the bubble moves towards the distant but unrestricted end. It is proposed that channels with increasing cross-sectional area may be used to promote unidirectional growth of the vapor plugs and prevent reversed flow.


Author(s):  
Bruno Martins Jacovazzo ◽  
Fabri´cio Nogueira Correˆa ◽  
Carl Horst Albrecht ◽  
Breno Pinheiro Jacob ◽  
Fernando Gomes da Silva Torres ◽  
...  

The Floating Spiral pipeline installation method consists basically in winding the pipeline into a huge floating spiral, and towing this assembly to the installation site, where the spiral is then unwound and lowered to the seabed. In this method the pipeline is fabricated onshore, as the spiral is created, under well controlled conditions and relatively relaxed time constraints. Therefore the welds can be better inspected, which allows for optimal control of quality in pipeline manufacturing. The first stage of the installation process by this method consists in setting the pipeline afloat and winding it elastically to form a large flat spiral. This stage is studied in a companion paper [1], to be also presented at IPC2008. The second stage consists in towing the floating spiral pipeline employing standard tugboats before laying it at the installation site. The objective of this work is, therefore, to present results of parametric studies for a large length pipeline at this second stage of the Floating Spiral method. The focus now is in the pipeline behavior under wave environmental conditions during transportation. Several numerical simulations are performed and the results are discussed and compared.


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