An LBM Study of the Sedimentation Behaviors of Double Particles With Non-Identical Sizes

In this work, the size effects on the sedimentation behaviors of two non-identical particles are investigated through the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). The method is first validated by simulating the settling process of single and double particles, which agrees well with analytical and previous results. Then the hydrodynamic behaviors of double non-identical-size particles settling in an infinite-long narrow channel are investigated, in which the larger particle is initially placed above the smaller one. Different sedimentation behaviors are observed with different diameter ratios in the present work. In the first Draft-Kiss-Tumble (DKT) cycle, it is observed that the time durations of both drafting state and kissing state are shortened by the increase of the diameter ratio γ . Considering a longer sedimentation time, three different settling modes are observed with different diameter ratios, which can be summarized as: (1). Repeated DKT cycle (1.0 ≤ γ ≤ 1.13); (2). Repeated DT-DKT after the first DKT cycle (1.14 ≤ γ ≤ 1.22); (3). Separation after the first DKT cycle (1.23 ≤ γ). It should be noted that Mode 2 is first defined in this work, which helps explain the divergence in the threshold diameter ratios of the recurrence of DKT cycles proposed in the previous literatures. In addition, the periodical length of the repeated cycles experiences instant increase and decrease against the diameter ratio near the transition from Mode 1 to Mode 2, while an instant increase is also observed near the threshold diameter ratio between Mode 2 and Mode 3.

Hydrodynamic Behaviors of Aquaculture Net Cages After the Successive Mooring Lines Failure

This paper aims to study the successive mooring line failure (also known as the domino effect) and the collision between floating collars for aquaculture net cages subjected to currents. The numerical model of this study is developed based on the Morison equation and the lumped-mass scheme in the time domain. This model is then applied to see if the domino effect of moorings will happen after releasing the anchor point #1 on the upstream side. In this study, we adopt four different current speeds (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 m/s) and three different safety factors (SF, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0) settings to calculate the number of mooring failures, and to see whether it will cause floating collars collision. The results show that in the case of the SF is 2.0, the domino effect will not be triggered, and the floating collar collision will not occur. When the SF is 1.5, and the current speed is up to 1.0 m/s or higher, only the two anchor points on the upstream side will fail and no collision will occur. However, if the SF is not considered (that is, 1.0), the domino effect will occur under all the four current speeds, and the floating collar collision will all occur. Therefore, we suggest that in order to avoid the domino effect of the mooring system of aquaculture net cages from currents, the SF of the mooring system design must be at least 2 times.

A CFD-PBM coupled model under entire turbulent spectrum for simulating a bubble column with highly viscous media

To account for the effect of liquid viscosity, the bubble breakup model considering turbulent eddy collision based on the inertial subrange turbulent spectrum was extended to the entire turbulent spectrum that included the energy-containing, inertial, and energy-dissipation subranges. The computational fluid dynamics-population balance model (CFD-PBM) coupled model was modified to include this extended bubble breakup model for simulations of a bubble column. The effect of turbulent energy spectrum on the bubble breakup and hydrodynamic behaviors was studied in a bubble column under different liquid viscosities. The results showed that when the liquid viscosity was < 80 mPas, the bubble breakup and hydrodynamics were almost independent on the turbulent spectrum. At liquid viscosity > 80 mPas, the bubble breakup rate and gas holdup were significantly under-predicted when the inertial turbulent spectrum was used, and when using the entire turbulent spectrum the predictions were more consistent with experimental data.

State of the art of friction modelling at interfaces subjected to elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL)

Elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) is a type of fluid-film lubrication where hydrodynamic behaviors at contact surfaces are affected by both elastic deformation of surfaces and lubricant viscosity. Modelling of contact interfaces under EHL is challenging due to high nonlinearity, complexity, and the multi-disciplinary nature. This paper aims to understand the state of the art of computational modelling of EHL by (1) examining the literature on modeling of contact surfaces under boundary and mixed lubricated conditions, (2) emphasizing the methods on the friction prediction occurring to contact surfaces, and (3) exploring the feasibility of using commercially available software tools (especially, Simulia/Abaqus) to predict the friction and wear at contact surfaces of objects with relative reciprocating motions.