Flow Separation Dynamics in Three-Dimensional Asymmetric Diffusers

The mean and instantaneous flow separation of two different three-dimensional asymmetric diffusers is analysed using the data of large-eddy simulations. The geometry of both diffusers under investigation is based on the experimental configuration of Cherry et al. (Int J Heat Fluid Flow 29(3):803–811, 2008). The two diffusers feature similar area ratios of $$\mathrm{AR}=4.8$$ AR = 4.8 and $$\mathrm{AR}=4.5$$ AR = 4.5 while exhibiting differing asymmetric expansion ratios of $$\mathrm{AER}=4.5$$ AER = 4.5 or $$\mathrm{AER}=2.0$$ AER = 2.0 , respectively. The Reynolds number based on the averaged inlet velocity and height of the inlet duct is approximately $${\textit{Re}}=10{,}000$$ Re = 10 , 000 . The time-averaged flow in both diffusers in terms of streamwise velocity profiles or the size and location of the mean backflow region are validated using experimental data. In general good agreement of simulated results with the experimental data is found. Further quantification of the flow separation behaviour and unsteadiness using the backflow coefficient reveals the volume portion in which the instantaneous reversal flow evolves. This new approach investigates the cumulative fractional volume occupied by the instantaneous backflow throughout the simulation, a power density spectra analysis of their time series reveals the periodicity of the growth and reduction phases of the flow separation within the diffusers. The dominating turbulent events responsible for the formation of the energy-containing motions including ejection and sweep are examined using the quadrant analysis at various locations. Finally, isourfaces of the Q-criterion visualise the instantaneous flow and the origin and fate of coherent structures in both diffusers.

An in-vitro model of stiffened aortic valves to develop an iso-stiffness-lines graph for severity evaluation aortic stenosis

Introduction The echocardiographic diagnosis of aortic stenosis (AS) is established by assessing its maximal opening area (OA). The behavior of OA is dependent on transvalvular flow which can be low in case of low-flow, low-gradient AS. However, current guidelines for the assessment of AS do not consider flow but rather a stroke volume. This experiment was designed to create a graphical representation of the OA versus flow for various valve stiffness values to eventually build a model with iso-stiffness lines. Methods We filmed harvested porcine aortic valve mounted in a pulsatile flow loop during the ejection time with a high speed camera (2000Hz), measured for each time point OA and the instantaneous flow through the aortic valve at 10 different mean flow rates (ranging from 0.5 to 5.0 liters/min) and divided both, OA and flow, by the area of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) in order to account for different valve sizes. We plotted each OA against its corresponding flow after correcting for the intersignal delay. Due to a time lag between flow onset and the valve opening caused by a ballooning of the valve, we only included the points corresponding to the 5% highest instantaneous flow rates (for each of the 10 mean flow rates). We stiffened the valve by treating it with a protein cross-linking agent (formaldehyde) to yield a total of three stiffness grades (a, b, c) and repeated the procedure for each of those grades. Results We generally observed an asymptotic appearance of the flow-OA relationship as well as a flattening of this relationship with increasing valve stiffening. This visually matches well simulated data generated with a sigmoid model. Conclusions We could obtain all flow/OA pairs at different stiffness grades. This will allow us to fit a sigmoid function capturing the flow-OA relationship for each stiffness grade and create iso-stiffness line that will allow classifying valve stenosis grade irrespective of the flow and the size of the valve in one single graph, potentially simplifying the grading system of aortic stenosis, especially for patient with low-flow, low-gradient AS. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Bern Center for Precision Medicine (BCPM) Stiffness stage 1 All stiffness stages combined

Four-port hydraulic transformer with inlet and outlet equal flow and its flow characteristics

Without changing the original valve control hydraulic system, a kind of hydraulic transformer, called four-port hydraulic transformer (FHT), is proposed to recover the energy loss caused by system throttling. The remarkable feature of FHT is that the flow rate at inlet and outlet ports are equal. This means that FHT can be connected into the load circuit of hydraulic system to recovery energy without refreshing flow rate. This paper investigates the flow characteristics of FHT, including instantaneous flow rates, average flow rates and flow pulsations in each port. The relationships between the structure of port plate and the flow characteristics are given. The variation rule of number of plungers connected to four ports is shown, and the relationship between the variation and the flow pulsation is revealed. The simulation results show that the flow rates and displacements of symmetrical ports are same, and the instantaneous flow rate of symmetrical ports has the same rule. The results also show the frequent changes of the number of plungers connected with each port lead to more flow jump points in instantaneous curves, and the jump point is the basic cause of its loud noise. The test shows that the flow rates of measurement data of the experiment are very close to the theoretical analysis, proved the theoretical analysis of flow characteristics for FHT are appropriate and reasonable, which has a certain reference for the development and energy-saving application for FHT.

Stability of Flow Velocity and Intracoronary Resistance in the Intracoronary Electrocardiogram-triggered Pressure Ratio

It has been found that the assessment of coronary artery lesions using the fractional flow reserve and instantaneous flow reserve measurements reduces the incidence of further cardiovascular events. Here, we investigated differences in the coronary flow velocity and resistance within the analysis interval between the instantaneous flow reserve (iFR) and the intracoronary electrocardiogram (IC-ECG)-triggered distal/aortic pressure (Pd/Pa) ratio (ICE-T). Thirty-three consecutive patients with stenoses that required coronary flow measurement were enrolled. ICE-T was defined as the average Pd/Pa ratio in the period corresponding to the isoelectric line of the IC-ECG. The index value, flow velocity, and intracoronary resistance during the analysis intervals of the iFR and ICE-T, both at rest and under hyperemia, were compared. The index value and intracoronary resistance of the ICE-T were found to be significantly lower, while the flow velocity was significantly higher, than those of the iFR (P < 0.001), and all fluctuations in ICE-T values were also significantly smaller than those in the iFR.In conclusion, the ICE-T is theoretically superior to pressure-dependent indices for analyzing phases with low and stable resistance, without an increase in invasiveness.