NUMERICAL MODELLING OF OSCILLATING FLOW FOR ENERGY HARVESTING

The energy efficiency of systems, equipment, and sensors is nowadays intensively studied. The new generation of microelectronic sensors is very sophisticated and the energy consumption is in the microwatts range. The energy to power the microelectronic devices can be harvested from oscillating flow in small size channels and so replaceable batteries could be eliminated. Piezoelectric elements can convert energy from oscillation to electrical energy. This paper focuses on the simulation of periodic flow in the fluidic oscillator. CFD simulations were performed for several values of the flow rate. Experimental measurement was carried out under the same conditions as the CFD experiment. The main monitored and evaluated parameters were volume flow rate and pressure loss. Fluid oscillations were analysed based on CFD simulations and the theoretical maximum energy available for the deformation of piezoelectric elements and transformable into electrical energy was evaluated.

Experimental study of flow dynamics of a sweeping jet in a slot channel

In recent years, fluidic oscillators have been actively applied as devices for flow control in the field of aero and hydrodynamics. This study aims to investigate the structure of a flow of sweeping jet ejected from a fluidic oscillator into a confined area – slot channel. Dynamics of sweeping jet flow are investigated using the PIV method with high temporal resolution. The effect of the Re number on the sweeping jet oscillation frequency was studied in the range from 1 500 to 8 000. Linear frequency dependence on Re number was obtained. Bounding walls affect the dynamics of sweeping jet flow that leads to a change of average velocity field. For low Re numbers, obtained results are in good agreement with the results of other studies.

Characterisation and comparison of unsteady actuators: a fluidic oscillator and a sweeping jet

Purpose The purpose of this study is to compare two unsteady actuators: an oscillator and a sweeping jet. Both actuators can produce an oscillating jet of different amplitudes and frequencies without any moving parts, making them an attractive actuator concept. The Coanda effect phenomenon can explain the operating principles of these two unsteady actuators. Design/methodology/approach A numerical study was conducted to compare the amplitudes and frequencies of fluidic and sweeping jet (SJ) oscillators to obtain an efficient actuator to control separated flows at high Reynolds numbers. For this goal, two-dimensional unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes simulations were carried out using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) fluent code to evaluate the actuator performances. The discrete fast Fourier transform method determined the oscillation frequencies. Findings The oscillation frequencies gradually increase as the inlet pressure increases. The characteristics and dimensions of the vortices produced in the mixing chamber and feedback loops vary overtime when the injected fluid is swept sideways. The frequencies supplied by the SJ are stronger than those obtained by the fluidic oscillator, which may contribute to improving the aerodynamic performance at a lower power supply cost. Originality/value The existence of the splitter in the fluidic oscillator led to the production of separate pulses, which would be useful in various industrial applications, including active control of combustion and mixing processes while other applications such as flow separation control require SJs. With the latter actuator higher and interesting frequencies can be obtained, leading to efficient flow control.

Adaptation of Technologies Making Clean out Operations Environment Friendly and Cost Effective - Converting Failure into Success Using New Type of Fluidic Oscillator

A case study is presented detailing the methodology used to perform the clean-out operation in a water disposal well of Khurmala Field, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Untreated disposed water caused scaling and plugging in perforated liner and in the open hole that eventually ceased injection. Multiple attempts and investments were made in recent years to resume access to the injection zone using high-pressure hydro-jetting tools coupled with acid treatments. However, these attempts yielded futile efforts. Before proceeding with the decision of workover, it was decided to go for one final attempt to regain wellbore access using Fluidic Oscillator (SFO). Fluidic Oscillator (SFO) having pulsing, cavitation and helix jetting action was used in combination with a train of fluids consisting of diesel, 28% HCl and gel. The clean out was performed in stages of 10m, to clean the fill from 1091m to 1170m. Since the well bore was initially isolated from the injection zone, the cleanout was conducted with non-nitrified fluids. As the cleanout progressed and access to the liner and open hole was regained, the circulation of insoluble fill to surface required a lighter carrying fluid. Nitrification, volume of the fluids, batch cycling, and ROP were designed considering the downhole dynamic changes expected during each stage of the operation. The combination of SFO, the thorough selection of treatment fluids and the accurate downhole hydraulics simulations pertaining to different stages of the operation offered an effective solution and regained the connectivity between the wellbore and the injection zone. The injection rate of water increased from 0 bpm at 700 psi to 15 bpm at 200 psi. Throughout this operation, the SFO helix, cavitation, and acoustic pulse (alike) jetting proved to be more effective than other single acting rotating jetting tools. Also, Environmental impact was reduced by eliminating the need for a rig workover operation. The matching of the injection pressure when the well was first completed and the post job value indicated that the complete zone was exposed and scale deposits were removed from the critical matrix or bypassed. SFO has an effective jetting near wellbore region, while the kinetic energy transferred via fluid makes the impact stronger in the deeper region. Internal mechanism of the tool allows it to handle high pumping rate and pressures, external finishing offer multi-port orientation of outflow that allows targeting the fill in desired directions. Presently the SFO used in the case study is the only technology that has pulse, cavitation, and helix jetting structure. Also, since the tool does not require redressing, it proves to be an efficient, safe and cost effective alternative