Hierarchical climate-driven dynamics of the active channel length in temporary streams

Looking across a landscape, river networks appear deceptively static. However, flowing streams expand and contract following ever-changing hydrological conditions of the surrounding environment. Despite the ecological and biogeochemical value of rivers with discontinuous flow, deciphering the temporary nature of streams and quantifying their extent remains challenging. Using a unique observational dataset spanning diverse geomorphoclimatic settings, we demonstrate the existence of a general hierarchical structuring of river network dynamics. Specifically, temporary stream activation follows a fixed and repeatable sequence, in which the least persistent sections activate only when the most persistent ones are already flowing. This hierarchical phenomenon not only facilitates monitoring activities, but enables the development of a general mathematical framework that elucidates how climate drives temporal variations in the active stream length. As the climate gets drier, the average fraction of the flowing network decreases while its relative variability increases. Our study provides a novel conceptual basis for characterizing temporary streams and quantifying their ecological and biogeochemical impacts.

A Method to Resolve Simulation of Discontinuous Flow Field: a Valve Example From Full Closing to Re-Closure

In transient computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, the continuity of the flow field is an essential prerequisite. However, continuous flows can be separated under certain conditions, such as the process from valve opening to re-closure. The current method often leaves a narrow gap to estimate the full closing status, which will introduce a deviation. To address this issue, a full closing numerical simulation method (FCNSM) is developed to solve the problem of simulation between discontinuous flow field (DFF) and continuous flow field (CFF). The matrix laboratory (MATLAB) program has been used to communicate Fluent as a server session to call the files Fluent and automatically execute text-based user interface (TUI) commands. The radial basis function (RBF) is used to construct the relationship between the variables of the flow field and the coordinates of mesh nodes, which can achieve the data transmission from a DFF to a CFF. Automatic stopping of transient calculations is achieved by passing variables among MATLAB program, scheme language, and user-defined functions (UDF) when a physical quantity reaches a set value. Based on this method, a transient simulation with a dynamic mesh of a 2-D model regarding a pressure relief valve (PRV) is performed to simulate the process of the valve from full closing to re-closure, the flow characteristics through the PRV are obtained using this method. This study makes it possible to use FCNSM for understanding dynamic characteristics from DFF to CFF.

Challenges and development directions of membrane bioreactors operated on passenger ships in international shipping

In membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology, the activated sludge method is integrated with the separation of solid particles by ultrafiltration (UF). The technology ensures a high effluent quality, a shortened hydraulic retention time and a long sludge age that promotes slowly growing microorganisms and low sludge production. These advantages and the modular construction mean that MBRs have started to treat wastewater generated on passenger ships to adjust the treatment systems to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships. The aim of this paper is to present operational aspects of MBRs treating wastewater generated on ships, which are different from the aspects of MBR operation on land. This paper describes the consequences of separate treatment of gray wastewater (from showers, washing machines and kitchens) and black wastewater (from toilets), and of discontinuous flow of wastewater resulting from very high variability in the passenger numer and the use of the MBR as a ship ballast element. The possibility of introducing a water recovery technology using the existing infrastructure on passenger ships as well as the hybrid UF/reverse osmosis technology is presented. The findings demonstrated that gray effluent may be reused for marine main engine cooling jackets of high and low temperature, ship boilers or ship laundry.

Symmetries and Related Physical Balances for Discontinuous Flow Phenomena within the Framework of Lagrange Formalism

By rigorous analysis, it is proven that from discontinuous Lagrangians, which are invariant with respect to the Galilean group, Rankine–Hugoniot conditions for propagating discontinuities can be derived via a straight forward procedure that can be considered an extension of Noether’s theorem. The use of this general procedure is demonstrated in particular for a Lagrangian for viscous flow, reproducing the well known Rankine–Hugoniot conditions for shock waves.

Comparison of Competing Invasion-Percolation Models for Simulation of Multiphase Flow in Porous Media

<p>Invasion-Percolation (IP) models are used to simulate multiphase flow in porous media across various scales (from pore-scale IP to Macro-IP). Numerous variations of IP models have emerged; here we are interested in simulating gas flow in a water-saturated porous medium. Gas flow in porous media occurs either as a continuous or as a discontinuous flow, depending on the rate of flow and the nature of the porous medium. A particular IP model version may be well suited for predictions in a specific gas flow regime, but not applicable to other regimes. Our research aims to compare various macro-scale versions of IP models existing in the literature and rank their performance in relevant gas flow regimes.</p><p>We test the performance of Macro-IP models on a range of gas-injection rates in water-saturated sand experiments, including both continuous and discontinuous flow regimes. The experimental data is obtained as a time series of images using the light transmission technique. To represent pore-scale heterogeneities of sand, we let each model version run on several random realizations of the initial entry pressure field. As a metric for ranking the models, we introduce a diffused version of the so-called Jaccard index (adapted from image analysis and object recognition). We average this metric over time and over all realizations per model version to evaluate each model’s overall performance. This metric may also be used to calibrate model parameters such as gas saturation. </p><p>Our proposed approach evaluates the performance of competing IP model versions in different gas-flow regimes objectively and quantitatively, and thus provides guidance on their applicability under specific conditions. Moreover, our comparison method is not limited to gas-water phase systems in porous media but generalizes to any modelling situation accompanied by spatially and temporally highly resolved data.</p>

Shock-induced vorticity variation model of supersonic planar mixing layers

Vorticity variation in a supersonic planar mixing layer interacting with an oblique shock wave is investigated analytically and numerically. A model that simplifies the mixing layer to a discontinuous flow is established to solve the post-shock flow parameters, and it is validated through qualitative and quantitative comparisons with the Buttsworth’s model and numerical results. A model to estimate the shock-induced Maximum Vorticity Amplification (MVA) is obtained, which agrees well with the numerical results. The model could estimate the growth rate and maximum vorticity of the shocked mixing layer. The vorticity of the mixing layer is amplified by the shock impingement, even though the vorticity thickness decreases, which can improve the mixing performance for different practical applications.

Internal Material Flow Layers in AA6082-T6 Butt-Joints during Bobbin Friction Stir Welding

Bobbin friction stir welding with a double-sided tool configuration produces a symmetrical solid-state joint. However, control of the process parameters to achieve defect-free welds is difficult. The internal flow features of the AA6082-T6 butt-joints in bobbin friction stir welding were evaluated using a set of developed reagents and optical microscopy. The key findings are that the dark curved patterns (conventionally called 'flow-arms'), are actually oxidation layers at the advancing side, and at the retreating side are elongated grains with a high-density of accumulation of sub-grain boundaries due to dynamic recrystallization. A model of discontinuous flow within the weld is proposed, based on the microscopic observations. It is inferred that the internal flow is characterized by packets of material ('flow patches') being transported around the pin. At the retreating side they experience high localized shearing at their mutual boundaries, as evidenced in high density of sub-grain boundaries. Flow patches at the advancing side are stacked on each other and exposed to oxidization.

Discontinuous phenomena in bioreactor and membrane reactor systems

In this work, we analyze the existence of discontinuous bifurcation and stability issues in discontinuous flow of bioreactor and membrane reactor models with or without recycle. The reaction is assumed to be governed by certain types of discontinuities in Monod growth kinetics curve leading to discontinuous dynamical system. The criteria for the existence and stability of steady-states of these models are established. More generally, our analysis highlights the presence of several types of bifurcation depending upon the effect of the dilution factor (residence time), biomass concentration and solid-liquid-gas separator efficiency. As well, we present bifurcation conditions defining the dynamics near steady-state branches on the border, providing a possible framework for existing of saddle-node, nonsmooth fold, persistence and grazing-sliding scenarios. It is shown that the critical values of residence time dependence upon recycle ratio, decay rate and existence of discontinuity surface. Further, the performance of the reactor at largest residence times will be discussed. In addition, numerical simulations to illustrate and confirm the results will be carried out.