Development Length of Fluids Modelled by the gPTT Constitutive Differential Equation

In this work, we present a numerical study on the development length (the length from the channel inlet required for the velocity to reach 99% of its fully-developed value) of a pressure-driven viscoelastic fluid flow (between parallel plates) modelled by the generalised Phan–Thien and Tanner (gPTT) constitutive equation. The governing equations are solved using the finite-difference method, and, a thorough analysis on the effect of the model parameters α and β is presented. The numerical results showed that in the creeping flow limit (Re=0), the development length for the velocity exhibits a non-monotonic behaviour. The development length increases with Wi. For low values of Wi, the highest value of the development length is obtained for α=β=0.5; for high values of Wi, the highest value of the development length is obtained for α=β=1.5. This work also considers the influence of the elasticity number.

Experimental and field verifications of radial gates as flow measurement structures

Radial gates are common structures in irrigation projects. This paper presents some theoretical-based equations for explicit estimation of the discharge from the radial gate under free and submerged flow conditions using Energy and Momentum (E-M) principles. The proposed equations were calibrated using extensive experimental data collected from the literature and this study for three types of radial gates under free and submerged flow conditions. The submergence threshold of radial gates is concluded, based on the concepts of hydraulic jump and the intersection of free and submerged head-discharge curves. The results indicated that the error in estimating the discharge increases under transition ( − 2.5 ≤ Sr% ≤ + 2.5), gate lip (1 < y0/w ≤ 2), and high submerged (yt/y0 ≥ 0.95) flow conditions. However, in these flow limit conditions, the discharge error can be considerably decreased by adjusting the tailwater depth to flow depth just after the gate and using the energy equation for the sections before and after the gate. The efficiency of the proposed methods was evaluated based on the data series from field measurements of radial gates in 29 check structures at irrigation canals in the United States and Iran. The results showed that the discharge could be estimated using the proposed equations in field conditions with acceptable accuracy.

Turbine Map Extension - Theoretical Considerations and Practical Advice

Physically sound compressor and turbine maps are the key to accurate aircraft engine performance simulations. Usually, maps only cover the speed range between idle and full power. Simulation of starting, windmilling and re-light requires maps with sub-idle speeds as well as pressure ratios less than unity. Engineers outside industry, universities and research facilities may not have access to the measured rig data or the geometrical data needed for CFD calculations. Whilst research has been made into low speed behavior of turbines, little has been published and no advice is available on how to extrapolate maps. Incompressible theory helps with the extrapolation down to zero flow as in this region the Mach numbers are low. The zero-mass flow limit plays a special role; its shape follows from turbine velocity triangle analysis. Another helpful correlation is how mass flow at a pressure ratio of unity changes with speed. The consideration of velocity triangles together with the enthalpy-entropy diagram leads to the conclusion that in these circumstances flow increases linearly with speed. In the incompressible flow region, a linear relationship exists between torque/flow and flow. The slope is independent of speed and can be found from the speed lines for which data are available. This knowledge helps in extending turbine maps into the regions where pressure ratio is less than unity. The application of the map extension method is demonstrated with an example of a three-stage low pressure turbine designed for a business jet engine.

Investigation of microstructure and selected properties of Al2O3-Cu and Al2O3-Cu-Mo composites

The scope of work included the fabrication of ceramic-metal composites from the Al2O3-Cu and Al2O3-Cu-Mo and examining their microstructure and selected properties. The composites were fabricated by the slip casting method. The rheological behavior, microstructures, X-ray analysis, and mechanical properties were investigated. The rheological study demonstrated that all of the obtained slurries were non-Newtonian shear diluted fluids and stability on time. In both slurries, the flow limit is close to 0 Pa, which is very beneficial when casting the suspensions into molds. The X-ray analysis reveals Al2O3, Cu, and Mo phases in all specimens. No new phases were found in both types of composites after the sintering process. The results provided that the hardness for Al2O3-Cu-Mo composites was equal to 10.06 ± 0.49 GPa, while for Al2O3-Cu, it was equal to 6.81 ± 2.08 GPa. The K1C values measured, with the use of Niihara equation, for composites with and without the addition of Mo were equal to 6.13 ± 0.62 MPa m0.5 and 6.04 ± 0.55 MPa m0.5, respectively. It has been established that the mean specific wear rates of Al2O3-Cu and Al2O3-Cu-Mo samples were 0.35 × 10–5 ± 0.02 mm3 N−1 m−1 and 0.22 × 10–5 ± 0.04 mm3 N−1 m−1, respectively. It was found that molybdenum addition improved wear resistance properties of the composites.

Design and analysis of a pressure vessel according to EU 2014/29

In this study, the production and analysis of a composite vessel were performed. The materials selected for the design of the composite materials were glass fiber/epoxy, carbon fiber/epoxy and Kevlar fiber/epoxy material. Anti-symmetric orientation angles of (30°-30°), (45°-45°), (60°-60°) and (75°-75°) were used for each material. In the design of the vessel, the total thickness of the wall is defined as 3 mm. The containers were modeled using the SOLIDWORKS package program with the wall thickness of 10 and 20 layers. The containers modeled are then analyzed to determine maximum deformation and maximum stress by using the ANSYS WORKBENCH 14.0 package program which analyzes according to the finite element method. While making solutions, a pressure of 1.65 MPa as the test pressure of the vessel was defined as hydrostatic from the inner surface of the vessel, and von-Mises stress and total deformations were determined. As a result of this study, it has been determined that a 60°-60° orientation angle is the most appropriate design angle considering both the deformation values and maximum stress. Maximum stress in the design of composite containers was far below the flow limit and remained within acceptable limits for shape changes.

Influence of Graphene Oxide on Rheological Parameters of Cement Slurries

In recent years, graphene-based nanomaterials have been increasingly and widely used in numerous industrial sectors. In the drilling industry, graphene oxide in cement slurry has significantly improved the mechanical parameters of cement composites and is a future-proof solution. However, prior to placing it in a borehole ring space, cement slurry must feature appropriate fluidity. Graphene oxide has a significant influence on rheological parameters. Therefore, it is necessary to study graphene oxide’s influence on the rheological parameters of cement slurries. Thus, this paper presents rheological models and the results of studies on rheological parameters. A basic cement slurry and a slurry with a latex addition were used. The latex admixture was applied at concentrations of 0.1%, 0.03%, and 0.06%. In total, studies were carried out for six slurries with graphene oxide and two basic slurries. The obtained results of studies on the slurries with graphene oxide were compared with the control slurry. It was found that the smallest graphene oxide concentration increased slurry value, some rheological parameter values, plastic viscosity, and the flow limit. Surprisingly, a concentration up to 0.03% was an acceptable value, since the increase in plastic viscosity was not excessively high, which allowed the use of cement slurry to seal the hole. Once this value was exceeded, the slurry caused problems at its injection to the borehole.