The effects of surface roughness on the flow in multiple connected fractures

We present a novel computationally efficient approach for investigating the effect of surface roughness on the fluid flow in discrete fracture networks at low Reynolds number. The effect of parallel and series fracture arrangements on the flow rate and hydraulic resistance was studied numerically by patching Hele-Shaw (HS) cells to represent the network. In this analysis, the impact of surface roughness was studied in different arrangements of the network. For this aim, four models with different sequences of fracture connections were studied. The validity of the models was assessed by comparing the results with solutions of the full Navier-Stokes equations (NSE). The approximate hydraulic resistance and flow rate calculated by the HS method were found to be in good agreement with the NSE (less than 7% deviation). Results suggest a quadratic relationship between the network hydraulic resistance and the joint roughness coefficient (JRC). Notably, an increase in surface roughness caused a growth in hydraulic resistance and a fall in flow rate. Further insight was provided by drawing an analogy between resistors in electrical circuits and fractures in networks.

Increasing the Flow Capacity of Hoses with Electrical-Heater Coils to Supply Thickened Preservatives for Spraying

Introduction. Anticorrosion protection of agricultural machinery working elements is provided through using pneumatic application of thickened preservatives with heating. For this purpose, a wire coil is inserted inside the preservative-supply hose and connected to a current source. It is known that the wire thickness and the coil pitch affect the hydraulic resistance to fluid flow. However, it has not been established how the diameter of the coil insert and its heating affect the flow capacity of the flexible hose channel. The purpose of the research is to increase the capacity of a flexible hose with an electrical-heater coil. For this purpose, it is necessary to determine its geometric parameters minimizing the hydraulic resistance to the thickened preservative flow and reducing the energy consumption for heating the material in the hose. Materials and Methods. It is proposed to investigate two electrical-heater coils of the same length, but of different diameter, made of steel welding wire pieces of equal length. There was developed a stand to study the influence of the inserted coil parameters on the hose hydraulic resistance. The stand was used to determine pressure losses in hoses with coils and in smooth hoses when used engine oil and thickened preservative flow through them. The flow capacity of the hose with cold and heated coils was estimated. Results. The method of heating the preservative in the hose wall layer is justified. At the same time, its flow capacity increases one and a half times with less energy consumption (2.4 times) than when heating the preservative in the central part of the hose. Under laminar flow mode, the pressure loss in the hose is 2 times lower when the coil is equal to 0.85 of the hose channel diameter than when the coil is equal to 0.67 of the channel diameter. Discussion and Conclusion. The research found the rational way of placing the electrical coil near the heated hose channel wall. At low air temperature, the reduction of the thickened preservative viscosity by heating in the hose helps to decrease the pressure loss up to 50% and increase its flow capacity by 1.4‒2.0 times. The use of a electrical-heater coil in the hose with thickened preservative will minimize energy consumption when preserving equipment on open storage sites.

Heat Exchange and Hydrodynamic Characteristics of Unified Package of Cold Layer of RAH

Heating the air in the boiler air heater with the heat of fuel combustion products performs the functions of increasing the fuel combustion temperature, increasing the temperature level of gases in convective heating surfaces, improving ignition and fuel combustion conditions, increasing boiler efficiency by utilizing waste gas heat, improving fuel quality due to its preliminary supply, etc. However, the peculiarities of the process of heating the air in the air heaters do not allow to achieve a decrease in the temperature of the exhaust gases. This is due to the unfavorable ratio of heat capacities of flue gases and air, as well as corrosion and contamination of the heating surfaces of air heaters. The research of heat transfer processes and hydraulic resistance of unified package of cold layer of RAH is depicted at this work. The graphic dependence of the change in the coefficient of hydraulic resistance and Nu number for unified packages with single line of sheets and simplified profile with corrosion resistance enamel from the Reynolds number for different values of the length of the replaced areas was constructed. The unified packing of the simplified profile has increased by 1.17 times equivalent diameter and is characterized by good operational parameters and takes into account the risk of contamination of heating surfaces due to the enamel coating.

Determination of hydraulic resistance of channels using spectral geometry methods

In this paper, we propose a new method for calculation of hydraulic resistance of channels with constant cross-section. The method is based on the obtained estimates for the average energy dissipation rate in a turbulent flow. The first part of the paper is devoted to theoretical justification of the method. The second part is devoted to calculation of hydraulic resistance of various channels using the abovementioned method and comparison of these values with the known results. The proposed method allows for calculation of hydraulic resistance of various channels with sufficiently high accuracy and is based only on the information about the channel geometry.

Study of hydraulic resistance of tangential swirlers

This article presents the results of experimental research and simulation of the hydraulic drag of tangential swirlers. Three types of swirler devices made with straight, profiled, and circular channel walls were studied within a wide range of design and process parameters. Simulation modelling on the Comsol Multiphysics platform was used to calculate hydraulic drag and determine the velocity and pressure fields. This allowed obtaining a dependence of the hydraulic drag coefficient of the investigated swirlers and identifying parameters affecting their hydraulic drag.

To calculate the axial dimensions of inkjet devices for hydraulic transport of sand and gravel materials

The article presents the results of the dredger in a deep deposit of sand and gravel materials. It was found that when the diameter of the suction pipe exceeds the diameter of the inlet mixing chamber by 150 mm, the actual pressure from the ejector does not exceed one meter, and with an increase in the supply of the suction pump as a result of a sharp jump in hydraulic resistance, the vacuum is disrupted. It was also found that the effect on the calculated compression ratio of the jet apparatus increases with an increase in the injection coefficient and the input velocity of the injected stream.