Journal Of Applied Fluid Mechanics
Volume:5 Issue: 2, May-Jun 2012

Radiation effect on steady laminar hydromagnetic flow of a viscous, Newtonian and electrically conducting fluid past a porous rotating infinite disk is studied taking Hall current into account. The system of axisymmetric nonlinear partial differential equations governing the MHD flow and heat transfer are reduced to nonlinear ordinary differentialequations by introducing suitable similarity variables introduced by von Karman and the resulting nonlinear equations are solved numerically using Runge-Kutta based shooting method. A parametric study of all parameters involved was conducted and a representative set of results showing the effect of the magnetic field, the radiationparameter, the uniform suction/injection parameter and Hall parameter are illustrated graphically. The numerical values of the radial and tangential skin-friction coefficient and Nusselt number are calculated and displayed in the tables showing the effects of various parameters. Finally, a good comparison between the present numericalpredictions and the previously published data are presented in the absence of magnetic field and radiation.

The effect of radiation on natural convection incompressible viscous fluid near a vertical flat plate with ramped wall temperature has been studied. An analytical solution of the governing equation has been obtained by employing Laplace transform technique. It is examined that two different solutions for the fluid velocities, one valid for fluids of Prandtl number Pr  different from 1 Ra, Ra being the radiation parameter and the other for which the Prandtl number equal to 1 Ra. The variations of velocities and fluid temperature are presented graphically. Furthermore, the radiative heat transfer on natural convection flow near a ramped plate temperature has been compared with the flow near a plate with the constant wall temperature. It is found that an increase in radiation parameter leads to rise the fluid velocity as well as temperature.

Sedimentation tanks are designed for removal of floating solids in water flowing through the water treatment plants. These tanks are one of the most important parts of water treatment plants and their performance directly affects the functionality of these systems. Flow pattern has an important role in the design and performance improvement of sedimentation tanks. In this work, an experimental study of particle-laden flow in a rectangular sedimentation tank has been performed. Kaolin was used as solid particles in these experiments. Also, a numerical simulation was developed using the finite volume method with a k-ε turbulent model. The results of the numerical model agree well with the experimental data. Hydrodynamic parameters and flow patterns of the fresh water flow and particle-laden flow are also compared in this study. The results show that the existence of particles completely changes the flow structures. It seems that the main reason for this phenomenon is the particles settling. Our experimental observations and numerical results show that parameters such as the maximum streamwise velocity, fully developed location, shear stress coefficient at the bottom of the tank and so on are different in water-containing particles compared to pure water and the inlet concentration strongly intensifies the differences.

Laminar magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) natural convection flow from an isothermal sphere immersed in a fluid with viscosity proportional to linear function of temperature has been studied. The governing boundary layer equations are transformed into a non-dimensional form and the resulting nonlinear system of partial differential equations are reduced to convenient form which are solved numerically by two very efficient methods, namely, (i) Implicit finite difference method together with Keller box scheme and (ii) Direct numerical scheme. Numerical results are presented by velocity and temperature distribution, streamlines and isotherms of the fluid as well as heat transfer characteristics, namely the local skin-friction coefficients and the local heat transfer rate for a wide range of magnetohydrodynamic

An experimental study on pulsating heat pipe (PHP) is presented in this work. A closed loop PHP with a single U turn is fabricated and tested. The transient and steady state experiments are conducted and operating temperatures are measured. The experiments are carried out for different working fluids, heat input and for different evacuation levels. The derived parameters include thermal resistance and heat transfer coefficient of PHP. The results of these experiments show an intermittent motion of the working fluid at lower heat input. The temperature difference between evaporator and condenser at steady state is found lower for acetone compared to water, ethanol and methanol. Lower value of thermal resistance and higher value of heat transfer coefficient are observed in case of acetone compared to water, ethanol and methanol. Lower values of temperature difference between evaporator and condenser and thermal resistance and higher value of heat transfer coefficient are observed at atmospheric conditions of operation of PHP compared to evacuation conditions. The Power Spectral Density Analysis is also carried out on the results of these experiments using FFT technique to analyse the pulsating motion of the fluid in a PHP. In the Power Spectral Density analysis, the frequency distribution of temperature variation in PHP was observed over a wider range, signifying the periodic motion in the fluid flow of the liquid slug and vapour plug. This characteristic frequency corresponded to the characteristic time for a couple of adjacent vapour plug and liquid slug passing through a specific local wall surface in a PHP.

Natural convection in cavities is studied numerically using a finite volume based computational procedure. The enclosure used for flow and heat transfer analysis has been bounded by adiabatic top wall, constant temperature cold vertical walls and a horizontal bottom wall. The bottom wall is subjected to uniform/sinusoidal/linearly varying temperatures. Nusselt numbers are computed for Rayleigh numbers (Ra) ranging from 103 to 107 and aspect ratios (H/L) 0.5 and 1. Air is taken as working fluid (Pr = 0.7). Results are presented in the form of stream lines, isotherm plots and average Nusselt numbers. It is observed from this study that the uniform temperature at the bottom wall gives higher Nusselt number compared to the sinusoidal and linearly varying temperature cases. The average Nusselt number increases monotonically with Rayleigh number for both aspect ratio 1 and 0.5 for bottom wall and side walls. For the case of aspect ratio 1, the average Nusselt number for a given Rayleigh number increases at the bottom wall compared to aspect ratio 0.5. However, the average Nusselt number increases as the aspect ratio decreases from 1 to 0.5 for side wall except for uniform temperature case.

In this work, the effect of rotation on the evolution of kinematic and passive scalar fields in two dimensional homogeneous sheared turbulence is studied using two different approaches. The first one is analytical and it consists on the resolution of differential linear equations governing the turbulence at high shear when the non linear effects are neglected. The second one is numerical and it consists on the modeling of governing equations using the most known second order models of turbulence and their numerical integration using the fourth order Runge-kutta method. In this second approach, the classic Launder Reece Rodi model, the Speziale Sarkar Gatski and the Shih Lumley models are retained for the pressure-strain correlation, pressure-scalar gradient correlation and for the time evolution equations of the kinematic and scalar dissipations. The evolution of turbulence is studied according to the dimensionless rotation number R which is varied from -0.75 to 0.5. The obtained results are compared to the recent results of the DNS of Brethouwer. Both methods have confirmed the existence of asymptotic equilibrium states for dimensionless kinematic and scalar parameters.

Unsteady hydromagnetic Couette flow of a viscous incompressible electrically conducting fluid in a rotating system in the presence of an inclined magnetic field taking Hall current into account is studied. Fluid flow within the channel is induced due to impulsive movement of the lower plate of the channel. Exact solution of the governing equations is obtained by Laplace transform technique. The expression for the shear stress at the moving plate is also derived. Asymptotic behavior of the solution is analyzed for small and large values of time t to highlight (i) the transient approach to the final steady state flow and (ii) the effects of Hall current, magnetic field, rotation and angle ofinclination of magnetic field on the flow-field. It is found that Hall current and rotation tend to accelerate fluid velocity in both the primary and secondary flow directions. Magnetic field has retarding influence on the fluid velocity in both the primary and secondary flow directions. Angle of inclination of magnetic field has accelerating influence on the fluid velocity in both the primary and secondary flow directions.

The derivation and solution of the two and three dimensional dynamic equations for a small pipeline inspection gauge (Pig) through a liquid pipeline is the main aim of this work. These equations can be used for synthesis of speed controller of a pig by using a bypass port in Pig. Momentum and energy equations are employed to study the influence of flow field on the Pig’s trajectory. The pig is assumed to be a small rigid body with a bypass hole in its body. The variation of the diameter of the bypass port, which is controlled by a valve, is considered in this formulation. The path of the pig or geometry of the pipeline is assumed to be 2D and 3D curve. 2D and 3D simulations of the pig motion are performed individually and a case has been solved and discussed for each of them. The simulation results show that the derived equations are valid and effective for online estimating of the position, velocity and forces acting on the pig at any time of its motion.

Thermodynamics is a relatively recent physical science that was born with calorimetry and thermometry experiments: so heat remains the central concept in relation with other forms of energy. The coupling between various forms is essential and related to conversion processes. The first conversion process that was analyzed was the thermomechanical one, at the time of Carnot. Equilibrium Thermodynamics was fruitful in connection with the efficiency concept, to qualify engines. But since that time, mass and heat transfers studies have been strongly developed (thermokinetics), as well as second law aspects of thermodynamics. It results new appraisal for energy systems and processes, relevant of a true thermodynamics approach. This was initiated by Onsager at the beginnin of the 20th century, by analyzing the relation between fluxes and forces (gradients) from a general, but linear point of view. More recently, it was developed through a lumped analysis for systems by Chambadal and Novikov in 1957. It was rediscovered in 1975, by Curzon and Ahlborn. And since this work, a lot of books and publications have been proposed in the literature. A review of them is proposed here, on the basis of a synthesis due to the lack of place. The author’s works are analysed and compared to the literature too. It results some original remarks and proposal relativeto the obtained Comparison of entropy ratio method to entropy flux method, Comparison of endoreversible case to irreversible case, Comparison of adiabatic and non adiabatic systems, Comparison of constrained and non constrained systems. Main consequences of these comparisons are given, and future perspectives evoked on the main systems categories (engines; reverse machines; other eventual configurations).Conclusion is that FDOT (Finite Dimensions Thermodynamics) appears as a promising tool to be enlarged in the future.

Wind-induced cable vibration is a contemporary issue in cable-stayed bridges, which potentially threats the safety and durability of the structure. A thorough understanding of the fundamental physics underlying these phenomena is a priori for developing effective remedies to resolve the issue. In the present paper, possible mechanisms associated with two different types of wind-induced cable vibration phenomena have been studied based on a set of wind tunnel experimental data on a rigid circular cylinder. A number of analyses were applied to the unsteady surface pressure data sampled on the cylinder model to elucidate the possible mechanisms of these phenomena. Negative aerodynamic damping ratios were identified in the ranges of Reynolds number and cylinder orientation where divergent galloping type of response is expected to occur. A breakdown range of wind-cable relative angle was detected in which the regular Karman vortex shedding was suppressed within the subcritical Reynolds number range. In the critical Reynolds number range, however, the symmetry of surrounding flow field beyond this breakdown range could be altered drastically, leading to considerable changes in the lift force which is responsible for the negative aerodynamic damping ratio values. Significant increase of correlation length of sectional aerodynamic forces was also detected within this breakdown range in the critical regime. This, combined with the negative aerodynamic damping, is proposed to be a possible necessary onset condition for the galloping of dry inclined cables. The limited-amplitude instability, which occurred in the subcritical Re range, on the other hand, was found to be caused by the mitigation of regular Karman vortex shedding in the breakdown range while the spatial flow field was strongly correlated. In addition, the decay in correlation of aerodynamic forces in the critical Re range was believed to be key to the suppression of this unstable response

An analysis has been carried out on the effects of thermal radiation and Hall current of a magneto hydrodynamic freeconvective flow and mass transfer over a stretching sheet with variable viscosity in the presence of heat generation/absorption. The fluid viscosity is assumed to vary as an inverse linear function of temperature. The boundary-layer equations governing the flow problem under consideration have been reduced to a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations by employing a similarity transformation. Using the finite difference scheme, numerical solutions to the transform ordinary differential equations have been obtained and the results are presented graphically. The numerical results obtained are in good agreement with the existing scientific literature.

Three dimensional Navier-Stokes finite element formulations require huge computational power in terms of memory and CPU time. Recent developments in sparse direct solvers have significantly reduced the memory and computational time of direct solution methods. The objective of this study is twofold. First is to evaluate theperformance of various state-of-the-art sequential sparse direct solvers in the context of finite element formulation of fluid flow problems. Second is to examine the merit in upgrading from 32 bit machine to a 64 bit machine with larger RAM capacity in terms of its capacity to solve larger problems. The choice of a direct solver is dependent on itscomputational time and its in-core memory requirements. Here four different solvers, UMFPACK, MUMPS, HSL_MA78 and PARDISO are compared. The performances of these solvers with respect to the computational time and memory requirements on a 64-bit windows server machine with 16GB RAM is evaluated.