Distillation is the leading thermal separation technology that is carried out in many industrial tray columns worldwide. Although distillation columns are expensive in terms of cost and energy, they will remain in service due to unavailability of any equivalent industrially-viable alternative. However, rising energy costs and urgent needs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions demand improvements in the energy efficiency of separation processes, globally. This can be achieved by tuning the dynamics of the evolving two-phase dispersion on column trays via design modification and revamping. Thus, it becomes necessary to understand how the two phases evolve over the tray and how they link to tray efficiency for given tray designs, systems and operating conditions. Only then, the cost and energy reduction can be achieved by strategically iterating the tray design and revamps with respect to the resulting tray efficiency. To pursue this strategy, accurate prediction of the separation efficiency based on flow and mixing patterns on the trays is an important prerequisite. In this thesis, the mathematical models relying on flow and mixing patterns for predicting the tray efficiencies were reviewed. These models were developed based on the analyses of two-phase flow, crossflow hydraulics and mass transfer over the trays. Several limitations in the existing models were identified that could lead to inaccurate tray efficiency predictions. First, the conventional models do not account for any variation in the local two-phase flow in their formulation. These models rather consider a homogeneous flow scenario based on flow monitoring at the tray boundaries only, which indicates a black box efficiency estimation. Second, the existing models do not consider any vapor flow maldistribution, which can be detrimental to the tray efficiency. In response to these limitations, a new model based on refinement of the conventional residence time distribution (RTD) model (referred to as the ‘Refined RRTD model’) was proposed. The new model involves geometric partitioning of the tray into compartments along the flow path length, which permits computing the tray efficiency through quantification of the efficiency of the individual compartments. The proposed model ensures that the fluid dynamics of each compartment contribute towards the overall tray efficiency, which specifically targets the black box prediction of the tray efficiency by the conventional models. The tray discretization further aids in analyzing the impact of vapor flow maldistribution on the tray efficiency. In the initial assessment, the new model capabilities were demonstrated in appropriate case studies after theoretical validation of the model for the limiting cases of the two-phase flows. For the experimental validation of the new model, a full hydrodynamic and mass transfer description of the two-phase dispersion specific to the tray operation is indispensable. Because of the inherently complex dispersion characteristics, significant advancements in the imaging and efficiency modeling methods were required. In this thesis, a DN800 column simulator equipped with two sieve trays (each with 13.55% fractional free area) was used with air and tap water as the working fluids. Deionized water was used as a tracer. The gas loadings in the column in terms of F-factor were 1.77 Pa0.5 and 2.05 Pa0.5, whereas the weir loadings were 2.15 m3m-1h-1, 4.30 m3m-1h-1 and 6.45 m3m-1h-1. An advanced multiplex flow profiler comprising 776 dual-tip conductivity probes for simultaneous conductivity measurements was introduced for hydrodynamic characterization. The spatial resolution of the profiler based on the inter-probe distance was 21 mm × 24 mm, whereas the temporal resolution was 5000 Hz. The design characteristics of the new profiler, electronic scheme, measurement principle, reference framework, and data processing schemes are explained in detail. By analyzing the two-phase dispersion data gathered by the profiler at multiple elevations above the tray, the effective froth height distributions were obtained for the first time based on a newly proposed approach. Uniform froth heights were seen over the majority of the tray deck, whereas both minimum and maximum froth heights were detected immediately after the tray inlet. Based on threshold-based calculation (accompanied by γ-ray CT scans), 3D time-averaged liquid holdup distributions were visualized for the first time, too. Homogeneous liquid holdup distributions were observed at multiple elevations above the deck with the highest holdups occurring near the average effective froth heights. The detailed flow and mixing patterns of the liquid in the two-phase dispersion were retrieved via tracer monitoring. With respect to tray centerline, axisymmetric liquid flow and mixing patterns were detected with parabolic velocity distributions near the tray inlet. The liquid velocities over the remaining tray deck were nearly uniform for the prescribed loadings. Eventually, the RRTD model was applied by discretizing the tray geometrically, and accordingly employing the available hydrodynamic data. The conventional models often applied in the literature were also evaluated with the new model. For evaluating the model predictions, a new system add-on for the existing air-water column facility was proposed for direct efficiency measurements. The air-led stripping of isobutyl acetate from the aqueous solution is a safe and viable approach that overcomes numerous limitations posed by the existing chemical systems. Based on liquid sampling at different tray locations, the liquid concentration distributions were obtained at each operating condition via UV spectroscopy. The tray and point efficiencies as well as stripping factors were calculated from those distributions. Because of the low liquid diffusivity and high liquid backmixing, low efficiencies were observed at the given loadings. The model predictions were consistent with the experimental counterparts (even for the extrapolated values of the involved parameters), because of the uniform liquid flow and mixing in the compartments. For the given predictions, those corresponding to the new RRTD model were the most accurate. Additional hydrodynamic and efficiency data are needed for more conclusive evidence regarding the promise of the RRTD model.

This thesis considers the stability and transition of incompressible boundary layers. In particular, the Falkner–Skan–Cooke boundary layer subject to a cylindrical surface roughness, and the Blasius boundary layer with applied localized suction are investigated. These flows are of great importance within the aviation industry, feature complex transition scenarios, and are strongly three-dimensional in nature. Consequently, no assumptions regarding homogeneity in any of the spatial directions are possible, and the stability of the flow is governed by an extensive three-dimensional eigenvalue problem. The stability of these flows is addressed by high-order direct numerical simulations using the spectral element method, in combination with a Krylov subspace projection method. Such techniques target the long-term behavior of the flow and can provide lower limits beyond which transition is unavoidable. The origin of the instabilities, as well as the mechanisms leading to transition in the aforementioned cases are studied and the findings are reported. Additionally, a novel method for computing the optimal forcing of a dynamical system is developed. This type of analysis provides valuable information about the frequencies and structures that cause the largest energy amplification in the system. The method is based on the inverse power method, and is discussed in the context of the one-dimensional Ginzburg–Landau equation and a two-dimensional flow case governed by the Navier–Stokes equations. / <p>QC 20151015</p>

L’étude présentée dans cette thèse relève de la mécanique des fluides expérimentale et numérique appliquée aux écoulements pariétaux de refroidissement de chambres de combustion aéronautiques. En présence de phénomènes thermo-acoustiques, comme les instabilités de combustion, il est important d’évaluer si les capacités de l’écoulement pariétal à protéger les parois de chambre restent suffisantes. C’est ainsi que nous nous sommes intéressés aux écoulements de paroi multiperforée soumis à une excitation acoustique. Dans ce but, le banc d’essais MAVERIC a été amélioré grâce à l’installation d’un système qui permet de forcer acoustiquement l’écoulement transverse dans lequel les jets pariétaux débouchent. Nous avons pu alors mettre en évidence la forte sensibilité de ce type d’écoulements à l’excitation acoustique. Le bon accord entre les résultats expérimentaux et les simulations numériques aux grandes échelles (LES) effectuées est très encourageant dans le cas d’un forçage par onde stationnaire. Le forçage par onde progressive, étudié uniquement par simulations numériques, s’est révélé être capable de modifier significativement la topologie de l’écoulement. Enfin, à partir de l’outil numérique AVBP-AVTP qui permet le couplage de calculs fluide-solide, nous avons réalisé une étude de l’influence de la présence d’une excitation acoustique sur le comportement thermique de l’écoulement autour d’une paroi multiperforée de chambre de combustion. / This experimental and numerical study in the field of fluid mechanics deals with jets-in cross flow configurations that are relevant for the cooling of aero engine combustion chambers. Indeed, in presence of instabilities it is important to determine to which extent the film cooling is able to do its job of preserving the combustion chamber walls from the thermal load. The test facility MAVERIC has been upgraded in order to acoustically force the crossflow in which the jets are discharging. The strong sensitivity of the overall flow unsteady properties to the presence of the acoustic forcing has been clearly evidenced. The agreement between the experimental results and large-eddy simulations proved to be quite encouraging for a stationary acoustic wave whereas the case of a propagating acoustic wave investigated only numerically reveals also quite a significant change of the flow topology. In this context, the effect of the acoustic forcing on the wall thermal behavior has been analyzed thanks to the use of the fluid-solid coupled AVBP-AVTP solver.

Reservoir testing and analysis are fundamental tools in understanding reservoir hydraulics and hence forecasting reservoir responses. The quality of the analysis is very dependent on the conceptual model used in investigating the responses under different flowing conditions. The use of reservoir testing in the characterization and derivation of reservoir parameters is widely established, especially in conventional oil and gas reservoirs. However, with depleting conventional reserves, the quest for unconventional reservoirs to secure the increasing demand for energy is increasing; which has triggered intensive research in the fields of reservoir characterization. Gas hydrate reservoirs, being one of the unconventional gas reservoirs with huge energy potential, is still in the juvenile stage with reservoir testing as compared to the other unconventional reservoirs. The endothermic dissociation hydrates to gas and water requires addressing multiphase flow and heat energy balance, which has made efforts to develop reservoir testing models in this field difficult. As of now, analytically quantifying the effect on hydrate dissociation on rate and pressure transient responses are till date a huge challenge. During depressurization, the heat energy stored in the reservoir is used up and due to the endothermic nature of the dissociation; heat flux begins from the confining layers. For Class 3 gas hydrates, just heat conduction would be responsible for the heat influx and further hydrate dissociation; however, the moving boundary problem could also be an issue to address in this reservoir, depending on the equilibrium pressure. To address heat flux problem, a proper definition of the inner boundary condition for temperature propagation using a Clausius-Clapeyron type hydrate equilibrium model is required. In Class 1 and 2, crossflow problems would occur and depending on the layer of production, convective heat influx from the free fluid layer and heat conduction from the cap rock of the hydrate layer would be further issues to address. All these phenomena make the derivation of a suitable reservoir testing model very complex. However, with a strong combination of heat energy and mass balance techniques, a representative diffusivity equation can be derived. Reservoir testing models have been developed and responses investigated for different boundary conditions in normally pressured Class 3 gas hydrates, over-pressured Class 3 gas hydrates (moving boundary problem) and Class 1 and 2 gas hydrates (crossflow problem). The effects of heat flux on the reservoir responses have been addressed in detail.

Lors d’un vol hypersonique (Mach 6, 20 km d’altitude) la couche limite se développant sur l’avant-corps d’un véhicule hypersonique est laminaire. Cet état cause un désamorçage du moteur (statoréacteur) assurant la propulsion du véhicule. Pour pallier ce problème, il faut forcer la transition de la couche limite á l’aide d’un dispositif de contrôle dont l’effet est permanent (passif) ou modulable (actif) pendant le vol. Dans ce travail, nous analysons l’efficacité d’un dispositif actif d’injection d’air á la paroi pour forcer la transition de la couche limite sur un avant-corps générique. L’interaction jet d’air/couche limite est simulée numériquement avec une approche aux grandes échelles (LES). Une étude paramétrique sur la pression d’injection permet de quantifier l’efficacité du jet á déstabiliser la couche limite. L’influence des conditions de vol (altitude, Mach) sur la transition est également étudiée. Une analyse des résultats de simulation par Décomposition en Modes Dynamiques (DMD) est menée pour comprendre quels sont les modes dynamiques responsables de la transition et les mécanismes sous-jacents. Des essais dans la soufflerie silencieuse de l’université de Purdue (BAM6QT) ont été effectués pour tester expérimentalement l’efficacité des dispositifs passifs (rugosité isolée en forme de losange) et actifs (mono-injection d’air) pour faire transitionner la couche limite. Une peinture thermo-sensible et des capteurs de pression (PCB, Kulite) ont été utilisés pour déterminer la nature de la couche limite. Les résultats de ce travail montrent qu’une injection sonique suffit pour forcer la couche limite. On observe des essais, que pour une même hauteur de pénétration, les rugosités isolées sont moins efficaces que les jets (mono injection) pour déstabiliser la couche limite. / During a hypersonic flight (Mach 6, 20 km altitude), the boundary layer developing on the forebody of a vehicle is laminar. This state may destabilize the scramjet engine propelling the vehicle. To overcome this problem during the flight, the boundary layer transition has to be forced using a control device whose effect is fixed (passive) or adjustable (active). In this work, we analyze the efficiency of a jet in crossflow in forcing the boundary layer transition on a generic forebody. The flow is computed with a Large Eddy Simulations (LES) approach. A parametric study of the injection pressure allows the efficiency of the jet in tripping the boundary layer to be quantified. The influence of flight conditions (Mach, altitude) on the transition is also studied. Dynamic Mode Decomposition (DMD) is applied to the simulation results to determine the transition leading to dynamic modes and to understand underlying transition mechanisms. Experiments in the Purdue University quiet wind tunnel (BAM6QT) were performed to quantify the efficiency of a passive transition device (diamond roughnesses) and an active transition device (single air jet) in tripping the boundary layer. A thermo-sensitive paint and pressure transducers (Kulite, PCB) were used to determine the state of the boundary layer on the generic forebody. Experimental and numerical results show a sonic injection is sufficient to induce transition. We observe from the experiments that for the same penetration height, a single roughness is less efficient than a single air jet in destabilizing the boundary layer.

Ces travaux de recherche ont pour but d’évaluer la méthode dite de la "Simulation auxEchelles Adaptées" (SAS pour Scale-Adaptive Simulation). Cette approche coïncide avec uneapproche RANS classique dans les zones pariétales attachées et adapte le niveau de viscositéturbulente dans les zones décollées pour y permettre une résolution partielle des structures turbulentes.Dans une première partie, une analyse théorique du modèle SAS original a été menéeet a permis de développer une correction visant à favoriser l’adaptation du niveau de viscositéturbulente dans les zones sièges d’instabilités de type Kelvin-Helmholtz. Le modèle ainsi corrigéest nommé SAS-αL. Les modèles SAS et SAS-αL ont été implantés dans le code de calculNavier-Stokes elsA de l’ONERA. À l’issue de cette étape, trois cas académiques d’écoulementsturbulents instationnaires, cylindre à grand nombre de Reynolds, marche descendante et cavitétranssonique, ont été simulés grâce aux trois modèles de turbulence SST, SAS et SAS-αL. Outreune comparaison aux bases de données expérimentales disponibles, une attention particulièrea été portée à l’influence de paramètres numériques tels que des schémas numériques d’ordreélevé. Enfin, afin d’étudier la viabilité de l’approche SAS dans un contexte industriel, les troismodèles de turbulence ont été testés sur une configuration issue de l’industrie aéronautique etcorrespondant à la sortie d’air chaud d’un système de dégivrage des nacelles d’avion. La comparaisondes prévisions obtenues avec les modèles SST, SAS et SAS-αL aux données expérimentalesobtenues à l’ONERA a permis de montrer un gain de précision grâce à l’emploi de l’approcheSAS et ce pour un coût de calcul compatible avec un cycle de conception industrielle. / This research work is meant to assess an upgraded URANS approach, namely the Scale-Adaptive Simulation (SAS). This method is similar to a conventional RANS approach (namelythe SSTmodel) in attached areas and is able to adapt the eddy-viscosity level in detached areas toensure the resolution, at least partially, of the turbulent structures. In a first part of this researchwork, an improvement of the SAS approach is suggestedto allowa better sensitivity of themodelto instabilities such as Kelvin-Helmholtz ones. This "improved" model is referred to as SAS-αLmodel. Both SAS and SAS-αL models were implemented in the ONERA Navier-Stokes solverelsA and both of themaswell as the SSTmodelwere tested on academic test cases : a cylinder in acrossflowat a high Reynolds number, a backward-facing step flowcorresponding to theDriver&Seegmiller experiment and the transonic flow over the M219 cavity experimentally investigatedby de Henshaw. The influence of the numerical parameters was deeply investigated and particularattention was paid to the high-order space-discretization schemes effects. The reliabilityof the SAS approach in an industrial framework was assessed on an aeronautic configurationnamely a nacelle de-icing device. Comparisons between the threemodels (SST, SAS and SAS-αL)and an experimental database available at ONERA - The French Aerospace Lab have shown thebetter accuracy of the SAS approach as well as the high potential of the SAS-αL model.

This thesis considers the hydrodynamic instability and optimal forcing of a number of incompressible flow cases. In the first part, the instabilities of three problems that are of great interest in energy and aerospace applications are studied, namely a Blasius boundary layer subject to localized wall-suction, a Falkner–Skan–Cooke boundary layer with a localized surface roughness, and a pair of helical vortices. The two boundary layer flows are studied through spectral element simulations and eigenvalue computations, which enable their long-term behavior as well as the mechanisms causing transition to be determined. The emergence of transition in these cases is found to originate from a linear flow instability, but whereas the onset of this instability in the Blasius flow can be associated with a localized region in the vicinity of the suction orifice, the instability in the Falkner–Skan–Cooke flow involves the entire flow field. Due to this difference, the results of the eigenvalue analysis in the former case are found to be robust with respect to numerical parameters and domain size, whereas the results in the latter case exhibit an extreme sensitivity that prevents domain independent critical parameters from being determined. The instability of the two helices is primarily addressed through experiments and analytic theory. It is shown that the well known pairing instability of neighboring vortex filaments is responsible for transition, and careful measurements enable growth rates of the instabilities to be obtained that are in close agreement with theoretical predictions. Using the experimental baseflow data, a successful attempt is subsequently also made to reproduce this experiment numerically. In the second part of the thesis, a novel method for computing the optimal forcing of a dynamical system is developed. The method is based on an application of the inverse power method preconditioned by the Laplace preconditioner to the direct and adjoint resolvent operators. The method is analyzed for the Ginzburg–Landau equation and afterwards the Navier–Stokes equations, where it is implemented in the spectral element method and validated on the two-dimensional lid-driven cavity flow and the flow around a cylinder. / <p>QC 20171124</p>

Reservoir testing and analysis are fundamental tools in understanding reservoir hydraulics and hence forecasting reservoir responses. The quality of the analysis is very dependent on the conceptual model used in investigating the responses under different flowing conditions. The use of reservoir testing in the characterization and derivation of reservoir parameters is widely established, especially in conventional oil and gas reservoirs. However, with depleting conventional reserves, the quest for unconventional reservoirs to secure the increasing demand for energy is increasing; which has triggered intensive research in the fields of reservoir characterization. Gas hydrate reservoirs, being one of the unconventional gas reservoirs with huge energy potential, is still in the juvenile stage with reservoir testing as compared to the other unconventional reservoirs. The endothermic dissociation hydrates to gas and water requires addressing multiphase flow and heat energy balance, which has made efforts to develop reservoir testing models in this field difficult. As of now, analytically quantifying the effect on hydrate dissociation on rate and pressure transient responses are till date a huge challenge. During depressurization, the heat energy stored in the reservoir is used up and due to the endothermic nature of the dissociation; heat flux begins from the confining layers. For Class 3 gas hydrates, just heat conduction would be responsible for the heat influx and further hydrate dissociation; however, the moving boundary problem could also be an issue to address in this reservoir, depending on the equilibrium pressure. To address heat flux problem, a proper definition of the inner boundary condition for temperature propagation using a Clausius-Clapeyron type hydrate equilibrium model is required. In Class 1 and 2, crossflow problems would occur and depending on the layer of production, convective heat influx from the free fluid layer and heat conduction from the cap rock of the hydrate layer would be further issues to address. All these phenomena make the derivation of a suitable reservoir testing model very complex. However, with a strong combination of heat energy and mass balance techniques, a representative diffusivity equation can be derived. Reservoir testing models have been developed and responses investigated for different boundary conditions in normally pressured Class 3 gas hydrates, over-pressured Class 3 gas hydrates (moving boundary problem) and Class 1 and 2 gas hydrates (crossflow problem). The effects of heat flux on the reservoir responses have been addressed in detail.