Historically, the addition of polymers to turbulent flows of Newtonian fluids has been known to effectively reduce turbulent friction drag by up to 80 %. Conducted in the Hydrodynamics Laboratory in Virginia Tech, this research presents a comprehensive analysis into drag reducing effects through experimental, theoretical, and computational analyses. A major focus of this research was the evaluation of one of the newest viscoelastic Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) turbulence models. Based on the k−ε−v 2−f framework, this model describes the viscoelastic effects of polymer additives using the Finitely Extensible Nonlinear Elastic-Peterlin (FENEP) constitutive model. To evaluate its accuracy, multiple simulation scenarios were benchmarked against Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) data. Results indicated, that the viscoelastic RANS turbulence model shows a high accuracy against DNS percentages of drag reduced when dealing with higher solvent viscosity to polymer viscosity ratios, but revealed inconsistencies at lower ratios. Additionally, our theoretical and empirical flow rates from the inclined channel were closely aligned. The results of this study highlight the significant capacity of polymer additives to improve energy efficiency in industries that heavily rely on fluids / Master of Science / In fluid dynamics, understanding the behaviour of fluids under different conditions can unlock solutions to many engineering challenges. An area of much interest is the introduction of polymers to turbulent flows. The addition of polymers to turbulent flows can effectively dampen turbulence, leading to reduced drag. Our research, conducted at Virginia Tech's Hydrodynamics Laboratory, engaged in further study regarding this phenomena. We employed one of the latest viscoelastic computational models to predict drag reduction in polymer additive flows. This advanced model operates on the foundation of certain mathematical constructs, taking into account various parameters associated with polymeric solutions. By comparing our model's predictions with high-end direct numerical simulations (DNS), we found it to be highly accurate, especially when the base fluid had a much higher viscosity than the polymer additives. But, it's worth noting that the model showed some deviations in cases where this viscosity difference was less pronounced. Furthermore, our tests also showcased a close alignment between predicted and observed flow rates in an inclined channel setup. Our findings underscore the potential of polymers to revolutionize industries, enhancing energy efficiency in processes that involve fluid flows

An investigation was carried out on the current state of the art in bubble modelling for computational fluid dynamics, and comparisons made between the different methods for both polydisperse and monodisperse multiphase flows. A multigroup method for polydisperse bubbly flows with the bubbles binned in terms of mass was selected from the various alternatives, which included other multigroup models and moment methods. The latter of these involve the integration of moments of the bubble number density function and transport of these quantities. The equations from this multigroup solver were then changed to more accurately and efficiently model cases involving extremely small bubbles over significant amounts of time, as the original model which was subsequently adapted had, as its primary purpose, simulation of larger bubbles over shorter periods of time. This was done by decoupling the gas and liquid momentum equations and adding an empirical rise velocity term for the bubbles. This new model was then partially implemented into OpenFOAM. The functioning of this new solver was confirmed by comparisons between the results and basic analytical solutions to the problems, as well as by means of comparison with another similar multiphase CFD solver (pbeTransportFoam). Following this confirmation of its functionality, the bubble model was implemented into another solver specifically designed for modelling wakes. Finally, the newly created solver was used to run some cases of interest involving a submerged wake. / Master of Science / Bubbles in the ocean are significant for a number of reasons, ranging from mixing of the upper layer of the ocean to scavenging of biological matter, by which means they can also impact the state of the ocean's surface where they are present. They serve as an important mechanism by which air is dissolved in the ocean, and their breaking at the surface can cause particles or droplets to be ejected into the atmosphere. They can be created by a variety of sources, ranging from the movement of ship propellers and hulls to natural processes, both abiotic and from microorganisms or other living things. They can have exceedingly variable sizes, meaning bubbles behave very differently from one another in the same area. For these reasons, their study is both interesting and sometimes challenging. In this research, methods were developed to simulate the movement over a significant amount of time of a wide size variety of very small bubbles within the ocean. First, study was undertaken of preexisting methods of bubble simulation and the different cases they were intended to represent. One of these existing methods was selected for use and then changed to more accurately represent smaller bubbles, as well as including simplifications to allow the simulations to run faster. Lastly, these methods were implemented into OpenFOAM, an open-source set of solvers for computational fluid dynamics (CFD). These new methods for simulation were finally applied to some cases involving submerged bubbles in the ocean and the movement of bubbles in these cases studied.

Au cours des dernières années, la culture de microalgues est largement étudiée pour produire des biocarburants et d’autres produits de valeur en fixant le dioxyde de carbone de l’atmosphère, afin d’atténuer simultanément les effets du changement climatique et de réduire la dépendance à l’égard des carburants fossiles. En comparaison avec les systèmes ouverts, les photobioréacteurs fermés sont davantage utilisés en laboratoire, car ils permettent de contrôler avec précision les facteurs environnementaux tels que le pH, la concentration en éléments nutritifs, etc. Le principe de fonctionnement d’un photobioréacteur repose sur l’injection de bulles dans le milieu de culture pour (i) apporter du dioxyde de carbone aux cellules (ii)agiter le liquide. Par l’apport d’énergie lumineuse les cellules transforment le carbone inorganique en carbone organique par photosynthèse. Ainsi, les phénomènes physiques - l’écoulement, transfert de matière, transfert radiatif - et les phénomènes biologiques - photosynthèse, croissance cellulaire et mort - coexistent dans un photobioréacteur. Plus important encore, tous les phénomènes de base ne sont pas complètement indépendants les uns des autres. Des recherches récentes ont révélé que le comportement des bulles avait également une incidence directe sur le processus biologique. En raison du comportement significatif des bulles sur la productivité d'un photobioréacteur, la génération de bulles a été étudiée dans cette thèse au moyen de méthodes expérimentales et numériques.Dans l'étude expérimentale, nous avons conçu puis fabriqué un nouveau photobioréacteur afin d'étudier le bullage in situ. L’emploi d’une technique d’ombroscopie couplée à une caméra vidéo a permis l’enregistrement de séries de bulles. Les images traitées ont permis de mesurer des caractéristiques de bulles (fréquence, volume, facteur de forme). Le volume moyen de bulle et la fréquence de formation de bulles augmentent avec le débit de gaz. De plus, la distribution volumique monodisperse à faible débit devient de plus en plus polydisperse par l’accroissement de celui-ci. L’évolution de la forme des bulles lors de leur remontée dans le liquide a été évaluée par l’emploi de facteurs de forme. Ces facteurs diminuent avec la remontée des bulles et traduisent une déformation horizontalement. A débit élevé, les formes des bulles oscillent et coalescent plus fréquemment.La simulation du bullage a été réalisé par l’emploi d’une méthode Volume of Fluid (VOF) et d’une bibliothèque open source de mécanique numérique des fluides OpenFOAM. Ces choix de méthodes sont motivés en raison de la robustesse d'OpenFOAM en matière de simulation d'écoulements diphasiques rapportée dans la littérature. Une première étude numérique de simulation 2D a permis de déterminer les valeurs appropriées des paramètres numériques (nombre de Courant et la taille du maillage) tout en minimisant le temps de calcul par rapport à une pré-étude 3D. Sans surprise, nous avons déterminé que la taille des mailles devait être inférieure au diamètre de la buse pour obtenir des résultats significatifs. De façon plus surprenante, nous avons observé que le nombre maximum de Courant n’a pas d’importance particulière pour ces simulations (dans une limite raisonnable : 0 à 1). Les simulations 3D ont été menées sur un supercalculateur. Elles ont montré que le volume des bulles et l’évolution de leur forme calculées numériquement étaient en accord avec les résultats expérimentaux. Cependant, les simulations 3D n’ont pas permis de représenter la polydispersité de la distribution volumique des bulles en raison d’un temps de calcul nécessaire trop important pour générer une population de bulles suffisamment nombreuse. Au final, l'outil numérique a aussi été utilisé avec succès pour explorer plusieurs caractéristiques hydrodynamiques de mélange dans le liquide. / The working principle of a typical photobioreactor is to inject gas bubbles into the culture medium, providing CO2 to the cells and also stirring the liquid. Subsequently, the cells convert inorganic carbon into organic carbon through photosynthesis under illumination. Therefore, physical phenomena, e.g. bubbly flow, mass transfer, radiative transfer, and biological phenomena, e.g. photosynthesis, cell growth and death, coexist in a photobioreactor. More importantly, all the basic phenomena are not completely independent to each other. For example, bubble volume and bubble shape can influence gas-liquid mass transfer according to Young-Laplace equation and Henry's law. Moreover, some recent research revealed that bubble behaviors also directly affect the biological process. In view of the important impact of bubble behaviors on productivity of a phototbioreactor, the bubbly flow was investigated in this thesis by both experimental and numerical methods.In the experimental study, we first manufactured a new photobioreactor in order to study the bubbles and other phenomena. Subsequently, the bubbles were captured by high speed camera by virtue of a shadowgraphy technique and bubble behaviors were obtained by processing and analyzing the images. From the experimental results, we found that both averaged bubble volume and bubbling frequency increased with gas flow rate. Furthermore, we also discovered that the distribution of bubble volume was almost monodisperse at low flow rate, and it became more and more polydisperse with increasing flow rate. Regarding bubble shape evolution, we used two shape factors, viz. aspect ration and circularity, to quantitatively study it. We found that both shape factors dropped rapidly during bubble rising (within the limit of the field of view of our video camera), which implied that bubbles were flattened in the course of rising. Nonetheless, bubbles became more vertically elongated at higher flow rate, partially due to the more frequent bubble coalescence at higher flow rate.In the numerical study, we adopted VOF method and OpenFOAM, an open source CFD library, as our numerical tool to represent bubbly flow. First of all, the robustness of OpenFOAM in simulating two-phase flow was validated by literature survey. Subsequently, 2D simulations were carried out for seeking the appropriate and not very time-consuming numerical parameters, i.e. maximum Courant number and mesh size. We found that mesh size should somehow be smaller than the nozzle diameter to have meaningful results. On the other hand, maximum Courant number had no particular importance in the simulations (as long as between 0 and 1). Furthermore, 3D simulations were in good agreement with the experiments in terms of bubble volume and bubble shape evolution. However, 3D simulations were not able to represent the polydispersity of bubble volume due to the limited computing power. In addition, several hydrodynamic characteristics were also explored by the proposed numerical tool, which gave reasonable results.To conclude, bubble behaviors were successfully captured by experimental methods and represented by numerical methods in this thesis, which will help us go further in understanding the complicated physical-biological phenomena of a photobioreactor.

Master of Science / Department of Computing and Information Sciences / Mitchell L. Neilsen / The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is currently researching the effectiveness of various earth dam designs and their ability to prevent erosion. This report utilizes experimental results from the USDA experimental hydraulic engineering research unit to develop computational fluid dynamics models using OpenFOAM. Several variations of smooth and stepped dam models are created and analyzed with OpenFOAM on multiple cores using Message Passing Interface. In this report, seven dam designs are analyzed to extract flow velocities and pressures and animations. This data and OpenFOAM models are helpful for determining potential erosion conditions.

This thesis has been a part of Forsmarks Kraftgrupp AB's evaluation of a turbulence model used in simulation of turbulent flow called PRNS (Partially Resolved Numerical Simulation). This model has promising properties and may be of use in saving computational resources. The purpose of this thesis was to analyze this model and compare it with industrially applied models such as k-omega SST and LES (Large Eddy Simulations). PRNS works as a hybrid of the k-omega SST and DNS (Direct Numerical Simulation) where a constant, RCP (Resolution Control Parameter) with a value between 0 and 1 are selected. This constant is then used in the calculations and determines the behavior of the simulation. When RCP is set to zero the equation are the same as for a DNS simulation and when RCP is set to one the equations for k-omega SST is solved. In this report four different PRNS models have been used, three where RCP was given a constant value (0.1, 0.4 and 0.6). In the fourth model RCP is calculated from the flow field variables The models have been compared to an experiment from 2008 and simulations have been made to resemble the experiment. In the experiment a Particle Image Velocimeter (PIV) was used as method of measurement. From the experimental report data such as velocity (U), turbulent kinetic energy (k) and standard deviation (URMS) have been obtained and have formed the basis for comparison. The models have been simulated in two different software programs: OpenFOAM and Fluent. The data have thereafter been post processed in the software programs MatLab and ParaView, to be compared with experimental data. The results of the simulations have shown that PRNS models generally show a good accordance with experimental data. In particular, PRNS models with constant RCP have shown good results, however, there are some discrepancies. The PRNS model with varying RCP has in most cases showed the largest deviation from experimental data but also a deviation from the other models, including the reference models. Due to the design of the mesh (coarse) further evaluation of the PRNS models will be needed. First, simulate with a finer mesh, but also more complex geometries should be simulated in order to sort out PRNS strengths and weaknesses and thus determine if the model can be used in the daily work at Forsmarks Kraftgrupp AB.

The growing effect of combustion pollutant emission on the environment and increasing petroleum prices are driving development of design methodologies for clean and efficient industrial combustion technologies. The design optimization methodology employs numerical algorithms to find the optimal solution of a design problem by converting it into a multivariate minimization problem. This is done by defining a vector of design parameters that specifies the design configuration, and an objective function that quantifies the performance of the design, usually so the optimal design outcome minimizes the objective function. A numerical algorithm is then employed to find the design parameters that minimize the objective function; these parameters thus specify the optimal design. However this technique is used in several other fields of research, its application to industrial combustion is fairly new. In the present study, a statistical optimization method called response surface methodology is connected to a CFD solver to find the highest combustion efficiency by changing the inlet air swirl number and burner quarl angle in a furnace. OpenFOAM is used to model the steady-state combustion of natural gas in the 300 KW BERL combustor. The main barrier to applying optimization in the design of industrial combustion equipment is the substantial computational effort needed to carry out the CFD simulation every time the objective function needs to be evaluated. This is intensified by the stiffness of the coupled governing partial differential equations, which can cause instability and divergent simulations. The present study addresses both of these issues by initializing the flow field for each objective function evaluation with the numerical results of the previously converged point. This modification dramatically reduced computation time. The combustion of diesel spray in the GenTex 50M process heater is investigated in the next part of this thesis. Experimental and numerical studies were carried out for both the cold spray and the diesel combustion where the numerical results satisfactorily predicted the observations. The simulation results show that, when carrying out a parametric design of a liquid fuel-fired combustor it is necessary to consider the effect of design parameters on the spray aerodynamic characteristics and size distribution, the air/spray interactions, and the size of the recirculation zones.

The growing effect of combustion pollutant emission on the environment and increasing petroleum prices are driving development of design methodologies for clean and efficient industrial combustion technologies. The design optimization methodology employs numerical algorithms to find the optimal solution of a design problem by converting it into a multivariate minimization problem. This is done by defining a vector of design parameters that specifies the design configuration, and an objective function that quantifies the performance of the design, usually so the optimal design outcome minimizes the objective function. A numerical algorithm is then employed to find the design parameters that minimize the objective function; these parameters thus specify the optimal design. However this technique is used in several other fields of research, its application to industrial combustion is fairly new. In the present study, a statistical optimization method called response surface methodology is connected to a CFD solver to find the highest combustion efficiency by changing the inlet air swirl number and burner quarl angle in a furnace. OpenFOAM is used to model the steady-state combustion of natural gas in the 300 KW BERL combustor. The main barrier to applying optimization in the design of industrial combustion equipment is the substantial computational effort needed to carry out the CFD simulation every time the objective function needs to be evaluated. This is intensified by the stiffness of the coupled governing partial differential equations, which can cause instability and divergent simulations. The present study addresses both of these issues by initializing the flow field for each objective function evaluation with the numerical results of the previously converged point. This modification dramatically reduced computation time. The combustion of diesel spray in the GenTex 50M process heater is investigated in the next part of this thesis. Experimental and numerical studies were carried out for both the cold spray and the diesel combustion where the numerical results satisfactorily predicted the observations. The simulation results show that, when carrying out a parametric design of a liquid fuel-fired combustor it is necessary to consider the effect of design parameters on the spray aerodynamic characteristics and size distribution, the air/spray interactions, and the size of the recirculation zones.

No description available.

Les barrages sur les rivières sont des obstacles à la migration piscicole. Les passes à poissons sont des ouvrages permettant aux espèces piscicoles de migrer, autorisant le rétablissement de la continuité écologique des cours d'eau. Le but de ce travail est de mieux comprendre les phénomènes physiques présents dans les passes à poissons naturelles. Ces passes sont des canaux à forte pente, équipé de rangées de plots en quinconce. Pour valider la pertinence de l'utilisation d'un modèle numérique, l'étude s'est limitée à l'écoulement autour d'un cylindre émergent placé au centre d'un canal. Le travail est décomposé en deux parties, une expérimentale et une numérique. La partie expérimentale est conduite dans un canal transparent de 4m de long, 0,4m de large et 0,4m de hauteur. Le diamètre du cylindre est 4cm et sa hauteur 20cm (toujours émergent). Les cas étudiés sont des débits de 5, 10, 15 et 20 l/s pour une pente nulle. Les nombres de Froude sont supérieurs à 0,5 et les nombres de Reynolds, basés sur le diamètre, sont compris entre 15000 et 50000. Les écoulements ont été filmés et un algorithme de suivi de particules (PTV) a été développé. Des zones de faibles vitesses existent, même pour Fr=1, pouvant assurer des zones de refuge pour le poisson. Les forces de trainée ont été mesurées sur le plot. Les évolutions des coefficients de trainée avec le nombre de Froude et des rapports de forme de l'écoulement autour du plot ont ainsi été évaluées. La partie numérique est réalisée avec OpenFOAM pour 4 cas d'étude (Q=10 et 20 l/s, S=0 et 2%) et 2 modèles de turbulence URANS, le RNG k-epsilon et le k-omega SST. Des modélisations en 2D ont également été faites avec Telemac 2D. Les résultats obtenus ont été comparés aux résultats expérimentaux. La modélisation 2D (shallow water) est exploitable seulement pour des nombres de Froude faibles, d'où la nécessité des modélisations en 3D. Le modèle komega SST semble le mieux adapté pour reproduire les écoulements étudiés. Les vitesses locales et les structures en 3D, non quantifiables expérimentalement, ont ensuite été décrites. Les influences du fond et de la surface libre sur le sillage apparaissent clairement en provoquant des vitesses verticales et des tourbillons à grandes échelles. Enfin, une simulation en LES a été conduite. Les structures tourbillonnaires sont mieux représentées que pour les modèles URANS, mais les temps de calcul sont grands.

Magíster en Ciencias de la Ingeniería, Mención Metalurgia Extractiva. Ingeniero Civil de Minas / En una planta de procesamiento de minerales el principal medio de transporte de material sólido se realiza por medio de tuberías. En este sistema se transportan partículas de diferentes tamaños cuya distribución es el resultado del proceso de conminución de esta planta. Si el líquido presenta una cantidad considerable de iones, como es el caso del agua de mar, tanto la fracción fina como la fracción gruesa pueden causar una alteración en la composición química de la fase líquida. Aunque este efecto depende del tipo de partículas a ser transportada. Por ejemplo, partículas como las arcillas pueden intercambiar especies inorgánicas y orgánicas con el líquido. En el presente estudio se busca evaluar el rol de la hidrodinámica y el contenido de arcilla en el intercambio iónico entre estas y la fase líquida durante el transporte de la mezcla en presencia de partículas gruesas en una tubería, usando simulaciones 2D. Para ello se utilizó un modelo de mezcla de la librería de OpenFOAM. En este modelo se resuelven ecuaciones de momentum para la fase gruesa y la fase líquida, mientras que para el campo de velocidad de la fase fina se generó una relación entre la velocidad del líquido y la velocidad de sedimentación de esta fase. Para cada fase y especie iónica presente en el líquido se resolvió una ecuación de transporte de masa. Se calculó la tasa de intercambio iónico para Ca(II), Na(I), Mg(II) usando un modelo cinético de la ecuación de Gaines-Thomas. Además, el flujo es asumido como turbulento, y por esta razón, un modelo k - epsilon es usado. Los resultados mostraron que la presencia de una distribución no homogénea de fino en la vertical, revela una transferencia de masa no homogénea de iones en esa sección de la tubería. En particular, la alta concentración de partículas gruesas cerca del fondo junto con velocidades bajas de la fase continua comparado con la sección media implica largos tiempos de residencia, como lo confirma los resultados numéricos. Además la mayor concentración de finos es encontrada en la parte superior producto de la sedimentación de las partículas gruesas. Ambos aspectos combinados, promueven altas tasas de intercambio de Ca-Na y Mg-Na en la parte superior e inferior de la tubería en comparación con el eje central de la tubería . Para un CEC igual a 70 meq/100gr de arcilla, un aumento de la concentración de finos de un 6% a un 10% en volumen, provoca un aumento en la fracción media de calcio intercambiada del líquido desde un 12% a un 26% para una velocidad media de 2 m/s. Otro aspecto relevante es la distribución inicial del CEC en las arcilla. Según los resultados, una arcilla alta en calcio no intercambia calcio desde la solución mientras que una arcilla alta en sodio si lo hace, alterando la distribución final de iones en las arcillas. Finalmente, en una planta de procesamiento de minerales, manipular los cationes en la arcilla permitiría controlar aspectos como la reología y la floculación, entre otros, y esta composición, como se observa en la simulaciones, depende fuertemente del tipo de arcilla y los iones presentes en la arcilla y en el líquido.