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Abstract: Along with the developments of lattice-Boltzmann method in simulation of fluid flow, its thermal features should be also improved. An important problem which is encountered in many cases is the conjugate heat transfer or heat transfer at the fluid–solid interface. In this case, a strict technique is required to calculate the heat exchange between fluid and solid. Only a few works have been published regarding this phenomenon. In this paper, we have presented a model for analysis of the conjugate heat transfer. The model has been validated by two benchmarks: (I) Fluid flow and heat transfer in a backward-facing step channel with heated thick wall, and (II) Fluid flow and heat transfer in a channel with infinite number of heated obstacles mounted on the wall. The numerical tips concerned in the simulation of these problems by lattice-Boltzmann method have been also represented in the paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents a coupling of Discrete Element Method (DEM) and Constrained Interpolation Profile (CIP) mainly designed for simulations of the nucleation process in wet granulation. The governing equations for fluid (liquid and gas) phases are the volume averaged form of the Navier–Stokes equation, continuity and colour function equations. These equations are solved by use of a meso-scale fixed Cartesian grid whose cell is larger than individual particles. The solid–liquid–gas interfacial effects on both fluid and particle phases are taken into account in the simulation. The surface tension effect on the fluid motion was modelled in three different ways depending on the relative position of the liquid–gas interfaces to powder beds: the models outside, inside, and on the surface of powder beds correspond to a free surface, capillary action and bed surface wetting. A new model for the surface tension effect on the solid (particle) motion, i.e. the capillary force effect, is proposed in this paper. This capillary force model is particularly useful when using a meso-scale fixed grid, and it can be used with various types of multi-fluid scheme such as CIP, Volume of Fluid (VoF) and Level Set methods. The proposed models are validated by comparing the simulation results with theoretical and experimental results. It is also revealed that the capillary force model is crucial to obtain reasonable simulation results for nucleation process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents a lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) based study aimed at numerical simulation of highly turbulent and largely inclined flow around obstacles of curved geometry using non-body-fitted Cartesian meshes. The approach features (1) combining the interpolated bounce-back scheme with the LBM of multi-relaxation-time (MRT) type to enable the use of simple Cartesian mesh for the flow cases even with complex geometries; and (2) incorporating the Spalart–Allmaras (SA) turbulence model into LBM in order to represent the turbulent flow effect. The numerical experiments are performed corresponding to flows around an NACA0012 airfoil at Re=5×105 and around a flat plate at Re=2×104, respectively. The agreement between all simulation results obtained from this study and the data provided by other literature demonstrates the reliability of the enhanced LBM proposed in this paper for simulating, simply on Cartesian meshes, complex flows that may involve bodies of curved boundary, high Reynolds number, and large angle of attack. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper addresses computational models for dilute gas-particle multiphase flow in which the three dimensional, time-dependent fluid motion is calculated in an Eulerian frame, and a large number of particles are tracked in a Lagrangian frame. Point forces are used to represent the back effect of the particles on the turbulence. The paper describes the early development of the technique, summarizes several experiments which show how dilute particle loadings can significantly alter the turbulence, and demonstrates how the point-particle method fails when the particles are comparable in scale to the small scale turbulence. High-resolution simulations and experiments which demonstrate the importance of the flow details around individual particles are described. Finally, opinions are stated on how future model development should proceed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents a numerical model for the simulation of a swash-plate axial piston pump, focusing on the characterization of fluid properties. As it is well known, the reduction of flow oscillations (which generates pressure ripples and produces vibration and noise in the entire circuit) and the avoidance of cavitation are the major problems in the design of these pumps. Developing a simulation code can be very useful for component optimisation in order to predict and reduce the undesired phenomena. The paper first gives a quick overview on a previously developed pump model; afterwards four different models of the fluid are presented: they take into account cavitation in different ways. Their aim at characterizing as well as possible the unsteady and erratic cavitation features in a simplified manner, in order to apply the models to the simulation of hydraulic components. In the second part of the paper an application is shown of these models to an axial piston pump: a few results are presented and compared with available test data. The effects of the fluid models on the predicted pump performance are shown and commented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The research and design of liquid-cooled integrated circuits (IC) relies heavily on accurate simulation. Ideally, finite-element-method (FEM) based tools should be used for this purpose. However, in most cases a fully coupled thermo-fluidic simulation of complex ICs is very long, mostly due to the fact that the simulation of fluid dynamics is very time consuming. Therefore, in this paper we propose a novel model for thermal simulation of ICs cooled by integrated microchannels which significantly reduces the simulation time. The new approach is based on removing the fluid from the model and treating the solid-liquid boundary as a convective boundary, described by the convection equation. It is shown that the proposed model offers very good accuracy in steady-state, with errors below 3 °C in every chip point. In transient domain the results are equally good, with the maximum error around 3.3 °C (6% relative error). Moreover, the simulation times have been reduced by about two orders of magnitude with respect to fully coupled FEM simulation. However, the proposed model has also important limitations: currently ICs with only one layer of straight microchannels are supported and the model requires recalculation if some chip parameters are changed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a Three-dimensional Distinct Element Code (3DEC) was used and developed for simulating the initiation and propagation of hydraulically induced fractures in a typical reservoir hosted by a rock mass. Due to the fact that the modeling of the initiation of fracturing through intact rock within the Discrete Element Method (DEM) is not possible, a fictitious joint technique was introduced in order to simulate the process. The analysis results substantiate the previous understanding that the success of the hydraulic fracturing process not only depends on controllable parameters such as fracture fluid properties and injection rate, but also relies on the uncontrollable parameters such as ground in-situ stress regime, orientation of principal stresses, and in-situ rock mass properties. Moreover, a sensitivity study of input variables was carried out to examine the effect of different field conditions which involved the orientation and magnitude of principal stress components, fracture fluid properties, injection rate and rock parameters. Comparing the results with analytical solution indicated that the model provides a reasonable approximation for computing fluid injection pressure. Thus, the proposed modeling procedure can be employed in more complicated cases for further studies, such as interaction between induced hydraulic fractures and natural fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, a computationally efficient finite element model for transient heat and fluid flow in a deep low-enthalpy geothermal system is formulated. Emphasis is placed on coupling between the involved wellbores and a soil mass, represented by a geothermal reservoir and a surrounding soil. The finite element package COMSOL is utilized as a framework for implementing the model. Two main aspects have contributed to the computational efficiency and accuracy: the wellbore model, and the 1D–2D coupling of COMSOL. In the first aspect, heat flow in the wellbore is modelled as pseudo three-dimensional conductive–convective, using a one-dimensional element. In this model, thermal interactions between the wellbore components are included in the mathematical model, alleviating the need for typical 3D spatial discretization, and thus reducing the mesh size significantly. In the second aspect, heat flow in the soil mass is coupled to the heat flow in the wellbores, giving accurate description of heat loss and gain along the pathway of the injected and produced fluid. Heat flow in the geothermal reservoir, and due to dependency of fluid density and viscosity on temperature, is simulated as two-dimensional fully saturated nonlinear conductive–convective, whereas in the surrounding soil, heat flow is simulated as linear conductive. Numerical and parametric examples describing the computational capabilities of the model and its suitability for utilization in engineering practice are presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Impinging jets over liquid surfaces are a common practice in the metallurgy and chemical industries. This paper presents a numerical study of the fluid dynamics involved in this kind of processes. URANS simulations are performed using the volume of fluid (VOF) method to deal with the multiphase physics. This unsteady approach with the appropriate computational domain allows resolution of the big eddies responsible for the low frequency phenomena. The solver we used is based on the finite volume method and turbulence is modelled with the realisable k-ϵ model. Two different configurations belonging to the dimpling and splashing modes are under consideration. The results are compared with PIV and LeDaR experimental data previously obtained by the authors. Attention is focused on the surroundings of the impingement, where the interaction between jet and liquid film is much stronger. Finally, frequency analysis is carried out to study the flapping motion of the jet and cavity oscillations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Earth heat exchangers are essential parts of the ground-source heat pumps and the accurate prediction of their performance is of fundamental importance. This paper presents the development and validation of a numerical model for the simulation of energy flows and temperature changes in and around a borehole heat exchanger when a fluid circulates through a U-tube. Based on the time-dependent convection–diffusion equation, the FlexPDE software package is employed to solve the resulting boundary value problem that model a heat exchanger. First, the mathematical model is validated through a comparison with data obtained from experiments with real borehole set-ups in Cyprus. Then the validated model is used to study the heat flow and the temperature variation in the heat-exchanger. Finally conclusions are extracted on how various parameters like the U-tube diameter, the variation of the ground thermal conductivity and specific heat and the borehole filling material affect the temperature of the inlet and outlet fluid. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, the authors present an efficient three-dimensional algorithm, based on the fully explicit matrix inversion free finite element version of the Characteristic Based Split (CBS) scheme, and apply it for the first time to the simulation of complex thermo-fluid-dynamic problems in domains containing simultaneously a fluid and a porous layer. The stability analysis recently developed for the two-dimensional version of the algorithm is here extended to the three-dimensional version. Unstructured grids have been successfully employed to solve complex interface problems. The present code produces an effective solution for complex 3D problems, and does not require large computing resources. The advantages deriving from the algorithm’s stability, the use of unstructured meshes and the low computing requirements make the present three-dimensional procedure a powerful and flexible tool for efficient modeling of real life problems. The present 3D code is used to solve both forced and natural convection in partially porous domains. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, we present an approach that uses a combination of cell-block- and cell-face-averaging of high-resolution cell elevation and roughness data to upscale hydraulic parameters and accurately simulate surface water flow in relatively low-resolution numerical models. The method developed allows channelized features that preferentially connect large-scale grid cells at cell interfaces to be represented in models where these features are significantly smaller than the selected grid size. The developed upscaling approach has been implemented in a two-dimensional finite difference model that solves a diffusive wave approximation of the depth-integrated shallow surface water equations using preconditioned Newton–Krylov methods. Computational results are presented to show the effectiveness of the mixed cell-block and cell-face averaging upscaling approach in maintaining model accuracy, reducing model run-times, and how decreased grid resolution affects errors. Application examples demonstrate that sub-grid roughness coefficient variations have a larger effect on simulated error than sub-grid elevation variations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Due to numerical instability, the lattice Boltzmann model (LBM) with the Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook (BGK) collision operator has some limitations in the simulation of low viscosity flows. In this paper, we propose a viscosity counteracting approach for simulating a moderate viscosity flow. An extra negative viscosity term is introduced to counteract part of the moderate viscosity by using the lattice Boltzmann equation with a source term. The counteracting viscosity term is treated as a non-uniform unsteady source. The stability is enhanced; thus small viscosity flows can be simulated. Model verification consists of benchmark cases such as those of Poiseuille flow, Couette flow, waterhammer waves, Taylor–Green vortex flow, and lid-driven cavity flow. The flow patterns, error characteristics, and representative parameters are carefully analyzed. It is shown that this approach can simulate flows with lower viscosities than may be simulated using the normal LBGK model; the second-order accuracy of the LBGK model is definitely retained, although a little dissipation is added. These preliminary studies prove the effectiveness and accuracy of the model. Sophisticated analysis and further verification of the stability mechanism will be done in the near future. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents a three dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model to investigate the flow dynamics of solid–gas phases during fine grinding in an air jet mill. Alpine 100AFG fluidized bed air jet mill is considered for the study and the jet milling model is simulated using FLUENT 6.3.2 using a standard k-ε model. The model is developed in GAMBIT 2.3.16 and meshed by tet/hybrid (T-Grid) and Triangular (Pave) meshes. The effects of operating parameters such as solid feed rate, grinding air pressure and internal classifier speed on the performance of the jet mill are analyzed. The CFD simulation results are presented in the forms of dual phase vector plot, volume fraction of phases and particle trajectories during fine grinding process. The mass of ground feed entering and leaving the cyclone (underflow) is also computed by simulation. The proposed model gives realistic predictions of the flow dynamics within the jet mill. Experiments are conducted on the Alpine 100AFG jet mill to study the particle size, morphology and mass of the ground product. The numerical results are found in good agreement with the experimental results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper describes a mathematical model used to simulate the restart of an axial, compressible and transient flow of a Bingham fluid in circular or annular pipes. The model is based on the mass and momentum conservation equations plus a state equation that relates pressure to density. The viscous effect is modeled by employing a friction factor approach. The governing equations are discretized by using the finite volume method with a first-order upwind scheme, and the resulting non-linear algebraic equations are then solved iteratively. The model results were corroborated by an analytical solution for Newtonian flows. Additionally, the results were also in reasonable agreement with results reported in the literature. We also conducted sensitivity analyses with respect to Reynolds number, aspect ratio, gravity and the non-linear advective terms of the governing equations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: It has been well established that heat transfer in a helical coil is higher than that in a corresponding straight pipe. However, the detailed characteristics of fluid flow and heat transfer inside helical coil is not available from the present literature. This paper brings out clearly the variation of local Nusselt number along the length and circumference at the wall of a helical pipe. Movement of fluid particles in a helical pipe has been traced. CFD simulations are carried out for vertically oriented helical coils by varying coil parameters such as (i) pitch circle diameter, (ii) tube pitch and (iii) pipe diameter and their influence on heat transfer has been studied. After establishing influence of these parameters, correlations for prediction of Nusselt number has been developed. A correlation to predict the local values of Nusselt number as a function of angular location of the point is also presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents an approach to obtain the income of solar irradiation within partitioned enclosures partially transparent to solar radiation. This model is mathematically exact and it is function of the outside solar irradiation, the orientation of the enclosure, the properties of the enclosure envelope, the geometry and properties of partitions. From the physical point of view it is founded on the assumption that the envelope and partitions surfaces are fully diffusive and that the radiation diffused through the atmosphere is fully isotropic. The model was applied to assess the solar irradiation at the ground of a hemicylindrical tunnel fitted with inclined partitions. The results of this study demonstrate, among other things, that: (i) the solar irradiation inside the enclosure, with any cladding material and with any orientation, is mainly determined by the transmittance of the partitions and to a lesser extent by its reflectance, (ii) the solar radiation inside an enclosure with highly transparent partitions (i.e., transmittance>0.5) is noticeable influenced by its orientation, but for a lower transmittance the influence of orientation becomes negligible; and (iii) to prevent the overheating within the enclosure it is advisable to install partitions with a low transmittance and a high absorptance on their surface facing downward. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This work aims to demonstrate an advancement towards the integrated modelling of surf zone hydrodynamics by means of a VOF-type numerical model (COBRAS-UC) based on the Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes equations. In this paper, the numerical model is adapted and validated for the study of nearshore processes on a mildly-sloping beach. The model prediction of wave energy transformation and higher order statistics (skewness and asymmetry) are in good agreement with detailed laboratory observations from a barred beach [Boers, M. (1996). “Simulation of a surf zone with a barred beach; Report 1: Wave heights and wave breaking”. Tech. Rep.96-5, Comm. on Hydrol. and Geol. Eng., Dept. of Civil Engineering, Delft University of Technology]. Moreover, the numerical model allows us to study the low-frequency motions inside the surf zone. It is found that in order to achieve a satisfactory simulation of both short- and long-wave transformation, the numerical model must achieve: (i) the simultaneous second-order wave generation and absorption, (ii) the energy transfer between triad of components, (iii) the short- and long-wave energy dissipation inside the surf zone, and (iv) the wave reflection at the shoreline. Comparisons between numerical and experimental results demonstrate the model capability to satisfactorily simulate all the aforementioned processes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, bubble–particle collision efficiency in a turbulent flow is investigated from a multiscale modelling viewpoint. An integrated CFD-based scheme for the prediction of turbulent bubble–particle collision efficiency is developed. As part of this scheme, the effect of turbulence and the bubble wall effect on bubble–particle collision efficiency are systematically studied using a 3D low turbulent Reynolds number shear-stress-transport turbulence model. Example simulations and comparisons are carried out to illustrate the methodology. The method can also be applied to non-Newtonian slurries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Sputnik coal distributors are widely applied in coal separation plants and biased outputs are frequently encountered. The present paper aims to develop a numerical model for simulating the flow of the carrier liquid within a distributor chamber. The model uses simple homogeneous multi-phase flow model and performs well in terms of successfully predicting the important phenomena within the distributor chamber, such as the strong vortex in the upper chamber and channeling through the slots on the orifice plate, as observed experimentally. The model provides necessary information for particle flow modeling and offers a useful tool to trouble-shooting of operations and optimization of design for such type of devices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, a multiphase model applied to a downer reactor is proposed, where the gas–solid modeled with some special characteristics, such as: unsteady and 3D flow for two fluids on an Eulerian–Eulerian approach; dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy only on the gas phase modeled as real fluid; and the assumption that the solid phase behaves like a hypothetical fluid without shear stress from molecular causes. Studies based on first (HIPWIND) and second order (HIGHER UPWIND) interpolation schemes were carried out. The difference in the results using the two schemes was found to be negligible. The Computational Fluid Dynamic Technique (CFD) was adopted as a tool to predict downer reactor dynamic, comparing the proposed model with experimental data available in the literature. Good agreement between experimental data and model predictions was verified. Therefore CFD techniques proved to be a powerful tool to predict the fluid dynamic of inlet changing of downer reactors, and it can be used with success in chemical process optimization. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper, we develop a simplified mathematical model (a metamodel) of a simulation model of conflict, based on ideas drawn from the analysis of more general physical systems, such as found in fluid dynamics modelling. We show that there is evidence from the analysis of historical conflicts to support the kind of emergent behaviour implied by this approach. We then apply this approach to the development of a metamodel of a particular complexity based simulation model of conflict (ISAAC), developed for the US Marine Corps.The approach we have illustrated here is very generic, and is applicable to any simulation model which has complex interactions similar to those found in fluid dynamic modelling, or in simulating the emergent behaviour of large numbers of simple systems which interact with each other locally. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]