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Hsiao, Chao-Tsung

Publications and source records attributed to Hsiao, Chao-Tsung.

A physics based multiscale modeling of cavitating flows

Here, numerical modeling of cavitating bubbly flows is challenging due to the wide range of characteristic lengths of the physics at play: from micrometers (e.g., bubble nuclei radius) to meters (e.g., propeller diameter or sheet cavity length). To address this, we present here a multiscale approach which integrates a Discrete Singularities Model (DSM) for dispersed microbubbles and a two-phase Navier Stokes solver for the bubbly medium, which includes a level set approach to describe large cavities or gaseous pockets. Inter-scale schemes are used to smoothly bridge the two transitioning subgrid DSM bubbles into larger discretized cavities. This approach is demonstrated on several problems including cavitation inception and vapor core formation in a vortex flow, sheet-to-cloud cavitation over a hydrofoil, cavitation behind a blunt body, and cavitation on a propeller. These examples highlight the capabilities of the developed multiscale model in simulating various form of cavitation.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Euler–Lagrange Simulations of Bubble Cloud Dynamics Near a Wall

We present in this paper a two-way coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian model to study the dynamics of clouds of microbubbles subjected to pressure variations and the resulting pressures on a nearby rigid wall. The model simulates the two-phase medium as a continuum and solves the Navier–Stokes equations using Eulerian grids with a time and space varying density. The microbubbles are modeled as interacting singularities representing moving and oscillating spherical bubbles, following a modified Rayleigh–Plesset–Keller–Herring equation and are tracked in a Lagrangian fashion. A two-way coupling between the Euler and Lagrange components is realized through the local mixture density determined by the bubbles' volume change and motion. Using this numerical framework, simulations involving a large number of bubbles were conducted under driving pressures at different frequencies. The results show that the frequency of the driving pressure is critical in determining the overall dynamics: either a collective strongly coupled cluster behavior or nonsynchronized weaker multiple bubble oscillations. The former creates extremely high pressures with peak values orders of magnitudes higher than that of the excitation pressure. This occurs when the driving frequency matches the natural frequency of the bubble cloud. The initial distance between the bubble cloud and the wall also affects significantly the resulting pressures. A bubble cloud collapsing very close to the wall exhibits a cascading collapse, with the bubbles farthest from the wall collapsing first and the nearest ones collapsing last, thus the energy accumulates and this results in very high pressure peaks at the wall. Finally, at farther cloud distances from the wall, the bubble cloud collapses quasi-spherically with the cloud center collapsing last.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Determination of the Accommodation Coefficient Using Vapor/gas Bubble Dynamics in an Acoustic Field

Nonequilibrium liquid/vapor phase transformations can occur in superheated or subcooled liquids in fast processes such as in evaporation in a vacuum. The rate at which such a phase transformation occurs depends on the "condensation" or "accommodation" coefficient, Beta, which is a property of the interface. Existing measurement techniques for Beta are complex and expensive. The development of a relatively inexpensive and reliable technique for measurement of Beta for a wide range of substances and temperatures is of great practical importance. The dynamics of a bubble in an acoustic field strongly depends on the value of Beta. It is known that near the saturation temperature, small vapor bubbles grow under the action of an acoustic field due to "rectified heat transfer." This finding can be used as the basis for an effective measurement technique of Beta. We developed a theory of vapor bubble behavior in an isotropic acoustic wave and in a plane standing acoustic wave. A numerical code was developed which enables simulation of a variety of experimental situations and accurately takes into account slowly evolving temperature. A parametric study showed that the measurement of Beta can be made over a broad range of frequencies and bubble sizes. We found several interesting regimes and conditions which can be efficiently used for measurements of Beta. Measurements of Beta can be performed in both reduced and normal gravity environments.

Gumerov, Nail A.↗