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At least 289 records · Page 16

Gas-Liquid Flow Modeling for Renewable Fuels Production

Aerobic/anaerobic and gas fermentation pathways have emerged as promising new technologies for the generation of renewable fuels/chemicals from biomass derived sugars, and mixtures of greenhouse/energy rich gas streams (CO2/CH4/H2/CO) via microbial action. Example pathways include sugars-to-ethanol conversion, biomethanation (CO2/H2 to CH4), biogas upgrading, CO fermentation and wet-waste conversion. Gas and liquid phase transport, mass-transfer, and mixing physics at large length scales can significantly affect microbial conversion rates, particularly when the microbial reaction requires a narrow set of conditions. These phenomena are difficult to study in small-scale bench-top reactors that are typically well-mixed. Predictive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based simulations can therefore aid in the scale-up, design and optimization of these reactors. This work presents multiphase Euler-Euler CFD simulations of at-scale (~500 m3) bioreactors. Our mathematical model treats the gas and liquid as interpenetrating phases. This approach reduces the computational complexity of tracking individual gas bubbles that are several orders of magnitude smaller than reactor dimensions. We solve the Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) multiphase equations that account for phase and chemical species transport, interphase mass and momentum transfer and uses a phenomenological model for gas uptake by microbes. We use a customized solver derived from open-source CFD toolbox, OpenFOAM [1], to perform these simulations, which has been validated against small-scale reactors in our previous work [2]. There is currently a knowledge-gap regarding bubble-size distributions when using gas mixtures with vastly different properties, which can have a significant impact overall mass-transfer. For example, hydrogen bubbles are more buoyant compared to other relatively heavier gases (CO2/CH4/CO), resulting in a large distribution of residence times and bubble sizes. This work therefore develops a deeper understanding of bubble dynamics and interphase mass transfer in such heterogenous gas mixtures through well-resolved computational models. We use a population balance model (PBM) for bubble-size-distribution modeling that is validated against small-scale experiments in our solver with an uncertainty quantification study for bubble coalescence and break-up model parameters. Results pertaining to multiple simulations of gas-fermentation reactors are presented where gas mixtures with varying compositions of CO2/CH4/CO/H2 are imposed at the sparger boundaries. The spatio-temporal variations in bubble-size distribution and mass transfer coefficient are analyzed for varying superficial velocities and gas-compositions for varying sizes of bubble-column and airlift reactors. This work will also examine the performance of different reactor designs, viz. bubble column reactor, airlift reactor with an internal draft tube, and a stirred-tank reactor with Rushton impellers. Reactor mass-transfer coefficient, gas hold-up, and dissolved gas distribution are critically analyzed among reactors, and sensitivity studies pertaining to gas flow rates and reactor geometry will be presented. [1] Weller, H., Tabor, G., Jasak, H. and Fureby, C., A tensorial approach to computational continuum mechanics using object-oriented techniques, Computers in physics, 12, 6, 620--631, 1998. [2] Rahimi, M., Sitaraman, H., Humbird, D. and Stickel, J., Computational fluid dynamics study of full-scale aerobic bioreactors: Evaluation of gas-liquid mass transfer, oxygen uptake, and dynamic oxygen distribution, Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 139: 283-295.

BIOMASS FUELS↗

On analysis and stochastic modeling of the particle kinetic energy equation in particle-laden isotropic turbulent flows

In this study, we analyze three-dimensional particle-laden, isotropic turbulence to develop an understanding of inertial particle dynamics from a kinetic energy perspective. Data trends implying inhomogeneous sampling of the flow by particles are identified and used to support a proposed particle behavior: particles appear to accumulate in regions of low flow kinetic energy over time because they lose kinetic energy and slow down in such regions, ultimately causing them to spend more time there. To elucidate this behavior, we derive a particle kinetic energy equation from the particle momentum equation, which incorporates inertial effects through the Schiller–Naumann drag correlation. Upon extracting fundamental physics from this equation, hypotheses regarding the role of the Stokes number in the temporal change of particle kinetic energy and the previously proposed particle behavior are evaluated using simulation data considering three Stokes numbers. Finally, a Fokker–Planck equation is used to derive the steady-state probability density function of the particle kinetic energy. The model fits the simulation data well and provides a tool for further investigation into understanding preferential concentration, as well as a reduced order model for predicting particle kinetic energy in turbulent flows.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Exact WKB and the quantum Seiberg-Witten curve for 4d $N$ = 2 pure SU(3) Yang-Mills. Abelianization

We investigate the exact WKB method for the quantum Seiberg-Witten curve of 4d N = 2 pure SU(3) Yang-Mills in the language of abelianization. The relevant differential equation is a third-order equation on $\mathbb{CP}^1$ with two irregular singularities. We employ the exact WKB method to study the solutions to such a third-order equation and the associated Stokes phenomena. We also investigate the exact quantization condition for a certain spectral problem. Moreover, exact WKB analysis leads us to consider new Darboux coordinates on a moduli space of flat SL(3,$\mathbb{C}$)-connections. In particular, in the weak coupling region we encounter coordinates of the higher length-twist type generalizing Fenchel-Nielsen coordinates. The Darboux coordinates are conjectured to admit asymptotic expansions given by the formal quantum periods series and we perform numerical analysis supporting this conjecture.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Optimization-Inspired Pin-Fin Array for Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Recuperator

Additively manufactured heat exchangers are one possible route to cost-effective sCO 2 power cycles. In this paper, experimental results are obtained for two helical pin fin tubes that were designed following parametric optimization of the fin array. Neither the numerical optimization nor the experimental testing have been previously reported in the literature. The two tube designs were, (1) the optimization inspired design, and (2) the optimization-inspired design with a fin diameter increased by a factor of 2. To characterize the print, the designs were scanned using X-ray computed tomography to measure feature sizes and heat transfer area. The optimization was conducted in a commercial, computational fluid dynamics code. The code solved the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) and energy equations with turbulence closure provided by the shear stress transport (SST) k-ω model. In the experiments, the Nusselt number augmentation was measured using the Wilson plot technique and the friction factor was determined with mass flow and pressure drop measurements. The experimental testing indicated that the optimization-inspired design had a friction factor that was four times less than the baseline tube design at equal Nusselt number. Additionally, the optimization-inspired design had a 14% improvement in Nusselt number, at equal friction factor, relative to the best performing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) trial points. Tube design (2), with the larger diameter pin fins, had similar performance, within experimental error, as the tube with the smaller diameter pin fins (1). Both tubes achieved overall fin array efficiencies near 1. A performance factor, V/V 0 , equal to the volume of the enhanced heat exchanger divided by the volume of the baseline (no-fins) heat exchanger, is recommended to quantify internal cooling performance. In conclusion, the experimental shell and tube heat exchanger, using the additively manufactured tube, is competitive with printed circuit heat exchangers in its pressure drop class and could be further improved by optimizing a shell-and-tube heat exchanger utilizing this heat transfer enhancement feature.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Experimental and computational investigation of interactive flow induced oscillations of two tandem rough cylinders at 3×10 4 ≤Re≤1.2×10 5

The interactive flow induced oscillations (FIO) of two adjacent, elastically mounted, rigid, tandem, locally-rough cylinders in transverse flow direction are analyzed utilizing two-dimensional Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (2-D URANS) equations and verified experimentally in the proximity-wake region. Three sets of experiments and simulations (K = 600N/m, ζ = 0.14; K = 600N/m, ζ = 0.26; K = 1,200N/m, ζ = 0.26; K is spring stiffness, ζ is damping ratio) of two tandem cylinders with turbulence stimulation are tested and simulated for Reynolds number in the range of 30,000 = Re ≤ 120,000. The reduced velocity range is U* = 2.48–14.22, the mass ratio is m* = 1.343, and the center-to-center in-flow spacing to diameter ratio is d/D = 2.57. The characteristics of amplitude response, frequency response, lift force, and interactive wake patterns are presented and discussed. The trends of the amplitude and frequency responses from numerical simulations are in good agreement with experimental results. The main conclusions of Reynolds number effect on interactive flow induced oscillations are: (1) Five significant flow patterns between two tandem locally-rough cylinders for different Reynolds numbers are observed through analyzing the complex but stable interactions between vortices and cylinders. (2) In the initial and upper VIV branches, the downstream cylinder's FIO is seriously interfered by the wake of the upstream cylinder. (3) The downstream cylinder is strongly impinged by the vortices shed from the upstream cylinder resulting in nearly 180O out-of-phase oscillations in transition from VIV to galloping and in-phase oscillations in galloping.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Flow over an espresso cup: inferring 3-D velocity and pressure fields from tomographic background oriented Schlieren via physics-informed neural networks

Tomographic background oriented Schlieren (Tomo-BOS) imaging measures density or temperature fields in three dimensions using multiple camera BOS projections, and is particularly useful for instantaneous flow visualizations of complex fluid dynamics problems. We propose a new method based on physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) to infer the full continuous three-dimensional (3-D) velocity and pressure fields from snapshots of 3-D temperature fields obtained by Tomo-BOS imaging. The PINNs seamlessly integrate the underlying physics of the observed fluid flow and the visualization data, hence enabling the inference of latent quantities using limited experimental data. In this hidden fluid mechanics paradigm, we train the neural network by minimizing a loss function composed of a data mismatch term and residual terms associated with the coupled Navier–Stokes and heat transfer equations. We first quantify the accuracy of the proposed method based on a two-dimensional synthetic data set for buoyancy-driven flow, and subsequently apply it to the Tomo-BOS data set, where we are able to infer the instantaneous velocity and pressure fields of the flow over an espresso cup based only on the temperature field provided by the Tomo-BOS imaging. Moreover, we conduct an independent PIV experiment to validate the PINN inference for the unsteady velocity field at a centre plane. To explain the observed flow physics, we also perform systematic PINN simulations at different Reynolds and Richardson numbers and quantify the variations in velocity and pressure fields. Furthermore, the results in this paper indicate that the proposed deep learning technique can become a promising direction in experimental fluid mechanics.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Asymptotic consistency of the WSINDy algorithm in the limit of continuum data

In this work we study the asymptotic consistency of the weak-form sparse identification of nonlinear dynamics algorithm (WSINDy) in the identification of differential equations from noisy samples of solutions. We prove that the WSINDy estimator is unconditionally asymptotically consistent for a wide class of models that includes the Navier–Stokes, Kuramoto–Sivashinsky and Sine–Gordon equations. We thus provide a mathematically rigorous explanation for the observed robustness to noise of weak-form equation learning. Conversely, we also show that, in general, the WSINDy estimator is only conditionally asymptotically consistent, yielding discovery of spurious terms with probability one if the noise level exceeds a critical threshold σ c . We provide explicit bounds on σ c in the case of Gaussian white noise and we explicitly characterize the spurious terms that arise in the case of trigonometric and/or polynomial libraries. Furthermore, we show that, if the data is suitably denoised (a simple moving average filter is sufficient), then asymptotic consistency is recovered for models with locally-Lipschitz, polynomial-growth nonlinearities. Our results reveal important aspects of weak-form equation learning, which may be used to improve future algorithms. We demonstrate our findings numerically using the Lorenz system, the cubic oscillator, a viscous Burgers-growth model and a Kuramoto–Sivashinsky-type high-order PDE.

asymptotic consistency↗

Pore-Scale Modeling of Electrokinetics in Geomaterials

Pore-scale finite-volume continuum models of electrokinetic processes are used to predict the Debye lengths, velocity, and potential profiles for two-dimensional arrays of circles, ellipses and squares with different orientations. The pore-scale continuum model solves the coupled Navier–Stokes, Poisson, and Nernst–Planck equations to characterize the electro-osmotic pressure and streaming potentials developed on the application of an external voltage and pressure difference, respectively. Here, this model is used to predict the macroscale permeabilities of geomaterials via the widely used Carmen–Kozeny equation and through the electrokinetic coupling coefficients. The permeability results for a two-dimensional X-ray tomography-derived sand microstructure are within the same order of magnitude as the experimentally calculated values. The effect of the particle aspect ratio and orientation on the electrokinetic coupling coefficients and subsequently the electrical and hydraulic tortuosity of the porous media has been determined. These calculations suggest a highly tortuous geomaterial can be efficient for applications like decontamination and desalination.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

EXPERIMENTAL AND COMPUTATIONAL STUDY OF DIRECT CONTACT MEMBRANE DISTILLATION

Experimental and computational studies of direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) are conducted. The permeate flux is measured in a module containing a flat sheet membrane. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) hydrophobic membrane (Membrane Solutions, FPB045A16) with a nominal pore size of 0.45 μm, the thickness of 179~239 μm, the porosity of 80% is used in the experiments. The feed solution is a binary mixture of water and NaCl. The inlet feed temperature is fixed at 70°C, and the feed Reynolds number is varied between 500 and 2000. Two inlet feed concentrations, 0 and 35g/L, are considered. The permeate flow rate was kept constant at Re of 1300 and temperature of 20°C. Three-dimensional steady-state computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are performed using the laminar model. The Navier’s Stokes, energy, and mass transport equations in each channel coupled with flux boundary conditions imposed at the membrane surface are solved. The predicted module-averaged flux is compared to measured data for all operating conditions. Measured and predicted flux agrees well; validating both experiments and model, Temperature polarization in the feed and permeate channel and concentration polarization in the feed channel are characterized by validated CFD simulations.

Oztekin, Alparslan↗

A Lattice Boltzmann Scheme for Polarized Radiative Transfer in Planetary Atmospheres

Quantitative calculation of reflected polarized light from planets is of great significance to interpret the polarimetric observations of planetary atmospheres. In this work, we propose a lattice Boltzmann (LB) scheme for polarized radiative transfer in planetary atmospheres. The LB scheme obtains the Stokes vector through the vector LB equation performing simple collision and streaming processes. The vector radiative transfer equation is rigorously derived from the vector LB equation via the Maxwell iteration technique. Polarized radiative transfer of a single point on the planetary surface with Rayleigh and Mie scattering atmospheres are first accurately solved by our LB scheme. Afterward, we systematically investigate the disk-integrated polarization of finite and semi-infinite, conservative and nonconservative Rayleigh scattering planetary atmospheres. The disk-integrated phase curves of the Stokes parameters and degree of polarization and spherical and geometric albedos are produced, which are in good agreement with the benchmark results for different cases. The numerical results indicate that our LB scheme is efficient and accurate for polarized radiative transfer in planetary atmospheres. Our LB scheme is expected to provide a competitive numerical tool to interpret the polarimetric observations of planetary atmospheres.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

A weighted Shifted Boundary Method for free surface flow problems

The Shifted Boundary Method (SBM) belongs to the class of unfitted (or immersed, or embedded) finite element methods and was recently introduced for the Poisson, linear advection/diffusion, Stokes, Navier-Stokes, acoustics, and shallow-water equations. By reformulating the original boundary value problem over a surrogate (approximate) computational domain, the SBM avoids integration over cut cells and the associated problematic issues regarding numerical stability and matrix conditioning. Accuracy is maintained by modifying the original boundary conditions using Taylor expansions. Hence the name of the method, that shifts the location and values of the boundary conditions. In this article, we extend the SBM to the simulation of incompressible Navier-Stokes flows with moving free-surfaces, by appropriately weighting its variational form with the elemental volume fraction of active fluid. This approach prevents spurious pressure oscillations in time, which would otherwise be produced if the total active fluid volume were to change abruptly over a time step. In fact, the proposed weighted SBM method induces small mass (i.e., volume) conservation errors, which converge quadratically in the case of piecewise-linear finite element interpolations, as the grid is refined. Finally, we present an extensive set of two- and three-dimensional tests to demonstrate the robustness and accuracy of the method.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Hybrid combustion modeling approach for turbulent jet ignition in natural-gas pre-chamber spark-ignition engines at high EGR

Here, this study presented a hybrid modeling approach for simulating turbulent jet ignition and combustion processes in a natural-gas pre-chamber spark-ignition engine operating under exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) diluted conditions. In-depth analyses of experimental data and simulation results from previous work [Chinnathambi et al., ICEF2021-67836; Kim et al., Fuel 409: 137815, 2026] revealed two key findings: (i) the magnitude of pressure difference between the pre-chamber and main chamber ($∆P_{PC-MC}$) was positively correlated with the combustion duration from the moment of $∆P_{PC-MC}=0$ to the point of 5% mass fraction burned, with larger $∆P_{PC-MC}$ associated with longer duration; and (ii) the turbulent combustion regime in the main chamber transitioned from the broken reaction zone to the corrugated flamelet regime, with the Karlovitz number exceeding 100 immediately after turbulent hot jets were ejected from nozzles, coinciding with observed local extinction events. To accurately simulate the entire combustion process, a hybrid approach was developed under Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes framework, combining the G-equation model for pre-chamber combustion with the multi-zone well-stirred reactor approach and a turbulence-chemistry interaction (TCI) submodel for main chamber combustion. The TCI submodel accounted for the attenuation of reaction rates due to turbulent strain and modeled local extinction by suppressing reaction rates under certain flow and flame conditions. When applied to three EGR rate conditions toward the dilution limit, the hybrid modeling approach accurately reproduced experimental data in terms of cylinder pressure, apparent heat release rate, and the observed positive correlation, including the delayed onset of main chamber combustion—a feature not captured by existing combustion models.

computational fluid dynamics simulation↗

Aero-Thermal Characterization of Accelerating and Diffusing Passages Downstream of Rotating Detonation Combustors

Cycle benefits of rotating detonation engines show up to five percentage points of efficiency gain for low-pressure ratio engines. An optimal integration between the combustor and the turbine needs to be guaranteed to realize this potential gain. The rotating detonation combustor (RDC) exhausts transonic flow with shocks rotating at frequencies ranging from a few to tens of kilohertz depending on the number of present waves. Hence, the turbine design requires precise knowledge of the fluctuations and losses downstream of the combustor. This paper focuses on the quantification of fluctuations and losses for accelerating and diffusing passages. The analysis of the combustor is performed via reactive unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) simulations. The unsteady RANS equations are solved via CFD++ from Metacomp with a one-step reaction mechanism for an H2-air mixture. The resolving of the boundary layer is achieved with a structured mesh of around 36 million cells. Inlet pressure of 10 bar and two different back pressures are applied to the combustor to model the interconnection with downstream turbines. Finally, we present and assess a methodology to reduce the computational time to model these passages ten times.

Braun, James↗

Building a new multiphysics workflow in MOOSE: application to tritium migration, trapping and advection in TMAP8

Fusion devices are anticipated to produce and consume several kilograms of tritium per year. This rare fuel resource is both highly mobile and radioactive, making tracking inventories a priority for operation and safety. The fusion safety program at the Idaho National Laboratory has been developing the Tritium Migration and Analysis Program (TMAP), of which the latest version is a MOOSE-based application. TMAP8 is verified against its predecessors and possesses additional multi-dimensional tritium migration modeling capabilities. As we extend its capabilities towards both whole device (in multiple dimensions) and whole plant (with multiple components) simulations, the syntax of inputs must become compact, descriptive, compatible with quality assurance processes, and as error-proof as achievable. The new Physics system developed MOOSE can set up equations and instantiating them on plant components. The system permits the automatic definition of complex discretization with a consistency between object parameters achieved programmatically. The Physics system can currently instantiate the equations for heat conduction and Navier Stokes weakly compressible flow. In MOOSE-terms, it automates the definition of kernels, boundary conditions, and several core and helper materials and fields. As part of this effort, Physics classes were developed for tritium migration, trapping and advection within either a multi-dimensional Navier Stokes fluid dynamics simulation, or a 1D thermal hydraulics piping system. In this presentation, we will showcase the new syntax, its application to several verification and validation cases which were already studied using the classical TMAP8 syntax, and a demonstration of the new coupling capabilities for the migration of tritium into blanket coolant channels and the subsequent advection into the coolant loop.

70 - PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Boundary-consistent B-spline filtering schemes and application to high-fidelity simulations of turbulence

A filtering operation, based on B-spline discretizations, is introduced to target weakly growing mesh-scale oscillations that can arise in high-fidelity turbulence simulations. This is a spectral regularization that can be described using the singular values of a banded matrix operator, with the filtering strength set by a scalar- or vector-valued penalty parameter. The penalty parameter can be specified though it can also be advantageously selected to minimize the generalized cross validation (GCV) measure of distance between the pre- and post-filtered solutions. Efficient algorithms are developed to compute both the scalar and vector penalty parameters. The B-spline filter has a sharper localization to high-wavenumber than compact or explicit filters of the same stencil width and is demonstrated for solutions of the Burgers' equation, decaying Burgers' turbulence, and compressible Navier–Stokes turbulent channel flow. Furthermore, these simulations confirm the scheme's numerical stability and ability to narrowly target the high wavenumber components of numerical solutions. An advantage over finite-difference filters is that these B-spline filters are stable on bounded domains and even preserve formal order of accuracy.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Data-Driven RANS Turbulence Closures for Forced Convection Flow in Reactor Downcomer Geometry

Recent progress in data-driven turbulence modeling has shown its potential to enhance or replace traditional equation-based Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) turbulence models. Here, this work utilizes invariant neural network (NN) architectures to model Reynolds stresses and turbulent heat fluxes in forced convection flows (when the models can be decoupled). As the considered flow is statistically one dimensional, the invariant NN architecture for the Reynolds stress model reduces to the linear eddy viscosity model. To develop the data-driven models, direct numerical and RANS simulations in vertical planar channel geometry mimicking a part of the reactor downcomer are performed. Different conditions and fluids relevant to advanced reactors (sodium, lead, unitary-Prandtl-number fluid, and molten salt) constitute the training database. The models enabled accurate predictions of velocity and temperature, and compared to the baseline k–τ turbulence model with the simple gradient diffusion hypothesis, do not require tuning of the turbulent Prandtl number. The data-driven framework is implemented in the open-source graphics processing unit–accelerated spectral element solver nekRS and has shown the potential for future developments and consideration of more complex mixed convection flows.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

A Finite-Time Ensemble Method for Mixed Layer Model Comparison

Here, this work evaluates the fidelity of various upper-ocean turbulence parameterizations subject to realistic monsoon forcing and presents a finite-time ensemble vector (EV) method to better manage the design and numerical principles of these parameterizations. The EV method emphasizes the dynamics of a turbulence closure multimodel ensemble and is applied to evaluate 10 different ocean surface boundary layer (OSBL) parameterizations within a single-column (SC) model against two boundary layer large-eddy simulations (LES). Both LES include realistic surface forcing, but one includes wind-driven shear turbulence only, while the other includes additional Stokes forcing through the wave-average equations that generate Langmuir turbulence. The finite-time EV framework focuses on what constitutes the local behavior of the mixed layer dynamical system and isolates the forcing and ocean state conditions where turbulence parameterizations most disagree. Identifying disagreement provides the potential to evaluate SC models comparatively against the LES. Observations collected during the 2018 monsoon onset in the Bay of Bengal provide a case study to evaluate models under realistic and variable forcing conditions. The case study results highlight two regimes where models disagree 1) during wind-driven deepening of the mixed layer and 2) under strong diurnal forcing.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗