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At least 127 records · Page 7

A p-version finite element method for steady incompressible fluid flow and convective heat transfer

A new p-version finite element formulation for steady, incompressible fluid flow and convective heat transfer problems is presented. The steady-state residual equations are obtained by considering a limiting case of the least-squares formulation for the transient problem. The method circumvents the Babuska-Brezzi condition, permitting the use of equal-order interpolation for velocity and pressure, without requiring the use of arbitrary parameters. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and generality of the method.

Winterscheidt, Daniel L.↗

Fundamental Processes of Atomization in Fluid-Fluid Flows

This report outlines the major results of the grant "Fundamental Processes of Atomization in Fluid-Fluid Flows." These include: 1) the demonstration that atomization in liquid/liquid shear flow is driven by a viscous shear instability that triggers the formation of a long thin sheet; 2) discovery of a new mode of interfacial instability for oscillatory two-layer systems whereby a mode that originates within the less viscous liquid phase causes interfacial deformation as the oscillation proceeds; 3) the demonstration that rivulet formation from gravity front occurs because the local front shape specified by gravity and surface tension changes from a nose to a wedge geometry, thus triggering a large increase in viscous resistance; and 4) extension of the studies on nonlinear wave evolution on falling films and in stratified flow, particularly the evolution towards large-amplitude solitary waves that tend to generate drops.

McCready, M. J.↗

Application of the generalized Galerkin method to the computation of fluid flows.

The purpose of this paper is to show that most existing methods for the calculation of fluid flows can be interpreted as special applications of a single mathematical formalism. This formalism, called the generalized Galerkin method, then provides a single conceptual framework for comparing various methods in terms of convergence and accuracy. The method is presented in sufficient mathematical detail to permit its interpretation as a projection in function space. In order to demonstrate the basic thesis, finite difference, finite element, strip integral, and classical integral methods of boundary layer theory are developed by application of the method.

Murphy, J. D.↗

Developing fluid flow in a curved duct of square cross-section and its fully developed dual solutions

Developing fluid flow in a curved duct of square cross-section is studied numerically by a factored ADI finite-difference method on a staggered grid. A central-difference scheme with primitive variables is used inside the computational domain to reduce numerical diffusion. Two Reynolds numbers, 574 and 790, based upon a bulk velocity and hydraulic diameter are chosen for curvature ratios of 1/6.45 and 1/2.3, respectively. It is found that the secondary flow is far more complicated than expected, with the appearance of at least two pairs of vortices. Main-flow separation is also observed for the higher curvature ratio. Furthermore, it is observed that the flow develops into two quite different states downstream, depending upon the inlet conditions. Solutions of the fully developed Navier-Stokes equations is shown to be not unique beyond a certain critical Reynolds number. Developing flow seems to evolve into the fully developed state along a particular branch into which the fully developed solution bifurcates.

Soh, W. Y.↗

Simulation of Two-Fluid Flows by the Least-Squares Finite Element Method Using a Continuum Surface Tension Model

In this paper a numerical procedure for simulating two-fluid flows is presented. This procedure is based on the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method proposed by Hirt and Nichols and the continuum surface force (CSF) model developed by Brackbill, et al. In the VOF method fluids of different properties are identified through the use of a continuous field variable (color function). The color function assigns a unique constant (color) to each fluid. The interfaces between different fluids are distinct due to sharp gradients of the color function. The evolution of the interfaces is captured by solving the convective equation of the color function. The CSF model is used as a means to treat surface tension effect at the interfaces. Here a modified version of the CSF model, proposed by Jacqmin, is used to calculate the tension force. In the modified version, the force term is obtained by calculating the divergence of a stress tensor defined by the gradient of the color function. In its analytical form, this stress formulation is equivalent to the original CSF model. Numerically, however, the use of the stress formulation has some advantages over the original CSF model, as it bypasses the difficulty in approximating the curvatures of the interfaces. The least-squares finite element method (LSFEM) is used to discretize the governing equation systems. The LSFEM has proven to be effective in solving incompressible Navier-Stokes equations and pure convection equations, making it an ideal candidate for the present applications. The LSFEM handles all the equations in a unified manner without any additional special treatment such as upwinding or artificial dissipation. Various bench mark tests have been carried out for both two dimensional planar and axisymmetric flows, including a dam breaking, oscillating and stationary bubbles and a conical liquid sheet in a pressure swirl atomizer.

Wu, Jie↗

Vectorization on the star computer of several numerical methods for a fluid flow problem

A reexamination of some numerical methods is considered in light of the new class of computers which use vector streaming to achieve high computation rates. A study has been made of the effect on the relative efficiency of several numerical methods applied to a particular fluid flow problem when they are implemented on a vector computer. The method of Brailovskaya, the alternating direction implicit method, a fully implicit method, and a new method called partial implicitization have been applied to the problem of determining the steady state solution of the two-dimensional flow of a viscous imcompressible fluid in a square cavity driven by a sliding wall. Results are obtained for three mesh sizes and a comparison is made of the methods for serial computation.

Lambiotte, J. J., Jr.↗

Theoretical and experimental studies in support of the geophysical fluid flow experiment

Computer programming was completed for digital acquisition of temperature and velocity data generated by the Geophysical Fluid Flow Cell (GFFC) during the upcoming Spacelab 3 mission. A set of scenarios was developed which covers basic electro-hydrodynamic instability, highly supercritical convection with isothermal boundaries, convection with imposed thermal forcing, and some stably stratified runs to look at large-scale thermohaline ocean circulations. The extent to which the GFFC experimental results apply to more complicated circumstances within the Sun or giant planets was assessed.

Hart, J.↗

Numerical marching techniques for fluid flows with heat transfer

The finite difference formulation and method of solution is presented for a wide variety of fluid flow problems with associated heat transfer. Only a few direct results from these formulations are given as examples, since the book is intended primarily to serve a discussion of the techniques and as a starting point for further investigations; however, the formulations are sufficiently complete that a workable computer program may be written from them. In the appendixes a number of topics are discussed which are of interest with respect to the finite difference equations presented. These include a very rapid method for solving certain sets of linear algebraic equations, a discussion of numerical stability, the inherent error in flow rate for confined flow problems, and a method for obtaining high accuracy with a relatively small number of mesh points.

Hornbeck, R. W.↗

Application of image processing techniques to fluid flow data analysis

The application of color coding techniques used in processing remote sensing imagery to analyze and display fluid flow data is discussed. A minicomputer based color film recording and color CRT display system is described. High quality, high resolution images of two-dimensional data are produced on the film recorder. Three dimensional data, in large volume, are used to generate color motion pictures in which time is used to represent the third dimension. Several applications and examples are presented. System hardware and software is described.

Giamati, C. C.↗

A valve concept for remote fluid flow control

Valve concept has been devised which offers lightweight, simplified mechanism capable of automatic control of large number of fluid flow ports. Valve control is achieved with valve stem which is bimetallic device activated by heating coil to open or close selected supply port. Number of controlled ports is limited only by desired physical size of system.

Flynn, W. J.↗

Study of fluid flow by charged particles

Analytical and experimental effort explores possibility of using charged particles as diagnostic tool in study of fluid flows. Test program involved right circular cylinder and airfoil located in large wind tunnel; ions were injected into flow and resulting currents at surfaces were monitored.

Deluca, M.↗

Geophysical fluid flow model experiments in spherical geometry

An experimental and theoretical program was undertaken to assist in the design of geophysical fluid flow model experiments for Spacelab. Two new nonintrusive measurement techniques were developed. A theoretical calculation was carried out to guide the design of a proposed atmospheric general circulation model experiment.

Fowlis, W. W.↗

A practical adaptive-grid method for complex fluid-flow problems

A practical solution, adaptive-grid method utilizing a tension and torsion spring analogy is proposed for multidimensional fluid flow problems. The tension spring, which connects adjacent grid points to each other, controls grid spacings. The torsion spring, which is attached to each grid node, controls inclinations of coordinate lines and grid skewness. A marching procedure was used that results in a simple tridiagonal system of equations at each coordinate line to determine grid-point distribution. Multidirectional adaptation is achieved by successive applications of one-dimensional adaptation. Examples of applications for axisymmetric afterbody flow fields and two dimensional transonic airfoil flow fields are shown.

Nakahashi, K.↗