Session A25: Industrial Applications: General

A Hybrid Computational and Analytical Model of Irrigation Drip emitters

This paper details a hybrid computational and analytical model to predict the performance of inline pressure-compensating drip irrigation emitters, devices used to accurately meter water to crops. Flow rate is controlled in the emitter by directing the water through a tortuous path, and then through a variable resistor composed of a flexible membrane that deflects under changes in pressure, restricting the flow path. An experimentally validated computational fluid dynamics model was used to derive a resistance factor that characterizes flow behavior through a tortuous path. Expressions describing the bending mechanics of the membrane were combined with analytical fluid flow models to iteratively predict flow behavior through the variable resistor. The hybrid model reduces the computational time as compared to purely computational methods, lowering the time required to iterate and select optimal designs. The model was validated using three commercially available drip emitters, rated at 1.1, 2, and 3.8 L/hr. For each, the model accurately predicted flow rate versus pressure behavior within a 95{\%} confidence interval of experimental data and accurately replicated the performance stated by the manufacturer.   

On the Dynamics of Discharge Processes

Low-order simulations of discharge processes are commonly used in for instance engine modelling. In such simulations the discharge of the engine cylinder is modelled using a discharge coefficient ($C_D$), that represents the effective area of the valve. Experiments to determine $C_D$ are typically performed under steady conditions, assuming that the discharge processes can be regarded as quasi-steady. This assumption is experimentally investigated by comparing $C_D$ obtained under both static and dynamic conditions. The static experiments were performed in a flow bench, with a maximum mass flow of 0.5~kg/s at pressures up to 500~kPa. The dynamic experiments consisted of discharging a pressurised 2~litre fixed volume cylinder with a movable exhaust valve to the atmosphere. The valve opening time was in the range 15-25~ms (equivalent to engines speeds ranging 800-1350~rpm) and the initial pressure was 300-500~kPa. The results show that $C_D$ is a function of the valve opening speed and that static experiments results in elevated values of $C_D$. A measure of ``steadiness" has been defined relating the relative change in flow conditions to the change in system geometry. This measure helps to explain why the process cannot be regarded as quasi-steady.   

Direct Numerical Simulations of Concentration and Temperature Polarization in Direct Contact Membrane Distillation

Membrane distillation (MD) is a method of desalination with boundary layers that are challenging to simulate. MD is a thermal process in which warm feed and cool distilled water flow on opposite sides of a hydrophobic membrane. The temperature difference causes water to evaporate from the feed, travel through the membrane, and condense in the distillate. Two challenges to MD are temperature and concentration polarization. Temperature polarization represents a reduction in the transmembrane temperature difference due to heat transfer through the membrane. Concentration polarization describes the accumulation of solutes near the membrane. These phenomena reduce filtration and lead to membrane fouling. They are difficult to simulate due to the coupling between the velocity, temperature, and concentration fields on the membrane. Unsteady regimes are particularly challenging because noise at the outlets can pollute the near-membrane flow fields. We present the development of a finite-volume method for the simulation of fluid flow, heat, and mass transport in MD systems. Using the method, we perform a parametric study of the polarization boundary layers, and show that the concentration boundary layer shows self-similar behavior that satisfies power laws for the downstream growth.   

Invasion-Flowback Processes During Hydraulic Fracturing Well Interference

Drainage-imbibition cycles that simulate hydraulic fracturing fluid's invasion and flowback during well interference were investigated using NOA81 microfluidic micromodels. Well interference is quite common in unconventional oil and gas fields. It is not unusual for the fracturing fluid injected into a well to be discovered in a nearby well. Normally, the effect of such interference is considered to be negative, as fracturing fluid will be imbibed into the porous rock and block the flow path of hydrocarbons. However, field data show that some interferences are beneficial, and microfluidic experiments presented in this study show that surfactant in the fracturing fluid may be a reason for the observed positive interference. Two fluid drainage-imbibition cycles were conducted in micromodels. The first cycle simulates fracturing of the old well and the second cycle simulates fluid invasion from the new well into the old well's fracture network. The experimental data show that while most such interferences indeed can cause production loss, when the old well's fracturing fluid does not contain surfactant yet the new well's fracturing fluid does, interference can be positive, as the residual water saturation in the porous medium is effectively reduced by surfactants.   

Experimental and numerical study of windage losses in the small gap region of a high speed electric motor.

Research findings of an experimental and numerical investigation of windage losses in the small annular air gap region between the stator and rotor of a high speed electric motor are presented herein. The experimental set-up is used to empirically measure the windage losses in the motor by measuring torque and rotational speed. The motor rotor spins at roughly 30,000 rpm and the rotor sets up windage losses on the order of 100 W. Axial air flow of 200 L/min is used to cool the motor, thus setting up a pseudo Taylor-Couette Poiseuille type of flow. Details of the experimental test apparatus, instrumentation and data acquisition are given. Experimental data for spin-down (both actively and passively cooled) and calibration of bearing windage losses are discussed. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model is developed and used to predict the torque speed curve and windage losses in the motor. The CFD model is correlated with the experimental data. The CFD model is also used to predict the formation of the Taylor-Couette cells in the small gap region of the high speed motor. Results for windage losses, spin-down time constant, bearing losses, and torque of the motor versus cooling air mass flow rate and rotational speed are presented in this study.   

Composite reinforced metallic cylinder for high speed rotation

The objective of the present study is to design and development of the composite reinforced thin metallic cylinder to increase the peripheral speed significantly and thereby improve the separation performance in a centrifugal gas separation processes through proper optimization of the internal parameters. According to Dirac equation (Cohen (1951)), the maximum separative work for a centrifugal gas separation process increase with 4th power of the peripheral speed. Therefore, it has been intended to reinforce the metallic cylinder with composites (carbon fibers: T-700 and T- 1000 grade with suitable epoxy resin) to increase the stiffness and hoop stress so that the peripheral speed can be increased significantly, and thereby enhance the separative output. Here, we have developed the mathematical model to investigate the elastic stresses of a laminated cylinder subjected to mechanical, thermal and thermo-mechanical loading. A detailed analysis is carried out to underline the basic hypothesis of each formulation. Further, we evaluate the steady state creep response of the rotating cylinder and analyze the stresses and strain rates in the cylinder.   

Design of a water-powered DTH hammer for deep drilling application

A DTH (Down-the-hole) hammer powered by highly pressurized fluid is a drilling tool using the motion of percussion of a drill bit. In retrospect, a DTH by using compressed air as a power source has been widely used in drilling industries such as applications of mining, geothermal etc. On the other hand, another type of a DTH that uses pressurized water, called a water hammer, has recently seen deep drilling applications, while it has been rarely investigated. In this study, we designed a water-powered DTH hammer which mainly consists of several components such as a piston, a poppet valve, a cap and a bit for deep drilling applications. We optimized the components of the hammer on the basis of the results of 1D analysis using commercial software of AMESIM. An experimental study has been also conducted to investigate a performance of the designed water hammer. We measured a pressure distribution inside the hammer system as a function of time, and it thus estimates a frequency of impaction of the bit, which has been also analyzed in frequency domain. In addition, some important parameters have been discussed in conjunction with a limitation of impaction frequency as input pressure. We believe that this study provides design rules of a water-based DTH for deep drilling applications.   

Three-dimensionally spiral structure of the water stream induced by a centrifugal stirrer in large aqua-cultural ponds

We have conducted measurements of the water stream produced by a mechanical stirrer (diameter 2.4[m], electric power 50[W]) located in shallow rectangular reservoirs (small 0.7[ha], large 3.7[ha]), which may be employed as a cost-efficient aerator for the aqua-cultural purpose, with the aid of both particle tracking velocimetry by passive tracers floating on the surface and direct measurement by electro-magnetic velocimeter under the surface. The present measurements indicate that the stirrer drives primarily the horizontally rotating water stream and secondarily the vertical convection between the surface and the bottom of the reservoir, which results in the three-dimensionally spiral-shaped water streams scaled vertically by just a meter but horizontally by more than ten meters. It is suggested that the spiral structure driven by the stirrer may activate the underwater vertical mixing and enhance dissolved oxygen at the bottom of aqua-cultural pond more effectively than the paddle-wheel aerators commonly used in aqua-cultural ponds.   

Crossflow between subchannels in a 5 x 5 rod-bundle geometry

In the present study, we experimentally investigate the single-phase (water as a working fluid) flow in a vertical 5 x 5 rod-bundle geometry using a particle image velociemtry, especially focusing on the crossflow phenomena between subchannels. This crossflow phenomena is very important in determining the performance and safety of nuclear power plant. To measure the flow behind the rod, it is made of FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene) to achieve the index matching. The ratio of pitch between rods and rod diameter is 1.4, and the considered Reynolds number based on a hydraulic diameter of a channel and an axial bulk velocity is 10000. Also, the typical grid spacer is installed periodically along the streamwise direction. Depending on the location of subchannel (e.g., distance to the side wall or grid spacer), the flow (turbulence) statistics show large variations that will be discussed in detail. Furthermore, we will suggest a modified crossflow model that can explain the varying crossflow phenomena more clearly.