Bus-based park-and-ride system: a stochastic model on multimodal network with congestion pricing schemes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Zhiyuan; Meng, Qiang

2014-05-01

This paper focuses on modelling the network flow equilibrium problem on a multimodal transport network with bus-based park-and-ride (P&R) system and congestion pricing charges. The multimodal network has three travel modes: auto mode, transit mode and P&R mode. A continuously distributed value-of-time is assumed to convert toll charges and transit fares to time unit, and the users' route choice behaviour is assumed to follow the probit-based stochastic user equilibrium principle with elastic demand. These two assumptions have caused randomness to the users' generalised travel times on the multimodal network. A comprehensive network framework is first defined for the flow equilibrium problem with consideration of interactions between auto flows and transit (bus) flows. Then, a fixed-point model with unique solution is proposed for the equilibrium flows, which can be solved by a convergent cost averaging method. Finally, the proposed methodology is tested by a network example.

The Detection of Water Flow in Rectangular Microchannels by Terahertz Time Domain Spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Song, Yan; Zhao, Kun; Zuo, Jian; Wang, Cuicui; Li, Yizhang; Miao, Xinyang; Zhao, Xiaojing

2017-01-01

Flow characteristics of water were tested in a rectangular microchannel for Reynolds number (Re) between 0 and 446 by terahertz time domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS). Output THz peak trough intensities and the calculated absorbances of the flow were analyzed theoretically. The results show a rapid change for Re < 250 and a slow change as Re increases, which is caused by the early transition from laminar to transition flow beginning nearly at Re = 250. Then this finding is confirmed in the plot of the flow resistant. Our results demonstrate that the THz-TDS could be a valuable tool to monitor and character the flow performance in microscale structures. PMID:29027922

Measurements in a Transitional Boundary Layer Under Low-Pressure Turbine Airfoil Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simon, Terrence W.; Qiu, Songgang; Yuan, Kebiao; Ashpis, David (Technical Monitor); Simon, Fred (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

This report presents the results of an experimental study of transition from laminar to turbulent flow in boundary layers or in shear layers over separation zones on a convex-curved surface which simulates the suction surface of a low-pressure turbine airfoil. Flows with various free-stream turbulence intensity (FSTI) values (0.5%, 2.5% and 10%), and various Reynolds numbers (50,000, 100,000 200,000 and 300,000) are investigated. Reynold numbers in the present study are based on suction surface length and passage exit mean velocity. Flow separation followed by transition within the separated flow region is observed for the lower-Re cases at each of the FSTI levels. At the highest Reynolds numbers and at elevated FSn, transition of the attached boundary layer begins before separation, and the separation zone is small. Transition proceeds in the shear layer over the separation bubble. For both the transitional boundary layer and the transitional shear layer, mean velocity, turbulence intensity and intermittency (the fraction of the time the flow is turbulent) distributions are presented. The present data are compared to published distribution models for bypass transition, intermittency distribution through transition, transition start position, and transition length. A model developed for transition of separated flows is shown to adequately predict the location of the beginning of transition, for these cases, and a model developed for transitional boundary layer flows seems to adequately predict the path of intermittency through transition when the transition start and end are known. These results are useful for the design of low-pressure turbine stages which are known to operate under conditions replicated by these tests.

Recognition and measurement gas-liquid two-phase flow in a vertical concentric annulus at high pressures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Hao; Sun, Baojiang; Guo, Yanli; Gao, Yonghai; Zhao, Xinxin

2018-02-01

The air-water flow characteristics under pressure in the range of 1-6 MPa in a vertical annulus were evaluated in this report. Time-resolved bubble rising velocity and void fraction were also measured using an electrical void fraction meter. The results showed that the pressure has remarkable effect on the density, bubble size and rise velocity of the gas. Four flow patterns (bubble, cap-bubble, cap-slug, and churn) were also observed instead of Taylor bubble at high pressure. Additionally, the transition process from bubble to cap-bubble was investigated at atmospheric and high pressures, respectively. The results revealed that the flow regime transition criteria for atmospheric pressure do not work at high pressure, hence a new flow regime transition model for annular flow channel geometry was developed to predict the flow regime transition, which thereafter exhibited high accuracy at high pressure condition.

Laser transit anemometer measurements of a JANNAF nozzle base velocity flow field

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hunter, William W., Jr.; Russ, C. E., Jr.; Clemmons, J. I., Jr.

1990-01-01

Velocity flow fields of a nozzle jet exhausting into a supersonic flow were surveyed. The measurements were obtained with a laser transit anemometer (LTA) system in the time domain with a correlation instrument. The LTA data is transformed into the velocity domain to remove the error that occurs when the data is analyzed in the time domain. The final data is shown in velocity vector plots for positions upstream, downstream, and in the exhaust plane of the jet nozzle.

Pre-clinical validation of a new intra-operative "dual beam Doppler" blood flowmeter in an artificial circuit.

PubMed

Cikirikcioglu, Mustafa; Cikirikcioglu, Y Banu; Khabiri, Ebrahim; Djebaili, M Karim; Kalangos, Afksendiyos; Walpoth, Beat H

2006-01-01

Intra-operative flow measurement during coronary or peripheral bypass operations is helpful for ruling out technical failures and for prediction of complication and patency rates. Preclinical validation of the flowmeters is required in order to rely on the intra-operatively measured results. The aim of this study is to evaluate a new "dual beam Doppler" blood flowmeter before clinical application and to compare it with the established "transit time flow measure-ment" technique in an artificial circuit. Measurements were performed in an experimental flow model using pig blood and pig arteries. Three different flowmeters were used: Quantix OR (dual beam doppler flowmeter), CardioMed (transit time flowmeter), and Transonic (transit time flowmeter). Three validation tests were performed to assess correlation, precision, and repeatability of devices. (1) Correlation and agreement analysis was performed with various flow amounts (10-350 mL/min) (n = 160). (2) Device reproducibility and measurement stability were tested with a constant flow (flow amount = 300 mL/min) (n = 30). (3) A user accuracy test (intra- and inter-observer variability) was performed by 5 different observers with a constant flow (flow amount = 205 mL/min) (n = 75). Time collected true flow was used as a reference method in all steps and all tests were performed in a blind manner. Results are shown as mean values +/- standard deviations. Pear-son's correlation and Bland-Altman plot analyses were used to compare measurements. The mean flow was 167 +/- 98 mL/min for true flow and 162 +/- 94 mL/min, 165 +/- 94 mL/min, and 166 +/- 100 mL/min for Quantix OR, CardioMed, and Transonic, respectively. Correlation coefficients between Quantix OR, Medi-Stim, Transonic, and time collected true flow were over 0.98 (P = .01). Most of the measured results ( > 90%) were between +/- 1.96 SD agreement limits in Bland and Altman plot analysis. All devices showed good results in the reproducibility test. During the user accuracy test, larger variance changes were observed between intra- and inter-observer results with the dual beam Doppler flowmeter compared to the 2 used transit time flowmeters when used for single sided vessel access without stabilization device (available from the manufacturer). All 3 tested flowmeters showed an excellent correlation to the true flow in an artificial circuit and the accuracy of the tested devices was within agreement limits. Reproducibility of all devices was good and linear. The new dual beam Doppler flow measurement technique compares favorably to the classic transit time method. Clinical use may depend on operator, location, and condition, thus more studies may be required to ensure uniform results using the currently available blood flow measurement devices.

Validation of an ultrasound dilution technology for cardiac output measurement and shunt detection in infants and children.

PubMed

Lindberg, Lars; Johansson, Sune; Perez-de-Sa, Valeria

2014-02-01

To validate cardiac output measurements by ultrasound dilution technology (COstatus monitor) against those obtained by a transit-time ultrasound technology with a perivascular flow probe and to investigate ultrasound dilution ability to estimate pulmonary to systemic blood flow ratio in children. Prospective observational clinical trial. Pediatric cardiac operating theater in a university hospital. In 21 children (6.1 ± 2.6 kg, mean ± SD) undergoing heart surgery, cardiac output was simultaneously recorded by ultrasound dilution (extracorporeal arteriovenous loop connected to existing arterial and central venous catheters) and a transit-time ultrasound probe applied to the ascending aorta, and when possible, the main pulmonary artery. The pulmonary to systemic blood flow ratio estimated from ultrasound dilution curve analysis was compared with that estimated from transit-time ultrasound technology. Bland-Altman analysis of the whole cohort (90 pairs, before and after surgery) showed a bias between transit-time ultrasound (1.01 ± 0.47 L/min) and ultrasound dilution technology (1.03 ± 0.51 L/min) of -0.02 L/min, limits of agreement -0.3 to 0.3 L/min, and percentage error of 31%. In children with no residual shunts, the bias was -0.04 L/min, limits of agreement -0.28 to 0.2 L/min, and percentage error 19%. The pooled co efficient of variation was for the whole cohort 3.5% (transit-time ultrasound) and 6.3% (ultrasound dilution), and in children without shunt, it was 2.9% (transit-time ultrasound) and 4% (ultrasound dilution), respectively. Ultrasound dilution identified the presence of shunts (pulmonary to systemic blood flow ≠ 1) with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 92%. Mean pulmonary to systemic blood flow ratio by transit-time ultrasound was 2.6 ± 1.0 and by ultrasound dilution 2.2 ± 0.7 (not significant). The COstatus monitor is a reliable technique to measure cardiac output in children with high sensitivity and specificity for detecting the presence of shunts.

Modelling the effects of cerebral microvasculature morphology on oxygen transport.

PubMed

Park, Chang Sub; Payne, Stephen J

2016-01-01

The cerebral microvasculature plays a vital role in adequately supplying blood to the brain. Determining the health of the cerebral microvasculature is important during pathological conditions, such as stroke and dementia. Recent studies have shown the complex relationship between cerebral metabolic rate and transit time distribution, the transit times of all the possible pathways available dependent on network topology. In this paper, we extend a recently developed technique to solve for residue function, the amount of tracer left in the vasculature at any time, and transit time distribution in an existing model of the cerebral microvasculature to calculate cerebral metabolism. We present the mathematical theory needed to solve for oxygen concentration followed by results of the simulations. It is found that oxygen extraction fraction, the fraction of oxygen removed from the blood in the capillary network by the tissue, and cerebral metabolic rate are dependent on both mean and heterogeneity of the transit time distribution. For changes in cerebral blood flow, a positive correlation can be observed between mean transit time and oxygen extraction fraction, and a negative correlation between mean transit time and metabolic rate of oxygen. A negative correlation can also be observed between transit time heterogeneity and the metabolic rate of oxygen for a constant cerebral blood flow. A sensitivity analysis on the mean and heterogeneity of the transit time distribution was able to quantify their respective contributions to oxygen extraction fraction and metabolic rate of oxygen. Mean transit time has a greater contribution than the heterogeneity for oxygen extraction fraction. This is found to be opposite for metabolic rate of oxygen. These results provide information on the role of the cerebral microvasculature and its effects on flow and metabolism. They thus open up the possibility of obtaining additional valuable clinical information for diagnosing and treating cerebrovascular diseases. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

[Evaluation and Optimization of Microvascular Arterial Anastomoses by Transit Time Flow Measurement].

PubMed

Herberhold, S; Röttker, J; Bartmann, D; Solbach, A; Keiner, S; Welz, A; Bootz, F; Laffers, W

2016-03-01

INDRODUCTION: The regular application of transit time flow measurement in microvascular anastomoses during heart surgery has lead to improvements of the outcome of coronary artery bypass grafts. Our study was meant to discover whether this measurement method was also applicable for evaluation and optimization of microvascular arterial anastomoses of radial forearm flaps. In this prospective examination a combining ultrasound imaging and transit time flow measurement device (VeriQ, MediStim) was used during surgery to assess anastomotic quality of 15 radial forearm flaps. Pulsatility index (PI) and mean blood flow were measured immediately after opening the arterial anastomosis as well as 15 min afterwards. Furthermore, application time and description of handling were recorded seperately for every assessment. Mean blood flow immediately after opening the anastomosis and 15 min later were 3.9 and 3.4 ml/min resepectively showing no statistically significant difference (p=0.96). There was no significance in the increase of pulsatility index from 22.1 to 27.2 (p=0.09) during the same time range, either. Due to measurement results showing atypical pulse curves in 2 cases decision for surgical revision of the anastomoses was made. All forearm flaps showed good vascularisation during follow-up. Time for device set up, probe placement and measurements was about 20 min. Handling was described to be uncomplicated without exception. There were no noteworthy problems. Transit time flow measurement contributes to the improvement of anastomotic quality and therefore to the overall outcome of radial forearm flaps. The examined measurement method provides objective results and is useful for documentation purposes. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Subcritical transition to turbulence: What we can learn from the physics of glasses.

PubMed

Dauchot, Olivier; Bertin, Eric

2012-09-01

In this note, we discuss possible analogies between the subcritical transition to turbulence in shear flows and the glass transition in supercooled liquids. We briefly review recent experimental and numerical results, as well as theoretical proposals, and compare the difficulties arising in assessing the divergence of the turbulence lifetime in subcritical shear flow with that encountered for the relaxation time in the study of the glass transition. In order to go beyond the purely methodological similarities, we further elaborate on this analogy and propose a simple model for the transition to turbulence, inspired by the random energy model (a standard model for the glass transition), with the aim to possibly foster yet-unexplored directions of research in subcritical shear flows.

Transition of unsteady velocity profiles with reverse flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Debopam; Arakeri, Jaywant H.

1998-11-01

This paper deals with the stability and transition to turbulence of wall-bounded unsteady velocity profiles with reverse flow. Such flows occur, for example, during unsteady boundary layer separation and in oscillating pipe flow. The main focus is on results from experiments in time-developing flow in a long pipe, which is decelerated rapidly. The flow is generated by the controlled motion of a piston. We obtain analytical solutions for laminar flow in the pipe and in a two-dimensional channel for arbitrary piston motions. By changing the piston speed and the length of piston travel we cover a range of values of Reynolds number and boundary layer thickness. The velocity profiles during the decay of the flow are unsteady with reverse flow near the wall, and are highly unstable due to their inflectional nature. In the pipe, we observe from flow visualization that the flow becomes unstable with the formation of what appears to be a helical vortex. The wavelength of the instability [simeq R: similar, equals]3[delta] where [delta] is the average boundary layer thickness, the average being taken over the time the flow is unstable. The time of formation of the vortices scales with the average convective time scale and is [simeq R: similar, equals]39/([Delta]u/[delta]), where [Delta]u=(umax[minus sign]umin) and umax, umin and [delta] are the maximum velocity, minimum velocity and boundary layer thickness respectively at each instant of time. The time to transition to turbulence is [simeq R: similar, equals]33/([Delta]u/[delta]). Quasi-steady linear stability analysis of the velocity profiles brings out two important results. First that the stability characteristics of velocity profiles with reverse flow near the wall collapse when scaled with the above variables. Second that the wavenumber corresponding to maximum growth does not change much during the instability even though the velocity profile does change substantially. Using the results from the experiments and the stability analysis, we are able to explain many aspects of transition in oscillating pipe flow. We postulate that unsteady boundary layer separation at high Reynolds numbers is probably related to instability of the reverse flow region.

Spontaneous phase transition from free flow to synchronized flow in traffic on a single-lane highway.

PubMed

Jin, Cheng-Jie; Wang, Wei; Jiang, Rui; Zhang, H M; Wang, Hao

2013-01-01

Traffic flow complexity comes from the car-following and lane-changing behavior. Based on empirical data for individual vehicle speeds and time headways measured on a single-lane highway section, we have studied the traffic flow properties induced by pure car-following behavior. We have found that a spontaneous sudden drop in velocity could happen in a platoon of vehicles when the velocity of the leading vehicle is quite high (~70 km/h). In contrast, when the velocity of the leading vehicle in a platoon slows down, such a spontaneous sudden drop of velocity has not been observed. Our finding indicates that traffic breakdown on a single-lane road might be a phase transition from free flow to synchronized flow (F→S transition). We have found that the flow rate within the emergent synchronized flow can be either smaller or larger than the flow rate in the free flow within which the synchronized flow propagates. Our empirical findings support Kerner's three-phase theory in which traffic breakdown is associated with an F→S transition.

How old is streamwater? Open questions in catchment transit time conceptualization, modeling and analysis

Treesearch

J.J. McDonnell; K. McGuire; P. Aggarwal; K.J. Beven; D. Biondi; G. Destouni; S. Dunn; A. James; J. Kirchner; P. Kraft; S. Lyon; P. Maloszewski; B. Newman; L. Pfister; A. Rinaldo; A. Rodhe; T. Sayama; J. Seibert; K. Solomon; C. Soulsby; M. Stewart; D. Tetzlaff; C. Tobin; P. Troch; M. Weiler; A. Western; A. Wörman; S. Wrede

2010-01-01

The time water spends travelling subsurface through a catchment to the stream network (i.e. the catchment water transit time) fundamentally describes the storage, flow pathway heterogeneity and sources of water in a catchment. The distribution of transit times reflects how catchments retain and release water and solutes that in turn set biogeochemical conditions and...

Recurrence networks from multivariate signals for uncovering dynamic transitions of horizontal oil-water stratified flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Zhong-Ke; Zhang, Xin-Wang; Jin, Ning-De; Donner, Reik V.; Marwan, Norbert; Kurths, Jürgen

2013-09-01

Characterizing the mechanism of drop formation at the interface of horizontal oil-water stratified flows is a fundamental problem eliciting a great deal of attention from different disciplines. We experimentally and theoretically investigate the formation and transition of horizontal oil-water stratified flows. We design a new multi-sector conductance sensor and measure multivariate signals from two different stratified flow patterns. Using the Adaptive Optimal Kernel Time-Frequency Representation (AOK TFR) we first characterize the flow behavior from an energy and frequency point of view. Then, we infer multivariate recurrence networks from the experimental data and investigate the cross-transitivity for each constructed network. We find that the cross-transitivity allows quantitatively uncovering the flow behavior when the stratified flow evolves from a stable state to an unstable one and recovers deeper insights into the mechanism governing the formation of droplets at the interface of stratified flows, a task that existing methods based on AOK TFR fail to work. These findings present a first step towards an improved understanding of the dynamic mechanism leading to the transition of horizontal oil-water stratified flows from a complex-network perspective.

Relative importance of time, land use and lithology on determining aquifer-scale denitrification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kolbe, Tamara; de Dreuzy, Jean-Raynald; Abbott, Benjamin W.; Marçais, Jean; Babey, Tristan; Thomas, Zahra; Peiffer, Stefan; Aquilina, Luc; Labasque, Thierry; Laverman, Anniet; Fleckenstein, Jan; Boulvais, Philippe; Pinay, Gilles

2017-04-01

Unconfined shallow aquifers are commonly contaminated by nitrate in agricultural regions, because of excess fertilizer application over the last decades. Watershed studies have indicated that 1) changes in agricultural practices have caused changes in nitrate input over time, 2) denitrification occurs in localized hotspots within the aquifer, and 3) heterogeneous groundwater flow circulation has led to strong nitrate gradients in aquifers that are not yet well understood. In this study we investigated the respective influence of land use, groundwater transit time distribution, and hotspot distribution on groundwater denitrification with a particular interest on how a detailed understanding of transit time distributions could be used to upscale the point denitrification measurements to the aquifer-scale. We measured CFC-based groundwater age, oxygen, nitrate, and dinitrogen gas excess in 16 agricultural wells of an unconfined crystalline aquifer in Brittany, France. Groundwater age data was used to calibrate a mechanistic groundwater flow model of the study site. Historical nitrate inputs were reconstructed by using measured nitrate concentrations, dinitrogen gas excess and transit time distributions of the wells. Field data showed large differences in denitrification activity among wells, strongly associated with differences in transit time distribution. This suggests that knowing groundwater flow dynamics and consequent transit time distributions at the catchment-scale could be used to estimate the overall denitrification capacity of agricultural aquifers.

Integrating continuous stocks and flows into state-and-transition simulation models of landscape change

USGS Publications Warehouse

Daniel, Colin J.; Sleeter, Benjamin M.; Frid, Leonardo; Fortin, Marie-Josée

2018-01-01

State-and-transition simulation models (STSMs) provide a general framework for forecasting landscape dynamics, including projections of both vegetation and land-use/land-cover (LULC) change. The STSM method divides a landscape into spatially-referenced cells and then simulates the state of each cell forward in time, as a discrete-time stochastic process using a Monte Carlo approach, in response to any number of possible transitions. A current limitation of the STSM method, however, is that all of the state variables must be discrete.Here we present a new approach for extending a STSM, in order to account for continuous state variables, called a state-and-transition simulation model with stocks and flows (STSM-SF). The STSM-SF method allows for any number of continuous stocks to be defined for every spatial cell in the STSM, along with a suite of continuous flows specifying the rates at which stock levels change over time. The change in the level of each stock is then simulated forward in time, for each spatial cell, as a discrete-time stochastic process. The method differs from the traditional systems dynamics approach to stock-flow modelling in that the stocks and flows can be spatially-explicit, and the flows can be expressed as a function of the STSM states and transitions.We demonstrate the STSM-SF method by integrating a spatially-explicit carbon (C) budget model with a STSM of LULC change for the state of Hawai'i, USA. In this example, continuous stocks are pools of terrestrial C, while the flows are the possible fluxes of C between these pools. Importantly, several of these C fluxes are triggered by corresponding LULC transitions in the STSM. Model outputs include changes in the spatial and temporal distribution of C pools and fluxes across the landscape in response to projected future changes in LULC over the next 50 years.The new STSM-SF method allows both discrete and continuous state variables to be integrated into a STSM, including interactions between them. With the addition of stocks and flows, STSMs provide a conceptually simple yet powerful approach for characterizing uncertainties in projections of a wide range of questions regarding landscape change.

Short-time Lyapunov exponent analysis and the transition to chaos in Taylor-Couette flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vastano, John A.; Moser, Robert D.

1991-01-01

The physical mechanism driving the weakly chaotic Taylor-Couette flow is investigated using the short-time Liapunov exponent analysis. In this procedure, the transition from quasi-periodicity to chaos is studied using direct numerical 3D simulations of axially periodic Taylor-Couette flow, and a partial Liapunov exponent spectrum for the flow is computed by simultaneously advancing the full solution and a set of perturbations. It is shown that the short-time Liapunov exponent analysis yields more information on the exponents and dimension than that obtained from the common Liapunov exponent calculations. Results show that the chaotic state studied here is caused by a Kelvin-Helmholtz-type instability of the outflow boundary jet of Taylor vortices.

The effects of capillary transit time heterogeneity (CTH) on brain oxygenation

PubMed Central

Angleys, Hugo; Østergaard, Leif; Jespersen, Sune N

2015-01-01

We recently extended the classic flow–diffusion equation, which relates blood flow to tissue oxygenation, to take capillary transit time heterogeneity (CTH) into account. Realizing that cerebral oxygen availability depends on both cerebral blood flow (CBF) and capillary flow patterns, we have speculated that CTH may be actively regulated and that changes in the capillary morphology and function, as well as in blood rheology, may be involved in the pathogenesis of conditions such as dementia and ischemia-reperfusion injury. The first extended flow–diffusion equation involved simplifying assumptions which may not hold in tissue. Here, we explicitly incorporate the effects of oxygen metabolism on tissue oxygen tension and extraction efficacy, and assess the extent to which the type of capillary transit time distribution affects the overall effects of CTH on flow–metabolism coupling reported earlier. After incorporating tissue oxygen metabolism, our model predicts changes in oxygen consumption and tissue oxygen tension during functional activation in accordance with literature reports. We find that, for large CTH values, a blood flow increase fails to cause significant improvements in oxygen delivery, and can even decrease it; a condition of malignant CTH. These results are found to be largely insensitive to the choice of the transit time distribution. PMID:25669911

A numerical study of transition control by periodic suction-blowing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Biringen, Sedat

1987-01-01

The applicability of active control of transition by periodic suction-blowing is investigated via direct numerical simulations of the Navier-Stokes equations. The time-evolution of finite-amplitude disturbances in plane channel flow is compared in detail with and without control. The analysis indicates that, for relatively small three dimensional amplitudes, a two dimensional control effectively reduces disturbance growth rates even for linearly unstable Reynolds numbers. After the flow goes through secondary instability, three dimensional control seems necessary to stabilize the flow. An investigation of the temperature field suggests that passive temperature contamination is operative to reflect the flow dynamics during transition.

Estimation of Time Scales in Unsteady Flows in a Turbomachinery Rig

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lewalle, Jacques; Ashpis, David E.

2004-01-01

Time scales in turbulent and transitional flow provide a link between experimental data and modeling, both in terms of physical content and for quantitative assessment. The problem of interest here is the definition of time scales in an unsteady flow. Using representative samples of data from GEAE low pressure turbine experiment in low speed research turbine facility with wake-induced transition, we document several methods to extract dominant frequencies, and compare the results. We show that conventional methods of time scale evaluation (based on autocorrelation functions and on Fourier spectra) and wavelet-based methods provide similar information when applied to stationary signals. We also show the greater flexibility of the wavelet-based methods when dealing with intermittent or strongly modulated data, as are encountered in transitioning boundary layers and in flows with unsteady forcing associated with wake passing. We define phase-averaged dominant frequencies that characterize the turbulence associated with freestream conditions and with the passing wakes downstream of a rotor. The relevance of these results for modeling is discussed in the paper.

Applications of connected vehicle infrastructure technologies to enhance transit service efficiency and safety.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-09-30

Many transit agencies provide real-time operational information and trip-planning tools through phone, Web, and smartphone applications. These services utilize a one-way information flow from transit agencies to transit users. Current smartphone tech...

Effects of homogeneous condensation in compressible flows: Ludwieg-tube experiments and simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Xisheng; Lamanna, Grazia; Holten, A. P. C.; van Dongen, M. E. H.

Effects of homogeneous nucleation and subsequent droplet growth in compressible flows in humid nitrogen are investigated numerically and experimentally. A Ludwieg tube is employed to produce expansion flows. Corresponding to different configurations, three types of experiment are carried out in such a tube. First, the phase transition in a strong unsteady expansion wave is investigated to demonstrate the mutual interaction between the unsteady flow and the condensation process and also the formation of condensation-induced shock waves. The role of condensation-induced shocks in the gradual transition from a frozen initial structure to an equilibrium structure is explained. Second, the condensing flow in a slender supersonic nozzle G2 is considered. Particular attention is given to condensation-induced oscillations and to the transition from symmetrical mode-1 oscillations to asymmetrical mode-2 oscillations in a starting nozzle flow, as first observed by Adam & Schnerr. The transition is also found numerically, but the amplitude, frequency and transition time are not yet well predicted. Third, a sharp-edged obstacle is placed in the tube to generate a starting vortex. Condensation in the vortex is found. Owing to the release of latent heat of condensation, an increase in the pressure and temperature in the vortex core is observed. Condensation-induced shock waves are found, for a sufficiently high initial saturation ratio, which interact with the starting vortex, resulting in a very complex flow. As time proceeds, a subsonic or transonic free jet is formed downstream of the sharp-edged obstacle, which becomes oscillatory for a relatively high main-flow velocity and for a sufficiently high humidity.

Design optimization of natural laminar flow bodies in compressible flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dodbele, Simha S.

1992-01-01

An optimization method has been developed to design axisymmetric body shapes such as fuselages, nacelles, and external fuel tanks with increased transition Reynolds numbers in subsonic compressible flow. The new design method involves a constraint minimization procedure coupled with analysis of the inviscid and viscous flow regions and linear stability analysis of the compressible boundary-layer. In order to reduce the computer time, Granville's transition criterion is used to predict boundary-layer transition and to calculate the gradients of the objective function, and linear stability theory coupled with the e(exp n)-method is used to calculate the objective function at the end of each design iteration. Use of a method to design an axisymmetric body with extensive natural laminar flow is illustrated through the design of a tiptank of a business jet. For the original tiptank, boundary layer transition is predicted to occur at a transition Reynolds number of 6.04 x 10(exp 6). For the designed body shape, a transition Reynolds number of 7.22 x 10(exp 6) is predicted using compressible linear stability theory coupled with the e(exp n)-method.

Characterization of structural response to hypersonic boundary-layer transition

DOE PAGES

Riley, Zachary B.; Deshmukh, Rohit; Miller, Brent A.; ...

2016-05-24

The inherent relationship between boundary-layer stability, aerodynamic heating, and surface conditions makes the potential for interaction between the structural response and boundary-layer transition an important and challenging area of study in high-speed flows. This paper phenomenologically explores this interaction using a fundamental two-dimensional aerothermoelastic model under the assumption of an aluminum panel with simple supports. Specifically, an existing model is extended to examine the impact of transition onset location, transition length, and transitional overshoot in heat flux and fluctuating pressure on the structural response of surface panels. Transitional flow conditions are found to yield significantly increased thermal gradients, and theymore » can result in higher maximum panel temperatures compared to turbulent flow. Results indicate that overshoot in heat flux and fluctuating pressure reduces the flutter onset time and increases the strain energy accumulated in the panel. Furthermore, overshoot occurring near the midchord can yield average temperatures and peak displacements exceeding those experienced by the panel subject to turbulent flow. Lastly, these results suggest that fully turbulent flow does not always conservatively predict the thermo-structural response of surface panels.« less

Towards predictive models for transitionally rough surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abderrahaman-Elena, Nabil; Garcia-Mayoral, Ricardo

2017-11-01

We analyze and model the previously presented decomposition for flow variables in DNS of turbulence over transitionally rough surfaces. The flow is decomposed into two contributions: one produced by the overlying turbulence, which has no footprint of the surface texture, and one induced by the roughness, which is essentially the time-averaged flow around the surface obstacles, but modulated in amplitude by the first component. The roughness-induced component closely resembles the laminar steady flow around the roughness elements at the same non-dimensional roughness size. For small - yet transitionally rough - textures, the roughness-free component is essentially the same as over a smooth wall. Based on these findings, we propose predictive models for the onset of the transitionally rough regime. Project supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

Transition in Pulsatile Pipe Flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vlachos, Pavlos; Brindise, Melissa

2016-11-01

Transition has been observed to occur in the aorta, and stenotic vessels, where pulsatile flow exists. However, few studies have investigated the characteristics and effects of transition in oscillating or pulsatile flow and none have utilized a physiological waveform. In this work, we explore transition in pipe flow using three pulsatile waveforms which all maintain the same mean and maximum flow rates and range to zero flow, as is physiologically typical. Velocity fields were obtained using planar particle image velocimetry for each pulsatile waveform at six mean Reynolds numbers ranging between 500 and 4000. Turbulent statistics including turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) and Reynolds stresses were computed. Quadrant analysis was used to identify characteristics of the production and dissipation of turbulence. Coherent structures were identified using the λci method. We developed a wavelet-Hilbert time-frequency analysis method to identify high frequency structures and compared these to the coherent structures. The results of this study demonstrate that the different pulsatile waveforms induce different levels of TKE and high frequency structures, suggesting that the rates of acceleration and deceleration influence the onset and development of transition.

Modeling study on the flow patterns of gas-liquid flow for fast decarburization during the RH process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yi-hong; Bao, Yan-ping; Wang, Rui; Ma, Li-feng; Liu, Jian-sheng

2018-02-01

A water model and a high-speed video camera were utilized in the 300-t RH equipment to study the effect of steel flow patterns in a vacuum chamber on fast decarburization and a superior flow-pattern map was obtained during the practical RH process. There are three flow patterns with different bubbling characteristics and steel surface states in the vacuum chamber: boiling pattern (BP), transition pattern (TP), and wave pattern (WP). The effect of the liquid-steel level and the residence time of the steel in the chamber on flow patterns and decarburization reaction were investigated, respectively. The liquid-steel level significantly affected the flow-pattern transition from BP to WP, and the residence time and reaction area were crucial to evaluate the whole decarburization process rather than the circulation flow rate and mixing time. A superior flow-pattern map during the practical RH process showed that the steel flow pattern changed from BP to TP quickly, and then remained as TP until the end of decarburization.

Exploring the Dynamics of Transit Times and Subsurface Mixing in a Small Agricultural Catchment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Jie; Heidbüchel, Ingo; Musolff, Andreas; Reinstorf, Frido; Fleckenstein, Jan H.

2018-03-01

The analysis of transit/residence time distributions (TTDs and RTDs) provides important insights into the dynamics of stream-water ages and subsurface mixing. These insights have significant implications for water quality. For a small agricultural catchment in central Germany, we use a 3D fully coupled surface-subsurface hydrological model to simulate water flow and perform particle tracking to determine flow paths and transit times. The TTDs of discharge, RTDs of storage and fractional StorAge Selection (fSAS) functions are computed and analyzed on daily basis for a period of 10 years. Results show strong seasonal fluctuations of the median transit time of discharge and the median residence time, with the former being strongly related to the catchment wetness. Computed fSAS functions suggest systematic shifts of the discharge selection preference over four main periods: In the wet period, the youngest water in storage is preferentially selected, and this preference shifts gradually toward older ages of stored water when the catchment transitions into the drying, dry and wetting periods. These changes are driven by distinct shifts in the dominance of deeper flow paths and fast shallow flow paths. Changes in the shape of the fSAS functions can be captured by changes in the two parameters of the approximating Beta distributions, allowing the generation of continuous fSAS functions representing the general catchment behavior. These results improve our understanding of the seasonal dynamics of TTDs and fSAS functions for a complex real-world catchment and are important for interpreting solute export to the stream in a spatially implicit manner.

Projection of postgraduate students flow with a smoothing matrix transition diagram of Markov chain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahim, Rahela; Ibrahim, Haslinda; Adnan, Farah Adibah

2013-04-01

This paper presents a case study of modeling postgraduate students flow at the College of Art and Sciences, Universiti Utara Malaysia. First, full time postgraduate students and the semester they were in are identified. Then administrative data were used to estimate the transitions between these semesters for the year 2001-2005 periods. Markov chain model is developed to calculate the -5 and -10 years projection of postgraduate students flow at the college. The optimization question addressed in this study is 'Which transitions would sustain the desired structure in the dynamic situation such as trend towards graduation?' The smoothed transition probabilities are proposed to estimate the transition probabilities matrix of 16 × 16. The results shows that using smoothed transition probabilities, the projection number of postgraduate students enrolled in the respective semesters are closer to actual than using the conventional steady states transition probabilities.

Transient response in granular bounded heap flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Hongyi; Ottino, Julio M.; Lueptow, Richard M.; Umbanhowar, Paul B.

2017-11-01

Heap formation, a canonical granular flow, is common in industry and is also found in nature. Here, we study the transition between steady flow states in quasi-2D bounded heaps by suddenly changing the feed rate from one fixed value to another. During the transition, in both experiments and discrete element method simulations, an additional wedge of flowing particles propagates over the rising free surface. The downstream edge of the wedge - the wedge front - moves downstream with velocity inversely proportional to the square root of time. An additional longer duration transient process continues after the wedge front reaches the downstream wall. The transient flux profile during the entire transition is well modeled by a diffusion-like equation derived from local mass balance and a local linear relation between the flux and the surface slope. Scalings for the transient kinematics during the flow transitions are developed based on the flux profiles. Funded by NSF Grant CBET-1511450.

Susceptibility to enhanced chemical migration from depression-focused preferential flow, High Plains aquifer

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gurdak, Jason J.; Walvoord, Michelle Ann; McMahon, Peter B.

2008-01-01

Aquifer susceptibility to contamination is controlled in part by the inherent hydrogeologic properties of the vadose zone, which includes preferential-flow pathways. The purpose of this study was to investigate the importance of seasonal ponding near leaky irrigation wells as a mechanism for depression-focused preferential flow and enhanced chemical migration through the vadose zone of the High Plains aquifer. Such a mechanism may help explain the widespread presence of agrichemicals in recently recharged groundwater despite estimates of advective chemical transit times through the vadose zone from diffuse recharge that exceed the historical period of agriculture. Using a combination of field observations, vadose zone flow and transport simulations, and probabilistic neural network modeling, we demonstrated that vadose zone transit times near irrigation wells range from 7 to 50 yr, which are one to two orders of magnitude faster than previous estimates based on diffuse recharge. These findings support the concept of fast and slow transport zones and help to explain the previous discordant findings of long vadose zone transit times and the presence of agrichemicals at the water table. Using predictions of aquifer susceptibility from probabilistic neural network models, we delineated approximately 20% of the areal extent of the aquifer to have conditions that may promote advective chemical transit times to the water table of <50 yr if seasonal ponding and depression-focused flow exist. This aquifer-susceptibility map may help managers prioritize areas for groundwater monitoring or implementation of best management practices.

Latent heat of vehicular motion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmadi, Farzad; Berrier, Austin; Habibi, Mohammad; Boreyko, Jonathan

2016-11-01

We have used the thermodynamic concept of latent heat, where a system loses energy due to a solid-to-liquid phase transition, to study the flow of a group of vehicles moving from rest. During traffic flow, drivers keep a large distance from the car in front of them to ensure safe driving. When a group of cars comes to a stop, for example at a red light, drivers voluntarily induce a "phase transition" from this "liquid phase" to a close-packed "solid phase." This phase transition is motivated by the intuition that maximizing displacement before stopping will minimize the overall travel time. To test the effects of latent heat on flow efficiency, a drone captured the dynamics of cars flowing through an intersection on a Smart Road where the initial spacing between cars at the red light was systematically varied. By correlating the experimental results with the Optimal Velocity Model (OVM), we find that the convention of inducing phase transitions at intersections offers no benefit, as the lag time (latent heat) of resumed flow offsets the initial increase in displacement. These findings suggest that in situations where gridlock is not an issue, drivers should not decrease their spacing during stoppages in order to maximize safety with no loss in flow efficiency.

Measurements Of Coronary Mean Transit Time And Myocardial Tissue Blood Flow By Deconvolution Of Intravasal Tracer Dilution Curves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korb, H.; Hoeft, A.; Hellige, G.

1984-10-01

Previous studies have shown that intramyocardial blood volume does not vary to a major extent even during extreme variation of hemodynamics and coronary vascular tone. Based on a constant intramyocardial blood volume it is therefore possible to calculate tissue blood flow from the mean transit time of an intravascular tracer. The purpose of this study was to develop a clinically applicable method for measurement of coronary blood flow. The new method was based on indocyanine green, a dye which is bound to albumin and intravasally detectable by means of a fiberoptic catheter device. One fiberoptic catheter was placed in the aortic root and another in the coronary sinus. After central venous dye injection the resulting arterial and coronary venous dye dilution curves were processed on-line by a micro-computer. The mean transit time as well as myocardial blood flow were calculated from the step response function of the deconvoluted arterial and coronary venous signals. Reference flow was determined with an extracorporeal electromagnetic flowprobe within a coronary sinus bypass system. 38 steady states with coronary blood flow ranging from 49 - 333 ml/min*100g were analysed in 5 dogs. Mean transit times varied from 2.9 to 16.6 sec. An average intracoronary blood volume of 13.9 -7 1.8 m1/100g was calculated. The correlation between flow determined by the dye dilution technique and flow measured with the reference method was 0.98. According to these results determination of coronary blood flow with a double fiberoptic system and indocyanine green should be possible even under clinical conditions. Furthermore, the arterial and coronary venous oxygen saturation can be monitored continuously by the fiberoptic catheters. Therefore, additional information about the performance of the heart such as myocardial oxygen consumption and myocardial efficiency is available with the same equipment.

Signs and stability in higher-derivative gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Narain, Gaurav

2018-02-01

Perturbatively renormalizable higher-derivative gravity in four space-time dimensions with arbitrary signs of couplings has been considered. Systematic analysis of the action with arbitrary signs of couplings in Lorentzian flat space-time for no-tachyons, fixes the signs. Feynman + i𝜖 prescription for these signs further grants necessary convergence in path-integral, suppressing the field modes with large action. This also leads to a sensible wick rotation where quantum computation can be performed. Running couplings for these sign of parameters make the massive tensor ghost innocuous leading to a stable and ghost-free renormalizable theory in four space-time dimensions. The theory has a transition point arising from renormalization group (RG) equations, where the coefficient of R2 diverges without affecting the perturbative quantum field theory (QFT). Redefining this coefficient gives a better handle over the theory around the transition point. The flow equations push the flow of parameters across the transition point. The flow beyond the transition point is analyzed using the one-loop RG equations which shows that the regime beyond the transition point has unphysical properties: there are tachyons, the path-integral loses positive definiteness, Newton’s constant G becomes negative and large, and perturbative parameters become large. These shortcomings indicate a lack of completeness beyond the transition point and need of a nonperturbative treatment of the theory beyond the transition point.

Comparison of standard- and nano-flow liquid chromatography platforms for MRM-based quantitation of putative plasma biomarker proteins.

PubMed

Percy, Andrew J; Chambers, Andrew G; Yang, Juncong; Domanski, Dominik; Borchers, Christoph H

2012-09-01

The analytical performance of a standard-flow ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) and a nano-flow high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system, interfaced to the same state-of-the-art triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer, were compared for the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)-mass spectrometry (MS)-based quantitation of a panel of 48 high-to-moderate-abundance cardiovascular disease-related plasma proteins. After optimization of the MRM transitions for sensitivity and testing for chemical interference, the optimum sensitivity, loading capacity, gradient, and retention-time reproducibilities were determined. We previously demonstrated the increased robustness of the standard-flow platform, but we expected that the standard-flow platform would have an overall lower sensitivity. This study was designed to determine if this decreased sensitivity could be compensated for by increased sample loading. Significantly fewer interferences with the MRM transitions were found for the standard-flow platform than for the nano-flow platform (2 out of 103 transitions compared with 42 out of 103 transitions, respectively), which demonstrates the importance of interference-testing when nano-flow systems are used. Using only interference-free transitions, 36 replicate LC/MRM-MS analyses resulted in equal signal reproducibilities between the two platforms (9.3 % coefficient of variation (CV) for 88 peptide targets), with superior retention-time precision for the standard-flow platform (0.13 vs. 6.1 % CV). Surprisingly, for 41 of the 81 proteotypic peptides in the final assay, the standard-flow platform was more sensitive while for 9 of 81 the nano-flow platform was more sensitive. For these 81 peptides, there was a good correlation between the two sets of results (R(2) = 0.98, slope = 0.97). Overall, the standard-flow platform had superior performance metrics for most peptides, and is a good choice if sufficient sample is available.

Fourier Collocation Approach With Mesh Refinement Method for Simulating Transit-Time Ultrasonic Flowmeters Under Multiphase Flow Conditions.

PubMed

Simurda, Matej; Duggen, Lars; Basse, Nils T; Lassen, Benny

2018-02-01

A numerical model for transit-time ultrasonic flowmeters operating under multiphase flow conditions previously presented by us is extended by mesh refinement and grid point redistribution. The method solves modified first-order stress-velocity equations of elastodynamics with additional terms to account for the effect of the background flow. Spatial derivatives are calculated by a Fourier collocation scheme allowing the use of the fast Fourier transform, while the time integration is realized by the explicit third-order Runge-Kutta finite-difference scheme. The method is compared against analytical solutions and experimental measurements to verify the benefit of using mapped grids. Additionally, a study of clamp-on and in-line ultrasonic flowmeters operating under multiphase flow conditions is carried out.

Effects of stiffness and volume on the transit time of an erythrocyte through a slit.

PubMed

Salehyar, Sara; Zhu, Qiang

2017-06-01

By using a fully coupled fluid-cell interaction model, we numerically simulate the dynamic process of a red blood cell passing through a slit driven by an incoming flow. The model is achieved by combining a multiscale model of the composite cell membrane with a boundary element fluid dynamics model based on the Stokes flow assumption. Our concentration is on the correlation between the transit time (the time it takes to finish the whole translocation process) and different conditions (flow speed, cell orientation, cell stiffness, cell volume, etc.) that are involved. According to the numerical prediction (with some exceptions), the transit time rises as the cell is stiffened. It is also highly sensitive to volume increase inside the cell. In general, even slightly swollen cells (i.e., the internal volume is increased while the surface area of the cell kept unchanged) travel dramatically slower through the slit. For these cells, there is also an increased chance of blockage.

The role of zonal flows and predator–prey oscillations in triggering the formation of edge and core transport barriers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schmitz, Lothar; Zeng, Lei; Rhodes, Terry L.

2014-04-24

Here, we present direct evidence of low frequency, radially sheared, turbulence-driven flows (zonal flows (ZFs)) triggering edge transport barrier formation preceding the L- to H-mode transition via periodic turbulence suppression in limit-cycle oscillations (LCOs), consistent with predator–prey dynamics. The final transition to edge-localized mode-free H-mode occurs after the equilibrium E × B flow shear increases due to ion pressure profile evolution. ZFs are also observed to initiate formation of an electron internal transport barrier (ITB) at the q = 2 rational surface via local suppression of electron-scale turbulence. Multi-channel Doppler backscattering (DBS) has revealed the radial structure of the ZF-induced shear layer and the E × B shearing rate, ω E×B, in both barrier types. During edge barrier formation, the shearing rate lags the turbulence envelope during the LCO by 90°, transitioning to anti-correlation (180°) when the equilibrium shear dominates the turbulence-driven flow shear due to the increasing edge pressure gradient. The time-dependent flow shear and the turbulence envelope are anti-correlated (180° out of phase) in the electron ITB. LCOs with time-reversed evolution dynamics (transitioning from an equilibrium-flow dominated to a ZF-dominated state) have also been observed during the H–L back-transition and are potentially of interest for controlled ramp-down of the plasma stored energy and pressure (normalized to the poloidal magnetic field)more » $$\\beta_{\\theta} =2\\mu_{0} n{( {T_{{\\rm e}} +T_{{\\rm i}}})}/{B_{\\theta}^{2}}$$ in ITER.« less

The role of zonal flows and predator-prey oscillations in triggering the formation of edge and core transport barriers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmitz, L.; Zeng, L.; Rhodes, T. L.; Hillesheim, J. C.; Peebles, W. A.; Groebner, R. J.; Burrell, K. H.; McKee, G. R.; Yan, Z.; Tynan, G. R.; Diamond, P. H.; Boedo, J. A.; Doyle, E. J.; Grierson, B. A.; Chrystal, C.; Austin, M. E.; Solomon, W. M.; Wang, G.

2014-07-01

We present direct evidence of low frequency, radially sheared, turbulence-driven flows (zonal flows (ZFs)) triggering edge transport barrier formation preceding the L- to H-mode transition via periodic turbulence suppression in limit-cycle oscillations (LCOs), consistent with predator-prey dynamics. The final transition to edge-localized mode-free H-mode occurs after the equilibrium E × B flow shear increases due to ion pressure profile evolution. ZFs are also observed to initiate formation of an electron internal transport barrier (ITB) at the q = 2 rational surface via local suppression of electron-scale turbulence. Multi-channel Doppler backscattering (DBS) has revealed the radial structure of the ZF-induced shear layer and the E × B shearing rate, ωE×B, in both barrier types. During edge barrier formation, the shearing rate lags the turbulence envelope during the LCO by 90°, transitioning to anti-correlation (180°) when the equilibrium shear dominates the turbulence-driven flow shear due to the increasing edge pressure gradient. The time-dependent flow shear and the turbulence envelope are anti-correlated (180° out of phase) in the electron ITB. LCOs with time-reversed evolution dynamics (transitioning from an equilibrium-flow dominated to a ZF-dominated state) have also been observed during the H-L back-transition and are potentially of interest for controlled ramp-down of the plasma stored energy and pressure (normalized to the poloidal magnetic field) \\beta_{\\theta} =2\\mu_{0} n{( {T_{e} +T_{i}})}/{B_{\\theta}^{2}} in ITER.

Role of Reynolds Stress-Induced Poloidal Flow in Triggering the Transition to Improved Ohmic Confinement on the HT-6M Tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Y. H.; Yu, C. X.; Luo, J. R.; Mao, J. S.; Liu, B. H.; Li, J. G.; Wan, B. N.; Wan, Y. X.

2000-04-01

Time and space resolved measurements of electrostatic Reynolds stress, radial electric field Er, and plasma rotations have been performed across the transition to improved Ohmic confinement in the Hefei Tokamak-6M (HT-6M). The first experimental evidence of the correlation between the enhanced Reynolds stress gradient and the poloidal flow acceleration in the edge plasma is presented. The results indicate that the turbulence-induced Reynolds stress might be the dominant mechanism to create the sheared poloidal flow and Er, which may further trigger the transition.

Role of reynolds stress-induced poloidal flow in triggering the transition to improved ohmic confinement on the HT-6M tokamak

PubMed

Xu; Yu; Luo; Mao; Liu; Li; Wan; Wan

2000-04-24

Time and space resolved measurements of electrostatic Reynolds stress, radial electric field E(r), and plasma rotations have been performed across the transition to improved Ohmic confinement in the Hefei Tokamak-6M (HT-6M). The first experimental evidence of the correlation between the enhanced Reynolds stress gradient and the poloidal flow acceleration in the edge plasma is presented. The results indicate that the turbulence-induced Reynolds stress might be the dominant mechanism to create the sheared poloidal flow and E(r), which may further trigger the transition.

Cell transmission model of dynamic assignment for urban rail transit networks.

PubMed

Xu, Guangming; Zhao, Shuo; Shi, Feng; Zhang, Feilian

2017-01-01

For urban rail transit network, the space-time flow distribution can play an important role in evaluating and optimizing the space-time resource allocation. For obtaining the space-time flow distribution without the restriction of schedules, a dynamic assignment problem is proposed based on the concept of continuous transmission. To solve the dynamic assignment problem, the cell transmission model is built for urban rail transit networks. The priority principle, queuing process, capacity constraints and congestion effects are considered in the cell transmission mechanism. Then an efficient method is designed to solve the shortest path for an urban rail network, which decreases the computing cost for solving the cell transmission model. The instantaneous dynamic user optimal state can be reached with the method of successive average. Many evaluation indexes of passenger flow can be generated, to provide effective support for the optimization of train schedules and the capacity evaluation for urban rail transit network. Finally, the model and its potential application are demonstrated via two numerical experiments using a small-scale network and the Beijing Metro network.

The Role of Flow Reversals in Transition and Relaminarization of Pulsating Flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gomez, Joan; Goushcha, Oleg; Andreopoulos, Yiannis

2017-11-01

Pulsating flows, such as the flows in cardiovascular systems, exhibit a cyclic behavior of the axial velocity. They are of particular interest because at different times of the cycle the flow is laminar or turbulent, depending on the local Reynolds number. An experiment was setup to replicate the cyclic motion of the fluid in a clear, rigid tube. The flow was driven by a piston-motor assembly controlled by a computer. The motion of the piston was programmed to induce a forward-only cyclic motion of the mean flow by adjusting the amplitude of the longitudinal velocity pulsation in relation to the mean velocity. Time-Resolved Particle Image Velocimetry (TR-PIV) techniques were used to acquire velocity data on the plane of a CW laser illumination sheet. Flow reversal occurs first near the walls and the corresponding strong shearing induces transition to turbulence where the rest of the flow remains laminar. The behavior of reversed flow was analyzed under various Reynolds and Womersley numbers.

Validation of thermal techniques for measurement of pelvic organ blood flows in the nonpregnant sheep: comparison with transit-time ultrasonic and microsphere measurements of blood flow

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Randall, N.J.; Beard, R.W.; Sutherland, I.A.

1988-03-01

Data obtained from a thermal system capable of measuring changes in organ temperature as well as tissue thermal clearance in the uterus and vagina have been compared with blood flow measured continuously with a transit-time ultrasound volume-flow sensor placed around the common internal iliac artery and intermittently with radioactive microspheres in the chronically instrumented nonpregnant sheep. Temperature changes in both the uterus and the vagina correlated well with blood flow changes measured by both techniques after intravenous administration of estradiol or norepinephrine. Thermal clearance did not correlate well with blood flow in the vagina or uterus. These methods may havemore » value in the investigation of blood flow patterns in various clinical situations such as the pelvic pain syndrome and early pregnancy.« less

Dynamics of a two-phase flow through a minichannel: Transition from churn to slug flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Górski, Grzegorz; Litak, Grzegorz; Mosdorf, Romuald; Rysak, Andrzej

2016-04-01

The churn-to-slug flow bifurcations of two-phase (air-water) flow patterns in a 2mm diameter minichannel were investigated. With increasing a water flow rate, we observed the transition of slugs to bubbles of different sizes. The process was recorded by a digital camera. The sequences of light transmission time series were recorded by a laser-phototransistor sensor, and then analyzed using the recurrence plots and recurrence quantification analysis (RQA). Due to volume dependence of bubbles velocities, we observed the formation of periodic modulations in the laser signal.

Pulsating Flows in a Tube with Expandable Wall

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raguso, Frank; Goushcha, Oleg

2017-11-01

A mean axial fluid flow inside a cardiovascular system has a periodic behavior driven by a heart. In one period, the flow through aorta is accelerated to a Reynolds number associated with turbulent flow and decelerated to nearly stagnant condition. The cyclic pressure in the aorta also exerts time-dependent forces on the walls of the cardiovascular system. Since walls are not rigid, they can expand under fluidic pressure. It is of interest to examine the effect of expandable walls on the flow regime transition. To achieve this, an experimental apparatus has been set up. The periodic mean axial flow inside the tubes is driven by a motor-controlled piston programmed to induce a periodic flow. A time-resolved particle image velocimetry method has been used to calculate the flow velocity field in two tubes: (1) a rigid tube and (2) a flexible tube with expandable walls. The velocity fields from two tubes were comparted to identify any differences in flow transition mechanisms.

Prediction of Rare Transitions in Planetary Atmosphere Dynamics Between Attractors with Different Number of Zonal Jets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouchet, F.; Laurie, J.; Zaboronski, O.

2012-12-01

We describe transitions between attractors with either one, two or more zonal jets in models of turbulent atmosphere dynamics. Those transitions are extremely rare, and occur over times scales of centuries or millennia. They are extremely hard to observe in direct numerical simulations, because they require on one hand an extremely good resolution in order to simulate accurately the turbulence and on the other hand simulations performed over an extremely long time. Those conditions are usually not met together in any realistic models. However many examples of transitions between turbulent attractors in geophysical flows are known to exist (paths of the Kuroshio, Earth's magnetic field reversal, atmospheric flows, and so on). Their study through numerical computations is inaccessible using conventional means. We present an alternative approach, based on instanton theory and large deviations. Instanton theory provides a way to compute (both numerically and theoretically) extremely rare transitions between turbulent attractors. This tool, developed in field theory, and justified in some cases through the large deviation theory in mathematics, can be applied to models of turbulent atmosphere dynamics. It provides both new theoretical insights and new type of numerical algorithms. Those algorithms can predict transition histories and transition rates using numerical simulations run over only hundreds of typical model dynamical time, which is several order of magnitude lower than the typical transition time. We illustrate the power of those tools in the framework of quasi-geostrophic models. We show regimes where two or more attractors coexist. Those attractors corresponds to turbulent flows dominated by either one or more zonal jets similar to midlatitude atmosphere jets. Among the trajectories connecting two non-equilibrium attractors, we determine the most probable ones. Moreover, we also determine the transition rates, which are several of magnitude larger than a typical time determined from the jet structure. We discuss the medium-term generalization of those results to models with more complexity, like primitive equations or GCMs.

A mathematical model to optimize the drain phase in gravity-based peritoneal dialysis systems.

PubMed

Akonur, Alp; Lo, Ying-Cheng; Cizman, Borut

2010-01-01

Use of patient-specific drain-phase parameters has previously been suggested to improve peritoneal dialysis (PD) adequacy. Improving management of the drain period may also help to minimize intraperitoneal volume (IPV). A typical gravity-based drain profile consists of a relatively constant initial fast-flow period, followed by a transition period and a decaying slow-flow period. That profile was modeled using the equation VD(t) = (V(D0) - Q(MAX) x t) xphi + (V(D0) x e(-alphat)) x (1 - phi), where V(D)(t) is the time-dependent dialysate volume; V(D0), the dialysate volume at the start of the drain; Q(MAX), the maximum drain flow rate; alpha, the exponential drain constant; and phi, the unit step function with respect to the flow transition. We simulated the effects of the assumed patient-specific maximum drain flow (Q(MAX)) and transition volume (psi), and the peritoneal volume percentage when transition occurs,for fixed device-specific drain parameters. Average patient transport parameters were assumed during 5-exchange therapy with 10 L of PD solution. Changes in therapy performance strongly depended on the drain parameters. Comparing 400 mL/85% with 200 mL/65% (Q(MAX/psi), drain time (7.5 min vs. 13.5 min) and IPV (2769 mL vs. 2355 mL) increased when the initial drain flow was low and the transition quick. Ultrafiltration and solute clearances remained relatively similar. Such differences were augmented up to a drain time of 22 minutes and an IPV of more than 3 L when Q(MAX) was 100 mL/min. The ability to model individual drain conditions together with water and solute transport may help to prevent patient discomfort with gravity-based PD. However, it is essential to note that practical difficulties such as displaced catheters and obstructed flow paths cause variability in drain characteristics even for the same patient, limiting the clinical applicability of this model.

Clogging and jamming transitions in periodic obstacle arrays

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nguyen, Hong; Reichhardt, Charles; Olson Reichhardt, Cynthia Jane

2017-03-29

We numerically examine clogging transitions for bidisperse disks flowing through a two-dimensional periodic obstacle array. Here, we show that clogging is a probabilistic event that occurs through a transition from a homogeneous flowing state to a heterogeneous or phase-separated jammed state where the disks form dense connected clusters. The probability for clogging to occur during a fixed time increases with increasing particle packing and obstacle number. For driving at different angles with respect to the symmetry direction of the obstacle array, we show that certain directions have a higher clogging susceptibility. It is also possible to have a size-specific cloggingmore » transition in which one disk size becomes completely immobile while the other disk size continues to flow.« less

Numerical Simulation of Complex Turbomachinery Flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chernobrovkin, A. A.; Lakshiminarayana, B.

1999-01-01

An unsteady, multiblock, Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes solver based on Runge-Kutta scheme and Pseudo-time step for turbo-machinery applications was developed. The code was validated and assessed against analytical and experimental data. It was used to study a variety of physical mechanisms of unsteady, three-dimensional, turbulent, transitional, and cooling flows in compressors and turbines. Flow over a cylinder has been used to study effects of numerical aspects on accuracy of prediction of wake decay and transition, and to modify K-epsilon models. The following simulations have been performed: (a) Unsteady flow in a compressor cascade: Three low Reynolds number turbulence models have been assessed and data compared with Euler/boundary layer predictions. Major flow features associated with wake induced transition were predicted and studied; (b) Nozzle wake-rotor interaction in a turbine: Results compared to LDV data in design and off-design conditions, and cause and effect of unsteady flow in turbine rotors were analyzed; (c) Flow in the low-pressure turbine: Assessed capability of the code to predict transitional, attached and separated flows at a wide range of low Reynolds numbers and inlet freestream turbulence intensity. Several turbulence and transition models have been employed and comparisons made to experiments; (d) leading edge film cooling at compound angle: Comparisons were made with experiments, and the flow physics of the associated vortical structures were studied; and (e) Tip leakage flow in a turbine. The physics of the secondary flow in a rotor was studied and sources of loss identified.

Numerical analysis of flow resistance and heat transfer in the transitional regime of pipe flow with twisted-tape turbulators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rossi, R.; Cattani, L.; Mocerino, A.; Bozzoli, F.; Rainieri, S.; Caminati, R.; Pagliarini, G.

2017-11-01

In this paper, we present the numerical analysis of the fully developed ow and heat transfer in pipes equipped with twisted-tape inserts in the laminar to transitional flow regime. The flow Reynolds number ranges from 210 to 3100 based on the pipe diameter, whereas the Prandtl number of the working fluid, a 40% mixture of water and ethylene glycol, is about 45 at the average film temperature. The numerical study is carried out via Scale Adaptive Simulations (SAS) where the k-ω SST model is employed for turbulence modeling. Using SAS and low-dissipation discretization schemes, the present study shows that it is possible to capture the transition from the laminar regime to the pulsating or pseudo-laminar flow regime induced by the twisted-tape at low Reynolds numbers, as well as the transition to moderate turbulent regime at the higher, yet non-turbulent for smooth pipes, range of Reynolds numbers. Numerical results, validated against experiments performed in a dedicated test rig, show very good agreement with measured data and an increase of the friction factor and Nusselt number in the range of 4 to 7 times and 6 to 15 times, respectively, of the values for an empty pipe.

A compressible solution of the Navier-Stokes equations for turbulent flow about an airfoil

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shamroth, S. J.; Gibeling, H. J.

1979-01-01

A compressible time dependent solution of the Navier-Stokes equations including a transition turbulence model is obtained for the isolated airfoil flow field problem. The equations are solved by a consistently split linearized block implicit scheme. A nonorthogonal body-fitted coordinate system is used which has maximum resolution near the airfoil surface and in the region of the airfoil leading edge. The transition turbulence model is based upon the turbulence kinetic energy equation and predicts regions of laminar, transitional, and turbulent flow. Mean flow field and turbulence field results are presented for an NACA 0012 airfoil at zero and nonzero incidence angles of Reynolds number up to one million and low subsonic Mach numbers.

Transition to chaos of a vertical collapsible tube conveying air flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Castillo Flores, F.; Cros, A.

2009-05-01

"Sky dancers", the large collapsible tubes used as advertising, are studied in this work through a simple experimental device. Our study is devoted to the nonlinear dynamics of this system and to its transition to chaos. Firstly, we have shown that after a collapse occurs, the air fills the tube at a different speed rate from the flow velocity. Secondly, the temporal intermittency is studied as the flow rate is increased. A statistical analysis shows that the chaotic times maintain roughly the same value by increasing air speed. On the other hand, laminar times become shorter, until the system reaches a completely chaotic state.

Transient response in granular quasi-two-dimensional bounded heap flow.

PubMed

Xiao, Hongyi; Ottino, Julio M; Lueptow, Richard M; Umbanhowar, Paul B

2017-10-01

We study the transition between steady flows of noncohesive granular materials in quasi-two-dimensional bounded heaps by suddenly changing the feed rate. In both experiments and simulations, the primary feature of the transition is a wedge of flowing particles that propagates downstream over the rising free surface with a wedge front velocity inversely proportional to the square root of time. An additional longer duration transient process continues after the wedge front reaches the downstream wall. The entire transition is well modeled as a moving boundary problem with a diffusionlike equation derived from local mass balance and a local relation between the flux and the surface slope.

Experimental Investigation of the Behavior of Sub-Grid Scale Motions in Turbulent Shear Flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cantwell, Brian

1992-01-01

Experiments have been carried out on a vertical jet of helium issuing into a co-flow of air at a fixed exit velocity ratio of 2.0. At all the experimental conditions studied, the flow exhibits a strong self excited periodicity. The natural frequency behavior of the jet, the underlying fine-scale flow structure, and the transition to turbulence have been studied over a wide range of flow conditions. The experiments were conducted in a variable pressure facility which made it possible to vary the Reynolds number and Richardson number independently. A stroboscopic schlieren system was used for flow visualization and single-component Laser Doppler Anemometry was used to measure the axial component of velocity. The flow exhibits several interesting features. The presence of co-flow eliminates the random meandering typical of buoyant plumes in a quiescent environment and the periodicity of the helium jet under high Richardson number conditions is striking. Under these conditions transition to turbulence consists of a rapid but highly structured and repeatable breakdown and intermingling of jet and freestream fluid. At Ri = 1.6 the three-dimensional structure of the flow is seen to repeat from cycle to cycle. The point of transition moves closer to the jet exit as either the Reynolds number or the Richardson number increases. The wavelength of the longitudinal instability increases with Richardson number. At low Richardson numbers, the natural frequency scales on an inertial time scale. At high Richardson number the natural frequency scales on a buoyancy time scale. The transition from one flow regime to another occurs over a narrow range of Richardson numbers from 0.7 to 1. A buoyancy Strouhal number is used to correlate the high Richardson number frequency behavior.

Noninvasive measurement of cerebrospinal fluid flow using an ultrasonic transit time flow sensor: a preliminary study.

PubMed

Pennell, Thomas; Yi, Juneyoung L; Kaufman, Bruce A; Krishnamurthy, Satish

2016-03-01

OBJECT Mechanical failure-which is the primary cause of CSF shunt malfunction-is not readily diagnosed, and the specific reasons for mechanical failure are not easily discerned. Prior attempts to measure CSF flow noninvasively have lacked the ability to either quantitatively or qualitatively obtain data. To address these needs, this preliminary study evaluates an ultrasonic transit time flow sensor in pediatric and adult patients with external ventricular drains (EVDs). One goal was to confirm the stated accuracy of the sensor in a clinical setting. A second goal was to observe the sensor's capability to record real-time continuous CSF flow. The final goal was to observe recordings during instances of flow blockage or lack of flow in order to determine the sensor's ability to identify these changes. METHODS A total of 5 pediatric and 11 adult patients who had received EVDs for the treatment of hydrocephalus were studied in a hospital setting. The primary EVD was connected to a secondary study EVD that contained a fluid-filled pressure transducer and an in-line transit time flow sensor. Comparisons were made between the weight of the drainage bag and the flow measured via the sensor in order to confirm its accuracy. Data from the pressure transducer and the flow sensor were recorded continuously at 100 Hz for a period of 24 hours by a data acquisition system, while the hourly CSF flow into the drip chamber was recorded manually. Changes in the patient's neurological status and their time points were noted. RESULTS The flow sensor demonstrated a proven accuracy of ± 15% or ± 2 ml/hr. The flow sensor allowed real-time continuous flow waveform data recordings. Dynamic analysis of CSF flow waveforms allowed the calculation of the pressure-volume index. Lastly, the sensor was able to diagnose a blocked catheter and distinguish between the blockage and lack of flow. CONCLUSIONS The Transonic flow sensor accurately measures CSF output within ± 15% or ± 2 ml/hr, diagnoses the blockage or lack of flow, and records real-time continuous flow data in patients with EVDs. Calculations of a wide variety of diagnostic parameters can be made from the waveform recordings, including resistance and compliance of the ventricular catheters and the compliance of the brain. The sensor's clinical applications may be of particular importance to the noninvasive diagnosis of shunt malfunctions with the development of an implantable device.

Subcritical transition scenarios via linear and nonlinear localized optimal perturbations in plane Poiseuille flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farano, Mirko; Cherubini, Stefania; Robinet, Jean-Christophe; De Palma, Pietro

2016-12-01

Subcritical transition in plane Poiseuille flow is investigated by means of a Lagrange-multiplier direct-adjoint optimization procedure with the aim of finding localized three-dimensional perturbations optimally growing in a given time interval (target time). Space localization of these optimal perturbations (OPs) is achieved by choosing as objective function either a p-norm (with p\\gg 1) of the perturbation energy density in a linear framework; or the classical (1-norm) perturbation energy, including nonlinear effects. This work aims at analyzing the structure of linear and nonlinear localized OPs for Poiseuille flow, and comparing their transition thresholds and scenarios. The nonlinear optimization approach provides three types of solutions: a weakly nonlinear, a hairpin-like and a highly nonlinear optimal perturbation, depending on the value of the initial energy and the target time. The former shows localization only in the wall-normal direction, whereas the latter appears much more localized and breaks the spanwise symmetry found at lower target times. Both solutions show spanwise inclined vortices and large values of the streamwise component of velocity already at the initial time. On the other hand, p-norm optimal perturbations, although being strongly localized in space, keep a shape similar to linear 1-norm optimal perturbations, showing streamwise-aligned vortices characterized by low values of the streamwise velocity component. When used for initializing direct numerical simulations, in most of the cases nonlinear OPs provide the most efficient route to transition in terms of time to transition and initial energy, even when they are less localized in space than the p-norm OP. The p-norm OP follows a transition path similar to the oblique transition scenario, with slightly oscillating streaks which saturate and eventually experience secondary instability. On the other hand, the nonlinear OP rapidly forms large-amplitude bent streaks and skips the phases of streak saturation, providing a contemporary growth of all of the velocity components due to strong nonlinear coupling.

Gas-water two-phase flow characterization with Electrical Resistance Tomography and Multivariate Multiscale Entropy analysis.

PubMed

Tan, Chao; Zhao, Jia; Dong, Feng

2015-03-01

Flow behavior characterization is important to understand gas-liquid two-phase flow mechanics and further establish its description model. An Electrical Resistance Tomography (ERT) provides information regarding flow conditions at different directions where the sensing electrodes implemented. We extracted the multivariate sample entropy (MSampEn) by treating ERT data as a multivariate time series. The dynamic experimental results indicate that the MSampEn is sensitive to complexity change of flow patterns including bubbly flow, stratified flow, plug flow and slug flow. MSampEn can characterize the flow behavior at different direction of two-phase flow, and reveal the transition between flow patterns when flow velocity changes. The proposed method is effective to analyze two-phase flow pattern transition by incorporating information of different scales and different spatial directions. Copyright © 2014 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Assessing the controls and uncertainties on mean transit times in contrasting headwater catchments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cartwright, Ian; Irvine, Dylan; Burton, Chad; Morgenstern, Uwe

2018-02-01

Estimating the time required for water to travel through headwater catchments from where it recharges to where it discharges into streams (the transit time) is important for understanding catchment behaviour. This study uses tritium (3H) activities of stream water to estimate the mean transit times of water in the upper Latrobe and Yarra catchments, southeast Australia, at different flow conditions. The 3H activities of the stream water were between 1.26 and 1.99 TU, which are lower than those of local rainfall (2.6 to 3.0 TU). 3H activities in individual subcatchments are almost invariably lowest at low streamflows. Mean transit times calculated from the 3H activities using a range of lumped parameter models are between 7 and 62 years and are longest during low streamflows. Uncertainties in the estimated mean transit times result from uncertainties in the geometry of the flow systems, uncertainties in the 3H input, and macroscopic mixing. In addition, simulation of 3H activities in FEFLOW indicates that heterogeneous hydraulic conductivities increase the range of mean transit times corresponding to a specific 3H activity. The absolute uncertainties in the mean transit times may be up to ±30 years. However, differences between mean transit times at different streamflows in the same catchment or between different subcatchments in the same area are more reliably estimated. Despite the uncertainties, the conclusions that the mean transit times are years to decades and decrease with increasing streamflow are robust. The seasonal variation in major ion geochemistry and 3H activities indicate that the higher general streamflows in winter are sustained by water displaced from shallower younger stores (e.g., soils or regolith). Poor correlations between 3H activities and catchment area, drainage density, mean slope, distance to stream, and landuse, imply that mean transit times are controlled by a variety of factors including the hydraulic properties of the soils and aquifers that are difficult to characterise spatially. The long mean transit times imply that there are long-lived stores of water in these catchments that may sustain streamflow over drought periods. Additionally, there may be considerable delay in contaminants reaching the stream.

Dynamic coupling of subsurface and seepage flows solved within a regularized partition formulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marçais, J.; de Dreuzy, J.-R.; Erhel, J.

2017-11-01

Hillslope response to precipitations is characterized by sharp transitions from purely subsurface flow dynamics to simultaneous surface and subsurface flows. Locally, the transition between these two regimes is triggered by soil saturation. Here we develop an integrative approach to simultaneously solve the subsurface flow, locate the potential fully saturated areas and deduce the generated saturation excess overland flow. This approach combines the different dynamics and transitions in a single partition formulation using discontinuous functions. We propose to regularize the system of partial differential equations and to use classic spatial and temporal discretization schemes. We illustrate our methodology on the 1D hillslope storage Boussinesq equations (Troch et al., 2003). We first validate the numerical scheme on previous numerical experiments without saturation excess overland flow. Then we apply our model to a test case with dynamic transitions from purely subsurface flow dynamics to simultaneous surface and subsurface flows. Our results show that discretization respects mass balance both locally and globally, converges when the mesh or time step are refined. Moreover the regularization parameter can be taken small enough to ensure accuracy without suffering of numerical artefacts. Applied to some hundreds of realistic hillslope cases taken from Western side of France (Brittany), the developed method appears to be robust and efficient.

Free-Surface flow dynamics and its effect on travel time distribution in unsaturated fractured zones - findings from analogue percolation experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noffz, Torsten; Kordilla, Jannes; Dentz, Marco; Sauter, Martin

2017-04-01

Flow in unsaturated fracture networks constitutes a high potential for rapid mass transport and can therefore possibly contributes to the vulnerability of aquifer systems. Numerical models are generally used to predict flow and transport and have to reproduce various complex effects of gravity-driven flow dynamics. However, many classical volume-effective modelling approaches often do not grasp the non-linear free surface flow dynamics and partitioning behaviour at fracture intersections in unsaturated fracture networks. Better process understanding can be obtained by laboratory experiments, that isolate single aspects of the mass partitioning process, which influence travel time distributions and allow possible cross-scale applications. We present a series of percolation experiments investigating partitioning dynamics of unsaturated multiphase flow at an individual horizontal fracture intersection. A high precision multichannel dispenser is used to establish gravity-driven free surface flow on a smooth and vertical PMMA (poly(methyl methacrylate)) surface at rates ranging from 1.5 to 4.5 mL/min to obtain various flow modes (droplets; rivulets). Cubes with dimensions 20 x 20 x 20 cm are used to create a set of simple geometries. A digital balance provides continuous real-time cumulative mass bypassing the network. The influence of variable flow rate, atmospheric pressure and temperature on the stability of flow modes is shown in single-inlet experiments. Droplet and rivulet flow are delineated and a transition zone exhibiting mixed flow modes can be determined. Furthermore, multi-inlet setups with constant total inflow rates are used to reduce variance and the effect of erratic free-surface flow dynamics. Investigated parameters include: variable aperture widths df, horizontal offsets dv of the vertical fracture surface and alternating injection methods for both droplet and rivulet flow. Repetitive structures with several horizontal fractures extend arrival times but also complexity and variance. Finally, impacts of variable geometric features and flow modes on partitioning dynamics are highlighted by normalized fracture inflow rates. For higher flow rates, i.e. rivulet flows dominates, the effectiveness of filling horizontal fractures strongly increases. We demonstrate that the filling can be described by plug flow, which transitions into a Washburn-type flow at later times, and derive an analytical solution for the case of rivulet flows. Droplet flow dominated flow experiments exhibit a high bypass efficiency, which cannot be described by plug-flow, however, they also transition into a Washburn stage.

Magnetic transit-time flowmeter

DOEpatents

Forster, George A.

1976-07-06

The flow rate of a conducting fluid in a stream is determined by disposing two permanent-magnet flowmeters in the stream, one downstream of the other. Flow of the conducting fluid causes the generation of both d-c and a-c electrical signals, the a-c comprising flow noise. Measurement of the time delay between similarities in the a-c signals by cross-correlation methods provides a measure of the rate of flow of the fluid.

Connected Vehicle Pilot Deployment Program : Tampa, Florida

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-03-03

The Tampa Connected Vehicle Pilot aims to transform the experience of automobile drivers, transit riders, and pedestrians in downtown Tampa by preventing crashes, enhancing traffic flow, improving transit trip times, and reducing greenhouse gas emiss...

Characterizing the correlations between local phase fractions of gas-liquid two-phase flow with wire-mesh sensor.

PubMed

Tan, C; Liu, W L; Dong, F

2016-06-28

Understanding of flow patterns and their transitions is significant to uncover the flow mechanics of two-phase flow. The local phase distribution and its fluctuations contain rich information regarding the flow structures. A wire-mesh sensor (WMS) was used to study the local phase fluctuations of horizontal gas-liquid two-phase flow, which was verified through comparing the reconstructed three-dimensional flow structure with photographs taken during the experiments. Each crossing point of the WMS is treated as a node, so the measurement on each node is the phase fraction in this local area. An undirected and unweighted flow pattern network was established based on connections that are formed by cross-correlating the time series of each node under different flow patterns. The structure of the flow pattern network reveals the relationship of the phase fluctuations at each node during flow pattern transition, which is then quantified by introducing the topological index of the complex network. The proposed analysis method using the WMS not only provides three-dimensional visualizations of the gas-liquid two-phase flow, but is also a thorough analysis for the structure of flow patterns and the characteristics of flow pattern transition. This article is part of the themed issue 'Supersensing through industrial process tomography'. © 2016 The Author(s).

Characterizing the correlations between local phase fractions of gas–liquid two-phase flow with wire-mesh sensor

PubMed Central

Liu, W. L.; Dong, F.

2016-01-01

Understanding of flow patterns and their transitions is significant to uncover the flow mechanics of two-phase flow. The local phase distribution and its fluctuations contain rich information regarding the flow structures. A wire-mesh sensor (WMS) was used to study the local phase fluctuations of horizontal gas–liquid two-phase flow, which was verified through comparing the reconstructed three-dimensional flow structure with photographs taken during the experiments. Each crossing point of the WMS is treated as a node, so the measurement on each node is the phase fraction in this local area. An undirected and unweighted flow pattern network was established based on connections that are formed by cross-correlating the time series of each node under different flow patterns. The structure of the flow pattern network reveals the relationship of the phase fluctuations at each node during flow pattern transition, which is then quantified by introducing the topological index of the complex network. The proposed analysis method using the WMS not only provides three-dimensional visualizations of the gas–liquid two-phase flow, but is also a thorough analysis for the structure of flow patterns and the characteristics of flow pattern transition. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Supersensing through industrial process tomography’. PMID:27185959

Two-phase flow characteristics of liquid nitrogen in vertically upward 0.5 and 1.0 mm micro-tubes: Visualization studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, P.; Fu, X.

2009-10-01

Application of liquid nitrogen to cooling is widely employed in many fields, such as cooling of the high temperature superconducting devices, cryosurgery and so on, in which liquid nitrogen is generally forced to flow inside very small passages to maintain good thermal performance and stability. In order to have a full understanding of the flow and heat transfer characteristics of liquid nitrogen in micro-tube, high-speed digital photography was employed to acquire the typical two-phase flow patterns of liquid nitrogen in vertically upward micro-tubes of 0.531 and 1.042 mm inner diameters. It was found from the experimental results that the flow patterns were mainly bubbly flow, slug flow, churn flow and annular flow. And the confined bubble flow, mist flow, bubble condensation and flow oscillation were also observed. These flow patterns were characterized in different types of flow regime maps. The surface tension force and the size of the diameter were revealed to be the major factors affecting the flow pattern transitions. It was found that the transition boundaries of the slug/churn flow and churn/annular flow of the present experiment shifted to lower superficial vapor velocity; while the transition boundary of the bubbly/slug flow shifted to higher superficial vapor velocity compared to the results of the room-temperature fluids in the tubes with the similar hydraulic diameters. The corresponding transition boundaries moved to lower superficial velocity when reducing the inner diameter of the micro-tubes. Time-averaged void fraction and heat transfer characteristics for individual flow patterns were presented and special attention was paid to the effect of the diameter on the variation of void fraction.

Lidar observations of low-level wind reversals over the Gulf of Lion and characterization of their impact on the water vapour variability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di Girolamo, Paolo; Flamant, Cyrille; Cacciani, Marco; Summa, Donato; Stelitano, Dario; Richard, Evelyne; Ducrocq, Véronique; Fourrie, Nadia; Said, Frédérique

2017-02-01

Water vapour measurements from a ground-based Raman lidar and an airborne differential absorption lidar, complemented by high resolution numerical simulations from two mesoscale models (Arome-WMED and MESO-NH), are considered to investigate transition events from Mistral/Tramontane to southerly marine flow taking place over the Gulf of Lion in Southern France in the time frame September-October 2012, during the Hydrological Cycle in the Mediterranean Experiment (HyMeX) Special Observation Period 1 (SOP1). Low-level wind reversals associated with these transitions are found to have a strong impact on water vapour transport, leading to a large variability of the water vapour vertical and horizontal distribution. The high spatial and temporal resolution of the lidar data allow to monitor the time evolution of the three-dimensional water vapour field during these transitions from predominantly northerly Mistral/Tramontane flow to a predominantly southerly flow, allowing to identify the quite sharp separation between these flows, which is also quite well captured by the mesoscale models.

MHz-Rate NO PLIF Imaging in a Mach 10 Hypersonic Wind Tunnel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jiang, N.; Webster, M.; Lempert, Walter R.; Miller, J. D.; Meyer, T. R.; Danehy, Paul M.

2010-01-01

NO PLIF imaging at repetition rates as high as 1 MHz is demonstrated in the NASA Langley 31 inch Mach 10 hypersonic wind tunnel. Approximately two hundred time correlated image sequences, of between ten and twenty individual frames, were obtained over eight days of wind tunnel testing spanning two entries in March and September of 2009. The majority of the image sequences were obtained from the boundary layer of a 20 flat plate model, in which transition was induced using a variety of cylindrical and triangular shaped protuberances. The high speed image sequences captured a variety of laminar and transitional flow phenomena, ranging from mostly laminar flow, typically at lower Reynolds number and/or in the near wall region of the model, to highly transitional flow in which the temporal evolution and progression of characteristic streak instabilities and/or corkscrew-shaped vortices could be clearly identified. A series of image sequences were also obtained from a 20 compression ramp at a 10 angle of attack in which the temporal dynamics of the characteristic separated flow was captured in a time correlated manner.

3-D High-Lift Flow-Physics Experiment - Transition Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McGinley, Catherine B.; Jenkins, Luther N.; Watson, Ralph D.; Bertelrud, Arild

2005-01-01

An analysis of the flow state on a trapezoidal wing model from the NASA 3-D High Lift Flow Physics Experiment is presented. The objective of the experiment was to characterize the flow over a non-proprietary semi-span three-element high-lift configuration to aid in assessing the state of the art in the computation of three-dimensional high-lift flows. Surface pressures and hot-film sensors are used to determine the flow conditions on the slat, main, and flap. The locations of the attachments lines and the values of the attachment line Reynolds number are estimated based on the model surface pressures. Data from the hot-films are used to determine if the flow is laminar, transitional, or turbulent by examining the hot-film time histories, statistics, and frequency spectra.

Poiseuille flow of soft glasses in narrow channels: from quiescence to steady state.

PubMed

Chaudhuri, Pinaki; Horbach, Jürgen

2014-10-01

Using numerical simulations, the onset of Poiseuille flow in a confined soft glass is investigated. Starting from the quiescent state, steady flow sets in at a time scale which increases with a decrease in applied forcing. At this onset time scale, a rapid transition occurs via the simultaneous fluidization of regions having different local stresses. In the absence of steady flow at long times, creep is observed even in regions where the local stress is larger than the bulk yielding threshold. Finally, we show that the time scale to attain steady flow depends strongly on the history of the initial state.

A wavelet-based intermittency detection technique from PIV investigations in transitional boundary layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simoni, Daniele; Lengani, Davide; Guida, Roberto

2016-09-01

The transition process of the boundary layer growing over a flat plate with pressure gradient simulating the suction side of a low-pressure turbine blade and elevated free-stream turbulence intensity level has been analyzed by means of PIV and hot-wire measurements. A detailed view of the instantaneous flow field in the wall-normal plane highlights the physics characterizing the complex process leading to the formation of large-scale coherent structures during breaking down of the ordered motion of the flow, thus generating randomized oscillations (i.e., turbulent spots). This analysis gives the basis for the development of a new procedure aimed at determining the intermittency function describing (statistically) the transition process. To this end, a wavelet-based method has been employed for the identification of the large-scale structures created during the transition process. Successively, a probability density function of these events has been defined so that an intermittency function is deduced. This latter strictly corresponds to the intermittency function of the transitional flow computed trough a classic procedure based on hot-wire data. The agreement between the two procedures in the intermittency shape and spot production rate proves the capability of the method in providing the statistical representation of the transition process. The main advantages of the procedure here proposed concern with its applicability to PIV data; it does not require a threshold level to discriminate first- and/or second-order time-derivative of hot-wire time traces (that makes the method not influenced by the operator); and it provides a clear evidence of the connection between the flow physics and the statistical representation of transition based on theory of turbulent spot propagation.

Modified unified kinetic scheme for all flow regimes.

PubMed

Liu, Sha; Zhong, Chengwen

2012-06-01

A modified unified kinetic scheme for the prediction of fluid flow behaviors in all flow regimes is described. The time evolution of macrovariables at the cell interface is calculated with the idea that both free transport and collision mechanisms should be considered. The time evolution of macrovariables is obtained through the conservation constraints. The time evolution of local Maxwellian distribution is obtained directly through the one-to-one mapping from the evolution of macrovariables. These improvements provide more physical realities in flow behaviors and more accurate numerical results in all flow regimes especially in the complex transition flow regime. In addition, the improvement steps introduce no extra computational complexity.

Elastic moduli of a Brownian colloidal glass former

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fritschi, S.; Fuchs, M.

2018-01-01

The static, dynamic and flow-dependent shear moduli of a binary mixture of Brownian hard disks are studied by an event-driven molecular dynamics simulation. Thereby, the emergence of rigidity close to the glass transition encoded in the static shear modulus G_∞ is accessed by three methods. Results from shear stress auto-correlation functions, elastic dispersion relations, and the elastic response to strain deformations upon the start-up of shear flow are compared. This enables one to sample the time-dependent shear modulus G(t) consistently over several decades in time. By that a very precise specification of the glass transition point and of G_∞ is feasible. Predictions by mode coupling theory of a finite shear modulus at the glass transition, of α-scaling in fluid states close to the transition, and of shear induced decay in yielding glass states are tested and broadly verified.

Transition Prediction in Hypersonic Boundary Layers Using Receptivity and Freestream Spectra

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Balakumar, P.; Chou, Amanda

2016-01-01

Boundary-layer transition in hypersonic flows over a straight cone can be predicted using measured freestream spectra, receptivity, and threshold values for the wall pressure fluctuations at the transition onset points. Simulations are performed for hypersonic boundary-layer flows over a 7-degree half-angle straight cone with varying bluntness at a freestream Mach number of 10. The steady and the unsteady flow fields are obtained by solving the two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations in axisymmetric coordinates using a 5th-order accurate weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO) scheme for space discretization and using a third-order total-variation-diminishing (TVD) Runge-Kutta scheme for time integration. The calculated N-factors at the transition onset location increase gradually with increasing unit Reynolds numbers for flow over a sharp cone and remain almost the same for flow over a blunt cone. The receptivity coefficient increases slightly with increasing unit Reynolds numbers. They are on the order of 4 for a sharp cone and are on the order of 1 for a blunt cone. The location of transition onset predicted from the simulation including the freestream spectrum, receptivity, and the linear and the weakly nonlinear evolutions yields a solution close to the measured onset location for the sharp cone. The simulations over-predict transition onset by about twenty percent for the blunt cone.

Evaluation of Flow Biosensor Technology in a Chronically-Instrumented Non-Human Primate Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koenig, S. C.; Reister, C.; Schaub, J.; Muniz, G.; Ferguson, T.; Fanton, J. W.

1995-01-01

The Physiology Research Branch of Brooks AFB conducts both human and non-human primate experiments to determine the effects of microgravity and hypergravity on the cardiovascular system and to indentify the particular mechanisms that invoke these responses. Primary investigative research efforts in a non-human primate model require the calculation of total peripheral resistance (TPR), systemic arterial compliance (SAC), and pressure-volume loop characteristics. These calculations require beat-to-beat measurement of aortic flow. We have evaluated commercially available electromagnetic (EMF) and transit-time flow measurement techniques. In vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that the average error of these techniques is less than 25 percent for EMF and less than 10 percent for transit-time.

Experimental Investigation of Transition to Turbulence as Affected By Passing Wakes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaszeta, Richard W.; Ashpis, David E.; Simon, Terrence W.

2001-01-01

This paper presents experimental results from a study of the effects of periodically passing wakes upon laminar-to-turbulent transition and separation in a low-pressure turbine passage. The test section geometry is designed to simulate unsteady wakes in turbine engines for studying their effects on boundary layers and separated flow regions over the suction surface by using a single suction surface and a single pressure surface to simulate a single turbine blade passage. Single-wire, thermal anemometry techniques are used to measure time-resolved and phase averaged, wall-normal profiles of velocity, turbulence intensity and intermittency at multiple streamwise locations over the turbine airfoil suction surface. These data are compared to steady-state wake-free data collected in the same geometry to identify the effects of wakes upon laminar-to-turbulent transition. Results are presented for flows with a Reynolds number based on suction surface length and stage exit velocity of 50,000 and an approach flow turbulence intensity of 2.5%. While both existing design and experimental data are primarily concerned with higher Reynolds number flows (Re greater than 100,000), recent advances in gas turbine engines, and the accompanying increase in laminar and transitional flow effects, have made low-Re research increasingly important. From the presented data, the effects of passing wakes on transition and separation in the boundary layer, due to both increased turbulence levels and varying streamwise pressure gradients are presented. The results show how the wakes affect transition. The wakes affect the flow by virtue of their difference in turbulence levels and scales from those of the free-stream and by virtue of their ensemble- averaged velocity deficits, relative to the free-stream velocity, and the concomitant changes in angle of attack and temporal pressure gradients. The relationships between the velocity oscillations in the freestream and the unsteady velocity profile shapes in the near-wall flow are described. In this discussion is support for the theory that bypass transition is a response of the near-wall viscous layer to pressure fluctuations imposed upon it from the free-stream flow. Recent transition models are based on that premise. The data also show a significant lag between when the wake is present over the surface and when transition begins.cous layer to pressure fluctuations imposed upon it from the free-stream flow. Recent transition models are based on that premise. The data also show a significant lag between when the wake is present over the surface and when transition begins.cous layer to pressure fluctuations imposed upon it from the free-stream flow. Recent transition models are based on that premise. The data also show a significant lag between when the wake is present over the surface and when transition begins.

Transition to turbulence in plane channel flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Biringen, S.

1984-01-01

Results obtained from a numerical simulation of the final stages of transition to turbulence in plane channel flow are described. Three dimensional, incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are numerically integrated to obtain the time evolution of two and three dimensional finite amplitude disturbances. Computations are performed on CYBER-203 vector processor for a 32x51x32 grid. Results are presented for no-slip boundary conditions at the solid walls as well as for periodic suction blowing to simulate active control of transition by mass transfer. Solutions indicate that the method is capable of simulating the complex character of vorticity dynamics during the various stages of transition and final breakdown. In particular, evidence points to the formation of a lambda-shape vortex and the subsequent system of horseshoe vortices inclined to the main flow direction as the main elements of transition. Calculations involving periodic suction-blowing indicate that interference with a wave of suitable phase and amplitude reduces the disturbance growth rates.

An early warning indicator for atmospheric blocking events using transfer operators

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tantet, Alexis, E-mail: a.j.j.tantet@uu.nl; Burgt, Fiona R. van der; Dijkstra, Henk A.

The existence of persistent midlatitude atmospheric flow regimes with time-scales larger than 5–10 days and indications of preferred transitions between them motivates to develop early warning indicators for such regime transitions. In this paper, we use a hemispheric barotropic model together with estimates of transfer operators on a reduced phase space to develop an early warning indicator of the zonal to blocked flow transition in this model. It is shown that the spectrum of the transfer operators can be used to study the slow dynamics of the flow as well as the non-Markovian character of the reduction. The slowest motionsmore » are thereby found to have time scales of three to six weeks and to be associated with meta-stable regimes (and their transitions) which can be detected as almost-invariant sets of the transfer operator. From the energy budget of the model, we are able to explain the meta-stability of the regimes and the existence of preferred transition paths. Even though the model is highly simplified, the skill of the early warning indicator is promising, suggesting that the transfer operator approach can be used in parallel to an operational deterministic model for stochastic prediction or to assess forecast uncertainty.« less

Phase transition to turbulence in a pipe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goldenfeld, Nigel

Leo Kadanoff taught us much about phase transitions, turbulence and collective behavior. Here I explore the transition to turbulence in a pipe, showing how a collective mode determines the universality class. Near the transition, turbulent puffs decay either directly or through splitting, with characteristic time-scales that exhibit a super-exponential dependence on Reynolds number. Direct numerical simulations reveal that a collective mode, a so-called zonal flow emerges at large scales, activated by anisotropic turbulent fluctuations, as represented by Reynolds stress. This zonal flow imposes a shear on the turbulent fluctuations that tends to suppress their anisotropy, leading to a Landau theory of predator-prey type, in the directed percolation universality class. Stochastic simulations of this model reproduce the functional form and phenomenology of pipe flow experiments. Talk based on work performed with Hong-Yan Shih and Tsung-Lin Hsieh. This work was partially supported by the National Science Foundation through Grant NSF-DMR-1044901.

Microscopic theory of traffic-flow instability governing traffic breakdown at highway bottlenecks: Growing wave of increase in speed in synchronized flow.

PubMed

Kerner, Boris S

2015-12-01

We have revealed a growing local speed wave of increase in speed that can randomly occur in synchronized flow (S) at a highway bottleneck. The development of such a traffic flow instability leads to free flow (F) at the bottleneck; therefore, we call this instability an S→F instability. Whereas the S→F instability leads to a local increase in speed (growing acceleration wave), in contrast, the classical traffic flow instability introduced in the 1950s-1960s and incorporated later in a huge number of traffic flow models leads to a growing wave of a local decrease in speed (growing deceleration wave). We have found that the S→F instability can occur only if there is a finite time delay in driver overacceleration. The initial speed disturbance of increase in speed (called "speed peak") that initiates the S→F instability occurs usually at the downstream front of synchronized flow at the bottleneck. There can be many speed peaks with random amplitudes that occur randomly over time. It has been found that the S→F instability exhibits a nucleation nature: Only when a speed peak amplitude is large enough can the S→F instability occur; in contrast, speed peaks of smaller amplitudes cause dissolving speed waves of a local increase in speed (dissolving acceleration waves) in synchronized flow. We have found that the S→F instability governs traffic breakdown-a phase transition from free flow to synchronized flow (F→S transition) at the bottleneck: The nucleation nature of the S→F instability explains the metastability of free flow with respect to an F→S transition at the bottleneck.

Microscopic theory of traffic-flow instability governing traffic breakdown at highway bottlenecks: Growing wave of increase in speed in synchronized flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kerner, Boris S.

2015-12-01

We have revealed a growing local speed wave of increase in speed that can randomly occur in synchronized flow (S) at a highway bottleneck. The development of such a traffic flow instability leads to free flow (F) at the bottleneck; therefore, we call this instability an S →F instability. Whereas the S →F instability leads to a local increase in speed (growing acceleration wave), in contrast, the classical traffic flow instability introduced in the 1950s-1960s and incorporated later in a huge number of traffic flow models leads to a growing wave of a local decrease in speed (growing deceleration wave). We have found that the S →F instability can occur only if there is a finite time delay in driver overacceleration. The initial speed disturbance of increase in speed (called "speed peak") that initiates the S →F instability occurs usually at the downstream front of synchronized flow at the bottleneck. There can be many speed peaks with random amplitudes that occur randomly over time. It has been found that the S →F instability exhibits a nucleation nature: Only when a speed peak amplitude is large enough can the S →F instability occur; in contrast, speed peaks of smaller amplitudes cause dissolving speed waves of a local increase in speed (dissolving acceleration waves) in synchronized flow. We have found that the S →F instability governs traffic breakdown—a phase transition from free flow to synchronized flow (F →S transition) at the bottleneck: The nucleation nature of the S →F instability explains the metastability of free flow with respect to an F →S transition at the bottleneck.

Flow pattern analysis in a highly stenotic patient-specific carotid bifurcation model using a turbulence model.

PubMed

Li, Zhi-Yong; Tan, Felicia P P; Soloperto, Giulia; Wood, Nigel B; Xu, Xiao Y; Gillard, Jonathan H

2015-08-01

The aim of this study is to investigate the blood flow pattern in carotid bifurcation with a high degree of luminal stenosis, combining in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). A newly developed two-equation transitional model was employed to evaluate wall shear stress (WSS) distribution and pressure drop across the stenosis, which are closely related to plaque vulnerability. A patient with an 80% left carotid stenosis was imaged using high resolution MRI, from which a patient-specific geometry was reconstructed and flow boundary conditions were acquired for CFD simulation. A transitional model was implemented to investigate the flow velocity and WSS distribution in the patient-specific model. The peak time-averaged WSS value of approximately 73 Pa was predicted by the transitional flow model, and the regions of high WSS occurred at the throat of the stenosis. High oscillatory shear index values up to 0.50 were present in a helical flow pattern from the outer wall of the internal carotid artery immediately after the throat. This study shows the potential suitability of a transitional turbulent flow model in capturing the flow phenomena in severely stenosed carotid arteries using patient-specific MRI data and provides the basis for further investigation of the links between haemodynamic variables and plaque vulnerability. It may be useful in the future for risk assessment of patients with carotid disease.

Analysis of Crossflow Transition Flight Experiment aboard the Pegasus Launch Vehicle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Malik, Mujeeb R.; Li, Fei; Choudhan, Meelan

2007-01-01

The Pegasus wing-glove flight experiment was designed to provide crossflow transition data at high Mach numbers, specifically to help validate stability based predictions for transition onset in a flight environment. This paper provides an analysis of the flight experiment, with emphasis on computational results for crossflow disturbances and the correlation of disturbance growth factors with in-flight transition locations via the e(sup N) method. Implications of the flight data for attachment line stability are also examined. Analysis of the thermocouple data reveals that transition (from turbulent to laminar flow) was first detected during the ascending flight of the rocket when the free stream Mach number exceeded about 4. Therefore, computations have been performed for flight Mach numbers of 4.13, 4.35, 4.56 and 4.99. Due to continually decreasing unit Reynolds number at higher altitudes, the entire wing-glove boundary layer became laminar at the highest flight Mach number computed above. In contrast, the boundary layer flow over the inboard tile region remained transitional up to and somewhat beyond the time of laminarization over the instrumented glove region. Linear stability predictions confirmed that the tile boundary layer is indeed more unstable to crossflow disturbances than the much colder stainless steel glove boundary layer. The transition locations based on thermocouple data from both the glove and the tile regions are found to correlate with stationary-crossflow N-factors within the range of 7 to 12.4 and with traveling mode N-factors between 7.6 and 14.1. Data from the thermocouples and hot film sensors indicates that transition from turbulent to laminar flow (i.e., laminarization) at a fixed point over the glove is generally completed within a flight time interval of 3 seconds. However, the times at which transition begins and ends as inferred from the hot film sensors are found to differ by about 2 seconds from the corresponding estimates based on the thermocouple data.

Dynamic contrast optical coherence tomography images transit time and quantifies microvascular plasma volume and flow in the retina and choriocapillaris

PubMed Central

Merkle, Conrad W.; Leahy, Conor; Srinivasan, Vivek J.

2016-01-01

Despite the prevalence of optical imaging techniques to measure hemodynamics in large retinal vessels, quantitative measurements of retinal capillary and choroidal hemodynamics have traditionally been challenging. Here, a new imaging technique called dynamic contrast optical coherence tomography (DyC-OCT) is applied in the rat eye to study microvascular blood flow in individual retinal and choroidal layers in vivo. DyC-OCT is based on imaging the transit of an intravascular tracer dynamically as it passes through the field-of-view. Hemodynamic parameters can be determined through quantitative analysis of tracer kinetics. In addition to enabling depth-resolved transit time, volume, and flow measurements, the injected tracer also enhances OCT angiograms and enables clear visualization of the choriocapillaris, particularly when combined with a post-processing method for vessel enhancement. DyC-OCT complements conventional OCT angiography through quantification of tracer dynamics, similar to fluorescence angiography, but with the important added benefit of laminar resolution. PMID:27867732

Dynamic contrast optical coherence tomography images transit time and quantifies microvascular plasma volume and flow in the retina and choriocapillaris.

PubMed

Merkle, Conrad W; Leahy, Conor; Srinivasan, Vivek J

2016-10-01

Despite the prevalence of optical imaging techniques to measure hemodynamics in large retinal vessels, quantitative measurements of retinal capillary and choroidal hemodynamics have traditionally been challenging. Here, a new imaging technique called dynamic contrast optical coherence tomography (DyC-OCT) is applied in the rat eye to study microvascular blood flow in individual retinal and choroidal layers in vivo . DyC-OCT is based on imaging the transit of an intravascular tracer dynamically as it passes through the field-of-view. Hemodynamic parameters can be determined through quantitative analysis of tracer kinetics. In addition to enabling depth-resolved transit time, volume, and flow measurements, the injected tracer also enhances OCT angiograms and enables clear visualization of the choriocapillaris, particularly when combined with a post-processing method for vessel enhancement. DyC-OCT complements conventional OCT angiography through quantification of tracer dynamics, similar to fluorescence angiography, but with the important added benefit of laminar resolution.

Robust estimation of pulse wave transit time using group delay.

PubMed

Meloni, Antonella; Zymeski, Heather; Pepe, Alessia; Lombardi, Massimo; Wood, John C

2014-03-01

To evaluate the efficiency of a novel transit time (Δt) estimation method from cardiovascular magnetic resonance flow curves. Flow curves were estimated from phase contrast images of 30 patients. Our method (TT-GD: transit time group delay) operates in the frequency domain and models the ascending aortic waveform as an input passing through a discrete-component "filter," producing the observed descending aortic waveform. The GD of the filter represents the average time delay (Δt) across individual frequency bands of the input. This method was compared with two previously described time-domain methods: TT-point using the half-maximum of the curves and TT-wave using cross-correlation. High temporal resolution flow images were studied at multiple downsampling rates to study the impact of differences in temporal resolution. Mean Δts obtained with the three methods were comparable. The TT-GD method was the most robust to reduced temporal resolution. While the TT-GD and the TT-wave produced comparable results for velocity and flow waveforms, the TT-point resulted in significant shorter Δts when calculated from velocity waveforms (difference: 1.8±2.7 msec; coefficient of variability: 8.7%). The TT-GD method was the most reproducible, with an intraobserver variability of 3.4% and an interobserver variability of 3.7%. Compared to the traditional TT-point and TT-wave methods, the TT-GD approach was more robust to the choice of temporal resolution, waveform type, and observer. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

High-Speed PLIF Imaging of Hypersonic Transition over Discrete Cylindrical Roughness

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Danehy, P. M.; Ivey, C. B.; Inman, J. A.; Bathel, B. F.; Jones, S. B.; McCrea, A. C.; Jiang, N.; Webster, M.; Lempert, W.; Miller, J.;

Ultrasonic flow measurements for irrigation process monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ziani, Elmostafa; Bennouna, Mustapha; Boissier, Raymond

2004-02-01

This paper presents the state of the art of the general principle of liquid flow measurements by ultrasonic method, and problems of flow measurements. We present an ultrasonic flowmeter designed according to smart sensors concept, for the measurement of irrigation water flowing through pipelines or open channels, using the ultrasonic transit time approach. The new flowmeter works on the principle of measuring time delay differences between sound pulses transmitted upstream and downstream in the flowing liquid. The speed of sound in the flowing medium is eliminated as a variable because the flowrate calculations are based on the reciprocals of the transmission times. The transit time difference is digitally measured by means of a suitable, microprocessor controlled logic. This type of ultrasonic flowmeter will be widely used in industry and water management, it is well studied in this work, followed by some experimental results. For pressurized channels, we use one pair of ultrasonic transducer arranged in proper positions and directions of the pipe, in this case, to determine the liquid velocity, a real time on-line analysis taking account the geometries of the hydraulic system, is applied to the obtained ultrasonic data. In the open channels, we use a single or two pairs of ultrasonic emitter-receiver according to the desired performances. Finally, the goals of this work consist in integrating the smart sensor into irrigation systems monitoring in order to evaluate potential advantages and demonstrate their performance, on the other hand, to understand and use ultrasonic approach for determining flow characteristics and improving flow measurements by reducing errors caused by disturbances of the flow profiles.

Intraoperative transit-time flow measurement is not altered in venous bypass grafts covered by the eSVS mesh.

PubMed

Emery, Robert W; Solien, Eric

2013-01-01

The aim of this study was to determine whether the eSVS Mesh interferes with transit-time flow measurement (TTFM) assessing intraoperative coronary vein graft patency. In four swine undergoing off-pump bypass grafting to the anterior descending coronary artery, five TTFMs were sequentially obtained on meshed and bare grafts at baseline and under Dobutamine stress at five separate locations on the graft in each animal. The Medistim VeriQ was used for TTFM. The grafts were examined for patency after the swine were killed. There was no difference in hemodynamics or TTFM either at baseline or under Dobutamine stress between the eSVS Mesh covered and uncovered grafts. Dobutamine, however, significantly increased hemodynamics and graft flow parameters measured from baseline. The eSVS Mesh does not interfere with Doppler flow measurement in covered coronary vein grafts.

In vitro evaluation of forward and reverse volumetric flow across a regurgitant aortic valve using Doppler power-weighted mean velocities.

PubMed

Minich, L L; Tani, L Y; Pantalos, G M

1997-01-01

To determine the accuracy of using power-weighted mean velocities for quantitating volumetric flow across a cardiac valve, we equipped pulsatile flow-tank systems with a 25 mm porcine or a 27 mm mechanical valve with various sizes of regurgitant orifices. Forward and reverse volumetric flows were measured over a range of hemodynamic conditions using two insonating angles (0 and 45 degrees). Pulsed Doppler power-weighted mean velocity measurements were obtained simultaneously with electromagnetic or ultrasonic transit-time probe measurements. For the porcine valve, Doppler measurements correlated well with electromagnetic flow measurements for all (r = 0.75 to 0.97, p < 0.05) except the smallest (2.7 mm) orifice (r = 0.19). For the mechanical valve, power-weighted mean velocity measurements correlated well with ultrasonic transit-time measurements for each hemodynamic condition defined by pulse rate, mean arterial pressure, and insonating angle (r = 0.93 to 0.99, p < 0.01), but equations varied unpredictably. Thus, although power-weighted mean velocity volumetric flow measurements correlate well with flow probe measurements, equations vary widely as hemodynamic conditions change. Because of this variation, power-weighted mean velocity data are not useful for quantitation of volumetric flow across a cardiac valve at this time. Further investigation may show how different hemodynamic conditions affect power-weighted mean velocity measurements of volumetric flow.

A numerical method for computing unsteady 2-D boundary layer flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krainer, Andreas

1988-01-01

A numerical method for computing unsteady two-dimensional boundary layers in incompressible laminar and turbulent flows is described and applied to a single airfoil changing its incidence angle in time. The solution procedure adopts a first order panel method with a simple wake model to solve for the inviscid part of the flow, and an implicit finite difference method for the viscous part of the flow. Both procedures integrate in time in a step-by-step fashion, in the course of which each step involves the solution of the elliptic Laplace equation and the solution of the parabolic boundary layer equations. The Reynolds shear stress term of the boundary layer equations is modeled by an algebraic eddy viscosity closure. The location of transition is predicted by an empirical data correlation originating from Michel. Since transition and turbulence modeling are key factors in the prediction of viscous flows, their accuracy will be of dominant influence to the overall results.

Method and apparatus for measuring flow velocity using matched filters

DOEpatents

Raptis, Apostolos C.

1983-01-01

An apparatus and method for measuring the flow velocities of individual phase flow components of a multiphase flow utilizes matched filters. Signals arising from flow noise disturbance are extracted from the flow, at upstream and downstream locations. The signals are processed through pairs of matched filters which are matched to the flow disturbance frequency characteristics of the phase flow component to be measured. The processed signals are then cross-correlated to determine the transit delay time of the phase flow component between sensing positions.

Studies of Transitional Flow, Unsteady Separation Phenomena and Particle Induced Augmentation Heating on Ablated Nose Tips.

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-10-01

63 29 Variation of Profile Shape with Time for Axisyinmetric Camphor Models 63 30 The Development of Ablated Nose Shapes Over Which Flow...ablation tests using camphor models and inferred from downrange observation of full scale flight missions. Regions of gross instability on nose...been verified in wind tunnel tests of camphor models where shapes similar to those shown on Figure 29 can be developed under transitional conditions

Experimental Investigation of Transition to Turbulence as Affected by Passing Wakes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaszeta, Richard W.; Simon, Terrence W.; Ashpis, David (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

Experimental results from a study of the effects of passing wakes upon laminar-to-turbulent transition in a low-pressure turbine passage are presented. The test section geometry is designed to simulate the effects of unsteady wakes resulting from rotor-stator interaction upon laminar-to-turbulent transition in turbine blade boundary layers and separated flow regions over suction surfaces. Single-wire, thermal anemometry techniques were used to measure time-resolved and phase-averaged, wall-normal profiles of velocity, turbulence intensity, and intermittency at multiple streamwise locations over the turbine airfoil suction surface. These data are compared to steady state, wake-free data collected in the same geometry to identify the effects of wakes upon laminar-to-turbulent transition. Results are presented for flows with a Reynolds number based on suction surface length and exit velocity of 50,000 and an approach flow turbulence intensity of 2.5 percent. From these data, the effects of passing wakes and associated increased turbulence levels and varying pressure gradients on transition and separation in the near-wall flow are presented. The results show that the wakes affect transition both by virtue of their difference in turbulence level from that of the free-stream but also by virtue of their velocity deficit relative to the freestream velocity, and the concomitant change in angle of attack and temporal pressure gradients. The results of this study seem to support the theory that bypass transition is a response of the near-wall viscous layer to pressure fluctuations imposed upon it from the free-stream flow. The data also show a significant lag between when the wake is present over the surface and when transition begins. The accompanying CD-ROM includes tabulated data, animations, higher resolution plots, and an electronic copy of this report.

Test of synthetic DNA tracers in a periodic hydrodynamic system for time-variable transit time distribution assessment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dahlke, H. E.; Wang, C.; McNew, C.; McLaughlin, S.; Lyon, S. W.

2016-12-01

Recent research on time-varying transport through hydrologic systems proposed using decomposed over-printed tracer breakthrough curves to directly observe transport through complex flow systems. This method, also known as the PERTH (Periodic Tracer Hierarchy) method requires periodic flow and multiple tracer injections to reveal changes in flow pathways and transport behavior. Time-variable transit time distributions (TTD) estimated from tracer breakthrough curves often vary with the storage state of the system, which in turn is influenced by internal and external variabilities, such as the arrangement of flow pathways and fluctuations in system inputs. Deciphering internal from external variabilities in TTDs might help to advance the use of TTDs for estimating the physical state of a system; however, thus far the finite number of unique conservative tracers available for tracing has limited deeper insights. Synthetic DNA tracers consisting of short strands of synthetic DNA encapsulated by polylactic acid (PLA) microspheres could potentially provide multiple unique tracers with identical transport properties needed to explore time varying transport through hydrologic systems in more detail. An experiment was conducted on the miniLeo hillslope, a 1 m3 sloping lysimeter, within the Biosphere 2 Landscape Evolution Observatory near Tucson, AZ to investigate transit time variability. The goal of the experiment was to 1) test the suitability of using synthetic DNA tracers for estimating TTDs in a hydrologic system and 2) to determine the TTDs of individual tracer pulses under periodic steady-state conditions. Five DNA tracers, consisting of four unique, encapsulated DNA sequences and one free/non-encapsulated DNA sequence, were applied as reference and probe tracers together with deuterium, using the PERTH method. The lysimeter received three 2-hour pulses of rainfall at a rate of 30 mm/hr for 10 days. Initial results show that both the encapsulated and free DNA tracers were successfully transported in a pulsed manner through the system, but had overall longer breakthrough times than the reference deuterium tracer. Comparison of the DNA probe tracers indicate differences in transit times, likely related to differences in tracer mobilization in response to the time-variant rainfall input.

Time-Varying Transition Probability Matrix Estimation and Its Application to Brand Share Analysis.

PubMed

Chiba, Tomoaki; Hino, Hideitsu; Akaho, Shotaro; Murata, Noboru

2017-01-01

In a product market or stock market, different products or stocks compete for the same consumers or purchasers. We propose a method to estimate the time-varying transition matrix of the product share using a multivariate time series of the product share. The method is based on the assumption that each of the observed time series of shares is a stationary distribution of the underlying Markov processes characterized by transition probability matrices. We estimate transition probability matrices for every observation under natural assumptions. We demonstrate, on a real-world dataset of the share of automobiles, that the proposed method can find intrinsic transition of shares. The resulting transition matrices reveal interesting phenomena, for example, the change in flows between TOYOTA group and GM group for the fiscal year where TOYOTA group's sales beat GM's sales, which is a reasonable scenario.

Time-Varying Transition Probability Matrix Estimation and Its Application to Brand Share Analysis

PubMed Central

Chiba, Tomoaki; Akaho, Shotaro; Murata, Noboru

2017-01-01

In a product market or stock market, different products or stocks compete for the same consumers or purchasers. We propose a method to estimate the time-varying transition matrix of the product share using a multivariate time series of the product share. The method is based on the assumption that each of the observed time series of shares is a stationary distribution of the underlying Markov processes characterized by transition probability matrices. We estimate transition probability matrices for every observation under natural assumptions. We demonstrate, on a real-world dataset of the share of automobiles, that the proposed method can find intrinsic transition of shares. The resulting transition matrices reveal interesting phenomena, for example, the change in flows between TOYOTA group and GM group for the fiscal year where TOYOTA group’s sales beat GM’s sales, which is a reasonable scenario. PMID:28076383

Low Reynolds number kappa-epsilon and empirical transition models for oscillatory pipe flow and heat transfer. M.S. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bauer, Christopher

1993-01-01

Stirling engine heat exchangers are shell-and-tube type with oscillatory flow (zero-mean velocity) for the inner fluid. This heat transfer process involves laminar-transition turbulent flow motions under oscillatory flow conditions. A low Reynolds number kappa-epsilon model, (Lam-Bremhorst form), was utilized in the present study to simulate fluid flow and heat transfer in a circular tube. An empirical transition model was used to activate the low Reynolds number k-e model at the appropriate time within the cycle for a given axial location within the tube. The computational results were compared with experimental flow and heat transfer data for: (1) velocity profiles, (2) kinetic energy of turbulence, (3) skin friction factor, (4) temperature profiles, and (5) wall heat flux. The experimental data were obtained for flow in a tube (38 mm diameter and 60 diameter long), with the maximum Reynolds number based on velocity being Re(sub max) = 11840, a dimensionless frequency (Valensi number) of Va = 80.2, at three axial locations X/D = 16, 30 and 44. The agreement between the computations and the experiment is excellent in the laminar portion of the cycle and good in the turbulent portion. Moreover, the location of transition was predicted accurately. The Low Reynolds Number kappa-epsilon model, together with an empirical transition model, is proposed herein to generate the wall heat flux values at different operating parameters than the experimental conditions. Those computational data can be used for testing the much simpler and less accurate one dimensional models utilized in 1-D Stirling Engine design codes.

Evidence for the role of turbulence-induced poloidal flow shear in triggering the L-H transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, C. X.; Xu, Y. H.; Jiang, Y.; Luo, J. R.; Mao, J. S.; Liu, B. H.; Li, J. G.

1999-11-01

We have studied the role of turbulence-driven Reynolds stress induced poloidal flow shear in triggering the L-H transition induced by turbulent heating (TH) on HT-6M tokamak. This improved confinement regime has a set of features similar to that of H-mode are commonly observed in large tokamaks. The time evolution indicates that V_θ begins to evolve 0.1ms prior to the change in Er which precedes any measurable change in local confinement characteristics. The measurements of the turbulence-driven Reynolds stress S shows that S and its gradient in the edge region evolve sharply after the start of the TH pulse. Moreover, the time evolution and the temporal structure of the poloidal velocity computed from the measured Reynolds stress profile and the directly measured V_θ look remarkably similar. The time behavior and magnitude of the Reynolds stress-induced-V_θ B_φ term are also found to be in good correlation with that of the measured E_r. These results suggest that the turbulence-driven Reynolds stress might be the dominant mechanism to generate the poloidal flow shear which causes the rapid changes in Er and its shear to trigger the transition.

Stereoscopic Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence Imaging at 500 kHz

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Medford, Taylor L.; Danehy, Paul M.; Jones, Stephen B.; Jiang, N.; Webster, M.; Lempert, Walter; Miller, J.; Meyer, T.

2011-01-01

A new measurement technique for obtaining time- and spatially-resolved image sequences in hypersonic flows is developed. Nitric-oxide planar laser-induced fluorescence (NO PLIF) has previously been used to investigate transition from laminar to turbulent flow in hypersonic boundary layers using both planar and volumetric imaging capabilities. Low flow rates of NO were typically seeded into the flow, minimally perturbing the flow. The volumetric imaging was performed at a measurement rate of 10 Hz using a thick planar laser sheet that excited NO fluorescence. The fluorescence was captured by a pair of cameras having slightly different views of the flow. Subsequent stereoscopic reconstruction of these images allowed the three-dimensional flow structures to be viewed. In the current paper, this approach has been extended to 50,000 times higher repetition rates. A laser operating at 500 kHz excites the seeded NO molecules, and a camera, synchronized with the laser and fitted with a beam-splitting assembly, acquires two separate images of the flow. The resulting stereoscopic images provide three-dimensional flow visualizations at 500 kHz for the first time. The 200 ns exposure time in each frame is fast enough to freeze the flow while the 500 kHz repetition rate is fast enough to time-resolve changes in the flow being studied. This method is applied to visualize the evolving hypersonic flow structures that propagate downstream of a discrete protuberance attached to a flat plate. The technique was demonstrated in the NASA Langley Research Center s 31-Inch Mach 10 Air Tunnel facility. Different tunnel Reynolds number conditions, NO flow rates and two different cylindrical protuberance heights were investigated. The location of the onset of flow unsteadiness, an indicator of transition, was observed to move downstream during the tunnel runs, coinciding with an increase in the model temperature.

Flow of viscoelastic fluids around a sharp microfluidic bend: Role of wormlike micellar structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hwang, Margaret Y.; Mohammadigoushki, Hadi; Muller, Susan J.

2017-04-01

We examine the flow and instabilities of three viscoelastic fluids—a semidilute aqueous solution of polyethylene oxide (PEO) and two wormlike micellar solutions of cetylpyridinium chloride and sodium salicylate—around a microfluidic 90∘ bend, in which shear deformation and streamline curvature dominate. Similar to results reported by Gulati et al. [S. Gulati et al., Phys. Rev. E 78, 036314 (2008), 10.1103/PhysRevE.78.036314; S. Gulati et al., J. Rheol. 54, 375 (2010), 10.1122/1.3308643] for PEO solutions, we report a critical Weissenberg number (Wi) for the onset of lip vortex formation upstream of the corner. However, the decreased aspect ratio (channel depth to width) results in a slightly higher critical Wi and a vortex that grows more slowly. We consider wormlike micellar solutions of two salt to surfactant concentration ratios R =0.55 and R =0.79 . At R =0.55 , the wormlike micelles are linear and exhibit strong viscoelastic behavior, but at R =0.79 , the wormlike micelles become branched and exhibit shear-banding behavior. Microfluidic experiments on the R =0.55 solution reveal two flow transitions. The first transition, at Wi =6 , is characterized by the formation of a stationary lip vortex upstream of the bend; at the second transition, at Wi =20 , the vortex fluctuates in time and changes size. The R =0.79 solution also exhibits two transitions. The first transition at Wi =4 is characterized by the appearance of two intermittent vortices, one at the lip and one at the far outside corner. Increasing the flow rate to Wi >160 results in a transition to a second unstable regime, where there is only a lip vortex that fluctuates in size. The difference in flow transitions in PEO and wormlike micellar solutions presumably arises from the additional contribution of wormlike micellar breakage and reformation under shear. The flow transitions in wormlike micellar solutions are also significantly affected by chain branching.

Particle imaging velocimetry evaluation of intracranial stents in sidewall aneurysm: hemodynamic transition related to the stent design.

PubMed

Bouillot, Pierre; Brina, Olivier; Ouared, Rafik; Lovblad, Karl-Olof; Farhat, Mohamed; Pereira, Vitor Mendes

2014-01-01

We investigated the flow modifications induced by a large panel of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) intracranial stents in an idealized sidewall intracranial aneurysm (IA). Flow velocities in IA silicone model were assessed with and without stent implantation using particle imaging velocimetry (PIV). The use of the recently developed multi-time-lag method has allowed for uniform and precise measurements of both high and low velocities at IA neck and dome, respectively. Flow modification analysis of both regular (RSs) and flow diverter stents (FDSs) was subsequently correlated with relevant geometrical stent parameters. Flow reduction was found to be highly sensitive to stent porosity variations for regular stents RSs and moderately sensitive for FDSs. Consequently, two distinct IA flow change trends, with velocity reductions up to 50% and 90%, were identified for high-porosity RS and low-porosity FDS, respectively. The intermediate porosity (88%) regular braided stent provided the limit at which the transition in flow change trend occurred with a flow reduction of 84%. This transition occurred with decreasing stent porosity, as the driving force in IA neck changed from shear stress to differential pressure. Therefore, these results suggest that stents with intermediate porosities could possibly provide similar flow change patterns to FDS, favourable to curative thrombogenesis in IAs.

Structural state diagram of concentrated suspensions of jammed soft particles in oscillatory shear flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khabaz, Fardin; Cloitre, Michel; Bonnecaze, Roger T.

2018-03-01

In a recent study [Khabaz et al., Phys. Rev. Fluids 2, 093301 (2017), 10.1103/PhysRevFluids.2.093301], we showed that jammed soft particle glasses (SPGs) crystallize and order in steady shear flow. Here we investigate the rheology and microstructures of these suspensions in oscillatory shear flow using particle-dynamics simulations. The microstructures in both types of flows are similar, but their evolutions are very different. In both cases the monodisperse and polydisperse suspensions form crystalline and layered structures, respectively, at high shear rates. The crystals obtained in the oscillatory shear flow show fewer defects compared to those in the steady shear. SPGs remain glassy for maximum oscillatory strains less than about the yield strain of the material. For maximum strains greater than the yield strain, microstructural and rheological transitions occur for SPGs. Polydisperse SPGs rearrange into a layered structure parallel to the flow-vorticity plane for sufficiently high maximum shear rates and maximum strains about 10 times greater than the yield strain. Monodisperse suspensions form a face-centered cubic (FCC) structure when the maximum shear rate is low and hexagonal close-packed (HCP) structure when the maximum shear rate is high. In steady shear, the transition from a glassy state to a layered one for polydisperse suspensions included a significant induction strain before the transformation. In oscillatory shear, the transformation begins to occur immediately and with different microstructural changes. A state diagram for suspensions in large amplitude oscillatory shear flow is found to be in close but not exact agreement with the state diagram for steady shear flow. For more modest amplitudes of around one to five times the yield strain, there is a transition from a glassy structure to FCC and HCP crystals, at low and high frequencies, respectively, for monodisperse suspensions. At moderate frequencies, the transition is from glassy to HCP via an intermediate FCC phase.

Realization of a multipath ultrasonic gas flowmeter based on transit-time technique.

PubMed

Chen, Qiang; Li, Weihua; Wu, Jiangtao

2014-01-01

A microcomputer-based ultrasonic gas flowmeter with transit-time method is presented. Modules of the flowmeter are designed systematically, including the acoustic path arrangement, ultrasound emission and reception module, transit-time measurement module, the software and so on. Four 200 kHz transducers forming two acoustic paths are used to send and receive ultrasound simultaneously. The synchronization of the transducers can eliminate the influence caused by the inherent switch time in simple chord flowmeter. The distribution of the acoustic paths on the mechanical apparatus follows the Tailored integration, which could reduce the inherent error by 2-3% compared with the Gaussian integration commonly used in the ultrasonic flowmeter now. This work also develops timing modules to determine the flight time of the acoustic signal. The timing mechanism is different from the traditional method. The timing circuit here adopts high capability chip TDC-GP2, with the typical resolution of 50 ps. The software of Labview is used to receive data from the circuit and calculate the gas flow value. Finally, the two paths flowmeter has been calibrated and validated on the test facilities for air flow in Shaanxi Institute of Measurement & Testing. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Methods of blood flow measurement in the arterial circulatory system.

PubMed

Tabrizchi, R; Pugsley, M K

2000-01-01

The most commonly employed techniques for the in vivo measurement of arterial blood flow to individual organs involve the use of flow probes or sensors. Commercially available systems for the measurement of in vivo blood flow can be divided into two categories: ultrasonic and electromagnetic. Two types of ultrasonic probes are used. The first type of flow probe measures blood flow-mediated Doppler shifts (Doppler flowmetry) in a vessel. The second type of flow probe measures the "transit time" required by an emitted ultrasound wave to traverse the vessel and are transit-time volume flow sensors. Measurement of blood flow in any vessel requires that the flow probe or sensor be highly accurate and exhibit signal linearity over the flow range in the vessel of interest. Moreover, additional desirable features include compact design, size, and weight. An additional important feature for flow probes is that they exhibit good biocompatability; it is imperative for the sensor to behave in an inert manner towards the biological system. A sensitive and reliable method to assess blood flow in individual organs in the body, other than by the use of probes/sensors, is the reference sample method that utilizes hematogeneously delivered microspheres. This method has been utilized to a large extend to assess regional blood flow in the entire body. Obviously, the purpose of measuring blood flow is to determine the amount of blood delivered to a given region per unit time (milliliters per minute) and it is desirable to achieve this goal by noninvasive methodologies. This, however, is not always possible. This review attempts to offer an overview of some of the techniques available for the assessment of regional blood flow in the arterial circulatory system and discusses advantages and disadvantages of these common techniques.

Reconstruction and analysis of the past five centuries of streamflow on northern slopes on Tianshan Mountains in Northern Xinjiang, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Yuhui; Chen, Yaning; Wang, Minzhong; Sun, Huilan

2017-07-01

We examined the changes in streamflow on the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains in northern Xinjiang, China, over two time scales: the past 500 years, based on dendrochronology data; and the past 50 years, based on streamflow data from hydrological stations. The method of artificial neural networks built from the data of the 50-year period was used to reconstruct the streamflow of the 500-year period. The results indicate that streamflow has undergone seven high-flow periods and four low-flow periods during the past 500 years. To identify possible transition points in the streamflow, we applied the Mann-Kendall and running T tests to the 50- and 500-year periods, respectively. During the past 500 years, streamflow has changed significantly from low to high flow about three to four times, and from high to low flow about three to five times. Over the recent 50 years, there have been three phases of variation in river runoff, and the most distinct transition of streamflow occurred in 1996.

A nonperturbing boundary-layer transition detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohare, J. E.

1985-01-01

A laser interferometer technique is being applied to the characterization of boundary-layer conditions on models in supersonic and hypersonic wind tunnels in the von Karman Facility at Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC). The Boundary-Layer Transition Detector (BLTD), based on lateral interferometry, is applicable for determining the turbulence frequency spectrum of boundary layers in compressible flow. The turbulence, in terms of air density fluctuations, is detected by monitoring interferometric fringe phase shifts (in real time) formed by one beam which passes through the boundary layer and a reference beam which is outside the boundary layer. This technique is nonintrusive to the flow field unlike other commonly used methods such as pitot tube probing and hot-wire anemometry. Model boundary-layer data are presented at Mach 8 and compared with data recorded using other methods during boundary-layer transition from laminar to turbulent flow. Spectra from the BLTD reveal the presence of a high-frequency peak during transition, which is characteristic of spectra obtained with hot wires. The BLTD is described along with operational requirements and limitations.

A nonperturbing boundary-layer transition detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohare, J. E.

1985-11-01

A laser interferometer technique is being applied to the characterization of boundary-layer conditions on models in supersonic and hypersonic wind tunnels. The boundary-layer transition detector (BLTD), based on lateral interferometry, is applicable for determining the turbulence frequency spectrum of boundary layers in compressible flow. The turbulence, in terms of air density fluctuations, is detected by monitoring interferometric fringe phase shifts (in real time) formed by one beam which passes through the boundary layer and a reference beam which is outside the boundary layer. This technique is nonintrusive to the flow field unlike other commonly used methods such as pitot tube probing and hot-wire anemometry. Data which depict boundary-layer transition from laminar to turbulent flow are presented to provide comparisons of the BLTD with other measurement methods. Spectra from the BLTD reveals the presence of a high-frequency peak during transition which is characteristic of spectra obtained with hot wires. The BLTD is described along with operational requirements and limitations.

A Nonperturbing Boundary-Layer Transition Detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Hare, J. E.

1986-01-01

A laser interferometer technique is being applied to the characterization of boundary-layer conditions on models in supersonic and hypersonic wind tunnels in the von Kaman Facility at Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC). The Boundary-Layer Transition Detector (BLTD), based on lateral interferometry, is applicable for determining the turbulence frequency spectrum of boundary layers in compressible flow. The turbulence, in terms of air density fluctuations, is detected by monitoring interferometric fringe phase shifts (in real time) formed by one beam which passes through the boundary layer and a reference beam which is outside the boundary layer. This technique is nonintrusive to the flow field unlike other commonly used methods such as pitot tube probing and hot-wire anemometry. Model boundary-layer data are presented at Mach 8 and compared with data recorded using other methods during boundary-layer transition from laminar to turbulent flow. Spectra from the BLTD reveal the presence of a high-frequency peak during transition, which is characteristic of spectra obtained with hot wires. The BLTD is described along with operational requirements and limitations.

Estimating retention potential of headwater catchment using Tritium time series

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hofmann, Harald; Cartwright, Ian; Morgenstern, Uwe

2018-06-01

Headwater catchments provide substantial streamflow to rivers even during long periods of drought. Documenting the mean transit times (MTT) of stream water in headwater catchments and therefore the retention capacities of these catchments is crucial for water management. This study uses time series of 3H activities in combination with major ion concentrations, stable isotope ratios and radon activities (222Rn) in the Lyrebird Creek catchment in Victoria, Australia to provide a unique insight into the mean transit time distributions and flow systems of this small temperate headwater catchment. At all streamflows, the stream has 3H activities (<2.4 TU) that are significantly below those of rainfall (∼3.2 TU), implying that most of the water in the stream is derived from stores with long transit times. If the water in the catchment can be represented by a single store with a continuum of ages, mean transit times of the stream water range from ∼6 up to 40 years, which indicates the large retention potential for this catchment. Alternatively, variations of 3H activities, stable isotopes and major ions can be explained by mixing between of young recent recharge and older water stored in the catchment. While surface runoff is negligible, the variation in stable isotope ratios, major ion concentrations and radon activities during most of the year is minimal (±12%) and only occurs during major storm events. This suggests that different subsurface water stores are activated during the storm events and that these cease to provide water to the stream within a few days or weeks after storm events. The stores comprise micro and macropore flow in the soils and saprolite as well as the boundary between the saprolite and the fractured bed rock. Hydrograph separations from three major storm events using Tritium, electrical conductivity and selected major ions as well a δ18O suggest a minimum of 50% baseflow at most flow conditions. We demonstrate that headwater catchments can have a significant storage capacity and that the relationship between long-water stores and fast storm event subsurface flow is complex. The study also illustrates that using 3H to determine mean transit times is probably only valid for baseflow conditions where the catchment can be represented as a single store. The results of this study reinforce the need to protect headwater catchments from contamination and extreme land use changes.

Method and apparatus for measuring flow velocity using matched filters

DOEpatents

Raptis, A.C.

1983-09-06

An apparatus and method for measuring the flow velocities of individual phase flow components of a multiphase flow utilizes matched filters. Signals arising from flow noise disturbance are extracted from the flow, at upstream and downstream locations. The signals are processed through pairs of matched filters which are matched to the flow disturbance frequency characteristics of the phase flow component to be measured. The processed signals are then cross-correlated to determine the transit delay time of the phase flow component between sensing positions. 8 figs.

Stereoscopic Imaging in Hypersonics Boundary Layers using Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Danehy, Paul M.; Bathel, Brett; Inman, Jennifer A.; Alderfer, David W.; Jones, Stephen B.

2008-01-01

Stereoscopic time-resolved visualization of three-dimensional structures in a hypersonic flow has been performed for the first time. Nitric Oxide (NO) was seeded into hypersonic boundary layer flows that were designed to transition from laminar to turbulent. A thick laser sheet illuminated and excited the NO, causing spatially-varying fluorescence. Two cameras in a stereoscopic configuration were used to image the fluorescence. The images were processed in a computer visualization environment to provide stereoscopic image pairs. Two methods were used to display these image pairs: a cross-eyed viewing method which can be viewed by naked eyes, and red/blue anaglyphs, which require viewing through red/blue glasses. The images visualized three-dimensional information that would be lost if conventional planar laser-induced fluorescence imaging had been used. Two model configurations were studied in NASA Langley Research Center's 31-Inch Mach 10 Air Wind tunnel. One model was a 10 degree half-angle wedge containing a small protuberance to force the flow to transition. The other model was a 1/3-scale, truncated Hyper-X forebody model with blowing through a series of holes to force the boundary layer flow to transition to turbulence. In the former case, low flowrates of pure NO seeded and marked the boundary layer fluid. In the latter, a trace concentration of NO was seeded into the injected N2 gas. The three-dimensional visualizations have an effective time resolution of about 500 ns, which is fast enough to freeze this hypersonic flow. The 512x512 resolution of the resulting images is much higher than high-speed laser-sheet scanning systems with similar time response, which typically measure 10-20 planes.

Transition and mixing in axisymmetric jets and vortex rings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, G. A., Jr.; Cantwell, B. J.

1986-01-01

A class of impulsively started, axisymmetric, laminar jets produced by a time dependent joint source of momentum are considered. These jets are different flows, each initially at rest in an unbounded fluid. The study is conducted at three levels of detail. First, a generalized set of analytic creeping flow solutions are derived with a method of flow classification. Second, from this set, three specific creeping flow solutions are studied in detail: the vortex ring, the round jet, and the ramp jet. This study involves derivation of vorticity, stream function, entrainment diagrams, and evolution of time lines through computer animation. From entrainment diagrams, critical points are derived and analyzed. The flow geometry is dictated by the properties and location of critical points which undergo bifurcation and topological transformation (a form of transition) with changing Reynolds number. Transition Reynolds numbers were calculated. A state space trajectory was derived describing the topological behavior of these critical points. This state space derivation yielded three states of motion which are universal for all axisymmetric jets. Third, the axisymmetric round jet is solved numerically using the unsteady laminar Navier Stokes equations. These equations were shown to be self similar for the round jet. Numerical calculations were performed up to a Reynolds number of 30 for a 60x60 point mesh. Animations generated from numerical solution showed each of the three states of motion for the round jet, including the Re = 30 case.

Energy exchange dynamics across L–H transitions in NSTX

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Diallo, A.; Banerjee, S.; Zweben, S. J.

Here, we studied the energy exchange dynamics across the low-to-high-confinement (L–H) transition in NSTX discharges using the gas-puff imaging (GPI) diagnostic. The investigation focused on the energy exchange between flows and turbulence to help clarify the mechanism of the L–H transition. We applied this study to three types of heating schemes, including a total of 17 shots from the NSTX 2010 campaign run. Results show that the edge fluctuation characteristics (fluctuation levels, radial and poloidal correlation lengths) measured using GPI do not vary just prior to the H-mode transition, but change after the transition. Using a velocimetry approach (orthogonal-dynamics programming), velocity fields of amore » $$24\\times 30$$ cm GPI view during the L–H transition were obtained with good spatial (~1 cm) and temporal (~2.5 μs) resolutions. Analysis using these velocity fields shows that the production term is systematically negative just prior to the L–H transition, indicating a transfer from mean flows to turbulence, which is inconsistent with the predator–prey paradigm. Moreover, the inferred absolute value of the production term is two orders of magnitude too small to explain the observed rapid L–H transition. These discrepancies are further reinforced by consideration of the ratio between the kinetic energy in the mean flow to the thermal free energy, which is estimated to be much less than 1, suggesting again that the turbulence depletion mechanism may not play an important role in the transition to the H-mode. Although the Reynolds work therefore appears to be too small to directly deplete the turbulent free energy reservoir, order-of-magnitude analysis shows that the Reynolds stress may still make a non-negligible contribution to the observed poloidal flows.« less

Energy exchange dynamics across L–H transitions in NSTX

DOE PAGES

Diallo, A.; Banerjee, S.; Zweben, S. J.; ...

2017-05-10

Here, we studied the energy exchange dynamics across the low-to-high-confinement (L–H) transition in NSTX discharges using the gas-puff imaging (GPI) diagnostic. The investigation focused on the energy exchange between flows and turbulence to help clarify the mechanism of the L–H transition. We applied this study to three types of heating schemes, including a total of 17 shots from the NSTX 2010 campaign run. Results show that the edge fluctuation characteristics (fluctuation levels, radial and poloidal correlation lengths) measured using GPI do not vary just prior to the H-mode transition, but change after the transition. Using a velocimetry approach (orthogonal-dynamics programming), velocity fields of amore » $$24\\times 30$$ cm GPI view during the L–H transition were obtained with good spatial (~1 cm) and temporal (~2.5 μs) resolutions. Analysis using these velocity fields shows that the production term is systematically negative just prior to the L–H transition, indicating a transfer from mean flows to turbulence, which is inconsistent with the predator–prey paradigm. Moreover, the inferred absolute value of the production term is two orders of magnitude too small to explain the observed rapid L–H transition. These discrepancies are further reinforced by consideration of the ratio between the kinetic energy in the mean flow to the thermal free energy, which is estimated to be much less than 1, suggesting again that the turbulence depletion mechanism may not play an important role in the transition to the H-mode. Although the Reynolds work therefore appears to be too small to directly deplete the turbulent free energy reservoir, order-of-magnitude analysis shows that the Reynolds stress may still make a non-negligible contribution to the observed poloidal flows.« less

Transition from Forward Smoldering to Flaming in Small Polyurethane Foam Samples

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bar-Ilan, A.; Putzeys, O.; Rein, G.; Fernandez-Pello, A. C.

2004-01-01

Experimental observations are presented of the effect of the flow velocity and oxygen concentration, and of a thermal radiant flux, on the transition from smoldering to flaming in forward smoldering of small samples of polyurethane foam with a gas/solid interface. The experiments are part of a project studying the transition from smolder to flaming under conditions encountered in spacecraft facilities, i.e., microgravity, low velocity variable oxygen concentration flows. Because the microgravity experiments are planned for the International Space Station, the foam samples had to be limited in size for safety and launch mass reasons. The feasible sample size is too small for smolder to self propagate because of heat losses to the surrounding environment. Thus, the smolder propagation and the transition to flaming had to be assisted by reducing the heat losses to the surroundings and increasing the oxygen concentration. The experiments are conducted with small parallelepiped samples vertically placed in a wind tunnel. Three of the sample lateral-sides are maintained at elevated temperature and the fourth side is exposed to an upward flow and to a radiant flux. It is found that decreasing the flow velocity and increasing its oxygen concentration, and/or increasing the radiant flux enhances the transition to flaming, and reduces the delay time to transition. Limiting external ambient conditions for the transition to flaming are reported for the present experimental set-up. The results show that smolder propagation and the transition to flaming can occur in relatively small fuel samples if the external conditions are appropriate. The results also indicate that transition to flaming occurs in the char left behind by the smolder reaction, and it has the characteristics of a gas-phase ignition induced by the smolder reaction, which acts as the source of both gaseous fuel and heat.

Fluid-structure analysis of a flexible flapping airfoil at low Reynolds number flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Unger, Ralf; Haupt, Matthias C.; Horst, Peter; Radespiel, Rolf

2012-01-01

In this paper, a coupling simulation methodology is applied to investigate the fluid flow around a light and flexible airfoil based on a handfoil of a seagull. A finite element model of the flexible airfoil is fully coupled to the flow solver by using a load and displacement transfer as well as a fluid grid deformation algorithm. The flow field is characterized by a laminar-turbulent transition at a Reynolds number of Re=100 000, which takes place along a laminar separation bubble. An unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes flow solver is used to take this transition process into account by comparison of a critical N-factor with the N-factor computed by the eN-method. Results of computations have shown that the flexibility of the airfoil has a major influence on the thrust efficiency, the mean drag and lift, and the location of laminar-turbulent transition. The thrust efficiency can be considerably improved by increasing the plunging amplitude and by using a time dependent airfoil stiffness, inspired by the muscle contraction of birds.

Using New Theory and Experimental Methods to Understand the Relative Controls of Storage, Antecedent Conditions and Precipitation Intensity on Transit Time Distributions through a Sloping Soil Lysimeter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, M.; Pangle, L. A.; Cardoso, C.; Lora, M.; Wang, Y.; Harman, C. J.; Troch, P. A. A.

2014-12-01

Transit time distributions (TTD) are an efficient way of characterizing transport through the complex flow dynamics of a hydrologic system, and can serve as a basis for spatially-integrated solute transport modeling. Recently there has been progress in the development of a theory of time-variable TTDs that captures the effect of temporal variability in the timing of fluxes as well as changes in flow pathways. Furthermore, a new formulation of this theory allows the essential transport properties of a system to be parameterized by a physically meaningful time-variable probability distribution, the Ω function. This distribution determines how the age distribution of water in storage is sampled by the outflow. The form of the Ω function varies if the flow pathways change, but is not determined by the timing of fluxes (unlike the TTD). In this study, we use this theory to characterize transport by transient flows through a homogeneously packed 1 m3 sloping soil lysimeter. The transit time distribution associated with each of four irrigation periods (repeated daily for 24 days) are compared to examine the significance of changes in the Ω function due to variations in total storage, antecedent conditions, and precipitation intensity. We observe both the time-variable TTD and the Ω function experimentally by applying the PERTH method (Harman and Kim, 2014, GRL, 41, 1567-1575). The method allows us to observe multiple overlapping time-variable TTD in controlled experiments using only two conservative tracers. We hypothesize that both the TTD and the Ω function will vary in time, even in this small scale, because water will take different flow pathways depending on the initial state of the lysimeter and irrigation intensity. However, based on primarily modeling, we conjecture that major variability in the Ω function will be limited to a period during and immediately after each irrigation. We anticipate the Ω function is almost time-invariant (or scales simply with total storage) during the recession period because flow pathways are stable during this period. This is one of the first experimental studies of this type, and the results offer insights into solute transport in transient, variably-saturated systems.

Lagrangian coherent structures at the onset of hyperchaos in the two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations.

PubMed

Miranda, Rodrigo A; Rempel, Erico L; Chian, Abraham C-L; Seehafer, Norbert; Toledo, Benjamin A; Muñoz, Pablo R

2013-09-01

We study a transition to hyperchaos in the two-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations with periodic boundary conditions and an external forcing term. Bifurcation diagrams are constructed by varying the Reynolds number, and a transition to hyperchaos (HC) is identified. Before the onset of HC, there is coexistence of two chaotic attractors and a hyperchaotic saddle. After the transition to HC, the two chaotic attractors merge with the hyperchaotic saddle, generating random switching between chaos and hyperchaos, which is responsible for intermittent bursts in the time series of energy and enstrophy. The chaotic mixing properties of the flow are characterized by detecting Lagrangian coherent structures. After the transition to HC, the flow displays complex Lagrangian patterns and an increase in the level of Lagrangian chaoticity during the bursty periods that can be predicted statistically by the hyperchaotic saddle prior to HC transition.

Flow Mode Dependent Partitioning Processes of Preferential Flow Dynamics in Unsaturated Fractures - Findings From Analogue Percolation Experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kordilla, J.; Noffz, T.; Dentz, M.; Sauter, M.

2017-12-01

To assess the vulnerability of an aquifer system it is of utmost importance to recognize the high potential for a rapid mass transport offered by ow through unsaturated fracture networks. Numerical models have to reproduce complex effects of gravity-driven flow dynamics to generate accurate predictions of flow and transport. However, the non-linear characteristics of free surface flow dynamics and partitioning behaviour at unsaturated fracture intersections often exceed the capacity of classical volume-effective modelling approaches. Laboratory experiments that manage to isolate single aspects of the mass partitioning process can enhance the understanding of underlying dynamics, which ultimately influence travel time distributions on multiple scales. Our analogue fracture network consists of synthetic cubes with dimensions of 20 x 20 x 20 cm creating simple geometries of a single or a cascade of consecutive horizontal fractures. Gravity-driven free surface flow (droplets; rivulets) is established via a high precision multichannel dispenser at flow rates ranging from 1.5 to 4.5 ml/min. Single-inlet experiments show the influence of variable flow rate, atmospheric pressure and temperature on the stability of flow modes and allow to delineate a droplet and rivulet regime. The transition between these regimes exhibits mixed flow characteristics. In addition, multi-inlet setups with constant total infow rates decrease the variance induced by erratic free-surface flow dynamics. We investigate the impacts of variable aperture widths, horizontal offsets of vertical fracture surfaces, and alternating injection methods for both flow regimes. Normalized fracture inflow rates allow to demonstrate and compare the effects of variable geometric features. Firstly, the fracture filling can be described by plug flow. At later stages it transitions into a Washburn-type flow, which we compare to an analytical solution for the case of rivulet flow. Observations show a considerably higher bypass effciency of droplet flow. This behaviour may not be recovered by plug flow but also transitions into a Washburn stage. Furthermore, we study the effect of additional cubes, i.e. increasing amount of horizontal fractures, on the bulk arrival times and associated importance of flow mode dependent partitioning processes.

Coastal Wind and Turbulence Observations during the Morning and Evening Transitions over Tropical Terrain

DOE PAGES

Jensen, Derek D.; Price, Timothy A.; Nadeau, Daniel F.; ...

2017-12-15

Data collected during a multiyear, wind-resource assessment over a multi-land-use coastal environment in Belize are used to study the development and decay of wind and turbulence through the morning and evening transitions. Observations were made on three tall masts, forming an inland transect of approximately 5 km. The wind distribution is found to be bimodal and governed by synoptic scales, with onshore and offshore flow regimes. The behavior between the coastal and inland sites is found to be very similar when the flow is directed offshore; for onshore flow, stark differences occur. The mean wind speed at the coastal sitemore » is approximately 20% greater than the most inland site and is nearly constant throughout the diurnal cycle. Furthermore, for both flow regimes, the influence of the land–sea breeze circulation is inconsequential relative to the large-scale synoptic forcing. Composite time series are used to study the evolution of sensible heat flux and turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) throughout the morning and evening transitions. The TKE budget reveals that at the coastal site mechanical production of TKE is much more important than buoyant production. This allows for the unexpected case in which TKE increases through the ET despite the decrease of buoyant TKE production. Multiresolution flux decomposition is used to further study this phenomenon as well as the evolution of the sensible heat flux at differing time scales. We present an idealized schematic to illustrate the timing and structure of the morning and evening transitions for an inland site and a coastal site that are subjected to similar synoptic forcing.« less

Coastal Wind and Turbulence Observations during the Morning and Evening Transitions over Tropical Terrain

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jensen, Derek D.; Price, Timothy A.; Nadeau, Daniel F.

Data collected during a multiyear, wind-resource assessment over a multi-land-use coastal environment in Belize are used to study the development and decay of wind and turbulence through the morning and evening transitions. Observations were made on three tall masts, forming an inland transect of approximately 5 km. The wind distribution is found to be bimodal and governed by synoptic scales, with onshore and offshore flow regimes. The behavior between the coastal and inland sites is found to be very similar when the flow is directed offshore; for onshore flow, stark differences occur. The mean wind speed at the coastal sitemore » is approximately 20% greater than the most inland site and is nearly constant throughout the diurnal cycle. Furthermore, for both flow regimes, the influence of the land–sea breeze circulation is inconsequential relative to the large-scale synoptic forcing. Composite time series are used to study the evolution of sensible heat flux and turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) throughout the morning and evening transitions. The TKE budget reveals that at the coastal site mechanical production of TKE is much more important than buoyant production. This allows for the unexpected case in which TKE increases through the ET despite the decrease of buoyant TKE production. Multiresolution flux decomposition is used to further study this phenomenon as well as the evolution of the sensible heat flux at differing time scales. We present an idealized schematic to illustrate the timing and structure of the morning and evening transitions for an inland site and a coastal site that are subjected to similar synoptic forcing.« less

Turbine Vane External Heat Transfer. Volume 2. Numerical Solutions of the Navier-stokes Equations for Two- and Three-dimensional Turbine Cascades with Heat Transfer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yang, R. J.; Weinberg, B. C.; Shamroth, S. J.; Mcdonald, H.

1985-01-01

The application of the time-dependent ensemble-averaged Navier-Stokes equations to transonic turbine cascade flow fields was examined. In particular, efforts focused on an assessment of the procedure in conjunction with a suitable turbulence model to calculate steady turbine flow fields using an O-type coordinate system. Three cascade configurations were considered. Comparisons were made between the predicted and measured surface pressures and heat transfer distributions wherever available. In general, the pressure predictions were in good agreement with the data. Heat transfer calculations also showed good agreement when an empirical transition model was used. However, further work in the development of laminar-turbulent transitional models is indicated. The calculations showed most of the known features associated with turbine cascade flow fields. These results indicate the ability of the Navier-Stokes analysis to predict, in reasonable amounts of computation time, the surface pressure distribution, heat transfer rates, and viscous flow development for turbine cascades operating at realistic conditions.

Increased hippocampal blood volume and normal blood flow in schizophrenia

PubMed Central

Talati, Pratik; Rane, Swati; Skinner, Jack; Gore, John; Heckers, Stephan

2015-01-01

Neuroimaging studies have provided compelling evidence for abnormal hippocampal activity in schizophrenia. Most studies made inferences about baseline hippocampal activity using a single hemodynamic parameter (e.g., blood volume or blood flow). Here we studied several hemodynamic measures in the same cohort to test the hypothesis of increased hippocampal activity in schizophrenia. We used dynamic susceptibility contrast- (DSC-) magnetic resonance imaging to assess blood volume, blood flow, and mean transit time in the hippocampus of 15 patients with chronic schizophrenia and 15 healthy controls. Left and right hippocampal measurements were combined for absolute measures of cerebral blood volume (CBV), blood flow (CBF), and mean transit time (MTT). We found significantly increased hippocampal CBV, but normal CBF and MTT, in schizophrenia. The uncoupling of CBV and CBF could be due to several factors, including antipsychotic medication, loss of cerebral perfusion pressure, or angiogenesis. Further studies need to incorporate several complementary imaging modalities to better characterize hippocampal dysfunction in schizophrenia. PMID:25896442

Dynamical criterion for a marginally unstable, quasi-linear behavior in a two-layer model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ebisuzaki, W.

1988-01-01

A two-layer quasi-geostrophic flow forced by meridional variations in heating can be in regimes ranging from radiative equilibrium to forced geostrophic turbulence. Between these extremes is a regime where the time-mean (zonal) flow is marginally unstable. Using scaling arguments, it is concluded that such a marginally unstable state should occur when a certain parameter, measuring the strength of wave-wave interactions relative to the beta effect and advection by the thermal wind, is small. Numerical simulations support this proposal. A transition from the marginally unstable regime to a more nonlinear regime is then examined through numerical simulations with different radiative forcings. It is found that transition is not caused by secondary instability of waves in the marginally unstable regime. Instead, the time-mean flow can support a number of marginally unstable normal modes. These normal modes interact with each other, and if they are of sufficient amplitude, the flow enters a more nonlinear regime.

Color-coded perfusion analysis of CEUS for pre-interventional diagnosis of microvascularisation in cases of vascular malformations.

PubMed

Teusch, V I; Wohlgemuth, W A; Piehler, A P; Jung, E M

2014-01-01

Aim of our pilot study was the application of a contrast-enhanced color-coded ultrasound perfusion analysis in patients with vascular malformations to quantify microcirculatory alterations. 28 patients (16 female, 12 male, mean age 24.9 years) with high flow (n = 6) or slow-flow (n = 22) malformations were analyzed before intervention. An experienced examiner performed a color-coded Doppler sonography (CCDS) and a Power Doppler as well as a contrast-enhanced ultrasound after intravenous bolus injection of 1 - 2.4 ml of a second-generation ultrasound contrast medium (SonoVue®, Bracco, Milan). The contrast-enhanced examination was documented as a cine sequence over 60 s. The quantitative analysis based on color-coded contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) images included percentage peak enhancement (%peak), time to peak (TTP), area under the curve (AUC), and mean transit time (MTT). No side effects occurred after intravenous contrast injection. The mean %peak in arteriovenous malformations was almost twice as high as in slow-flow-malformations. The area under the curve was 4 times higher in arteriovenous malformations compared to the mean value of other malformations. The mean transit time was 1.4 times higher in high-flow-malformations compared to slow-flow-malformations. There was no difference regarding the time to peak between the different malformation types. The comparison between all vascular malformation and surrounding tissue showed statistically significant differences for all analyzed data (%peak, TTP, AUC, MTT; p < 0.01). High-flow and slow-flow vascular malformations had statistically significant differences in %peak (p < 0.01), AUC analysis (p < 0.01), and MTT (p < 0.05). Color-coded perfusion analysis of CEUS seems to be a promising technique for the dynamic assessment of microvasculature in vascular malformations.

A Framework for Simulating Turbine-Based Combined-Cycle Inlet Mode-Transition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Le, Dzu K.; Vrnak, Daniel R.; Slater, John W.; Hessel, Emil O.

2012-01-01

A simulation framework based on the Memory-Mapped-Files technique was created to operate multiple numerical processes in locked time-steps and send I/O data synchronously across to one-another to simulate system-dynamics. This simulation scheme is currently used to study the complex interactions between inlet flow-dynamics, variable-geometry actuation mechanisms, and flow-controls in the transition from the supersonic to hypersonic conditions and vice-versa. A study of Mode-Transition Control for a high-speed inlet wind-tunnel model with this MMF-based framework is presented to illustrate this scheme and demonstrate its usefulness in simulating supersonic and hypersonic inlet dynamics and controls or other types of complex systems.

Transition to spatiotemporal chaos in a two-dimensional hydrodynamic system.

PubMed

Pirat, Christophe; Naso, Aurore; Meunier, Jean-Louis; Maïssa, Philippe; Mathis, Christian

2005-04-08

We study the transition to spatiotemporal chaos in a two-dimensional hydrodynamic experiment where liquid columns take place in the gravity induced instability of a liquid film. The film is formed below a plane grid which is used as a porous media and is continuously supplied with a controlled flow rate. This system can be either ordered (on a hexagonal structure) or disordered depending on the flow rate. We observe, for the first time in an initially structured state, a subcritical transition to spatiotemporal disorder which arises through spatiotemporal intermittency. Statistics of numbers, creations, and fusions of columns are investigated. We exhibit a critical behavior close to the directed percolation one.

A statistical mechanics approach to computing rare transitions in multi-stable turbulent geophysical flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laurie, J.; Bouchet, F.

2012-04-01

Many turbulent flows undergo sporadic random transitions, after long periods of apparent statistical stationarity. For instance, paths of the Kuroshio [1], the Earth's magnetic field reversal, atmospheric flows [2], MHD experiments [3], 2D turbulence experiments [4,5], 3D flows [6] show this kind of behavior. The understanding of this phenomena is extremely difficult due to the complexity, the large number of degrees of freedom, and the non-equilibrium nature of these turbulent flows. It is however a key issue for many geophysical problems. A straightforward study of these transitions, through a direct numerical simulation of the governing equations, is nearly always impracticable. This is mainly a complexity problem, due to the large number of degrees of freedom involved for genuine turbulent flows, and the extremely long time between two transitions. In this talk, we consider two-dimensional and geostrophic turbulent models, with stochastic forces. We consider regimes where two or more attractors coexist. As an alternative to direct numerical simulation, we propose a non-equilibrium statistical mechanics approach to the computation of this phenomenon. Our strategy is based on large deviation theory [7], derived from a path integral representation of the stochastic process. Among the trajectories connecting two non-equilibrium attractors, we determine the most probable one. Moreover, we also determine the transition rates, and in which cases this most probable trajectory is a typical one. Interestingly, we prove that in the class of models we consider, a mechanism exists for diffusion over sets of connected attractors. For the type of stochastic forces that allows this diffusion, the transition between attractors is not a rare event. It is then very difficult to characterize the flow as bistable. However for another class of stochastic forces, this diffusion mechanism is prevented, and genuine bistability or multi-stability is observed. We discuss how these results are probably connected to the long debated existence of multi-stability in the atmosphere and oceans.

Hemodynamic transition driven by stent porosity in sidewall aneurysms.

PubMed

Bouillot, Pierre; Brina, Olivier; Ouared, Rafik; Lovblad, Karl-Olof; Farhat, Mohamed; Pereira, Vitor Mendes

2015-05-01

The healing process of intracranial aneurysms (IAs) treated with flow diverter stents (FDSs) depends on the IA flow modifications and on the epithelization process over the neck. In sidewall IA models with straight parent artery, two main hemodynamic regimes with different flow patterns and IA flow magnitude were broadly observed for unstented and high porosity stented IA on one side, and low porosity stented IA on the other side. The hemodynamic transition between these two regimes is potentially involved in thrombosis formation. In the present study, CFD simulations and multi-time lag (MTL) particle imaging velocimetry (PIV) measurements were combined to investigate the physical nature of this transition. Measurable velocity fields and non-measurable shear stress and pressure fields were assessed experimentally and numerically in the aneurysm volume in the presence of stents with various porosities. The two main regimes observed in both PIV and CFD showed typical flow features of shear and pressure driven regimes. In particular, the waveform of the averaged IA velocities was matching both the shear stress waveform at IA neck or the pressure gradient waveform in parent artery. Moreover, the transition between the two regimes was controlled by stent porosity: a decrease of stent porosity leads to an increase (decrease) of pressure differential (shear stress) through IA neck. Finally, a good PIV-CFD agreement was found except in transitional regimes and low motion eddies due to small mismatch of PIV-CFD running conditions. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Time Resolved Stereo Particle Image Velocimetry Measurements of the Instabilities Downstream of a Backward-Facing Step in a Swept-Wing Boundary Layer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eppink, Jenna L.; Yao, Chung-Sheng

2017-01-01

Time-resolved particle image velocimetry (TRPIV) measurements are performed down-stream of a swept backward-facing step, with a height of 49% of the boundary-layer thickness. The results agree well qualitatively with previously reported hotwire measurements, though the amplitudes of the fluctuating components measured using TRPIV are higher. Nonetheless, the low-amplitude instabilities in the flow are fairly well resolved using TR- PIV. Proper orthogonal decomposition is used to study the development of the traveling cross flow and Tollmien-Schlichting (TS) instabilities downstream of the step and to study how they interact to form the large velocity spikes that ultimately lead to transition. A secondary mode within the traveling cross flow frequency band develops with a wavelength close to that of the stationary cross flow instability, so that at a certain point in the phase, it causes an increase in the spanwise modulation initially caused by the stationary cross flow mode. This increased modulation leads to an increase in the amplitude of the TS mode, which, itself, is highly modulated through interactions with the stationary cross flow. When the traveling cross flow and TS modes align in time and space, the large velocity spikes occur. Thus, these three instabilities, which are individually of low amplitude when the spikes start to occur (U'rms/Ue <0.03), interact and combine to cause a large flow disturbance that eventually leads to transition.

From medium heterogeneity to flow and transport: A time-domain random walk approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hakoun, V.; Comolli, A.; Dentz, M.

2017-12-01

The prediction of flow and transport processes in heterogeneous porous media is based on the qualitative and quantitative understanding of the interplay between 1) spatial variability of hydraulic conductivity, 2) groundwater flow and 3) solute transport. Using a stochastic modeling approach, we study this interplay through direct numerical simulations of Darcy flow and advective transport in heterogeneous media. First, we study flow in correlated hydraulic permeability fields and shed light on the relationship between the statistics of log-hydraulic conductivity, a medium attribute, and the flow statistics. Second, we determine relationships between Eulerian and Lagrangian velocity statistics, this means, between flow and transport attributes. We show how Lagrangian statistics and thus transport behaviors such as late particle arrival times are influenced by the medium heterogeneity on one hand and the initial particle velocities on the other. We find that equidistantly sampled Lagrangian velocities can be described by a Markov process that evolves on the characteristic heterogeneity length scale. We employ a stochastic relaxation model for the equidistantly sampled particle velocities, which is parametrized by the velocity correlation length. This description results in a time-domain random walk model for the particle motion, whose spatial transitions are characterized by the velocity correlation length and temporal transitions by the particle velocities. This approach relates the statistical medium and flow properties to large scale transport, and allows for conditioning on the initial particle velocities and thus to the medium properties in the injection region. The approach is tested against direct numerical simulations.

A time-accurate finite volume method valid at all flow velocities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, S.-W.

1993-01-01

A finite volume method to solve the Navier-Stokes equations at all flow velocities (e.g., incompressible, subsonic, transonic, supersonic and hypersonic flows) is presented. The numerical method is based on a finite volume method that incorporates a pressure-staggered mesh and an incremental pressure equation for the conservation of mass. Comparison of three generally accepted time-advancing schemes, i.e., Simplified Marker-and-Cell (SMAC), Pressure-Implicit-Splitting of Operators (PISO), and Iterative-Time-Advancing (ITA) scheme, are made by solving a lid-driven polar cavity flow and self-sustained oscillatory flows over circular and square cylinders. Calculated results show that the ITA is the most stable numerically and yields the most accurate results. The SMAC is the most efficient computationally and is as stable as the ITA. It is shown that the PISO is the most weakly convergent and it exhibits an undesirable strong dependence on the time-step size. The degenerated numerical results obtained using the PISO are attributed to its second corrector step that cause the numerical results to deviate further from a divergence free velocity field. The accurate numerical results obtained using the ITA is attributed to its capability to resolve the nonlinearity of the Navier-Stokes equations. The present numerical method that incorporates the ITA is used to solve an unsteady transitional flow over an oscillating airfoil and a chemically reacting flow of hydrogen in a vitiated supersonic airstream. The turbulence fields in these flow cases are described using multiple-time-scale turbulence equations. For the unsteady transitional over an oscillating airfoil, the fluid flow is described using ensemble-averaged Navier-Stokes equations defined on the Lagrangian-Eulerian coordinates. It is shown that the numerical method successfully predicts the large dynamic stall vortex (DSV) and the trailing edge vortex (TEV) that are periodically generated by the oscillating airfoil. The calculated streaklines are in very good comparison with the experimentally obtained smoke picture. The calculated turbulent viscosity contours show that the transition from laminar to turbulent state and the relaminarization occur widely in space as well as in time. The ensemble-averaged velocity profiles are also in good agreement with the measured data and the good comparison indicates that the numerical method as well as the multipletime-scale turbulence equations successfully predict the unsteady transitional turbulence field. The chemical reactions for the hydrogen in the vitiated supersonic airstream are described using 9 chemical species and 48 reaction-steps. Consider that a fast chemistry can not be used to describe the fine details (such as the instability) of chemically reacting flows while a reduced chemical kinetics can not be used confidently due to the uncertainty contained in the reaction mechanisms. However, the use of a detailed finite rate chemistry may make it difficult to obtain a fully converged solution due to the coupling between the large number of flow, turbulence, and chemical equations. The numerical results obtained in the present study are in good agreement with the measured data. The good comparison is attributed to the numerical method that can yield strongly converged results for the reacting flow and to the use of the multiple-time-scale turbulence equations that can accurately describe the mixing of the fuel and the oxidant.

Path Flow Estimation Using Time Varying Coefficient State Space Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jou, Yow-Jen; Lan, Chien-Lun

2009-08-01

The dynamic path flow information is very crucial in the field of transportation operation and management, i.e., dynamic traffic assignment, scheduling plan, and signal timing. Time-dependent path information, which is important in many aspects, is nearly impossible to be obtained. Consequently, researchers have been seeking estimation methods for deriving valuable path flow information from less expensive traffic data, primarily link traffic counts of surveillance systems. This investigation considers a path flow estimation problem involving the time varying coefficient state space model, Gibbs sampler, and Kalman filter. Numerical examples with part of a real network of the Taipei Mass Rapid Transit with real O-D matrices is demonstrated to address the accuracy of proposed model. Results of this study show that this time-varying coefficient state space model is very effective in the estimation of path flow compared to time-invariant model.

Using Dielectric Relaxation Spectroscopy to Characterize the Glass Transition Time of Polydextrose.

PubMed

Buehler, Martin G; Kindle, Michael L; Carter, Brady P

2015-06-01

Dielectric relaxation spectroscopy was used to characterize the glass transition time, tg , of polydextrose, where the glass transition temperature, Tg , and water activity, aw (relative humidity), were held constant during polydextrose relaxation. The tg was determined from a shift in the peak frequency of the imaginary capacitance spectrum with time. It was found that when the peak frequency reaches 30 mHz, polydextrose undergoes glass transition. Glass transition time, tg , is the time for polydextrose to undergo glass transition at a specific Tg and aw . Results lead to a modified state diagram, where Tg is depressed with increasing aw . This curve forms a boundary: (a) below the boundary, polydextrose does not undergo glass transition and (b) above the boundary, polydextrose rapidly undergoes glass transition. As the boundary curve is specified by a tg value, it can assist in the selection of storage conditions. An important point on the boundary curve is at aw = 0, where Tg0 = 115 °C. The methodology can also be used to calculate the stress-relaxation viscosity of polydextrose as a function of Tg and aw , which is important when characterizing the flow properties of polydextrose initially in powder form. © 2015 Institute of Food Technologists®

Communication: A coil-stretch transition in planar elongational flow of an entangled polymeric melt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nafar Sefiddashti, Mohammad H.; Edwards, Brian J.; Khomami, Bamin

2018-04-01

Virtual experimentation of atomistic entangled polyethylene melts undergoing planar elongational flow revealed an amazingly detailed depiction of individual macromolecular dynamics and the resulting effect on bistable configurational states. A clear coil-stretch transition was evident, in much the same form as first envisioned by de Gennes for dilute solutions of high polymers, resulting in an associated hysteresis in the configurational flow profile over the range of strain rates predicted by theory. Simulations conducted at steady state revealed bimodal distribution functions, in which equilibrium configurational states were simultaneously populated by relatively coiled and stretched molecules which could transition from one conformational mode to the other over a relatively long time scale at critical values of strain rates. The implication of such behavior points to a double-well conformational free energy potential with an activation barrier between the two configurational minima.

Quantitative colorectal cancer perfusion measurement using dynamic contrast-enhanced multidetector-row computed tomography: effect of acquisition time and implications for protocols.

PubMed

Goh, Vicky; Halligan, Steve; Hugill, Jo-Ann; Gartner, Louise; Bartram, Clive I

2005-01-01

To determine the effect of acquisition time on quantitative colorectal cancer perfusion measurement. Dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) was performed prospectively in 10 patients with histologically proven colorectal cancer using 4-detector row CT (Lightspeed Plus; GE Healthcare Technologies, Waukesha, WI). Tumor blood flow, blood volume, mean transit time, and permeability were assessed for 3 acquisition times (45, 65, and 130 seconds). Mean values for all 4 perfusion parameters for each acquisition time were compared using the paired t test. Significant differences in permeability values were noted between acquisitions of 45 seconds and 65 and 130 seconds, respectively (P=0.02, P=0.007). There was no significant difference for values of blood volume, blood flow, and mean transit time between any of the acquisition times. Scan acquisitions of 45 seconds are too short for reliable permeability measurement in the abdomen. Longer acquisition times are required.

Partial wetting gas-liquid segmented flow microreactor.

PubMed

Kazemi Oskooei, S Ali; Sinton, David

2010-07-07

A microfluidic reactor strategy for reducing plug-to-plug transport in gas-liquid segmented flow microfluidic reactors is presented. The segmented flow is generated in a wetting portion of the chip that transitions downstream to a partially wetting reaction channel that serves to disconnect the liquid plugs. The resulting residence time distributions show little dependence on channel length, and over 60% narrowing in residence time distribution as compared to an otherwise similar reactor. This partial wetting strategy mitigates a central limitation (plug-to-plug dispersion) while preserving the many attractive features of gas-liquid segmented flow reactors.

Temporal variation of transit time of rainfall-runoff water and groundwater flow dynamics inferred by noble gasses concentration (SF6, CFCs) in a forested small catchment (Fukushima, Japan)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakakibara, Koichi; Tsujimura, Maki; Onda, Yuichi; Iwagami, Sho; Konuma, Ryohei; Sato, Yutaro

2016-04-01

Time variant transit time of water in catchments can fundamentally describe catchment function, controlling rainfall-runoff generation, groundwater flow pathway and water storage. Though rainstorm event has been recognized as active phase on catchment hydrology, accurate and precise time variance of water transit time and related water dynamics during rainstorm have not been well clarified yet. Here, in order to reveal temporal variation of mean transit time of groundwater and related hydrological processes in a forested small catchment during rainstorm event, periodic and intensive field observations (15 - 17th July 2015, rainfall of 100.8 mm in total) were conducted in Yamakiya district (Fukushima, Japan) from September 2014 to December 2015. Discharge volume, groundwater table and precipitation amount were measured in 10 minutes interval. Water samples were taken from groundwater, discharge water, soil water and precipitation for determination of stable isotopic compositions (δ18O, δ2H), inorganic solutes concentration and dissolved noble gasses concentration (CFC11, CFC12, CFC113, SF6) in water. Storm hydrograph and groundwater table clearly responded to rainfall event especially with more than 30 mm per day throughout monitoring period. According to SF6 concentration in water, the mean transit time of discharge water (perennial spring) showed 3 - 6.5 years in the no-rainfall period (steady state), but fluctuated from zero to 12.5 years in the rainstorm event with totally 100.8 mm (unsteady state). The mean transit time of discharge water dramatically altered from zero to 12.5 years from before to after the tentative hydrograph peak in the rising limb, indicating new water components were dominant before tentative hydrograph peak, whereas deep groundwater component with longer residence time contributed much to discharge after the tentative hydrograph peak. On the other hand, mean residence time of groundwater (water in 5 m well) ranged from 0.5 to 11.5 years during the rainstorm event, which followed temporal transit time variation of discharge water. Stable isotopic compositions and chloride ions as conservative tracers presented clear different signals between rainfall and discharge water, and chloride ion concentration in discharge water increased to as high as deeper groundwater (water in 20 m well) just after tentative hydrograph peak in the rising limb. Additionally, CFCs concentration especially in discharge water obviously decreased below the level of current atmospheric CFCs concentration. All of the facts suggest that the contribution of deep groundwater with longer residence time for the discharge water becomes significant at the jumping phase of runoff during intense rainfall, causing dynamic change of groundwater flow system in a catchment.

Shear-induced criticality near a liquid-solid transition of colloidal suspensions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miyama, Masamichi J.; Sasa, Shin-Ichi

2011-02-01

We investigate colloidal suspensions under shear flow through numerical experiments. By measuring the time-correlation function of a bond-orientational order parameter, we find a divergent time scale near a transition point from a disordered fluid phase to an ordered fluid phase, where the order is characterized by a nonzero value of the bond-orientational order parameter. We also present a phase diagram in the (ρ,γ˙ex) plane, where ρ is the density of the colloidal particles and γ˙ex is the shear rate of the solvent. The transition line in the phase diagram terminates at the equilibrium transition point, while a critical region near the transition line vanishes continuously as γ˙ex→0.

A kinetic study of solar wind electrons in the transition region from collision dominated to collisionless flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lie-Svendsen, O.; Leer, E.

1995-01-01

We have studied the evolution of the velocity distribution function of a test population of electrons in the solar corona and inner solar wind region, using a recently developed kinetic model. The model solves the time dependent, linear transport equation, with a Fokker-Planck collision operator to describe Coulomb collisions between the 'test population' and a thermal background of charged particles, using a finite differencing scheme. The model provides information on how non-Maxwellian features develop in the distribution function in the transition region from collision dominated to collisionless flow. By taking moments of the distribution the evolution of higher order moments, such as the heat flow, can be studied.

Boundary Layer Transition in the Leading Edge Region of a Swept Cylinder in High Speed Flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coleman, Colin P.

1998-01-01

Experiments were conducted on a 76 degree swept cylinder to establish the behavior of the attachment line transition process in a low-disturbance level, Mach number 1.6 flow. For a near adiabatic wall condition, the attachment-line boundary layer remained laminar up to the highest attainable Reynolds number. The attachment-line boundary layer transition under the influence of trip wires depended on wind tunnel disturbance level, and a transition onset condition for this flow is established. Internal heating raised the surface temperature of the attachment line to induce boundary layer instabilities. This was demonstrated experimentally for the first time and the frequencies of the most amplified disturbances were determined over a range of temperature settings. Results were in excellent agreement to those predicted by a linear stability code, and provide the first experimental verification of theory. Transition onset along the heated attachment line at an R-bar of 800 under quiet tunnel conditions was found to correlate with an N factor of 13.2. Increased tunnel disturbance levels caused the transition onset to occur at lower cylinder surface temperatures and was found to correlate with an approximate N factor of 1 1.9, so demonstrating that the attachment-line boundary layer is receptive to increases in the tunnel disturbance level.

Implementation of a Transition Model in a NASA Code and Validation Using Heat Transfer Data on a Turbine Blade

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ameri, Ali A.

2012-01-01

The purpose of this report is to summarize and document the work done to enable a NASA CFD code to model laminar-turbulent transition process on an isolated turbine blade. The ultimate purpose of the present work is to down-select a transition model that would allow the flow simulation of a variable speed power turbine to be accurately performed. The flow modeling in its final form will account for the blade row interactions and their effects on transition which would lead to accurate accounting for losses. The present work only concerns itself with steady flows of variable inlet turbulence. The low Reynolds number k- model of Wilcox and a modified version of the same model will be used for modeling of transition on experimentally measured blade pressure and heat transfer. It will be shown that the k- model and its modified variant fail to simulate the transition with any degree of accuracy. A case is thus made for the adoption of more accurate transition models. Three-equation models based on the work of Mayle on Laminar Kinetic Energy were explored. The three-equation model of Walters and Leylek was thought to be in a relatively mature state of development and was implemented in the Glenn-HT code. Two-dimensional heat transfer predictions of flat plate flow and two-dimensional and three-dimensional heat transfer predictions on a turbine blade were performed and reported herein. Surface heat transfer rate serves as sensitive indicator of transition. With the newly implemented model, it was shown that the simulation of transition process is much improved over the baseline k- model for the single Reynolds number and pressure ratio attempted; while agreement with heat transfer data became more satisfactory. Armed with the new transition model, total-pressure losses of computed three-dimensional flow of E3 tip section cascade were compared to the experimental data for a range of incidence angles. The results obtained, form a partial loss bucket for the chosen blade. In time the loss bucket will be populated with losses at additional incidences. Results obtained thus far will be discussed herein.

Correlating non-linear properties with spectral states of RXTE data: possible observational evidences for four different accretion modes around compact objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adegoke, Oluwashina; Dhang, Prasun; Mukhopadhyay, Banibrata; Ramadevi, M. C.; Bhattacharya, Debbijoy

2018-05-01

By analysing the time series of RXTE/PCA data, the non-linear variabilities of compact sources have been repeatedly established. Depending on the variation in temporal classes, compact sources exhibit different non-linear features. Sometimes they show low correlation/fractal dimension, but in other classes or intervals of time they exhibit stochastic nature. This could be because the accretion flow around a compact object is a non-linear general relativistic system involving magnetohydrodynamics. However, the more conventional way of addressing a compact source is the analysis of its spectral state. Therefore, the question arises: What is the connection of non-linearity to the underlying spectral properties of the flow when the non-linear properties are related to the associated transport mechanisms describing the geometry of the flow? This work is aimed at addressing this question. Based on the connection between observed spectral and non-linear (time series) properties of two X-ray binaries: GRS 1915+105 and Sco X-1, we attempt to diagnose the underlying accretion modes of the sources in terms of known accretion classes, namely, Keplerian disc, slim disc, advection dominated accretion flow and general advective accretion flow. We explore the possible transition of the sources from one accretion mode to others with time. We further argue that the accretion rate must play an important role in transition between these modes.

Comparative Dynamics of Retrograde Actin Flow and Focal Adhesions: Formation of Nascent Adhesions Triggers Transition from Fast to Slow Flow

PubMed Central

Alexandrova, Antonina Y.; Arnold, Katya; Schaub, Sébastien; Vasiliev, Jury M.; Meister, Jean-Jacques; Bershadsky, Alexander D.; Verkhovsky, Alexander B.

2008-01-01

Dynamic actin network at the leading edge of the cell is linked to the extracellular matrix through focal adhesions (FAs), and at the same time it undergoes retrograde flow with different dynamics in two distinct zones: the lamellipodium (peripheral zone of fast flow), and the lamellum (zone of slow flow located between the lamellipodium and the cell body). Cell migration involves expansion of both the lamellipodium and the lamellum, as well as formation of new FAs, but it is largely unknown how the position of the boundary between the two flow zones is defined, and how FAs and actin flow mutually influence each other. We investigated dynamic relationship between focal adhesions and the boundary between the two flow zones in spreading cells. Nascent FAs first appeared in the lamellipodium. Within seconds after the formation of new FAs, the rate of actin flow decreased locally, and the lamellipodium/lamellum boundary advanced towards the new FAs. Blocking fast actin flow with cytochalasin D resulted in rapid dissolution of nascent FAs. In the absence of FAs (spreading on poly-L-lysine-coated surfaces) retrograde flow was uniform and the velocity transition was not observed. We conclude that formation of FAs depends on actin dynamics, and in its turn, affects the dynamics of actin flow by triggering transition from fast to slow flow. Extension of the cell edge thus proceeds through a cycle of lamellipodium protrusion, formation of new FAs, advance of the lamellum, and protrusion of the lamellipodium from the new base. PMID:18800171

Two phase flow bifurcation due to turbulence: transition from slugs to bubbles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Górski, Grzegorz; Litak, Grzegorz; Mosdorf, Romuald; Rysak, Andrzej

2015-09-01

The bifurcation of slugs to bubbles within two-phase flow patterns in a minichannel is analyzed. The two-phase flow (water-air) occurring in a circular horizontal minichannel with a diameter of 1 mm is examined. The sequences of light transmission time series recorded by laser-phototransistor sensor is analyzed using recurrence plots and recurrence quantification analysis. Recurrence parameters allow the two-phase flow patterns to be found. On changing the water flow rate we identified partitioning of slugs or aggregation of bubbles.

Numerical Investigation of Vertical Plunging Jet Using a Hybrid Multifluid–VOF Multiphase CFD Solver

DOE PAGES

Shonibare, Olabanji Y.; Wardle, Kent E.

2015-06-28

A novel hybrid multiphase flow solver has been used to conduct simulations of a vertical plunging liquid jet. This solver combines a multifluid methodology with selective interface sharpening to enable simulation of both the initial jet impingement and the long-time entrained bubble plume phenomena. Models are implemented for variable bubble size capturing and dynamic switching of interface sharpened regions to capture transitions between the initially fully segregated flow types into the dispersed bubbly flow regime. It was found that the solver was able to capture the salient features of the flow phenomena under study and areas for quantitative improvement havemore » been explored and identified. In particular, a population balance approach is employed and detailed calibration of the underlying models with experimental data is required to enable quantitative prediction of bubble size and distribution to capture the transition between segregated and dispersed flow types with greater fidelity.« less

Three-dimensional vortex patterns in a starting flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Freymuth, P.; Finaish, F.; Bank, W.

1985-12-01

Freymuth et al. (1983, 1984, 1985) have conducted investigations involving chordwise vortical-pattern visualizations in a starting flow of constant acceleration around an airfoil. Detailed resolution of vortical shapes in two dimensions could be obtained. No visualization in the third spanwise dimension is needed as long as the flow remains two-dimensional. However, some time after flow startup, chordwise vortical patterns become blurred, indicating the onset of turbulence. The present investigation is concerned with an extension of the flow visualization from a chordwise cross section to the spanwise dimension. The investigation has the objective to look into the two-dimensionality of the initial vortical developments and to resolve three-dimensional effects during the transition to turbulence. Attention is given to the visualization method, the chordwise vs spanwise visualization in the two-dimensional regime, the spanwise visualization of transition, and the visualization of vortical patterns behind the trailing edge.

The Evolution of the Seismic-Aseismic Transition During the Earthquake Cycle: Constraints from the Time-Dependent Depth Distribution of Aftershocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rolandone, F.; Bürgmann, R.; Nadeau, R.; Freed, A.

2003-12-01

We have demonstrated that in the aftermath of large earthquakes, the depth extent of aftershocks shows an immediate deepening from pre-earthquake levels, followed by a time-dependent postseismic shallowing. We use these seismic data to constrain the variation of the depth of the seismic-aseismic transition with time throughout the earthquake cycle. Most studies of the seismic-aseismic transition have focussed on the effect of temperature and/or lithology on the transition either from brittle faulting to viscous flow or from unstable to stable sliding. They have shown that the maximum depth of seismic activity is well correlated with the spatial variations of these two parameters. However, little has been done to examine how the maximum depth of seismogenic faulting varies locally, at the scale of a fault segment, during the course of the earthquake cycle. Geologic and laboratory observations indicate that the depth of the seismic-aseismic transition should vary with strain rate and thus change with time throughout the earthquake cycle. We quantify the time-dependent variations in the depth of seismicity on various strike-slip faults in California before and after large earthquakes. We specifically investigate (1) the deepening of the aftershocks relative to the background seismicity, (2) the time constant of the postseismic shallowing of the deepest earthquakes, and (3) the correlation of the time-dependent pattern with the coseismic slip distribution and the expected stress increase. Together with geodetic measurements, these seismological observations form the basis for developing more sophisticated models for the mechanical evolution of strike-slip shear zones during the earthquake cycle. We develop non-linear viscoelastic models, for which the brittle-ductile transition is not fixed, but varies with assumed temperature and calculated stress gradients. We use them to place constraints on strain rate at depth, on time-dependent rheology, and on the partitioning of deformation between brittle faulting and distributed viscous flow associated with the earthquake cycle.

Comparative empirical analysis of flow-weighted transit route networks in R-space and evolution modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Ailing; Zang, Guangzhi; He, Zhengbing; Guan, Wei

2017-05-01

Urban public transit system is a typical mixed complex network with dynamic flow, and its evolution should be a process coupling topological structure with flow dynamics, which has received little attention. This paper presents the R-space to make a comparative empirical analysis on Beijing’s flow-weighted transit route network (TRN) and we found that both the Beijing’s TRNs in the year of 2011 and 2015 exhibit the scale-free properties. As such, we propose an evolution model driven by flow to simulate the development of TRNs with consideration of the passengers’ dynamical behaviors triggered by topological change. The model simulates that the evolution of TRN is an iterative process. At each time step, a certain number of new routes are generated driven by travel demands, which leads to dynamical evolution of new routes’ flow and triggers perturbation in nearby routes that will further impact the next round of opening new routes. We present the theoretical analysis based on the mean-field theory, as well as the numerical simulation for this model. The results obtained agree well with our empirical analysis results, which indicate that our model can simulate the TRN evolution with scale-free properties for distributions of node’s strength and degree. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the global evolutional mechanism of transit network that will be used to exploit planning and design strategies for real TRNs.

Effects of cone surface waviness and freestream noise on transition in supersonic flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morrisette, E. L.; Creel, T. R., Jr.; Chen, F.-J.

1986-01-01

A comparison of transition on wavy-wall and smooth-wall cones in a Mach 3.5 wind tunnel is made under conditions of either low freestream noise (quiet flow) or high freestream noise (noisy flow). The noisy flow compares to that found in conventional wind tunnels while the quiet flow gives transitional Reynolds numbers on smooth sharp cones comparable to those found in flight. The waves were found to have a much smaller effect on transition than similar sized trip wires. A satisfatory correlating parameter for the effect of waves on transition was simply the wave height-to-length ratio. A given value of this ratio was found to cause the same percentage change in transition location in quiet and noisy flows.

3D filling simulation of micro- and nanostructures in comparison to iso- and variothermal injection moulding trials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rytka, C.; Lungershausen, J.; Kristiansen, P. M.; Neyer, A.

2016-06-01

Flow simulations can cut down both costs and time for the development of injection moulded polymer parts with functional surfaces used in life science and optical applications. We simulated the polymer melt flow into 3D micro- and nanostructures with Moldflow and Comsol and compared the results to real iso- and variothermal injection moulding trials below, at and above the transition temperature of the polymer. By adjusting the heat transfer coefficient and the transition temperature in the simulation it was possible to achieve good correlation with experimental findings at different processing conditions (mould temperature, injection velocity) for two polymers, namely polymethylmethacrylate and amorphous polyamide. The macroscopic model can be scaled down in volume and number of elements to save computational time for microstructure simulation and to enable first and foremost the nanostructure simulation, as long as local boundary conditions such as flow front speed are transferred correctly. The heat transfer boundary condition used in Moldflow was further evaluated in Comsol. Results showed that the heat transfer coefficient needs to be increased compared to macroscopic moulding in order to represent interfacial polymer/mould effects correctly. The transition temperature is most important in the packing phase for variothermal injection moulding.

Numerical modeling of the transitional boundary layer over a flat plate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivanov, Dimitry; Chorny, Andrei

2015-11-01

Our example is connected with fundamental research on understanding how an initially laminar boundary layer becomes turbulent. We have chosen the flow over a flat plate as a prototype for boundary-layer flows around bodies. Special attention was paid to the near-wall region in order to capture all levels of the boundary layer. In this study, the numerical software package OpenFOAM has been used in order to solve the flow field. The results were used in a comparative study with data obtained from Large Eddy Simulation (LES). The composite SGS-wall model is presently incorporated into a computer code suitable for the LES of developing flat-plate boundary layers. Presently this model is extended to the LES of the zero-pressure gradient, flat-plate turbulent boundary layer. In current study the time discretization is based on a second order Crank-Nicolson/Adams-Bashforth method. LES solver using Smagorinsky and the one-equation LES turbulence models. The transition models significantly improve the prediction of the onset location compared to the fully turbulent models.LES methods appear to be the most promising new tool for the design and analysis of flow devices including transition regions of the turbulent flow.

Osborne Reynolds pipe flow: direct numerical simulation from laminar to fully-developed turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adrian, R. J.; Wu, X.; Moin, P.; Baltzer, J. R.

2014-11-01

Osborne Reynolds' pipe experiment marked the onset of modern viscous flow research, yet the detailed mechanism carrying the laminar state to fully-developed turbulence has been quite elusive, despite notable progress related to dynamic edge-state theory. Here, we continue our direct numerical simulation study on this problem using a 250R long, spatially-developing pipe configuration with various Reynolds numbers, inflow disturbances, and inlet base flow states. For the inlet base flow, both fully-developed laminar profile and the uniform plug profile are considered. Inlet disturbances consist of rings of turbulence of different width and radial location. In all the six cases examined so far, energy norms show exponential growth with axial distance until transition after an initial decay near the inlet. Skin-friction overshoots the Moody's correlation in most, but not all, the cases. Another common theme is that lambda vortices amplified out of susceptible elements in the inlet disturbances trigger rapidly growing hairpin packets at random locations and times, after which infant turbulent spots appear. Mature turbulent spots in the pipe transition are actually tight concentrations of hairpin packets looking like a hairpin forest. The plug flow inlet profile requires much stronger disturbances to transition than the parabolic profile.

Converging flow joint insert system at an intersection between adjacent transitions extending between a combustor and a turbine assembly in a gas turbine engine

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wiebe, David J.; Carlson, Andrew; Stoker, Kyle C.

A transition duct system for routing a gas flow in a combustion turbine engine is provided. The transition duct system includes one or more converging flow joint inserts forming a trailing edge at an intersection between adjacent transition ducts. The converging flow joint insert may be contained within a converging flow joint insert receiver and may be disconnected from the transition duct bodies by which the converging flow joint insert is positioned. Being disconnected eliminates stress formation within the converging flow joint insert, thereby enhancing the life of the insert. The converging flow joint insert may be removable such thatmore » the insert can be replaced once worn beyond design limits.« less

Vortex reconnection in the K-type transitional channel flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Yaomin; Yang, Yue; Chen, Shiyi

2016-11-01

Vortex reconnection, as the topological change of vortex lines or surfaces, is a critical process in transitional flows, but is challenging to accurately characterize in shear flows. We apply the vortex-surface field (VSF), whose isosurface is the vortex surface consisting of vortex lines, to study vortex reconnection in the K-type temporal transition in channel flow. Based on the VSF, both qualitative visualization and quantitative analysis are used to investigate the reconnection between the hairpin-like vortical structures evolving from the opposite channel halves. The incipient vortex reconnection is characterized by the vanishing minimum distance between a pair of vortex surfaces and the reduction of vorticity flux through the region enclosed by the VSF isolines on the spanwise symmetric plane. In addition, we find that the surge of the wall friction coefficient begins at the identified reconnection time, which is discussed with the induced velocity during reconnection and the Biot-Sarvart law. This work has been supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11522215 and 11521091), and the Thousand Young Talents Program of China.

Multigrid direct numerical simulation of the whole process of flow transition in 3-D boundary layers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Chaoqun; Liu, Zhining

1993-01-01

A new technology was developed in this study which provides a successful numerical simulation of the whole process of flow transition in 3-D boundary layers, including linear growth, secondary instability, breakdown, and transition at relatively low CPU cost. Most other spatial numerical simulations require high CPU cost and blow up at the stage of flow breakdown. A fourth-order finite difference scheme on stretched and staggered grids, a fully implicit time marching technique, a semi-coarsening multigrid based on the so-called approximate line-box relaxation, and a buffer domain for the outflow boundary conditions were all used for high-order accuracy, good stability, and fast convergence. A new fine-coarse-fine grid mapping technique was developed to keep the code running after the laminar flow breaks down. The computational results are in good agreement with linear stability theory, secondary instability theory, and some experiments. The cost for a typical case with 162 x 34 x 34 grid is around 2 CRAY-YMP CPU hours for 10 T-S periods.

Estimation of transit times in a Karst Aquifer system using environmental tracers: Application on the Jeita Aquifer system-Lebanon.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doummar, Joanna; Hamdan, Ahmad

2016-04-01

Estimating transit times is essential for the assessment of aquifer vulnerability to contaminants. Groundwater in karst aquifer is assumed to be relatively young due to fast preferential pathways; slow flow components are present in water stored in the fissured matrix. Furthermore, transit times are site specific as they depend on recharge rates, temperatures, elevation, and flow media; saturated and unsaturated zones. These differences create significant variation in the groundwater age in karst systems as the water sampled will be a mix of different water that has been transported through different flow pathways (fissured matrix and conduits). Several methods can be applied to estimate water transit time of an aquifer such as artificial tracers, which provide an estimate for fast flow velocities. In this study, groundwater residence times in the Jeita spring aquifer (Lebanon) were estimated using several environmental tracers such as Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6), Helium-Tritium (3H, 3H- 3He). Additional stable isotope and major ion analysis was performed to characterize water types. Groundwater samples were collected from six different wells in the Jeita catchment area (Jurassic Kesrouane aquifer) as well as from the spring and cave itself. The results are reproducible for the Tritium-Helium method, unlike for the CFC/SF6 methods that yielded poor results due to sampling problems. Tritium concentrations in all groundwater samples show nearly the same concentration (~2.73 TU) except for one sample with relatively lower tritium concentration (~2.26 TU). Ages ranging from 0.07 ± 0.07 years to 23.59 ± 0.00 years were obtained. The youngest age is attributed to the spring/ cave while the oldest ages were obtained in wells tapping the fissured matrix. Neon in these samples showed considerable variations and high delta Ne in some samples indicating high excess air. Four (4) samples showed extreme excess air (Delta-Ne is greater than 70 %) and the remaining 3 samples have Delta-Ne in the expected range between (10-35%). Moreover Tritium-Helium analysis has showed some radiogenic Helium (4He) in one sample along with lower tritium concentrations signifying a mixture of new groundwater with old groundwater (older than 50 yrs). Furthermore, this study is complemented with published analysis of a series of 26 artificial tracer experiments performed in the Jeita karst system (Doummar, 2012). Transit times calculated from tracer experiments ranged between 3 and 300 hours (12 days). The shortest ones were recorded in the Jeita subsurface conduit. While injections in sinkholes yielded moderate transit times, fissured matrix and unsaturated zone resulted in relatively long ones. In Lebanon this type of spatial groundwater age dating using environmental tracers was not applied to date, to the exception of grab sample analysis. A second round of sampling for Tritium-Helium, CFCs and SF6 analysis will be undertaken under different flow periods in February 2016 to validate the obtained results. References Geyer, T. 2008: Process-based characterization of flow and transport in karst aquifers at catchment scale. Dissertation, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 103 S. Geyer, T., and Doummar, J. 2013. Protection of the Jeita Spring: Bestimmung der mittleren Verweilzeit des Grundwassers im Einzugsgebiet der Jeita Quelle-Libanon. Special report. Protection of the Jeita Spring. Applied Geosciences. Georg August University, Göttingen.

Full-Field Measurements of Self-Excited Oscillations in Momentum-Dominated Helium Jets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yildirim, B. S.; Agrawal, A. K.

2005-01-01

Flow structure of momentum-dominated helium jets discharged vertically into ambient air was investigated using a high-speed rainbow schlieren deflectometry (RSD) apparatus operated at up to 2000 Hz. The operating parameters, i.e., Reynolds number and Richardson number were varied independently to examine the self-excited, flow oscillatory behavior over a range of experimental conditions. Measurements revealed highly periodic oscillations in the laminar region at a unique frequency as well as high regularity in the flow transition and initial turbulent regions. The buoyancy was shown to affect the oscillation frequency and the distance from the jet exit to the flow transition plane. Instantaneous helium concentration contours across the field of view revealed changes in the jet flow structure and the evolution of the vortical structures during an oscillation cycle. A cross-correlation technique was applied to track the vortices and to find their convection velocity. Time-traces of helium concentration at different axial locations provided detailed information about the oscillating flow.

Implementation and Validation of a Laminar-to-Turbulent Transition Model in the Wind-US Code

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Denissen, Nicholas A.; Yoder, Dennis A.; Georgiadis, Nicholas J.

2008-01-01

A bypass transition model has been implemented in the Wind-US Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) solver. The model is based on the Shear Stress Transport (SST) turbulence model and was built starting from a previous SST-based transition model. Several modifications were made to enable (1) consistent solutions regardless of flow field initialization procedure and (2) fully turbulent flow beyond the transition region. This model is intended for flows where bypass transition, in which the transition process is dominated by large freestream disturbances, is the key transition mechanism as opposed to transition dictated by modal growth. Validation of the new transition model is performed for flows ranging from incompressible to hypersonic conditions.

Lithologic and physicochemical properties and hydraulics of flow in and near the freshwater/saline-water transition zone, San Antonio segment of the Edwards aquifer, south-central Texas, based on water-level and borehole geophysical log data, 1999-2007

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lambert, Rebecca B.; Hunt, Andrew G.; Stanton, Gregory P.; Nyman, Michael B.

2010-01-01

The freshwater zone of the San Antonio segment of the Edwards aquifer in south-central Texas (hereinafter, the Edwards aquifer) is bounded to the south and southeast by a zone of transition from freshwater to saline water (hereinafter, the transition zone). The boundary between the two zones is the freshwater/saline-water interface (hereinafter, the interface), defined as the 1,000-milligrams per liter dissolved solids concentration threshold. This report presents the findings of a study, done by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the San Antonio Water System, to obtain lithologic properties (rock properties associated with known stratigraphic units) and physicochemical properties (fluid conductivity and temperature) and to analyze the hydraulics of flow in and near the transition zone of the Edwards aquifer on the basis of water-level and borehole geophysical log data collected from 15 monitoring wells in four transects during 1999-2007. No identifiable relation between conductivity values from geophysical logs in monitoring wells in all transects and equivalent freshwater heads in the wells at the times the logs were run is evident; and no identifiable relation between conductivity values and vertical flow in the boreholes concurrent with the times the logs were run is evident. The direction of the lateral equivalent freshwater head gradient and thus the potential lateral flow at the interface in the vicinity of the East Uvalde transect fluctuates between into and out of the freshwater zone, depending on recharge and withdrawals. Whether the prevailing direction on average is into or out of the freshwater zone is not clearly indicated. Equivalent freshwater head data do not indicate a prevailing direction of the lateral gradient at the interface in the vicinity of the Tri-County transect. The prevailing direction on average of the lateral gradient and thus potential lateral flow at the interface in the vicinity of the Kyle transect likely is from the transition zone into the freshwater zone. The hypothesis regarding the vertical gradient at the East Uvalde transect, and thus the potential for vertical flow near an interface conceptualized as a surface sloping upward in the direction of the dip of the stratigraphic units, is that the potential for vertical flow fluctuates between into and out of the freshwater zone, depending on recharge and withdrawals. At the Tri-County transect, a downward gradient on the fresh-water side of the interface and an upward gradient on the saline-water side are evidence of opposing potentials that appear to have stabilized the position of the interface over the range of hydrologic conditions that occurred at the times the logs were run. At the Fish Hatchery transect, an upward gradient on the saline-water side of the interface, coupled with the assumption of a sloping interface, implies a vertical gradient from the transition zone into the freshwater zone. This potential for vertical movement of the interface apparently was opposed by the potential (head) on the freshwater side of the interface that kept the interface relatively stable over the range of hydrologic conditions during which the logs were run. The five flow logs for Kyle transect freshwater well KY1 all indicate upward flow that originates from the Glen Rose Limestone, the uppermost unit of the Trinity aquifer; and one log for well KY2 shows upward flow entering the borehole from the Trinity aquifer. These flow data constitute evidence of the potential for flow from the Trinity aquifer into the Edwards aquifer in the vicinity of the Kyle transect. Subsurface temperature data indicate that flow on average is more active, or vigorous, on the freshwater side of the interface than on the saline-water side. A hydraulic connection between the transition zone and the freshwater zone is indicated by similar patterns in the hydrographs of the 15 transect monitoring wells in and near the transition zone and three county index wel

Laser transit anemometer measurements on a slender cone in the Langley unitary plan wind tunnel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Humphreys, William M., Jr.; Hunter, William W., Jr.; Covell, Peter F.; Nichols, Cecil E., Jr.

1990-01-01

A laser transit anemometer (LTA) system was used to probe the boundary layer on a slender (5 degree half angle) cone model in the Langley unitary plan wind tunnel. The anemometer system utilized a pair of laser beams with a diameter of 40 micrometers spaced 1230 micrometers apart to measure the transit times of ensembles of seeding particles using a cross-correlation technique. From these measurements, boundary layer profiles around the model were constructed and compared with CFD calculations. The measured boundary layer profiles representing the boundary layer velocity normalized to the edge velocity as a function of height above the model surface were collected with the model at zero angle of attack for four different flow conditions, and were collected in a vertical plane that bisected the model's longitudinal center line at a location 635 mm from the tip of the forebody cone. The results indicate an excellent ability of the LTA system to make velocity measurements deep into the boundary layer. However, because of disturbances in the flow field caused by onboard seeding, premature transition occurred implying that upstream seeding is mandatory if model flow field integrity is to be maintained. A description and results of the flow field surveys are presented.

Observations of instability, hysteresis, and oscillation in low-Reynolds-number flow past polymer gels.

PubMed

Eggert, Matthew D; Kumar, Satish

2004-10-01

We perform a set of experiments to study the nonlinear nature of an instability that arises in low-Reynolds-number flow past polymer gels. A layer of a viscous liquid is placed on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) gel in a parallel-plate rheometer which is operated in stress-controlled mode. As the shear stress on the top plate increases, the apparent viscosity stays relatively constant until a transition stress where it sharply increases. If the stress is held at a level slightly above the transition stress, the apparent viscosity oscillates with time. If the stress is increased to a value above the transition stress and then decreased back to zero, the apparent viscosity shows hysteretic behavior. If the stress is instead decreased to a constant value and held there, the apparent viscosity is different from its pretransition value and exhibits sustained oscillations. This can happen even if the stress is held at values below the transition stress. Our observations suggest that the instability studied here is subcritical and leads to a flow that is oscillatory and far from viscometric. The phenomena reported here may be useful in applications such as microfluidics, membrane separations, and polymer processing. They may also provide insight into the rheological behavior of complex fluids that undergo flow-induced gelation.

Free-stream turbulence and concave curvature effects on heated, transitional boundary layers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, J.; Simon, T. W.

1991-01-01

An experimental investigation of the transition process on flat-plate and concave curved-wall boundary layers for various free-stream turbulence levels was performed. Results show that for transition of a flat-plate, the two forms of boundary layer behavior, identified as laminar-like and turbulent-like, cannot be thought of as separate Blasius and fully-turbulent profiles, respectively. Thus, simple transition models in which the desired quantity is assumed to be an average, weighted on intermittency, of the theoretical laminar and fully turbulent values is not expected to be successful. Deviation of the flow identified as laminar-like from theoretical laminar behavior is shown to be due to recovery after the passage of a turbulent spot, while deviation of the flow identified as turbulent-like from the full-turbulent values is thought to be due to incomplete establishment of the fully-turbulent power spectral distribution. Turbulent Prandtl numbers for the transitional flow, computed from measured shear stress, turbulent heat flux and mean velocity and temperature profiles, were less than unity. For the curved-wall case with low free-stream turbulence intensity, the existence of Gortler vortices on the concave wall within both laminar and turbulent flows was established using liquid crystal visualization and spanwise velocity and temperature traverses. Transition was found to occur via a vortex breakdown mode. The vortex wavelength was quite irregular in both the laminar and turbulent flows, but the vortices were stable in time and space. The upwash was found to be more unstable, with higher levels of u' and u'v', and lower skin friction coefficients and shape factors. Turbulent Prandtl numbers, measured using a triple-wire probe, were found to be near unity for all post-transitional profiles, indicating no gross violation of Reynolds analogy. No evidence of streamwise vortices was seen in the high turbulence intensity case.

Communication: State-to-state dynamics of the Cl + H2O → HCl + OH reaction: Energy flow into reaction coordinate and transition-state control of product energy disposal.

PubMed

Zhao, Bin; Sun, Zhigang; Guo, Hua

2015-06-28

Quantum state-to-state dynamics of a prototypical four-atom reaction, namely, Cl + H2O → HCl + OH, is investigated for the first time in full dimensionality using a transition-state wave packet method. The state-to-state reactivity and its dependence on the reactant internal excitations are analyzed and found to share many similarities both energetically and dynamically with the H + H2O → H2 + OH reaction. The strong enhancement of reactivity by the H2O stretching vibrational excitations in both reactions is attributed to the favorable energy flow into the reaction coordinate near the transition state. On the other hand, the insensitivity of the product state distributions with regard to reactant internal excitation stems apparently from the transition-state control of product energy disposal.

Flow transition with 2-D roughness elements in a 3-D channel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Zhining; Liu, Chaoquin; Mccormick, Stephen F.

1993-01-01

We develop a new numerical approach to study the spatially evolving instability of the streamwise dominant flow in the presence of roughness elements. The difficulty in handling the flow over the boundary surface with general geometry is removed by using a new conservative form of the governing equations and an analytical mapping. The numerical scheme uses second-order backward Euler in time, fourth-order central differences in all three spatial directions, and boundary-fitted staggered grids. A three-dimensional channel with multiple two-dimensional-type roughness elements is employed as the test case. Fourier analysis is used to decompose different Fourier modes of the disturbance. The results show that surface roughness leads to transition at lower Reynolds number than for smooth channels.

Combustion Diagnostic Development and Application. Volume 2

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-11-01

diffusion flames in co- flowing air are experimentally determined . The fuel gases are methane and propane. The inert gases are helium argon and nitrogen. The...at one instant of time. The flame is not intentionally forced either experimentally or computationally. The computational flow field is illuminated via...by buoyant forces . At low and transitional fuel flow rates, the rotation of these outside vortices create a dynamic bulging motion in the flame surface

Transition from large-scale to small-scale dynamo.

PubMed

Ponty, Y; Plunian, F

2011-04-15

The dynamo equations are solved numerically with a helical forcing corresponding to the Roberts flow. In the fully turbulent regime the flow behaves as a Roberts flow on long time scales, plus turbulent fluctuations at short time scales. The dynamo onset is controlled by the long time scales of the flow, in agreement with the former Karlsruhe experimental results. The dynamo mechanism is governed by a generalized α effect, which includes both the usual α effect and turbulent diffusion, plus all higher order effects. Beyond the onset we find that this generalized α effect scales as O(Rm(-1)), suggesting the takeover of small-scale dynamo action. This is confirmed by simulations in which dynamo occurs even if the large-scale field is artificially suppressed.

Spot Radiative Ignition and Subsequent Three Dimensional Flame Spread Over Thin Cellulose Fuels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Olson, Sandra L.; Kashiwagi, T.; Kikuchi, M.; Fujita, O.; Ito, K.

1999-01-01

Spontaneous radiative ignition and transition to flame spread over thin cellulose fuel samples was studied aboard the USMP-3 STS-75 Space Shuttle mission, and in three test series in the 10 second Japan Microgravity Center (JAMIC). A focused beam from a tungsten/halogen lamp was used to ignite the center of the fuel sample while an external air flow was varied from 0 to 10 cm/s. Non-piloted radiative ignition of the paper was found to occur more easily in microgravity than in normal gravity. Ignition of the sample was achieved under all conditions studied (shuttle cabin air, 21%-50% O2 in JAMIC), with transition to flame spread occurring for all but the lowest oxygen and flow conditions. While radiative ignition in a quiescent atmosphere was achieved, the flame quickly extinguished in air. The ignition delay time was proportional to the gas-phase mixing time, which is estimated using the inverse flow rate. The ignition delay was a much stronger function of flow at lower oxygen concentrations. After ignition, the flame initially spread only upstream, in a fan-shaped pattern. The fan angle increased with increasing external flow and oxygen concentration from zero angle (tunneling flame spread) at the limiting 0.5 cm/s external air flow, to 90 degrees (semicircular flame spread) for external flows at and above 5 cm/s, and higher oxygen concentrations. The fan angle was shown to be directly related to the limiting air flow velocity. Despite the convective heating from the upstream flame, the downstream flame was inhibited due to the 'oxygen shadow' of the upstream flame for the air flow conditions studied. Downstream flame spread rates in air, measured after upstream flame spread was complete and extinguished, were slower than upstream flame spread rates at the same flow. The quench regime for the transition to flame spread was skewed toward the downstream, due to the augmenting role of diffusion for opposed flow flame spread, versus the canceling effect of diffusion at very low cocurrent flows.

Minnowbrook IV: 2003 Workshop on Transition and Unsteady Aspects of Turbomachinery Flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

LaGraff, John E. (Editor); Ashpis, David E.

2004-01-01

This Minnowbrook IV 2003 workshop on Transition and Unsteady Aspects of Turbomachinery Flows includes the following topics: 1) Current Issues in Unsteady Turbomachinery Flows; 2) Global Instability and Control of Low-Pressure Turbine Flows; 3) Influence of End Wall Leakage on Secondary Flow Development in Axial Turbines; 4) Active and Passive Flow Control on Low Pressure Turbine Airfoils; 5) Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Transitional Flows as Affected by Passing Wakes; 6) Effects of Freestream Turbulence on Turbine Blade Heat Transfer; 7) Bypass Transition Via Continuous Modes and Unsteady Effects on Film Cooling; 8) High Frequency Surface Heat Flux Imaging of Bypass Transition; 9) Skin Friction and Heat Flux Oscillations in Upstream Moving Wave Packets; 10) Transition Mechanisms and Use of Surface Roughness to Enhance the Benefits of Wake Passing in LP Turbines; 11) Transient Growth Approach to Roughness-Induced Transition; 12) Roughness- and Freestream-Turbulence-Induced Transient Growth as a Bypass Transition Mechanism; 13) Receptivity Calculations as a Means to Predicting Transition; 14) On Streamwise Vortices in a Curved Wall Jet and Their Effect on the Mean Flow; 15) Plasma Actuators for Separation Control of Low Pressure Turbine Blades; 16) Boundary-Layer Separation Control Under Low-Pressure-Turbine Conditions Using Glow-Discharge Plasma Actuators; 17) Control of Separation for Low Pressure Turbine Blades: Numerical Simulation; 18) Effects of Elevated Free-Stream Turbulence on Active Control of a Separation Bubble; 19) Wakes, Calming and Transition Under Strong Adverse Pressure Gradients; 20) Transitional Bubble in Periodic Flow Phase Shift; 21) Modelling Spots: The Calmed Region, Pressure Gradient Effects and Background; 22) Modeling of Unsteady Transitional Flow on Axial Compressor Blades; 23) Challenges in Predicting Component Efficiencies in Turbomachines With Low Reynolds Number Blading; 24) Observations on the Causal Relationship Between Blade Count and Developing Rotating Stall in a Four Stage Axial Compressor; 25) Experimental and Numerical Study of Non-Linear Interactions in Transonic Nozzle Flow; 26) Clocking Effects on a Modern Stage and One-Half Transonic Turbine; 27) DNS and LES of Transition on Turbine Blades; 28) The Use of Cellular Automata in Modeling the Transition; 29) Predicting Unsteady Buffet Onset Using RANS Solutions; 30) Transition Modelling With the SST Turbulence Model and an Intermittency Transport; and 31) Equation Workshop Summary Transcript

Method to measure efficiently rare fluctuations of turbulence intensity for turbulent-laminar transitions in pipe flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nemoto, Takahiro; Alexakis, Alexandros

2018-02-01

The fluctuations of turbulence intensity in a pipe flow around the critical Reynolds number is difficult to study but important because they are related to turbulent-laminar transitions. We here propose a rare-event sampling method to study such fluctuations in order to measure the time scale of the transition efficiently. The method is composed of two parts: (i) the measurement of typical fluctuations (the bulk part of an accumulative probability function) and (ii) the measurement of rare fluctuations (the tail part of the probability function) by employing dynamics where a feedback control of the Reynolds number is implemented. We apply this method to a chaotic model of turbulent puffs proposed by Barkley and confirm that the time scale of turbulence decay increases super exponentially even for high Reynolds numbers up to Re =2500 , where getting enough statistics by brute-force calculations is difficult. The method uses a simple procedure of changing Reynolds number that can be applied even to experiments.

The use of transition region characteristics to improve the numerical simulation of heat transfer in bypass transitional flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simon, Frederick F.

1993-01-01

A method is presented for improving the numerical prediction of bypass transition heat transfer on a flat plate in a high-disturbance environment with zero or favorable pressure gradient. The method utilizes low Reynolds number k-epsilon turbulence models in combination with the characteristic parameters of the transition region. The parameters representing the characteristics of the transition region used are the intermittency, transition length and turbulent spot properties. An analysis is made of the transition length in terms of turbulent spot variables. The nondimensional spot formation rate, required for the prediction of the transition length, is shown by the analysis to be a function of the spot spreading angle, the dimensionless spot velocity ratio and the dimensionless spot area ratio. The intermittency form of the k-epsilon equations were derived from conditionally averaged equations which have been shown to be an improvement over global-time-averaged equations for the numerical calculation of the transition region. The numerical predictions are in general good agreement with the experimental data and indicate the potential use of the method in accelerating flows. Turbulence models of the k-epsilon type are known to underpredict the transition length. The present work demonstrates how incorporating transition region characteristics improves the ability of two-equation turbulence models to simulate bypass transition for flat plates with potential application to turbine vanes and blades.

Analysis of transit time flow of the right internal thoracic artery anastomosed to the left anterior descending artery compared to the left internal thoracic artery

PubMed Central

Milani, Rodrigo; de Moraes, Daniela; Sanches, Aline; Jardim, Rodrigo; Lumikoski, Thais; Miotto, Gabriela; Santana, Vitor Hugo; Brofman, Paulo Roberto

2014-01-01

Introduction We evaluated with transit time flow the performance of the right and left thoracic arteries when used as a graft for the left anterior descending artery. Methods Fifty patients undergoing surgery for myocardial revascularization without cardiopulmonary bypass were divided into two groups. In group A patients received graft of right internal mammary artery to the anterior interventricular branch. In group B patients received graft of left internal mammary artery to the same branch. At the end of the operation the flow was assessed by measuring transit time. Results In group A, mean age was 60.6±9.49 years. The average height and weight of the group was 80.4±10.32 kg and 169.2±6.86 cm. The average number of grafts per patient in this group was 3.28±1.49. The mean flow and distal resistance obtained in right internal thoracic artery was 42.1±23.4 ml/min and 2.8±0.9 respectively. In group B, the mean age was 59.8±9.7 years. The average height and weight of this group was 77.7±14.22 kg and 166.0±8.2 cm. The average number of grafts per patient in this group was 3.08 ±0.82. The mean flow and distal resistance observed in this group was 34.2±19.1 ml/min and 2.0±0.7. There were no deaths in this series. Conclusion Right internal mammary artery presented a similar behavior to left internal mammary artery when anastomosed to the anterior interventricular branch of the left coronary artery. There was no statistical difference between the measured flow obtained between both arteries. PMID:25140463

Disruption of a cyclonic eddy circulation by wind stress in Prince William Sound, Alaska

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Halverson, Mark J.; Carter Ohlmann, J.; Johnson, Mark A.; Scott Pegau, W.

2013-07-01

Oceanographic observations made during the Sound Predictions 2009 field experiment in Prince William Sound, Alaska, have documented rapid changes in the upper water column (0-40m) circulation. An assortment of drifting buoys, sampling four different depths, and HF radar surface current mapping, revealed three modes of circulation: anticyclonic, open cyclonic, and closed cyclonic. Each mode was observed at least once within an 18-day window, and the transition between them took as little as a day. Time-resolved hydrographic measurements show that the mass field was variable, but generally arranged such that the surface geostrophic flow should be in a closed-core cyclonic eddy configuration. Observations show that the mass field was likely influenced by relatively low salinity water flowing into Prince William Sound from the shelf, and from local freshwater input. We quantitatively examine why a closed-core circulation was not always observed by focusing on the transition between the closed and open cyclonic flow patterns. The western region of the central sound is a key area for this transition. Here, the high-frequency radar revealed that the closed circulation was established when the net flow shifted direction from northward to southward. A detailed comparison of the meridional geostrophic and wind-driven flows, using measured winds and hydrographic data from CTD profiles and two autonomous vehicles, shows that the geostrophic flow was mostly southward while the wind-driven flow was mostly northward. A net southward flow can be caused by a decrease in the northward wind-driven flow or an increase in the southward geostrophic flow.

Fragmentation mechanisms of confined co-flowing capillary threads revealed by active flow focusing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robert de Saint Vincent, Matthieu; Delville, Jean-Pierre

2016-08-01

The control over stationary liquid thread fragmentation in confined co-flows is a key issue for the processing and transport of fluids in (micro-)ducts. Confinement indeed strongly enhances the stability of capillary threads, and also induces steric and hydrodynamic feedback effects on diphasic flows. We investigate the thread-to-droplet transition within the confined environment of a microchannel by using optocapillarity, i.e., interface stresses driven by light, as a wall-free constriction to locally flow focus stable threads in a tunable way, pinch them, and force their fragmentation. Above some flow-dependent onset in optical forcing, we observe a dynamic transition alternating between continuous (thread) and fragmented (droplets) states and show a surprisingly gradual thread-to-droplet transition when increasing the amplitude of the thread constriction. This transition is interpreted as an evolution from a convective to an absolute instability. Depending on the forcing amplitude, we then identify and characterize several stable fragmented regimes of single and multiple droplet periodicity (up to period-8). These droplet regimes build a robust flow-independent bifurcation diagram that eventually closes up, due to the flow confinement, to a monodisperse droplet size, independent of the forcing and close to the most unstable mode expected from the Rayleigh-Plateau instability. This fixed monodispersity can be circumvented by temporally modulating the optocapillary coupling, as we show that fragmentation can then occur either by triggering again the Rayleigh-Plateau instability when the largest excitable wavelength is larger than that of the most unstable mode, or as a pure consequence of a sufficiently strong optocapillary pinching. When properly adjusted, this modulation allows us to avoid the transient reforming and multidisperse regimes, and thereby to reversibly produce stable monodisperse droplet trains of controlled size. By actuating local flow focusing in time and amplitude, optocapillarity thus proves to be an efficient way to characterize and understand the thread-to-droplet transition in microchannels and to advance channel constriction strategies for the production of tunable monodisperse droplets when the overall confinement is important.

Direct Numerical Simulation of Transition in a Swept-Wing Boundary Layer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Duan, Lian; Choudhari, Meelan M.; Li, Fei

2013-01-01

Direct numerical simulation (DNS) is performed to examine laminar to turbulent transition due to high-frequency secondary instability of stationary crossflow vortices in a subsonic swept-wing boundary layer for a realistic natural-laminar-flow airfoil configuration. The secondary instability is introduced via inflow forcing derived from a two-dimensional, partial-differential-equation based eigenvalue computation; and the mode selected for forcing corresponds to the most amplified secondary instability mode which, in this case, derives a majority of its growth from energy production mechanisms associated with the wall-normal shear of the stationary basic state. Both the growth of the secondary instability wave and the resulting onset of laminar-turbulent transition are captured within the DNS computations. The growth of the secondary instability wave in the DNS solution compares well with linear secondary instability theory when the amplitude is small; the linear growth is followed by a region of reduced growth resulting from nonlinear effects before an explosive onset of laminar breakdown to turbulence. The peak fluctuations are concentrated near the boundary layer edge during the initial stage of transition, but rapidly propagates towards the surface during the process of laminar breakdown. Both time-averaged statistics and flow visualization based on the DNS reveal a sawtooth transition pattern that is analogous to previously documented surface flow visualizations of transition due to stationary crossflow instability. The memory of the stationary crossflow vortex is found to persist through the transition zone and well beyond the location of the maximum skin friction.

Investigating chaotic wake dynamics past a flapping airfoil and the role of vortex interactions behind the chaotic transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bose, Chandan; Sarkar, Sunetra

2018-04-01

The present study investigates the complex vortex interactions in two-dimensional flow-field behind a symmetric NACA0012 airfoil undergoing a prescribed periodic pitching-plunging motion in low Reynolds number regime. The flow-field transitions from periodic to chaotic through a quasi-periodic route as the plunge amplitude is gradually increased. This study unravels the role of the complex interactions that take place among the main vortex structures in making the unsteady flow-field transition from periodicity to chaos. The leading-edge separation plays a key role in providing the very first trigger for aperiodicity. Subsequent mechanisms like shredding, merging, splitting, and collision of vortices in the near-field that propagate and sustain the disturbance have also been followed and presented. These fundamental mechanisms are seen to give rise to spontaneous and irregular formation of new vortex couples at arbitrary locations, which are the primary agencies for sustaining chaos in the flow-field. The interactions have been studied for each dynamical state to understand the course of transition in the flow-field. The qualitative changes observed in the flow-field are manifestation of changes in the underlying dynamical system. The overall dynamics are established in the present study by means of robust quantitative measures derived from classical and non-classical tools from the dynamical system theory. As the present analysis involves a high fidelity multi-unknown system, non-classical dynamical tools such as recurrence-based time series methods are seen to be very efficient. Moreover, their application is novel in the context of pitch-plunge flapping flight.

Numerical study of transitional flow in fractures: the role of roughness on the road to turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Linga, G.; Mathiesen, J.

2017-12-01

In aquifers and petroleum reservoirs, fractures are ubiquitous, and the majority of the fluid transport in such systems often occurs through fracture networks. Knowledge of the flow properties in the single fractures that together form the networks is hence necessary for safe operation downhole. Non-linear, high-velocity flow in such systems is of particular importance for geothermics, since turbulent mixing is known to increase heat conduction by several orders of magnitude. This is of importance both in terms of storing and recovering heat from aquifers. On the other hand, flow in rough fractures is interesting from a turbulence perspective. The onset of turbulence in pipes and channels is a phenomenon that historically has received broad attention since the early experiments by Reynolds, and only during the last decades, the phenomenon is beginning to be fully understood. However, in the presence of roughness, much less is known. In this work, we present comprehensive numerical simulations of flow in synthetic rough channels, representing single fracture joints. Using the finite element method, we solve the full-fledged, time-dependent Navier-Stokes equations for flow in the channels, from laminar flow, through transitional, to turbulent flow. We link the descriptions of microscopic to macroscopic properties, using geometric properties such as effective aperture, paying particular attention to the role of inertia and roughness for the transport properties of the channels. Finally, we discuss implications of our study for the transition to turbulence in the presence of roughness.

Heat Transfer Computations of Internal Duct Flows With Combined Hydraulic and Thermal Developing Length

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, C. R.; Towne, C. E.; Hippensteele, S. A.; Poinsatte, P. E.

1997-01-01

This study investigated the Navier-Stokes computations of the surface heat transfer coefficients of a transition duct flow. A transition duct from an axisymmetric cross section to a non-axisymmetric cross section, is usually used to connect the turbine exit to the nozzle. As the gas turbine inlet temperature increases, the transition duct is subjected to the high temperature at the gas turbine exit. The transition duct flow has combined development of hydraulic and thermal entry length. The design of the transition duct required accurate surface heat transfer coefficients. The Navier-Stokes computational method could be used to predict the surface heat transfer coefficients of a transition duct flow. The Proteus three-dimensional Navier-Stokes numerical computational code was used in this study. The code was first studied for the computations of the turbulent developing flow properties within a circular duct and a square duct. The code was then used to compute the turbulent flow properties of a transition duct flow. The computational results of the surface pressure, the skin friction factor, and the surface heat transfer coefficient were described and compared with their values obtained from theoretical analyses or experiments. The comparison showed that the Navier-Stokes computation could predict approximately the surface heat transfer coefficients of a transition duct flow.

Transition to turbulence under low-pressure turbine conditions.

PubMed

Simon, T W; Kaszeta, R W

2001-05-01

In this paper, the topic of laminar to turbulent flow transition, as applied to the design of gas turbines, is discussed. Transition comes about when a flow becomes sufficiently unstable that the orderly vorticity structure of the laminar layer becomes randomly oriented. Vorticity with a streamwise component leads to rapid growth of eddies of a wide range of sizes and eventually to turbulent flow. Under "natural" transition, infinitesimal disturbances of selected frequencies grow. "Bypass transition" is a term coined to describe a similar process, but one driven by strong external disturbances. Transition proceeds so rapidly that the processes associated with "natural" transition seem to be "bypassed." Because the flow environment in the turbine is disturbed by wakes from upstream airfoils, eddies from combustor flows, jets from film cooling, separation zones on upstream airfoils and steps in the duct walls, transition is of the bypass mode. In this paper, we discuss work that has been done to characterize and model bypass transition, as applied to the turbine environment.

Comparison of turbulence in a transitional boundary layer to turbulence in a developed boundary layer*

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, G. I.; Wallace, J.; Wu, X.; Moin, P.

2010-11-01

Using a recent DNS of a flat-plate boundary layer, statistics of turbulence in transition at Reθ= 500 where spots merge (distributions of the mean velocity, rms velocity and vorticity fluctuations, Reynolds shear stress, kinetic energy production and dissipation rates and enstrophy) have been compared to these statistics for the developed boundary layer turbulence at Reθ= 1850. When the distributions in the transitional region, determined in narrow planes 0.03 Reθ wide, exclude regions and times when the flow is not turbulent, they closely resemble those in the developed turbulent state at the higher Reynolds number, especially in the buffer and sublayers. The skin friction coefficient, determined in this conditional manner in the transitional flow is, of course, much larger than that obtained by including both turbulent and non-turbulent information there, and is consistent with a value obtained by extrapolating from the developed turbulent region. We are attempting to perform this data analysis even further upstream in the transitioning flow at Reθ= 300 where the turbulent spots are individuated. These results add further evidence to support the view that the structure of a developed turbulent boundary layer is little different from its structure in its embryonic form in turbulent spots. *CTR 2010 Summer Program research.

MHz-rate nitric oxide planar laser-induced fluorescence imaging in a Mach 10 hypersonic wind tunnel.

PubMed

Jiang, Naibo; Webster, Matthew; Lempert, Walter R; Miller, Joseph D; Meyer, Terrence R; Ivey, Christopher B; Danehy, Paul M

2011-02-01

Nitric oxide planar laser-induced fluorescence (NO PLIF) imaging at repetition rates as high as 1 MHz is demonstrated in the NASA Langley 31 in. Mach 10 hypersonic wind tunnel. Approximately 200 time-correlated image sequences of between 10 and 20 individual frames were obtained over eight days of wind tunnel testing spanning two entries in March and September of 2009. The image sequences presented were obtained from the boundary layer of a 20° flat plate model, in which transition was induced using a variety of different shaped protuberances, including a cylinder and a triangle. The high-speed image sequences captured a variety of laminar and transitional flow phenomena, ranging from mostly laminar flow, typically at a lower Reynolds number and/or in the near wall region of the model, to highly transitional flow in which the temporal evolution and progression of characteristic streak instabilities and/or corkscrew-shaped vortices could be clearly identified.

Vortex flow hysteresis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cunningham, A. M., Jr.

1986-01-01

An experimental study was conducted to quantify the hysteresis associated with various vortex flow transition points and to determine the effect of planform geometry. The transition points observed consisted of the appearance (or disappearance) of trailing edge vortex burst and the transition to (or from) flat plate or totally separated flows. Flow visualization with smoke injected into the vortices was used to identify the transitions on a series of semi-span models tested in a low speed tunnel. The planforms tested included simple deltas (55 deg to 80 deg sweep), cranked wings with varying tip panel sweep and dihedral, and a straked wing. High speed movies at 1000 frames per second were made of the vortex flow visualization in order to better understand the dynamics of vortex flow, burst and transition.

Converging flow joint insert system at an intersection between adjacent transitions extending between a combustor and a turbine assembly in a gas turbine engine

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brooks, Robert T.

A transition duct system (100) for routing a gas flow from a combustor (102) to the first stage (104) of a turbine section (106) in a combustion turbine engine (108), wherein the transition duct system (100) includes one or more converging flow joint inserts (120) forming a trailing edge (122) at an intersection (124) between adjacent transition ducts (126, 128) is disclosed. The transition duct system (100) may include a transition duct (126, 128) having an internal passage (130) extending between an inlet (132, 184) to an outlet (134, 186) and may expel gases into the first stage turbine (104)more » with a tangential component. The converging flow joint insert (120) may be contained within a converging flow joint insert receiver (136) and disconnected from the transition duct bodies (126, 128) by which the converging flow joint insert (120) is positioned. Being disconnected eliminates stress formation within the converging flow joint insert (120), thereby enhancing the life of the insert. The converging flow joint insert (120) may be removable such that the insert (120) can be replaced once worn beyond design limits.« less

Mimicking Natural Laminar to Turbulent Flow Transition: A Systematic CFD Study Using PAB3D

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pao, S. Paul; Abdol-Hamid, Khaled S.

2005-01-01

For applied aerodynamic computations using a general purpose Navier-Stokes code, the common practice of treating laminar to turbulent flow transition over a non-slip surface is somewhat arbitrary by either treating the entire flow as turbulent or forcing the flow to undergo transition at given trip locations in the computational domain. In this study, the possibility of using the PAB3D code, standard k-epsilon turbulence model, and the Girimaji explicit algebraic stresses model to mimic natural laminar to turbulent flow transition was explored. The sensitivity of flow transition with respect to two limiters in the standard k-epsilon turbulence model was examined using a flat plate and a 6:1 aspect ratio prolate spheroid for our computations. For the flat plate, a systematic dependence of transition Reynolds number on background turbulence intensity was found. For the prolate spheroid, the transition patterns in the three-dimensional boundary layer at different flow conditions were sensitive to the free stream turbulence viscosity limit, the reference Reynolds number and the angle of attack, but not to background turbulence intensity below a certain threshold value. The computed results showed encouraging agreements with the experimental measurements at the corresponding geometry and flow conditions.

Water-tunnel study of transition flow around circular cylinders

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Almosnino, D.; Mcalister, K. W.

1984-01-01

The recently reported phenomenon of asymmetric flow separation from a circular cylinder in the critical Reynolds number regime has been confirmed in a water-tunnel experiment. For the first time, an attempt was made to visualize the wake of the cylinder during the transition from subcritical to critical flow and to correlate the visualizations with lift and drag measurements. The occurrence of a dominant asymmetric-flow state was quite repeatable, both when increasing and decreasing the Reynolds number, resulting in a mean lift coefficient of C sub L approx 1.2 and a shift in the angle of the wake by about 12 deg. A distinctive step change in the drag and shedding frequency was also found to occur. A hysteresis was confirmed to exist in this region as the Reynolds number was cycled over the transition range. Both boundaries of the asymmetry appear to be supercritical bifurcations in the flow. The asymmetry was normally steady in the mean; however, there were instances when the direction of the asymmetry reversed and remained so for the duration of the Reynolds number sweep through this transition region. A second asymmetry was observed at a higher Reynolds number; however, the mean lift coefficient was much lower, and the direction of the asymmetry was not observed to reverse. Introducing a small local disturbance into the boundary layer was found to prevent the critical asymmetry from developing along the entire span of the cylinder.

Flow patterns and transition characteristics for steam condensation in silicon microchannels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Xuehu; Fan, Xiaoguang; Lan, Zhong; Hao, Tingting

2011-07-01

This study investigated the two-phase flow patterns and transition characteristics for steam condensation in silicon microchannels with different cross-sectional geometries. Novel experimental techniques were developed to determine the local heat transfer rate and steam quality by testing the temperature profile of a copper cooler. Flow regime maps for different microchannels during condensation were established in terms of steam mass flux and steam quality. Meanwhile, the correlation for the flow pattern transition was obtained using different geometrical and dimensionless parameters for steam condensation in microchannels. To better understand the flow mechanisms in microchannels, the condensation flow patterns, such as annular flow, droplet flow, injection flow and intermittent flow, were captured and analyzed. The local heat transfer rate showed the nonlinear variations along the axial direction during condensation. The experimental results indicate that the flow patterns and transition characteristics strongly depend on the geometries of microchannels. With the increasing steam mass flux and steam quality, the annular/droplet flow expands and spans over a larger region in the microchannels; otherwise the intermittent flow occupies the microchannels. The dimensionless fitting data also reveal that the effect of surface tension and vapor inertia dominates gravity and viscous force at the specified flow pattern transitional position.

Primary weathering rates, water transit times, and concentration-discharge relations: A theoretical analysis for the critical zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ameli, Ali A.; Beven, Keith; Erlandsson, Martin; Creed, Irena F.; McDonnell, Jeffrey J.; Bishop, Kevin

2017-01-01

The permeability architecture of the critical zone exerts a major influence on the hydrogeochemistry of the critical zone. Water flow path dynamics drive the spatiotemporal pattern of geochemical evolution and resulting streamflow concentration-discharge (C-Q) relation, but these flow paths are complex and difficult to map quantitatively. Here we couple a new integrated flow and particle tracking transport model with a general reversible Transition State Theory style dissolution rate law to explore theoretically how C-Q relations and concentration in the critical zone respond to decline in saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) with soil depth. We do this for a range of flow rates and mineral reaction kinetics. Our results show that for minerals with a high ratio of equilibrium concentration (Ceq) to intrinsic weathering rate (Rmax), vertical heterogeneity in Ks enhances the gradient of weathering-derived solute concentration in the critical zone and strengthens the inverse stream C-Q relation. As CeqRmax decreases, the spatial distribution of concentration in the critical zone becomes more uniform for a wide range of flow rates, and stream C-Q relation approaches chemostatic behavior, regardless of the degree of vertical heterogeneity in Ks. These findings suggest that the transport-controlled mechanisms in the hillslope can lead to chemostatic C-Q relations in the stream while the hillslope surface reaction-controlled mechanisms are associated with an inverse stream C-Q relation. In addition, as CeqRmax decreases, the concentration in the critical zone and stream become less dependent on groundwater age (or transit time).

Turbulent patterns in wall-bounded flows: A Turing instability?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manneville, Paul

2012-06-01

In their way to/from turbulence, plane wall-bounded flows display an interesting transitional regime where laminar and turbulent oblique bands alternate, the origin of which is still mysterious. In line with Barkley's recent work about the pipe flow transition involving reaction-diffusion concepts, we consider plane Couette flow in the same perspective and transform Waleffe's classical four-variable model of self-sustaining process into a reaction-diffusion model. We show that, upon fulfillment of a condition on the relative diffusivities of its variables, the featureless turbulent regime becomes unstable against patterning as the result of a Turing instability. A reduced two-variable model helps us to delineate the appropriate region of parameter space. An intrinsic status is therefore given to the pattern's wavelength for the first time. Virtues and limitations of the model are discussed, calling for a microscopic support of the phenomenological approach.

Self-sustained Flow-acoustic Interactions in Airfoil Transitional Boundary Layers

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-07-09

AFRL-AFOSR-VA-TR-2015-0235 Self-sustained flow-acoustic interactions in airfoil transitional boundary layers Vladimir Golubev EMBRY-RIDDLE...From - To)      01-04-2012 to 31-03-2015 4.  TITLE AND SUBTITLE Self-sustained flow-acoustic interactions in airfoil transitional boundary layers 5a...complementary experimental and numerical studies of flow-acoustic resonant interactions in transitional airfoils and their impact on airfoil surface

Capillary transit time heterogeneity and flow-metabolism coupling after traumatic brain injury

PubMed Central

Østergaard, Leif; Engedal, Thorbjørn S; Aamand, Rasmus; Mikkelsen, Ronni; Iversen, Nina K; Anzabi, Maryam; Næss-Schmidt, Erhard T; Drasbek, Kim R; Bay, Vibeke; Blicher, Jakob U; Tietze, Anna; Mikkelsen, Irene K; Hansen, Brian; Jespersen, Sune N; Juul, Niels; Sørensen, Jens CH; Rasmussen, Mads

2014-01-01

Most patients who die after traumatic brain injury (TBI) show evidence of ischemic brain damage. Nevertheless, it has proven difficult to demonstrate cerebral ischemia in TBI patients. After TBI, both global and localized changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) are observed, depending on the extent of diffuse brain swelling and the size and location of contusions and hematoma. These changes vary considerably over time, with most TBI patients showing reduced CBF during the first 12 hours after injury, then hyperperfusion, and in some patients vasospasms before CBF eventually normalizes. This apparent neurovascular uncoupling has been ascribed to mitochondrial dysfunction, hindered oxygen diffusion into tissue, or microthrombosis. Capillary compression by astrocytic endfeet swelling is observed in biopsies acquired from TBI patients. In animal models, elevated intracranial pressure compresses capillaries, causing redistribution of capillary flows into patterns argued to cause functional shunting of oxygenated blood through the capillary bed. We used a biophysical model of oxygen transport in tissue to examine how capillary flow disturbances may contribute to the profound changes in CBF after TBI. The analysis suggests that elevated capillary transit time heterogeneity can cause critical reductions in oxygen availability in the absence of ‘classic' ischemia. We discuss diagnostic and therapeutic consequences of these predictions. PMID:25052556

Late Holocene lava flow morphotypes of northern Harrat Rahat, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Implications for the description of continental lava fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murcia, H.; Németh, K.; Moufti, M. R.; Lindsay, J. M.; El-Masry, N.; Cronin, S. J.; Qaddah, A.; Smith, I. E. M.

2014-04-01

A "lava morphotype" refers to the recognizable and distinctive characteristics of the surface morphology of a lava flow after solidification, used in a similar way to a sedimentary facies. This classification method is explored on an example volcanic field in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where copious lava outpourings may represent an important transition between monogenetic and flood basalt fields. Here, young and well-preserved mafic lava fields display a wide range of surface morphologies. We focussed on four post-4500 yrs. BP lava flow fields in northern Harrat Rahat (<10 Ma) and propose a framework for describing systematic changes in morphotypes down-flow. The morphotypes give insight into intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of emplacement, rheology and dominant flow behavior, as well as the occurrence and character of other lava structures. The Harrat Rahat lava flow fields studied extend up to 23 km from the source, and vary between 1-2 m and 12 m in thickness. Areas of the lava flow fields are between ˜32 and ˜61 km2, with individual flow field volumes estimated between ˜0.085 and ˜0.29 km3. They exhibit Shelly-, Slabby-, and Rubbly-pahoehoe, Platy-, Cauliflower-, and Rubbly-a'a, and Blocky morphotypes. Morphotypes reflect the intrinsic parameters of: composition, temperature, crystallinity and volatile-content/vesicularity; along with external influences, such as: emission mechanism, effusion rate, topography and slope control of flow velocity. One morphotype can transition to another in individual flow-units or lobes and they may dominate zones. Not all morphotypes were found in a single lava flow field. Pahoehoe morphotypes are related to the simple mechanical disaggregation of the crust, whereas a'a morphotypes are related to the transitional emergence and subsequent transitional disappearance of clinker. Blocky morphotypes result from fracturing and auto-brecciation. A'a morphotypes (i.e. platy-, cauliflower-, rubbly-a'a) dominate the lava flow field surfaces in northern Harrat Rahat, which suggests that core-dominated flows were predominant during flow movement. Lava structures are well-developed and well-preserved and some may be related to some morphotypes. Down-flow changes exhibit key illustrative and easy recognizable features in the lava flow fields and might provide insights into real-time monitoring of future flows in this region.

Calibration of a γ- Re θ transition model and its application in low-speed flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, YunTao; Zhang, YuLun; Meng, DeHong; Wang, GunXue; Li, Song

2014-12-01

The prediction of laminar-turbulent transition in boundary layer is very important for obtaining accurate aerodynamic characteristics with computational fluid dynamic (CFD) tools, because laminar-turbulent transition is directly related to complex flow phenomena in boundary layer and separated flow in space. Unfortunately, the transition effect isn't included in today's major CFD tools because of non-local calculations in transition modeling. In this paper, Menter's γ- Re θ transition model is calibrated and incorporated into a Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) code — Trisonic Platform (TRIP) developed in China Aerodynamic Research and Development Center (CARDC). Based on the experimental data of flat plate from the literature, the empirical correlations involved in the transition model are modified and calibrated numerically. Numerical simulation for low-speed flow of Trapezoidal Wing (Trap Wing) is performed and compared with the corresponding experimental data. It is indicated that the γ- Re θ transition model can accurately predict the location of separation-induced transition and natural transition in the flow region with moderate pressure gradient. The transition model effectively imporves the simulation accuracy of the boundary layer and aerodynamic characteristics.

Assessment of the National Transonic Facility for Laminar Flow Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crouch, Jeffrey D.; Sutanto, Mary I.; Witkowski, David P.; Watkins, A. Neal; Rivers, Melissa B.; Campbell, Richard L.

2010-01-01

A transonic wing, designed to accentuate key transition physics, is tested at cryogenic conditions at the National Transonic Facility at NASA Langley. The collaborative test between Boeing and NASA is aimed at assessing the facility for high-Reynolds number testing of configurations with significant regions of laminar flow. The test shows a unit Reynolds number upper limit of 26 M/ft for achieving natural transition. At higher Reynolds numbers turbulent wedges emanating from the leading edge bypass the natural transition process and destroy the laminar flow. At lower Reynolds numbers, the transition location is well correlated with the Tollmien-Schlichting-wave N-factor. The low-Reynolds number results suggest that the flow quality is acceptable for laminar flow testing if the loss of laminar flow due to bypass transition can be avoided.

Single molecule studies of flexible polymers under shear and mixed flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teixeira, Rodrigo Esquivel

We combine manipulation and single molecule visualization of flexible DNA polymers with the generation of controlled simple shear and planar mixed flows for the investigation of polymer flow physics. With the ability to observe polymer conformation directly and follow its evolution in both dilute and entangled regimes we provide a direct test for molecular models. The coil-stretch transition of polymer extension was investigated in planar mixed flows approaching simple shear. Visualization of individual molecules revealed a sharp coil-stretch transition in the steady-state length of the polymer with increasing strain rate in flows slightly more straining than rotational. In slightly more rotational flows significant transient polymer deformation was observed. Next, dilute polymers were visualized in the flow-gradient plane of a steady shear flow. By exploiting the linear proportionality between polymer mass and image intensity, the radius of gyration tensor elements ( Gij) were measured over time. Then, the Giesekus stress tensor was used to obtain the bulk shear viscosity and first normal stress coefficient, thus performing rheology measurements from single molecule conformations. End-over-end tumbling was discovered for the first time, confirming a long-standing prediction and numerous single-chain computer simulation studies. The tumbling frequency followed Wi0.62, and an equation derived from simple advection and diffusion arguments was able to reproduce these observations. Power spectral densities of chain orientation trajectories were found to be single-peaked around the tumbling frequency, thus suggesting a periodic character for polymer dynamics. Finally, we investigated well-entangled polymer solutions. Identical preparations were used in both rheological characterizations and single molecule observations under a variety of shear flow histories. Polymer extension relaxations after the cessation of a fast shear flow revealed two intrinsic characteristic times. The fast one was insensitive to concentration and at least an order of magnitude larger than the Rouse time presupposed by theoretical treatments. The slow timescale grew steeply with concentration, in qualitative agreement with theory. Transient and steady shear flows showed vastly different conformations even among identical molecules subjected to identical flow histories. This "molecular individualism" of well-entangled solutions and its broad conformational distributions calls into question the validity of preaveraging approximations made in molecular-level theories.

Flow Fields of the 3.5 Ga Komati Formation, South Africa: Geochemical, Stratigraphic, and Temporal relationships between Massive, Vesicular, and Spinifex flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dann, J. C.

2007-12-01

A challenge of Archean volcanology is to reconstruct submarine flow fields by mapping and analyzing vertically dipping sequences of lavas. Some flow fields are bound by sediments and/or seafloor alteration that mark clear gaps in volcanism. Flow fields in the Lower Komati Fm are defined by alternating layers of komatiite (26% MgO) and komatiitic basalt (15% MgO). Five komatiite flow fields (100-200m thick) repeat the same stratigraphic zoning of spinifex overlying massive komatiite, and each flow field has a distinct Al2O3/CaO, a ratio unaffected by olivine fractionation, consistent with the contention that each komatiite flow field represents a distinct batch of mantle melting. Although massive and spinifex komatiite form distinct stratigraphic units on a map scale, detailed outcrop mapping reveals that the change in flow type represents a transition within a single flow field. In one type of transition, thin massive flows alternate with spinifex flow lobes of a compound flow unit. In another, a vesicular flow along the boundary links the underlying massive komatiite and overlying spinifex flows in time. The vesicular flow has alternating spinifex and vesicular layers that form a distinctive crust above a thick massive interior. Locally, this crust is tilted, intruded by massive komatiite from the interior, and overlain by a thick breccia including a spinifex flow broken into blocks and rotated like dominoes by the tilting. These outcrop relations indicate that spinifex flow lobes were starting to flow over the vesicular flow before it had undergone differential inflation, a temporal link between the lower massive and upper spinifex komatiites consistent with their belonging to the same flow field. The transition in flow type may reflect 1) an overlap of proximal and distal facies of komatiite flows as eruption rates waned and/or 2) thermal maturation prior to eruption. Early, cooler, crystal-rich, massive lava, flowing out as thick sheet flows, was replaced by hotter, crystal-poor, less degassed lava, flowing out as spinifex flows.

UV DRIVEN EVAPORATION OF CLOSE-IN PLANETS: ENERGY-LIMITED, RECOMBINATION-LIMITED, AND PHOTON-LIMITED FLOWS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Owen, James E.; Alvarez, Marcelo A., E-mail: jowen@ias.edu

2016-01-01

We have investigated the evaporation of close-in exoplanets irradiated by ionizing photons. We find that the properties of the flow are controlled by the ratio of the recombination time to the flow timescale. When the recombination timescale is short compared to the flow timescale, the flow is in approximate local ionization equilibrium with a thin ionization front where the photon mean free path is short compared to the flow scale. In this “recombination-limited” flow the mass-loss scales roughly with the square root of the incident flux. When the recombination time is long compared to the flow timescale the ionization frontmore » becomes thick and encompasses the entire flow with the mass-loss rate scaling linearly with flux. If the planet's potential is deep, then the flow is approximately “energy-limited”; however, if the planet's potential is shallow, then we identify a new limiting mass-loss regime, which we term “photon-limited.” In this scenario, the mass-loss rate is purely limited by the incoming flux of ionizing photons. We have developed a new numerical approach that takes into account the frequency dependence of the incoming ionizing spectrum and performed a large suite of 1D simulations to characterize UV driven mass-loss around low-mass planets. We find that the flow is “recombination-limited” at high fluxes but becomes “energy-limited” at low fluxes; however, the transition is broad occurring over several orders of magnitude in flux. Finally, we point out that the transitions between the different flow types do not occur at a single flux value but depend on the planet's properties, with higher-mass planets becoming “energy-limited” at lower fluxes.« less

The radiology digital dashboard: effects on report turnaround time.

PubMed

Morgan, Matthew B; Branstetter, Barton F; Lionetti, David M; Richardson, Jeremy S; Chang, Paul J

2008-03-01

As radiology departments transition to near-complete digital information management, work flows and their supporting informatics infrastructure are becoming increasingly complex. Digital dashboards can integrate separate computerized information systems and summarize key work flow metrics in real time to facilitate informed decision making. A PACS-integrated digital dashboard function designed to alert radiologists to their unsigned report queue status, coupled with an actionable link to the report signing application, resulted in a 24% reduction in the time between transcription and report finalization. The dashboard was well received by radiologists who reported high usage for signing reports. Further research is needed to identify and evaluate other potentially useful work flow metrics for inclusion in a radiology clinical dashboard.

Effects of Gravity on Cocurrent Two-Phase Gas-Liquid Flows Through Packed Columns

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Motil, Brian J.; Balakotaiah, Vemuri; Kamotani, Yasuhiro

2001-01-01

This work presents the experimental results of research on the influence of gravity on flow pattern transitions, pressure drop and flow characteristics for cocurrent gas-liquid two-phase flow through packed columns. The flow pattern transition data indicates that the pulse flow regime exists over a wider range of gas and liquid flow rates under reduced gravity conditions compared to normal gravity cocurrent down-flow. This is illustrated by comparing the flow regime transitions found in reduced gravity with the transitions predicted by Talmor. Next, the effect of gravity on the total pressure drop in a packed column is shown to depend on the flow regime. The difference is roughly equivalent to the liquid static head for bubbly flow but begins to decrease at the onset of pulse flow. As the spray flow regime is approached by increasing the gas to liquid ratio, the effect of gravity on pressure drop becomes negligible. Finally, gravity tends to suppress the amplitude of each pressure pulse. An example of this phenomenon is presented.

Dispersion of transit times within the pulmonary vasculature from microfocal angiograms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clough, Anne V.; Wang, Qiong; Haworth, Steven T.; Linehan, John H.; Roerig, David T.; Hanger, Christopher C.; Dawson, Christopher A.

1997-05-01

The site and mechanism of the dispersion of blood transit times within the pulmonary vascular bed can be described using x-ray angiography images of bolus passage through the pulmonary vasculature. Time-absorbance curves from the lobar inlet artery and outlet vein, various locations within the arterial and venous trees, and regions of the microvasculature were acquired from the images. The overall dispersion within the lung lobe was determined from the inlet arterial and outlet venous curves by examining the difference in their first and second moments, mean transit time and variance, respectively. Subsequently, the moments at each location within the arterial tree were calculated and compared to those of the lobar inlet artery curve. The transit time variance imparted on the bolus as it traveled through the pulmonary arterial tree upstream from the smallest measured arteries was < 5 percent of the variance attributable to transit through the total lung lobe vascular bed. Similar results were obtained for the venous pathways using reverse-flow conditions. Regional capillary mean transit time and variance were obtained from the measured microvascular residue curves using a mass-balance model. These results suggest that most of the bolus dispersion occurs within the pulmonary capillary bed rather than in large feeding arteries or draining veins.

The Effect of Impingement on Transitional Behavior in Underexpanded Jets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Inman, Jennifer A.; Danehy, Paul M.; Nowak, Robert J.; Alderfer, David W.

2009-01-01

An investigation into the development of flow unsteadiness in impinging axisymmetric underexpanded jets has been conducted at NASA Langley Research Center. The study has examined the effect of an impingement target placed at various distances and angles on transitional behavior of such jets. Two nozzles, with exit Mach numbers of 1.0 and 2.6, were used in this investigation. Planar laser-induced fluorescence of nitric oxide (NO PLIF) has been used to identify flow unsteadiness and to image transitional and turbulent flow features. Measurements of the location of the onset of various degrees of unsteady flow behavior have been made using these PLIF images. Both qualitative and quantitative comparisons are presented to demonstrate the observed effects of impingement and flow parameters on the process of the transition to turbulence. The presence of the impingement target was found to significantly shorten the distance to transition to turbulence by up to a factor of approximately three, with closer targets resulting in slightly shorter distance to transition and turbulence. The location at which the flow first exhibits unsteadiness was found to have a strong dependence on the presence and location of key flow structures. This paper presents quantitative results on transition criteria for free and impinging jets.

Transport and Reactive Flow Modelling Using A Particle Tracking Method Based on Continuous Time Random Walks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oliveira, R.; Bijeljic, B.; Blunt, M. J.; Colbourne, A.; Sederman, A. J.; Mantle, M. D.; Gladden, L. F.

2017-12-01

Mixing and reactive processes have a large impact on the viability of enhanced oil and gas recovery projects that involve acid stimulation and CO2 injection. To achieve a successful design of the injection schemes an accurate understanding of the interplay between pore structure, flow and reactive transport is necessary. Dependent on transport and reactive conditions, this complex coupling can also be dependent on initial rock heterogeneity across a variety of scales. To address these issues, we devise a new method to study transport and reactive flow in porous media at multiple scales. The transport model is based on an efficient Particle Tracking Method based on Continuous Time Random Walks (CTRW-PTM) on a lattice. Transport is modelled using an algorithm described in Rhodes and Blunt (2006) and Srinivasan et al. (2010); this model is expanded to enable for reactive flow predictions in subsurface rock undergoing a first-order fluid/solid chemical reaction. The reaction-induced alteration in fluid/solid interface is accommodated in the model through changes in porosity and flow field, leading to time dependent transport characteristics in the form of transit time distributions which account for rock heterogeneity change. This also enables the study of concentration profiles at the scale of interest. Firstly, we validate transport model by comparing the probability of molecular displacement (propagators) measured by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) with our modelled predictions for concentration profiles. The experimental propagators for three different porous media of increasing complexity, a beadpack, a Bentheimer sandstone and a Portland carbonate, show a good agreement with the model. Next, we capture the time evolution of the propagators distribution in a reactive flow experiment, where hydrochloric acid is injected into a limestone rock. We analyse the time-evolving non-Fickian signatures for the transport during reactive flow and observe an increase in transport heterogeneity at latter times, representing the increase in rock heterogeneity. Evolution of transit time distribution is associated with the evolution of concentration profiles, thus highlighting the impact of initial rock structure on the reactive transport for a range of Pe and Da numbers.

Low-gravity sensing of liquid/vapor interface and transient liquid flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jacobson, Saul A.; Korba, James M.; Lynnworth, Lawrence C.; Nguyen, Toan H.; Orton, George F.

1987-03-01

The work reported here deals mainly with tests on internally vaned cylindrical shell acrylic containers capped by hemispherical acrylic or aluminum end domes. Three different ultrasonic sensor techniques and one nucleonic technique presently are evaluated as possible solutions to the low-gravity liquid gauging problem. The ultrasonic techniques are as follows: use of a torsional wave sensor in which transit time is proportional to the integral of wetted distance x liquid density; integration of the flow rate output signal of a fast-response ultrasonic flowmeter; and use of multiplexed externally mounted 'point-sensor' transducers that sense transit times to liquid-gas interfaces. Using two commercial flowmeters and a thickness gauge modified for this particular project, bench tests were conducted at 1 g on liquids such as water, freon, and solvent 140, including both steady flow and pulsating flow with 40, 80, and 120 ms flow pulses. Subsequently, flight tests were conducted in the NASA KC-135 aircraft in which nearly 0-g conditions are obtainable for up to about 5 s in each of a number of repetitive parabolic flight trajectories. In some of these brief low-gravity flight tests freon was replaced with a higher-viscosity fuel to reduce sloshing and thereby obtain settled surfaces more quickly.

Improvements in Low-cost Ultrasonic Measurements of Blood Flow in "by-passes" Using Narrow & Broad Band Transit-time Procedures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramos, A.; Calas, H.; Diez, L.; Moreno, E.; Prohías, J.; Villar, A.; Carrillo, E.; Jiménez, A.; Pereira, W. C. A.; Von Krüger, M. A.

The cardio-pathology by ischemia is an important cause of death, but the re-vascularization of coronary arteries (by-pass operation) is an useful solution to reduce associated morbidity improving quality of life in patients. During these surgeries, the flow in coronary vessels must be measured, using non-invasive ultrasonic methods, known as transit time flow measurements (TTFM), which are the most accurate option nowadays. TTFM is a common intra-operative tool, in conjunction with classic Doppler velocimetry, to check the quality of these surgery processes for implanting grafts in parallel with the coronary arteries. This work shows important improvements achieved in flow-metering, obtained in our research laboratories (CSIC, ICIMAF, COPPE) and tested under real surgical conditions in Cardiocentro-HHA, for both narrowband NB and broadband BB regimes, by applying results of a CYTED multinational project (Ultrasonic & computational systems for cardiovascular diagnostics). mathematical models and phantoms were created to evaluate accurately flow measurements, in laboratory conditions, before our new electronic designs and low-cost implementations, improving previous ttfm systems, which include analogic detection, acquisition & post-processing, and a portable PC. Both regimes (NB and BB), with complementary performances for different conditions, were considered. Finally, specific software was developed to offer facilities to surgeons in their interventions.

Percolation transition in dynamical traffic network with evolving critical bottlenecks.

PubMed

Li, Daqing; Fu, Bowen; Wang, Yunpeng; Lu, Guangquan; Berezin, Yehiel; Stanley, H Eugene; Havlin, Shlomo

2015-01-20

A critical phenomenon is an intrinsic feature of traffic dynamics, during which transition between isolated local flows and global flows occurs. However, very little attention has been given to the question of how the local flows in the roads are organized collectively into a global city flow. Here we characterize this organization process of traffic as "traffic percolation," where the giant cluster of local flows disintegrates when the second largest cluster reaches its maximum. We find in real-time data of city road traffic that global traffic is dynamically composed of clusters of local flows, which are connected by bottleneck links. This organization evolves during a day with different bottleneck links appearing in different hours, but similar in the same hours in different days. A small improvement of critical bottleneck roads is found to benefit significantly the global traffic, providing a method to improve city traffic with low cost. Our results may provide insights on the relation between traffic dynamics and percolation, which can be useful for efficient transportation, epidemic control, and emergency evacuation.

Combined Cycle Engine Large-Scale Inlet for Mode Transition Experiments: System Identification Rack Hardware Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thomas, Randy; Stueber, Thomas J.

2013-01-01

The System Identification (SysID) Rack is a real-time hardware-in-the-loop data acquisition (DAQ) and control instrument rack that was designed and built to support inlet testing in the NASA Glenn Research Center 10- by 10-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel. This instrument rack is used to support experiments on the Combined-Cycle Engine Large-Scale Inlet for Mode Transition Experiment (CCE? LIMX). The CCE?LIMX is a testbed for an integrated dual flow-path inlet configuration with the two flow paths in an over-and-under arrangement such that the high-speed flow path is located below the lowspeed flow path. The CCE?LIMX includes multiple actuators that are designed to redirect airflow from one flow path to the other; this action is referred to as "inlet mode transition." Multiple phases of experiments have been planned to support research that investigates inlet mode transition: inlet characterization (Phase-1) and system identification (Phase-2). The SysID Rack hardware design met the following requirements to support Phase-1 and Phase-2 experiments: safely and effectively move multiple actuators individually or synchronously; sample and save effector control and position sensor feedback signals; automate control of actuator positioning based on a mode transition schedule; sample and save pressure sensor signals; and perform DAQ and control processes operating at 2.5 KHz. This document describes the hardware components used to build the SysID Rack including their function, specifications, and system interface. Furthermore, provided in this document are a SysID Rack effectors signal list (signal flow); system identification experiment setup; illustrations indicating a typical SysID Rack experiment; and a SysID Rack performance overview for Phase-1 and Phase-2 experiments. The SysID Rack described in this document was a useful tool to meet the project objectives.

Effect of Surface Waviness on Transition in Three-Dimensional Boundary-Layer Flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Masad, Jamal A.

1996-01-01

The effect of a surface wave on transition in three-dimensional boundary-layer flow over an infinite swept wing was studied. The mean flow computed using interacting boundary-layer theory, and transition was predicted using linear stability theory coupled with the empirical eN method. It was found that decreasing the wave height, sweep angle, or freestream unit Reynolds number, and increasing the freestream Mach number or suction level all stabilized the flow and moved transition onset to downstream locations.

Experimental study of the flow over a backward-facing rounded ramp

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duriez, Thomas; Aider, Jean-Luc; Wesfreid, Jose Eduardo

2010-11-01

The backward-facing rounded ramp (BFR) is a very simple geometry leading to boundary layer separation, close to the backward facing step (BFS) flow. The main difference with the BFS flow is that the separation location depends on the incoming flow while it is fixed to the step edge for the BFS flow. Despite the simplicity of the geometry, the flow is complex and the transition process still has to be investigated. In this study we investigate the BFR flow using time-resolved PIV. For Reynolds number ranging between 300 and 12 000 we first study the time averaged properties such as the positions of the separation and reattachment, the recirculation length and the shear layer thickness. The time resolution also gives access to the characteristic frequencies of the time-dependant flow. An appropriate Fourier filtering of the flow field, around each frequency peak in the global spectrum, allows an investigation of each mode in order to extract its wavelength, phase velocity, and spatial distribution. We then sort the spectral content and relate the main frequencies to the most amplified Kelvin-Helmholtz instability mode and its harmonics, the vortex pairing, the low frequency recirculation bubble oscillation and the interactions between all these phenomena.

Numerical Computations of Hypersonic Boundary-Layer over Surface Irregularities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chang, Chau-Lyan; Choudhari, Meelan M.; Li, Fei

2010-01-01

Surface irregularities such as protuberances inside a hypersonic boundary layer may lead to premature transition on the vehicle surface. Early transition in turn causes large localized surface heating that could damage the thermal protection system. Experimental measurements as well as numerical computations aimed at building a knowledge base for transition Reynolds numbers with respect to different protuberance sizes and locations have been actively pursued in recent years. This paper computationally investigates the unsteady wake development behind large isolated cylindrical roughness elements and the scaled wind-tunnel model of the trip used in a recent flight measurement during the reentry of space shuttle Discovery. An unstructured mesh, compressible flow solver based on the space-time conservation element, solution element (CESE) method is used to perform time-accurate Navier-Stokes calculations for the flow past a roughness element under several wind-tunnel conditions. For a cylindrical roughness element with a height to the boundary-layer thickness ratio from 0.8 to 2.5, the wake flow is characterized by a mushroom-shaped centerline streak and horse-shoe vortices. While time-accurate solutions converged to a steady-state for a ratio of 0.8, strong flow unsteadiness is present for a ratio of 1.3 and 2.5. Instability waves marked by distinct disturbance frequencies were found in the latter two cases. Both the centerline streak and the horse-shoe vortices become unstable downstream. The oscillatory vortices eventually reach an early breakdown stage for the largest roughness element. Spectral analyses in conjunction with the computed root mean square variations suggest that the source of the unsteadiness and instability waves in the wake region may be traced back to possible absolute instability in the front-side separation region.

Traveling waves in an optimal velocity model of freeway traffic.

PubMed

Berg, P; Woods, A

2001-03-01

Car-following models provide both a tool to describe traffic flow and algorithms for autonomous cruise control systems. Recently developed optimal velocity models contain a relaxation term that assigns a desirable speed to each headway and a response time over which drivers adjust to optimal velocity conditions. These models predict traffic breakdown phenomena analogous to real traffic instabilities. In order to deepen our understanding of these models, in this paper, we examine the transition from a linear stable stream of cars of one headway into a linear stable stream of a second headway. Numerical results of the governing equations identify a range of transition phenomena, including monotonic and oscillating travelling waves and a time- dependent dispersive adjustment wave. However, for certain conditions, we find that the adjustment takes the form of a nonlinear traveling wave from the upstream headway to a third, intermediate headway, followed by either another traveling wave or a dispersive wave further downstream matching the downstream headway. This intermediate value of the headway is selected such that the nonlinear traveling wave is the fastest stable traveling wave which is observed to develop in the numerical calculations. The development of these nonlinear waves, connecting linear stable flows of two different headways, is somewhat reminiscent of stop-start waves in congested flow on freeways. The different types of adjustments are classified in a phase diagram depending on the upstream and downstream headway and the response time of the model. The results have profound consequences for autonomous cruise control systems. For an autocade of both identical and different vehicles, the control system itself may trigger formations of nonlinear, steep wave transitions. Further information is available [Y. Sugiyama, Traffic and Granular Flow (World Scientific, Singapore, 1995), p. 137].

Traveling waves in an optimal velocity model of freeway traffic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berg, Peter; Woods, Andrew

2001-03-01

Car-following models provide both a tool to describe traffic flow and algorithms for autonomous cruise control systems. Recently developed optimal velocity models contain a relaxation term that assigns a desirable speed to each headway and a response time over which drivers adjust to optimal velocity conditions. These models predict traffic breakdown phenomena analogous to real traffic instabilities. In order to deepen our understanding of these models, in this paper, we examine the transition from a linear stable stream of cars of one headway into a linear stable stream of a second headway. Numerical results of the governing equations identify a range of transition phenomena, including monotonic and oscillating travelling waves and a time- dependent dispersive adjustment wave. However, for certain conditions, we find that the adjustment takes the form of a nonlinear traveling wave from the upstream headway to a third, intermediate headway, followed by either another traveling wave or a dispersive wave further downstream matching the downstream headway. This intermediate value of the headway is selected such that the nonlinear traveling wave is the fastest stable traveling wave which is observed to develop in the numerical calculations. The development of these nonlinear waves, connecting linear stable flows of two different headways, is somewhat reminiscent of stop-start waves in congested flow on freeways. The different types of adjustments are classified in a phase diagram depending on the upstream and downstream headway and the response time of the model. The results have profound consequences for autonomous cruise control systems. For an autocade of both identical and different vehicles, the control system itself may trigger formations of nonlinear, steep wave transitions. Further information is available [Y. Sugiyama, Traffic and Granular Flow (World Scientific, Singapore, 1995), p. 137].

Pulsatility index variations using two different transit-time flowmeters in coronary artery bypass surgery.

PubMed

Nordgaard, Håvard B; Vitale, Nicola; Astudillo, Rafael; Renzulli, Attilio; Romundstad, Pål; Haaverstad, Rune

2010-05-01

Transit-time flow measurement is widely accepted as an intra-operative assessment in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, the two most commonly applied flowmeters, manufactured by MediStim ASA and Transonic Inc., have different default filter settings of 20 and 10 Hz, respectively. This may cause different flow measurements, which will influence the reported results. The aim was to compare pulsatility index (PI) values recorded by the MediStim and Transonic flowmeters in two different clinical settings: (1) analysis of the flow patterns recorded simultaneously by both flowmeters in the same CABGs; and (2) evaluation of flow patterns under different levels of filter settings in the same grafts. Graft flow and PI were measured using the two different flowmeters simultaneously in 19 bypass grafts. Finally, eight grafts were assessed under different digital filter settings at 5, 10, 20, 30, 50 and 100 Hz. The Transonic flowmeter provided substantially lower PI as compared with the MediStim flowmeter. By increasing the filter setting in the flowmeter, PI increased considerably. The Transonic flowmeter displayed a lower PI than the MediStim, due to a lower filter setting. In the Transonic,flow signals are filtered at a lower level, rendering a 'smoother' pattern of flow curves. Because different filter settings determine different PIs, caution must be taken when flow values and flowmeters are compared. The type of flowmeter should be indicated whenever graft flow measurements and derived indexes are provided [corrected]. Copyright 2009 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.

Turbulence Modeling for the Simulation of Transition in Wall Shear Flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crawford, Michael E.

2007-01-01

Our research involves study of the behavior of k-epsilon turbulence models for simulation of bypass-level transition over flat surfaces and turbine blades. One facet of the research has been to assess the performance of a multitude of k-epsilon models in what we call "natural transition", i.e. no modifications to the k-e models. The study has been to ascertain what features in the dynamics of the model affect the start and end of the transition. Some of the findings are in keeping with those reported by others (e.g. ERCOFTAC). A second facet of the research has been to develop and benchmark a new multi-time scale k-epsilon model (MTS) for use in simulating bypass-level transition. This model has certain features of the published MTS models by Hanjalic, Launder, and Schiestel, and by Kim and his coworkers. The major new feature of our MTS model is that it can be used to compute wall shear flows as a low-turbulence Reynolds number type of model, i.e. there is no required partition with patching a one-equation k model in the near-wall region to a two-equation k-epsilon model in the outer part of the flow. Our MTS model has been studied extensively to understand its dynamics in predicting the onset of transition and the end-stage of the transition. Results to date indicate that it far superior to the standard unmodified k-epsilon models. The effects of protracted pressure gradients on the model behavior are currently being investigated.

Sharp Transition in the Lift Force of a Fluid Flowing Past Nonsymmetrical Obstacles: Evidence for a Lift Crisis in the Drag Crisis Regime.

PubMed

Bot, Patrick; Rabaud, Marc; Thomas, Goulven; Lombardi, Alessandro; Lebret, Charles

2016-12-02

Bluff bodies moving in a fluid experience a drag force which usually increases with velocity. However in a particular velocity range a drag crisis is observed, i.e., a sharp and strong decrease of the drag force. This counterintuitive result is well characterized for a sphere or a cylinder. Here we show that, for an object breaking the up-down symmetry, a lift crisis is observed simultaneously to the drag crisis. The term lift crisis refers to the fact that at constant incidence the time-averaged transverse force, which remains small or even negative at low velocity, transitions abruptly to large positive values above a critical flow velocity. This transition is characterized from direct force measurements as well as from change in the velocity field around the obstacle.

Research activities at the Center for Modeling of Turbulence and Transition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shih, Tsan-Hsing

1993-01-01

The main research activities at the Center for Modeling of Turbulence and Transition (CMOTT) are described. The research objective of CMOTT is to improve and/or develop turbulence and transition models for propulsion systems. The flows of interest in propulsion systems can be both compressible and incompressible, three dimensional, bounded by complex wall geometries, chemically reacting, and involve 'bypass' transition. The most relevant turbulence and transition models for the above flows are one- and two-equation eddy viscosity models, Reynolds stress algebraic- and transport-equation models, pdf models, and multiple-scale models. All these models are classified as one-point closure schemes since only one-point (in time and space) turbulent correlations, such as second moments (Reynolds stresses and turbulent heat fluxes) and third moments, are involved. In computational fluid dynamics, all turbulent quantities are one-point correlations. Therefore, the study of one-point turbulent closure schemes is the focus of our turbulence research. However, other research, such as the renormalization group theory, the direct interaction approximation method, and numerical simulations are also pursued to support the development of turbulence modeling.

High-Order Finite-Difference Schemes for Numerical Simulation of Hypersonic Boundary-Layer Transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhong, Xiaolin

1998-08-01

Direct numerical simulation (DNS) has become a powerful tool in studying fundamental phenomena of laminar-turbulent transition of high-speed boundary layers. Previous DNS studies of supersonic and hypersonic boundary layer transition have been limited to perfect-gas flow over flat-plate boundary layers without shock waves. For hypersonic boundary layers over realistic blunt bodies, DNS studies of transition need to consider the effects of bow shocks, entropy layers, surface curvature, and finite-rate chemistry. It is necessary that numerical methods for such studies are robust and high-order accurate both in resolving wide ranges of flow time and length scales and in resolving the interaction between the bow shocks and flow disturbance waves. This paper presents a new high-order shock-fitting finite-difference method for the DNS of the stability and transition of hypersonic boundary layers over blunt bodies with strong bow shocks and with (or without) thermo-chemical nonequilibrium. The proposed method includes a set of new upwind high-order finite-difference schemes which are stable and are less dissipative than a straightforward upwind scheme using an upwind-bias grid stencil, a high-order shock-fitting formulation, and third-order semi-implicit Runge-Kutta schemes for temporal discretization of stiff reacting flow equations. The accuracy and stability of the new schemes are validated by numerical experiments of the linear wave equation and nonlinear Navier-Stokes equations. The algorithm is then applied to the DNS of the receptivity of hypersonic boundary layers over a parabolic leading edge to freestream acoustic disturbances.

Prediction of Transonic Vortex Flows Using Linear and Nonlinear Turbulent Eddy Viscosity Models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bartels, Robert E.; Gatski, Thomas B.

2000-01-01

Three-dimensional transonic flow over a delta wing is investigated with a focus on the effect of transition and influence of turbulence stress anisotropies. The performance of linear eddy viscosity models and an explicit algebraic stress model is assessed at the start of vortex flow, and the results compared with experimental data. To assess the effect of transition location, computations that either fix transition or are fully turbulent are performed. To assess the effect of the turbulent stress anisotropy, comparisons are made between predictions from the algebraic stress model and the linear eddy viscosity models. Both transition location and turbulent stress anisotropy significantly affect the 3D flow field. The most significant effect is found to be the modeling of transition location. At a Mach number of 0.90, the computed solution changes character from steady to unsteady depending on transition onset. Accounting for the anisotropies in the turbulent stresses also considerably impacts the flow, most notably in the outboard region of flow separation.

Discharge stabilization studies of CO laser gas mixtures in quasi-steady supersonic flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Srinivasan, G.; Smith, J. A.

1976-01-01

Experiments were conducted to study the applicability of a double discharge stabilization scheme in conditions appropriate for high energy CO lasers in supersonic flows. A Ludwieg tube impulse flow facility and a ballasted capacitor bank provided essentially steady flow and discharge conditions (d.c.) for times longer than ten electrode length-flow transit times. Steady, arc-free, volume discharges were produced in a Mach 3 test cavity using an auxiliary discharge to stabilize the main discharge in N2 and He/CO mixture. A signigicant result is the lack of observed plasma E/N changes in response to auxiliary discharge current changes. Also, where glow discharges were obtained, the energy loading achieved was very much less than the threshold level required for laser operation.

Reynolds number influences in aeronautics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bushnell, Dennis M.; Yip, Long P.; Yao, Chung-Sheng; Lin, John C.; Lawing, Pierce L.; Batina, John T.; Hardin, Jay C.; Horvath, Thomas J.; Fenbert, James W.; Domack, Christopher S.

1993-01-01

Reynolds number, a measure of the ratio of inertia to viscous forces, is a fundamental similarity parameter for fluid flows and therefore, would be expected to have a major influence in aerodynamics and aeronautics. Reynolds number influences are generally large, but monatomic, for attached laminar (continuum) flow; however, laminar flows are easily separated, inducing even stronger, non-monatomic, Reynolds number sensitivities. Probably the strongest Reynolds number influences occur in connection with transitional flow behavior. Transition can take place over a tremendous Reynolds number range, from the order of 20 x 10(exp 3) for 2-D free shear layers up to the order of 100 x 10(exp 6) for hypersonic boundary layers. This variability in transition behavior is especially important for complex configurations where various vehicle and flow field elements can undergo transition at various Reynolds numbers, causing often surprising changes in aerodynamics characteristics over wide ranges in Reynolds number. This is further compounded by the vast parameterization associated with transition, in that any parameter which influences mean viscous flow development (e.g., pressure gradient, flow curvature, wall temperature, Mach number, sweep, roughness, flow chemistry, shock interactions, etc.), and incident disturbance fields (acoustics, vorticity, particulates, temperature spottiness, even electro static discharges) can alter transition locations to first order. The usual method of dealing with the transition problem is to trip the flow in the generally lower Reynolds number wind tunnel to simulate the flight turbulent behavior. However, this is not wholly satisfactory as it results in incorrectly scaled viscous region thicknesses and cannot be utilized at all for applications such as turbine blades and helicopter rotors, nacelles, leading edge and nose regions, and High Altitude Long Endurance and hypersonic airbreathers where the transitional flow is an innately critical portion of the problem.

Finite element computation of a viscous compressible free shear flow governed by the time dependent Navier-Stokes equations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cooke, C. H.; Blanchard, D. K.

1975-01-01

A finite element algorithm for solution of fluid flow problems characterized by the two-dimensional compressible Navier-Stokes equations was developed. The program is intended for viscous compressible high speed flow; hence, primitive variables are utilized. The physical solution was approximated by trial functions which at a fixed time are piecewise cubic on triangular elements. The Galerkin technique was employed to determine the finite-element model equations. A leapfrog time integration is used for marching asymptotically from initial to steady state, with iterated integrals evaluated by numerical quadratures. The nonsymmetric linear systems of equations governing time transition from step-to-step are solved using a rather economical block iterative triangular decomposition scheme. The concept was applied to the numerical computation of a free shear flow. Numerical results of the finite-element method are in excellent agreement with those obtained from a finite difference solution of the same problem.

Experimental investigation on the heat transfer characteristics and flow pattern in vertical narrow channels heated from one side

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Lihao; Li, Gang; Tao, Leren

2016-07-01

Experimental investigation for the flow boiling of water in a vertical rectangular channel was conducted to reveal the boiling heat transfer mechanism and flow patterns map aspects. The onset of nucleate boiling went upward with the increasing of the working fluid mass flow rate or the decreasing of the inlet working fluid temperature. As the vapour quality was increased, the local heat transfer coefficient increased first, then decreased, followed by various flow patterns. The test data from other researchers had a similar pattern transition for the bubble-slug flow and the slug-annular flow. Flow pattern transition model analysis was performed to make the comparison with current test data. The slug-annular and churn-annular transition models showed a close trend with current data except that the vapor phase superficial velocity of flow pattern transition was much higher than that of experimental data.

Lava Fountaining Discharge Regime driven by Slug-to-Churn Flow Transition. (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ripepe, M.; Pioli, L.; Marchetti, E.; Ulivieri, G.

2013-12-01

Lava fountaining episodes at Etna volcano appear characterized by the transition between Strombolian and Hawaiian end-member eruptive styles. There is no evidence for this transition in the seismic (i.e. seismic tremor) signal. However, infrasonic records provide unprecedented evidence on this flow transition. Each eruptive episode is characterized by distinctive common trend in the amplitude, waveform and frequency content of the infrasonic wavefield, which evidences the shift from discrete, and transient, strombolian to sustained, and oscillatory, lava fountain dynamics. Large scale experiments on the dynamics of two-phase flow of basaltic magmas show how the transition between different regimes mainly depends on gas volume flow, which in turn controls pressure distribution within the conduit and also magma vesicularity. In particular, while regular large bubble bursting is associated with slug flow regime, large amplitude and low frequency column oscillations are associated with churn flow. In large pipes, transition from slug to churn flow regime is independent on conduit diameter and it is reached at high superficial gas velocity. Lava fountaining episodes at Etna can be thus interpreted as induced by the transition from the slug (discrete strombolian) to churn flow (sustained lava fountain) regimes that is reflecting an increase in the gas discharge rate. Based on laboratory experiments, we calculate that transition between these two end-member explosive regimes at Etna occurs when gas superficial velocity is 76 m/s for near-the-vent stagnant magma conditions.

Experimental investigations on characteristics of boundary layer and control of transition on an airfoil by AC-DBD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geng, Xi; Shi, Zhiwei; Cheng, Keming; Dong, Hao; Zhao, Qun; Chen, Sinuo

2018-03-01

Plasma-based flow control is one of the most promising techniques for aerodynamic problems, such as delaying the boundary layer transition. The boundary layer’s characteristics induced by AC-DBD plasma actuators and applied by the actuators to delay the boundary layer transition on airfoil at Ma = 0.3 were experimentally investigated. The PIV measurement was used to study the boundary layer’s characteristics induced by the plasma actuators. The measurement plane, which was parallel to the surface of the actuators and 1 mm above the surface, was involved in the test, including the perpendicular plane. The instantaneous results showed that the induced flow field consisted of many small size unsteady vortices which were eliminated by the time average. The subsequent oil-film interferometry skin friction measurement was conducted on a NASA SC(2)-0712 airfoil at Ma = 0.3. The coefficient of skin friction demonstrates that the plasma actuators successfully delay the boundary layer transition and the efficiency is better at higher driven voltage.

Experiments on Transitional Subaqueous Density Flows and Resulting Sediment Deposits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barnaal, Z. D.; Parker, G.

2016-12-01

Much remains unknown regarding the sedimentary deposits of submarine gravity flows. Flows with large concentrations of suspended sediment may transition from a more turbulent to a more coherent flow type. Such transitional flows may be produced when turbulence becomes suppressed due to entrainment of cohesive sediment or from flow deceleration. Argillaceous sandstones and linked turbidite-debrites are types of submarine sediment deposits in a category known as hybrid event beds, and are interpreted to be emplaced by transitional regime flows (Talling, 2007; Davis, 2009; Haughton, 2009; Hodgson, 2009; Sumner, 2009; Baas, 2011; Lee, 2013; and Talling, 2013). Here we report on the physical modelling of such transitional flows. The sediment consists of mixtures of non-cohesive silica flour with a median grain size of 30 microns and kaolin clay with a median size of 4 microns. These sediments were mixed in ratios including 100%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 30% and 0% kaolin. Total volume concentration of the input slurry varied from 0.01 to 0.2, allowing coverage of wide range of transitional flow types. The flow passed over a 4.9-m-long bed with a slope of 7 degrees, and continued another 4.9 m over a horizontal bed before exiting the tank. Measurements of flow velocity profiles, flow concentrations, deposit geometry, and deposit grain-size distributions were conducted. The results of experiments help us to better understand the rheology, and to determine the structure and patterns of deposits including argillaceous sandstones.

Using isotopes to investigate hydrological flow pathways and sources in a remote Arctic catchment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lessels, Jason; Tetzlaff, Doerthe; Dinsmore, Kerry; Street, Lorna; Billet, Mike; Baxter, Robert; Subke, Jens-Arne; Wookey, Phillip

2014-05-01

Stable water isotopes allow for the identification of flow paths and stream water sources. This ability is beneficial in improving the understanding in catchments with dynamic spatial and temporal sources. Arctic catchments are characterised with strong seasonality where the dominant flow paths change throughout the short summer season. Therefore, the identification of stream water sources through time and space is necessary in order to accurately quantify these dynamics. Stable isotope tracers are incredibly useful tools which integrate processes of time and space and therefore, particularly useful in identifying flow pathways and runoff sources at remote sites. This work presents stable isotope data collected from a small (1km2) catchment in Northwest Canada. The aims of this study are to 1) identify sources of stream water through time and space, 2) provide information which will be incorporated into hydrological and transit time models Sampling of snowmelt, surface runoff, ice-wedge polygons, stream and soil water was undertaken throughout the 2013 summer. The results of this sampling reveal the dominant flow paths in the catchment and the strong influence of aspect in controlling these processes. After the spring freshet, late lying snow packs on north facing slopes and thawing permafrost on south facing slopes are the dominant sources of stream water. Progressively through the season the thawing permafrost and precipitation become the largest contributing sources. The depth of the thawing aspect layer and consequently the contribution to the stream is heavily dependent on aspect. The collection of precipitation, soil and stream isotope samples throughout the summer period provide valuable information for transit time estimates. The combination of spatial and temporal sampling of stable isotopes has revealed clear differences between the main stream sources in the studied catchment and reinforced the importance of slope aspect in these catchments.

Topological transitions in unidirectional flow of nematic liquid crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cummings, Linda; Anderson, Thomas; Mema, Ensela; Kondic, Lou

2015-11-01

Recent experiments by Sengupta et al. (Phys. Rev. Lett. 2013) revealed interesting transitions that can occur in flow of nematic liquid crystal under carefully controlled conditions within a long microfluidic channel of rectangular cross-section, with homeotropic anchoring at the walls. At low flow rates the director field of the nematic adopts a configuration that is dominated by the surface anchoring, being nearly parallel to the channel height direction over most of the cross-section; but at high flow rates there is a transition to a flow-dominated state, where the director configuration at the channel centerline is aligned with the flow (perpendicular to the channel height direction). We analyze simple channel-flow solutions to the Leslie-Ericksen model for nematics. We demonstrate that two solutions exist, at all flow rates, but that there is a transition between the elastic free energies of these solutions: the anchoring-dominated solution has the lowest energy at low flow rates, and the flow-dominated solution has lowest energy at high flow rates. NSF DMS 1211713.

Transition and Turbulence Modeling for Blunt-Body Wake Flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nance, Robert P.; Horvath, Thomas J.; Hassan, H. A.

1997-01-01

This study attempts t o improve the modeling and computational prediction of high- speed transitional wake flows. The recently developed kappa - zeta (Enstrophy) turbulence model is coupled with a newly developed transition prediction method and implemented in an implicit flow solver well-suited to hypersonic flows. In this model, transition onset is determined as part of the solution. Results obtained using the new model for a 70- deg blunted cone/sting geometry demonstrate better agreement with experimental heat- transfer measurements when compared to laminar calculations as well as solutions using the kappa - omega model. Results are also presented for the situation where transition onset is preselected. It is shown that, in this case, results are quite sensitive to location of the transition point.

Late-time cosmological phase transitions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schramm, David N.

1991-01-01

It is shown that the potential galaxy formation and large scale structure problems of objects existing at high redshifts (Z approx. greater than 5), structures existing on scales of 100 M pc as well as velocity flows on such scales, and minimal microwave anisotropies ((Delta)T/T) (approx. less than 10(exp -5)) can be solved if the seeds needed to generate structure form in a vacuum phase transition after decoupling. It is argued that the basic physics of such a phase transition is no more exotic than that utilized in the more traditional GUT scale phase transitions, and that, just as in the GUT case, significant random Gaussian fluctuations and/or topological defects can form. Scale lengths of approx. 100 M pc for large scale structure as well as approx. 1 M pc for galaxy formation occur naturally. Possible support for new physics that might be associated with such a late-time transition comes from the preliminary results of the SAGE solar neutrino experiment, implying neutrino flavor mixing with values similar to those required for a late-time transition. It is also noted that a see-saw model for the neutrino masses might also imply a tau neutrino mass that is an ideal hot dark matter candidate. However, in general either hot or cold dark matter can be consistent with a late-time transition.

Microfocal angiography of the pulmonary vasculature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clough, Anne V.; Haworth, Steven T.; Roerig, David T.; Linehan, John H.; Dawson, Christopher A.

1998-07-01

X-ray microfocal angiography provides a means of assessing regional microvascular perfusion parameters using residue detection of vascular indicators. As an application of this methodology, we studied the effects of alveolar hypoxia, a pulmonary vasoconstrictor, on the pulmonary microcirculation to determine changes in regional blood mean transit time, volume and flow between control and hypoxic conditions. Video x-ray images of a dog lung were acquired as a bolus of radiopaque contrast medium passed through the lobar vasculature. X-ray time-absorbance curves were acquired from arterial and microvascular regions-of-interest during both control and hypoxic alveolar gas conditions. A mathematical model based on indicator-dilution theory applied to image residue curves was applied to the data to determine changes in microvascular perfusion parameters. Sensitivity of the model parameters to the model assumptions was analyzed. Generally, the model parameter describing regional microvascular volume, corresponding to area under the microvascular absorbance curve, was the most robust. The results of the model analysis applied to the experimental data suggest a significant decrease in microvascular volume with hypoxia. However, additional model assumptions concerning the flow kinematics within the capillary bed may be required for assessing changes in regional microvascular flow and mean transit time from image residue data.

Use of chemical and isotopic tracers to assess nitrate contamination and ground-water age, Woodville Karst Plain, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Katz, B.G.; Chelette, A.R.; Pratt, T.R.

2004-01-01

Concerns regarding ground-water contamination in the Woodville Karst Plain have arisen due to a steady increase in nitrate-N concentrations (0.25-0.90 mg/l) during the past 30 years in Wakulla Springs, a large regional discharge point for water (9.6 m3/s) from the Upper Floridan aquifer (UFA). Multiple isotopic and chemical tracers were used with geochemical and lumped-parameter models (exponential mixing (EM), dispersion, and combined exponential piston flow) to assess: (1) the sources and extent of nitrate contamination of ground water and springs, and (2) mean transit times (ages) of ground water. Delta 15N-NO3 values (1.7-13.8???) indicated that nitrate in ground water originated from localized sources of inorganic fertilizer and human/animal wastes. Nitrate in spring waters (??15N-NO3=5.3-8.9???) originated from both inorganic and organic N sources. Nitrate-N concentrations (1.0 mg/l) were associated with shallow wells (open intervals less than 15 m below land surface), elevated nitrate concentrations in deeper wells are consistent with mixtures of water from shallow and deep zones in the UFA as indicated from geochemical mixing models and the distribution of mean transit times (5-90 years) estimated using lumped-parameter flow models. Ground water with mean transit times of 10 years or less tended to have higher dissolved organic carbon concentrations, lower dissolved solids, and lower calcite saturation indices than older waters, indicating mixing with nearby surface water that directly recharges the aquifer through sinkholes. Significantly higher values of pH, magnesium, dolomite saturation index, and phosphate in springs and deep water (>45 m) relative to a shallow zone (<45 m) were associated with longer ground-water transit times (50-90 years). Chemical differences with depth in the aquifer result from deep regional flow of water recharged through low permeability sediments (clays and clayey sands of the Hawthorn Formation) that overlie the UFA upgradient from the karst plain.

Flight Test Measurement Techniques for Laminar Flow. Volume 23(Les techniques de mesure en vol des ecoulements laminaires)

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-10-01

Chapter 1 – Introduction 1-1 Chapter 2 – Boundary Layer Transition and Laminar Flow Concepts 2-1 2.1 Transition Mechanisms and Transition Prediction 2...Laminar flow control LSTM Lehrstuhl für Strömungsmechanik der Universität Erlangen LWK Laminarwindkanal Stuttgart L2F Laser two-focus anemometer MMO...2.1 Transition mechanisms and transition prediction Modern transonic transport aircraft are characterized by a swept wing resulting in high cruise

Dynamics of airflow in a short inhalation

PubMed Central

Bates, A. J.; Doorly, D. J.; Cetto, R.; Calmet, H.; Gambaruto, A. M.; Tolley, N. S.; Houzeaux, G.; Schroter, R. C.

2015-01-01

During a rapid inhalation, such as a sniff, the flow in the airways accelerates and decays quickly. The consequences for flow development and convective transport of an inhaled gas were investigated in a subject geometry extending from the nose to the bronchi. The progress of flow transition and the advance of an inhaled non-absorbed gas were determined using highly resolved simulations of a sniff 0.5 s long, 1 l s−1 peak flow, 364 ml inhaled volume. In the nose, the distribution of airflow evolved through three phases: (i) an initial transient of about 50 ms, roughly the filling time for a nasal volume, (ii) quasi-equilibrium over the majority of the inhalation, and (iii) a terminating phase. Flow transition commenced in the supraglottic region within 20 ms, resulting in large-amplitude fluctuations persisting throughout the inhalation; in the nose, fluctuations that arose nearer peak flow were of much reduced intensity and diminished in the flow decay phase. Measures of gas concentration showed non-uniform build-up and wash-out of the inhaled gas in the nose. At the carina, the form of the temporal concentration profile reflected both shear dispersion and airway filling defects owing to recirculation regions. PMID:25551147

Waves on radial film flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cholemari, Murali R.; Arakeri, Jaywant H.

2005-08-01

We study the stability of surface waves on the radial film flow created by a vertical cylindrical water jet striking a horizontal plate. In such flows, surface waves have been found to be unstable and can cause transition to turbulence. This surface-wave-induced transition is different from the well-known Tollmien-Schlichting wave-induced transition. The present study aims at understanding the instability and the transition process. We do a temporal stability analysis by assuming the flow to be locally two-dimensional but including spatial variations to first order in the basic flow. The waves are found to be dispersive, mostly unstable, and faster than the mean flow. Spatial variation is the major destabilizing factor. Experiments are done to test the results of the linear stability analysis and to document the wave breakup and transition. Comparison between theory and experiments is fairly good and indicates the adequacy of the model.

PT-symmetric mode-locking.

PubMed

Longhi, S

2016-10-01

Parity-time (PT) symmetry is one of the most important accomplishments in optics over the past decade. Here the concept of PT mode-locking (ML) of a laser is introduced, in which active phase-locking of cavity axial modes is realized by asymmetric mode coupling in a complex time crystal. PT ML shows a transition from single- to double-pulse emission as the PT symmetry breaking point is crossed. The transition can show a turbulent behavior, depending on a dimensionless modulation parameter that plays the same role as the Reynolds number in hydrodynamic flows.

Flow Topology Transition via Global Bifurcation in Thermally Driven Turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Yi-Chao; Ding, Guang-Yu; Xia, Ke-Qing

2018-05-01

We report an experimental observation of a flow topology transition via global bifurcation in a turbulent Rayleigh-Bénard convection. This transition corresponds to a spontaneous symmetry breaking with the flow becomes more turbulent. Simultaneous measurements of the large-scale flow (LSF) structure and the heat transport show that the LSF bifurcates from a high heat transport efficiency quadrupole state to a less symmetric dipole state with a lower heat transport efficiency. In the transition zone, the system switches spontaneously and stochastically between the two long-lived metastable states.

On laminar-turbulent transition in nanofluid flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rudyak, V. Ya.; Minakov, A. V.; Guzey, D. V.; Zhigarev, V. A.; Pryazhnikov, M. I.

2016-09-01

The paper presents experimental data on the laminar-turbulent transition in the nanofluid flow in the pipe. The transition in the flows of such fluids is shown to have lower Reynolds numbers than in the base fluid. The degree of the flow destabilization increases with an increase in concentration of nanoparticles and a decrease in their size. On the other hand, in the turbulent flow regime, the presence of particles in the flow leads to the suppression of smallscale turbulent fluctuations. The correlation of the measured viscosity coefficient of considered nanofluids is presented.

The role of zonally asymmetric heating in the vertical and temporal structure of the global scale flow fields during FGGE SOP-1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Paegle, J.; Kalnay, E.; Baker, W. E.

1981-01-01

The global scale structure of atmospheric flow is best documented on time scales longer than a few days. Theoretical and observational studies of ultralong waves have emphasized forcing due to global scale variations of topography and surface heat flux, possibly interacting with baroclinically unstable or vertically refracting basic flows. Analyses of SOP-1 data in terms of global scale spherical harmonics is documented with emphasis upon weekly transitions.

Comparison of Two Devices for Intraoperative Portal Venous Flow Measurement in Living-Donor Liver Transplantation: Transit Time Ultrasound and Conventional Doppler Ultrasound.

PubMed

Wang, H-K; Chen, C-Y; Lin, N-C; Liu, C-S; Loong, C-C; Lin, Y-H; Lai, Y-C; Chiou, H-J

2018-05-01

Intraoperative portal venous flow measurement provides surgeons with instant guidance for portal flow modulation during living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). In this study, we compared the agreement of portal flow measurement obtained by 2 devices: transit time ultrasound (TTU) and conventional Doppler ultrasound (CDU). Fifty-four recipients of LDLT underwent intraoperative measurement of portal flow after completion of vascular anastomosis of the implanted partial liver graft. Both TTU and CDU were used concurrently. Agreement of TTU and CDU was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient using a model of 2-way random effects, absolute agreement, and single measurement. A Bland-Altman plot was applied to assess the variability between the 2 devices. The mean, median, and range of portal venous flow was 1456, 1418, and 117 to 2776 mL/min according to TTU; and 1564, 1566, and 119 to 3216 mL/min according to CDU. The intraclass correlation coefficient of portal venous flow between TTU and CDU was 0.68 (95% confidence interval, 0.51-0.80). The Bland-Altman plots revealed an average variation of 4.8% between TTU and CDU but with a rather wide 95% confidence interval of variation ranging from -57.7% to 67.4%. Intraoperative TTU and CDU showed moderate agreement in portal flow measurement. However, a relatively wide range of variation exists between TTU and CDU, indicating that data obtained from the 2 devices may not be interchangeable. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Second-mode control in hypersonic boundary layers over assigned complex wall impedance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sousa, Victor; Patel, Danish; Chapelier, Jean-Baptiste; Scalo, Carlo

2017-11-01

The durability and aerodynamic performance of hypersonic vehicles greatly relies on the ability to delay transition to turbulence. Passive aerodynamic flow control devices such as porous acoustic absorbers are a very attractive means to damp ultrasonic second-mode waves, which govern transition in hypersonic boundary layers under idealized flow conditions (smooth walls, slender geometries, small angles of attack). The talk will discuss numerical simulations modeling such absorbers via the time-domain impedance boundary condition (TD-IBC) approach by Scalo et al. in a hypersonic boundary layer flow over a 7-degree wedge at freestream Mach numbers M∞ = 7.3 and Reynolds numbers Rem = 1.46 .106 . A three-parameter impedance model tuned to the second-mode waves is tested first with varying resistance, R, and damping ratio, ζ, revealing complete mode attenuation for R < 20. A realistic IBC is then employed, derived via an inverse Helmholtz solver analysis of an ultrasonically absorbing carbon-fiber-reinforced carbon ceramic sample used in recent hypersonic transition experiments by Dr. Wagner and co-workers at DLR-Göttingen.

Predictability of Circulation Transitions (Observed and Modeled): Non-diffusive Dynamics, Markov Chains and Error Growth.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Straus, D. M.

2006-12-01

The transitions between portions of the state space of the large-scale flow is studied from daily wintertime data over the Pacific North America region using the NCEP reanalysis data set (54 winters) and very large suites of hindcasts made with the COLA atmospheric GCM with observed SST (55 members for each of 18 winters). The partition of the large-scale state space is guided by cluster analysis, whose statistical significance and relationship to SST is reviewed (Straus and Molteni, 2004; Straus, Corti and Molteni, 2006). The determination of the global nature of the flow through state space is studied using Markov Chains (Crommelin, 2004). In particular the non-diffusive part of the flow is contrasted in nature (small data sample) and the AGCM (large data sample). The intrinsic error growth associated with different portions of the state space is studied through sets of identical twin AGCM simulations. The goal is to obtain realistic estimates of predictability times for large-scale transitions that should be useful in long-range forecasting.

Fine flow structures in the transition region small-scale loops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, L.; Peter, H.; He, J.; Wei, Y.

2016-12-01

The observation and model have suggested that the transition region EUV emission from the quiet sun region is contributed by very small scale loops which have not been resolved. Recently, the observation from IRIS has revealed that this kind of small scale loops. Based on the high resolution spectral and imaging observation from IRIS, much more detail work needs to be done to reveal the fine flow features in this kind of loop to help us understand the loop heating. Here, we present a detail statistical study of the spatial and temporal evolution of Si IV line profiles of small scale loops and report the spectral features: there is a transition from blue (red) wing enhancement dominant to red (blue) wing enhancement dominant along the cross-section of the loop, which is independent of time. This feature appears as the loop appear and disappear as the loop un-visible. This is probably the signature of helical flow along the loop. The result suggests that the brightening of this kind of loop is probably due to the current dissipation heating in the twisted magnetic field flux tube.

Properties of the spindle-to-cusp transition in extensional capsule dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dodson, W. R., III; Dimitrakopoulos, P.

2014-05-01

Our earlier letter (Dodson W. R. III and Dimitrakopoulos P., Phys. Rev. Lett., 101 (2008) 208102) revealed that a (strain-hardening) Skalak capsule in a planar extensional Stokes flow develops for stability reasons steady-state shapes whose edges from spindled become cusped with increasing flow rate owing to a transition of the edge tensions from tensile to compressive. A bifurcation in the steady-state shapes was also found (i.e. existence of both spindled and cusped edges for a range of high flow rates) by implementing different transient processes, owing to the different evolution of the membrane tensions. In this paper we show that the bifurcation range is wider at higher viscosity ratio (owing to the lower transient membrane tensions accompanied the slower capsule deformation starting from the quiescent capsule shape), while it contracts and eventually disappears as the viscosity ratio decreases. The spindle-to-cusp transition is shown to represent a self-similar finite-time singularity formation which for real capsules with very small but finite thickness is expected to be an apparent singularity, i.e. formation of very large (but finite) positive and negative edge curvatures.

Closure models for transitional blunt-body flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nance, Robert Paul

1998-12-01

A mean-flow modeling approach is proposed for the prediction of high-speed blunt-body wake flows undergoing transition to turbulence. This method couples the k- /zeta (Enstrophy) compressible turbulence model with a procedure for characterizing non-turbulent fluctuations upstream of transition. Two different instability mechanisms are examined in this study. In the first model, transition is brought about by streamwise disturbance modes, whereas the second mechanism considers instabilities in the free shear layer associated with the wake flow. An important feature of this combined approach is the ability to specify or predict the location of transition onset. Solutions obtained using the new approach are presented for a variety of perfect-gas hypersonic flows over blunt- cone configurations. These results are shown to provide better agreement with experimental heating data than earlier laminar predictions by other researchers. In addition, it is demonstrated that the free-shear-layer instability mechanism is superior to the streamwise mechanism in terms of comparisons with heating measurements. The favorable comparisons are a strong indication that transition to turbulence is indeed present in the flowfields considered. They also show that the present method is a useful predictive tool for transitional blunt-body wake flows.

Rapid and efficient detection of single chromophore molecules in aqueous solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Li-Qiang; Davis, Lloyd M.

1995-06-01

The first experiments on the detection of single fluorescent molecules in a flowing stream of an aqueous solution with high total efficiency are reported. A capillary injection system for sample delivery causes all the dye molecules to pass in a diffusion-broadened stream within a fast-moving sheath flow, through the center of the tightly focused laser excitation beam. Single-molecule detection with a transit time of approximately 1 ms is accomplished with a high-quantum-efficiency single-photon avalanche diode and a low dead-time time-gating circuit for discrimination of Raman-scattered light from the solvent.

Transitions in low Re pumping by oscillating plate arrays of mayfly nymphs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiger, Ken; Sensenig, Andrew; Shultz, Jeffrey

2008-11-01

Mayfly nymphs are aquatic insects which alter behavior and metabolism to accommodate changes in ambient dissolved oxygen. Many species can generate a ventilation current to compensate for low oxygen levels by beating two linear arrays of plate-like gills that line the lateral edge of the abdomen. The oscillation Reynolds number associated with the gill motion changes with animal size, varying over a span of Re = 2 to 50 depending on age and species. Thus mayflies provide a novel system model for studying ontological changes in pumping mechanisms associated with transitions from a viscous- to inertia-dominated flow. Observation of the detailed 3-D kinematics of the gill motion of the species Centroptilum triangulifer reveal that the mayfly makes a marked transition in stroke motion when Re>5, with a corresponding shift in mean flow from the ventral to the dorsal direction. Results of the time-resolved flow within the inter-gill space shows that for Re>12 the plate motion generates a complex array of bound and shed vortices, which interact to produce an intermittent dorsally directed jet. For the Re<5, distinct bound vortices are still observed, but increased diffusive effects creates vortices which simultaneously envelope several gills, forcing a new flow pattern to emerge. Details of the flow mechanism and its implications will be discussed. This work is supported by NSF under grant CBET-0730907.

New results in gravity dependent two-phase flow regime mapping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurwitz, Cable; Best, Frederick

2002-01-01

Accurate prediction of thermal-hydraulic parameters, such as the spatial gas/liquid orientation or flow regime, is required for implementation of two-phase systems. Although many flow regime transition models exist, accurate determination of both annular and slug regime boundaries is not well defined especially at lower flow rates. Furthermore, models typically indicate the regime as a sharp transition where data may indicate a transition space. Texas A&M has flown in excess of 35 flights aboard the NASA KC-135 aircraft with a unique two-phase package. These flights have produced a significant database of gravity dependent two-phase data including visual observations for flow regime identification. Two-phase flow tests conducted during recent zero-g flights have added to the flow regime database and are shown in this paper with comparisons to selected transition models. .

Transition between 'base' and 'tip' carbon nanofiber growth modes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Melechko, Anatoli V.; Merkulov, Vladimir I.; Lowndes, Douglas H.; Guillorn, Michael A.; Simpson, Michael L.

2002-04-01

Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) have been synthesized by catalytically controlled dc glow discharge plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). Both base-type and tip-type nanofibers have been produced on identical substrates. We have observed a sharp transition between these two growth modes by controlling the kinetics of the growth process without changing the substrate and catalyst materials. This transition is brought about by changing the parameters used in the deposition process such as the flow ratio of the carbonaceous and etchant gasses and others. This study of the initial growth stages as a function of time for both regimes provides a basis for a model of the growth mode transition.

Vortices in Long Josephson Junctions.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-11-01

of the very low impedance vortex flow transistor and toward determination of its potential for high frequency applications. Capability for higher...version. New progress was made toward solution of the problems of high frequency testing of the very low impedance vortex flow transistor and towards... measurable transresistance ’". out to frequencies of about 10% of the theoretical transit time cutoff fre- quency. Capability for higher frequency testing

Simple model for vibration-translation exchange at high temperatures: effects of multiquantum transitions on the relaxation of a N2 gas flow behind a shock.

PubMed

Aliat, A; Vedula, P; Josyula, E

2011-02-01

In this paper a simple model is proposed for computation of rate coefficients related to vibration-translation transitions based on the forced harmonic oscillator theory. This model, which is developed by considering a quadrature method, provides rate coefficients that are in very good agreement with those found in the literature for the high temperature regime (≳10,000 K). This model is implemented to study a one-dimensional nonequilibrium inviscid N(2) flow behind a plane shock by considering a state-to-state approach. While the effects of ionization and chemical reactions are neglected in our study, our results show that multiquantum transitions have a great influence on the relaxation of the macroscopic parameters of the gas flow behind the shock, especially on vibrational distributions of high levels. All vibrational states are influenced by multiquantum processes, but the effective number of transitions decreases inversely according to the vibrational quantum number. For the initial conditions considered in this study, excited electronic states are found to be weakly populated and can be neglected in modeling. Moreover, the computing time is considerably reduced with the model described in this paper compared to others found in the literature. ©2011 American Physical Society

Rheological observation of glassy dynamics of dilute polymer solutions near the coil-stretch transition in elongational flows.

PubMed

Sridhar, T; Nguyen, D A; Prabhakar, R; Prakash, J Ravi

2007-04-20

It has long been conjectured that the macroscopic dynamics of dilute polymer solutions may exhibit a glasslike slowdown caused by ergodicity breaking, in the vicinity of the coil-stretch transition in elongational flows. We report experimental observations using a filament stretching rheometer that confirm the existence of such glassy states. It is observed that different time-dependent elongational strain-rate profiles lead to a pronounced history dependence and aging effects within a narrow range of strain rates. The results have a direct bearing on the analysis and design of processes employing dilute polymer solutions, such as ink-jet printing, surface coating, and turbulent-drag reduction.

The Ebb and Flow of Filipino First-Time Fatherhood Transition Space: A Grounded Theory Study.

PubMed

Villamor, Neil Jupiter E; de Guzman, Allan B; Matienzo, Evangeline T

2016-11-01

Fatherhood, as a developmental process, is both a human experience and a text that needs to be read. For developing nations like the Philippines, little is known about the process undergone by first-time fathers on their transition to fatherhood, and how nurses can play a significant role in assisting them. This grounded theory study purported to conceptualize the multifaceted process of transition from the lens of Filipino first-time fathers' lived experiences. A total of 20 first-time fathers from Metro Manila, Philippines, were purposively selected to take part in an individual, semistructured, and in-depth interview. The Glaserian (classical) method of analysis was specifically used, and field texts were inductively analyzed using a repertory grid. Member checking and correspondence were done to validate the findings of the study. Six surfacing stages emerged relative to the process of transition. Interestingly, The B.R.I.D.G.E. Theory of First-Time Fatherhood Transition Space describes how these fathers progress from the beholding, reorganizing, inhibiting, delivering, grasping, and embracing phases toward successful transition. This emerged theoretical model can be used in framing health care programs where the needs of fathers during this period are met and addressed. Finally, it can also be used in guiding nurses in their provision of a more empathetic care for first-time fathers. © The Author(s) 2015.

Coherent structure dynamics and identification during the multistage transitions of polymeric turbulent channel flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Lu; Xi, Li

2018-04-01

Drag reduction induced by polymer additives in wall-bounded turbulence has been studied for decades. A small dosage of polymer additives can drastically reduce the energy dissipation in turbulent flows and alter the flow structures at the same time. As the polymer-induced fluid elasticity increases, drag reduction goes through several stages of transition with drastically different flow statistics. While much attention in the area of polymer-turbulence interactions has been focused on the onset and the asymptotic stage of maximum drag reduction, the transition between the two intermediate stages – low-extent drag reduction (LDR) and high-extent drag reduction (HDR) – likely reflects a qualitative change in the underlying vortex dynamics according to our recent study [1]. In particular, we proposed that polymers start to suppress the lift-up and bursting of vortices at HDR, leading to the localization of turbulent structures. To test our hypothesis, a statistically robust conditional sampling algorithm, based on Jenong and Hussain [2]’s work, was adopted in this study. The comparison of conditional eddies between the Newtonian and the highly elastic turbulence shows that (i) the lifting “strength” of vortices is suppressed by polymers as reflected by the decreasing lifting angle of the conditional eddy and (ii) the curvature of vortices is also eliminated as the orientation of the head of the conditional eddy changes. In summary, the results of conditional sampling support our hypothesis of polymer-turbulence interactions during the LDR-HDR transition.

Study of the heat-transfer crisis on heat-release surfaces of annular channels with swirl and transit flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boltenko, E. A.

2016-10-01

The results of the experimental study of the heat-transfer crisis on heat-release surfaces of annular channels with swirl and transit flow are presented. The experiments were carried out using electric heated annular channels with one and (or) two heat-release surfaces. For the organization of transit flow on a convex heat-release surface, four longitudinal ribs were installed uniformly at its perimeter. Swirl flow was realized using a capillary wound tightly (without gaps) on the ribs. The ratio between swirl and transit flows in the annular gap was varied by applying longitudinal ribs of different height. The experiments were carried out using a closed-type circulatory system. The experimental data were obtained in a wide range of regime parameters. Both water heated to the temperature less than the saturation temperature and water-steam mixture were fed at the inlet of the channels. For the measurement of the temperature of the heat-release surfaces, chromel-copel thermocouples were used. It was shown that the presence of swirl flow on a convex heatrelease surface led to a significant decrease in critical heat flows (CHF) compared to a smooth surface. To increase CHF, it was proposed to use the interaction of swirl flows of the heat carrier. The second swirl flow was transit flow, i.e., swirl flow with the step equal to infinity. It was shown that CHF values for a channel with swirl and transit flow in all the studied range of regime parameters was higher than CHF values for both a smooth annular channel and a channel with swirl. The empirical ratios describing the dependence of CHF on convex and concave heat-release surfaces of annular channels with swirl and transit flow on the geometrical characteristics of channels and the regime parameters were obtained. The experiments were carried out at the pressure p = 3.0-16.0 MPa and the mass velocity ρw = 250-3000 kg/(m2s).

Changes in Bedform Shape at the Transition Between Upper Plane-Bed and Sheet-Flow Bedload Transport Regimes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hernandez Moreira, R. R.; Huffman, B.; Vautin, D.; Viparelli, E.

2015-12-01

The interactions between flow hydrodynamics and bedform characteristics at the transition between upper plane-bed bedload transport regime and sheet-flow have not yet been thoroughly described and still remain poorly understood. The present study focuses on the experimental study of this transition in open channel mode. The experiments were performed in the hydraulic laboratory of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the University of South Carolina in a sediment-feed flume, 9-m long by 19-cm wide with uniform material sediment of geometric mean grain size diameter of 1.11 mm. Sediment feed rates ranged between 0.5 kg/min and 20 kg/min with two different flow rates of 20 l/s and 30 l/s. We recorded periodic measurements of water surface and bed elevation to estimate the global flow parameters, e.g. mean flow velocity and bed shear stress, and to determine when the flow and the sediment transport reached conditions of mobile bed equilibrium. We define mobile bed equilibrium as a condition in which the mean bed elevation does not change in time. At equilibrium, measurements of bed elevation fluctuations were taken with an ultrasonic transducer system at six discrete locations. In the runs with low and medium feed rates, i.e. smaller than ~12 kg/min, the long wavelength and small amplitude bedforms typical of the upper plane bed regime, which were observed in previous experimental work, formed and migrated downstream. In particular, with increasing feed rates, the amplitude of the bedforms decreases and their geometry changes, from well-defined triangular shapes, to rounded shapes to flat bed with very small amplitude, long wavelength undulations. The decrease in amplitude corresponds to a decrease in form drag and an increase in the thickness of the bedload layer. The ultrasonic measurements are analyzed to statistically describe the observed transition in terms of probability distribution functions of the bed elevation fluctuations.

Parametric electroconvection in a weakly conducting fluid in a horizontal parallel-plate capacitor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kartavykh, N. N.; Smorodin, B. L., E-mail: bsmorodin@yandex.ru; Il’in, V. A.

2015-07-15

We study the flows of a nonuniformly heated weakly conducting fluid in an ac electric field of a horizontal parallel-plate capacitor. Analysis is carried out for fluids in which the charge formation is governed by electroconductive mechanism associated with the temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity of the medium. Periodic and chaotic regimes of fluid flow are investigated in the limiting case of instantaneous charge relaxation and for a finite relaxation time. Bifurcation diagrams and electroconvective regimes charts are constructed. The regions where fluid oscillations synchronize with the frequency of the external field are determined. Hysteretic transitions between electroconvection regimesmore » are studied. The scenarios of transition to chaotic oscillations are analyzed. Depending on the natural frequency of electroconvective system and the external field frequency, the transition from periodic to chaotic oscillations can occur via quasiperiodicity, a subharmonic cascade, or intermittence.« less

Dynamic contraction of the positive column of a self-sustained glow discharge in air flow

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shneider, M. N.; Mokrov, M. S.; Milikh, G. M.

We study the dynamic contraction of a self-sustained glow discharge in air in a rectangular duct with convective cooling. A two dimensional numerical model of the plasma contraction was developed in a cylindrical frame. The process is described by a set of time-dependent continuity equations for the electrons, positive and negative ions; gas and vibrational temperature; and equations which account for the convective heat and plasma losses by the transverse flux. Transition from the uniform to contracted state was analyzed. It was shown that such transition experiences a hysteresis, and that the critical current of the transition increases when themore » gas density drops. Possible coexistence of the contracted and uniform state of the plasma in the discharge, where the current flows along the density gradient of the background gas, is discussed.« less

Experimental scaling law for the subcritical transition to turbulence in plane Poiseuille flow.

PubMed

Lemoult, Grégoire; Aider, Jean-Luc; Wesfreid, José Eduardo

2012-02-01

We present an experimental study of the transition to turbulence in a plane Poiseuille flow. Using a well-controlled perturbation, we analyze the flow by using extensive particle image velocimetry and flow visualization (using laser-induced fluorescence) measurements, and use the deformation of the mean velocity profile as a criterion to characterize the state of the flow. From a large parametric study, four different states are defined, depending on the values of the Reynolds number and the amplitude of the perturbation. We discuss the role of coherent structures, such as hairpin vortices, in the transition. We find that the minimal amplitude of the perturbation triggering transition scales asymptotically as Re(-1).

Ion-scale turbulence in MAST: anomalous transport, subcritical transitions, and comparison to BES measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Wyk, F.; Highcock, E. G.; Field, A. R.; Roach, C. M.; Schekochihin, A. A.; Parra, F. I.; Dorland, W.

2017-11-01

We investigate the effect of varying the ion temperature gradient (ITG) and toroidal equilibrium scale sheared flow on ion-scale turbulence in the outer core of MAST by means of local gyrokinetic simulations. We show that nonlinear simulations reproduce the experimental ion heat flux and that the experimentally measured values of the ITG and the flow shear lie close to the turbulence threshold. We demonstrate that the system is subcritical in the presence of flow shear, i.e., the system is formally stable to small perturbations, but transitions to a turbulent state given a large enough initial perturbation. We propose that the transition to subcritical turbulence occurs via an intermediate state dominated by low number of coherent long-lived structures, close to threshold, which increase in number as the system is taken away from the threshold into the more strongly turbulent regime, until they fill the domain and a more conventional turbulence emerges. We show that the properties of turbulence are effectively functions of the distance to threshold, as quantified by the ion heat flux. We make quantitative comparisons of correlation lengths, times, and amplitudes between our simulations and experimental measurements using the MAST BES diagnostic. We find reasonable agreement of the correlation properties, most notably of the correlation time, for which significant discrepancies were found in previous numerical studies of MAST turbulence.

Extensional channel flow revisited: a dynamical systems perspective

PubMed Central

Meseguer, Alvaro; Mellibovsky, Fernando; Weidman, Patrick D.

2017-01-01

Extensional self-similar flows in a channel are explored numerically for arbitrary stretching–shrinking rates of the confining parallel walls. The present analysis embraces time integrations, and continuations of steady and periodic solutions unfolded in the parameter space. Previous studies focused on the analysis of branches of steady solutions for particular stretching–shrinking rates, although recent studies focused also on the dynamical aspects of the problems. We have adopted a dynamical systems perspective, analysing the instabilities and bifurcations the base state undergoes when increasing the Reynolds number. It has been found that the base state becomes unstable for small Reynolds numbers, and a transitional region including complex dynamics takes place at intermediate Reynolds numbers, depending on the wall acceleration values. The base flow instabilities are constitutive parts of different codimension-two bifurcations that control the dynamics in parameter space. For large Reynolds numbers, the restriction to self-similarity results in simple flows with no realistic behaviour, but the flows obtained in the transition region can be a valuable tool for the understanding of the dynamics of realistic Navier–Stokes solutions. PMID:28690413

Investigation of hydrodynamic characteristics of laminar flow condition around sphere using PIV system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abed, A. H.; Shcheklein, S. E.

2018-05-01

This paper aims to determine the hydrodynamic characteristics of flow around the sphere in unsteady state condition. An experimental test-rig was designed and constructed for this purpose with the application of an adjusted laser optics system. It is based on the technology of pulsed particle visualization of micro tracers in the cross section per unit time interval. Visualization with Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV-system) is used to study the properties of the flow such as its structure. The PIV-system is the most accepted technique allowed one to measure the instantaneous velocity distribution in fluid applications. In this experimental study, o-ring is used to simulate turbulence on the sphere surface and creates very high-level fluctuations, which creates the flow undergoing a laminar-to-turbulent transition. This transition leads to a delay of the separation point of flow from the sphere surface causing a significant reduction in the drag coefficient, reaching 45%. New results obtained can be useful in the development of numerical validation as well as in design processes.

The role of turbulence-flow interactions in L- to H-mode transition dynamics: recent progress

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmitz, L.

2017-02-01

Recent experimental and simulation work has substantially advanced the understanding of L-mode plasma edge turbulence and plasma flows and their mutual interaction across the L-H transition. Flow acceleration and E   ×   B shear flow amplification via the turbulent Reynolds stress have been directly observed in multiple devices, using multi-tip probe arrays, Doppler backscattering, beam emission spectroscopy, and gas puff imaging diagnostics. L-H transitions characterized by limit-cycle oscillations (LCO) allow probing of the trigger dynamics and the synergy of turbulence-driven and pressure-gradient-driven flows with high spatio-temporal resolution. L-mode turbulent structures exhibit characteristic changes in topology (tilting) and temporal and radial correlation preceding the L-H transition. Long-range toroidal flow correlations increase preceding edge-transport-barrier formation. The energy transfer from the turbulence spectrum to large-scale axisymmetric flows has been quantified in L-LCO and fast L-H transitions in several devices. After formation of a transient barrier, the increasing ion pressure gradient (via the E   ×   B flow shear associated with diamagnetic flow) sustains fluctuation suppression and secures the transition to H-mode. Heuristic models of the L-H trigger dynamics have progressed from 0D predator-prey models to 1D extended models, including neoclassical ion flow-damping and pressure-gradient evolution. Initial results from 2D and 3D reduced fluid models have been obtained for high-collisionality regimes.

Dynamic Transitions and Baroclinic Instability for 3D Continuously Stratified Boussinesq Flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Şengül, Taylan; Wang, Shouhong

2018-02-01

The main objective of this article is to study the nonlinear stability and dynamic transitions of the basic (zonal) shear flows for the three-dimensional continuously stratified rotating Boussinesq model. The model equations are fundamental equations in geophysical fluid dynamics, and dynamics associated with their basic zonal shear flows play a crucial role in understanding many important geophysical fluid dynamical processes, such as the meridional overturning oceanic circulation and the geophysical baroclinic instability. In this paper, first we derive a threshold for the energy stability of the basic shear flow, and obtain a criterion for local nonlinear stability in terms of the critical horizontal wavenumbers and the system parameters such as the Froude number, the Rossby number, the Prandtl number and the strength of the shear flow. Next, we demonstrate that the system always undergoes a dynamic transition from the basic shear flow to either a spatiotemporal oscillatory pattern or circle of steady states, as the shear strength of the basic flow crosses a critical threshold. Also, we show that the dynamic transition can be either continuous or catastrophic, and is dictated by the sign of a transition number, fully characterizing the nonlinear interactions of different modes. Both the critical shear strength and the transition number are functions of the system parameters. A systematic numerical method is carried out to explore transition in different flow parameter regimes. In particular, our numerical investigations show the existence of a hypersurface which separates the parameter space into regions where the basic shear flow is stable and unstable. Numerical investigations also yield that the selection of horizontal wave indices is determined only by the aspect ratio of the box. We find that the system admits only critical eigenmodes with roll patterns aligned with the x-axis. Furthermore, numerically we encountered continuous transitions to multiple steady states, as well as continuous and catastrophic transitions to spatiotemporal oscillations.

Investigations on precursor measures for aeroelastic flutter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Venkatramani, J.; Sarkar, Sunetra; Gupta, Sayan

2018-04-01

Wind tunnel experiments carried out on a pitch-plunge aeroelastic system in the presence of fluctuating flows reveal that flutter instability is presaged by a regime of intermittency. It is observed that as the flow speed gradually increases towards the flutter speed, there appears intermittent bursts of periodic oscillations which become more frequent as the wind speed increases and eventually the dynamics transition into fully developed limit cycle oscillations, marking the onset of flutter. The signature from these intermittent oscillations are exploited to develop measures that forewarn a transition to flutter and can serve as precursors. This study investigates a suite of measures that are obtained directly from the time history of measurements and are hence model independent. The dependence of these precursors on the size of the measured data set and the time required for their computation is investigated. These measures can be useful in structural health monitoring of aeroelastic structures.

Method for noninvasive determination of acoustic properties of fluids inside pipes

DOEpatents

None

2016-08-02

A method for determining the composition of fluids flowing through pipes from noninvasive measurements of acoustic properties of the fluid is described. The method includes exciting a first transducer located on the external surface of the pipe through which the fluid under investigation is flowing, to generate an ultrasound chirp signal, as opposed to conventional pulses. The chirp signal is received by a second transducer disposed on the external surface of the pipe opposing the location of the first transducer, from which the transit time through the fluid is determined and the sound speed of the ultrasound in the fluid is calculated. The composition of a fluid is calculated from the sound speed therein. The fluid density may also be derived from measurements of sound attenuation. Several signal processing approaches are described for extracting the transit time information from the data with the effects of the pipe wall having been subtracted.

Experimental tests of truncated diffusion in fault damage zones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suzuki, Anna; Hashida, Toshiyuki; Li, Kewen; Horne, Roland N.

2016-11-01

Fault zones affect the flow paths of fluids in groundwater aquifers and geological reservoirs. Fault-related fracture damage decreases to background levels with increasing distance from the fault core according to a power law. This study investigated mass transport in such a fault-related structure using nonlocal models. A column flow experiment is conducted to create a permeability distribution that varies with distance from a main conduit. The experimental tracer response curve is preasymptotic and implies subdiffusive transport, which is slower than the normal Fickian diffusion. If the surrounding area is a finite domain, an upper truncated behavior in tracer response (i.e., exponential decline at late times) is observed. The tempered anomalous diffusion (TAD) model captures the transition from subdiffusive to Fickian transport, which is characterized by a smooth transition from power-law to an exponential decline in the late-time breakthrough curves.

Relating hyporheic fluxes, residence times, and redox-sensitive biogeochemical processes upstream of beaver dams

USGS Publications Warehouse

Briggs, Martin A.; Lautz, Laura; Hare, Danielle K.

2013-01-01

¨hler number seemed to overestimate the actual transition as indicated by multiple secondary electron acceptors, illustrating the gradient nature of anaerobic transition. Temporal flux variability in low-flux morphologies generated a much greater range in hyporheic redox conditions compared to high-flux zones, and chemical responses to changing flux rates were consistent with those predicted from the empirical relationship between redox condition and residence time. The Raz tracer revealed that hyporheic flow paths have strong net aerobic respiration, particularly at higher residence time, but this reactive exchange did not affect the net stream signal at the reach scale.

Linear stability theory and three-dimensional boundary layer transition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spall, Robert E.; Malik, Mujeeb R.

1992-01-01

The viewgraphs and discussion of linear stability theory and three dimensional boundary layer transition are provided. The ability to predict, using analytical tools, the location of boundary layer transition over aircraft-type configurations is of great importance to designers interested in laminar flow control (LFC). The e(sup N) method has proven to be fairly effective in predicting, in a consistent manner, the location of the onset of transition for simple geometries in low disturbance environments. This method provides a correlation between the most amplified single normal mode and the experimental location of the onset of transition. Studies indicate that values of N between 8 and 10 correlate well with the onset of transition. For most previous calculations, the mean flows were restricted to two-dimensional or axisymmetric cases, or have employed simple three-dimensional mean flows (e.g., rotating disk, infinite swept wing, or tapered swept wing with straight isobars). Unfortunately, for flows over general wing configurations, and for nearly all flows over fuselage-type bodies at incidence, the analysis of fully three-dimensional flow fields is required. Results obtained for the linear stability of fully three-dimensional boundary layers formed over both wing and fuselage-type geometries, and for both high and low speed flows are discussed. When possible, transition estimates form the e(sup N) method are compared to experimentally determined locations. The stability calculations are made using a modified version of the linear stability code COSAL. Mean flows were computed using both Navier Stokes and boundary-layer codes.

Comparison of two methods for estimating base flow in selected reaches of the South Platte River, Colorado

USGS Publications Warehouse

Capesius, Joseph P.; Arnold, L. Rick

2012-01-01

The Mass Balance results were quite variable over time such that they appeared suspect with respect to the concept of groundwater flow as being gradual and slow. The large degree of variability in the day-to-day and month-to-month Mass Balance results is likely the result of many factors. These factors could include ungaged stream inflows or outflows, short-term streamflow losses to and gains from temporary bank storage, and any lag in streamflow accounting owing to streamflow lag time of flow within a reach. The Pilot Point time series results were much less variable than the Mass Balance results and extreme values were effectively constrained. Less day-to-day variability, smaller magnitude extreme values, and smoother transitions in base-flow estimates provided by the Pilot Point method are more consistent with a conceptual model of groundwater flow being gradual and slow. The Pilot Point method provided a better fit to the conceptual model of groundwater flow and appeared to provide reasonable estimates of base flow.

Injection flow during steam condensation in silicon microchannels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Huiying; Yu, Mengmeng; Cheng, Ping; Wu, Xinyu

2007-08-01

An experimental investigation with the combined use of visualization and measurement techniques was performed on flow pattern transitions and wall temperature distributions in the condensation of steam in silicon microchannels. Three sets of trapezoidal silicon microchannels, having hydraulic diameters of 53.0 µm, 77.5 µm and 128.5 µm, respectively, were tested under different flow and cooling conditions. It was found that during the transitions from the annular flow to the slug/bubbly flow, a peculiar flow pattern injection flow appeared in silicon microchannels. The location at which the injection flow occurred was dependent on the Reynolds number, condensation number and hydraulic diameter. With increase in the Reynolds number, or decrease in the condensation number and hydraulic diameter, the injection flow moved towards the channel outlet. Based on the experimental results, a dimensionless correlation for the location of injection flow in functions of the Reynolds number, condensation number and hydraulic diameter was proposed for the first time. This correlation can be used to determine the annular flow zone and the slug/bubbly flow zone, and further to determine the dominating condensation flow pattern in silicon microchannels. Wall temperature distributions were also explored in this paper. It was found that near the injection flow, wall temperatures have a rapid decrease in the flow direction, while upstream and downstream far away from the injection flow, wall temperatures decreased mildly. Thus, the location of injection flow can also be determined based on the wall temperature distributions. The results presented in this paper help us to better understand the condensation flow and heat transfer in silicon microchannels.

Groundwater Recharge and Flow Processes in Taihang Mountains, a Semi-humid Region, North China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakakibara, Koichi; Tsujimura, Maki; Song, Xianfang; Zhang, Jie

2015-04-01

Groundwater flow/recharge variations in time and space are crucial for effective water management especially in semi-arid and semi-humid regions. In order to reveal comprehensive groundwater flow/recharge processes in a catchment with a large topographical relief and seasonal hydrological variations, intensive field surveys were undertaken at 4 times in different seasons (June 2011, August 2012, November 2012, February 2014) in the Wangkuai watershed, Taihang mountains, which is a main groundwater recharge area of the North China Plain. The groundwater, spring, stream water and reservoir water were taken, and inorganic solute constituents and stable isotopes of oxygen-18 and deuterium were determined on all water samples. Also, the stream flow rate and the depth of groundwater table were observed. The stable isotopic compositions and inorganic solute constituents in the groundwater are depleted and shown similar values as those of the surface water at the mountain-plain transitional area. Additionally, the groundwater in the vicinity of the Wangkuai Reservoir presents clearly higher stable isotopic compositions and lower d-excess than those of the stream water, indicating the groundwater around the reservoir is affected by evaporation same as the Wangkuai Reservoir itself. Hence, the surface water in the mountain-plain transitional area and Wangkuai Reservoir are principal groundwater recharge sources. An inversion analysis and simple mixing model were applied in the Wangkuai watershed using stable isotopes of oxygen-18 and deuterium to construct a groundwater flow model. The model shows that multi-originated groundwater flows from upstream to downstream along topography with certain mixing. In addition, the groundwater recharge occurs dominantly at the altitude from 421 m to 953 m, and the groundwater recharge rate by the Wangkuai Reservoir is estimated to be 2.4 % of the total groundwater recharge in the Wangkuai watershed. Therefore, the stream water and reservoir water in the mountain-plain transitional area plays an important role of groundwater recharge in semi-arid and semi-humid regions.

Buoyancy Effects on Flow Transition in Low-Density Inertial Gas Jets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pasumarthi, Kasyap S.; Agrawal, Ajay K.

2005-01-01

Effects of buoyancy on transition from laminar to turbulent flow are presented for momentum-dominated helium jet injected into ambient air. The buoyancy was varied in a 2.2-sec drop tower facility without affecting the remaining operating parameters. The jet flow in Earth gravity and microgravity was visualized using the rainbow schlieren deflectometry apparatus. Results show significant changes in the flow structure and transition behavior in the absence of buoyancy.

A novel instrument for studying the flow behaviour of erythrocytes through microchannels simulating human blood capillaries.

PubMed

Sutton, N; Tracey, M C; Johnston, I D; Greenaway, R S; Rampling, M W

1997-05-01

A novel instrument has been developed to study the microrheology of erythrocytes as they flow through channels of dimensions similar to human blood capillaries. The channels are produced in silicon substrates using microengineering technology. Accurately defined, physiological driving pressures and temperatures are employed whilst precise, real-time image processing allows individual cells to be monitored continuously during their transit. The instrument characterises each cell in a sample of ca. 1000 in terms of its volume and flow velocity profile during its transit through a channel. The unique representation of the data in volume/velocity space provides new insight into the microrheological behaviour of blood. The image processing and subsequent data analysis enable the system to reject anomalous events such as multiple cell transits, thereby ensuring integrity of the resulting data. By employing an array of microfluidic flow channels we can integrate a number of different but precise and highly reproducible channel sizes and geometries within one array, thereby allowing multiple, concurrent isobaric measurements on one sample. As an illustration of the performance of the system, volume/velocity data sets recorded in a microfluidic device incorporating multiple channels of 100 microns length and individual widths ranging between 3.0 and 4.0 microns are presented.

Vortical structures of supersonic flow over a delta-wing on a flat plate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, D. P.; Xia, Z. X.; Zhao, Y. X.; Wang, Q. H.; Liu, B.

2013-02-01

Employing the nanoparticle-based planar laser scattering (NPLS), supersonic flow over a delta-winged vortex generator on a flat plate was experimentally investigated in a supersonic quiet wind tunnel at Ma = 2.68. The fine structures of the flow field, shock waves, separation vortices, wake, and boundary layer transition were observed in the NPLS images. According to the time-correlation of the NPLS images and the measurement results of particle image velocimetry, the structural model of the flow field was improved further, and coherent wake structures were observed, which is of significance theoretically and in engineering application.

Overview of NASA supported Stirling thermodynamic loss research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tew, Roy C.; Geng, Steven M.

1992-01-01

NASA is funding research to characterize Stirling machine thermodynamic losses. NASA's primary goal is to improve Stirling design codes to support engine development for space and terrestrial power. However, much of the fundamental data is applicable to Stirling cooling and heat pump applications. The research results are reviewed. Much was learned about oscillating flow hydrodynamics, including laminar/turbulent transition, and tabulated data was documented for further analysis. Now, with a better understanding of the oscillating flow field, it is time to begin measuring the effects of oscillating flow and oscillating pressure level on heat transfer in heat exchanger flow passages and in cylinders.

Time-Variable Transit Time Distributions in the Hyporheic Zone of a Headwater Mountain Stream

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ward, Adam S.; Schmadel, Noah M.; Wondzell, Steven M.

2018-03-01

Exchange of water between streams and their hyporheic zones is known to be dynamic in response to hydrologic forcing, variable in space, and to exist in a framework with nested flow cells. The expected result of heterogeneous geomorphic setting, hydrologic forcing, and between-feature interaction is hyporheic transit times that are highly variable in both space and time. Transit time distributions (TTDs) are important as they reflect the potential for hyporheic processes to impact biogeochemical transformations and ecosystems. In this study we simulate time-variable transit time distributions based on dynamic vertical exchange in a headwater mountain stream with observed, heterogeneous step-pool morphology. Our simulations include hyporheic exchange over a 600 m river corridor reach driven by continuously observed, time-variable hydrologic conditions for more than 1 year. We found that spatial variability at an instance in time is typically larger than temporal variation for the reach. Furthermore, we found reach-scale TTDs were marginally variable under all but the most extreme hydrologic conditions, indicating that TTDs are highly transferable in time. Finally, we found that aggregation of annual variation in space and time into a "master TTD" reasonably represents most of the hydrologic dynamics simulated, suggesting that this aggregation approach may provide a relevant basis for scaling from features or short reaches to entire networks.

A preliminary design study on an acoustic muffler for the laminar flow transition research apparatus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abrahamson, A. L.

1984-01-01

An acoustic muffler design of a research tool for studying laminar flow and the mechanisms of transition, the Laminar Flow and Transition Research Apparatus (LFTRA) is investigated. Since the presence of acoustic pressure fluctuations is known to affect transition, low background noise levels in the test section of the LFTRA are mandatory. The difficulties and tradeoffs of various muffler design concepts are discussed and the most promising candidates are emphasized.

Phase transitions in traffic flow on multilane roads.

PubMed

Kerner, Boris S; Klenov, Sergey L

2009-11-01

Based on empirical and numerical analyses of vehicular traffic, the physics of spatiotemporal phase transitions in traffic flow on multilane roads is revealed. The complex dynamics of moving jams observed in single vehicle data measured by video cameras on American highways is explained by the nucleation-interruption effect in synchronized flow, i.e., the spontaneous nucleation of a narrow moving jam with the subsequent jam dissolution. We find that (i) lane changing, vehicle merging from on-ramps, and vehicle leaving to off-ramps result in different traffic phases-free flow, synchronized flow, and wide moving jams-occurring and coexisting in different road lanes as well as in diverse phase transitions between the traffic phases; (ii) in synchronized flow, the phase transitions are responsible for a non-regular moving jam dynamics that explains measured single vehicle data: moving jams emerge and dissolve randomly at various road locations in different lanes; (iii) the phase transitions result also in diverse expanded general congested patterns occurring at closely located bottlenecks.

Calibration of the 7—Equation Transition Model for High Reynolds Flows at Low Mach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Colonia, S.; Leble, V.; Steijl, R.; Barakos, G.

2016-09-01

The numerical simulation of flows over large-scale wind turbine blades without considering the transition from laminar to fully turbulent flow may result in incorrect estimates of the blade loads and performance. Thanks to its relative simplicity and promising results, the Local-Correlation based Transition Modelling concept represents a valid way to include transitional effects into practical CFD simulations. However, the model involves coefficients that need tuning. In this paper, the γ—equation transition model is assessed and calibrated, for a wide range of Reynolds numbers at low Mach, as needed for wind turbine applications. An aerofoil is used to evaluate the original model and calibrate it; while a large scale wind turbine blade is employed to show that the calibrated model can lead to reliable solutions for complex three-dimensional flows. The calibrated model shows promising results for both two-dimensional and three-dimensional flows, even if cross-flow instabilities are neglected.

Obseration of flow regime transition in CFB riser using an LDV

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yue, Paul C.; Mei, Joseph S.; Shadle, Lawrence J.

2011-01-01

The solids flow in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) riser is often described to have a core-annular structure. For a given superficial gas velocity, at the initial introduction of solids into a riser a flow structure of dilute upflow regime exists. Continuing to increase the solids flow in the riser transitions the flow structure to the core-annular flow regime. However, with further increase of solids flow a condition is reached, depending on the superficial gas velocity, where all the solids across the riser cross section flow upwards, even those at the wall. When the solids flux, solids fraction and gasmore » velocity are relatively high, such a condition is described as the dense phase suspense upflow (DSU) regime. In this paper we report our observations of these flow regime transitions by using a laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) to monitor the upward and downward particle flow velocities at and near the riser wall of the National Energy Technology Laboratory’s 30.4 centimeters diameter CFB cold flow model. The particles were high density polyethylene (PPE) spheres with a Sauter mean diameter of 861 micron and a density of 800 kg/m3. Three superficial gas velocities of 6.55 m/s, 10.67 m/s and 13.72 m/s were used in this study. For the case of superficial gas velocity 6.55 m/s, the experimental data show that the transition from dilute upflow to core-annular flow occurred when the solids flux was about 7 kg/m{sup 2}-s and the transition from core-annular flow to dense suspension upflow was about 147 kg/m{sup 2}-s. As the superficial gas velocity was increased to 10.67 m/s the corresponding flow regime transitions were at 34 kg/m{sup 2}-s and 205 kg/m{sup 2}-s, respectively. For the case of superficial gas velocity of 13.72 m/s the data showed no distinct transition of flow regimes. The particles were all upflow for the range of solids fluxes from 10 kg/m{sup 2}-s to 286 kg/m{sup 2}-s.« less

Time-of-flight dependency on transducer separation distance in a reflective-path guided-wave ultrasonic flow meter at zero flow conditions.

PubMed

Aanes, Magne; Kippersund, Remi Andre; Lohne, Kjetil Daae; Frøysa, Kjell-Eivind; Lunde, Per

2017-08-01

Transit-time flow meters based on guided ultrasonic wave propagation in the pipe spool have several advantages compared to traditional inline ultrasonic flow metering. The extended interrogation field, obtained by continuous leakage from guided waves traveling in the pipe wall, increases robustness toward entrained particles or gas in the flow. In reflective-path guided-wave ultrasonic flow meters (GW-UFMs), the flow equations are derived from signals propagating solely in the pipe wall and from signals passing twice through the fluid. In addition to the time-of-flight (TOF) through the fluid, the fluid path experiences an additional time delay upon reflection at the opposite pipe wall due to specular and non-specular reflections. The present work investigates the influence of these reflections on the TOF in a reflective-path GW-UFM as a function of transducer separation distance at zero flow conditions. Two models are used to describe the signal propagation through the system: (i) a transient full-wave finite element model, and (ii) a combined plane-wave and ray-tracing model. The study shows that a range-dependent time delay is associated with the reflection of the fluid path, introducing transmitter-receiver distance dependence. Based on these results, the applicability of the flow equations derived using model (ii) is discussed.

Dynamic transition between fixed- and mobile-bed: mathematical and numerical aspects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zugliani, Daniel; Pasqualini, Matteo; Rosatti, Giorgio

2017-04-01

Free-surface flows with high sediment transport (as debris flow or hyper-concentrated flow) are composed by a mixture of fluid and solid phase, usually water and sediment. When these flows propagate over loose beds, particles constituting the mixture of water and sediments strongly interact with the ones forming the bed, leading to erosion or deposition. However, there are lots of other situations when the mixture flows over rigid bedrocks or over artificially paved transects, so there is no mass exchange between bed and mixture. The two situations are usually referred to as, respectively, mobile- and fixed-bed conditions. From a mathematical point of view, the systems of Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) that describe these flows derive from mass and momentum balance of both phases, but, the two resulting PDEs systems are different. The main difference concerns the concentration: in the mobile-bed condition, the concentration is linked to the local flow conditions by means of a suitable rheological relation, while in the fixed-bed case, the concentration is an unknown of the problem. It is quite common that a free surface flow with high sediment transport, in its path, encounters both conditions. In the recent work of Rosatti & Zugliani 2015, the mathematical and numerical description of the transition between fixed- and mobile-bed was successfully resolved, for the case of low sediment transport phenomena, by the introduction of a suitable erodibility variable and satisfactory results were obtained. The main disadvantage of the approach is related to the erodibility variable, that changes in space, based on bed characteristics, but remains constant in time. However, the nature of the bed can change dynamically as result of deposition over fixed bed or high erosion over mobile bed. With this work, we extend the applicability of the mentioned approach to the more complex PDEs describing the hyper-concentrated flow. Moreover, we introduce a strategy that allows a dynamic time variation of the erodibility variable. The issue of the dynamic transition between fixed- and mobile-bed condition is tackled, from a numerical point of view, using a particular predictor corrector technique that compare the transported concentration related with the fixed bed and the equilibrium concentration, deriving from a closure relation, associated to the mobile bed condition. Through a comparison between exact solution, built using the generalized Rankine - Hugoniot condition, and the numeric results, we highlight capabilities and limits of this enhanced technique. Bibliography: G. Rosatti and D. Zugliani, 2015. "Modelling the transition between fixed and mobile bed conditions in two-phase free-surface flows: The Composite Riemann Problem and its numerical solution". Journal of Computational Physics, 285:226-250

Evidence for hot clumpy accretion flow in the transitional millisecond pulsar PSR J1023+0038

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shahbaz, T.; Dallilar, Y.; Garner, A.; Eikenberry, S.; Veledina, A.; Gandhi, P.

2018-06-01

We present simultaneous optical and near-infrared (IR) photometry of the millisecond pulsar PSR J1023+0038 during its low-mass X-ray binary phase. The r΄- and Ks-band light curves show rectangular, flat-bottomed dips, similar to the X-ray mode-switching (active-passive state transitions) behaviour observed previously. The cross-correlation function (CCF) of the optical and near-IR data reveals a strong, broad negative anticorrelation at negative lags, a broad positive correlation at positive lags, with a strong, positive narrow correlation superimposed. The shape of the CCF resembles the CCF of black hole X-ray binaries but the time-scales are different. The features can be explained by reprocessing and a hot accretion flow close to the neutron star's magnetospheric radius. The optical emission is dominated by the reprocessed component, whereas the near-IR emission contains the emission from plasmoids in the hot accretion flow and a reprocessed component. The rapid active-passive state transition occurs when the hot accretion flow material is channelled on to the neutron star and is expelled from its magnetosphere. During the transition the optical reprocessing component decreases resulting in the removal of a blue spectral component. The accretion of clumpy material through the magnetic barrier of the neutron star produces the observed near-IR/optical CCF and variability. The dip at negative lags corresponds to the suppression of the near-IR synchrotron component in the hot flow, whereas the broad positive correlation at positive lags is driven by the increased synchrotron emission of the outflowing plasmoids. The narrow peak in the CCF is due to the delayed reprocessed component, enhanced by the increased X-ray emission.

Investigation of transition from thermal- to solutal-Marangoni flow in dilute alcohol/water mixtures using nano-plasmonic heaters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Namura, Kyoko; Nakajima, Kaoru; Suzuki, Motofumi

2018-02-01

We experimentally investigated Marangoni flows around a microbubble in diluted 1-butanol/water, 2-propanol/water, and ethanol/water mixtures using the thermoplasmonic effect of gold nanoisland film. A laser spot on the gold nanoisland film acted as a highly localized heat source that was utilized to generate stable air microbubbles with diameters of 32-48 μm in the fluid and to induce a steep temperature gradient on the bubble surface. The locally heated bubble has a flow along the bubble surface, with the flow direction showing a clear transition depending on the alcohol concentrations. The fluid is driven from the hot to cold regions when the alcohol concentration is lower than the transition concentration, whereas it is driven from the cold to hot regions when the concentration is higher than the transition concentration. In addition, the transition concentration increases as the carbon number of the alcohol decreases. The observed flow direction transition is explained by the balance of the thermal- and solutal-Marangoni forces that are cancelled out for the transition concentration. The selective evaporation of the alcohol at the locally heated surface allows us to generate stable and rapid thermoplasmonic solutal-Marangoni flows in the alcohol/water mixtures.

Investigating the age distribution of fracture discharge using multiple environmental tracers, Bedrichov Tunnel, Czech Republic

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gardner, W. Payton; Hokr, Milan; Shao, Hua

We investigated the transit time distribution (TTD) of discharge collected from fractures in the Bedrichov Tunnel, Czech Republic, using lumped parameter models and multiple environmental tracers. We then utilize time series of δ 18O, δ 2H and 3H along with CFC measurements from individual fractures in the Bedrichov Tunnel of the Czech Republic to investigate the TTD, and the uncertainty in estimated mean travel time in several fracture networks of varying length and discharge. We also compare several TTDs, including the dispersion distribution, the exponential distribution, and a developed TTD which includes the effects of matrix diffusion. The effect ofmore » seasonal recharge is explored by comparing several seasonal weighting functions to derive the historical recharge concentration. We identify best fit mean ages for each TTD by minimizing the error-weighted, multi-tracer χ2 residual for each seasonal weighting function. We use this methodology to test the ability of each TTD and seasonal input function to fit the observed tracer concentrations, and the effect of choosing different TTD and seasonal recharge functions on the mean age estimation. We find that the estimated mean transit time is a function of both the assumed TTD and seasonal weighting function. Best fits as measured by the χ2 value were achieved for the dispersion model using the seasonal input function developed here for two of the three modeled sites, while at the third site, equally good fits were achieved with the exponential model and the dispersion model and our seasonal input function. The average mean transit time for all TTDs and seasonal input functions converged to similar values at each location. The sensitivity of the estimated mean transit time to the seasonal weighting function was equal to that of the TTD. These results indicated that understanding seasonality of recharge is at least as important as the uncertainty in the flow path distribution in fracture networks and that unique identification of the TTD and mean transit time is difficult given the uncertainty in the recharge function. But, the mean transit time appears to be relatively robust to the structural model uncertainty. The results presented here should be applicable to other studies using environmental tracers to constrain flow and transport properties in fractured rock systems.« less

Investigating the age distribution of fracture discharge using multiple environmental tracers, Bedrichov Tunnel, Czech Republic

DOE PAGES

Gardner, W. Payton; Hokr, Milan; Shao, Hua; ...

2016-10-19

We investigated the transit time distribution (TTD) of discharge collected from fractures in the Bedrichov Tunnel, Czech Republic, using lumped parameter models and multiple environmental tracers. We then utilize time series of δ 18O, δ 2H and 3H along with CFC measurements from individual fractures in the Bedrichov Tunnel of the Czech Republic to investigate the TTD, and the uncertainty in estimated mean travel time in several fracture networks of varying length and discharge. We also compare several TTDs, including the dispersion distribution, the exponential distribution, and a developed TTD which includes the effects of matrix diffusion. The effect ofmore » seasonal recharge is explored by comparing several seasonal weighting functions to derive the historical recharge concentration. We identify best fit mean ages for each TTD by minimizing the error-weighted, multi-tracer χ2 residual for each seasonal weighting function. We use this methodology to test the ability of each TTD and seasonal input function to fit the observed tracer concentrations, and the effect of choosing different TTD and seasonal recharge functions on the mean age estimation. We find that the estimated mean transit time is a function of both the assumed TTD and seasonal weighting function. Best fits as measured by the χ2 value were achieved for the dispersion model using the seasonal input function developed here for two of the three modeled sites, while at the third site, equally good fits were achieved with the exponential model and the dispersion model and our seasonal input function. The average mean transit time for all TTDs and seasonal input functions converged to similar values at each location. The sensitivity of the estimated mean transit time to the seasonal weighting function was equal to that of the TTD. These results indicated that understanding seasonality of recharge is at least as important as the uncertainty in the flow path distribution in fracture networks and that unique identification of the TTD and mean transit time is difficult given the uncertainty in the recharge function. But, the mean transit time appears to be relatively robust to the structural model uncertainty. The results presented here should be applicable to other studies using environmental tracers to constrain flow and transport properties in fractured rock systems.« less

A numerical simulation of finite-length Taylor-Couette flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Streett, C. L.; Hussaini, M. Y.

1987-01-01

The processes leading to laminar-turbulent transition in finite-channel-length Taylor-Couette flow are investigated analytically, solving the unsteady incompressible Navier-Stokes equations by spectral-collocation methods. A time-split algorithm, implementable in both axisymmetric and fully three-dimensional time-accurate versions, and an algorithm based on the staggered-mesh discretization of Bernardi and Maday (1986) are described in detail, and results obtained by applying the axisymmetric version of the first algorithm and a steady-state version of the second are presented graphically and compared with published experimental data. The feasibility of full three-dimensional simulations of the progression through chaotic states to turbulence under the constraints of Taylor-Couette flow is demonstrated.

Key vortical structure causing laminar-turbulent transition in a boundary layer disturbed by a short-duration jet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoshikawa, Joe; Nishio, Yu; Izawa, Seiichiro; Fukunishi, Yu

2018-01-01

Numerical simulations are carried out to discover the flow structure that plays an important role in the laminar-turbulent transition process of a boundary layer on a flat plate. The boundary layer is destabilized by ejecting a short-duration jet from a hole in the surface. When the jet velocity is set to 20% of the uniform-flow velocity, a laminar-turbulent transition takes place, whereas in the 18% case, the disturbances created by the jet decay downstream. It is found that in both cases, hairpin vortices are generated; however, these first-generation hairpins do not directly cause the transition. Only in the 20% case does a new hairpin vortex of a different shape with wider distance between the legs appear. The new hairpin grows with time and evokes the generation of vortical structures one after another around it, turning the flow turbulent. It is found that the difference between the two cases is whether or not one of the first-generation hairpin vortices gets connected with the nearby longitudinal vortices. Only when the connection is successful is the new hairpin vortex with wider distance between the legs created. For each of several cases tested with changing jet-ejecting conditions, no difference is found in the importance of the role of the hairpin structure. Therefore, we conclude that the hairpin vortex with widespread legs is a key structure in the transition to turbulence.

Model of Transition from Laminar to Turbulent Flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kanda, Hidesada

2001-11-01

For circular pipe flows, a model of transition from laminar to turbulent flow has already been proposed and the minimum critical Reynolds number of approximately 2040 was obtained (Kanda, 1999). In order to prove the validity of the model, another verification is required. Thus, for plane Poiseuille flow, results of previous investigations were studied, focusing on experimental data on the critical Reynolds number Rc, the entrance length, and the transition length. Consequently, concerning the natural transition, it was confirmed from the experimental data that (i) the transition occurs in the entrance region, (ii) Rc increases as the contraction ratio in the inlet section increases, and (iii) the minimum Rc is obtained when the contraction ratio is the smallest or one, and there is no-bellshaped entrance or straight parallel plates. Its value exists in the neighborhood of 1300, based on the channel height and the average velocity. Although, for Hagen-Poiseuille flow, the minimum Rc is approximately 2000, based on the pipe diameter and the average velocity, there seems to be no significant difference in the transition from laminar to turbulent flow between Hagen-Poiseuille flow and plane Poiseuille flow (Kanda, 2001). Rc is determined by the shape of the inlet. Kanda, H., 1999, Proc. of ASME Fluids Engineering Division - 1999, FED-Vol. 250, pp. 197-204. Kanda, H., 2001, Proc. of ASME Fluids Engineering Division - 2001.

A study of high speed flows in an aircraft transition duct. Ph.D. Thesis - Iowa State Univ.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reichert, Bruce A.

1991-01-01

The study of circular-to-rectangular transition duct flows with and without inlet swirl is presented. A method was devised to create a swirling, solid body rotational flow with minimal associated disturbances. Details of the swirl generator design and construction are discussed. Coefficients based on velocities and total and static pressures measured in cross stream planes at four axial locations within the transition duct along with surface static pressures and surface oil film visualization are presented for both nonswirling and swirling incoming flows. A method was developed to acquire trace gas measurements within the transition duct at high flow velocities. Statistical methods are used to help interpret the trace gas results.

Experimental and analytical results of a liquid-gas separator in microgravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Best, Frederick; Ellis, Michael

1999-01-01

The microgravity phase separator designed and fabricated at Texas A&M University relies on centripetally driven buoyancy forces to form a gas-liquid vortex within a fixed, right-circular cylinder. Two phase flow is injected tangentially along the inner wall of this cylinder. Centripetal acceleration is produced from the intrinsic momentum of the resulting rotating flow and drives the buoyancy process. Gas travels under density gradients through the rotating liquid, eventually forming a gaseous core along the centerline of the cylinder. Gas core stability, the presence of liquid in the air line, and the presence of air in the liquid line determine whether a successful core results. To predict separation failure, these three factors were examined both analytically and empirically with the goal of determining what operating circumstances would generate them. The centripetal acceleration profile was determined from angular velocity measurements taken using a paddle wheel assembly. To aid in understanding the nature of the rotating flow, these results were compared to analytical results provided by solving simplified Navier-Stokes equations. The theoretical velocity profile indicated a linear dependence on radius, which with the experimental data agreed, although two distinctly different slopes were observed. As injection nozzle width increased, the difference between the slopes lessened. For all three nozzles tested, the discontinuity between the linear sections occurred at a radius of approximately 3.8 cm. The maximum centripetal acceleration generated by the flow was greatest for the 0.0635 cm wide, 0.516 cm tall injection nozzle and least for the 0.102 cm wide, 1.02 cm tall injection nozzle. The circumstances leading to carry-under are dictated by the relationship between axial and radial bubble transit times. To determine the radial and axial transit times, the radial velocity profile was solved analytically by relating the buoyancy and drag forces for a 0.0635 cm radius bubble. This velocity profile was then used to produce a numerical solution for the radial transit time. Volumetric flowrate analysis provided the axial velocity and bubble transit time. 33.4, 50.1, 66.8, and 83.5 cm3/s flowrates were tested and only the 33.4 cm3/s flowrate resulted in conditions which would lead to carry under.

Gas holdup and flow regime transition in spider-sparger bubble column: effect of liquid phase properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Besagni, G.; Inzoli, F.; De Guido, G.; Pellegrini, L. A.

2017-01-01

This paper discusses the effects of the liquid velocity and the liquid phase properties on the gas holdup and the flow regime transition in a large-diameter and large-scale counter-current two-phase bubble column. In particular, we compared and analysed the experimental data obtained in our previous experimental studies. The bubble column is 5.3 m in height, has an inner diameter of 0.24 m, it was operated with gas superficial velocities in the range of 0.004-0.20 m/s and, in the counter-current mode, the liquid was recirculated up to a superficial velocity of -0.09 m/s. Air was used as the dispersed phase and various fluids (tap water, aqueous solutions of sodium chloride, ethanol and monoethylene glycol) were employed as liquid phases. The experimental dataset consist in gas holdup measurements and was used to investigate the global fluid dynamics and the flow regime transition between the homogeneous flow regime and the transition flow regime. We found that the liquid velocity and the liquid phase properties significantly affect the gas holdup and the flow regime transition. In this respect, a possible relationship (based on the lift force) between the flow regime transition and the gas holdup was proposed.

The roles of cerebral blood flow, capillary transit time heterogeneity, and oxygen tension in brain oxygenation and metabolism

PubMed Central

Jespersen, Sune N; Østergaard, Leif

2012-01-01

Normal brain function depends critically on moment-to-moment regulation of oxygen supply by the bloodstream to meet changing metabolic needs. Neurovascular coupling, a range of mechanisms that converge on arterioles to adjust local cerebral blood flow (CBF), represents our current framework for understanding this regulation. We modeled the combined effects of CBF and capillary transit time heterogeneity (CTTH) on the maximum oxygen extraction fraction (OEFmax) and metabolic rate of oxygen that can biophysically be supported, for a given tissue oxygen tension. Red blood cell velocity recordings in rat brain support close hemodynamic–metabolic coupling by means of CBF and CTTH across a range of physiological conditions. The CTTH reduction improves tissue oxygenation by counteracting inherent reductions in OEFmax as CBF increases, and seemingly secures sufficient oxygenation during episodes of hyperemia resulting from cortical activation or hypoxemia. In hypoperfusion and states of blocked CBF, both lower oxygen tension and CTTH may secure tissue oxygenation. Our model predicts that disturbed capillary flows may cause a condition of malignant CTTH, in which states of higher CBF display lower oxygen availability. We propose that conditions with altered capillary morphology, such as amyloid, diabetic or hypertensive microangiopathy, and ischemia–reperfusion, may disturb CTTH and thereby flow-metabolism coupling and cerebral oxygen metabolism. PMID:22044867

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fang, X.; Xia, C.; Keppens, R.

We extend our earlier multidimensional, magnetohydrodynamic simulations of coronal rain occurring in magnetic arcades with higher resolution, grid-adaptive computations covering a much longer (>6 hr) time span. We quantify how blob-like condensations forming in situ grow along and across field lines and show that rain showers can occur in limit cycles, here demonstrated for the first time in 2.5D setups. We discuss dynamical, multi-dimensional aspects of the rebound shocks generated by the siphon inflows and quantify the thermodynamics of a prominence–corona transition-region-like structure surrounding the blobs. We point out the correlation between condensation rates and the cross-sectional size of loopmore » systems where catastrophic cooling takes place. We also study the variations of the typical number density, kinetic energy, and temperature while blobs descend, impact, and sink into the transition region. In addition, we explain the mechanisms leading to concurrent upflows while the blobs descend. As a result, there are plenty of shear flows generated with relative velocity difference around 80 km s{sup −1} in our simulations. These shear flows are siphon flows set up by multiple blob dynamics and they in turn affect the deformation of the falling blobs. In particular, we show how shear flows can break apart blobs into smaller fragments, within minutes.« less

Perspectives on hypersonic viscous flow research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cheng, H. K.

1993-01-01

Issues and advances in current hypersonic flow research perceived to be of interest in theoretical fluid/gas dynamics are reviewed. Particular attention is given to the hypersonic aircraft as waverider, computational methods and theoretical development in the study of viscous interaction, and boundary-layer instability and transition studies. In the present framework the study of viscous hypersonic flow faces transition problems of two kinds which represent the two major areas of current research: the turbulence transition in the high Re range and the transition to the free-molecule limit.

Demonstration of the role of turbulence-driven poloidal flow generation in the L-H transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, C. X.; Xu, Y. H.; Luo, J. R.; Mao, J. S.; Liu, B. H.; Li, J. G.; Wan, B. N.; Wan, Y. X.

2000-05-01

This paper presents the evidence for the role of turbulence-driven poloidal flow generation in the L-H transition induced by a turbulent heating pulse on the HT-6M tokamak. It is found that the poloidal flow υθ plays a key role in developing the electric field Er and triggering the transition. The acceleration of υθ across the transition is clearly correlated with the enhancement of the Reynolds stress gradient.

Numerical analysis of the effect of turbulence transition on the hemodynamic parameters in human coronary arteries.

PubMed

Mahalingam, Arun; Gawandalkar, Udhav Ulhas; Kini, Girish; Buradi, Abdulrajak; Araki, Tadashi; Ikeda, Nobutaka; Nicolaides, Andrew; Laird, John R; Saba, Luca; Suri, Jasjit S

2016-06-01

Local hemodynamics plays an important role in atherogenesis and the progression of coronary atherosclerosis disease (CAD). The primary biological effect due to blood turbulence is the change in wall shear stress (WSS) on the endothelial cell membrane, while the local oscillatory nature of the blood flow affects the physiological changes in the coronary artery. In coronary arteries, the blood flow Reynolds number ranges from few tens to several hundreds and hence it is generally assumed to be laminar while calculating the WSS calculations. However, the pulsatile blood flow through coronary arteries under stenotic condition could result in transition from laminar to turbulent flow condition. In the present work, the onset of turbulent transition during pulsatile flow through coronary arteries for varying degree of stenosis (i.e., 0%, 30%, 50% and 70%) is quantitatively analyzed by calculating the turbulent parameters distal to the stenosis. Also, the effect of turbulence transition on hemodynamic parameters such as WSS and oscillatory shear index (OSI) for varying degree of stenosis is quantified. The validated transitional shear stress transport (SST) k-ω model used in the present investigation is the best suited Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes turbulence model to capture the turbulent transition. The arterial wall is assumed to be rigid and the dynamic curvature effect due to myocardial contraction on the blood flow has been neglected. Our observations shows that for stenosis 50% and above, the WSSavg, WSSmax and OSI calculated using turbulence model deviates from laminar by more than 10% and the flow disturbances seems to significantly increase only after 70% stenosis. Our model shows reliability and completely validated. Blood flow through stenosed coronary arteries seems to be turbulent in nature for area stenosis above 70% and the transition to turbulent flow begins from 50% stenosis.

Transition nozzle combustion system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kim, Won-Wook; McMahan, Kevin Weston; Maldonado, Jaime Javier

The present application provides a combustion system for use with a cooling flow. The combustion system may include a head end, an aft end, a transition nozzle extending from the head end to the aft end, and an impingement sleeve surrounding the transition nozzle. The impingement sleeve may define a first cavity in communication with the head end for a first portion of the cooling flow and a second cavity in communication with the aft end for a second portion of the cooling flow. The transition nozzle may include a number of cooling holes thereon in communication with the secondmore » portion of the cooling flow.« less

Experimental Study of Transitional Flow Behavior in a Simulated Low Pressure Turbine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sohn, Ki Hyeon; DeWitt, Kenneth J.

1998-01-01

A detailed investigation of the flow physics occurring on the suction side of a simulated Low Pressure Turbine (LPT) blade was performed. A contoured upper wall was designed to simulate the pressure distribution of an actual LPT airfoil onto a flat lower plate. The experiments were carried out for the Reynolds numbers of 35,000, 70,000, 100,000 and 250,000 with four levels of freestream turbulence ranging from 1% to 4%. For the three lower Reynolds numbers, the boundary layer on the flat plate was separated and formed a bubble. The size of laminar separation bubble was measured to be inversely proportional to the freestream turbulence levels and Reynolds numbers. However, no separation was observed for the Re = 250,000 case. The transition on a separated flow was found to proceed through the formation of turbulent spots in the free shear layer as evidenced in the intermittency profiles for Re = 35,000, 70,000 and 100,000. Spectral data show no evidence of Kelvin-Helmholtz or Tollmien-Schlichting instability waves in the free shear layer over a separation bubble (bypass transition). However, the flow visualization revealed the large vortex structures just outside of the bubble and their development to turbulent flow for Re = 50,000, which is similar to that in the free shear layer (separated-flow transition). Therefore, it is fair to say that the bypass and separated-flow transition modes coexist in the transitional flows over the separation bubble for certain conditions. Transition onset and end locations and length determined from intermittency profiles decrease as Reynolds number and freestream turbulence levels increase.

Experimental Study of Transitional Flow Behavior in a Simulated Low Pressure Turbine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sohn, Ki Hyeon; DeWitt, Kenneth J.

2007-01-01

A detailed investigation of the flow physics occurring on the suction side of a simulated Low Pressure Turbine (LPT) blade was performed. A contoured upper wall was designed to simulate the pressure distribution of an actual LPT airfoil onto a flat lower plate. The experiments were carried out for the Reynolds numbers of 35,000, 70,000, 100,000, and 250,000 with four levels of freestream turbulence ranging from 1 to 4 percent. For the three lower Reynolds numbers, the boundary layer on the flat plate was separated and formed a bubble. The size of laminar separation bubble was measured to be inversely proportional to the freestream turbulence levels and Reynolds numbers. However, no separation was observed for the Re = 250,000 case. The transition on a separated flow was found to proceed through the formation of turbulent spots in the free shear layer as evidenced in the intermittency profiles for Re = 35,000, 70,000, and 100,000. Spectral data show no evidence of Kelvin-Helmholtz of Tollmien-Schlichting instability waves in the free shear layer over a separation bubble (bypass transition). However, the flow visualization revealed the large vortex structures just outside of the bubble and their development to turbulent flow for Re = 50,000, which is similar to that in the free shear layer (separated-flow transition). Therefore, it is fair to say that the bypass and separated-flow transition modes coexist in the transition flows over the separation bubble of certain conditions. Transition onset and end locations and length determined from intermittency profiles decreased as Reynolds number and freestream turbulence levels increase.

Turbulent transport and mixing in transitional Rayleigh-Taylor unstable flow: A priori assessment of gradient-diffusion and similarity modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schilling, Oleg; Mueschke, Nicholas J.

2017-12-01

Data from a 1152 ×760 ×1280 direct numerical simulation [N. J. Mueschke and O. Schilling, Phys. Fluids 21, 014106 (2009), 10.1063/1.3064120] of a Rayleigh-Taylor mixing layer modeled after a small-Atwood-number water-channel experiment is used to investigate the validity of gradient diffusion and similarity closures a priori. The budgets of the mean flow, turbulent kinetic energy, turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate, heavy-fluid mass fraction variance, and heavy-fluid mass fraction variance dissipation rate transport equations across the mixing layer were previously analyzed [O. Schilling and N. J. Mueschke, Phys. Fluids 22, 105102 (2010), 10.1063/1.3484247] at different evolution times to identify the most important transport and mixing mechanisms. Here a methodology is introduced to systematically estimate model coefficients as a function of time in the closures of the dynamically significant terms in the transport equations by minimizing the L2 norm of the difference between the model and correlations constructed using the simulation data. It is shown that gradient-diffusion and similarity closures used for the turbulent kinetic energy K , turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate ɛ , heavy-fluid mass fraction variance S , and heavy-fluid mass fraction variance dissipation rate χ equations capture the shape of the exact, unclosed profiles well over the nonlinear and turbulent evolution regimes. Using order-of-magnitude estimates [O. Schilling and N. J. Mueschke, Phys. Fluids 22, 105102 (2010), 10.1063/1.3484247] for the terms in the exact transport equations and their closure models, it is shown that several of the standard closures for the turbulent production and dissipation (destruction) must be modified to include Reynolds-number scalings appropriate for Rayleigh-Taylor flow at small to intermediate Reynolds numbers. The late-time, large Reynolds number coefficients are determined to be different from those used in shear flow applications and largely adopted in two-equation Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) models of Rayleigh-Taylor turbulent mixing. In addition, it is shown that the predictions of the Boussinesq model for the Reynolds stress agree better with the data when additional buoyancy-related terms are included. It is shown that an unsteady RANS paradigm is needed to predict the transitional flow dynamics from early evolution times, analogous to the small Reynolds number modifications in RANS models of wall-bounded flows in which the production-to-dissipation ratio is far from equilibrium. Although the present study is specific to one particular flow and one set of initial conditions, the methodology could be applied to calibrations of other Rayleigh-Taylor flows with different initial conditions (which may give different results during the early-time, transitional flow stages, and perhaps asymptotic stage). The implications of these findings for developing high-fidelity eddy viscosity-based turbulent transport and mixing models of Rayleigh-Taylor turbulence are discussed.

Transition of basaltic lava from pahoehoe to aa, Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii: Field observations and key factors

USGS Publications Warehouse

Peterson, Donald W.; Tilling, Robert I.

1980-01-01

Nearly all Hawaiian basaltic lava erupts as pahoehoe, and some changes to aa during flowage and cooling; factors governing the transition involve certain critical relations between viscosity and rate of shear strain. If the lava slows, cools, and stops in direct response to concomitant increase in viscosity before these critical relations are reached, it remains pahoehoe. But, if flow mechanics (flow rate, flow dimensions, slope, momentum, etc.) impel the lava to continue to move and deform even after it has become highly viscous, the critical relations may be reached and the lava changes to aa.Typical modes of transition from pahoehoe to aa include: (1) spontaneous formation of relatively stiff clots in parts of the flowing lava where shear rate is highest; these clots grow into discrete, rough, sticky masses to which the remaining fluid lava incrementally adheres; (2) fragmentation and immersion of solid or semi-solid surface crusts of pahoehoe by roiling movements of the flow, forming cores of discrete, tacky masses; (3) sudden renewed movement of lava stored and cooled within surface reservoirs to form clots. The masses, fragments, and clots in these transition modes are characterized by spinose, granulated surfaces; as flow movement continues, the masses and fragments aggregate, fracture, and grind together, completing the transition to aa.Observations show that the critical relation between viscosity and rate of shear strain is inverse: if viscosity is low, a high rate of shear is required to begin the transition to aa; conversely, if viscosity is high, a much lower rate of shear will induce the transition. These relations can be demonstrated qualitatively with simple graphs, which can be used to examine the flow history of any selected finite lava element by tracing the path represented by its changing viscosity and shear rate. A broad, diffuse “transition threshold zone” in these graphs portrays the inverse critical relation between viscosity and shear rate; the transition to aa is represented by the path of the lava element crossing this zone.Moving lava flows can be regarded as natural viscometers, by which shear stress and rate of shear strain at selected points can be determined and viscosity can be computed. By making such determinations under a wide range of conditions on pahoehoe, aa, and transitional flow types, the critical relations that control the pahoehoe-aa transition can be quantified.

Study of gas-liquid flow in model porous media for heterogeneous catalysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Francois, Marie; Bodiguel, Hugues; Guillot, Pierre; Laboratory of the Future Team

2015-11-01

Heterogeneous catalysis of chemical reactions involving a gas and a liquid phase is usually achieved in fixed bed reactors. Four hydrodynamic regimes have been observed. They depend on the total flow rate and the ratio between liquid and gas flow rate. Flow properties in these regimes influence transfer rates. Rather few attempts to access local characterization have been proposed yet, though these seem to be necessary to better describe the physical mechanisms involved. In this work, we propose to mimic slices of reactor by using two-dimensional porous media. We have developed a two-dimensional system that is transparent to allow the direct observation of the flow and the phase distribution. While varying the total flow rate and the gas/liquid flow rate ratio, we observe two hydrodynamic regimes: at low flow rate, the gaseous phase is continuous (trickle flow), while it is discontinuous at higher flow rate (pulsed flow). Thanks to some image analysis techniques, we are able to quantify the local apparent liquid saturation in the system. Its fluctuations in time are characteristic of the transition between the two regimes: at low liquid flow rates, they are negligible since the liquid/gas interface is fixed, whereas at higher flow rates we observe an alternation between liquid and gas. This transition between trickle to pulsed flow is in relative good agreement with the existing state of art. However, we report in the pulsed regime important flow heterogeneities at the scale of a few pores. These heterogeneities are likely to have a strong influence on mass transfers. We acknowledge the support of Solvay.

An experimental application of the Periodic Tracer Hierarchy (PERTH) method to quantify time-variable water and solute transport in a sloping soil lysimeter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pangle, L. A.; Cardoso, C.; Kim, M.; Lora, M.; Wang, Y.; Troch, P. A. A.; Harman, C. J.

2014-12-01

Water molecules traverse myriad flow paths and spend different lengths of time on or within the landscape before they are discharged into a stream channel. The transit-time distribution (TTD) is a probability distribution that represents the range and likelihood of transit times for water and conservative solutes within soils and catchments, and is useful for comparative analysis and prediction of solute transport into streams. The TTD has customarily been assumed to be time-invariant in practical applications, but is understood to vary due to unsteady flow rates, changes in water-balance partitioning, and shifting flow pathways. Recent theoretical advances have clarified how the distribution of transit times experienced by water and solutes within a stream channel at any moment in time is conditional on the specific series of precipitation events preceding that time. Observations resolving how TTDs vary during a specific sequence of precipitation events could be obtained by introducing unique and conservative tracers during each event and quantifying their distinct breakthrough curves in the stream. At present, the number of distinct and conservative tracers available for this purpose is insufficient. Harman and Kim [Harman, C.J. and Kim, M., 2014, Geophysical Research Letters, 41, 1567-1575] proposed a new experimental method—based on the establishment of periodic steady-state conditions—that allows multiple overlapping breakthrough curves of non-unique tracers to be decomposed, thus enabling analysis of the distinct TTDs associated with their specific times of introduction through precipitation. We present results from one of the first physical experiments to test this methodology. Our experiment involves a sloping lysimeter (10° slope) that contains one cubic meter of crushed basalt rock (loamy sand texture), an irrigation system adaptable to controlled tracer introductions, and instruments that enable total water balance monitoring. We imposed a repeated sequence of rainfall pulses and achieved periodic-steady-state conditions over 24 days. Using systematic introductions of deuterium- and chloride-enriched water, and the PERTH method, we resolve the time-conditional TTDs associated with tracer injections that occurred during specific intervals of the overall rainfall sequence.

Heat transfer and fluid mechanics measurements in transitional boundary layer flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, T.; Simon, T. W.; Buddhavarapu, J.

1985-01-01

Experimental results are presented to document hydrodynamic and thermal development of flat-plate boundary layers undergoing natural transition. Local heat transfer coefficients, skin friction coefficients and profiles of velocity, temperature and Reynolds normal and shear stresses are presented. A case with no transition and transitional cases with 0.68% and 2.0% free-stream disturbance intensities were investigated. The locations of transition are consistent with earlier data. A late-laminar state with significant levels of turbulence is documented. In late-transitional and early-turbulent flows, turbulent Prandtl number and conduction layer thickness values exceed, and the Reynolds analogy factor is less than, values previously measured in fully turbulent flows.

Nobody knew turbulent transition could be so complicated

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barkley, Dwight

2017-11-01

Explaining the route to turbulence in wall-bounded shear flows has been a long and tortuous journey. After years of missteps, controversies, and uncertainties, we are at last converging on a unified and fascinating picture of transition in flows such as pipes, channels, and ducts. Classically, subcritical transition (such as in a pipe), was thought to imply a discontinuous route to turbulence. We now know that this is not the case - subcritical shear flows may, and often do, exhibit continuous transition. I will discuss recent developments in experiments, simulations, and theory that have established a deep connection between transition in subcritical shear flows and a class of non-equilibrium statistical phase transitions known as directed percolation. From this we understand how to define precise critical points for systems without linear instabilities and how to characterize the onset of turbulence in terms of non-trivial, but universal power laws. I will discuss the physics responsible for the complex turbulent structures ubiquitously observed near transition and end with thoughts on outstanding open questions.

Nonlinear modeling of forced magnetic reconnection in slab geometry with NIMROD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beidler, M. T.; Callen, J. D.; Hegna, C. C.; Sovinec, C. R.

2017-05-01

The nonlinear, extended-magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) code NIMROD is benchmarked with the theory of time-dependent forced magnetic reconnection induced by small resonant fields in slab geometry in the context of visco-resistive MHD modeling. Linear computations agree with time-asymptotic, linear theory of flow screening of externally applied fields. The inclusion of flow in nonlinear computations can result in mode penetration due to the balance between electromagnetic and viscous forces in the time-asymptotic state, which produces bifurcations from a high-slip state to a low-slip state as the external field is slowly increased. We reproduce mode penetration and unlocking transitions by employing time-dependent externally applied magnetic fields. Mode penetration and unlocking exhibit hysteresis and occur at different magnitudes of applied field. We also establish how nonlinearly determined flow screening of the resonant field is affected by the square of the magnitude of the externally applied field. These results emphasize that the inclusion of nonlinear physics is essential for accurate prediction of the reconnected field in a flowing plasma.

A turbulence model for pulsatile arterial flows.

PubMed

Younis, B A; Berger, S A

2004-10-01

Difficulties in predicting the behavior of some high Reynolds number flows in the circulatory system stem in part from the severe requirements placed on the turbulence model chosen to close the time-averaged equations of fluid motion. In particular, the successful turbulence model is required to (a) correctly capture the "nonequilibrium" effects wrought by the interactions of the organized mean-flow unsteadiness with the random turbulence, (b) correctly reproduce the effects of the laminar-turbulent transitional behavior that occurs at various phases of the cardiac cycle, and (c) yield good predictions of the near-wall flow behavior in conditions where the universal logarithmic law of the wall is known to be not valid. These requirements are not immediately met by standard models of turbulence that have been developed largely with reference to data from steady, fully turbulent flows in approximate local equilibrium. The purpose of this paper is to report on the development of a turbulence model suited for use in arterial flows. The model is of the two-equation eddy-viscosity variety with dependent variables that are zero-valued at a solid wall and vary linearly with distance from it. The effects of transition are introduced by coupling this model to the local value of the intermittency and obtaining the latter from the solution of a modeled transport equation. Comparisons with measurements obtained in oscillatory transitional flows in circular tubes show that the model produces substantial improvements over existing closures. Further pulsatile-flow predictions, driven by a mean-flow wave form obtained in a diseased human carotid artery, indicate that the intermittency-modified model yields much reduced levels of wall shear stress compared to the original, unmodified model. This result, which is attributed to the rapid growth in the thickness of the viscous sublayer arising from the severe acceleration of systole, argues in favor of the use of the model for the prediction of arterial flows.

Early microvascular changes in the preterm neonate: a comparative study of the human and guinea pig.

PubMed

Dyson, Rebecca M; Palliser, Hannah K; Lakkundi, Anil; de Waal, Koert; Latter, Joanna L; Clifton, Vicki L; Wright, Ian M R

2014-09-17

Dysfunction of the transition from fetal to neonatal circulatory systems may be a major contributor to poor outcome following preterm birth. Evidence exists in the human for both a period of low flow between 5 and 11 h and a later period of increased flow, suggesting a hypoperfusion-reperfusion cycle over the first 24 h following birth. Little is known about the regulation of peripheral blood flow during this time. The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative study between the human and guinea pig to characterize peripheral microvascular behavior during circulatory transition. Very preterm (≤28 weeks GA), preterm (29-36 weeks GA), and term (≥37 weeks GA) human neonates underwent laser Doppler analysis of skin microvascular blood flow at 6 and 24 h from birth. Guinea pig neonates were delivered prematurely (62 day GA) or at term (68-71 day GA) and laser Doppler analysis of skin microvascular blood flow was assessed every 2 h from birth. In human preterm neonates, there is a period of high microvascular flow at 24 h after birth. No period of low flow was observed at 6 h. In preterm animals, microvascular flow increased after birth, reaching a peak at 10 h postnatal age. Blood flow then steadily decreased, returning to delivery levels by 24 h. Preterm birth was associated with higher baseline microvascular flow throughout the study period in both human and guinea pig neonates. The findings do not support a hypoperfusion-reperfusion cycle in the microcirculation during circulatory transition. The guinea pig model of preterm birth will allow further investigation of the mechanisms underlying microvascular function and dysfunction during the initial extrauterine period. © 2014 The Authors. Physiological Reports published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Physiological Society and The Physiological Society.

Structural controls on anomalous transport in fractured porous rock

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Edery, Yaniv; Geiger, Sebastian; Berkowitz, Brian

2016-07-01

Anomalous transport is ubiquitous in a wide range of disordered systems, notably in fractured porous formations. We quantitatively identify the structural controls on anomalous tracer transport in a model of a real fractured geological formation that was mapped in an outcrop. The transport, determined by a continuum scale mathematical model, is characterized by breakthrough curves (BTCs) that document anomalous (or "non-Fickian") transport, which is accounted for by a power law distribution of local transition times ψ>(t>) within the framework of a continuous time random walk (CTRW). We show that the determination of ψ>(t>) is related to fractures aligned approximately with the macroscopic direction of flow. We establish the dominant role of fracture alignment and assess the statistics of these fractures by determining a concentration-visitation weighted residence time histogram. We then convert the histogram to a probability density function (pdf) that coincides with the CTRW ψ>(t>) and hence anomalous transport. We show that the permeability of the geological formation hosting the fracture network has a limited effect on the anomalous nature of the transport; rather, it is the fractures transverse to the flow direction that play the major role in forming the long BTC tail associated with anomalous transport. This is a remarkable result, given the complexity of the flow field statistics as captured by concentration transitions.

Modelling hard and soft states of Cygnus X-1 with propagating mass accretion rate fluctuations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rapisarda, S.; Ingram, A.; van der Klis, M.

2017-12-01

We present a timing analysis of three Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer observations of the black hole binary Cygnus X-1 with the propagating mass accretion rate fluctuations model PROPFLUC. The model simultaneously predicts power spectra, time lags and coherence of the variability as a function of energy. The observations cover the soft and hard states of the source, and the transition between the two. We find good agreement between model predictions and data in the hard and soft states. Our analysis suggests that in the soft state the fluctuations propagate in an optically thin hot flow extending up to large radii above and below a stable optically thick disc. In the hard state, our results are consistent with a truncated disc geometry, where the hot flow extends radially inside the inner radius of the disc. In the transition from soft to hard state, the characteristics of the rapid variability are too complex to be successfully described with PROPFLUC. The surface density profile of the hot flow predicted by our model and the lack of quasi-periodic oscillations in the soft and hard states suggest that the spin of the black hole is aligned with the inner accretion disc and therefore probably with the rotational axis of the binary system.

Observation of Droplet Size Oscillations in a Two-Phase Fluid under Shear Flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Courbin, Laurent; Panizza, Pascal; Salmon, Jean-Baptiste

2004-01-01

Experimental observations of droplet size sustained oscillations are reported in a two-phase flow between a lamellar and a sponge phase. Under shear flow, this system presents two different steady states made of monodisperse multilamellar droplets, separated by a shear-thinning transition. At low and high shear rates, the droplet size results from a balance between surface tension and viscous stress, whereas for intermediate shear rates it becomes a periodic function of time. A possible mechanism for such kinds of oscillations is discussed.

Oscillatory mode transition for supersonic open cavity flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Mayank; Vaidyanathan, Aravind

2018-02-01

The transition in the primary oscillatory mode in an open cavity has been experimentally investigated and the associated characteristics in a Mach 1.71 flow has been analyzed. The length-to-depth (L/D) ratios of the rectangular cavities are varied from 1.67 to 3.33. Unsteady pressure measurement and flow visualization are employed to understand the transitional flow physics. Flow visualization revealed the change in oscillation pattern from longitudinal mode to transverse mode and is also characterized by the presence of two bow shocks at the trailing edge instead of one. The transition is found to occur between L/D 1.67 and 2, marked by a change in the feedback mechanism, resulting in a shift from the vortex circulation driven transverse feedback mode to the oscillating shear layer driven longitudinal feedback mode. Cavities oscillating in the transition mode exhibit multiple tones of comparable strength. Correlation analysis indicated the shift in the feedback mechanism. Wavelet analysis revealed the temporal behaviour of tones during transition. Tone switching is observed in deeper cavities and is attributed to the occurrence of two bow shocks as evident from the temporo-spectral characteristics of transition that affects the shear layer modal shape.

Bifurcation analysis and dimension reduction of a predator-prey model for the L-H transition

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dam, Magnus; Brøns, Morten; Juul Rasmussen, Jens

2013-10-15

The L-H transition denotes a shift to an improved confinement state of a toroidal plasma in a fusion reactor. A model of the L-H transition is required to simulate the time dependence of tokamak discharges that include the L-H transition. A 3-ODE predator-prey type model of the L-H transition is investigated with bifurcation theory of dynamical systems. The analysis shows that the model contains three types of transitions: an oscillating transition, a sharp transition with hysteresis, and a smooth transition. The model is recognized as a slow-fast system. A reduced 2-ODE model consisting of the full model restricted to themore » flow on the critical manifold is found to contain all the same dynamics as the full model. This means that all the dynamics in the system is essentially 2-dimensional, and a minimal model of the L-H transition could be a 2-ODE model.« less

Visualization studies of turbulent transition flows in a porous medium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bilardo, V. J.

1983-01-01

Results are reported for flow-visualization studies of the flow regimes of water passing through a porous medium consisting of cylindrical glass and plexiglas rods arranged in a complex and fixed three-dimensional geometry. The Reynolds number (Re) varied from 50 to 700; the flow was visualized by injecting a 5% potassium permanganate dye solution into the pores and photographing the resulting dye streaklines with both a still camera and a movie camera. The results indicate that four distinct flow regimes exist in the porous medium: (1) Darcy or creeping flow up to Re = 3; (2) steady inertia-dominated laminar flow for Re = 3-150; (3) unsteady transitional laminar flow for Re = 150-250; and (4) fully turbulent flow for Re greater than 250. It is concluded that a laminar wake instability mechanism typical of the external flow about bluff bodies may be responsible for the overall transition from laminar to turbulent flow in porous media.

Dynamic Contraction of the Positive Column of a Self-Sustained Glow Discharge in Molecular Gas Flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shneider, Mikhail

2014-10-01

Contraction of the gas discharge, when current contracts from a significant volume of weakly ionized plasma into a thin arc channel, was attracted attention of scientists for more than a century. Studies of the contraction (also called constriction) mechanisms, besides carrying interesting science, are of practical importance, especially when contraction should be prevented. A set of time-dependent two-dimensional equations for the non-equilibrium weakly-ionized nitrogen/ air plasma is formulated. The process is described by a set of time-dependent continuity equations for the electrons, positive and negative ions; gas and vibrational temperature; by taking into account the convective heat and plasma losses by the transverse flux. Transition from the uniform to contracted state was analyzed. It was shown that such transition experiences a hysteresis, and that the critical current of the transition increases when the pressure (gas density) drops. Possible coexistence of the contracted and uniform state of the plasma in the discharge where the current flows along the density gradient of the background gas was discussed. In this talk the problems related to the dynamic contraction of the current channel inside a quasineutral positive column of a self-sustained glow discharge in molecular gas in a rectangular duct with convection cooling will be discussed. Study presented in this talk was stimulated by the fact that there are large number of experiments on the dynamic contraction of a glow discharge in nitrogen and air flows and a many of possible applications. Similar processes play a role in the powerful gas-discharge lasers. In addition, the problem of dynamic contraction in the large volume of non-equilibrium weakly ionized plasma is closely related to the problem of streamer to leader transitions in lightning and blue jets.

Reconstructing multi-mode networks from multivariate time series

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Zhong-Ke; Yang, Yu-Xuan; Dang, Wei-Dong; Cai, Qing; Wang, Zhen; Marwan, Norbert; Boccaletti, Stefano; Kurths, Jürgen

2017-09-01

Unveiling the dynamics hidden in multivariate time series is a task of the utmost importance in a broad variety of areas in physics. We here propose a method that leads to the construction of a novel functional network, a multi-mode weighted graph combined with an empirical mode decomposition, and to the realization of multi-information fusion of multivariate time series. The method is illustrated in a couple of successful applications (a multi-phase flow and an epileptic electro-encephalogram), which demonstrate its powerfulness in revealing the dynamical behaviors underlying the transitions of different flow patterns, and enabling to differentiate brain states of seizure and non-seizure.

The MOSO field experiment - Overview of findings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ólafsson, Haraldur; Jonassen, Marius O.; Ágústsson, Hálfdán; Rögnvaldsson, Ólafur; Hjarðar, Bjarni G. Þ.; Rasol, Dubravka; Reuder, Joachim; Jónsson, Sigurður; Líf Kristinsdóttir, Birta

2013-04-01

In 2009 and 2011, the MOSO I and MOSO II meteorological field experiments took place in SW-Iceland. The main objectives were to describe the low level atmospheric coastal flows in the vicinity of mountains. The observations for the MOSO dataset were made using a large number of automatic weather stations, microbarographs, radiosoundings and a remotely piloted aircraft. The highlights of the findings include a four-dimensional description of the sea-breeze in Iceland, weak downslope acceleration, summer- and winter-time mountain wake flow, transition between wake flow and sea-breeze. The orographic drag force is explored and shown to be not so high most of the time in the predicted high-drag state. The observations from the remotely piloted aircraft have been used successfully to nudge simulations of the flow and are shown to be promising for operational use in numerical prediction of mesoscale coastal and orographic flows.

Limit cycle oscillations at the L-I-H transition in TJ-II plasmas: triggering, temporal ordering and radial propagation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Estrada, T.; Ascasíbar, E.; Blanco, E.; Cappa, A.; Castejón, F.; Hidalgo, C.; van Milligen, B. Ph.; Sánchez, E.

2015-06-01

The spatiotemporal evolution of the interaction between turbulence and flows has been studied close to the L-H transition threshold conditions in the edge of TJ-II plasmas. As in other devices the temporal dynamics of the interaction displays limit cycle oscillations (LCO) with a characteristic predator-prey relationship between flows and turbulence. At TJ-II, the turbulence-flow front is found to propagate radially outwards at the onset of the LCO and in some particular cases, after a short time interval without oscillations, a reversal in the front propagation velocity is observed. Associated to this velocity reversal, a change in the temporal ordering of the LCO is measured. However, the change in the temporal ordering is not related to an intrinsic change in the nature of the LCO. In all cases the turbulence increase leads the process and produces an increase in the E × B flow shear. Dedicated experiments have been carried out to investigate the physical mechanisms triggering the onset of the LCO. At TJ-II the LCO are preferentially observed close to the transition threshold conditions at specific magnetic configurations having a low order rational surface located at the inner side of the E × B flow shear location. The behaviour of different frequency modes has been analysed and interpreted in terms of a geodesic acoustic mode generated by the non-linear mode coupling of Alfvén eigenmodes that evolves towards a low frequency flow, plus a MHD mode linked to the low order rational surface, as precursors of the LCO.

On the Transition from Potential Flow to Turbulence Around a Microsphere Oscillating in Superfluid ^4{He}

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niemetz, M.; Hänninen, R.; Schoepe, W.

2017-05-01

The flow of superfluid ^4{He} around a translationally oscillating sphere, levitating without mechanical support, can either be laminar or turbulent, depending on the velocity amplitude. Below a critical velocity v_c that scales as ω ^{1/2} and is temperature independent below 1 K, the flow is laminar (potential flow). Below 0.5 K, the linear drag force is caused by ballistic phonon scattering that vanishes as T^4 until background damping, measured in the empty cell, becomes dominant for T < 0.1 K. Increasing the velocity amplitude above v_c leads to a transition from potential flow to turbulence, where the large turbulent drag force varies as (v^2 - v_c^2). In a small velocity interval Δ v {/} v_c ≤ 3% above v_c, the flow is unstable below 0.5 K, switching intermittently between both patterns. From time series recorded at constant temperature and driving force, the lifetimes of both phases are analyzed statistically. We observe metastable states of potential flow which, after a mean lifetime of 25 min, ultimately break down due to vorticity created by natural background radioactivity. The lifetimes of the turbulent phases have an exponential distribution, and the mean increases exponentially with Δ v^2. We investigate the frequency at which the vortex rings are shed from the sphere. Our results are compared with recent data of other authors on vortex shedding by moving a laser beam through a Bose-Einstein condensate. Finally, we show that our observed transition to turbulence belongs to the class of "supertransient chaos" where lifetimes of the turbulent states increase faster than exponentially.

Disentangling flows in the solar transition region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zacharias, P.; Hansteen, V. H.; Leenaarts, J.; Carlsson, M.; Gudiksen, B. V.

2018-06-01

Context. The measured average velocities in solar and stellar spectral lines formed at transition region temperatures have been difficult to interpret. The dominant redshifts observed in the lower transition region naturally leads to the question of how the upper layers of the solar (and stellar) atmosphere can be maintained. Likewise, no ready explanation has been made for the average blueshifts often found in upper transition region lines. However, realistic three-dimensional radiation magnetohydrodynamics (3D rMHD) models of the solar atmosphere are able to reproduce the observed dominant line shifts and may thus hold the key to resolve these issues. Aims: These new 3D rMHD simulations aim to shed light on how mass flows between the chromosphere and corona and on how the coronal mass is maintained. These simulations give new insights into the coupling of various atmospheric layers and the origin of Doppler shifts in the solar transition region and corona. Methods: The passive tracer particles, so-called corks, allow the tracking of parcels of plasma over time and thus the study of changes in plasma temperature and velocity not only locally, but also in a co-moving frame. By following the trajectories of the corks, we can investigate mass and energy flows and understand the composition of the observed velocities. Results: Our findings show that most of the transition region mass is cooling. The preponderance of transition region redshifts in the model can be explained by the higher percentage of downflowing mass in the lower and middle transition region. The average upflows in the upper transition region can be explained by a combination of both stronger upflows than downflows and a higher percentage of upflowing mass. The most common combination at lower and middle transition region temperatures are corks that are cooling and traveling downward. For these corks, a strong correlation between the pressure gradient along the magnetic field line and the velocity along the magnetic field line has been observed, indicating a formation mechanism that is related to downward propagating pressure disturbances. Corks at upper transition region temperatures are subject to a rather slow and highly variable but continuous heating process. Conclusions: Corks are shown to be an essential tool in 3D rMHD models in order to study mass and energy flows. We have shown that most transition region plasma is cooling after having been heated slowly to upper transition region temperatures several minutes before. Downward propagating pressure disturbances are identified as one of the main mechanisms responsible for the observed redshifts at transition region temperatures. The movie associated to Fig. 3 is available at http://www.aanda.org

The continuous similarity model of bulk soil-water evaporation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clapp, R. B.

1983-01-01

The continuous similarity model of evaporation is described. In it, evaporation is conceptualized as a two stage process. For an initially moist soil, evaporation is first climate limited, but later it becomes soil limited. During the latter stage, the evaporation rate is termed evaporability, and mathematically it is inversely proportional to the evaporation deficit. A functional approximation of the moisture distribution within the soil column is also included in the model. The model was tested using data from four experiments conducted near Phoenix, Arizona; and there was excellent agreement between the simulated and observed evaporation. The model also predicted the time of transition to the soil limited stage reasonably well. For one of the experiments, a third stage of evaporation, when vapor diffusion predominates, was observed. The occurrence of this stage was related to the decrease in moisture at the surface of the soil. The continuous similarity model does not account for vapor flow. The results show that climate, through the potential evaporation rate, has a strong influence on the time of transition to the soil limited stage. After this transition, however, bulk evaporation is independent of climate until the effects of vapor flow within the soil predominate.

Stopped-flow kinetic studies of sphere-to-rod transitions of sodium alkyl sulfate micelles induced by hydrotropic salt.

PubMed

Zhang, Jingyan; Ge, Zhishen; Jiang, Xiaoze; Hassan, P A; Liu, Shiyong

2007-12-15

The kinetics and mechanism of sphere-to-rod transitions of sodium alkyl sulfate micelles induced by hydrotropic salt, p-toluidine hydrochloride (PTHC), were investigated by stopped-flow with light scattering detection. Spherical sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles transform into short ellipsoidal shapes at low salt concentrations ([PTHC]/[SDS], chi(PTHC)=0.3 and 0.4). Upon stopped-flow mixing aqueous solutions of spherical SDS micelles with PTHC, the scattered light intensity gradually increases with time. Single exponential fitting of the dynamic traces leads to characteristic relaxation time, tau(g), for the growth process from spherical to ellipsoidal micelles, and it increases with increasing SDS concentrations. This suggests that ellipsoidal micelles might be produced by successive insertion of unimers into spherical micelles, similar to the case of formation of spherical micelles as suggested by Aniansson-Wall (A-W) theory. At chi(PTHC) > or = 0.5, rod-like micelles with much higher axial ratio form. The scattered light intensity exhibits an initially abrupt increase and then levels off. The dynamic curves can be well fitted with single exponential functions, and the obtained tau(g) decreases with increasing SDS concentration. Thus, the growth from spherical to rod-like micelles might proceed via fusion of spherical micelles, in agreement with mechanism proposed by Ikeda et al. At chi(PTHC)=0.3 and 0.6, the apparent activation energies obtained from temperature dependent kinetic studies for the micellar growth are 40.4 and 3.6 kJ/mol, respectively. The large differences between activation energies for the growth from spherical to ellipsoidal micelles at low chi(PTHC) and the sphere-to-rod transition at high chi(PTHC) further indicate that they should follow different mechanisms. Moreover, the sphere-to-rod transition kinetics of sodium alkyl sulfate with varying hydrophobic chain lengths (n=10, 12, 14, and 16) are also studied. The longer the carbon chain lengths, the slower the sphere-to-rod transition.

Evaporation of Accretion Disks around Black Holes: The Disk-Corona Transition and the Connection to the Advection-dominated Accretion Flow.

PubMed

Liu; Yuan; Meyer; Meyer-Hofmeister; Xie

1999-12-10

We apply the disk-corona evaporation model (Meyer & Meyer-Hofmeister) originally derived for dwarf novae to black hole systems. This model describes the transition of a thin cool outer disk to a hot coronal flow. The mass accretion rate determines the location of this transition. For a number of well-studied black hole binaries, we take the mass flow rates derived from a fit of the advection-dominated accretion flow (ADAF) model to the observed spectra (for a review, see Narayan, Mahadevan, & Quataert) and determine where the transition of accretion via a cool disk to a coronal flow/ADAF would be located for these rates. We compare this with the observed location of the inner disk edge, as estimated from the maximum velocity of the Halpha emission line. We find that the transition caused by evaporation agrees with this determination in stellar disks. We also show that the ADAF and the "thin outer disk + corona" are compatible in terms of the physics in the transition region.

Inertial Effects on Flow and Transport in Heterogeneous Porous Media.

PubMed

Nissan, Alon; Berkowitz, Brian

2018-02-02

We investigate the effects of high fluid velocities on flow and tracer transport in heterogeneous porous media. We simulate fluid flow and advective transport through two-dimensional pore-scale matrices with varying structural complexity. As the Reynolds number increases, the flow regime transitions from linear to nonlinear; this behavior is controlled by the medium structure, where higher complexity amplifies inertial effects. The result is, nonintuitively, increased homogenization of the flow field, which leads in the context of conservative chemical transport to less anomalous behavior. We quantify the transport patterns via a continuous time random walk, using the spatial distribution of the kinetic energy within the fluid as a characteristic measure.

Boundary layer turbulence in transitional and developed states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, George Ilhwan; Wallace, James M.; Wu, Xiaohua; Moin, Parviz

2012-03-01

Using the recent direct numerical simulations by Wu and Moin ["Transitional and turbulent boundary layer with heat transfer," Phys. Fluids 22, 85 (2010)] of a flat-plate boundary layer with a passively heated wall, statistical properties of the turbulence in transition at Reθ ≈ 300, from individual turbulent spots, and at Reθ ≈ 500, where the spots merge (distributions of the mean velocity, Reynolds stresses, kinetic energy production, and dissipation rates, enstrophy and its components) have been compared to these statistical properties for the developed boundary layer turbulence at Reθ = 1840. When the distributions in the transitional regions are conditionally averaged so as to exclude locations and times when the flow is not turbulent, they closely resemble the distributions in the developed turbulent state at the higher Reynolds number, especially in the buffer layer. Skin friction coefficients, determined in this conditional manner at the two Reynolds numbers in the transitional flow are, of course, much larger than when their values are obtained by including both turbulent and non-turbulent information there, and the conditional averaged values are consistent with the 1/7th power law approximation. An octant analysis based on the combinations of signs of the velocity and temperature fluctuations, u, v, and θ shows that the momentum and heat fluxes are predominantly of the mean gradient type in both the transitional and developed regions. The fluxes appear to be closely associated with vortices that transport momentum and heat toward and away from the wall in both regions of the flow. The results suggest that there may be little fundamental difference between the nonlinear processes involved in the formation of turbulent spots that appear in transition and those that sustain the turbulence when it is developed. They also support the view that the transport processes and the vortical structures that drive them in developed and transitional boundary layer turbulence are, in many dynamically important respects, similar.

Stationary to nonstationary transition in crossed-field devices

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Marini, Samuel; Rizzato, Felipe B.; Pakter, Renato

2016-03-15

The previous results based on numerical simulations showed that a cold electron beam injected in a crossed field gap does not reach a time independent stationary state in the space charge limited regime [P. J. Christenson and Y. Y. Lau, Phys. Plasmas 1, 3725 (1994)]. In this work, the effect of finite injection temperature in the transition from stationary to nonstationary states is investigated. A fully kinetic model for the electron flow is derived and used to determine the possible stationary states of the system. It is found that although there is always a stationary solution for any set ofmore » parameters, depending on the injection temperature the electron flow becomes very sensitive to fluctuations and the stationary state is never reached. By investigating the nonlinear dynamics of a characteristic electron, a theory based on a single free parameter is constructed to predict when the transition between stationary and nonstationary states occurs. In agreement with the previous numerical results, the theory indicates that for vanishing temperatures the system never reaches the time independent stationary state in the space charge limited regime. Nevertheless, as the injection temperature is raised it is found a broad range of system parameters for which the stationary state is indeed attained. By properly adjusting the free parameter in the theory, one can be able to describe, to a very good accuracy, when the transition occurs.« less

A Proof of the Occupancy Principle and the Mean-Transit-Time Theorem for Compartmental Models

PubMed Central

RAMAKRISHNAN, RAJASEKHAR; LEONARD, EDWARD F.; DELL, RALPH B.

2012-01-01

The occupancy principle and the mean-transit-time theorem are derived for the passage of a tracer through a system that can be described by a general pool model. It is proved, using matrix theory, that if (and only if) tracer entering the system labels equally all tracee fluxes into the system, then the integral of the tracer concentration is the same in all the pools. It is also proved that if, in addition, all flow out of the system is through the observation point, the first moment of the tracer concentration at the observation point can be used to calculate the total amount of trace in the system. The necessity of this condition is analyzed. Examples are given of models in which the occupancy principle and the mean-transit-time theorem hold or do not hold. PMID:22328793

Enzymatically Modified Starch Favorably Modulated Intestinal Transit Time and Hindgut Fermentation in Growing Pigs

PubMed Central

Newman, M. A.; Zebeli, Q.; Velde, K.; Grüll, D.; Molnar, T.; Kandler, W.; Metzler-Zebeli, B. U.

2016-01-01

Aside from being used as stabilizing agents in many processed foods, chemically modified starches may act as functional dietary ingredients. Therefore, development of chemically modified starches that are less digestible in the upper intestinal segments and promote fermentation in the hindgut receives considerable attention. This study aimed to investigate the impact of an enzymatically modified starch (EMS) on nutrient flow, passage rate, and bacterial activity at ileal and post-ileal level. Eight ileal-cannulated growing pigs were fed 2 diets containing 72% purified starch (EMS or waxy cornstarch as control) in a cross-over design for 10 d, followed by a 4-d collection of feces and 2-d collection of ileal digesta. On d 17, solid and liquid phase markers were added to the diet to determine ileal digesta flow for 8 h after feeding. Reduced small intestinal digestion after the consumption of the EMS diet was indicated by a 10%-increase in ileal flow and fecal excretion of dry matter and energy compared to the control diet (P<0.05). Moreover, EMS feeding reduced ileal transit time of both liquid and solid fractions compared to the control diet (P<0.05). The greater substrate flow to the large intestine with the EMS diet increased the concentrations of total and individual short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in feces (P<0.05). Total bacterial 16S rRNA gene abundance was not affected by diet, whereas the relative abundance of the Lactobacillus group decreased (P<0.01) by 50% and of Enterobacteriaceae tended (P<0.1) to increase by 20% in ileal digesta with the EMS diet compared to the control diet. In conclusion, EMS appears to resemble a slowly digestible starch by reducing intestinal transit and increasing SCFA in the distal large intestine. PMID:27936165

Electric-field-induced flow-aligning state in a nematic liquid crystal.

PubMed

Fatriansyah, Jaka Fajar; Orihara, Hiroshi

2015-04-01

The response of shear stress to a weak ac electric field as a probe is measured in a nematic liquid crystal under shear flow and dc electric fields. Two states with different responses are clearly observed when the dc electric field is changed at a constant shear rate: the flow aligning and non-flow aligning states. The director lies in the shear plane in the flow aligning state and out of the plane in the non-flow aligning state. Through application of dc electric field, the non-flow aligning state can be changed to the flow aligning state. In the transition from the flow aligning state to the non-flow aligning state, it is found that the response increases and the relaxation time becomes longer. Here, the experimental results in the flow aligning state are discussed on the basis of the Ericksen-Leslie theory.

Advanced stability analysis for laminar flow control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Orszag, S. A.

1981-01-01

Five classes of problems are addressed: (1) the extension of the SALLY stability analysis code to the full eighth order compressible stability equations for three dimensional boundary layer; (2) a comparison of methods for prediction of transition using SALLY for incompressible flows; (3) a study of instability and transition in rotating disk flows in which the effects of Coriolis forces and streamline curvature are included; (4) a new linear three dimensional instability mechanism that predicts Reynolds numbers for transition to turbulence in planar shear flows in good agreement with experiment; and (5) a study of the stability of finite amplitude disturbances in axisymmetric pipe flow showing the stability of this flow to all nonlinear axisymmetric disturbances.

How does landscape structure influence catchment transit time across different geomorphic provinces?

USGS Publications Warehouse

Tetzlaff, D.; Seibert, J.; McGuire, K.J.; Laudon, H.; Burns, Douglas A.; Dunn, S.M.; Soulsby, C.

2009-01-01

Despite an increasing number of empirical investigations of catchment transit times (TTs), virtually all are based on individual catchments and there are few attempts to synthesize understanding across different geographical regions. Uniquely, this paper examines data from 55 catchments in five geomorphic provinces in northern temperate regions (Scotland, United States of America and Sweden). The objective is to understand how the role of catchment topography as a control on the TTs differs in contrasting geographical settings. Catchment inverse transit time proxies (ITTPs) were inferred by a simple metric of isotopic tracer damping, using the ratio of standard deviation of ??18O in streamwater to the standard deviation of ??18O in precipitation. Quantitative landscape analysis was undertaken to characterize the catchments according to hydrologically relevant topographic indices that could be readily determined from a digital terrain model (DTM). The nature of topographic controls on transit times varied markedly in different geomorphic regions. In steeper montane regions, there are stronger gravitational influences on hydraulic gradients and TTs tend to be lower in the steepest catchments. In provinces where terrain is more subdued, direct topographic control weakened; in particular, where flatter areas with less permeable soils give rise to overland flow and lower TTs. The steeper slopes within this flatter terrain appear to have a greater coverage of freely draining soils, which increase sub-surface flow, therefore increasing TTs. Quantitative landscape analysis proved a useful tool for intercatchment comparison. However, the critical influence of sub-surface permeability and connectivity may limit the transferability of predictive tools of hydrological function based on topographic parameters alone. Copyright ?? 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Topology optimization of unsteady flow problems using the lattice Boltzmann method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nørgaard, Sebastian; Sigmund, Ole; Lazarov, Boyan

2016-02-01

This article demonstrates and discusses topology optimization for unsteady incompressible fluid flows. The fluid flows are simulated using the lattice Boltzmann method, and a partial bounceback model is implemented to model the transition between fluid and solid phases in the optimization problems. The optimization problem is solved with a gradient based method, and the design sensitivities are computed by solving the discrete adjoint problem. For moderate Reynolds number flows, it is demonstrated that topology optimization can successfully account for unsteady effects such as vortex shedding and time-varying boundary conditions. Such effects are relevant in several engineering applications, i.e. fluid pumps and control valves.

Hysteresis, phase transitions, and dangerous transients in electrical power distribution systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duclut, Charlie; Backhaus, Scott; Chertkov, Michael

2013-06-01

The majority of dynamical studies in power systems focus on the high-voltage transmission grids where models consider large generators interacting with crude aggregations of individual small loads. However, new phenomena have been observed indicating that the spatial distribution of collective, nonlinear contribution of these small loads in the low-voltage distribution grid is crucial to the outcome of these dynamical transients. To elucidate the phenomenon, we study the dynamics of voltage and power flows in a spatially extended distribution feeder (circuit) connecting many asynchronous induction motors and discover that this relatively simple 1+1 (space+time) dimensional system exhibits a plethora of nontrivial spatiotemporal effects, some of which may be dangerous for power system stability. Long-range motor-motor interactions mediated by circuit voltage and electrical power flows result in coexistence and segregation of spatially extended phases defined by individual motor states, a “normal” state where the motors’ mechanical (rotation) frequency is slightly smaller than the nominal frequency of the basic ac flows and a “stalled” state where the mechanical frequency is small. Transitions between the two states can be initiated by a perturbation of the voltage or base frequency at the head of the distribution feeder. Such behavior is typical of first-order phase transitions in physics, and this 1+1 dimensional model shows many other properties of a first-order phase transition with the spatial distribution of the motors’ mechanical frequency playing the role of the order parameter. In particular, we observe (a) propagation of the phase-transition front with the constant speed (in very long feeders) and (b) hysteresis in transitions between the normal and stalled (or partially stalled) phases.

Hysteresis, phase transitions, and dangerous transients in electrical power distribution systems.

PubMed

Duclut, Charlie; Backhaus, Scott; Chertkov, Michael

2013-06-01

The majority of dynamical studies in power systems focus on the high-voltage transmission grids where models consider large generators interacting with crude aggregations of individual small loads. However, new phenomena have been observed indicating that the spatial distribution of collective, nonlinear contribution of these small loads in the low-voltage distribution grid is crucial to the outcome of these dynamical transients. To elucidate the phenomenon, we study the dynamics of voltage and power flows in a spatially extended distribution feeder (circuit) connecting many asynchronous induction motors and discover that this relatively simple 1+1 (space+time) dimensional system exhibits a plethora of nontrivial spatiotemporal effects, some of which may be dangerous for power system stability. Long-range motor-motor interactions mediated by circuit voltage and electrical power flows result in coexistence and segregation of spatially extended phases defined by individual motor states, a "normal" state where the motors' mechanical (rotation) frequency is slightly smaller than the nominal frequency of the basic ac flows and a "stalled" state where the mechanical frequency is small. Transitions between the two states can be initiated by a perturbation of the voltage or base frequency at the head of the distribution feeder. Such behavior is typical of first-order phase transitions in physics, and this 1+1 dimensional model shows many other properties of a first-order phase transition with the spatial distribution of the motors' mechanical frequency playing the role of the order parameter. In particular, we observe (a) propagation of the phase-transition front with the constant speed (in very long feeders) and (b) hysteresis in transitions between the normal and stalled (or partially stalled) phases.

Bypass Transitional Flow Calculations Using a Navier-Stokes Solver and Two-Equation Models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liuo, William W.; Shih, Tsan-Hsing; Povinelli, L. A. (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

Bypass transitional flows over a flat plate were simulated using a Navier-Stokes solver and two equation models. A new model for the bypass transition, which occurs in cases with high free stream turbulence intensity (TI), is described. The new transition model is developed by including an intermittency correction function to an existing two-equation turbulence model. The advantages of using Navier-Stokes equations, as opposed to boundary-layer equations, in bypass transition simulations are also illustrated. The results for two test flows over a flat plate with different levels of free stream turbulence intensity are reported. Comparisons with the experimental measurements show that the new model can capture very well both the onset and the length of bypass transition.

"Time-dependent flow-networks"

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tupikina, Liubov; Molkentin, Nora; Lopez, Cristobal; Hernandez-Garcia, Emilio; Marwan, Norbert; Kurths, Jürgen

2015-04-01

Complex networks have been successfully applied to various systems such as society, technology, and recently climate. Links in a climate network are defined between two geographical locations if the correlation between the time series of some climate variable is higher than a threshold. Therefore, network links are considered to imply information or heat exchange. However, the relationship between the oceanic and atmospheric flows and the climate network's structure is still unclear. Recently, a theoretical approach verifying the correlation between ocean currents and surface air temperature networks has been introduced, where the Pearson correlation networks were constructed from advection-diffusion dynamics on an underlying flow. Since the continuous approach has its limitations, i.e. high computational complexity and fixed variety of the flows in the underlying system, we introduce a new, method of flow-networks for changing in time velocity fields including external forcing in the system, noise and temperature-decay. Method of the flow-network construction can be divided into several steps: first we obtain the linear recursive equation for the temperature time-series. Then we compute the correlation matrix for time-series averaging the tensor product over all realizations of the noise, which we interpret as a weighted adjacency matrix of the flow-network and analyze using network measures. We apply the method to different types of moving flows with geographical relevance such as meandering flow. Analyzing the flow-networks using network measures we find that our approach can highlight zones of high velocity by degree and transition zones by betweenness, while the combination of these network measures can uncover how the flow propagates within time. Flow-networks can be powerful tool to understand the connection between system's dynamics and network's topology analyzed using network measures in order to shed light on different climatic phenomena.

Numerical simulation of transitional flow on a wind turbine airfoil with RANS-based transition model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Ye; Sun, Zhengzhong; van Zuijlen, Alexander; van Bussel, Gerard

2017-09-01

This paper presents a numerical investigation of transitional flow on the wind turbine airfoil DU91-W2-250 with chord-based Reynolds number Rec = 1.0 × 106. The Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes based transition model using laminar kinetic energy concept, namely the k - kL - ω model, is employed to resolve the boundary layer transition. Some ambiguities for this model are discussed and it is further implemented into OpenFOAM-2.1.1. The k - kL - ω model is first validated through the chosen wind turbine airfoil at the angle of attack (AoA) of 6.24° against wind tunnel measurement, where lift and drag coefficients, surface pressure distribution and transition location are compared. In order to reveal the transitional flow on the airfoil, the mean boundary layer profiles in three zones, namely the laminar, transitional and fully turbulent regimes, are investigated. Observation of flow at the transition location identifies the laminar separation bubble. The AoA effect on boundary layer transition over wind turbine airfoil is also studied. Increasing the AoA from -3° to 10°, the laminar separation bubble moves upstream and reduces in size, which is in close agreement with wind tunnel measurement.

Cholesteric-nematic transitions induced by a shear flow and a magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zakhlevnykh, A. N.; Makarov, D. V.; Novikov, A. A.

2017-10-01

The untwisting of the helical structure of a cholesteric liquid crystal under the action of a magnetic field and a shear flow has been studied theoretically. Both factors can induce the cholesteric-nematic transition independently; however, the difference in the orienting actions of the magnetic field and the shear flow leads to competition between magnetic and hydrodynamic mechanisms of influence on the cholesteric liquid crystal. We have analyzed different orientations of the magnetic field relative to the direction of the flow in the shear plane. In a number of limiting cases, the analytic dependences are obtained for the pitch of the cholesteric helix deformed by the shear flow. The phase diagrams of the cholesteric-nematic transitions and the pitch of the cholesteric helix are calculated for different values of the magnetic field strength and the angle of orientation, the flow velocity gradient, and the reactive parameter. It is shown that the magnetic field stabilizes the orientation of the director in the shear flow and expands the boundaries of orientability of cholesterics. It has been established that the shear flow shifts the critical magnetic field strength of the transition. It is shown that a sequence of reentrant orientational cholesteric-nematic-cholesteric transitions can be induced by rotating the magnetic field in certain intervals of its strength and shear flow velocity gradients.

Coupled-Flow Simulation of HP-LP Turbines Has Resulted in Significant Fuel Savings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Veres, Joseph P.

2001-01-01

Our objective was to create a high-fidelity Navier-Stokes computer simulation of the flow through the turbines of a modern high-bypass-ratio turbofan engine. The simulation would have to capture the aerodynamic interactions between closely coupled high- and low-pressure turbines. A computer simulation of the flow in the GE90 turbofan engine's high-pressure (HP) and low-pressure (LP) turbines was created at GE Aircraft Engines under contract with the NASA Glenn Research Center. The three-dimensional steady-state computer simulation was performed using Glenn's average-passage approach named APNASA. The areas upstream and downstream of each blade row mutually interact with each other during engine operation. The embedded blade row operating conditions are modeled since the average passage equations in APNASA actively include the effects of the adjacent blade rows. The turbine airfoils, platforms, and casing are actively cooled by compressor bleed air. Hot gas leaks around the tips of rotors through labyrinth seals. The flow exiting the high work HP turbines is partially transonic and, therefore, has a strong shock system in the transition region. The simulation was done using 121 processors of a Silicon Graphics Origin 2000 (NAS 02K) cluster at the NASA Ames Research Center, with a parallel efficiency of 87 percent in 15 hr. The typical average-passage analysis mesh size per blade row was 280 by 45 by 55, or approx.700,000 grid points. The total number of blade rows was 18 for a combined HP and LP turbine system including the struts in the transition duct and exit guide vane, which contain 12.6 million grid points. Design cycle turnaround time requirements ran typically from 24 to 48 hr of wall clock time. The number of iterations for convergence was 10,000 at 8.03x10(exp -5) sec/iteration/grid point (NAS O2K). Parallel processing by up to 40 processors is required to meet the design cycle time constraints. This is the first-ever flow simulation of an HP and LP turbine. In addition, it includes the struts in the transition duct and exit guide vanes.

Path-preference cellular-automaton model for traffic flow through transit points and its application to the transcription process in human cells.

PubMed

Ohta, Yoshihiro; Nishiyama, Akinobu; Wada, Yoichiro; Ruan, Yijun; Kodama, Tatsuhiko; Tsuboi, Takashi; Tokihiro, Tetsuji; Ihara, Sigeo

2012-08-01

We all use path routing everyday as we take shortcuts to avoid traffic jams, or by using faster traffic means. Previous models of traffic flow of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) during transcription, however, were restricted to one dimension along the DNA template. Here we report the modeling and application of traffic flow in transcription that allows preferential paths of different dimensions only restricted to visit some transit points, as previously introduced between the 5' and 3' end of the gene. According to its position, an RNAPII protein molecule prefers paths obeying two types of time-evolution rules. One is an asymmetric simple exclusion process (ASEP) along DNA, and the other is a three-dimensional jump between transit points in DNA where RNAPIIs are staying. Simulations based on our model, and comparison experimental results, reveal how RNAPII molecules are distributed at the DNA-loop-formation-related protein binding sites as well as CTCF insulator proteins (or exons). As time passes after the stimulation, the RNAPII density at these sites becomes higher. Apparent far-distance jumps in one dimension are realized by short-range three-dimensional jumps between DNA loops. We confirm the above conjecture by applying our model calculation to the SAMD4A gene by comparing the experimental results. Our probabilistic model provides possible scenarios for assembling RNAPII molecules into transcription factories, where RNAPII and related proteins cooperatively transcribe DNA.

A complex-lamellar description of boundary layer transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kolla, Maureen Louise

Flow transition is important, in both practical and phenomenological terms. However, there is currently no method for identifying the spatial locations associated with transition, such as the start and end of intermittency. The concept of flow stability and experimental correlations have been used, however, flow stability only identifies the location where disturbances begin to grow in the laminar flow and experimental correlations can only give approximations as measuring the start and end of intermittency is difficult. Therefore, the focus of this work is to construct a method to identify the start and end of intermittency, for a natural boundary layer transition and a separated flow transition. We obtain these locations by deriving a complex-lamellar description of the velocity field that exists between a fully laminar and fully turbulent boundary condition. Mathematically, this complex-lamellar decomposition, which is constructed from the classical Darwin-Lighthill-Hawthorne drift function and the transport of enstrophy, describes the flow that exists between the fully laminar Pohlhausen equations and Prandtl's fully turbulent one seventh power law. We approximate the difference in enstrophy density between the boundary conditions using a power series. The slope of the power series is scaled by using the shape of the universal intermittency distribution within the intermittency region. We solve the complex-lamellar decomposition of the velocity field along with the slope of the difference in enstrophy density function to determine the location of the laminar and turbulent boundary conditions. Then from the difference in enstrophy density function we calculate the start and end of intermittency. We perform this calculation on a natural boundary layer transition over a flat plate for zero pressure gradient flow and for separated shear flow over a separation bubble. We compare these results to existing experimental results and verify the accuracy of our transition model.

Does Warming a Lysozyme Solution Cook Ones Data?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pusey, Marc; Burke, Michael; Judge, Russell

2000-01-01

Chicken egg white lysozyme has a well characterized thermally driven phase transition. Between pH 4.0 and 5.2, the transition temperature, as defined by the point where the tetragonal and orthorhombic solubility are equal, is a function of the pH, salt (precipitant) type and concentration, and most likely of the buffer concentration as well. This phase transition can be carried out with protein solution alone, prior to the initiation of the crystallization process. We have now measured the kinetics of this process and investigated its reversibility. An aliquot of a stock protein solution is held at a given temperature, and at periodic intervals used to set up batch crystallization experiments. The batch solutions were incubated at 20 C until macroscopic crystals were obtained, at which point the number of crystals in each well were counted. The transition effects increased with temperature, slowly falling off at 30 C with a half time (time to approx. 1/2 the t = 0 number of crystals) of approx. 5 hours, and an estimated half time of approx. 0.5 hours at 43 C. Further, the process was not reversible by simple cooling. After holding a lysozyme solution at 37 C (prior to addition of precipitant) for 16 hours, then cooling and holding it at 4 C, no return to the pre-warmed nucleation kinetics are observed after at least 4 weeks. Thus every thermal excursion above the phase transition point results in a further decrease in the nucleation rate of that solution, the extent being a function of the time and temperature. Orthorhombic lysozyme crystals apparently do not undergo the flow-induced growth cessation of tetragonal lysozyme crystals. We have previously shown that putting the protein in the orthorhombic form does not affect the averaged face growth kinetics, only nucleation, for tetragonal crystals. We may be able to use this differential behavior to elucidate how flow affects tile lysozyme crystal growth process.

Research in Natural Laminar Flow and Laminar-Flow Control, part 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hefner, Jerry N. (Compiler); Sabo, Frances E. (Compiler)

1987-01-01

Part 2 of the Symposium proceedings includes papers addressing various topics in basic wind tunnel research/techniques and computational transitional research. Specific topics include: advanced measurement techniques; laminar flow control; Tollmien-Schlichting wave characteristics; boundary layer transition; flow visualization; wind tunnel tests; flight tests; boundary layer equations; swept wings; and skin friction.

Liquid-Vapor Flow Regime Transitions for Spacecraft Heat Transfer Loops

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-12-01

effects of fluid properties on flow regime transitions. 5 A carnauba wax with no additives was used because it resists dissolution by oil. 19 4.2...importance of an annular flow entrance geometry and of waxing the tube wall to change its wetting properties (to prevent inverse annular flow) were

The application of intraoperative transit time flow measurement to accurately assess anastomotic quality in sequential vein grafting

PubMed Central

Yu, Yang; Zhang, Fan; Gao, Ming-Xin; Li, Hai-Tao; Li, Jing-Xing; Song, Wei; Huang, Xin-Sheng; Gu, Cheng-Xiong

2013-01-01

OBJECTIVES Intraoperative transit time flow measurement (TTFM) is widely used to assess anastomotic quality in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, in sequential vein grafting, the flow characteristics collected by the conventional TTFM method are usually associated with total graft flow and might not accurately indicate the quality of every distal anastomosis in a sequential graft. The purpose of our study was to examine a new TTFM method that could assess the quality of each distal anastomosis in a sequential graft more reliably than the conventional TTFM approach. METHODS Two TTFM methods were tested in 84 patients who underwent sequential saphenous off-pump CABG in Beijing An Zhen Hospital between April and August 2012. In the conventional TTFM method, normal blood flow in the sequential graft was maintained during the measurement, and the flow probe was placed a few centimetres above the anastomosis to be evaluated. In the new method, blood flow in the sequential graft was temporarily reduced during the measurement by placing an atraumatic bulldog clamp at the graft a few centimetres distal to the anastomosis to be evaluated, while the position of the flow probe remained the same as in the conventional method. This new TTFM method was named the flow reduction TTFM. Graft flow parameters measured by both methods were compared. RESULTS Compared with the conventional TTFM, the flow reduction TTFM resulted in significantly lower mean graft blood flow (P < 0.05); in contrast, yielded significantly higher pulsatility index (P < 0.05). Diastolic filling was not significantly different between the two methods and was >50% in both cases. Interestingly, the flow reduction TTFM identified two defective middle distal anastomoses that the conventional TTFM failed to detect. Graft flows near the defective distal anastomoses were improved substantially after revision. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we found that temporary reduction of graft flow during TTFM seemed to enhance the sensitivity of TTFM to less-than-critical anastomotic defects in a sequential graft and to improve the overall accuracy of the intraoperative assessment of anastomotic quality in sequential vein grafting. PMID:24000314

Understanding L-H transition in tokamak fusion plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Guosheng; Wu, Xingquan

2017-03-01

This paper reviews the current state of understanding of the L-H transition phenomenon in tokamak plasmas with a focus on two central issues: (a) the mechanism for turbulence quick suppression at the L-H transition; (b) the mechanism for subsequent generation of sheared flow. We briefly review recent advances in the understanding of the fast suppression of edge turbulence across the L-H transition. We uncover a comprehensive physical picture of the L-H transition by piecing together a number of recent experimental observations and insights obtained from 1D and 2D simulation models. Different roles played by diamagnetic mean flow, neoclassical-driven mean flow, turbulence-driven mean flow, and turbulence-driven zonal flows are discussed and clarified. It is found that the L-H transition occurs spontaneously mediated by a shift in the radial wavenumber spectrum of edge turbulence, which provides a critical evidence for the theory of turbulence quench by the flow shear. Remaining questions and some key directions for future investigations are proposed. This work was supported by National Magnetic Confinement Fusion Science Program of China under Contracts No. 2015GB101000, No. 2013GB106000, and No. 2013GB107000 and National Natural Science Foundation of China under Contracts No. 11575235 and No. 11422546.

Global structure transitions in an experimental induction furnace

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tasaka, Yuji; Galindo, Vladimir; Vogt, Tobias; Eckert, Sven

2017-11-01

Flows induced by alternating magnetic field (AMF) in a cylindrical vessel filled with liquid metal, alloy of GaInSn, were examined experimentally using ultrasonic Doppler velocimetry (UDV). Measurement lines of UDV arranged vertically set at different radial and azimuthal positions extracted flow structures and their time variations as spatio-temporal velocity maps in the opaque liquid metal layer. At low frequency of AMF, corresponding to shielding parameter S =μm σωR2 = O(1) (μm and σ are magnetic permeability and electric conductivity of the test fluid, ω angular frequency of AMF, and R the radius of cylindrical vessel), two toroidal vortices exist in the fluid layer as the large scale flow structure and have interactions each other. With increasing of S the structure has transition from toroidal vortex pair to four large scale circulations (S >= 100) via transient state, where strong interactions of two vortices are observed (30 < S < 100). Faster vertical stream is observed near the cylinder wall because of ski effect caused by AMF, and the time-averaged velocity of the stream takes maximum around S = 20 , which is little smaller value of S for the onset of the transient state. JSPS KAKENHI No. 15KK0219.

Understanding characteristics in multivariate traffic flow time series from complex network structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Ying; Zhang, Shen; Tang, Jinjun; Wang, Xiaofei

2017-07-01

Discovering dynamic characteristics in traffic flow is the significant step to design effective traffic managing and controlling strategy for relieving traffic congestion in urban cities. A new method based on complex network theory is proposed to study multivariate traffic flow time series. The data were collected from loop detectors on freeway during a year. In order to construct complex network from original traffic flow, a weighted Froenius norm is adopt to estimate similarity between multivariate time series, and Principal Component Analysis is implemented to determine the weights. We discuss how to select optimal critical threshold for networks at different hour in term of cumulative probability distribution of degree. Furthermore, two statistical properties of networks: normalized network structure entropy and cumulative probability of degree, are utilized to explore hourly variation in traffic flow. The results demonstrate these two statistical quantities express similar pattern to traffic flow parameters with morning and evening peak hours. Accordingly, we detect three traffic states: trough, peak and transitional hours, according to the correlation between two aforementioned properties. The classifying results of states can actually represent hourly fluctuation in traffic flow by analyzing annual average hourly values of traffic volume, occupancy and speed in corresponding hours.

Passive swimming in viscous oscillatory flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jo, Ikhee; Huang, Yangyang; Zimmermann, Walter; Kanso, Eva

2016-12-01

Fluid-based locomotion at low Reynolds number is subject to the constraints of Purcell's scallop theorem: reciprocal shape kinematics identical under a time-reversal symmetry cannot cause locomotion. In particular, a single degree-of-freedom scallop undergoing opening and closing motions cannot swim. Most strategies for symmetry breaking and locomotion rely on direct control of the swimmer's shape kinematics. Less is known about indirect control via actuation of the fluid medium. To address how such indirect actuation strategies can lead to locomotion, we analyze a Λ -shaped model system analogous to Purcell's scallop but able to deform passively in oscillatory flows. Neutrally buoyant scallops undergo no net locomotion. We show that dense, elastic scallops can exhibit passive locomotion in zero-mean oscillatory flows. We examine the efficiency of swimming parallel to the background flow and analyze the stability of these motions. We observe transitions from stable to unstable swimming, including ordered transitions from fluttering to chaoticlike motions and tumbling. Our results demonstrate that flow oscillations can be used to passively actuate and control the motion of microswimmers, which may be relevant to applications such as surgical robots and cell sorting and manipulation in microfluidic devices.

Modeling the transition region

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singer, Bart A.

1993-01-01

The current status of transition-region models is reviewed in this report. To understand modeling problems, various flow features that influence the transition process are discussed first. Then an overview of the different approaches to transition-region modeling is given. This is followed by a detailed discussion of turbulence models and the specific modifications that are needed to predict flows undergoing laminar-turbulent transition. Methods for determining the usefulness of the models are presented, and an outlook for the future of transition-region modeling is suggested.

Postseismic rebound in fault step-overs caused by pore fluid flow

USGS Publications Warehouse

Peltzer, G.; Rosen, P.; Rogez, F.; Hudnut, K.

1996-01-01

Near-field strain induced by large crustal earthquakes results in changes in pore fluid pressure that dissipate with time and produce surface deformation. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry revealed several centimeters of postseismic uplift in pull-apart structures and subsidence in a compressive jog along the Landers, California, 1992 earthquake surface rupture, with a relaxation time of 270 ?? 45 days. Such a postseismic rebound may be explained by the transition of the Poisson's ratio of the deformed volumes of rock from undrained to drained conditions as pore fluid flow allows pore pressure to return to hydrostatic equilibrium.

Metastases to the Liver from Neuroendocrine Tumors: Effect of Duration of Scan Acquisition on CT Perfusion Values

PubMed Central

Hobbs, Brian P.; Chandler, Adam G.; Anderson, Ella F.; Herron, Delise H.; Charnsangavej, Chusilp; Yao, James

2013-01-01

Purpose To assess the effects of acquisition duration on computed tomographic (CT) perfusion parameter values in neuroendocrine liver metastases and normal liver tissue. Materials and Methods This retrospective study was institutional review board approved, with waiver of informed consent. CT perfusion studies in 16 patients (median age, 57.5 years; range, 42.0–69.7 years), including six men (median, 54.1 years; range, 42.0–69.7), and 10 women (median, 59.3 years; range 43.6–66.3), with neuroendocrine liver metastases were analyzed by means of distributed parametric modeling to determine tissue blood flow, blood volume, mean transit time, permeability, and hepatic arterial fraction for tumors and normal liver tissue. Analyses were undertaken with acquisition time of 12–590 seconds. Nonparameteric regression analyses were used to evaluate the functional relationships between CT perfusion parameters and acquisition duration. Evidence for time invariance was evaluated for each parameter at multiple time points by inferring the fitted derivative to assess its proximity to zero as a function of acquisition time by using equivalence tests with three levels of confidence (20%, 70%, and 90%). Results CT perfusion parameter values varied, approaching stable values with increasing acquisition duration. Acquisition duration greater than 160 seconds was required to obtain at least low confidence stability in any of the CT perfusion parameters. At 160 seconds of acquisition, all five CT perfusion parameters stabilized with low confidence in tumor and normal tissues, with the exception of hepatic arterial fraction in tumors. After 220 seconds of acquisition, there was stabilization with moderate confidence for blood flow, blood volume, and hepatic arterial fraction in tumors and normal tissue, and for mean transit time in tumors; however, permeability values did not satisfy the moderate stabilization criteria in both tumors and normal tissue until 360 seconds of acquisition. Blood flow, mean transit time, permeability, and hepatic arterial fraction were significantly different between tumor and normal tissue at 360 seconds (P < .001). Conclusion CT perfusion parameter values are affected by acquisition duration and approach progressively stable values with increasing acquisition times. © RSNA, 2013 Online supplemental material is available for this article. PMID:23824990

Analysis of turbulent transport and mixing in transitional Rayleigh–Taylor unstable flow using direct numerical simulation data

DOE PAGES

Schilling, Oleg; Mueschke, Nicholas J.

2010-10-18

Data from a 1152X760X1280 direct numerical simulation (DNS) of a transitional Rayleigh-Taylor mixing layer modeled after a small Atwood number water channel experiment is used to comprehensively investigate the structure of mean and turbulent transport and mixing. The simulation had physical parameters and initial conditions approximating those in the experiment. The budgets of the mean vertical momentum, heavy-fluid mass fraction, turbulent kinetic energy, turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate, heavy-fluid mass fraction variance, and heavy-fluid mass fraction variance dissipation rate equations are constructed using Reynolds averaging applied to the DNS data. The relative importance of mean and turbulent production, turbulent dissipationmore » and destruction, and turbulent transport are investigated as a function of Reynolds number and across the mixing layer to provide insight into the flow dynamics not presently available from experiments. The analysis of the budgets supports the assumption for small Atwood number, Rayleigh/Taylor driven flows that the principal transport mechanisms are buoyancy production, turbulent production, turbulent dissipation, and turbulent diffusion (shear and mean field production are negligible). As the Reynolds number increases, the turbulent production in the turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate equation becomes the dominant production term, while the buoyancy production plateaus. Distinctions between momentum and scalar transport are also noted, where the turbulent kinetic energy and its dissipation rate both grow in time and are peaked near the center plane of the mixing layer, while the heavy-fluid mass fraction variance and its dissipation rate initially grow and then begin to decrease as mixing progresses and reduces density fluctuations. All terms in the transport equations generally grow or decay, with no qualitative change in their profile, except for the pressure flux contribution to the total turbulent kinetic energy flux, which changes sign early in time (a countergradient effect). The production-to-dissipation ratios corresponding to the turbulent kinetic energy and heavy-fluid mass fraction variance are large and vary strongly at small evolution times, decrease with time, and nearly asymptote as the flow enters a self-similar regime. The late-time turbulent kinetic energy production-to-dissipation ratio is larger than observed in shear-driven turbulent flows. The order of magnitude estimates of the terms in the transport equations are shown to be consistent with the DNS at late-time, and also confirms both the dominant terms and their evolutionary behavior. Thus, these results are useful for identifying the dynamically important terms requiring closure, and assessing the accuracy of the predictions of Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes and large-eddy simulation models of turbulent transport and mixing in transitional Rayleigh-Taylor instability-generated flow.« less

Optical measurement of mouse strain differences in cerebral blood flow using indocyanine green

PubMed Central

Kang, Hye-Min; Sohn, Inkyung; Kim, Seunggyu; Kim, Daehwan; Jung, Junyang; Jeong, Joo-Won; Park, Chan

2015-01-01

C57BL/6 mice have more cerebral arterial branches and collaterals than BALB/c mice. We measured and compared blood flow dynamics of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in these two strains, using noninvasive optical imaging with indocyanine green (ICG). Relative maximum fluorescence intensity (Imax) and the time needed for ICG to reach Imax in the MCA of C57BL/c were lower than that in BALB/c mice. Moreover, the mean transit time was significantly lower in C57BL/6 than in BALB/c mice. These data suggest that the higher number of arterial branches and collaterals in C57BL/6 mice yields a lower blood flow per cerebral artery. PMID:25833343

Fault-tolerant continuous flow systems modelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tolbi, B.; Tebbikh, H.; Alla, H.

2017-01-01

This paper presents a structural modelling of faults with hybrid Petri nets (HPNs) for the analysis of a particular class of hybrid dynamic systems, continuous flow systems. HPNs are first used for the behavioural description of continuous flow systems without faults. Then, faults' modelling is considered using a structural method without having to rebuild the model to new. A translation method is given in hierarchical way, it gives a hybrid automata (HA) from an elementary HPN. This translation preserves the behavioural semantics (timed bisimilarity), and reflects the temporal behaviour by giving semantics for each model in terms of timed transition systems. Thus, advantages of the power modelling of HPNs and the analysis ability of HA are taken. A simple example is used to illustrate the ideas.

Kinetic and radiative power from optically thin accretion flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sądowski, Aleksander; Gaspari, Massimo

2017-06-01

We perform a set of general relativistic, radiative, magneto-hydrodynamical simulations (GR-RMHD) to study the transition from radiatively inefficient to efficient state of accretion on a non-rotating black hole. We study ion to electron temperature ratios ranging from TI/Te = 10 to 100, and simulate flows corresponding to accretion rates as low as 10^{-6}\\dot{M}_Edd, and as high as 10^{-2}\\dot{M}_Edd. We have found that the radiative output of accretion flows increases with accretion rate, and that the transition occurs earlier for hotter electrons (lower TI/Te ratio). At the same time, the mechanical efficiency hardly changes and accounts to ≈3 per cent of the accreted rest mass energy flux, even at the highest simulated accretion rates. This is particularly important for the mechanical active galactic nuclei (AGN) feedback regulating massive galaxies, groups and clusters. Comparison with recent observations of radiative and mechanical AGN luminosities suggests that the ion to electron temperature ratio in the inner, collisionless accretion flow should fall within 10 < TI/Te < 30, I.e. the electron temperature should be several percent of the ion temperature.

The inclusion of capillary distribution in the adiabatic tissue homogeneity model of blood flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koh, T. S.; Zeman, V.; Darko, J.; Lee, T.-Y.; Milosevic, M. F.; Haider, M.; Warde, P.; Yeung, I. W. T.

2001-05-01

We have developed a non-invasive imaging tracer kinetic model for blood flow which takes into account the distribution of capillaries in tissue. Each individual capillary is assumed to follow the adiabatic tissue homogeneity model. The main strength of our new model is in its ability to quantify the functional distribution of capillaries by the standard deviation in the time taken by blood to pass through the tissue. We have applied our model to the human prostate and have tested two different types of distribution functions. Both distribution functions yielded very similar predictions for the various model parameters, and in particular for the standard deviation in transit time. Our motivation for developing this model is the fact that the capillary distribution in cancerous tissue is drastically different from in normal tissue. We believe that there is great potential for our model to be used as a prognostic tool in cancer treatment. For example, an accurate knowledge of the distribution in transit times might result in an accurate estimate of the degree of tumour hypoxia, which is crucial to the success of radiation therapy.

Transitions to improved confinement regimes induced by changes in heating in zero-dimensional models for tokamak plasmas

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhu, H.; Chapman, S. C.; Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Dresden

2014-06-15

It is shown that rapid substantial changes in heating rate can induce transitions to improved energy confinement regimes in zero-dimensional models for tokamak plasma phenomenology. We examine for the first time the effect of step changes in heating rate in the models of Kim and Diamond [Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 185006 (2003)] and Malkov and Diamond [Phys. Plasmas 16, 012504 (2009)], which nonlinearly couple the evolving temperature gradient, micro-turbulence, and a mesoscale flow; and in the extension of Zhu et al. [Phys. Plasmas 20, 042302 (2013)], which couples to a second mesoscale flow component. The temperature gradient rises, as doesmore » the confinement time defined by analogy with the fusion context, while micro-turbulence is suppressed. This outcome is robust against variation of heating rise time and against introduction of an additional variable into the model. It is also demonstrated that oscillating changes in heating rate can drive the level of micro-turbulence through a period-doubling path to chaos, where the amplitude of the oscillatory component of the heating rate is the control parameter.« less

Using tracer-derived groundwater transit times to assess storage within a high-elevation watershed of the upper Colorado River Basin, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Georgek, Jennifer L.; Kip Solomon, D.; Heilweil, Victor M.; Miller, Matthew P.

2018-03-01

Previous watershed assessments have relied on annual baseflow to evaluate the groundwater contribution to streams. To quantify the volume of groundwater in storage, additional information such as groundwater mean transit time (MTT) is needed. This study determined the groundwater MTT in the West Fork Duchesne watershed in Utah (USA) with lumped-parameter modeling of environmental tracers (SF6, CFCs, and 3H/3He) from 21 springs. Approximately 30% of the springs exhibited an exponential transit time distribution (TTD); the remaining 70% were best characterized by a piston-flow TTD. The flow-weighted groundwater MTT for the West Fork watershed is about 40 years with approximately 20 years in the unsaturated zone. A cumulative distribution of these ages revealed that most of the groundwater is between 30 and 50 years old, suggesting that declining recharge associated with 5-10-year droughts is less likely to have a profound effect on this watershed compared with systems with shorter MTTs. The estimated annual baseflow of West Fork stream flow based on chemical hydrograph separation is 1.7 × 107 m3/year, a proxy for groundwater discharge. Using both MTT and groundwater discharge, the volume of mobile groundwater stored in the watershed was calculated to be 6.5 × 108 m3, or 20 m thickness of active groundwater storage and recharge of 0.09 m/year (assuming porosity = 15%). Future watershed-scale assessments should evaluate groundwater MTT, in addition to annual baseflow, to quantify groundwater storage and more accurately assess watershed susceptibility to drought, groundwater extraction, and land-use change.

Transition scenario and transition control of the flow over a semi-infinite square leading-edge plate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Yadong; Zhou, Benmou; Tang, Zhaolie; Zhang, Fei

2017-07-01

In recent investigations of the flow over a square leading-edge flat plate, elliptic instability and transient growth of perturbations are proposed to explain the turbulent transition mechanism of the separating and reattaching flow reported in early experimental visualizations. An original transition scenario as well as a transition control method is presented by a detailed numerical study in this paper. The transient growth of perturbations in the separation bubble induces the primary instability that causes the 2D unsteady flow consisting of Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) vortices. The pairing instability of the KH vortices induces the subharmonic secondary instability, and then resonance transition occurs. The streamwise Lorentz force as the control input is applied in the recirculation region where the separation bubble generates. The maximum energy amplification magnitude of perturbations takes a linear attenuation with the interaction number; thus, the primary instability is reduced under control. The interaction number represents the strength of the streamwise Lorentz force relative to the inertial force of the fluid. The reduced primary instability is not strong enough to induce the secondary instability, so the flow is globally stable under control. Three-dimensional direct numerical simulation confirms the results of the linear stability analysis. Although the growth rate of the convectively unstable secondary instability is limited by the flow field scale, the feedback loop of the energy transfer promotes the resonance transition. However, as the separation bubble scale is reduced and the feedback loop is broken by the streamwise Lorentz force, the three-dimensional transition is suppressed and a skin-friction drag reduction is achieved.

Measurement of crossflow vortices, attachment-line flow, and transition using microthin hot films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mangalam, S. M.; Agarwal, N. K.; Maddalon, D. V.; Saric, W. S.

1990-01-01

A flow diagnostic experiment was conducted on a 45-deg swept-wing model using surface-mounted, multielement, microthin, hot-film sensors. The cross-flow vortex spacing, the attachment-line flow characteristics, and the transition region were all determined using an advanced data acquisition and instrumentation system. In addition to the frequencies of traveling waves predicted by linear stability theory, amplified disturbances at much higher frequencies were observed. Simultaneous measurements from sensors located at a number of chord and span locations highlighted the strong three-dimensionality of the boundary-layer flow in the presence of cross-flow vortices. The state of the attachment-line boundary layer was determined using a multielement sensor wrapped around the wing leading edge. The transition region flow characteristics were also identified.

A Continuous-Flow Polymerase Chain Reaction Microchip With Regional Velocity Control

PubMed Central

Li, Shifeng; Fozdar, David Y.; Ali, Mehnaaz F.; Li, Hao; Shao, Dongbing; Vykoukal, Daynene M.; Vykoukal, Jody; Floriano, Pierre N.; Olsen, Michael; McDevitt, John T.; Gascoyne, Peter R.C.; Chen, Shaochen

2009-01-01

This paper presents a continuous-flow polymerase chain reaction (PCR) microchip with a serpentine microchannel of varying width for “regional velocity control.” Varying the channel width by incorporating expanding and contracting conduits made it possible to control DNA sample velocities for the optimization of the exposure times of the sample to each temperature phase while minimizing the transitional periods during temperature transitions. A finite element analysis (FEA) and semi-analytical heat transfer model was used to determine the distances between the three heating assemblies that are responsible for creating the denaturation (96 °C), hybridization (60 °C), and extension (72 °C) temperature zones within the microchip. Predictions from the thermal FEA and semi-analytical model were compared with temperature measurements obtained from an infrared (IR) camera. Flow-field FEAs were also performed to predict the velocity distributions in the regions of the expanding and contracting conduits to study the effects of the microchannel geometry on flow recirculation and bubble nucleation. The flow fields were empirically studied using micro particle image velocimetry (μ-PIV) to validate the flow-field FEA’s and to determine experimental velocities in each of the regions of different width. Successful amplification of a 90 base pair (bp) bacillus anthracis DNA fragment was achieved. PMID:19829760

Early turbulence in von Karman swirling flow of polymer solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burnishev, Yuri; Steinberg, Victor

2015-01-01

We present quantitative experimental results on the transition to early turbulence in von Karman swirling flow of water- and water-sugar-based polymer solutions compared to the transition to turbulence in their Newtonian solvents by measurements of solely global quantities as torque Γ(t) and pressure p(t) with large statistics as a function of Re. For the first time the transition values of Re_c\\textit{turb} to fully developed turbulence and turbulent drag reduction regime Re_c\\textit{TDR} are obtained as functions of elasticity El by using the solvents with different viscosities and polymer concentrations ϕ. Two scaling regions for fundamental turbulent characteristics are identified and they correspond to the turbulent and TDR regimes. Both Re_c\\textit{turb} and Re_c\\textit{TDR} are found via the dependence of the friction coefficient Cf and Cp, defined through scaled average torque \\barΓ and rms pressure fluctuations p\\textit{rms} , respectively, on Re for different El and ϕ and via the limits of the two scaling regions.

Hydroclimatic influences on non-stationary transit time distributions in a boreal headwater catchment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peralta-Tapia, A.; Soulsby, C.; Tetzlaff, D.; Sponseller, R.; Bishop, K.; Laudon, H.

2016-12-01

Understanding how water moves through catchments - from the time it enters as precipitation to when it exits via streamflow - is of fundamental importance to understanding hydrological and biogeochemical processes. A basic descriptor of this routing is the Transit Time Distribution (TTD) which is derived from the input-output behavior of conservative tracers, the mean of which represents the average time elapsed between water molecules entering and exiting a flow system. In recent decades, many transit time studies have been conducted, but few of these have focused on snow-dominated catchments. We assembled a 10-year time series of isotopic data (δ18O and δ2H) for precipitation and stream water to estimate the characteristics of the transit time distribution in a boreal catchment in northern Sweden. We applied lumped parameter models using a gamma distribution to calculate the Mean Transit Time (MTT) of water over the entire period of record and to evaluate how inter-annual differences in transit times relate to hydroclimatic variability. The best fit MTT for the complete 10-year period was 650 days (Nash-Sutcliff Efficiency = 0.65), while the best fit inter-annual MTT ranged from 300 days up to 1200 days. Whilst there was a weak negative correlation between mean annual total precipitation and the annual MTT, this relationship was stronger (r2 = 0.53, p = 0.02) for the annual rain water input. This strong connection between the MTT and annual rainfall, rather than snowmelt, has strong implications for understanding future hydrological and biogeochemical processes in boreal regions, given that predicted warmer winters would translate into a greater proportion of precipitation falling as rain and thus shorter MTT in catchments. Such a change could have direct implications for the export of solutes and pollutants.

Occurrence and transport of pharmaceuticals in a karst groundwater system affected by domestic wastewater treatment plants.

PubMed

Einsiedl, Florian; Radke, Michael; Maloszewski, Piotr

2010-09-20

The occurrence of two pharmaceuticals, ibuprofen and diclofenac, in a vulnerable karst groundwater system was investigated. The hydrogeology of the karst system was identified by collecting (3)H samples in groundwater over 27years and by performing tracer tests. The isotopes and tracer data were interpreted by mathematical modeling to estimate the mean transit time of water and to characterize the hydrogeological flow paths in the groundwater system. By this approach, a mean (3)H transit time of 4.6 years for the fissured-porous karst aquifer was determined, whereas the fast flowing water in the conduit system showed a mean transit time of days. Both pharmaceuticals which infiltrated along sinkholes and small streams into the karst system were detected in concentrations of up to approximately 1 microg/L in effluent water of the wastewater treatment plants. Diclofenac was present in most samples collected from four springs discharging the karst groundwater to the rivers Altmühl and Anlauter in concentrations between 3.6 and 15.4 ng/L. In contrast, ibuprofen was rarely detected in groundwater. The results of this study suggest that both pharmaceuticals move into the fractured system of the karst system and go into storage. Thus dilution processes are the dominant control on the concentrations of both pharmaceuticals in the fractured system, whereas biodegradation is likely less important. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Atmospheric Chemiluminescence: COCHISE (COld CHemical Infrared Simulation Experiment) and Related Experiments.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-10-13

35. 𔄁. Wiese, W.L., Smith, M.W., and Miles , B.M. (1969) Atomic Transition Probabilities, Vol. II, NSRDS-NBS 22. 8. Green, B.D., private communication...sidearms simultane- ously changes the flow velocity (that is, the residence time) and the ratio of charge to number density E/N in the discharge plasma , as...Levels, Vol. I, NSRDS-NBS 35. 7. Wiese, W. L., Smith, M. W., and Miles , B. M. (1969’, Atomic Transition Probabilities, Vol. II, NSRDS-NBS 22. 8. Green, B

Mean and oscillating plasma flows and turbulence interactions across the L-H confinement transition.

PubMed

Conway, G D; Angioni, C; Ryter, F; Sauter, P; Vicente, J

2011-02-11

A complex interaction between turbulence driven E × B zonal flow oscillations, i.e., geodesic acoustic modes (GAMs), the turbulence, and mean equilibrium flows is observed during the low to high (L-H) plasma confinement mode transition in the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak. Below the L-H threshold at low densities a limit-cycle oscillation forms with competition between the turbulence level and the GAM flow shearing. At higher densities the cycle is diminished, while in the H mode the cycle duration becomes too short to sustain the GAM, which is replaced by large amplitude broadband flow perturbations. Initially GAM amplitude increases as the H-mode transition is approached, but is then suppressed in the H mode by enhanced mean flow shear.

Numerical analysis of the effect of turbulence transition on the hemodynamic parameters in human coronary arteries

PubMed Central

Gawandalkar, Udhav Ulhas; Kini, Girish; Buradi, Abdulrajak; Araki, Tadashi; Ikeda, Nobutaka; Nicolaides, Andrew; Laird, John R.; Saba, Luca; Suri, Jasjit S.

2016-01-01

Background Local hemodynamics plays an important role in atherogenesis and the progression of coronary atherosclerosis disease (CAD). The primary biological effect due to blood turbulence is the change in wall shear stress (WSS) on the endothelial cell membrane, while the local oscillatory nature of the blood flow affects the physiological changes in the coronary artery. In coronary arteries, the blood flow Reynolds number ranges from few tens to several hundreds and hence it is generally assumed to be laminar while calculating the WSS calculations. However, the pulsatile blood flow through coronary arteries under stenotic condition could result in transition from laminar to turbulent flow condition. Methods In the present work, the onset of turbulent transition during pulsatile flow through coronary arteries for varying degree of stenosis (i.e., 0%, 30%, 50% and 70%) is quantitatively analyzed by calculating the turbulent parameters distal to the stenosis. Also, the effect of turbulence transition on hemodynamic parameters such as WSS and oscillatory shear index (OSI) for varying degree of stenosis is quantified. The validated transitional shear stress transport (SST) k-ω model used in the present investigation is the best suited Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes turbulence model to capture the turbulent transition. The arterial wall is assumed to be rigid and the dynamic curvature effect due to myocardial contraction on the blood flow has been neglected. Results Our observations shows that for stenosis 50% and above, the WSSavg, WSSmax and OSI calculated using turbulence model deviates from laminar by more than 10% and the flow disturbances seems to significantly increase only after 70% stenosis. Our model shows reliability and completely validated. Conclusions Blood flow through stenosed coronary arteries seems to be turbulent in nature for area stenosis above 70% and the transition to turbulent flow begins from 50% stenosis. PMID:27280084

Methodology Development of a Gas-Liquid Dynamic Flow Regime Transition Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doup, Benjamin Casey

Current reactor safety analysis codes, such as RELAP5, TRACE, and CATHARE, use flow regime maps or flow regime transition criteria that were developed for static fully-developed two-phase flows to choose interfacial transfer models that are necessary to solve the two-fluid model. The flow regime is therefore difficult to identify near the flow regime transitions, in developing two-phase flows, and in transient two-phase flows. Interfacial area transport equations were developed to more accurately predict the dynamic nature of two-phase flows. However, other model coefficients are still flow regime dependent. Therefore, an accurate prediction of the flow regime is still important. In the current work, the methodology for the development of a dynamic flow regime transition model that uses the void fraction and interfacial area concentration obtained by solving three-field the two-fluid model and two-group interfacial area transport equation is investigated. To develop this model, detailed local experimental data are obtained, the two-group interfacial area transport equations are revised, and a dynamic flow regime transition model is evaluated using a computational fluid dynamics model. Local experimental data is acquired for 63 different flow conditions in bubbly, cap-bubbly, slug, and churn-turbulent flow regimes. The measured parameters are the group-1 and group-2 bubble number frequency, void fraction, interfacial area concentration, and interfacial bubble velocities. The measurements are benchmarked by comparing the prediction of the superficial gas velocities, determined using the local measurements with those determined from volumetric flow rate measurements and the agreement is generally within +/-20%. The repeatability four-sensor probe construction process is within +/-10%. The repeatability of the measurement process is within +/-7%. The symmetry of the test section is examined and the average agreement is within +/-5.3% at z/D = 10 and +/-3.4% at z/D = 32. Revised source/sink terms for the two-group interfacial area transport equations are derived and fit to area-averaged experimental data to determine new model coefficients. The average agreement between this model and the experiment data for the void fraction and interfacial area concentration is 10.6% and 15.7%, respectively. This revised two-group interfacial area transport equation and the three-field two-fluid model are used to solve for the group-1 and group-2 interfacial area concentration and void fraction. These values and a dynamic flow regime transition model are used to classify the flow regimes. The flow regimes determined using this model are compared with the flow regimes based on the experimental data and on a flow regime map using Mishima and Ishii's (1984) transition criteria. The dynamic flow regime transition model is shown to predict the flow regimes dynamically and has improved the prediction of the flow regime over that using a flow regime map. Safety codes often employ the one-dimensional two-fluid model to model two-phase flows. The area-averaged relative velocity correlation necessary to close this model is derived from the drift flux model. The effects of the necessary assumptions used to derive this correlation are investigated using local measurements and these effects are found to have a limited impact on the prediction of the area-averaged relative velocity.

Study of the Transition Flow Regime using Monte Carlo Methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hassan, H. A.

1999-01-01

This NASA Cooperative Agreement presents a study of the Transition Flow Regime Using Monte Carlo Methods. The topics included in this final report are: 1) New Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) procedures; 2) The DS3W and DS2A Programs; 3) Papers presented; 4) Miscellaneous Applications and Program Modifications; 5) Solution of Transitional Wake Flows at Mach 10; and 6) Turbulence Modeling of Shock-Dominated Fows with a k-Enstrophy Formulation.

The remarkable ability of turbulence model equations to describe transition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilcox, David C.

1992-01-01

This paper demonstrates how well the k-omega turbulence model describes the nonlinear growth of flow instabilities from laminar flow into the turbulent flow regime. Viscous modifications are proposed for the k-omega model that yield close agreement with measurements and with Direct Numerical Simulation results for channel and pipe flow. These modifications permit prediction of subtle sublayer details such as maximum dissipation at the surface, k approximately y(exp 2) as y approaches 0, and the sharp peak value of k near the surface. With two transition specific closure coefficients, the model equations accurately predict transition for an incompressible flat-plate boundary layer. The analysis also shows why the k-epsilon model is so difficult to use for predicting transition.

Boundary-layer development and transition due to free-stream exothermic reactions in shock-induced flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hall, J. L.

1974-01-01

A study of the effect of free-stream thermal-energy release from shock-induced exothermic reactions on boundary-layer development and transition is presented. The flow model is that of a boundary layer developing behind a moving shock wave in two-dimensional unsteady flow over a shock-tube wall. Matched sets of combustible hydrogen-oxygen-nitrogen mixtures and inert hydrogen-nitrogen mixtures were used to obtain transition data over a range of transition Reynolds numbers from 1,100,000 to 21,300,000. The heat-energy is shown to significantly stabilize the boundary layer without changing its development character. A method for application of this data to flat-plate steady flows is included.

Critical slowing down associated with regime shifts in the US housing market

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tan, James Peng Lung; Cheong, Siew Siew Ann

2014-02-01

Complex systems are described by a large number of variables with strong and nonlinear interactions. Such systems frequently undergo regime shifts. Combining insights from bifurcation theory in nonlinear dynamics and the theory of critical transitions in statistical physics, we know that critical slowing down and critical fluctuations occur close to such regime shifts. In this paper, we show how universal precursors expected from such critical transitions can be used to forecast regime shifts in the US housing market. In the housing permit, volume of homes sold and percentage of homes sold for gain data, we detected strong early warning signals associated with a sequence of coupled regime shifts, starting from a Subprime Mortgage Loans transition in 2003-2004 and ending with the Subprime Crisis in 2007-2008. Weaker signals of critical slowing down were also detected in the US housing market data during the 1997-1998 Asian Financial Crisis and the 2000-2001 Technology Bubble Crisis. Backed by various macroeconomic data, we propose a scenario whereby hot money flowing back into the US during the Asian Financial Crisis fueled the Technology Bubble. When the Technology Bubble collapsed in 2000-2001, the hot money then flowed into the US housing market, triggering the Subprime Mortgage Loans transition in 2003-2004 and an ensuing sequence of transitions. We showed how this sequence of couple transitions unfolded in space and in time over the whole of US.

Advanced boundary layer transition measurement methods for flight applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holmes, B. J.; Croom, C. C.; Gail, P. D.; Manuel, G. S.; Carraway, D. L.

1986-01-01

In modern laminar flow flight research, it is important to understand the specific cause(s) of laminar to turbulent boundary-layer transition. Such information is crucial to the exploration of the limits of practical application of laminar flow for drag reduction on aircraft. The transition modes of interest in current flight investigations include the viscous Tollmien-Schlichting instability, the inflectional instability at laminar separation, and the crossflow inflectional instability, as well as others. This paper presents the results to date of research on advanced devices and methods used for the study of laminar boundary-layer transition phenomena in the flight environment. Recent advancements in the development of arrayed hot-film devices and of a new flow visualization method are discussed. Arrayed hot-film devices have been designed to detect the presence of laminar separation, and of crossflow vorticity. The advanced flow visualization method utilizes color changes in liquid-crystal coatings to detect boundary-layer transition at high altitude flight conditions. Flight and wind tunnel data are presented to illustrate the design and operation of these advanced methods. These new research tools provide information on disturbance growth and transition mode which is essential to furthering our understanding of practical design limits for applications of laminar flow technology.

Rarefied flow past a flat plate at incidence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dogra, Virendra K.; Moss, James N.; Price, Joseph M.

1988-01-01

Results of a numerical study using the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method are presented for the transitional flow about a flat plate at 40 deg incidence. The plate has zero thickness and a length of 1.0 m. The flow conditions simulated are those experienced by the Shuttle Orbiter during reentry at 7.5 km/s. The range of freestream conditions are such that the freestream Knudsen number values are between 0.02 and 8.4, i.e., conditions that encompass most of the transitional flow regime. The DSMC simulations show that transitional effects are evident when compared with free molecule results for all cases considered. The calculated results demonstrate clearly the necessity of having a means of identifying the effects of transitional flow when making aerodynamic flight measurements as are currently being made with the Space Shuttle Orbiter vehicles. Previous flight data analyses have relied exclusively on adjustments in the gas-surface interaction models without accounting for the transitional effect which can be comparable in magnitude. The present calculations show that the transitional effect at 175 km would increase the Space Shuttle Orbiter lift-drag ratio by 90 percent over the free molecule value.

Modeling of water treatment plant using timed continuous Petri nets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nurul Fuady Adhalia, H.; Subiono, Adzkiya, Dieky

2017-08-01

Petri nets represent graphically certain conditions and rules. In this paper, we construct a model of the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) using timed continuous Petri nets. Specifically, we consider that (1) the water pump always active and (2) the water source is always available. After obtaining the model, the flow through the transitions and token conservation laws are calculated.

Development of one-equation transition/turbulence models

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Edwards, J.R.; Roy, C.J.; Blottner, F.G.

2000-01-14

This paper reports on the development of a unified one-equation model for the prediction of transitional and turbulent flows. An eddy viscosity--transport equation for nonturbulent fluctuation growth based on that proposed by Warren and Hassan is combined with the Spalart-Allmaras one-equation model for turbulent fluctuation growth. Blending of the two equations is accomplished through a multidimensional intermittency function based on the work of Dhawan and Narasimha. The model predicts both the onset and extent of transition. Low-speed test cases include transitional flow over a flat plate, a single element airfoil, and a multi-element airfoil in landing configuration. High-speed test casesmore » include transitional Mach 3.5 flow over a 5{degree} cone and Mach 6 flow over a flared-cone configuration. Results are compared with experimental data, and the grid-dependence of selected predictions is analyzed.« less

Numerical analysis of a red blood cell flowing through a thin micropore.

PubMed

Omori, Toshihiro; Hosaka, Haruki; Imai, Yohsuke; Yamaguchi, Takami; Ishikawa, Takuji

2014-01-01

Red blood cell (RBC) deformability plays a key role in microcirculation, especially in vessels that have diameters even smaller than the nominal cell size. In this study, we numerically investigate the dynamics of an RBC in a thin micropore. The RBC is modeled as a capsule with a thin hyperelastic membrane. In a numerical simulation, we employ a boundary element method for fluid mechanics and a finite element method for membrane mechanics. The resulting RBC deformation towards the flow direction is suppressed considerably by increased cytoplasm viscosity, whereas the gap between the cell membrane and solid wall becomes smaller with higher cytoplasm viscosity. We also measure the transit time of the RBC and find that nondimensional transit time increases nonlinearly with respect to the viscosity ratio, whereas it is invariant to the capillary number. In conclusion, cytoplasmic viscosity plays a key role in the dynamics of an RBC in a thin pore. The results of this study will be useful for designing a microfluidic device to measure cytoplasmic viscosity.

Critical behaviour in charging of electric vehicles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carvalho, Rui; Buzna, Lubos; Gibbens, Richard; Kelly, Frank

2015-09-01

The increasing penetration of electric vehicles over the coming decades, taken together with the high cost to upgrade local distribution networks and consumer demand for home charging, suggest that managing congestion on low voltage networks will be a crucial component of the electric vehicle revolution and the move away from fossil fuels in transportation. Here, we model the max-flow and proportional fairness protocols for the control of congestion caused by a fleet of vehicles charging on two real-world distribution networks. We show that the system undergoes a continuous phase transition to a congested state as a function of the rate of vehicles plugging to the network to charge. We focus on the order parameter and its fluctuations close to the phase transition, and show that the critical point depends on the choice of congestion protocol. Finally, we analyse the inequality in the charging times as the vehicle arrival rate increases, and show that charging times are considerably more equitable in proportional fairness than in max-flow.

Synthesis of electroactive ionic liquids for flow battery applications

DOEpatents

Anderson, Travis Mark; Ingersoll, David; Staiger, Chad; Pratt, Harry

2015-09-01

The present disclosure is directed to synthesizing metal ionic liquids with transition metal coordination cations, where such metal ionic liquids can be used in a flow battery. A cation of a metal ionic liquid includes a transition metal and a ligand coordinated to the transition metal.

Jamming transitions induced by an attraction in pedestrian flow.

PubMed

Kwak, Jaeyoung; Jo, Hang-Hyun; Luttinen, Tapio; Kosonen, Iisakki

2017-08-01

We numerically study jamming transitions in pedestrian flow interacting with an attraction, mostly based on the social force model for pedestrians who can join the attraction. We formulate the joining probability as a function of social influence from others, reflecting that individual choice behavior is likely influenced by others. By controlling pedestrian influx and the social influence parameter, we identify various pedestrian flow patterns. For the bidirectional flow scenario, we observe a transition from the free flow phase to the freezing phase, in which oppositely walking pedestrians reach a complete stop and block each other. On the other hand, a different transition behavior appears in the unidirectional flow scenario, i.e., from the free flow phase to the localized jam phase and then to the extended jam phase. It is also observed that the extended jam phase can end up in freezing phenomena with a certain probability when pedestrian flux is high with strong social influence. This study highlights that attractive interactions between pedestrians and an attraction can trigger jamming transitions by increasing the number of conflicts among pedestrians near the attraction. In order to avoid excessive pedestrian jams, we suggest suppressing the number of conflicts under a certain level by moderating pedestrian influx especially when the social influence is strong.

Jamming transitions induced by an attraction in pedestrian flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kwak, Jaeyoung; Jo, Hang-Hyun; Luttinen, Tapio; Kosonen, Iisakki

2017-08-01

We numerically study jamming transitions in pedestrian flow interacting with an attraction, mostly based on the social force model for pedestrians who can join the attraction. We formulate the joining probability as a function of social influence from others, reflecting that individual choice behavior is likely influenced by others. By controlling pedestrian influx and the social influence parameter, we identify various pedestrian flow patterns. For the bidirectional flow scenario, we observe a transition from the free flow phase to the freezing phase, in which oppositely walking pedestrians reach a complete stop and block each other. On the other hand, a different transition behavior appears in the unidirectional flow scenario, i.e., from the free flow phase to the localized jam phase and then to the extended jam phase. It is also observed that the extended jam phase can end up in freezing phenomena with a certain probability when pedestrian flux is high with strong social influence. This study highlights that attractive interactions between pedestrians and an attraction can trigger jamming transitions by increasing the number of conflicts among pedestrians near the attraction. In order to avoid excessive pedestrian jams, we suggest suppressing the number of conflicts under a certain level by moderating pedestrian influx especially when the social influence is strong.

The plumbing of the global biological pump: Efficiency control through leaks, pathways, and time scales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pasquier, Benoît; Holzer, Mark

2016-08-01

We systematically quantify the pathways and time scales that set the efficiency, Ebio, of the global biological pump by applying Green-function-based diagnostics to a data-assimilated phosphorus cycle embedded in a jointly assimilated ocean circulation. We consider "bio pipes" that consist of phosphorus paths that connect specified regions of last biological utilization with regions where regenerated phosphate first reemerges into the euphotic zone. The bio pipes that contribute most to Ebio connect the Eastern Equatorial Pacific (EEqP) and Equatorial Atlantic to the Southern Ocean ((21 ± 3)% of Ebio), as well as the Southern Ocean to itself ((15 ± 3)% of Ebio). The bio pipes with the largest phosphorus flow rates connect the EEqP to itself and the subantarctic Southern Ocean to itself. The global mean sequestration time of the biological pump is 130 ± 70 years, while the sequestration time of the bio pipe from anywhere to the Antarctic region of the Southern Ocean is 430 ± 30 years. The distribution of phosphorus flowing within a given bio pipe is quantified by its transit-time partitioned path density. For the largest bio pipes, ˜1/7 of their phosphorus is carried by thermocline paths with transit times less than ˜300-400 years, while ˜4/7 of their phosphorus is carried by abyssal paths with transit times exceeding ˜700 years. The path density reveals that Antarctic Intermediate Water carries about a third of the regenerated phosphate last utilized in the EEqP that is destined for the Southern Ocean euphotic zone. The Southern Ocean is where (62 ± 2)% of the regenerated inventory and (69 ± 1)% of the preformed inventory first reemerge into the euphotic zone.

Catchment Storage and Transport on Timescales from Minutes to Millennia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirchner, J. W.

2017-12-01

Landscapes are characterized by preferential flow and pervasive heterogeneity on all scales. They therefore store and transmit water and solutes over a wide spectrum of time scales, with important implications for contaminant transport, weathering rates, and runoff chemistry. Theoretical analyses predict, and syntheses of age tracer data confirm, that waters in aquifers are older - often by orders of magnitude - than in the rivers that flow from them, and that this disconnect between water ages arises from aquifer heterogeneity. Recent theoretical studies also suggest that catchment transit time distributions are nonstationary, reflecting temporal variability in precipitation forcing, structural heterogeneity in catchments themselves, and the nonlinearity of the mechanisms controlling storage and transport in the subsurface. The challenge of empirically estimating these nonstationary transit time distributions in real-world catchments, however, has only begun to be explored. In recent years, long-term isotope time series have been collected in many research catchments, and new technologies have emerged that allow quasi-continuous measurements of isotopes in precipitation and streamflow. These new data streams create new opportunities to study how rainfall becomes streamflow following the onset of precipitation. Here I present novel methods for quantifying the fraction of current rainfall in streamflow across ensembles of precipitation events. Benchmark tests with nonstationary catchment models demonstrate that this approach quantitatively measures the short tail of the transit time distribution for a wide range of catchment response characteristics. In combination with reactive tracer time series, this approach can potentially be extended to measure short-term chemical reaction rates at the catchment scale. Applications using high-frequency tracer time series from several experimental catchments demonstrate the utility of the new approach outlined here.

An experimental investigation of wall boundary layer transition Reynolds numbers in an expansion tube

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weilmuenster, K. J.

1974-01-01

Experimental measurements of boundary-layer transition in an expansion-tube test-gas flow are presented along with radial distributions of pitot pressure. An integral method for calculating constant Reynolds number lines for an expansion-tube flow is introduced. Comparison of experimental data and constant Reynolds number calculations has shown that for given conditions, wall boundary-layer transition occurs at a constant Reynolds number in an expansion-tube flow. Operating conditions in the expansion tube were chosen so that the effects of test-gas nonequilibrium on boundary-layer transition could be studied.

Modeling and Optimization for Management of Intermittent Water Supply

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lieb, A. M.; Wilkening, J.; Rycroft, C.

2014-12-01

In many urban areas, piped water is supplied only intermittently, as valves direct water to different parts of the water distribution system at different times. The flow is transient, and may transition between free-surface and pressurized, resulting in complex dynamical features with important consequences for water suppliers and users. These consequences include degradation of distribution system components, compromised water quality, and inequitable water availability. The goal of this work is to model the important dynamics and identify operating conditions that mitigate certain negative effects of intermittent water supply. Specifically, we will look at controlling valve parameters occurring as boundary conditions in a network model of transient, transition flow through closed pipes. Gradient-based optimization will be used to find boundary values to minimize pressure gradients and ensure equitable water availability at system endpoints.

Optimal Dynamics of Intermittent Water Supply

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lieb, Anna; Wilkening, Jon; Rycroft, Chris

2014-11-01

In many urban areas of the developing world, piped water is supplied only intermittently, as valves direct water to different parts of the water distribution system at different times. The flow is transient, and may transition between free-surface and pressurized, resulting in complex dynamical features with important consequences for water suppliers and users. These consequences include degradation of distribution system components, compromised water quality, and inequitable water availability. The goal of this work is to model the important dynamics and identify operating conditions that mitigate certain negative effects of intermittent water supply. Specifically, we will look at valve parameters occurring as boundary conditions in a network model of transient, transition flow through closed pipes. Optimization will be used to find boundary values to minimize pressure gradients and ensure equitable water availability.

Vortex wakes of a flapping foil in a flowing soap film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schnipper, Teis; Andersen, Anders; Bohr, Tomas

2008-11-01

We present an experimental study of an oscillating, symmetric foil in a vertically flowing soap film. By varying frequency and amplitude of the oscillation we explore and visualize a variety of wake structures, including von Kármán wake, reverse von Kármán wake, 2P wake, and 2P+2S wake. We characterize the transition from the von Kármán wake (drag) to the reverse von Kármán wake (thrust) and discuss the results in relation to fish swimming. We visualize the time evolution of the vortex shedding in detail, identify the origins of the vortices comprising the wake, and propose a simple model to account for the transition from von Kármán like wakes to more exotic wake structures.

Experimental and Computational Study of Multiphase Flow Hydrodynamics in 2D Trickle Bed Reactors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nadeem, H.; Ben Salem, I.; Kurnia, J. C.; Rabbani, S.; Shamim, T.; Sassi, M.

2014-12-01

Trickle bed reactors are largely used in the refining processes. Co-current heavy oil and hydrogen gas flow downward on catalytic particle bed. Fine particles in the heavy oil and/or soot formed by the exothermic catalytic reactions deposit on the bed and clog the flow channels. This work is funded by the refining company of Abu Dhabi and aims at mitigating pressure buildup due to fine deposition in the TBR. In this work, we focus on meso-scale experimental and computational investigations of the interplay between flow regimes and the various parameters that affect them. A 2D experimental apparatus has been built to investigate the flow regimes with an average pore diameter close to the values encountered in trickle beds. A parametric study is done for the development of flow regimes and the transition between them when the geometry and arrangement of the particles within the porous medium are varied. Liquid and gas flow velocities have also been varied to capture the different flow regimes. Real time images of the multiphase flow are captured using a high speed camera, which were then used to characterize the transition between the different flow regimes. A diffused light source was used behind the 2D Trickle Bed Reactor to enhance visualizations. Experimental data shows very good agreement with the published literature. The computational study focuses on the hydrodynamics of multiphase flow and to identify the flow regime developed inside TBRs using the ANSYS Fluent Software package. Multiphase flow inside TBRs is investigated using the "discrete particle" approach together with Volume of Fluid (VoF) multiphase flow modeling. The effect of the bed particle diameter, spacing, and arrangement are presented that may be used to provide guidelines for designing trickle bed reactors.

The rheology of non-suspended sediment transport mediated by a Newtonian fluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pähtz, Thomas; Durán, Orencio

2017-04-01

Using a coupled DEM/RANS numerical model of non-suspended sediment transport in a Newtonian fluid (Durán et al., POF 103306, 2012), we find that the gas-like part of the granular transport flow can be described by a universal condition that constrains the average geometry of interparticle collisions. We show that this condition corresponds to a constant sliding friction coefficient μ at an appropriately defined bed surface, thus explaining the success of Bagnold's old idea to describe the sediment transport in analogy to sliding friction. We are currently exploring whether this rheology applies to gas-like granular flows in general. We further find a transition of the gas-like flow to either a solid-like flow (solid-to-gas transition), which is typical for aeolian sediment transport ('saltation'), or a liquid-like flow (liquid-to-gas transition), which is typical for subaqueous sediment transport ('bedload'). The transition occurs at about the location of maximal particle collision frequency. If there is a liquid-like flow below the transition, we find that it can be described by a μ(I) rheology, where I is the visco-intertial number, an appropriately defined average of the viscous and intertial number.

Field signatures of non-Fickian transport processes: transit time distributions, spatial correlations, reversibility and hydrogeophysical imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Le Borgne, T.; Kang, P. K.; Guihéneuf, N.; Shakas, A.; Bour, O.; Linde, N.; Dentz, M.

2015-12-01

Non-Fickian transport phenomena are observed in a wide range of scales across hydrological systems. They are generally manifested by a broad range of transit time distributions, as measured for instance in tracer breakthrough curves. However, similar transit time distributions may be caused by different origins, including broad velocity distributions, flow channeling or diffusive mass transfer [1,2]. The identification of these processes is critical for defining relevant transport models. How can we distinguish the different origins of non-Fickian transport in the field? In this presentation, we will review recent experimental developments to decipher the different causes of anomalous transport, based on tracer tests performed at different scales in cross borehole and push pull conditions, and time lapse hydrogeophysical imaging of tracer motion [3,4]. References:[1] de Anna-, P., T. Le Borgne, M. Dentz, A. M. Tartakovsky, D. Bolster, P. Davy (2013) Flow Intermittency, Dispersion and Correlated Continuous Time Random Walks in Porous Media, Phys. Rev. Lett., 110, 184502 [2] Le Borgne T., Dentz M., and Carrera J. (2008) Lagrangian Statistical Model for Transport in Highly Heterogeneous Velocity Fields. Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 090601 [3] Kang, P. K., T. Le Borgne, M. Dentz, O. Bour, and R. Juanes (2015), Impact of velocity correlation and distribution on transport in fractured media : Field evidence and theoretical model, Water Resour. Res., 51, 940-959 [4] Dorn C., Linde N., Le Borgne T., O. Bour and L. Baron (2011) Single-hole GPR reflection imaging of solute transport in a granitic aquifer Geophys. Res. Lett. Vol.38, L08401

Hydrogeologic controls on groundwater discharge and nitrogen loads in a coastal watershed

USGS Publications Warehouse

Russoniello, Chrtopher J.; Konikow, Leonard F.; Kroeger, Kevin D.; Fernandez, Cristina; Andres, A. Scott; Michael, Holly A.

2016-01-01

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) is a small portion of the global water budget, but a potentially large contributor to coastal nutrient budgets due to high concentrations relative to stream discharge. A numerical groundwater flow model of the Inland Bays Watershed, Delaware, USA, was developed to identify the primary hydrogeologic factors that affect groundwater discharge rates and transit times to streams and bays. The distribution of groundwater discharge between streams and bays is sensitive to the depth of the water table below land surface. Higher recharge and reduced hydraulic conductivity raised the water table and increased discharge to streams relative to bays compared to the Reference case (in which 66% of recharge is discharged to streams). Increases to either factor decreased transit times for discharge to both streams and bays compared to the Reference case (in which mean transit times are 56.5 and 94.3 years, respectively), though sensitivity to recharge is greater. Groundwater-borne nitrogen loads were calculated from nitrogen concentrations measured in discharging fresh groundwater and modeled SGD rates. These loads combined with long SGD transit times suggest groundwater-borne nitrogen reductions and estuarine water quality improvements will lag decades behind implementation of efforts to manage nutrient sources. This work enhances understanding of the hydrogeologic controls on and uncertainties in absolute and relative rates and transit times of groundwater discharge to streams and bays in coastal watersheds.

Can a simple lumped parameter model simulate complex transit time distributions? Benchmarking experiments in a virtual watershed.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilusz, D. C.; Maxwell, R. M.; Buda, A. R.; Ball, W. P.; Harman, C. J.

2016-12-01

The catchment transit-time distribution (TTD) is the time-varying, probabilistic distribution of water travel times through a watershed. The TTD is increasingly recognized as a useful descriptor of a catchment's flow and transport processes. However, TTDs are temporally complex and cannot be observed directly at watershed scale. Estimates of TTDs depend on available environmental tracers (such as stable water isotopes) and an assumed model whose parameters can be inverted from tracer data. All tracers have limitations though, such as (typically) short periods of observation or non-conservative behavior. As a result, models that faithfully simulate tracer observations may nonetheless yield TTD estimates with significant errors at certain times and water ages, conditioned on the tracer data available and the model structure. Recent advances have shown that time-varying catchment TTDs can be parsimoniously modeled by the lumped parameter rank StorAge Selection (rSAS) model, in which an rSAS function relates the distribution of water ages in outflows to the composition of age-ranked water in storage. Like other TTD models, rSAS is calibrated and evaluated against environmental tracer data, and the relative influence of tracer-dependent and model-dependent error on its TTD estimates is poorly understood. The purpose of this study is to benchmark the ability of different rSAS formulations to simulate TTDs in a complex, synthetic watershed where the lumped model can be calibrated and directly compared to a virtually "true" TTD. This experimental design allows for isolation of model-dependent error from tracer-dependent error. The integrated hydrologic model ParFlow with SLIM-FAST particle tracking code is used to simulate the watershed and its true TTD. To add field intelligence, the ParFlow model is populated with over forty years of hydrometric and physiographic data from the WE-38 subwatershed of the USDA's Mahantango Creek experimental catchment in PA, USA. The results are intended to give practical insight into tradeoffs between rSAS model structure and skill, and define a new performance benchmark to which other transit time models can be compared.

Pulsatile spiral blood flow through arterial stenosis.

PubMed

Linge, Fabian; Hye, Md Abdul; Paul, Manosh C

2014-11-01

Pulsatile spiral blood flow in a modelled three-dimensional arterial stenosis, with a 75% cross-sectional area reduction, is investigated by using numerical fluid dynamics. Two-equation k-ω model is used for the simulation of the transitional flow with Reynolds numbers 500 and 1000. It is found that the spiral component increases the static pressure in the vessel during the deceleration phase of the flow pulse. In addition, the spiral component reduces the turbulence intensity and wall shear stress found in the post-stenosis region of the vessel in the early stages of the flow pulse. Hence, the findings agree with the results of Stonebridge et al. (2004). In addition, the results of the effects of a spiral component on time-varying flow are presented and discussed along with the relevant pathological issues.

Isothermal gas-liquid flow at reduced gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dukler, A. E.

1990-01-01

Research on adiabatic gas-liquid flows under reduced gravity condition is presented together with experimental data obtained using a NASA-Lewis RC 100-ft drop tower and in a LeRC Learjet. It is found that flow patterns and characteristics remain unchanged after the first 1.5 s into microgravity conditions and that the calculated time for a continuity wave to traverse the test section is less than 1.2 s. It is also found that the dispersed bubbles move at the same velocity as that of the front of the slug and that the transition between bubbly and slug flow is insensitive to diameter. Both the bubbly and the slug flows are suggested to represent a continuum of the same physical process. The characteristics of annular, slug, and bubbly flows are compared.

Stability theory applications to laminar-flow control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Malik, Mujeeb R.

1987-01-01

In order to design Laminar Flow Control (LFC) configurations, reliable methods are needed for boundary-layer transition predictions. Among the available methods, there are correlations based upon R sub e, shape factors, Goertler number and crossflow Reynolds number. The most advanced transition prediction method is based upon linear stability theory in the form of the e sup N method which has proven to be successful in predicting transition in two- and three-dimensional boundary layers. When transition occurs in a low disturbance environment, the e sup N method provides a viable design tool for transition prediction and LFC in both 2-D and 3-D subsonic/supersonic flows. This is true for transition dominated by either TS, crossflow, or Goertler instability. If Goertler/TS or crossflow/TS interaction is present, the e sup N will fail to predict transition. However, there is no evidence of such interaction at low amplitudes of Goertler and crossflow vortices.

Multigrid Acceleration of Time-Accurate DNS of Compressible Turbulent Flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Broeze, Jan; Geurts, Bernard; Kuerten, Hans; Streng, Martin

1996-01-01

An efficient scheme for the direct numerical simulation of 3D transitional and developed turbulent flow is presented. Explicit and implicit time integration schemes for the compressible Navier-Stokes equations are compared. The nonlinear system resulting from the implicit time discretization is solved with an iterative method and accelerated by the application of a multigrid technique. Since we use central spatial discretizations and no artificial dissipation is added to the equations, the smoothing method is less effective than in the more traditional use of multigrid in steady-state calculations. Therefore, a special prolongation method is needed in order to obtain an effective multigrid method. This simulation scheme was studied in detail for compressible flow over a flat plate. In the laminar regime and in the first stages of turbulent flow the implicit method provides a speed-up of a factor 2 relative to the explicit method on a relatively coarse grid. At increased resolution this speed-up is enhanced correspondingly.

Flow energizers. Task A

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ward, D.; Binford, R.; Vonlavante, E.; Paul, B.

1985-01-01

The effects of a propeller slipstream on the wing laminar boundary are being investigated. Hot-wire velocity sensor measurements have been performed in flight and in a wind tunnel. It is shown that the boundary layer cycles between a laminar state and a turbulent state at the propeller blade passage rate. The cyclic length of the turbulent state increases with decreasing laminar stability. Analyses of the time-varying velocity profiles show the turbulent state to lie in a transition region between fully laminar and fully turbulent. The observed cyclic boundary layer has characteristics similar to relaminarizing flow and laminar flow with external turbulence.

Identification of complex flows in Taylor-Couette counter-rotating cavities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Czarny, O.; Serre, E.; Bontoux, P.; Lueptow, R. M.

2001-01-01

The transition in confined rotating flows is a topical problem with many industrial and fundamental applications. The purpose of this study is to investigate the Taylor-Couette flow in a finite-length cavity with counter-rotating walls, for two aspect ratios L=5 or L=6. Two complex regimes of wavy vortex and spirals are emphasized for the first time via direct numerical simulation, by using a three-dimensional spectral method. The spatio-temporal behavior of the solutions is analyzed and compared to the few data actually available. c2001 Academie des sciences/Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.

Active ultrasonic cross-correlation flowmeters for mixed-phase pipe flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheen, S. H.; Raptis, A. C.

Two ultrasonic flowmeters which employ the active cross-correlation technique and use a simple clamp-on transducer arrangement are discussed. The flowmeter for solid/liquid flows was tested over a wide range of coal concentration in water and oil. The measured velocity based on the peak position of the cross-correlation function is consistently higher by about 15% than the average velocity measured by flow diversion. The origin of the difference results mainly from the flow velocity profiles and the transit-time probability distribution. The flowmeter that can measure particle velocity in a solid/gas flow requires acoustic decoupling arrangement between two sensing stations. The measured velocity is mainly associated with the particles near the wall. Performance of both flowmeters is presented.

Dynamics of blood flow in a microfluidic ladder network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maddala, Jeevan; Zilberman-Rudenko, Jevgenia; McCarty, Owen

The dynamics of a complex mixture of cells and proteins, such as blood, in perturbed shear flow remains ill-defined. Microfluidics is a promising technology for improving the understanding of blood flow under complex conditions of shear; as found in stent implants and in tortuous blood vessels. We model the fluid dynamics of blood flow in a microfluidic ladder network with dimensions mimicking venules. Interaction of blood cells was modeled using multiagent framework, where cells of different diameters were treated as spheres. This model served as the basis for predicting transition regions, collision pathways, re-circulation zones and residence times of cells dependent on their diameters and device architecture. Based on these insights from the model, we were able to predict the clot formation configurations at various locations in the device. These predictions were supported by the experiments using whole blood. To facilitate platelet aggregation, the devices were coated with fibrillar collagen and tissue factor. Blood was perfused through the microfluidic device for 9 min at a physiologically relevant venous shear rate of 600 s-1. Using fluorescent microscopy, we observed flow transitions near the channel intersections and at the areas of blood flow obstruction, which promoted larger thrombus formation. This study of integrating model predictions with experimental design, aids in defining the dynamics of blood flow in microvasculature and in development of novel biomedical devices.

NASA Ames Laminar Flow Supersonic Wind Tunnel (LFSWT) Tests of a 10 deg Cone at Mach 1.6

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wolf, Stephen W. D.; Laub, James A.

1997-01-01

This work is part of the ongoing qualification of the NASA Ames Laminar Flow Supersonic Wind Tunnel (LFSWT) as a low-disturbance (quiet) facility suitable for transition research. A 10 deg cone was tested over a range of unit Reynolds numbers (Re = 2.8 to 3.8 million per foot (9.2 to 12.5 million per meter)) and angles of incidence (O deg to 10 deg) at Mach 1.6. The location of boundary layer transition along the cone was measured primarily from surface temperature distributions, with oil flow interferometry and Schlieren flow visualization providing confirmation measurements. With the LFSWT in its normal quiet operating mode, no transition was detected on the cone in the test core, over the Reynolds number range tested at zero incidence and yaw. Increasing the pressure disturbance levels in the LFSWT test section by a factor of five caused transition onset on the cone within the test core, at zero incidence and yaw. When operating the LFSWT in its normal quiet mode, transition could only be detected in the test core when high angles of incidence (greater than 5 deg) for cones were set. Transition due to elevated pressure disturbances (Tollmien-Schlichting) and surface trips produced a skin temperature rise of order 4 F (2.2 C). Transition due to cross flows on the leeward side of the cone at incidence produced a smaller initial temperature rise of only order 2.5 F (1.4 C), which indicates a slower transition process. We can conclude that these cone tests add further proof that the LFSWT test core is normally low-disturbance (pressure fluctuations greater than 0.1%), as found by associated direct flow quality measurements discussed in this report. Furthermore, in a quiet test environment, the skin temperature rise is sensitive to the type of dominant instability causing transition. The testing of a cone in the LFSWT provides an excellent experiment for the development of advanced transition detection techniques.

Transitional hemodynamics in intracranial aneurysms - Comparative velocity investigations with high resolution lattice Boltzmann simulations, normal resolution ANSYS simulations, and MR imaging.

PubMed

Jain, Kartik; Jiang, Jingfeng; Strother, Charles; Mardal, Kent-André

2016-11-01

Blood flow in intracranial aneurysms has, until recently, been considered to be disturbed but still laminar. Recent high resolution computational studies have demonstrated, in some situations, however, that the flow may exhibit high frequency fluctuations that resemble weakly turbulent or transitional flow. Due to numerous assumptions required for simplification in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies, the occurrence of these events, in vivo, remains unsettled. The detection of these fluctuations in aneurysmal blood flow, i.e., hemodynamics by CFD, poses additional challenges as such phenomena cannot be captured in clinical data acquisition with magnetic resonance (MR) due to inadequate temporal and spatial resolutions. The authors' purpose was to address this issue by comparing results from highly resolved simulations, conventional resolution laminar simulations, and MR measurements, identify the differences, and identify their causes. Two aneurysms in the basilar artery, one with disturbed yet laminar flow and the other with transitional flow, were chosen. One set of highly resolved direct numerical simulations using the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) and another with adequate resolutions under laminar flow assumption were conducted using a commercially available ANSYS Fluent solver. The velocity fields obtained from simulation results were qualitatively and statistically compared against each other and with MR acquisition. Results from LBM, ANSYS Fluent, and MR agree well qualitatively and quantitatively for one of the aneurysms with laminar flow in which fluctuations were <80 Hz. The comparisons for the second aneurysm with high fluctuations of > ∼ 600 Hz showed vivid differences between LBM, ANSYS Fluent, and magnetic resonance imaging. After ensemble averaging and down-sampling to coarser space and time scales, these differences became minimal. A combination of MR derived data and CFD can be helpful in estimating the hemodynamic environment of intracranial aneurysms. Adequately resolved CFD would suffice gross assessment of hemodynamics, potentially in a clinical setting, and highly resolved CFD could be helpful in a detailed and retrospective understanding of the physiological mechanisms.

Seismic Migration Imaging of the Mantle Transition Zone Beneath Continental US with Receiver Functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, H.; Schmandt, B.

2017-12-01

The mantle transition zone has been widely studied by multiple sub-fields in geosciences including seismology, mineral physics and geodynamics. Due to the relatively high water storage capacity of olivine polymorphs (wadsleyite and ringwoodite) inside the transition zone, it is proposed to be a potential geochemical water reservoir that may contain one or more ocean masses of water. However, there is an ongoing debate about the hydration level of those minerals and how it varies from place to place. Considering that dehydration melting, which may happen during mantle flow across phase transitions between hydrated olivine polymorphs, may be seismically detectable, large-scale seismic imaging of heterogeneous scattering in the transition zone can contribute to the debate. To improve our understanding of the properties of the mantle transition zone and how they relate to mantle flow across its boundaries, it is important to gain an accurate image with large spatial coverage. The accuracy is primarily limited by the density of broadband seismic data and the imaging algorithms applied to the data, while the spatial coverage is limited by the availability of wide-aperture (>500 km) seismic arrays. Thus, the emergence of the USArray seismic data set (www.usarray.org) provides a nearly ideal data source for receiver side imaging of the mantle transition zone due to its large aperture ( 4000 km) with relatively small station spacing ( 70 km), which ensures that the transition zone beneath it is well sampled by teleseismic waves. In total, more than 200,000 P to S receiver functions will be used for imaging structures in depth range of 300 km to 800 km beneath the continental US with an improved 3D Kirchhoff pre-stacking migration method. The method uses 3-D wave fronts calculated for P and S tomography models to more accurately calculate point scattering coefficients and map receiver function lag times to 3-D position. The new images will help resolve any laterally sporadic or dipping interfaces that may be present at transition zone depths. The locations of sporadic velocity decreases will be compared with mantle flow models to evaluate the possibility of dehydration melting.

Slug to churn transition analysis using wire-mesh sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

H. F. Velasco, P.; Ortiz-Vidal, L. E.; Rocha, D. M.; Rodriguez, O. M. H.

2016-06-01

A comparison between some theoretical slug to churn flow-pattern transition models and experimental data is performed. The flow-pattern database considers vertical upward air-water flow at standard temperature and pressure for 50 mm and 32 mm ID pipes. A briefly description of the models and its phenomenology is presented. In general, the performance of the transition models is poor. We found that new experimental studies describing objectively both stable and unstable slug flow-pattern are required. In this sense, the Wire Mesh Sensor (WMS) can assist to that aim. The potential of the WMS is outlined.

Propelled microprobes in turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Calzavarini, E.; Huang, Y. X.; Schmitt, F. G.; Wang, L. P.

2018-05-01

The temporal statistics of incompressible fluid velocity and passive scalar fields in developed turbulent conditions is investigated by means of direct numerical simulations along the trajectories of self-propelled pointlike probes drifting in a flow. Such probes are characterized by a propulsion velocity which is fixed in intensity and direction; however, like vessels in a flow they are continuously deviated on their intended course as the result of local sweeping of the fluid flow. The recorded time series by these moving probes represent the simplest realization of transect measurements in a fluid flow environment. We investigate the nontrivial combination of Lagrangian and Eulerian statistical properties displayed by the transect time series. We show that, as a result of the homogeneity and isotropy of the flow, the single-point acceleration statistics of the probes follows a predictable trend at varying the propulsion speed, a feature that is also present in the scalar time-derivative fluctuations. Further, by focusing on two-time statistics we characterize how the Lagrangian-to-Eulerian transition occurs at increasing the propulsion velocity. The analysis of intermittency of temporal increments highlights in a striking way the opposite trends displayed by the fluid velocity and passive scalars.

Variational Bayes method for estimating transit route OD flows using APC data.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-01-31

The focus of this study is on the use of large quantities of APC data to estimate OD flows : for transit bus routes. Since most OD flow estimation methodologies based on boarding and : alighting counts were developed before the prevalence of APC tech...

Experimental investigation on flow patterns of RP-3 kerosene under sub-critical and supercritical pressures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Ning; Zhou, Jin; Pan, Yu; Wang, Hui

2014-02-01

Active cooling with endothermic hydrocarbon fuel is proved to be one of the most promising approaches to solve the thermal problem for hypersonic aircraft such as scramjet. The flow patterns of two-phase flow inside the cooling channels have a great influence on the heat transfer characteristics. In this study, phase transition processes of RP-3 kerosene flowing inside a square quartz-glass tube were experimentally investigated. Three distinct phase transition phenomena (liquid-gas two phase flow under sub-critical pressures, critical opalescence under critical pressure, and corrugation under supercritical pressures) were identified. The conventional flow patterns of liquid-gas two phase flow, namely bubble flow, slug flow, churn flow and annular flow are observed under sub-critical pressures. Dense bubble flow and dispersed flow are recognized when pressure is increased towards the critical pressure whilst slug flow, churn flow and annular flow disappear. Under critical pressure, the opalescence phenomenon is observed. Under supercritical pressures, no conventional phase transition characteristics, such as bubbles are observed. But some kind of corrugation appears when RP-3 transfers from liquid to supercritical. The refraction index variation caused by sharp density gradient near the critical temperature is thought to be responsible for this corrugation.

Are atmospheric surface layer flows ergodic?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Higgins, Chad W.; Katul, Gabriel G.; Froidevaux, Martin; Simeonov, Valentin; Parlange, Marc B.

2013-06-01

The transposition of atmospheric turbulence statistics from the time domain, as conventionally sampled in field experiments, is explained by the so-called ergodic hypothesis. In micrometeorology, this hypothesis assumes that the time average of a measured flow variable represents an ensemble of independent realizations from similar meteorological states and boundary conditions. That is, the averaging duration must be sufficiently long to include a large number of independent realizations of the sampled flow variable so as to represent the ensemble. While the validity of the ergodic hypothesis for turbulence has been confirmed in laboratory experiments, and numerical simulations for idealized conditions, evidence for its validity in the atmospheric surface layer (ASL), especially for nonideal conditions, continues to defy experimental efforts. There is some urgency to make progress on this problem given the proliferation of tall tower scalar concentration networks aimed at constraining climate models yet are impacted by nonideal conditions at the land surface. Recent advancements in water vapor concentration lidar measurements that simultaneously sample spatial and temporal series in the ASL are used to investigate the validity of the ergodic hypothesis for the first time. It is shown that ergodicity is valid in a strict sense above uniform surfaces away from abrupt surface transitions. Surprisingly, ergodicity may be used to infer the ensemble concentration statistics of a composite grass-lake system using only water vapor concentration measurements collected above the sharp transition delineating the lake from the grass surface.

Study on queueing behavior in pedestrian evacuation by extended cellular automata model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Jun; You, Lei; Zhang, Hong; Wei, Juan; Guo, Yangyong

2018-01-01

This paper proposes a pedestrian evacuation model for effective simulation of evacuation efficiency based on extended cellular automata. In the model, pedestrians' momentary transition probability to a target position is defined in terms of the floor field and queueing time, and the critical time is defined as the waiting time threshold in a queue. Queueing time and critical time are derived using Fractal Brownian Motion through analysis of pedestrian arrival characteristics. Simulations using the platform and actual evacuations were conducted to study the relationships among system evacuation time, average system velocity, pedestrian density, flow rate, and critical time. The results demonstrate that at low pedestrian density, evacuation efficiency can be improved through adoption of the shortest route strategy, and critical time has an inverse relationship with average system velocity. Conversely, at higher pedestrian densities, it is better to adopt the shortest queueing time strategy, and critical time is inversely related to flow rate.

Effects of dynamically variable saturation and matrix-conduit coupling of flow in karst aquifers

USGS Publications Warehouse

Reimann, T.; Geyer, T.; Shoemaker, W.B.; Liedl, R.; Sauter, M.

2011-01-01

Well-developed karst aquifers consist of highly conductive conduits and a relatively low permeability fractured and/or porous rock matrix and therefore behave as a dual-hydraulic system. Groundwater flow within highly permeable strata is rapid and transient and depends on local flow conditions, i.e., pressurized or nonpressurized flow. The characterization of karst aquifers is a necessary and challenging task because information about hydraulic and spatial conduit properties is poorly defined or unknown. To investigate karst aquifers, hydraulic stresses such as large recharge events can be simulated with hybrid (coupled discrete continuum) models. Since existing hybrid models are simplifications of the system dynamics, a new karst model (ModBraC) is presented that accounts for unsteady and nonuniform discrete flow in variably saturated conduits employing the Saint-Venant equations. Model performance tests indicate that ModBraC is able to simulate (1) unsteady and nonuniform flow in variably filled conduits, (2) draining and refilling of conduits with stable transition between free-surface and pressurized flow and correct storage representation, (3) water exchange between matrix and variably filled conduits, and (4) discharge routing through branched and intermeshed conduit networks. Subsequently, ModBraC is applied to an idealized catchment to investigate the significance of free-surface flow representation. A parameter study is conducted with two different initial conditions: (1) pressurized flow and (2) free-surface flow. If free-surface flow prevails, the systems is characterized by (1) a time lag for signal transmission, (2) a typical spring discharge pattern representing the transition from pressurized to free-surface flow, and (3) a reduced conduit-matrix interaction during free-surface flow. Copyright 2011 by the American Geophysical Union.

Experimental process investigation of a latent heat energy storage system with a staggered heat exchanger with different phase change materials for solar thermal energy storage applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsolakoglou, Nikolas P.; Koukou, Maria K.; Vrachopoulos, Michalis Gr.; Tachos, Nikolaos; Lymberis, Kostas; Stathopoulos, Vassilis

2017-11-01

This work investigates melting and solidification processes of four different Phase Change Materials (PCM) used as latent heat thermal storage system. The experimental rig was consisted of an insulated tank, filled with the under investigation PCM, a staggered heat exchanger to supply or extract heat from the PCM cavity and a water pump to circulate Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF). Both charging (melting) and discharging (solidification) processes were conducted for two different HTF flow rates. The main scope of this work was to develop a first approach and to investigate the behaviour of PCM under various load conditions (different HTF flow rates). Results show that different HTF flow rates affect melting and solidification time periods; in both processes time was reduced while HTF flow rate was increased but in differentways due to the transition from conduction to convection heat transfer mechanisms.

From cat's eyes to disjoint multicellular natural convection flow in tall tilted cavities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nicolás, Alfredo; Báez, Elsa; Bermúdez, Blanca

2011-07-01

Numerical results of two-dimensional natural convection problems, in air-filled tall cavities, are reported to study the change of the cat's eyes flow as some parameters vary, the aspect ratio A and the angle of inclination ϕ of the cavity, with the Rayleigh number Ra mostly fixed; explicitly, the range of the variation is given by 12⩽A⩽20 and 0°⩽ϕ⩽270°; about Ra=1.1×10. A novelty contribution of this work is the transition from the cat's eyes changes, as A varies, to a disjoint multicellular flow, as ϕ varies. These flows may be modeled by the unsteady Boussinesq approximation in stream function and vorticity variables which is solved with a fixed point iterative process applied to the nonlinear elliptic system that results after time discretization. The validation of the results relies on mesh size and time-step independence studies.

Pahoehoe-a‧a transitions in the lava flow fields of the western Deccan Traps, India-implications for emplacement dynamics, flood basalt architecture and volcanic stratigraphy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duraiswami, Raymond A.; Gadpallu, Purva; Shaikh, Tahira N.; Cardin, Neha

2014-04-01

Unlike pahoehoe, documentation of true a‧a lavas from a modern volcanological perspective is a relatively recent phenomenon in the Deccan Trap (e.g. Brown et al., 2011, Bull. Volcanol. 73(6): 737-752) as most lava flows previously considered to be a‧a (e.g. GSI, 1998) have been shown to be transitional (e.g. Rajarao et al., 1978, Geol. Soc. India Mem. 43: 401-414; Duraiswami et al., 2008 J. Volcanol. Geothermal. Res. 177: 822-836). In this paper we demonstrate the co-existence of autobrecciation products such as slabby pahoehoe, rubbly pahoehoe and a‧a in scattered outcrops within the dominantly pahoehoe flow fields. Although volumetrically low in number, the pattern of occurrence of the brecciating lobes alongside intact ones suggests that these might have formed in individual lobes along marginal branches and terminal parts of compound flow fields. Complete transitions from typical pahoehoe to 'a‧a lava flow morphologies are seen on length scales of 100-1000 m within road and sea-cliff sections near Uruli and Rajpuri. We consider the complex interplay between local increase in the lava supply rates due to storage or temporary stoppage, local increase in paleo-slope, rapid cooling and localized increase in the strain rates especially in the middle and terminal parts of the compound flow field responsible for the transitional morphologies. Such transitions are seen in the Thakurwadi-, Bushe- and Poladpur Formation in the western Deccan Traps. These are similar to pahoehoe-a‧a transitions seen in Cenozoic long lava flows (Undara ˜160 km, Toomba ˜120 km, Kinrara ˜55 km) from north Queensland, Australia and Recent (1859) eruption of Mauna Loa, Hawaii (a‧a lava flow ˜51 km) suggesting that flow fields with transitional tendencies cannot travel great lengths despite strong channelisation. If these observations are true, then it arguably limits long distance flow of Deccan Traps lavas to Rajahmundry suggesting polycentric eruptions at ˜65 Ma in Peninsular India.

Multigrid methods for flow transition in three-dimensional boundary layers with surface roughness

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Chaoqun; Liu, Zhining; Mccormick, Steve

1993-01-01

The efficient multilevel adaptive method has been successfully applied to perform direct numerical simulations (DNS) of flow transition in 3-D channels and 3-D boundary layers with 2-D and 3-D isolated and distributed roughness in a curvilinear coordinate system. A fourth-order finite difference technique on stretched and staggered grids, a fully-implicit time marching scheme, a semi-coarsening multigrid method associated with line distributive relaxation scheme, and an improved outflow boundary-condition treatment, which needs only a very short buffer domain to damp all order-one wave reflections, are developed. These approaches make the multigrid DNS code very accurate and efficient. This allows us not only to be able to do spatial DNS for the 3-D channel and flat plate at low computational costs, but also to do spatial DNS for transition in the 3-D boundary layer with 3-D single and multiple roughness elements, which would have extremely high computational costs with conventional methods. Numerical results show good agreement with the linear stability theory, the secondary instability theory, and a number of laboratory experiments. The contribution of isolated and distributed roughness to transition is analyzed.

Development of the US3D Code for Advanced Compressible and Reacting Flow Simulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Candler, Graham V.; Johnson, Heath B.; Nompelis, Ioannis; Subbareddy, Pramod K.; Drayna, Travis W.; Gidzak, Vladimyr; Barnhardt, Michael D.

2015-01-01

Aerothermodynamics and hypersonic flows involve complex multi-disciplinary physics, including finite-rate gas-phase kinetics, finite-rate internal energy relaxation, gas-surface interactions with finite-rate oxidation and sublimation, transition to turbulence, large-scale unsteadiness, shock-boundary layer interactions, fluid-structure interactions, and thermal protection system ablation and thermal response. Many of the flows have a large range of length and time scales, requiring large computational grids, implicit time integration, and large solution run times. The University of Minnesota NASA US3D code was designed for the simulation of these complex, highly-coupled flows. It has many of the features of the well-established DPLR code, but uses unstructured grids and has many advanced numerical capabilities and physical models for multi-physics problems. The main capabilities of the code are described, the physical modeling approaches are discussed, the different types of numerical flux functions and time integration approaches are outlined, and the parallelization strategy is overviewed. Comparisons between US3D and the NASA DPLR code are presented, and several advanced simulations are presented to illustrate some of novel features of the code.

Finite size scaling analysis on Nagel-Schreckenberg model for traffic flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balouchi, Ashkan; Browne, Dana

2015-03-01

The traffic flow problem as a many-particle non-equilibrium system has caught the interest of physicists for decades. Understanding the traffic flow properties and though obtaining the ability to control the transition from the free-flow phase to the jammed phase plays a critical role in the future world of urging self-driven cars technology. We have studied phase transitions in one-lane traffic flow through the mean velocity, distributions of car spacing, dynamic susceptibility and jam persistence -as candidates for an order parameter- using the Nagel-Schreckenberg model to simulate traffic flow. The length dependent transition has been observed for a range of maximum velocities greater than a certain value. Finite size scaling analysis indicates power-law scaling of these quantities at the onset of the jammed phase.

Analysis of flow disturbance in a stenosed carotid artery bifurcation using two-equation transitional and turbulence models.

PubMed

Tan, F P P; Soloperto, G; Bashford, S; Wood, N B; Thom, S; Hughes, A; Xu, X Y

2008-12-01

In this study, newly developed two-equation turbulence models and transitional variants are employed for the prediction of blood flow patterns in a diseased carotid artery where the growth, progression, and structure of the plaque at rupture are closely linked to low and oscillating wall shear stresses. Moreover, the laminar-turbulent transition in the poststenotic zone can alter the separation zone length, wall shear stress, and pressure distribution over the plaque, with potential implications for stresses within the plaque. Following the validation with well established experimental measurements and numerical studies, a magnetic-resonance (MR) image-based model of the carotid bifurcation with 70% stenosis was reconstructed and simulated using realistic patient-specific conditions. Laminar flow, a correlation-based transitional version of Menter's hybrid k-epsilon/k-omega shear stress transport (SST) model and its "scale adaptive simulation" (SAS) variant were implemented in pulsatile simulations from which analyses of velocity profiles, wall shear stress, and turbulence intensity were conducted. In general, the transitional version of SST and its SAS variant are shown to give a better overall agreement than their standard counterparts with experimental data for pulsatile flow in an axisymmetric stenosed tube. For the patient-specific case reported, the wall shear stress analysis showed discernable differences between the laminar flow and SST transitional models but virtually no difference between the SST transitional model and its SAS variant.

Boundary-layer transition on cones at angle of attack in a Mach-6 Quiet Tunnel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Swanson, Erick O.

It is desirable for the boundary layer on a re-entry vehicle (RV) to be laminar during as much of its flight as possible, since a turbulent boundary layer causes several problems, such as high heat flux to the vehicle and larger drag forces. Nosetip roughness can cause the boundary layer to transition downstream on the cone. Surface roughness and nosetip bluntness may cause windside-forward transition on maneuvering RVs. The crossflow instability may also influence transition on yawed RVs. The mechanisms through which these phenomena induce transition are poorly understood. Several experiments have been conducted to study these phenomena. The temperature-sensitive-paint (TSP) and oil-flow techniques were used to observe transition and crossflow vortices on cones at angle of attack in the Purdue Boeing/AFOSR Mach-6 Quiet Tunnel. The high-Reynolds number capability of the tunnel was developed to facilitate these experiments. Improvements were made in the use of the temperature-sensitive-paint technique in the Purdue Mach-6 Quiet Tunnel. The measured heat transfer to cones with sharp and spherically-blunt nosetips at 0° angle-of-attack was within 60% of the values from Navier-Stokes computations. Transition was observed on sharp and spherically-blunt cones at 6° angle-of-attack in noisy flow. Crossflow vortices were observed with both TSP and oil flow under noisy conditions in the turbulent boundary layer on a sharp cone. The vortex angles were about 50% of the surface-streamline angles observed using oil dots. TSP was also used to observe crossflow vortices in quiet flow. The vortices were similar to those seen in noisy flow. An array of roughness elements at x = 2 inches (axially) with a spacing of 9° on a yawed sharp cone in noisy flow influenced transition that was apparently induced by the crossflow instability. No influence of the roughness array was observed in quiet flow.

Buoyant miscible displacement flows in a nonuniform Hele-Shaw cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walling, E.; Mollaabbasi, R.; Taghavi, S. M.

2018-03-01

Miscible displacement flows within the gap of a nonuniform Hele-Shaw cell are considered, theoretically and experimentally. The cell is vertical and it can be diverging or converging. A light fluid displaces a heavy fluid downwards. The displacement imposed velocity is sufficiently large so that diffusive effects are negligible within our time scale of interest. For certain flow parameters, the displacement flow is characterized by a symmetric, two-dimensional penetration of the light fluid into the heavy one, for which a lubrication approximation approach is developed to simplify the governing equations and find a semianalytical solution for the flux functions. The solutions reveal how the cell nonuniformity may affect the propagation of the interface between the two fluids, versus the other flow parameters, i.e., the viscosity ratio (m ) and a buoyancy number (χ ), for which a detailed flow regime classification is presented. Our results demonstrate that the presence of nonuniformity adds a unique spatiotemporal nature to these displacements which is not the case for uniform cell flows. The combination of the model and experiments reveals the existence of self-spreading, spike, and unstable (viscous fingering) flow regimes, which may occur at various spatial positions within the cell. A converging cell may allow a transition from spike to self-spreading or unstable regime, whereas a diverging cell may offer a transition from self-spreading or unstable to spike regime. Our work demonstrates that the novel spatiotemporal nature of nonuniform cell flows must be considered through the numerical solution of the interface propagation equation, to yield accurate predictions about the flow behaviors at various spatial positions.

Identification of Instability Modes of Transition in Underexpanded Jets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Inman, Jennifer A.; Danehy, Paul M.; Nowak, Robert J.; Alderfer, David W.

2008-01-01

A series of experiments into the behavior of underexpanded jet flows has been conducted at NASA Langley Research Center. Two nozzles supplied with high-pressure gas were used to generate axisymmetric underexpanded jets exhausting into a low-pressure chamber. These nozzles had exit Mach numbers of 1 and 2.6, though this paper will present cases involving only the supersonic nozzle. Reynolds numbers based on nozzle exit conditions ranged from about 300 to 22,000, and nozzle exit-to-ambient jet pressure ratios ranged from about 1 to 25. For the majority of cases, the jet fluid was a mixture of 99.5% nitrogen seeded with 0.5% nitric oxide (NO). Planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) of NO is used to visualize the flow, visualizing planar slices of the flow rather than path integrated measurements. In addition to revealing the size and location of flow structures, PLIF images were also used to identify unsteady jet behavior in order to quantify the conditions governing the transition to turbulent flow. Flow structures that contribute to the growth of flow instabilities have been identified, and relationships between Reynolds number and transition location are presented. By highlighting deviations from mean flow properties, PLIF images are shown to aide in the identification and characterization of flow instabilities and the resulting process of transition to turbulence.

The Effect of Backward-Facing Step Height on Instability Growth and Breakdown in Swept Wing Boundary-Layer Transition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eppink, Jenna L.; Wlezien, Richard W.; King, Rudolph A.; Choudhari, Meelan

2015-01-01

A low-speed experiment was performed on a swept at plate model with an imposed pressure gradient to determine the effect of a backward-facing step on transition in a stationary-cross flow dominated flow. Detailed hot-wire boundary-layer measurements were performed for three backward-facing step heights of approximately 36, 45, and 49% of the boundary-layer thickness at the step. These step heights correspond to a subcritical, nearly-critical, and critical case. Three leading-edge roughness configurations were tested to determine the effect of stationary-cross flow amplitude on transition. The step caused a local increase in amplitude of the stationary cross flow for the two larger step height cases, but farther downstream the amplitude decreased and remained below the baseline amplitude. The smallest step caused a slight local decrease in amplitude of the primary stationary cross flow mode, but the amplitude collapsed back to the baseline case far downstream of the step. The effect of the step on the amplitude of the primary cross flow mode increased with step height, however, the stationary cross flow amplitudes remained low and thus, stationary cross flow was not solely responsible for transition. Unsteady disturbances were present downstream of the step for all three step heights, and the amplitudes increased with increasing step height. The only exception is that the lower frequency (traveling crossflow-like) disturbance was not present in the lowest step height case. Positive and negative spikes in instantaneous velocity began to occur for the two larger step height cases and then grew in number and amplitude downstream of reattachment, eventually leading to transition. The number and amplitude of spikes varied depending on the step height and cross flow amplitude. Despite the low amplitude of the disturbances in the intermediate step height case, breakdown began to occur intermittently and the flow underwent a long transition region.

Splitting of turbulent spot in transitional pipe flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Xiaohua; Moin, Parviz; Adrian, Ronald J.

2017-11-01

Recent study (Wu et al., PNAS, 1509451112, 2015) demonstrated the feasibility and accuracy of direct computation of the Osborne Reynolds' pipe transition problem without the unphysical, axially periodic boundary condition. Here we use this approach to study the splitting of turbulent spot in transitional pipe flow, a feature first discovered by E.R. Lindgren (Arkiv Fysik 15, 1959). It has been widely believed that spot splitting is a mysterious stochastic process that has general implications on the lifetime and sustainability of wall turbulence. We address the following two questions: (1) What is the dynamics of turbulent spot splitting in pipe transition? Specifically, we look into any possible connection between the instantaneous strain rate field and the spot splitting. (2) How does the passive scalar field behave during the process of pipe spot splitting. In this study, the turbulent spot is introduced at the inlet plane through a sixty degree wide numerical wedge within which fully-developed turbulent profiles are assigned over a short time interval; and the simulation Reynolds numbers are 2400 for a 500 radii long pipe, and 2300 for a 1000 radii long pipe, respectively. Numerical dye is tagged on the imposed turbulent spot at the inlet. Splitting of the imposed turbulent spot is detected very easily. Preliminary analysis of the DNS results seems to suggest that turbulent spot slitting can be easily understood based on instantaneous strain rate field, and such spot splitting may not be relevant in external flows such as the flat-plate boundary layer.

Three-dimensional variable-density flow simulation of a coastal aquifer in southern Oahu, Hawaii, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gingerich, S.B.; Voss, C.I.

2005-01-01

Three-dimensional modeling of groundwater flow and solute transport in the Pearl Harbor aquifer, southern Oahu, Hawaii, shows that the readjustment of the freshwater-saltwater transition zone takes a long time following changes in pumping, irrigation, or recharge in the aquifer system. It takes about 50-years for the transition zone to move 90% of the distance to its new steady position. Further, the Ghyben-Herzberg estimate of the freshwater/saltwater interface depth occurred between the 10 and 50% simulated seawater concentration contours in a complex manner during 100-years of the pumping history of the aquifer. Thus, it is not a good predictor of the depth of potable water. Pre-development recharge was used to simulate the 1880 freshwater-lens configuration. Historical pumpage and recharge distributions were used and the resulting freshwater-lens size and position were simulated through 1980. Simulations show that the transition zone moved upward and landward during the period simulated. Previous groundwater flow models for Oahu have been limited to areal models that simulate a sharp interface between freshwater and saltwater or solute-transport models that simulate a vertical aquifer section. The present model is based on the US Geological Survey's three-dimensional solute transport (3D SUTRA) computer code. Using several new tools for pre- and post-processing of model input and results have allowed easy model construction and unprecedented visualization of the freshwater lens and underlying transition zone in Hawaii's most developed aquifer. ?? Springer-Verlag 2005.

Infrared Images of Boundary Layer Transition on the D8 Transport Configuration in the LaRC 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mason, Michelle L.; Gatlin, Gregory M.

2015-01-01

Grit, trip tape, or trip dots are routinely applied on the leading-edge regions of the fuselage, wings, tails or nacelles of wind tunnel models to trip the flow from laminar to turbulent. The thickness of the model's boundary layer is calculated for nominal conditions in the wind tunnel test to determine the effective size of the trip dots, but the flow over the model may not transition as intended for runs with different flow conditions. Temperature gradients measured with an infrared camera can be used to detect laminar to turbulent boundary layer transition on a wind tunnel model. This non-intrusive technique was used in the NASA Langley 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel to visualize the behavior of the flow over a D8 transport configuration model. As the flow through the wind tunnel either increased to or decreased from the run conditions, a sufficient temperature difference existed between the air and the model to visualize the transition location (due to different heat transfer rates through the laminar and the turbulent boundary layers) for several runs in this test. Transition phenomena were visible without active temperature control in the atmospheric wind tunnel, whether the air was cooler than the model or vice-versa. However, when the temperature of the model relative to the air was purposely changed, the ability to detect transition in the infrared images was enhanced. Flow characteristics such as a wing root horseshoe vortex or the presence of fore-body vortical flows also were observed in the infrared images. The images of flow features obtained for this study demonstrate the usefulness of current infrared technology in subsonic wind tunnel tests.

Chitosan-based thermosensitive hydrogel as a promising ocular drug delivery system: preparation, characterization, and in vivo evaluation.

PubMed

Chen, Xingwei; Li, Xinru; Zhou, Yanxia; Wang, Xiaoning; Zhang, Yanhui; Fan, Yating; Huang, Yanqing; Liu, Yan

2012-11-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of in situ thermosensitive hydrogel based on chitosan in combination with disodium α-d-Glucose 1-phosphate (DGP) for ocular drug delivery system. Aqueous solution of chitosan/DGP underwent sol-gel transition as temperature increased which was flowing sol at room temperature and then turned into non-flowing hydrogel at physiological temperature. The properties of gels were characterized regarding gelation time, gelation temperature, and morphology. The sol-to-gel phase transition behaviors were affected by the concentrations of chitosan, DGP and the model drug levocetirizine dihydrochloride (LD). The developed hydrogel presented a characteristic of a rapid release at the initial period followed by a sustained release and remarkably enhanced the cornea penetration of LD. The results of ocular irritation demonstrated the excellent ocular tolerance of the hydrogel. The ocular residence time for the hydrogel was significantly prolonged compared with eye drops. The drug-loaded hydrogel produced more effective anti-allergic conjunctivitis effects compared with LD aqueous solution. These results showed that the chitosan/DGP thermosensitive hydrogel could be used as an ideal ocular drug delivery system in terms of the suitable sol-gel transition temperature, mild pH environment in the hydrogel as well as the organic solvent free.

Transient growth analysis of the flow past a circular cylinder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdessemed, N.; Sharma, A. S.; Sherwin, S. J.; Theofilis, V.

2009-04-01

We apply direct transient growth analysis in complex geometries to investigate its role in the primary and secondary bifurcation/transition process of the flow past a circular cylinder. The methodology is based on the singular value decomposition of the Navier-Stokes evolution operator linearized about a two-dimensional steady or periodic state which leads to the optimal growth modes. Linearly stable and unstable steady flow at Re=45 and 50 is considered first, where the analysis demonstrates that strong two-dimensional transient growth is observed with energy amplifications of order of 103 at U∞τ/D≈30. Transient growth at Re=50 promotes the linear instability which ultimately saturates into the well known von-Kármán street. Subsequently we consider the transient growth upon the time-periodic base state corresponding to the von-Kármán street at Re=200 and 300. Depending upon the spanwise wavenumber the flow at these Reynolds numbers are linearly unstable due to the so-called mode A and B instabilities. Once again energy amplifications of order of 103 are observed over a time interval of τ /T=2, where T is the time period of the base flow shedding. In all cases the maximum energy of the optimal initial conditions are located within a diameter of the cylinder in contrast to the spatial distribution of the unstable eigenmodes which extend far into the downstream wake. It is therefore reasonable to consider the analysis as presenting an accelerator to the existing modal mechanism. The rapid amplification of the optimal growth modes highlights their importance in the transition process for flow past circular cylinder, particularly when comparing with experimental results where these types of convective instability mechanisms are likely to be activated. The spatial localization, close to the cylinder, of the optimal initial condition may be significant when considering strategies to promote or control shedding.

Anomalous dispersion in correlated porous media: a coupled continuous time random walk approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Comolli, Alessandro; Dentz, Marco

2017-09-01

We study the causes of anomalous dispersion in Darcy-scale porous media characterized by spatially heterogeneous hydraulic properties. Spatial variability in hydraulic conductivity leads to spatial variability in the flow properties through Darcy's law and thus impacts on solute and particle transport. We consider purely advective transport in heterogeneity scenarios characterized by broad distributions of heterogeneity length scales and point values. Particle transport is characterized in terms of the stochastic properties of equidistantly sampled Lagrangian velocities, which are determined by the flow and conductivity statistics. The persistence length scales of flow and transport velocities are imprinted in the spatial disorder and reflect the distribution of heterogeneity length scales. Particle transitions over the velocity length scales are kinematically coupled with the transition time through velocity. We show that the average particle motion follows a coupled continuous time random walk (CTRW), which is fully parameterized by the distribution of flow velocities and the medium geometry in terms of the heterogeneity length scales. The coupled CTRW provides a systematic framework for the investigation of the origins of anomalous dispersion in terms of heterogeneity correlation and the distribution of conductivity point values. We derive analytical expressions for the asymptotic scaling of the moments of the spatial particle distribution and first arrival time distribution (FATD), and perform numerical particle tracking simulations of the coupled CTRW to capture the full average transport behavior. Broad distributions of heterogeneity point values and lengths scales may lead to very similar dispersion behaviors in terms of the spatial variance. Their mechanisms, however are very different, which manifests in the distributions of particle positions and arrival times, which plays a central role for the prediction of the fate of dissolved substances in heterogeneous natural and engineered porous materials. Contribution to the Topical Issue "Continuous Time Random Walk Still Trendy: Fifty-year History, Current State and Outlook", edited by Ryszard Kutner and Jaume Masoliver.

Advective and Mixing Time Scales for Transport of Denmark Strait Overflow Water from the Labrador Sea to the Western Subtropical Atlantic Ocean Determined from 129I, CFC and Hydrographic Time Series Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smethie, W. M., Jr.; Smith, J.; Curry, R. G.; Yashayaev, I.; Azetsu-Scott, K.

2016-02-01

129I released to the North Sea from two nuclear fuel reprocessing plants is transported through the Nordic Seas and the Arctic Ocean and is entering the deep North Atlantic, predominantly in dense Denmark Strait Overflow Water (DSOW). CFCs enter the surface ocean and also become incorporated in DSOW. Measurements of temperature, salinity, CFCs and 129I have been made at least annually along WOCE/CLIVAR line AR7W in the Labrador Sea from the mid 1990s to present, along Line W extending from the continental slope southeast of Cape Cod toward Bermuda from 2003 to 2014, and along a single occupation of a line extending from Bermuda southeast across the Bermuda Rise in 2010. The measurements in the Labrador Sea were used as input to DSOW flowing from there to the subtropical western Atlantic Ocean. We compared the temporal changes along Line W to the temporal changes along the AR7W line and applied the boundary current model of Waugh and Hall (J. Phys. Oceanogr. 35,1538-1552, 2005) to the Line W and Bermuda Rise line observations to determine the transit time of DSOW transported to Line W in the Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC) and transported to the southeastern flank of Bermuda via interior flow paths. The lateral mixing time scale along these two flow paths was also estimated with this model. CFC-11 and 129I increase monotonically in the DSOW in the Labrador Sea and salinity oscillates on a 5-year cycle. The boundary current model reproduces all of these trends. The transit time and lateral mixing time constant for DSOW transported to Line W are 7 years (mean flow velocity of 2.1 cm/sec) and 3-6 years, respectively, and for DSOW transported to the southeast flank of Bermuda are 6-10 years and 2-5 years.

Gas liquid flow at microgravity conditions - Flow patterns and their transitions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dukler, A. E.; Fabre, J. A.; Mcquillen, J. B.; Vernon, R.

1987-01-01

The prediction of flow patterns during gas-liquid flow in conduits is central to the modern approach for modeling two phase flow and heat transfer. The mechanisms of transition are reasonably well understood for flow in pipes on earth where it has been shown that body forces largely control the behavior observed. This work explores the patterns which exist under conditions of microgravity when these body forces are suppressed. Data are presented which were obtained for air-water flow in tubes during drop tower experiments and Learjet trajectories. Preliminary models to explain the observed flow pattern map are evolved.

Velocity field measurements in oblique static divergent vocal fold models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erath, Byron

2005-11-01

During normal phonation, the vocal fold cycle is characterized by the glottal opening transitioning from a convergent to a divergent passage and then closing before the cycle is repeated. Under ordinary phonatory conditions, both vocal folds, which form the glottal passage, move in phase with each other, creating a time-varying symmetric opening. However, abnormal pathological conditions, such as unilateral paralysis, and polyps, can result in geometrical asymmetries between the vocal folds throughout the phonatory cycle. This study investigates pulsatile flow fields through 7.5 times life-size vocal fold models with included divergence angles of 5 to 30 degrees, and obliquities between the vocal folds of up to 15 degrees. Flow conditions were scaled to match physiological parameters. Data were taken at the anterior posterior mid-plane using phase-averaged Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). Viscous flow phenomena including the Coanda effect, flow separation points, and jet "flapping" were investigated. The results are compared to previously reported work of flow through symmetric divergent vocal fold models.

Study of parameters and entrainment of a jet in cross-flow arrangement with transition at two low Reynolds numbers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cárdenas, Camilo; Denev, Jordan A.; Suntz, Rainer; Bockhorn, Henning

2012-10-01

Investigation of the mixing process is one of the main issues in chemical engineering and combustion and the configuration of a jet into a cross-flow (JCF) is often employed for this purpose. Experimental data are gained for the symmetry plane in a JCF-arrangement of an air flow using a combination of particle image velocimetry (PIV) with laser-induced fluorescence (LIF). The experimental data with thoroughly measured boundary conditions are complemented with direct numerical simulations, which are based on idealized boundary conditions. Two similar cases are studied with a fixed jet-to-cross-flow velocity ratio of 3.5 and variable cross-flow Reynolds numbers equal to 4,120 and 8,240; in both cases the jet issues from the pipe at laminar conditions. This leads to a laminar-to-turbulent transition, which depends on the Reynolds number and occurs quicker for the case with higher Reynolds number in both experiments and simulations as well. It was found that the Reynolds number only slightly affects the jet trajectory, which in the case with the higher Reynolds number is slightly deeper. It is attributed to the changed boundary layer shape of the cross-flow. Leeward streamlines bend toward the jet and are responsible for the strong entrainment of cross-flow fluid into the jet. Velocity components are compared for the two Reynolds numbers at the leeward side at positions where strongest entrainment is present and a pressure minimum near the jet trajectory is found. The numerical simulations showed that entrainment is higher for the case with the higher Reynolds number. The latter is attributed to the earlier transition in this case. Fluid entrainment of the jet in cross-flow is more than twice stronger than for a similar flow of a jet issuing into a co-flowing stream. This comparison is made along the trajectory of the two jets at a distance of 5.5 jet diameters downstream and is based on the results from the direct numerical simulations and recently published experiments of a straight jet into a co-flow. Mixing is further studied by means of second-order statistics of the passive scalar variance and the Reynolds fluxes. Windward and leeward sides of the jet exhibit different signs for the time-averaged streamwise Reynolds flux < v x ' c'>. The large coherent structures which contribute to this effect are investigated by means of timely correlated instantaneous PIV-LIF camera snapshots and their contribution to the average statistics of < v x ' c'> are discussed. The discussion on mixing capabilities of the jet in cross-flow is supported by simulation results showing the instantaneous three-dimensional coherent structures defined in terms of the pressure fluctuations.

Two-Equation Low-Reynolds-Number Turbulence Modeling of Transitional Boundary Layer Flows Characteristic of Gas Turbine Blades. Ph.D. Thesis. Final Contractor Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schmidt, Rodney C.; Patankar, Suhas V.

1988-01-01

The use of low Reynolds number (LRN) forms of the k-epsilon turbulence model in predicting transitional boundary layer flow characteristic of gas turbine blades is developed. The research presented consists of: (1) an evaluation of two existing models; (2) the development of a modification to current LRN models; and (3) the extensive testing of the proposed model against experimental data. The prediction characteristics and capabilities of the Jones-Launder (1972) and Lam-Bremhorst (1981) LRN k-epsilon models are evaluated with respect to the prediction of transition on flat plates. Next, the mechanism by which the models simulate transition is considered and the need for additional constraints is discussed. Finally, the transition predictions of a new model are compared with a wide range of different experiments, including transitional flows with free-stream turbulence under conditions of flat plate constant velocity, flat plate constant acceleration, flat plate but strongly variable acceleration, and flow around turbine blade test cascades. In general, calculational procedure yields good agreement with most of the experiments.

Role of isotope mass and evidence of fluctuating zonal flows during the L–H transition in the TJ-II stellarator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Losada, U.; Estrada, T.; Liu, B.; van Milligen, B.; Cheng, J.; Silva, C.; Pastor, I.; Fontdecaba, J. M.; Hidalgo, C.; TJ-II team1, the

2018-07-01

Mean radial electric fields as well as low frequency Zonal Flow-like global oscillations in radial electric field have been identified during the low to high (L–H) transition in Hydrogen and Deuterium dominated plasmas in the stellarator TJ-II. No evidence of isotope effect on the L–H transition dynamics was observed in the investigated TJ-II plasma scenarios. These observations emphasize the critical role of both zero frequency (equilibrium) and low frequency varying large-scale flows for stabilizing turbulence during the triggering of the L–H transition in magnetically confined toroidal plasmas.

Preferential flow, connectivity and the principle of "minimum time to equilibrium": a new perspective on environmental water flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zehe, E.; Blume, T.; Bloeschl, G.

2008-12-01

Preferential/rapid flow and transport is known as one key process in soil hydrology for more than 20 years. It seems to be rather the rule, than the exception. It occurs in soils, in surface rills and river networks. If connective preferential are present at any scale, they crucially control water flow and solute transport. Why? Is there an underlying principle? If energy is conserved a system follows Fermat's principle of minimum action i.e. it follows the trajectory that minimise the integral of the total energy/ La Grangian over time. Hydrological systems are, however, non-conservative as surface and subsurface water flows dissipate energy. From thermodynamics it is well known that natural processes minimize the free energy of the system. For hydrological systems we suggest, therefore, that flow in a catchment arranges in such a way that time to a minimum of free energy becomes minimal for a given rainfall input (disturbance) and under given constraints. Free energy in a soil is determined by potential energy and capillary energy. The pore size distribution of the soil, soil structures, depth to groundwater and most important vegetation make up the constraints. The pore size distribution determines whether potential energy or capillarity dominates the free energy of the soil system. The first term is minimal when the pore space is completely de-saturated the latter becomes minimal at soil saturation. Hence, the soil determines a) the amount of excess (gravity) water that has to be exported from the soil to reach a minimum state of free energy and b) whether redistribution or groundwater recharge is more efficient to reach that equilibrium. On the other hand, the pore size distribution of the soil and the connectivity of preferential pathways (root channels, worm holes and cracks) determine flow velocities and the redistribution of water within the pore space. As water flow and ground water recharge are fast in sandy soils and capillary energy is of minor importance, connective preferential pathways do not mean any advantage for an efficient transition to an equilibrium in these systems. In fine grained soils Darcy velocities and therefore redistribution of water is 2-4 orders of magnitude slower. As capillary energy dominates in these soils an effective redistribution of water within the pore space is crucial for a fast transition of system to an equilibrium state. Connective preferential pathways ore even cracks allow a faster redistribution of water and seem therefore necessary for a fast transition into a state of minimum free energy. The suggested principle "of minimum time to equilibrium" may explain the "advantage" of preferential flow as a much more efficient dissipation of energy in fine grained soils and therefore why connective preferential pathways control environmental flow. From a fundamental, long term perspective the principle may help us to understand whether and why soil structures and even cracks evolve in different landscapes and climates and b) to link soil hydrology and (landscape) ecology. Along the lines the proposed study will present model results to test the stated hypothesis.

Effects of Blade Boundary Layer Transition and Daytime Atmospheric Turbulence on Wind Turbine Performance Analyzed with Blade-Resolved Simulation and Field Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nandi, Tarak Nath

Relevant to utility scale wind turbine functioning and reliability, the present work focuses on enhancing our understanding of wind turbine responses from interactions between energy-dominant daytime atmospheric turbulence eddies and rotating blades of a GE 1.5 MW wind turbine using a unique data set from a GE field experiment and computer simulations at two levels of fidelity. Previous studies have shown that the stability state of the lower troposphere has a major impact on the coherent structure of the turbulence eddies, with corresponding differences in wind turbine loading response. In this study, time-resolved aerodynamic data measured locally at the leading edge and trailing edge of three outer blade sections on a GE 1.5 MW wind turbine blade and high-frequency SCADA generator power data from a daytime field campaign are combined with computer simulations that mimic the GE wind turbine within a numerically generated atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) flow field which is a close approximation of the atmospheric turbulence experienced by the wind turbine in the field campaign. By combining the experimental and numerical data sets, this study describes the time-response characteristics of the local loadings on the blade sections in response to nonsteady nonuniform energetic atmospheric turbulence eddies within a daytime ABL which have spatial scale commensurate with that of the turbine blade length. This study is the first of its kind where actuator line and blade boundary layer resolved CFD studies of a wind turbine field campaign are performed with the motivation to validate the numerical predictions with the experimental data set, and emphasis is given on understanding the influence of the laminar to turbulent transition process on the blade loadings. The experimental and actuator line method data sets identify three important response time scales quantified at the blade location: advective passage of energy-dominant eddies (≈25 - 50 s), blade rotation (1P, ≈3 s) and sub-1P scale (< 1 s) response to internal eddy structure. Large amplitude short-time ramp-like and oscillatory load fluctuations result in response to temporal changes in velocity vector inclination in the airfoil plane, modulated by eddy passage at longer time scales. Generator power is found to respond strongly to large-eddy wind modulations. The experimental data show that internal dynamics of blade boundary layer near the trailing edge is temporally modulated by the nonsteady external ABL flow that was measured at the leading edge, as well as blade generated turbulence motions. A blade boundary layer resolved CFD study of a GE 1.5MW wind turbine blade is carried out using a hybrid URANS/LES framework to quantify the influence of transition on the blade boundary layer dynamics and subsequent loadings, and also to predict the velocity magnitude data set measured by the trailing edge rakes in the experiment. A URANS based transition model is used as the near-wall model, and its ability to predict nonsteady boundary layer dynamics is assessed for flow over an oscillating airfoil exhibiting varying extents of nonsteady behavior. The CFD study shows that, at rated conditions, the transition and separation locations on the blade surface can be quite dynamic, but the transitional flow has negligible influence on the determination of the separation location and the overall pressure distribution at various blade sections, and subsequently the power output. But this conclusion should be accepted with caution for wind turbines running in off-design conditions (e.g. with significant yaw error, off-design pitch or rapid changes in pitch), where massive separation and dynamic stall may occur. Analysis of the near-blade flow field shows strong three dimensional flow in the inboard regions, which can possibly weaken the chordwise flow in the relatively outboard regions and make them more prone to separation. The trailing edge velocity profiles show qualitative resemblance with some specific cycles observed in the field experiment. The factors leading to the observed differences from the experimental data are also mentioned.

L-H transitions driven by ion heating in scrape-off layer turbulence (SOLT) model simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Russell, D. A.; D'Ippolito, D. A.; Myra, J. R.

2015-11-01

The original SOLT model now includes the evolution of ion pressure consistent with drift-ordering. It is a two-dimensional, electrostatic reduced model wherein closure relations, obtained by integrating the equations along the B-field, model parallel physics that includes sheath-mediated current and heat flux in the scrape-off-layer and electron drift waves inside the separatrix. Low (L) and high (H) confinement regimes are observed in SOLT simulations, depending on the strength of an ion pressure (i.e., ion heating) source localized inside the separatrix: With increasing heating, particle and energy confinement times at first decrease in the L-mode then rise in the H-mode. The L-H transition is marked by distinct changes in sheared-flow profiles. The addition of ion pressure dynamics enables modeling the self-consistent interaction between the ion diamagnetic drift and the radial electric field (mean and zonal flows). The roles of these sheared flows in mediating the L-H transition are explored. A new diagnostic, based on the density correlation function, is applied to study blob velocities in different regimes. Work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, under Award Number DE-FG02-97ER54392.

Simulation model for port shunting yards

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rusca, A.; Popa, M.; Rosca, E.; Rosca, M.; Dragu, V.; Rusca, F.

2016-08-01

Sea ports are important nodes in the supply chain, joining two high capacity transport modes: rail and maritime transport. The huge cargo flows transiting port requires high capacity construction and installation such as berths, large capacity cranes, respectively shunting yards. However, the port shunting yards specificity raises several problems such as: limited access since these are terminus stations for rail network, the in-output of large transit flows of cargo relatively to the scarcity of the departure/arrival of a ship, as well as limited land availability for implementing solutions to serve these flows. It is necessary to identify technological solutions that lead to an answer to these problems. The paper proposed a simulation model developed with ARENA computer simulation software suitable for shunting yards which serve sea ports with access to the rail network. Are investigates the principal aspects of shunting yards and adequate measures to increase their transit capacity. The operation capacity for shunting yards sub-system is assessed taking in consideration the required operating standards and the measure of performance (e.g. waiting time for freight wagons, number of railway line in station, storage area, etc.) of the railway station are computed. The conclusion and results, drawn from simulation, help transports and logistics specialists to test the proposals for improving the port management.

Laminar-Turbulent Transition Behind Discrete Roughness Elements in a High-Speed Boundary Layer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choudhari, Meelan M.; Li, Fei; Wu, Minwei; Chang, Chau-Lyan; Edwards, Jack R., Jr.; Kegerise, Michael; King, Rudolph

2010-01-01

Computations are performed to study the flow past an isolated roughness element in a Mach 3.5, laminar, flat plate boundary layer. To determine the effects of the roughness element on the location of laminar-turbulent transition inside the boundary layer, the instability characteristics of the stationary wake behind the roughness element are investigated over a range of roughness heights. The wake flow adjacent to the spanwise plane of symmetry is characterized by a narrow region of increased boundary layer thickness. Beyond the near wake region, the centerline streak is surrounded by a pair of high-speed streaks with reduced boundary layer thickness and a secondary, outer pair of lower-speed streaks. Similar to the spanwise periodic pattern of streaks behind an array of regularly spaced roughness elements, the above wake structure persists over large distances and can sustain strong enough convective instabilities to cause an earlier onset of transition when the roughness height is sufficiently large. Time accurate computations are performed to clarify additional issues such as the role of the nearfield of the roughness element during the generation of streak instabilities, as well as to reveal selected details of their nonlinear evolution. Effects of roughness element shape on the streak amplitudes and the interactions between multiple roughness elements aligned along the flow direction are also investigated.

Identifying the Flow Physics and Modeling Transient Forces on Two-Dimensional Wings

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-09-02

MODELS USING EDMD (a) ( b ) (c) (d) ( e ) (f) (g) (h... Model EDMD Model , β = 0.5 EDMD Model , optimal β ( b ) Model order 5 10 15 20 25 L im it c y c le f re q u e n c y 0.12 0.125 0.13 0.135 0.14 0.145...GP and EDMD nonlinear models in predicting the evolution of POD coefficients for transitional flow past a cylinder, showing (a) time evolution and ( b

Homoclinic tangle on the edge of shear turbulence.

PubMed

van Veen, Lennaert; Kawahara, Genta

2011-09-09

Experiments and simulations lend mounting evidence for the edge state hypothesis on subcritical transition to turbulence, which asserts that simple states of fluid motion mediate between laminar and turbulent shear flow as their stable manifolds separate the two in state space. In this Letter we describe flows homoclinic to a time-periodic edge state that display the essential properties of turbulent bursting. During a burst, vortical structures and the associated energy dissipation are highly localized near the wall, in contrast with the familiar regeneration cycle.

Distributed traffic signal control using fuzzy logic

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chiu, Stephen

1992-01-01

We present a distributed approach to traffic signal control, where the signal timing parameters at a given intersection are adjusted as functions of the local traffic condition and of the signal timing parameters at adjacent intersections. Thus, the signal timing parameters evolve dynamically using only local information to improve traffic flow. This distributed approach provides for a fault-tolerant, highly responsive traffic management system. The signal timing at an intersection is defined by three parameters: cycle time, phase split, and offset. We use fuzzy decision rules to adjust these three parameters based only on local information. The amount of change in the timing parameters during each cycle is limited to a small fraction of the current parameters to ensure smooth transition. We show the effectiveness of this method through simulation of the traffic flow in a network of controlled intersections.

Primary weathering rates, water transit times and concentration-discharge relations: A theoretical analysis for the critical zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ameli, Ali; Erlandsson, Martin; Beven, Keith; Creed, Irena; McDonnell, Jeffrey; Bishop, Kevin

2017-04-01

The permeability architecture of the critical zone exerts a major influence on the hydrogeochemistry of the critical zone. Water flowpath dynamics drive the spatio-temporal pattern of geochemical evolution and resulting streamflow concentration-discharge (C-Q) relation, but these flowpaths are complex and difficult to map quantitatively. Here, we couple a new integrated flow and particle tracking transport model with a general reversible Transition-State-Theory style dissolution rate-law to explore theoretically how C-Q relations and concentration in the critical zone respond to decline in saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) with soil depth. We do this for a range of flow rates and mineral reaction kinetics. Our results show that for minerals with a high ratio of equilibrium concentration to intrinsic weathering rate, vertical heterogeneity in Ks enhances the gradient of weathering-derived solute concentration in the critical zone and strengthens the inverse stream C-Q relation. As the ratio of equilibrium concentration to intrinsic weathering rate decreases, the spatial distribution of concentration in the critical zone becomes more uniform for a wide range of flow rates, and stream C-Q relation approaches chemostatic behaviour, regardless of the degree of vertical heterogeneity in Ks. These findings suggest that the transport-controlled mechanisms in the hillslope can lead to chemostatic C-Q relations in the stream while the hillslope surface reaction-controlled mechanisms are associated with an inverse stream C-Q relation. In addition, as the ratio of equilibrium concentration to intrinsic weathering rate decreases, the concentration in the critical zone and stream become less dependent on groundwater age (or transit time)

Metabolic engineering: the ultimate paradigm for continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing.

PubMed

Yadav, Vikramaditya G; Stephanopoulos, Gregory

2014-07-01

Research and development (R&D) expenditures by pharmaceutical companies doubled over the past decade, yet candidate attrition rates and development times rose markedly during this period. Understandably, companies have begun downsizing their pipelines and diverting investments away from R&D in favor of manufacturing. It is estimated that transitioning to continuous manufacturing could enable companies to compete for a share in emerging markets. Accordingly, the model for continuous manufacturing that has emerged commences with the conversion of late-stage intermediates into the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in a series of continuous flow reactors, followed by continuous solid processing to form finished tablets. The use of flow reactions for API synthesis will certainly generate purer products at higher yields in shorter times compared to equivalent batch reactions. However, transitioning from batch to flow configuration simply alleviates transport limitations within the reaction milieu. As the catalogue of reactions used in flow syntheses is a subset of batch-based chemistries, molecules such as natural products will continue to evade drug prospectors. Also, it is uncertain whether flow synthesis can deliver improvements in the atom and energy economies of API production at the scales that would achieve the levels of revenue growth targeted by companies. Instead, it is argued that implementing metabolic engineering for the production of oxidized scaffolds as gateway molecules for flow-based addition of electrophiles is a more effective and scalable strategy for accessing natural product chemical space. This new paradigm for manufacturing, with metabolic engineering as its engine, would also permit rapid optimization of production variables and allow facile scale-up from gram to ton scale to meet material requirements for clinical trials, thus recasting manufacturing as a tool for discovery. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

How does subsurface retain and release stored water? An explicit estimation of young water fraction and mean transit time

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ameli, Ali; McDonnell, Jeffrey; Laudon, Hjalmar; Bishop, Kevin

2017-04-01

The stable isotopes of water have served science well as hydrological tracers which have demonstrated that there is often a large component of "old" water in stream runoff. It has been more problematic to define the full transit time distribution of that stream water. Non-linear mixing of previous precipitation signals that is stored for extended periods and slowly travel through the subsurface before reaching the stream results in a large range of possible transit times. It difficult to find tracers can represent this, especially if all that one has is data on the precipitation input and the stream runoff. In this paper, we explicitly characterize this "old water" displacement using a novel quasi-steady physically-based flow and transport model in the well-studied S-Transect hillslope in Sweden where the concentration of hydrological tracers in the subsurface and stream has been measured. We explore how subsurface conductivity profile impacts the characteristics of old water displacement, and then test these scenarios against the observed dynamics of conservative hydrological tracers in both the stream and subsurface. This work explores the efficiency of convolution-based approaches in the estimation of stream "young water" fraction and time-variant mean transit times. We also suggest how celerity and velocity differ with landscape structure

Flow characteristics and longitudinal sorting patterns associated with stable alluvial-bedrock and bedrock-alluvial transitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jafarinik, S.; Viparelli, E.

2017-12-01

Recent research recognized the existence of bedrock channels in low-slope rivers, but little is known about the morphodynamics of bedrock-alluvial and alluvial-bedrock transitions in these systems. Bedrock-alluvial and alluvial-bedrock transitions are fluvial features separating bedrock and alluvial reaches. In the bedrock reach the river bed is partially covered with alluvium. An increase in sediment supply to an alluvial reach results in channel bed aggradation. An increase in sediment supply to a bedrock reach, on the other hand, results in a reduction of the exposed bedrock. Mathematical modeling of the alluvial morphodynamics of bedrock reaches reveals that these transitions can characterize transient or equilibrium conditions. Model results show that the magnitude of the alluvial equilibrium slope and the depth of the bedrock surface relative to the downstream water surface base level have a primary control on the equilibrium conditions. Further, numerical results show that when a stable bedrock-alluvial transition forms, the bed material transport capacity in bedrock reach decreases in the flow direction. On the contrary, when a stable alluvial-bedrock transition forms the bed material transport capacity in the bedrock reach increases in the flow direction. These spatial changes in bed material transport capacity are associated with spatial changes in alluvial cover and flow hydrodynamics. Here we present a one-dimensional formulation of alluvial morphodynamics that accounts for the non-uniformity of the bed material and for the spatial change in flow resistances associated with the spatial and temporal changes in flow hydrodynamics of the bedrock reaches. This change in flow resistances can be associated with 1) changes in skin friction due to longitudinal changes in the grain size distribution of the bed surface, and/or 2) changes in bedform geometry associated with the interaction between the alluvial cover and the underlying bedrock. The model has been validated against laboratory experiments with stable alluvial-bedrock transitions and is applied to describe the spatial changes in flow characteristics and sediment sorting patterns upstream of a stable bedrock-alluvial transition.

How snowpack heterogeneity affects diurnal streamflow timing

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lundquist, J.D.; Dettinger, M.D.

2005-01-01

Diurnal cycles of streamflow in snow-fed rivers can be used to infer the average time a water parcel spends in transit from the top of the snowpack to a stream gauge in the river channel. This travel time, which is measured as the difference between the hour of peak snowmelt in the afternoon and the hour of maximum discharge each day, ranges from a few hours to almost a full day later. Travel times increase with longer percolation times through deeper snowpacks, and prior studies of small basins have related the timing of a stream's diurnal peak to the amount of snow stored in a basin. However, in many larger basins the time of peak flow is nearly constant during the first half of the melt season, with little or no variation between years. This apparent self-organization at larger scales can be reproduced by employing heterogeneous observations of snow depths and melt rates in a model that couples porous medium flow through an evolving snowpack with free surface flow in a channel. Copyright 2005 by the American Geophysical Union.

Effect of bedrock permeability on stream base flow mean transit time scaling relations: 1. A multiscale catchment intercomparison

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hale, V. Cody; McDonnell, Jeffrey J.

2016-02-01

The effect of bedrock permeability and underlying catchment boundaries on stream base flow mean transit time (MTT) and MTT scaling relationships in headwater catchments is poorly understood. Here we examine the effect of bedrock permeability on MTT and MTT scaling relations by comparing 15 nested research catchments in western Oregon; half within the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest and half at the site of the Alsea Watershed Study. The two sites share remarkably similar vegetation, topography, and climate and differ only in bedrock permeability (one poorly permeable volcanic rock and the other more permeable sandstone). We found longer MTTs in the catchments with more permeable fractured and weathered sandstone bedrock than in the catchments with tight, volcanic bedrock (on average, 6.2 versus 1.8 years, respectively). At the permeable bedrock site, 67% of the variance in MTT across catchments scales was explained by drainage area, with no significant correlation to topographic characteristics. The poorly permeable site had opposite scaling relations, where MTT showed no correlation to drainage area but the ratio of median flow path length to median flow path gradient explained 91% of the variance in MTT across seven catchment scales. Despite these differences, hydrometric analyses, including flow duration and recession analysis, and storm response analysis, show that the two sites share relatively indistinguishable hydrodynamic behavior. These results show that similar catchment forms and hydrologic regimes hide different subsurface routing, storage, and scaling behavior—a major issue if only hydrometric data are used to define hydrological similarity for assessing land use or climate change response.

Stratigraphy of the Oliocene Sullivan Buttes Latite constrains transition zone development in Chino Valley, Arizona

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ward, S.A.; Riggs, N.R.

The 26.7--23.4 Ma Sullivan Buttes Latite of Chino Valley, Yavapai County, Arizona, erupted during the development of the Transition Zone between the Basin and Range and Colorado Plateau provinces. Detailed mapping and stratigraphic analysis of a portion of the volcanic field indicate volcanism began with the eruption of a shoshonite lava flow and associated cinder cone. Amphibole latite domes then erupted fallouts, surges, and mass flow breccias and culminated activity with a lava flow. Extrusive units from a biotite oxidized latite center to the east interfinger with the older amphibole lattice volcaniclastics. Sullivan Buttes Latite units erupted onto Precambrian andmore » lower Paleozoic strata and Tertiary gravels; the scarp of upper Paleozoic strata equivalent to the paleo' Mogollon Rim had retreated from the area by the time of emplacement of the oldest Sullivan Buttes Latite unit. Subsequent 15--10 Ma Hickey Formation basalts flowed onto an erosion surface cut into Sullivan Buttes deposits, and the nearby Verde River downcut through younger 4.62 Ma Perkinsville Formation basalt. Both situations demonstrate erosion and degradation post Sullivan Buttes activity. Normal faults offsetting Hickey Formation basalts and all older units constrain Basin and Range structural activity to 15 Ma or younger. These stratigraphic relationships of the Sullivan Buttes Latite in the context of Transition Zone development concur with 65--18 Ma retreat of the upper Paleozoic scarp and below-scarp aggradation, 18--12 Ma Basin and Range faulting, and subsequent degradation.« less

A sharp interface method for compressible liquid–vapor flow with phase transition and surface tension

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fechter, Stefan, E-mail: stefan.fechter@iag.uni-stuttgart.de; Munz, Claus-Dieter, E-mail: munz@iag.uni-stuttgart.de; Rohde, Christian, E-mail: Christian.Rohde@mathematik.uni-stuttgart.de

The numerical approximation of non-isothermal liquid–vapor flow within the compressible regime is a difficult task because complex physical effects at the phase interfaces can govern the global flow behavior. We present a sharp interface approach which treats the interface as a shock-wave like discontinuity. Any mixing of fluid phases is avoided by using the flow solver in the bulk regions only, and a ghost-fluid approach close to the interface. The coupling states for the numerical solution in the bulk regions are determined by the solution of local two-phase Riemann problems across the interface. The Riemann solution accounts for the relevantmore » physics by enforcing appropriate jump conditions at the phase boundary. A wide variety of interface effects can be handled in a thermodynamically consistent way. This includes surface tension or mass/energy transfer by phase transition. Moreover, the local normal speed of the interface, which is needed to calculate the time evolution of the interface, is given by the Riemann solution. The interface tracking itself is based on a level-set method. The focus in this paper is the description of the two-phase Riemann solver and its usage within the sharp interface approach. One-dimensional problems are selected to validate the approach. Finally, the three-dimensional simulation of a wobbling droplet and a shock droplet interaction in two dimensions are shown. In both problems phase transition and surface tension determine the global bulk behavior.« less

External vortex pumping by oscillating plate arrays of mayfly nymphs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sensenig, Andrew; Kiger, Ken; Shultz, Jeffrey

2009-11-01

Mayfly nymphs are aquatic insects, many of which can generate ventilation currents by beating two linear arrays of external plate-like gills. The oscillation Reynolds number associated with the gill motion changes with animal size, varying from Re ˜ 2 to 50 depending on age and species. Thus mayflies provide a novel system model for studying ontogenetic changes in pumping mechanisms associated with transitions from a more viscous- to inertia-dominated flow. Observation of the 3-D kinematics of the gill motion of the species C. triangulifer reveal that the mayfly makes a transition in stroke motion when Re>5, with a corresponding shift in mean flow from the ventral to the dorsal direction. Time-resolved PIV measurements within the inter-gill space reveal the basic elements of the flow consist of vortex rings generated by the strokes of the individual gills. For the larger Re case, the phasing of the plate motion generates a complex array of small vortices that interact to produce an intermittent dorsally directed jet. For Re<5, distinct vortices are still observed, but increased diffusion creates vortices that simultaneously envelope several gills, forcing a new flow pattern to emerge and preventing the effective use of the high Re stroke kinematics. Thus we argue the transition in the kinematics is a reflection of a single mechanism adapted over the traversed Re range, rather than a shift to a completely new mechanism. This work is supported by the NSF under grant CBET-0730907.

Low-to-High Confinement Transition Mediated by Turbulence Radial Wave Number Spectral Shift in a Fusion Plasma.

PubMed

Xu, G S; Wan, B N; Wang, H Q; Guo, H Y; Naulin, V; Rasmussen, J Juul; Nielsen, A H; Wu, X Q; Yan, N; Chen, L; Shao, L M; Chen, R; Wang, L; Zhang, W

2016-03-04

A new model for the low-to-high (L-H) confinement transition has been developed based on a new paradigm for turbulence suppression by velocity shear [G. M. Staebler et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 055003 (2013)]. The model indicates that the L-H transition can be mediated by a shift in the radial wave number spectrum of turbulence, as evidenced here, for the first time, by the direct observation of a turbulence radial wave number spectral shift and turbulence structure tilting prior to the L-H transition at tokamak edge by direct probing. This new mechanism does not require a pretransition overshoot in the turbulent Reynolds stress, shunting turbulence energy to zonal flows for turbulence suppression as demonstrated in the experiment.

Measurements of store forces and moments and cavity pressures for a generic store in and near a box cavity at subsonic and transonic speeds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stallings, Robert L., Jr.; Plentovich, E. B.; Tracy, M. B.; Hemsch, Michael J.

1995-01-01

An experimental force and moment study was conducted in the Langley 8-Foot Transonic Pressure Tunnel for a generic store in and near rectangular box cavities contained in a flat-plate configuration at subsonic and transonic speeds. Surface pressures were measured inside the cavities and on the flat plate. The length-to-height ratios were 5.42, 6.25, 10.83, and 12.50. The corresponding width-to-height ratios were 2.00, 2.00, 4.00, and 4.00. The free-stream Mach number range was from 0.20 to 0.95. Surface pressure measurements inside the cavities indicated that the flow fields for the shallow cavities were either closed or transitional near the transitional/closed boundary. For the deep cavities, the flow fields were either open or near the open/transitional boundary. The presence of the store did not change the type of flow field and had only small effects on the pressure distributions. For transitional or open transitional flow fields, increasing the free-stream Mach number resulted in large reductions in pitching-moment coefficient. Values of pitching-moment coefficient were always much greater for closed flow fields than for open flow fields.

Examination of directed flow as a signal for a phase transition in relativistic nuclear collisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steinheimer, J.; Auvinen, J.; Petersen, H.; Bleicher, M.; Stöcker, H.

2014-05-01

The sign change of the slope of the directed flow of baryons has been predicted as a signal for a first order phase transition within fluid dynamical calculations. Recently, the directed flow of identified particles was measured by the STAR Collaboration in the beam energy scan program. In this article, we examine the collision energy dependence of directed flow v1 in fluid dynamical model descriptions of heavy ion collisions for √sNN =3-20 GeV. The first step is to reproduce the existing predictions within pure fluid dynamical calculations. As a second step we investigate the influence of the order of the phase transition on the anisotropic flow within a state-of-the-art hybrid approach that describes other global observables reasonably well. We find that, in the hybrid approach, there seems to be no sensitivity of the directed flow on the equation of state and in particular on the existence of a first order phase transition. In addition, we explore more subtle sensitivities such as the Cooper-Frye transition criterion and discuss how momentum conservation and the definition of the event plane affects the results. At this point, none of our calculations matches qualitatively the behavior of the STAR data; the values of the slopes are always larger than in the data.

Development of a One-Equation Transition/Turbulence Model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

EDWARDS,JACK R.; ROY,CHRISTOPHER J.; BLOTTNER,FREDERICK G.

2000-09-26

This paper reports on the development of a unified one-equation model for the prediction of transitional and turbulent flows. An eddy viscosity - transport equation for non-turbulent fluctuation growth based on that proposed by Warren and Hassan (Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 35, No. 5) is combined with the Spalart-Allmaras one-equation model for turbulent fluctuation growth. Blending of the two equations is accomplished through a multidimensional intermittence function based on the work of Dhawan and Narasimha (Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 3, No. 4). The model predicts both the onset and extent of transition. Low-speed test cases include transitional flow overmore » a flat plate, a single element airfoil, and a multi-element airfoil in landing configuration. High-speed test cases include transitional Mach 3.5 flow over a 5{degree} cone and Mach 6 flow over a flared-cone configuration. Results are compared with experimental data, and the spatial accuracy of selected predictions is analyzed.« less

Microscale cavitation as a mechanism for nucleating earthquakes at the base of the seismogenic zone.

PubMed

Verberne, Berend A; Chen, Jianye; Niemeijer, André R; de Bresser, Johannes H P; Pennock, Gillian M; Drury, Martyn R; Spiers, Christopher J

2017-11-21

Major earthquakes frequently nucleate near the base of the seismogenic zone, close to the brittle-ductile transition. Fault zone rupture at greater depths is inhibited by ductile flow of rock. However, the microphysical mechanisms responsible for the transition from ductile flow to seismogenic brittle/frictional behaviour at shallower depths remain unclear. Here we show that the flow-to-friction transition in experimentally simulated calcite faults is characterized by a transition from dislocation and diffusion creep to dilatant deformation, involving incompletely accommodated grain boundary sliding. With increasing shear rate or decreasing temperature, dislocation and diffusion creep become too slow to accommodate the imposed shear strain rate, leading to intergranular cavitation, weakening, strain localization, and a switch from stable flow to runaway fault rupture. The observed shear instability, triggered by the onset of microscale cavitation, provides a key mechanism for bringing about the brittle-ductile transition and for nucleating earthquakes at the base of the seismogenic zone.

Modeling of near wall turbulence and modeling of bypass transition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yang, Z.

1992-01-01

The objectives for this project are as follows: (1) Modeling of the near wall turbulence: We aim to develop a second order closure for the near wall turbulence. As a first step of this project, we try to develop a kappa-epsilon model for near wall turbulence. We require the resulting model to be able to handle both near wall turbulence and turbulent flows away from the wall, computationally robust, and applicable for complex flow situations, flow with separation, for example, and (2) Modeling of the bypass transition: We aim to develop a bypass transition model which contains the effect of intermittency. Thus, the model can be used for both the transitional boundary layers and the turbulent boundary layers. We require the resulting model to give a good prediction of momentum and heat transfer within the transitional boundary and a good prediction of the effect of freestream turbulence on transitional boundary layers.

On the stability of von Kármán rotating-disk boundary layers with radial anisotropic surface roughness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garrett, S. J.; Cooper, A. J.; Harris, J. H.; Özkan, M.; Segalini, A.; Thomas, P. J.

2016-01-01

We summarise results of a theoretical study investigating the distinct convective instability properties of steady boundary-layer flow over rough rotating disks. A generic roughness pattern of concentric circles with sinusoidal surface undulations in the radial direction is considered. The goal is to compare predictions obtained by means of two alternative, and fundamentally different, modelling approaches for surface roughness for the first time. The motivating rationale is to identify commonalities and isolate results that might potentially represent artefacts associated with the particular methodologies underlying one of the two modelling approaches. The most significant result of practical relevance obtained is that both approaches predict overall stabilising effects on type I instability mode of rotating disk flow. This mode leads to transition of the rotating-disk boundary layer and, more generally, the transition of boundary-layers with a cross-flow profile. Stabilisation of the type 1 mode means that it may be possible to exploit surface roughness for laminar-flow control in boundary layers with a cross-flow component. However, we also find differences between the two sets of model predictions, some subtle and some substantial. These will represent criteria for establishing which of the two alternative approaches is more suitable to correctly describe experimental data when these become available.

Non-Newtonian fluids: Frictional pressure loss prediction for fully-developed flow in straight pipes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1991-10-01

ESDU 91025 discusses models used to describe the rheology of time independent pseudohomogeneous non-Newtonian fluids (power-law, Bingham, Herschel-Bulkley and a generalized model due to Metzner and Reed); they are used to calculate the laminar flow pressure drop (which is independent of pipe roughness in this regime). Values of a generalized Reynolds number are suggested to define transitional and turbulent flow. For turbulent flow in smooth pipes, pressure loss is estimated on the basis of an experimentally determined rheogram using either the Dodge-Metzner or Bowen approach depending on the available measurements. Bowen requires results for at least two pipe diameters. The choice of Dodge-Metzner when data are limited is discussed; seven possible methods are assessed against five sets of experimental results drawn from the literature. No method is given for transitional flow, which it is suggested should be avoided, but the turbulent correlation is recommended because it will yield an overestimate. Suggestions are made for the treatment of roughness effects. Several worked examples illustrate the use of the methods and a flowchart guides the user through the process from experimentally characterizing the behavior of the fluid to determining the pressure drop. A computer program, ESDUpac A9125, is also provided.

Testing of transition-region models: Test cases and data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singer, Bart A.; Dinavahi, Surya; Iyer, Venkit

1991-01-01

Mean flow quantities in the laminar turbulent transition region and in the fully turbulent region are predicted with different models incorporated into a 3-D boundary layer code. The predicted quantities are compared with experimental data for a large number of different flows and the suitability of the models for each flow is evaluated.

Effects of turbulence modelling on prediction of flow characteristics in a bench-scale anaerobic gas-lift digester.

PubMed

Coughtrie, A R; Borman, D J; Sleigh, P A

2013-06-01

Flow in a gas-lift digester with a central draft-tube was investigated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and different turbulence closure models. The k-ω Shear-Stress-Transport (SST), Renormalization-Group (RNG) k-∊, Linear Reynolds-Stress-Model (RSM) and Transition-SST models were tested for a gas-lift loop reactor under Newtonian flow conditions validated against published experimental work. The results identify that flow predictions within the reactor (where flow is transitional) are particularly sensitive to the turbulence model implemented; the Transition-SST model was found to be the most robust for capturing mixing behaviour and predicting separation reliably. Therefore, Transition-SST is recommended over k-∊ models for use in comparable mixing problems. A comparison of results obtained using multiphase Euler-Lagrange and singlephase approaches are presented. The results support the validity of the singlephase modelling assumptions in obtaining reliable predictions of the reactor flow. Solver independence of results was verified by comparing two independent finite-volume solvers (Fluent-13.0sp2 and OpenFOAM-2.0.1). Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nonlinear hydrodynamic stability and transition; Proceedings of the IUTAM Symposium, Nice, France, Sept. 3-7, 1990

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Theoretical and experimental research on nonlinear hydrodynamic stability and transition is presented. Bifurcations, amplitude equations, pattern in experiments, and shear flows are considered. Particular attention is given to bifurcations of plane viscous fluid flow and transition to turbulence, chaotic traveling wave covection, chaotic behavior of parametrically excited surface waves in square geometry, amplitude analysis of the Swift-Hohenberg equation, traveling wave convection in finite containers, focus instability in axisymmetric Rayleigh-Benard convection, scaling and pattern formation in flowing sand, dynamical behavior of instabilities in spherical gap flows, and nonlinear short-wavelength Taylor vortices. Also discussed are stability of a flow past a two-dimensional grid, inertia wave breakdown in a precessing fluid, flow-induced instabilities in directional solidification, structure and dynamical properties of convection in binary fluid mixtures, and instability competition for convecting superfluid mixtures.

Fully developed turbulence in slugs of pipe flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cerbus, Rory; Liu, Chien-Chia; Sakakibara, Jun; Gioia, Gustavo; Chakraborty, Pinaki

2015-11-01

Despite over a century of research, transition to turbulence in pipe flows remains a mystery. In theory the flow remains laminar for arbitrarily large Reynolds number, Re. In practice, however, the flow transitions to turbulence at a finite Re whose value depends on the disturbance, natural or artificial, in the experimental setup. The flow remains in the transition state for a range of Re ~ 0 (1000) ; for larger Re the flow becomes fully developed. The transition state for Re > 3000 consists of axially segregated regions of laminar and turbulent patches. These turbulent patches, known as slugs, grow as they move downstream. Their lengths span anywhere between a few pipe diameters to the whole length of the pipe. Here we report Stereo Particle Image Velocimetry measurements in the cross-section of the slugs. Notwithstanding the continuous growth of the slugs, we find that the mean velocity and stress profiles in the slugs are indistinguishable from that of statistically-stationary fully-developed turbulent flows. Our results are independent of the length of the slugs. We contrast our results with the well-known work of Wygnanski & Champagne (1973), whose measurements, we argue, are insufficient to draw a clear conclusion regarding fully developed turbulence in slugs.

Response of the solar atmosphere to a simple flare burst: UV emission from the flare transition layer.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shmeleva, O. P.

The flare transition layer exists as a relatively steady formation even during impulsive heating. It is maintained by a heat flow from the high-temperature plasma, where the major part of the electron beam energy is absorbed. The lifetime of this plasma is much greater than the impulsive heating time. Intensities of resonance UV lines are calculated using both the model of impulsive nonthermal heating by energetic electrons and the model of continuous thermal heating. The calculated line intensity is almost constant during a long time. The line Doppler shifts predicted by the former model match observations. This suggests that the model represents sufficiently well the actual dynamics of the flare plasma. The flare transition layer is a thin formation, its thickness being Δξ = 1021m-2. It is therefore described adequately within the p = const approximation though the picture of hydrodynamic response of the solar atmosphere to the impulsive heating by energy flows is rather complicated and nonsteady, of course. The intensities of the C IV λλ154.8, 155.1 nm and O VI λλ103.2, 103.8 nm lines are calculated within the scope of the model of continuous thermal heating, in which the conductive heating of the flare transition layer is balanced by radiative cooling. The line intensities are proportional to the pressure in the layer, which permits the pressure to be found from the observed line intensities. The analysis reveals that both heating models adequately represent the actual structure and dynamics of plasma in a flare. In the flare transition layer, the classical heat conduction always does work.

Do cortical midline variability and low frequency fluctuations mediate William James' "Stream of Consciousness"? "Neurophenomenal Balance Hypothesis" of "Inner Time Consciousness".

PubMed

Northoff, Georg

2014-11-01

William James famously characterized consciousness by 'stream of consciousness' which describes the temporal continuity and flow of the contents of consciousness in our 'inner time consciousness'. More specifically he distinguished between "substantive parts", the contents of consciousness, and "transitive parts", the linkages between different contents. While much research has recently focused on the substantive parts, the neural mechanisms underlying the transitive parts and their characterization by the balance between 'sensible continuity' and 'continuous change' remain unclear. The aim of this paper is to develop so-called neuro-phenomenal hypothesis about specifically the transitive parts and their two phenomenal hallmark features, sensible continuity and continuous change in 'inner time consciousness'. Based on recent findings, I hypothesize that the cortical midline structures and their high degree of variability and strong low frequency fluctuations play an essential role in mediating the phenomenal balance between sensible continuity and continuous change. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Combustor assembly in a gas turbine engine

DOEpatents

Wiebe, David J; Fox, Timothy A

2015-04-28

A combustor assembly in a gas turbine engine includes a combustor device, a fuel injection system, a transition duct, and an intermediate duct. The combustor device includes a flow sleeve for receiving pressurized air and a liner surrounded by the flow sleeve. The fuel injection system provides fuel to be mixed with the pressurized air and ignited in the liner to create combustion products. The intermediate duct is disposed between the liner and the transition duct so as to define a path for the combustion products to flow from the liner to the transition duct. The intermediate duct is associated with the liner such that movement may occur therebetween, and the intermediate duct is associated with the transition duct such that movement may occur therebetween. The flow sleeve includes structure that defines an axial stop for limiting axial movement of the intermediate duct.

An experimental trace gas investigation of fluid transport and mixing in a circular-to-rectangular transition duct

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reichert, B. A.; Hingst, W. R.; Okiishi, T. H.

1991-01-01

An ethylene trace gas technique was used to map out fluid transport and mixing within a circular to rectangular transition duct. Ethylene gas was injected at several points in a cross stream plane upstream of the transition duct. Ethylene concentration contours were determined at several cross stream measurement planes spaced axially within the duct. The flow involved a uniform inlet flow at a Mach number level of 0.5. Statistical analyses were used to quantitatively interpret the trace gas results. Also, trace gas data were considered along with aerodynamic and surface flow visualization results to ascertain transition duct flow phenomena. Convection of wall boundary layer fluid by vortices produced regions of high total pressure loss in the duct. The physical extent of these high loss regions is governed by turbulent diffusion.

What Can Catchment Transit Time Distributions Tell Us About Runoff Mechanisms? Exploring "Age Equifinality" with an Integrated Surface-Groundwater Model.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilusz, D. C.; Harman, C. J.; Ball, W. P.; Maxwell, R. M.; Buda, A. R.

2017-12-01

The backward transit-time distribution (bTTD) is the time-varying, probabilistic distribution of water travel times or, equivalently, water ages in catchment outflow. The bTTD is increasingly seen as a master variable of catchment hydrology that links flow and transport processes, in part because it is believed to embed information about runoff generation mechanisms (RGMs) that are difficult to directly observe. The ability to use water age to make inferences about RGMs depends on the degree of "age equifinality" in a watershed, defined here as the phenomenon where significant volumes of similarly-aged water are delivered to the outlet by different RGMs at the same time. When age equifinality is low (e.g., all discharge is old groundwater), the mapping of water age to the RGM may be simple; when age equifinality is high (e.g., discharge is a mix of old groundwater and old interflow), this mapping may be impossible. In this study we conduct experiments in a virtual watershed to (1) understand the hydrologic conditions that lead to age equifinality, (2) identify relationships between water age and RGMs that are particularly obscured/unobscured by age equifinality, and (3) test the generalizability of these relationships in other watersheds. Our experiments used the fully-distributed surface-groundwater model ParFlow, which simulates a suite of RGMs, plus SLIM-FAST particle tracking. To improve realism, the watershed model was parameterized and forced using extensive field data from the USDA's Mahantango Creek experimental catchment in PA, USA. The model output is being interrogated to understand the time-varying relationships between the composition of RGMs and the bTTD at the outlet. We are also testing the robustness of these relationships by re-running our model with controlled differences in climate, topography, and scale. Initial results suggest high age equifinality at peak flows due to overlapping young water contributions from infiltration- and saturation-excess overland flow, as well as high age equifinality at moderate flows due to overlapping middle-aged water contributions from perched saturation flow and local groundwater. The final results are intended to provide guidance on how to account for age equifinality when using bTTDs to make inferences about dominant runoff generation mechanisms.

Methodology for object-oriented real-time systems analysis and design: Software engineering

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schoeffler, James D.

1991-01-01

Successful application of software engineering methodologies requires an integrated analysis and design life-cycle in which the various phases flow smoothly 'seamlessly' from analysis through design to implementation. Furthermore, different analysis methodologies often lead to different structuring of the system so that the transition from analysis to design may be awkward depending on the design methodology to be used. This is especially important when object-oriented programming is to be used for implementation when the original specification and perhaps high-level design is non-object oriented. Two approaches to real-time systems analysis which can lead to an object-oriented design are contrasted: (1) modeling the system using structured analysis with real-time extensions which emphasizes data and control flows followed by the abstraction of objects where the operations or methods of the objects correspond to processes in the data flow diagrams and then design in terms of these objects; and (2) modeling the system from the beginning as a set of naturally occurring concurrent entities (objects) each having its own time-behavior defined by a set of states and state-transition rules and seamlessly transforming the analysis models into high-level design models. A new concept of a 'real-time systems-analysis object' is introduced and becomes the basic building block of a series of seamlessly-connected models which progress from the object-oriented real-time systems analysis and design system analysis logical models through the physical architectural models and the high-level design stages. The methodology is appropriate to the overall specification including hardware and software modules. In software modules, the systems analysis objects are transformed into software objects.

Flow of colloidal suspensions and gels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zia, Roseanna

Our recent studies of yield of colloidal gels under shear show that yield in such gels occurs in distinct stages. Under fixed stress, yield follows a finite delay period of slow solid-like creep. Post yield, the gel fluidizes and may undergo long-time viscous flow or, in some cases, may re-solidify. Under imposed strain rate, the transition from equilibrium to long-time flow is characterized by one or more stress overshoots, signifying a yield process here as well. These rheological changes are accompanied by evolution in morphology and dynamics of the gel network. Similar regimes have been observed in gels subjected to gravitational forcing; the gel initially supports its own weight, or perhaps undergoes slow, weak compaction. This may be followed by a sudden transition to rapid compaction or sedimentation. Various models have been put forth to explain these behaviors based on structural evolution, but this detail is difficult to observe in experiment. Here we examine the detailed microstructural evolution and rheology of reversible colloidal gels as they deform under gravity, identifying the critical buoyant force at which yield occurs, the role played by ongoing gel coarsening, and similarities and differences compared to yield under shear. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the NSF XSEDE Computational Resource, the NSF Early CAREER Program, and the Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Program.

Intermittent Lagrangian velocities and accelerations in three-dimensional porous medium flow.

PubMed

Holzner, M; Morales, V L; Willmann, M; Dentz, M

2015-07-01

Intermittency of Lagrangian velocity and acceleration is a key to understanding transport in complex systems ranging from fluid turbulence to flow in porous media. High-resolution optical particle tracking in a three-dimensional (3D) porous medium provides detailed 3D information on Lagrangian velocities and accelerations. We find sharp transitions close to pore throats, and low flow variability in the pore bodies, which gives rise to stretched exponential Lagrangian velocity and acceleration distributions characterized by a sharp peak at low velocity, superlinear evolution of particle dispersion, and double-peak behavior in the propagators. The velocity distribution is quantified in terms of pore geometry and flow connectivity, which forms the basis for a continuous-time random-walk model that sheds light on the observed Lagrangian flow and transport behaviors.

Statistic characteristics of the gas-liquid flow in a vertical minichannel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kozulin, I. A.; Kuznetsov, V. V.

2010-03-01

The gas-liquid upward flow was studied in a rectangular minichannel of 1.75×3.8 mm and length of 0.7 m. The experiments were carried out within the range of the gas superficial velocity from 0.1 to 10 m/s and the liquid superficial velocity from 0.07 to 0.7 m/s for the co-current H2O/CO2 flow under the conditions of saturation. The method for the two-beam laser scanning of structure and determination of statistic characteristics of the two-phase flow was worked through. The slug-bubble, slug, transitional, churn, and annular flows were distinguished. The statistics characteristics of liquid and gas phases motion in a minichannel were obtained for the first time including the velocities of phase motion.

On the reversibility of the Meissner effect and the angular momentum puzzle

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hirsch, J.E., E-mail: jhirsch@ucsd.edu

It is generally believed that the laws of thermodynamics govern superconductivity as an equilibrium state of matter, and hence that the normal-superconductor transition in a magnetic field is reversible under ideal conditions. Because eddy currents are generated during the transition as the magnetic flux changes, the transition has to proceed infinitely slowly to generate no entropy. Experiments showed that to a high degree of accuracy no entropy was generated in these transitions. However, in this paper we point out that for the length of times over which these experiments extended, a much higher degree of irreversibility due to decay ofmore » eddy currents should have been detected than was actually observed. We also point out that within the conventional theory of superconductivity no explanation exists for why no Joule heat is generated in the superconductor to normal transition when the supercurrent stops. In addition we point out that within the conventional theory of superconductivity no mechanism exists for the transfer of momentum between the supercurrent and the body as a whole, which is necessary to ensure that the transition in the presence of a magnetic field respects momentum conservation. We propose a solution to all these questions based on the alternative theory of hole superconductivity. The theory proposes that in the normal-superconductor transition there is a flow and backflow of charge in direction perpendicular to the phase boundary when the phase boundary moves. We show that this flow and backflow explains the absence of Joule heat generated by Faraday eddy currents, the absence of Joule heat generated in the process of the supercurrent stopping, and the reversible transfer of momentum between the supercurrent and the body, provided the current carriers in the normal state are holes. - Highlights: • The normal-superconductor phase transition is reversible. • Within the conventional theory, Foucault currents give rise to irreversibility. • To suppress Foucault currents, charge has to flow in direction perpendicular to the phase boundary. • The charge carriers have to be holes. • This solves also the angular momentum puzzle associated with the Meissner effect.« less

Characterization of esophageal pressure-flow abnormalities in patients with non-obstructive dysphagia and normal manometry findings.

PubMed

Chen, Chien-Lin; Yi, Chih-Hsun; Liu, Tso-Tsai; Hsu, Ching-Sheng; Omari, Taher I

2013-06-01

Patients with non-obstructive dysphagia (NOD) report symptoms of impaired esophageal bolus transit without evidence of bolus stasis. In such patients, manometric investigation may diagnose esophageal motility disorders; however, many have normal motor patterns. We hypothesized that patients with NOD would demonstrate evidence of high flow-resistance during bolus passage which in turn would relate to the reporting of bolus hold up perception. Esophageal pressure-impedance recordings of 5 mL liquid and viscous swallows from 18 NOD patients (11 male; 19-71 years) and 17 control subjects (9 male; 25-60 years) were analyzed. The relationship between intrabolus pressure and bolus flow timing in the esophagus was assessed using the pressure flow index (PFI). Bolus perception was assessed swallow by swallow using standardized descriptors. NOD patients were characterized by a higher PFI than controls. The PFI defined a pressure-flow abnormality in all patients who appeared normal based on the assessment esophageal motor patterns and bolus clearance. The PFI was higher for individual swallows during which subjects reported perception of bolus passage. Bolus flow-resistance is higher in NOD patients compared with controls as well as higher in relation to perception of bolus transit, suggesting the presence of an esophageal motility disorder despite normal findings on conventional analysis. © 2013 Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Recharge heterogeneity and high intensity rainfall events increase contamination risk for Mediterranean groundwater resources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hartmann, Andreas; Jasechko, Scott; Gleeson, Tom; Wada, Yoshihide; Andreo, Bartolomé; Barberá, Juan Antonio; Brielmann, Heike; Charlier, Jean-Baptiste; Darling, George; Filippini, Maria; Garvelmann, Jakob; Goldscheider, Nico; Kralik, Martin; Kunstmann, Harald; Ladouche, Bernard; Lange, Jens; Mudarra, Matías; Francisco Martín, José; Rimmer, Alon; Sanchez, Damián; Stumpp, Christine; Wagener, Thorsten

2017-04-01

Karst develops through the dissolution of carbonate rock and results in pronounced spatiotemporal heterogeneity of hydrological processes. Karst groundwater in Europe is a major source of fresh water contributing up to half of the total drinking water supply in some countries like Austria or Slovenia. Previous work showed that karstic recharge processes enhance and alter the sensitivity of recharge to climate variability. The enhanced preferential flow from the surface to the aquifer may be followed by enhanced risk of groundwater contamination. In this study we assess the contamination risk of karst aquifers over Europe and the Mediterranean using simulated transit time distributions. Using a new type of semi-distributed model that considers the spatial heterogeneity of karst hydraulic properties, we were able to simulate karstic groundwater recharge including its heterogeneous spatiotemporal dynamics. The model is driven by gridded daily climate data from the Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS). Transit time distributions are calculated using virtual tracer experiments. We evaluated our simulations by independent information on transit times derived from observed time series of water isotopes of >70 karst springs over Europe. The simulations indicate that, compared to humid, mountain and desert regions, the Mediterranean region shows a stronger risk of contamination in Europe because preferential flow processes are most pronounced given thin soil layers and the seasonal abundance of high intensity rainfall events in autumn and winter. Our modelling approach includes strong simplifications and its results cannot easily be generalized but it still highlights that the combined effects of variable climate and heterogeneous catchment properties constitute a strong risk on water quality.

Information Retrieval and Criticality in Parity-Time-Symmetric Systems.

PubMed

Kawabata, Kohei; Ashida, Yuto; Ueda, Masahito

2017-11-10

By investigating information flow between a general parity-time (PT-)symmetric non-Hermitian system and an environment, we find that the complete information retrieval from the environment can be achieved in the PT-unbroken phase, whereas no information can be retrieved in the PT-broken phase. The PT-transition point thus marks the reversible-irreversible criticality of information flow, around which many physical quantities such as the recurrence time and the distinguishability between quantum states exhibit power-law behavior. Moreover, by embedding a PT-symmetric system into a larger Hilbert space so that the entire system obeys unitary dynamics, we reveal that behind the information retrieval lies a hidden entangled partner protected by PT symmetry. Possible experimental situations are also discussed.

Impulse response and spatio-temporal wave-packets: The common feature of rogue waves, tsunami, and transition to turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhaumik, Swagata; Sengupta, Tapan K.

2017-12-01

Here, we present the impulse response of the canonical zero pressure gradient boundary layer from the dynamical system approach. The fundamental physical mechanism of the impulse response is in creation of a spatio-temporal wave-front (STWF) by a localized, time-impulsive wall excitation of the boundary layer. The present research is undertaken to explain the unit process of diverse phenomena in geophysical fluid flows and basic hydrodynamics. Creation of a tsunami has been attributed to localized events in the ocean-bed caused by earthquakes, landslides, or volcanic eruptions, whose manifestation is in the run up to the coast by surface waves of massive amplitude but of very finite fetch. Similarly rogue waves have often been noted; a coherent account of the same is yet to appear, although some explanations have been proposed. Our studies in both two- and three-dimensional frameworks in Sengupta and Bhaumik ["Onset of turbulence from the receptivity stage of fluid flows," Phys. Rev. Lett. 107(15), 154501 (2011)] and Bhaumik and Sengupta ["Precursor of transition to turbulence: Spatiotemporal wave front," Phys. Rev. E 89(4), 043018 (2014)] have shown that the STWF provides the central role for causing transition to turbulence by reproducing carefully conducted transition experiments. Here, we furthermore relax the condition of time behavior and use a Dirac-delta wall excitation for the impulse response. The present approach is not based on any simplification of the governing Navier-Stokes equation (NSE), which is unlike solving a nonlinear shallow water equation and/or nonlinear Schrödinger equation. The full nonlinear Navier-Stokes equation (NSE) is solved here using high accuracy dispersion relation preserving numerical schemes and using appropriate formulation of the NSE which minimizes error. The adopted numerical methods and formulation have been extensively validated with respect to various external and internal 2D and 3D flow problems. We also present results from the Orr-Sommerfeld equation to show that the origin of the STWF is via a linear mechanism. Nonlinearity and nonparallelism play the central role in causing these phenomena of geophysics and transition to turbulence.

Emergence of power-law scalings in shock-driven mixing transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vorobieff, Peter; Wayne, Patrick; Olmstead, Dell; Simons, Dylan; Truman, C. Randall; Kumar, Sanjay

2016-11-01

We present an experimental study of transition to turbulence due to shock-driven instability evolving on an initially cylindrical, diffuse density interface between air and a mixture of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and acetone. The plane of the shock is at an initial angle θ with the axis of the heavy-gas cylinder. We present the cases of planar normal (θ = 0) and oblique (θ =20°) shock interaction with the initial conditions. Flow is visualized in two perpendicular planes with planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) triggered in acetone with a pulsed ultraviolet laser. Statistics of the flow are characterized in terms of the second-order structure function of the PLIF intensity. As instabilities in the flow evolve, the structure functions begin to develop power-law scalings, at late times manifesting over a range of scales spanning more than two orders of magnitude. We discuss the effects of the initial conditions on the emergence of these scalings, comparing the fully three-dimensional case (oblique shock interaction) with the quasi-two-dimensional case (planar normal shock interaction). We also discuss the flow anisotropy apparent in statistical differences in data from the two visualization planes. This work is funded by NNSA Grant DE-NA0002913.

Features of the matter flows in the peculiar cataclysmic variable AE Aquarii

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Isakova, P. B.; Ikhsanov, N. R.; Zhilkin, A. G.; Bisikalo, D. V.; Beskrovnaya, N. G.

2016-05-01

The structure ofmatter flows in close binary systems in which one of the components is a rapidly rotating magnetic white dwarf is studied. Themain example considered is the AEAquarii system; the period of the white dwarf's rotation is about a factor of 1000 shorter than the orbital period, and the magnetic field on the white-dwarf surface is of order 50MG. The matter flows in this system were analyzed via numerical solution of a systemofmagnetohydrodynamical equatons. These computations show that the white dwarf's magnetic field does not significantly influence the velocity field of the matter in its Roche lobe in the case of a laminar flow regime, so that the field does not hinder the formation of a transient disk (ring) surrounding the magnetosphere. However, the efficiency of the energy and angular-momentum exchange between the white dwarf and the surrounding matter increases considerably with the development of turbulent motions in the matter, accelerating the matter at the magnetosphere boundary and leading to a high escape rate from the system. The time scales for the system's transition between the laminar and turbulent modes are close to those for the transition of AE Aquarii between its quiet and active phases.

Transition in a Supersonic Boundary-Layer Due to Roughness and Acoustic Disturbances

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Balakumar, P.

2003-01-01

The transition process induced by the interaction of an isolated roughness with acoustic disturbances in the free stream is numerically investigated for a boundary layer over a flat plate with a blunted leading edge at a free stream Mach number of 3.5. The roughness is assumed to be of Gaussian shape and the acoustic disturbances are introduced as boundary condition at the outer field. The governing equations are solved using the 5'h-rder accurate weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO) scheme for space discretization and using third- order total-variation-diminishing (TVD) Runge- Kutta scheme for time integration. The steady field induced by the two and three-dimensional roughness is also computed. The flow field induced by two-dimensional roughness exhibits different characteristics depending on the roughness heights. At small roughness heights the flow passes smoothly over the roughness, at moderate heights the flow separates downstream of the roughness and at larger roughness heights the flow separates upstream and downstream of the roughness. Computations also show that disturbances inside the boundary layer is due to the direct interaction of the acoustic waves and isolated roughness plays a minor role in generating instability waves.