A two dimensional unstructured staggered mesh method with special treatment of tangential velocity

A two dimensional staggered unstructured discretisation scheme for the solution of fluid flow problems has been developed. This scheme stores and solves the velocity vector resolutes normal and parallel to each cell face and other scalar variables (pressure, temperature) are stored at cell centres. The coupled momentum; continuity and energy equations are solved, using the well known pressure correction algorithm SIMPLE. The method is tested for accuracy and convergence behaviour against standard cell-centre solutions in a number of benchmark problems: The Lid-Driven Cavity, Natural Convection in a Cavity and the Melting of Gallium in a rectangular domain.

Investigating the use of elevators for high-rise building evacuation through computer simulation

This paper presents a description of a new agent based elevator sub-model developed as part of the buildingEXODUS software intended for both evacuation and circulation applications. A description of each component of the newly developed model is presented, including the elevator kinematics and associated pedestrian behaviour. The elevator model is then used to investigate a series of full building evacuation scenarios based on a hypothetical 50 floor building with four staircases and a population of 7,840 agents. The analysis explores the relative merits of using up to 32 elevators (arranged in four banks) and various egress strategies to evacuate the entire building population. Findings from the investigation suggest that the most efficient evacuation strategy utilises a combination of elevators and stairs to empty the building and clear the upper half of the building in minimum time. Combined stair elevator evacuation times have been shown to be as much as 50% faster than stair only evacuation times.

Solid phase velocity measurements utilising electrostatic sensors and cross correlation signal processing

Gas-solids two phase systems are widely employed within process plant in the form of pneumatic conveyors, dust extraction systems and solid fuel injection systems. The measurement of solids phase velocity therefore has wide potential application in flow monitoring and, in conjunction with density measurement instrumentation, solids mass flow rate measurement. Historically, a number of authors have detailed possible measurement techniques, and some have published limited test results. It is, however, apparent that none of these technologies have found wide application in industry. Solids phase velocity measurements were undertaken using real time cross correlation of signals from two electrostatic sensors spaced axially along a pipeline conveying pulverised coal (PF). Details of the measurement equipment, the pilot scale test rig and the test results are presented.

Laser Doppler velocimetry measurements of particle velocity profiles in gas-solid two-phase flows

The measurement of particle velocities in two-phase gas-solid systems has a wide application in flow monitoring in process plant, where two-phase gas-solids systems are frequently employed in the form of pneumatic conveyors and solid fuel injection systems. Such measurements have proved to be difficult to make reliably in industrial environments. This paper details particle velocity measurements made in a two phase gas-solid now utilising a laser Doppler velocimetry system. Tests were carried out using both wheat flour and pulverised coal as the solids phase, with air being used as the gaseous phase throughout. A pipeline of circular section, having a diameter of 53 mm was used for the test work, with air velocities ranging from 25 to 45 m/s and suspension densities ranging from 0.001 kg to 1 kg of solids per cubic meter of air. Details of both the test equipment used, and the results of the measurements are presented.

Velocity measurement of pneumatically conveyed solids using electrodynamic sensors

Theoretical and experimental studies of cross correlation techniques applied to non-restrictive velocity measurement of pneumatically conveyed solids using ring-shaped electrodynamic flow sensors are presented. In-depth studies of the electrodynamic sensing mechanism, and also of the spatial sensitivity and spatial filtering properties of the sensor are included, together with their relationships to measurement accuracy and the effects of solids' velocity profiles. The experimental evaluation of a 53 mm bore sensing head is described, including trials using a calibrated pneumatic conveyor circulating pulverized fuel and cement. Comparisons of test results with the mathematical models of the sensor are used to identify important aspects of the instrument design. Off-line test results obtained using gravity-fed solids flow show that the system repeatability is within +/-0.5% over the velocity range of 2-4 m s(-1) for volumetric concentrations of solids no greater than 0.2%. Results obtained in the pilot-plant trials demonstrate that the system is capable of achieving repeatability better than +/-2% and linearity within +/-2% over the velocity range 20-40 m s(-1) for volumetric concentrations of solids in the range 0.01-0.44%.