Unsteady laminar compressible boundary-layer flow at a three-dimensional stagnation point

Unsteady laminar compressible boundary-layer flow with variable properties at a three-dimensional stagnation point for both cold and hot walls has been studied for the case when the velocity of the incident stream varies arbitrarily with time. The partial differential equations governing the flow have been solved numerically using an implicit finite-difference scheme. Computations have been carried out for two particular unsteady free-stream velocity distributions: (i) an accelerating stream and (ii) a fluctuating stream. The results indicate that the variation of the density-viscosity product across the boundary layer, the wall temperature and the nature of stagnation point significantly affect the skin friction and heat transfer.

Aspiration-based utility functions in a planning model for timber flow management.

The study presents a theory of utility models based on aspiration levels, as well as the application of this theory to the planning of timber flow economics. The first part of the study comprises a derivation of the utility-theoretic basis for the application of aspiration levels. Two basic models are dealt with: the additive and the multiplicative. Applied here solely for partial utility functions, aspiration and reservation levels are interpreted as defining piecewisely linear functions. The standpoint of the choices of the decision-maker is emphasized by the use of indifference curves. The second part of the study introduces a model for the management of timber flows. The model is based on the assumption that the decision-maker is willing to specify a shape of income flow which is different from that of the capital-theoretic optimum. The utility model comprises four aspiration-based compound utility functions. The theory and the flow model are tested numerically by computations covering three forest holdings. The results show that the additive model is sensitive even to slight changes in relative importances and aspiration levels. This applies particularly to nearly linear production possibility boundaries of monetary variables. The multiplicative model, on the other hand, is stable because it generates strictly convex indifference curves. Due to a higher marginal rate of substitution, the multiplicative model implies a stronger dependence on forest management than the additive function. For income trajectory optimization, a method utilizing an income trajectory index is more efficient than one based on the use of aspiration levels per management period. Smooth trajectories can be attained by squaring the deviations of the feasible trajectories from the desired one.

An experimental study of suddenly expanded rectangular jet flow field

Flow through a rectangular Passage which is expanded suddenly into another rectangular duct of larger Cross-sectional area has been studied experimentally with stagnation Pressures from 3.5 atmospheres to 1.25 atmospheres. The length to height ratio of the enlarged duct varied from 5.769 to 1.923 and three models with length to height ratios 5.769, 3.846, and 1.923 were studied. The influence of stagnation Pressures and length to height ratio of the enlarged duct on base pressure and flow field mean pressures in the enlarged duct is discussed. The results of the present investigation indicate that the oscillatory nature of the mean pressure flow field in the enlarged portion with rectangular cross-section is appreciably different from that for circular cross-section at similar flow conditions.

A sufficient criterion for Rayleigh-Taylor instability of incompressible viscous three-layer flow

Using normal mode analysis Rayleigh-Taylor instability is investigated for three-layer viscous stratified incompressible steady flow, when the top 3rd and bottom 1st layers extend up to infinity, the middle layer has a small thickness δ. The wave Reynolds number in the middle layer is assumed to be sufficiently small. A dispersion relation (a seventh degree polynomial in wave frequency ω) valid up to the order of the maximal value of all possible Kj (j less-than-or-equals, slant 0, K is the wave number) in each coefficient of the polynomial is obtained. A sufficient condition for instability is found out for the first time, pursuing a medium wavelength analysis. It depends on ratios (α and β) of the coefficients of viscosity, the thickness of the middle layer δ, surface tension ratio T and wave number K. This is a new analytical criterion for Rayleigh-Taylor instability of three-layer fluids. It recovers the results of the corresponding problem for two-layer fluids. Among the results obtained, it is observed that taking the coefficients of viscosity of 2nd and 3rd layers same can inhibit the effect of surface tension completely. For large wave number K, the thickness of the middle layer should be correspondingly small to keep the domain of dependence of the threshold wave number Kc constant for fixed α, β and T.

Optimization and design of energy transport system for solar cooking application

This paper proposes a hybrid solar cooking system where the solar energy is transported to the kitchen. The thermal energy source is used to supplement the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) that is in common use in kitchens. Solar energy is transferred to the kitchen by means of a circulating fluid. Energy collected from sun is maximized by changing the flow rate dynamically. This paper proposes a concept of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for the solar thermal collector. The diameter of the pipe is selected to optimize the overall energy transfer. Design and sizing of different components of the system are explained. Concept of MPPT is validated with simulation and experimental results. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Flow And Heat-Transfer Over An Upstream Moving Wall With A Magnetic-Field And A Parallel Free Stream

The flow and heat transfer over an upstream moving non-isothermal wall with a parallel free stream have been considered. The magnetic field has been applied in the free stream parallel to the wall and the effect of induced magnetic field has been included in the analysis. The boundary layer equations governing the steady incompressible electrically conducting fluid flow have been solved numerically using a shooting method. This problem is interesting because a solution exists only when the ratio of the wall velocity does not exceed a certain critical value and this critical value depends on the magnetic field and magnetic Prandtl number. Also dual solutions exist for a certain range of wall velocity.

Cascaded Cross Flow DBD-Adsorbent Technique for NOX Abatement in Diesel Engine Exhaust

In this paper, a different type of cross flow dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor was designed and tested. Here the gas flow is perpendicular to the barrier discharge electrode. Discharge plasma was utilized to oxidize NO contained in the exhaust gas to NO2 and subsequent NO2 removal can be improved using an adsorbent system. A detailed study of DeNO(X) in a stationary diesel engine exhaust was carried out using pulsed electrical discharges/adsorbent processes. Activated alumina (Al2O3) and MS-13x were used as adsorbents at room temperature. The main emphasis is laid on the removal of NOX from the filtered diesel engine exhaust. In filtered exhaust environment, the cross flow reactor along with adsorbent exhibits a superior performance with regard to NOX removal when compared to that with axial flow of gas. In this paper we bring out a relative comparison of discharge plasma and plasma-adsorbent process at various gas flow rates, ranging from 2 l/min to 25 l/min. The discharge plasma-adsorbent assisted barrier discharge reactor has shown promising results in NOX removal at high flow rates.

Steady incompressible flow of cohesionless granular materials through a wedge-shaped hopper: Frictional 14kinetic solution to the smooth wall, radial gravity problem

Hybrid frictional-kinetic equations are used to predict the velocity, grain temperature, and stress fields in hoppers. A suitable choice of dimensionless variables permits the pseudo-thermal energy balance to be decoupled from the momentum balance. These balances contain a small parameter, which is analogous to a reciprocal Reynolds number. Hence an approximate semi-analytical solution is constructed using perturbation methods. The energy balance is solved using the method of matched asymptotic expansions. The effect of heat conduction is confined to a very thin boundary layer near the exit, where it causes a marginal change in the temperature. Outside this layer, the temperature T increases rapidly as the radial coordinate r decreases. In particular, the conduction-free energy balance yields an asymptotic solution, valid for small values of r, of the form T proportional r-4. There is a corresponding increase in the kinetic stresses, which attain their maximum values at the hopper exit. The momentum balance is solved by a regular perturbation method. The contribution of the kinetic stresses is important only in a small region near the exit, where the frictional stresses tend to zero. Therefore, the discharge rate is only about 2.3% lower than the frictional value, for typical parameter values. As in the frictional case, the discharge rate for deep hoppers is found to be independent of the head of material.

Study Of Fluid-Flow And Residence-Time Distribution In A Continuous Slab Casting Mold

The fluid-flow pattern and residence-time distribution (r.t.d.) of the fluid in a continuous casting mould have been studied using a water model. The two recirculating zones below the discharge ports have been found to be asymmetric. The effect of casting speed, discharge port diameter, shroud well depth and the immersion depth on r.t.d. have been investigated. The r.t.d. curve has been well represented by a model of two backmix cells of equal volume in series. The exist of the fluid has been found to be non-uniform across the cross-section of the mould. The fluid-flow pattern has been observed to change with time in a random fashion. Dead volume of upto 31.8% has been found with smaller discharge ports.

Low reynolds number flow of a dilute suspension in slowly varying tubes

We have discussed here the flow of a dilute suspension of rigid particles in Newtonian fluid in slowly varying tubes characterized by a small parameter ε. Solutions are presented in the form of asymptotic expansions in powers of ε. The effect of the suspension on the fluid is described by two parameters β and γ which depend on the volume fraction of the particles which we assume to be small. It is found that the presence of the particles accelerate the process of eddy formation near the constriction and shifts the point of separation.

Performance comparison of batch and continuous flow surface aeration systems

The oxygen transfer rate and the corresponding power requirement to operate the rotor are vital for design and scale-up of surface aerators. The aeration process can be analyzed in two ways such as batch and continuous systems. The process behaviors of batch and continuous flow systems are different from each other. The experimental and numerical results obtained through the batch systems cannot be relied on and applied for the designing of the continuous aeration tank. Based on the experimentation on batch and continuous type systems, the present work compares the performance of both the batch and continuous surface aeration systems in terms of their oxygen transfer capacity and power consumption. A simulation equation developed through experimentation has shown that continuous flow surface aeration systems are taking more energy than the batch systems. It has been found that batch systems are economical and better for the field application but not feasible where large quantity of wastewater is produced.