Effect of liquid droplets on turbulence in a round gaseous jet

The main objective of this investigation is to develop a two-equation turbulence model for dilute vaporizing sprays or in general for dispersed two-phase flows including the effects of phase changes. The model that accounts for the interaction between the two phases is based on rigorously derived equations for turbulence kinetic energy (K) and its dissipation rate epsilon of the carrier phase using the momentum equation of that phase. Closure is achieved by modeling the turbulent correlations, up to third order, in the equations of the mean motion, concentration of the vapor in the carrier phase, and the kinetic energy of turbulence and its dissipation rate for the carrier phase. The governing equations are presented in both the exact and the modeled formes. The governing equations are solved numerically using a finite-difference procedure to test the presented model for the flow of a turbulent axisymmetric gaseous jet laden with either evaporating liquid droplets or solid particles. The predictions include the distribution of the mean velocity, volume fractions of the different phases, concentration of the evaporated material in the carrier phase, turbulence intensity and shear stress of the carrier phase, droplet diameter distribution, and the jet spreading rate. The predictions are in good agreement with the experimental data

Isotope separation using metallic vapor lasers

The isotope U235 is separated from a gasified isotope mixture of U235 and U238 by selectively exciting the former from the ground state utilizing resonant absorption of radiation from precisely tuned lasers. The excited isotope is then selectively ionized by electron bombardment. It then is separated from the remaining isotope mixture by electromagnetic separation

Pore-scale modeling of phase change in porous media

The combination of high-resolution visualization techniques and pore-scale flow modeling is a powerful tool used to understand multiphase flow mechanisms in porous media and their impact on reservoir-scale processes. One of the main open challenges in pore-scale modeling is the direct simulation of flows involving multicomponent mixtures with complex phase behavior. Reservoir fluid mixtures are often described through cubic equations of state, which makes diffuse-interface, or phase-field, theories particularly appealing as a modeling framework. What is still unclear is whether equation-of-state-driven diffuse-interface models can adequately describe processes where surface tension and wetting phenomena play important roles. Here we present a diffuse-interface model of single-component two-phase flow (a van der Waals fluid) in a porous medium under different wetting conditions. We propose a simplified Darcy-Korteweg model that is appropriate to describe flow in a Hele-Shaw cell or a micromodel, with a gap-averaged velocity. We study the ability of the diffuse-interface model to capture capillary pressure and the dynamics of vaporization-condensation fronts and show that the model reproduces pressure fluctuations that emerge from abrupt interface displacements (Haines jumps) and from the breakup of wetting films

Implementation and Development of an Eulerian Spray Model for CFD simulations of diesel Sprays

[EN] The main objective of this work is the modeling of diesel sprays under engine conditions, including the atomization, transport and evaporation processes pivotal in the diesel spray formation and its development. For this purpose, an Eulerian single fluid model, embedded in a RANS environment, is implemented in the CFD platform OpenFOAM. The modeling approach implemented here is based on the ⅀-Y model. The model is founded on the assumption of flow scales separation. In actual injection systems, it can be assumed that the flow exiting the nozzle is operating at large Reynolds and Weber numbers and thus, it is possible to assume a separation of features such as mass transport (large scales) from the atomization process occurring at smaller scales. The liquid/gas mixture is treated as a pseudo-fluid with variable density and which flows with a single velocity field. Moreover, the mean geometry of the liquid structures can be characterized by modeling the mean surface area of the liquid-gas interphase per unit of volume. Additionally, an evaporation model has been developed around the particular characteristics of the current engine technologies. This means that vaporization process is limited by fuel-air mixing rate and fuel droplets evaporate as long as there is enough air for them to heat up and vaporize. Consequently, the evaporation model is based on the Locally Homogeneous Flow (LHF) approach. Under the assumption of an adiabatic mixing, in the liquid/vapor region, the spray is supposed to have a trend towards adiabatic saturation conditions and to determine this equilibrium between phases Raoult's ideal law is considered. Finally, the spray model is coupled with an advanced combustion model based on approximated diffusion flames (ADF), which reduces the computational effort especially for complex fuels and is a natural step for modeling diesel sprays. First, the model is applied to a basic external flow case under non-vaporizing conditions, extremely convenient due to both the experimental database available and the symmetric layout which allows important simplification of the modeling effort. Good agreement between computational results and experimental data is observed, which encourages its application to a more complex configuration. Secondly, the model is applied to the "Spray A" from the Engine Combustion Network (ECN), under non-vaporizing conditions, in order to reproduce the internal structure of diesel sprays as well as to produce accurate predictions of SMD droplets sizes. Finally, vaporizing "Spray A" studies are conducted together with the baseline reacting condition of this database. The calculated spray penetration, liquid length, spray velocities, ignition delay and lift-off length are compared with experimental data and analysed in detail.[ES] El objetivo principal de este trabajo es el modelado de chorros diésel en condiciones de motor, incluyendo los fenómenos de atomización, transporte y evaporación fundamentales en la formación y desarrollo del chorro. Para este fin, se implementa un modelo de spray euleriano de tipo monofluido en un entorno RANS en la plataforma CFD OpenFOAM. El enfoque de modelado aplicado aquí sigue la idea de un modelo del tipo ⅀-Y. El modelo se fundamenta en la hipótesis de separación de escalas del flujo. En los sistemas de inyección actuales, es posible asumir que el flujo que sale de la tobera opera a altos números de Reynolds y Webber y por tanto, es posible considerar la independencia de fenómenos como el transporte de masa (grandes escalas del flujo) de los procesos de atomización que ocurren a escalas menores. La mezcla líquido/gas se trata como un pseudo-fluido con densidad variable y que fluye según un único campo de velocidad. Además, la geometría promedio de las estructuras de líquido se puede caracterizar mediante el modelado de la superficie de la interfase líquido/gas por unidad de volumen. Completando el modelo de chorro, se ha desarrollado un modelo de evaporación alrededor de las características particulares de las tecnologías actuales de los motores. Esto supone que el proceso de evaporación está controlado por mezcla aire-combustible y las gotas de combustible se evaporan siempre que exista suficiente aire para calentarlas y evaporarlas. Debido a esto, el modelo de evaporación implementado está basado en el enfoque de Flujos Localmente Homogéneos (LHF). Considerando una mezcla adiabática, en la región líquido/vapor, se supone que el chorro tiende a las condiciones adiabáticas de saturación y para determinar este equilibrio entre fases, se utiliza la ley ideal de Raoult. Finalmente, el modelo de chorro se acopla con un modelo avanzado de combustión basado en llamas de difusión aproximadas (ADF), que reduce el coste computacional especialmente para combustibles complejos y supone el paso lógico en el desarrollo del modelo para simular chorros diesel. En primer lugar, el modelo se aplica al cálculo de un caso básico de flujo externo no evaporativo, muy adecuado tanto por la extensa base de datos experimentales disponible como por la simetría geométrica que presenta, permitiendo una importante simplificación de la simulación. Los resultados obtenidos presentan un buen acuerdo con los experimentos, lo cual estimula su aplicación en configuraciones más complejas. En segundo lugar, el modelo se aplica al cálculo del "Spray A" del Engine Combustion Network (ECN), no evaporativo, para reproducir la estructura interna del chorro diesel así como predecir tamaños de gota (SMD) de forma precisa. Finalmente, se realizan estudios evaporativos del "Spray A" junto con la condición nominal reactiva de esta base de datos. La penetración de vapor, la longitud líquida, velocidad, el tiempo de retraso y la longitud de despegue de llama calculados se comparan con los datos experimentales y se analizan en detalle.[CA] L'objectiu principal d'aquest treball és el modelatge de dolls dièsel en condicions de motor, incloent els fenòmens d'atomització, transport i evaporació fonamentals en la formació i desenvolupament del doll. Amb aquesta finalitat, s'implementa un model de doll eulerià de tipus monofluid en un entorn RANS a la plataforma CFD OpenFOAM. L'enfocament de modelatge aplicat ací segueix la idea d'un model del tipus ⅀-Y. El model es fonamenta en la hipòtesi de separació d'escales del flux. En els sistemes d'injecció actuals, és possible assumir que el flux que surt de la tovera opera a alts nombres de Reynolds i Webber, i per tant és possible considerar la independència de fenòmens com el transport de massa (grans escales del flux) dels processos d'atomització que ocorren a escales menors. La mescla líquid / gas es tracta com un pseudo-fluid amb densitat variable i que flueix segons un únic camp de velocitat. A més, la geometria mitjana de les estructures de líquid es pot caracteritzar mitjançant el modelatge de la superfície de la interfase líquid / gas per unitat de volum. Completant el model, s'ha desenvolupat un model d'evaporació al voltant de les característiques particulars de les tecnologies actuals dels motors. Això suposa que el procés d'evaporació està controlat per la mescla aire-combustible i les gotes de combustible s'evaporen sempre que hi hagi suficient aire per escalfar i evaporar. A causa d'això, el model d'evaporació implementat està basat en el plantejament de fluxos Localment Homogenis (LHF). Considerant una mescla adiabàtica, a la regió líquid / vapor, se suposa que el doll tendeix a les condicions adiabàtiques de saturació i per determinar aquest equilibri entre fases, s'utilitza la llei ideal de Raoult. Finalment, el model de doll s'acobla amb un model avançat de combustió basat en flamelets de difusió aproximades (ADF), que redueix el cost computacional especialment per a combustibles complexos i suposa el pas lògic en el desenvolupament del model per simular dolls dièsel. En primer lloc, el model s'aplica al càlcul d'un cas bàsic de flux extern no evaporatiu, molt adequat tant per l'extensa base de dades experimentals disponible com per la simetria geomètrica que presenta, permetent una important simplificació de la simulació. Els resultats obtinguts presenten un bon acord amb els experiments, la qual cosa estimula la seva aplicació en configuracions més complexes. En segon lloc, el model s'aplica al càlcul del "Spray A" no evaporatiu de la xarxa Engine Combustion Network (ECN), per reproduir l'estructura interna del doll dièsel així com predir mides de gota (SMD) de forma precisa. Finalment, es realitzen estudis evaporatius del "Spray A" juntament amb la condició nominal reactiva d'aquesta base de dades. La penetració de vapor, la longitud líquida, velocitat, el temps de retard i la longitud d'enlairament de flama calculats es comparen amb les dades experimentals i s'analitzen en detall.Pandal Blanco, A. (2016). Implementation and Development of an Eulerian Spray Model for CFD simulations of diesel Sprays [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/68490TESI

Combustion at reduced gravitational conditions

The theoretical structures needed for the predictive analyses and interpretations for flame propagation and extinction for clouds of porous particulates are presented. Related combustion theories of significance to reduced gravitational studies of combustible media are presented. Nonadiabatic boundaries are required for both autoignition theory and for extinction theory. Processes that were considered include, pyrolysis and vaporization of particulates, heterogeneous and homogeneous chemical kinetics, molecular transport of heat and mass, radiative coupling of the medium to its environment, and radiative coupling among particles and volume elements of the combustible medium

Development of a liquid injection propane system for spark-ignited engines via fuel temperature control

This work describes the development of a thermally controlled liquid propane injection system...A liquid fuel system, as described in this work, offers power gains over vaporized fuel introduction due to the ability to use the heat of vaporization from the vaporizing fuel to cool the intake charge and improve the volumetric efficiency of the engine. This system uses temperature to control the state of the fuel in the fuel system --Introduction, page 1

A Ghost Fluid/Level Set Method for boiling flows and liquid evaporation: Application to the Leidenfrost effect.

The development of numerical methods for the direct numerical simulation of two-phase flows with phase change, in the framework of interface capturing or interface tracking methods, is the main topic of this study. We propose a novel numerical method, which allows dealing with both evaporation and boiling at the interface between a liquid and a gas. Indeed, in some specific situations involving very heterogeneous thermodynamic conditions at the interface, the distinction between boiling and evaporation is not always possible. For instance, it can occur for a Leidenfrost droplet; a water drop levitating above a hot plate whose temperature is much higher than the boiling temperature. In this case, boiling occurs in the film of saturated vapor which is entrapped between the bottom of the drop and the plate, whereas the top of the water droplet evaporates in contact of ambient air. The situation can also be ambiguous for a superheated droplet or at the contact line between a liquid and a hot wall whose temperature is higher than the saturation temperature of the liquid. In these situations, the interface temperature can locally reach the saturation temperature (boiling point), for instance near a contact line, and be cooler in other places. Thus, boiling and evaporation can occur simultaneously on different regions of the same liquid interface or occur successively at different times of the history of an evaporating droplet. Standard numerical methods are not able to perform computations in these transient regimes, therefore, we propose in this paper a novel numerical method to achieve this challenging task. Finally, we present several accuracy validations against theoretical solutions and experimental results to strengthen the relevance of this new method

Method And Apparatus For Lithiating Alloys

The present invention is generally directed to a system for lithiating alloys. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for performing vapor deposition of a lithium alloy on a substrate comprising the steps of vaporizing a mass of lithium and controllably heating a lithium-soluble element, such as magnesium. The method further includes the step of disposing the lithium-soluble element in the lithium vapor, wherein the lithium vapor promotes the vaporization of the lithium-soluble element to create a combined vapor having intimately mixed constituencies from both the lithium and lithium-soluble element. Finally, the method includes the step of disposing a temperature controlled substrate in the combined vapor, whereby the combined vapor is deposited on the substrate. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for depositing lithium onto an aluminum element surface. This method includes the steps of vaporizing a mass of lithium and exposing the aluminum surface, at very stringent temperature, to the lithium vapor. This technique requires controllably heating an aluminum surface, so that the lithium vapor is deposited on this surface over a very precise temperature range (aluminum 570-590°C., lithium 525 to 585°C.) producing alloys whose lithium content does not exceed 5 wt % lithium.Georgia Tech Research Corporatio

CFD applications in chemical propulsion engines

The present research is aimed at developing analytical procedures for predicting the performance and stability characteristics of chemical propulsion engines. Specific emphasis is being placed on understanding the physical and chemical processes in the small engines that are used for applications such as spacecraft attitude control and drag make-up. The small thrust sizes of these engines lead to low nozzle Reynolds numbers with thick boundary layers which may even meet at the nozzle centerline. For this reason, the classical high Reynolds number procedures that are commonly used in the industry are inaccurate and of questionable utility for design. A complete analysis capability for the combined viscous and inviscid regions as well as for the subsonic, transonic, and supersonic portions of the flowfield is necessary to estimate performance levels and to enable tradeoff studies during design procedures