Fluid-Structure Interaction Simulation of a Coriolis Mass Flowmeter using a Lattice Boltzmann Method

In this paper we use a fluid-structure interaction (FSI) approach to simulate a Coriolis mass flowmeter (CMF). The fluid dynamics are calculated by the open source framework OpenLB, based on the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). For the structural dynamics we employ the open source software Elmer, an implementation of the finite element method (FEM). A staggered coupling approach between the two software packages is presented. The finite element mesh is created by the mesh generator Gmsh to ensure a complete open source workflow. The Eigenmodes of the CMF, which are calculated by modal analysis are compared with measurement data. Using the estimated excitation frequency, a fully coupled, partitioned, FSI simulation is applied to simulate the phase shift of the investigated CMF design. The calculated phaseshift values are in good agreement to the measurement data and verify the suitability of the model to numerically describe the working principle of a CMF

Coriolis flowmeters: A review of developments over the past 20 years, and an assessment of the state of the art and likely future directions

This paper starts from a brief revisit of key early published work so that an overview of modern Coriolis flowmeters can be provided based on a historical background. The paper, then, focuses on providing an updated review of Coriolis flow measurement technology over the past 20 years. Published research work and industrial Coriolis flowmeter design are both reviewed in details. It is the intention of this paper to provide a comprehensive review study of all important topics in the subject, which include interesting theoretical and experimental studies and innovative industrial developments and applications. The advances in fundamental understanding and technology development are clearly identified. Future directions in various areas together with some open questions are also outlined.This is the accepted manuscript version. The final version is available from Elsevier at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.flowmeasinst.2014.08.01

Fluid–structure interaction simulation of a coriolis mass flowmeter using a lattice boltzmann method

In this paper, we use a fluid–structure interaction (FSI) approach to simulate a Coriolis mass flowmeter (CMF). The fluid dynamics is calculated by the open-source framework OpenLB, based on the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). For the structural dynamics we employ the open-source software Elmer, an implementation of the finite element method (FEM). A staggered coupling approach between the two software packages is presented. The finite element mesh is created by the mesh generator Gmsh to ensure a complete open source workflow. The Eigenmodes of the CMF, which are calculated by modal analysis, are compared with measurement data. Using the estimated excitation frequency, a fully coupled, partitioned, FSI simulation is applied to simulate the phase shift of the investigated CMF design. The calculated phase shift values are in good agreement to the measurement data and verify the suitability of the model to numerically describe the working principle of a CMF

Dust sedimentation and self-sustained Kelvin-Helmholtz turbulence in protoplanetary disk mid-planes. I. Radially symmetric simulations

We perform numerical simulations of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in the mid-plane of a protoplanetary disk. A two-dimensional corotating slice in the azimuthal--vertical plane of the disk is considered where we include the Coriolis force and the radial advection of the Keplerian rotation flow. Dust grains, treated as individual particles, move under the influence of friction with the gas, while the gas is treated as a compressible fluid. The friction force from the dust grains on the gas leads to a vertical shear in the gas rotation velocity. As the particles settle around the mid-plane due to gravity, the shear increases, and eventually the flow becomes unstable to the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. The Kelvin-Helmholtz turbulence saturates when the vertical settling of the dust is balanced by the turbulent diffusion away from the mid-plane. The azimuthally averaged state of the self-sustained Kelvin-Helmholtz turbulence is found to have a constant Richardson number in the region around the mid-plane where the dust-to-gas ratio is significant. Nevertheless the dust density has a strong non-axisymmetric component. We identify a powerful clumping mechanism, caused by the dependence of the rotation velocity of the dust grains on the dust-to-gas ratio, as the source of the non-axisymmetry. Our simulations confirm recent findings that the critical Richardson number for Kelvin-Helmholtz instability is around unity or larger, rather than the classical value of 1/4Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ. Some minor changes due to referee report, most notably that the clumping mechanism has been identified as the streaming instability of Youdin & Goodman (2005). Movies of the simulations are still available at http://www.mpia.de/homes/johansen/research_en.ph

An applied investigation of viscosity–density fluid sensors based on torsional resonators

Real-time viscosity and density measurements give insight into the status of many chemical and biochemical processes and allow for automated controls. In many applications, sensors that enable the real-time measurements of fluid properties use resonant elements. Such sensors measure induced changes in the element’s resonance frequency and damping that can be related to the fluid properties. These sensors have been widely researched, though they are not yet commonly used in industrial processes. This study investigates two resonant elements to measure the viscosity and density of Newtonian fluids. The first is a probe-style viscosity-density sensor, and the second is a non-intrusive tubular viscosity sensor. These two sensors were investigated using analytical, numerical, and experimental methods. In the analytical method, the sensors’ resonance frequencies and bandwidths were predicted based on reduced-order models for both structure and fluid. In the numerical method, the interaction of the resonant element with the fluid was investigated by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Experiments were conducted for validation, to evaluate the sensors’ capabilities, and understand cross-sensitivity effects between viscosity and density. This work successfully modeled and validated the two different torsional resonant element sensors, namely the probe-style viscosity-density sensor and the tubular viscosity sensor against experiments. There are two key output parameters, i.e., resonance frequency and bandwidth. Using these parameters, it is possible to predict fluid viscosity and density. Overall, this work demonstrates the potential of numerical modeling for the development of torsional resonance sensors. These findings directly affect the development of the future generation of fluid viscosity and density sensors

Multiphase flow measurement using gamma-based techniques

The oil and gas industry need for high performing and low cost multiphase meters is ever more justified given the rapid depletion of conventional oil reserves. This has led oil companies to develop smaller/marginal fields and reservoirs in remote locations and deep offshore, thereby placing great demands for compact and more cost effective soluti8ons of on-line continuous multiphase flow measurement. The pattern recognition approach for clamp-on multiphase measurement employed in this research study provides one means for meeting this need. Cont/d

Industrial flow measurement

This thesis discusses the intrinsic worth of a published work, ‘Industrial Flow Measurement’ (Appendix A), a handbook written and revised by the author over a period of 30 years. The author first discusses the need to measure flow and then moves on to the raison d’être of the handbook before looking at a brief history of flow measurement. Although not claiming that any single attribute of the handbook is unique, the author nonetheless postulates that because it incorporates several distinctive features, at a number of different levels, these agents combine to make it one-of-a- kind. The author moves on to an overview of existing flow metering technologies discussed within the handbook. Finally, he looks at what he considers is a major gap in the collected body of knowledge – the field of multiphase and water-cut metering and provides a justification, not only for its inclusion in the future but for future investigation