Enhanced convergence of eigenfunction expansions in convection-diffusion with multiscale space variable coefficients

A convergence enhancement technique known as the integral balance approach is employed in combination with the Generalized Integral Transform Technique (GITT) for solving diffusion or convection-diffusion problems in physical domains with subregions of markedly different materials properties and/or spatial scales. GITT is employed in the solution of the differential eigenvalue problem with space variable coefficients, by adopting simpler auxiliary eigenproblems for the eigenfunction representation. The examples provided deal with heat conduction in heterogeneous media and forced convection in a microchannel embedded in a substrate. The convergence characteristics of the proposed novel solution are critically compared against the conventional approach through integral transforms without the integral balance enhancement, with the aid of fully converged results from the available exact solutions.Indisponível

Heat Transfer in Microchannels with Upstream–Downstream Regions Coupling and Wall Conjugation Effects

Heat transfer in microchannels is analyzed, including the coupling between the regions upstream and downstream of the heat transfer section and taking into account the wall conjugation and axial diffusion effects which are often of relevance in microchannels. The methodology is based on a recently proposed single-domain formulation for modeling the heat transfer phenomena simultaneously at the fluid stream and the channel walls, and applying the generalized integral transform technique (GITT) to find a hybrid numerical–analytical solution to the unified partial differential energy equation. The proposed mathematical model involves coefficients represented as space-dependent functions, with abrupt transitions at the fluid–wall interfaces, which carry the information concerning the transition of the two domains, unifying the model into a single-domain formulation with variable coefficients. Convergence of the proposed eigenfunction expansions is thoroughly investigated and the physical analysis is focused on the effects of the coupling between the downstream and the upstream flow regions.Indisponível

Nonlinear eigenvalue problem in the integral transforms solution of convection-diffusion with nonlinear boundary conditions

The purpose of this paper is to propose the generalized integral transform technique (GITT) to the solution of convection-diffusion problems with nonlinear boundary conditions by employing the corresponding nonlinear eigenvalue problem in the construction of the expansion basis. The original nonlinear boundary condition coefficients in the problem formulation are all incorporated into the adopted eigenvalue problem, which may be itself integral transformed through a representative linear auxiliary problem, yielding a nonlinear algebraic eigenvalue problem for the associated eigenvalues and eigenvectors, to be solved along with the transformed ordinary differential system. The nonlinear eigenvalues computation may also be accomplished by rewriting the corresponding transcendental equation as an ordinary differential system for the eigenvalues, which is then simultaneously solved with the transformed potentials. An application on one-dimensional transient diffusion with nonlinear boundary condition coefficients is selected for illustrating some important computational aspects and the convergence behavior of the proposed eigenfunction expansions. For comparison purposes, an alternative solution with a linear eigenvalue problem basis is also presented and implemented. This novel approach can be further extended to various classes of nonlinear convection-diffusion problems, either already solved by the GITT with a linear coefficients basis, or new challenging applications with more involved nonlinearities.Indisponível

Theoretical analysis of conjugated heat transfer with a single domain formulation and integral transforms

The present work advances an analytical approach for conjugated conduction-convection heat transfer problems, by proposing a single domain formulation for modeling both the fluid stream and the channel wall regions. Making use of coefficients represented as space variable functions with abrupt transitions occurring at the fluid-wall interface, the mathematical model is fed with the information concerning the transition of the two domains, unifying the model into a single domain formulation with space variable coefficients. The Generalized Integral Transform Technique (GITT) is then employed in the hybrid numerical-analytical solution of the resulting convection-diffusion problem with variable coefficients, and critically compared for two alternative solution paths. A test problem is chosen that offers an exact solution for validation purposes, based on the extended Graetz problem including transversal conduction across the channel walls. The excellent agreement between approximate and exact solutions demonstrates the feasibility of the approach in handling more involved conjugated problems.Indisponível

Fluid flow and conjugated heat transfer in arbitrarily shaped channels via single domain formulation and integral transforms

The present work advances a recently introduced approach based on combining the Generalized Integral Transform Technique (GITT) and a single domain reformulation strategy, aimed at providing hybrid numerical–analytical solutions to convection–diffusion problems in complex physical configurations and irregular geometries. The methodology has been previously considered in the analysis of conjugated conduction–convection heat transfer problems, simultaneously modeling the heat transfer phenomena at both the fluid streams and the channels walls, by making use of coefficients represented as space variable functions with abrupt transitions occurring at the fluid–wall interfaces. The present work is aimed at extending this methodology to deal with both fluid flow and conjugated heat transfer within arbitrarily shaped channels and complex multichannel configurations, so that the solution of a cumbersome system of coupled partial differential equations defined for each individual sub-domain of the problem is avoided, with the proposition of the single-domain formulation. The reformulated problem is integral transformed through the adoption of eigenvalue problems containing the space variable coefficients, which provide the basis of the eigenfunction expansions and are responsible for recovering the transitional behavior among the different regions in the original formulation. For demonstration purposes, an application is first considered consisting of a microchannel with an irregular cross-section shape, representing a typical channel micro-fabricated through laser ablation, in which heat and fluid flow are investigated, taking into account the conjugation with the polymeric substrate. Then, a complex configuration consisting of multiple irregularly shaped channels is more closely analyzed, in order to illustrate the flexibility and robustness of the advanced hybrid approach. In both cases, the convergence behavior of the proposed expansions is presented and critical comparisons against purely numerical approaches are provided.Indisponível

Experimental Identification of Thermophysical Properties in Heterogeneous Materials with Integral Transformation of Temperature Measurements from Infrared Thermography

This work deals with the experimental estimation of spatially variable thermal conductivity and diffusivity in heterogeneous media, with temperature measurements obtained via infrared thermography being used in the inverse analysis. The direct problem solution for a one-dimensional heat conduction experiment is analytically obtained via integral transforms, and the related eigenvalue problem is solved by the generalized integral transform technique. The inverse problem is handled by Bayesian inference through a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm. The functional representation and estimation is based on the eigenfunction expansion of the thermal conductivity and diffusivity themselves, and the unknown parameters become the corresponding expansion coefficients. The inverse analysis is performed on the transformed experimental temperature field instead of employing the actual local temperature measurements, thus promoting a significant data reduction through the integral transformation of the experimental measurements. A demonstration experiment is built involving partially heated thin plates made of bakelite and polystyrene, including a variable thickness plate to simulate spatially variable thermophysical properties.Indisponível

Unified Integral Transforms Algorithm for Solving Multidimensional Nonlinear Convection-Diffusion Problems

The present work summarizes the theory and describes the algorithm related to an open-source mixed symbolic-numerical computational code named unified integral transforms (UNIT) that provides a computational environment for finding hybrid numerical-analytical solutions of linear and nonlinear partial differential systems via integral transforms. The reported research was performed by employing the well-established methodology known as the generalized integral transform technique (GITT), together with the symbolic and numerical computation tools provided by the Mathematica system. The main purpose of this study is to illustrate the robust precision-controlled simulation of multidimensional nonlinear transient convection-diffusion problems, while providing a brief introduction of this open source implementation. Test cases are selected based on nonlinear multidimensional formulations of Burgers’ equation, with the establishment of reference results for specific numerical values of the governing parameters. Special aspects in the computational behavior of the algorithm are then discussed, demonstrating the implemented possibilities within the present version of the UNIT code, including the proposition of a progressive filtering strategy and a combined criteria reordering scheme, not previously discussed in related works, both aimed at convergence acceleration of the eigenfunction expansions.Indisponível

Analysis of conjugated heat transfer in micro-heat exchangers via integral transforms and non-intrusive optical techniques

The purpose of this paper is to employ the Generalized Integral Transform Technique in the analysis of conjugated heat transfer in micro-heat exchangers, by combining this hybrid numerical-analytical approach with a reformulation strategy into a single domain that envelopes all of the physical and geometric sub-regions in the original problem. The solution methodology advanced is carefully validated against experimental results from non-intrusive techniques, namely, infrared thermography measurements of the substrate external surface temperatures, and fluid temperature measurements obtained through micro Laser Induced Fluorescence. The methodology is applied in the hybrid numerical-analytical treatment of a multi-stream micro-heat exchanger application, involving a three-dimensional configuration with triangular cross-section micro-channels. Space variable coefficients and source terms with abrupt transitions among the various sub-regions interfaces are then defined and incorporated into this single domain representation for the governing convection-diffusion equations. The application here considered for analysis is a multi-stream micro-heat exchanger designed for waste heat recovery and built on a PMMA substrate to allow for flow visualization. The methodology here advanced is carefully validated against experimental results from non-intrusive techniques, namely, infrared thermography measurements of the substrate external surface temperatures and fluid temperature measurements obtained through Laser Induced Fluorescence. A very good agreement among the proposed hybrid methodology predictions, a finite elements solution from the COMSOL code, and the experimental findings has been achieved. The proposed methodology has been demonstrated to be quite flexible, robust, and accurate. The hybrid nature of the approach, providing analytical expressions in all but one independent variable, and requiring numerical treatment at most in one single independent variable, makes it particularly well suited for computationally intensive tasks such as in optimization, inverse problem analysis, and simulation under uncertainty.Indisponível

Theoretical–experimental analysis of heat transfer in nonhomogeneous solids via improved lumped formulation, integral transforms and infrared thermography

Theoretical and experimental methodologies for the identification of spatially variable thermophysical properties and for simulating multidimensional heat transfer in heterogeneous materials are illustrated by using plate samples with aluminum oxide nanoparticles dispersed in a polymeric matrix. First, the heterogeneous nanocomposite plate is thermally characterized by means of a fairly simple experimental setup which can be modeled by a one-dimensional heat conduction formulation with space variable properties. Non-intrusive temperature measurements are obtained via infrared thermography, while the direct problem is handled by an error-controlled integral transform solution with an improved lumped-differential formulation, and the inverse analysis is undertaken via Bayesian inference, making use of the Markov Chain Monte Carlo method. Then, in order to illustrate the application of the methodologies here presented, an experimental multidimensional demonstration is provided consisting of a small electrical resistance attached to the plate, simulating a heat generating electronic device installed on the nanocomposite substrate, which in such situation works as a heat spreader modeled by an improved lumped-differential two-dimensional heat conduction formulation. The integral transform solution of the lumped-differential two-dimensional problem is then critically compared against the infrared thermography experimental results.Indisponível

Eigenfunction Expansions for Coupled Nonlinear Convection-Diffusion Problems in Complex Physical Domains

This lecture offers an updated review on the Generalized Integral Transform Technique (GITT), with focus on handling complex geometries, coupled problems, and nonlinear convection-diffusion, so as to illustrate some new application paradigms. Special emphasis is given to demonstrating novel developments, such as a single domain reformulation strategy that simplifies the treatment of complex geometries, an integral balance scheme in handling multiscale problems, the adoption of convective eigenvalue problems in dealing with strongly convective formulations, and the direct integral transformation of nonlinear convection-diffusion problems based on nonlinear eigenvalue problems. Representative application examples are then provided that employ recent extensions on the Generalized Integral Transform Technique (GITT), and a few numerical results are reported to illustrate the convergence characteristics of the proposed eigenfunction expansions.Indisponível