FORCE2: A state-of-the-art two-phase code for hydrodynamic calculations

A three-dimensional computer code for two-phase flow named FORCE2 has been developed by Babcock and Wilcox (B W) in close collaboration with Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). FORCE2 is capable of both transient as well as steady-state simulations. This Cartesian coordinates computer program is a finite control volume, industrial grade and quality embodiment of the pilot-scale FLUFIX/MOD2 code and contains features such as three-dimensional blockages, volume and surface porosities to account for various obstructions in the flow field, and distributed resistance modeling to account for pressure drops caused by baffles, distributor plates and large tube banks. Recently computed results demonstrated the significance of and necessity for three-dimensional models of hydrodynamics and erosion. This paper describes the process whereby ANL's pilot-scale FLUFIX/MOD2 models and numerics were implemented into FORCE2. A description of the quality control to assess the accuracy of the new code and the validation using some of the measured data from Illinois Institute of Technology (UT) and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) are given. It is envisioned that one day, FORCE2 with additional modules such as radiation heat transfer, combustion kinetics and multi-solids together with user-friendly pre- and post-processor software and tailored for massively parallel multiprocessor shared memory computational platforms will be used by industry and researchers to assist in reducing and/or eliminating the environmental and economic barriers which limit full consideration of coal, shale and biomass as energy sources, to retain energy security, and to remediate waste and ecological problems

Three-dimensional simulation of diversion cross-flow between two parallel channels connected by a narrow lateral slot using the COMMIX-1A computer program

This report demonstrates the predictive capabilities of the COMMIX-1A computer program by simulating a fundamental experiment which determined diversion cross-flow and pressure drops between and along two parallel square channels connected by a narrow lateral slot. COMMIX-1A predicted correct trends and fairly accurate flow quantities with minimum empirical input

Analysis of liquid-solids suspension velocities and concentrations obtained by NMR imaging

COMMIX-M, a three-dimensional transient and steady-state computer program written in Cartesian and cylindrical coordinates, has been developed by Argonne National Laboratory. This computer program is capable of analyzing multiphase flow and heat transfer and utilizes the separate phases model wherein each phase has its own mass, momentum, and energy equations. This computer program is in its early stages of development for application to test various interphase interaction models and to predict design and processing of dense fluid-solids suspension systems. COMMIX-M contains preliminary constitutive relationships for interfacial drag, solids viscosities and stresses to describe the solids rheology, and shear lift forces from the literature. Also included is a solids partial slip boundary condition to allow non-zero tangential velocity at the tube walls. Analyses of some of the steady-state, fully-developed isothermal carrier fluid velocity and solids concentration data of Altobelli et al. and Sinton and Chow are presented. These experimental data obtained using three-dimensional time-of-flight nuclear magnetic (NMR) imaging techniques were carefully performed and represent some of the best available open literature data of their kind. NMR imaging offers powerful techniques to non-intrusively determine three-dimensional time-dependent velocity and concentration fields to assist development and validation of the constitutive models and the computer programs describing concentrated suspensions. Analyses of these NMR data, together with comparisons of computed and measured concentration and velocity profiles provide some insights into the mechanisms governing the observed phenomena. Recommendations for future research are given. To the authors` knowledge, these are the first such comparisons of theory and experiment

Local Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress Increases in the Microcirculation during Leukocytes-Endothelial Cell Interactions

Leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions and leukocyte activation are important factors for vascular diseases including nephropathy, retinopathy and angiopathy. In addition, endothelial cell dysfunction is reported in vascular disease condition. Endothelial dysfunction is characterized by increased superoxide (O2•−) production from endothelium and reduction in NO bioavailability. Experimental studies have suggested a possible role for leukocyte-endothelial cell interaction in the vessel NO and peroxynitrite levels and their role in vascular disorders in the arterial side of microcirculation. However, anti-adhesion therapies for preventing leukocyte-endothelial cell interaction related vascular disorders showed limited success. The endothelial dysfunction related changes in vessel NO and peroxynitrite levels, leukocyte-endothelial cell interaction and leukocyte activation are not completely understood in vascular disorders. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of endothelial dysfunction extent, leukocyte-endothelial interaction, leukocyte activation and superoxide dismutase therapy on the transport and interactions of NO, O2•− and peroxynitrite in the microcirculation. We developed a biotransport model of NO, O2•− and peroxynitrite in the arteriolar microcirculation and incorporated leukocytes-endothelial cell interactions. The concentration profiles of NO, O2•− and peroxynitrite within blood vessel and leukocytes are presented at multiple levels of endothelial oxidative stress with leukocyte activation and increased superoxide dismutase accounted for in certain cases. The results showed that the maximum concentrations of NO decreased ∼0.6 fold, O2•− increased ∼27 fold and peroxynitrite increased ∼30 fold in the endothelial and smooth muscle region in severe oxidative stress condition as compared to that of normal physiologic conditions. The results show that the onset of endothelial oxidative stress can cause an increase in O2•− and peroxynitrite concentration in the lumen. The increased O2•− and peroxynitrite can cause leukocytes priming through peroxynitrite and leukocytes activation through secondary stimuli of O2•− in bloodstream without endothelial interaction. This finding supports that leukocyte rolling/adhesion and activation are independent events

Modelling of bubbly and annular two-phase flow in subchannel geometries with BACCHUS-3D/TP

The theoretical and computational bases of the BACCHUS-3D/TP computer program are reviewed. The computer program is used for thermal-hydraulic analyses of nuclear fuel bundles under normal and accident conditions. The present program combines two models and solution procedures previously used separately, namely, the Improved Slip Model (ISM) and the Separated-Phases Model (SPM). The former model uses mixture equations with accounting for slip between the phases, whereas the latter uses separate continuity and momentum equations. At the present stage of development, both assume thermodynamic equilibrium. Techniques used to affect smooth transition between the two models are described. including treatment of frictional pressure drop and solution of the Poisson and momentum equations. A detailed derivation of the computation of mass transfer between the phases is given because it is a central and novel feature of the model

Analysis of stratified flow mixing

The Creare 1/5-scale Phase II experiments which model fluid and thermal mixing of relatively cold high pressure injection (HPI) water into a cold leg of a full-scale pressurized water reactor (PWR) having loop flow are analyzed and found that they cannot achieve complete similarity with respect to characteristic Reynolds and Froude numbers and developing hydrodynamic entry length. Several analyses show that these experiments fall into two distinct regimes of mixing: momentum controlled and gravity controlled (stratification). 18 refs., 9 figs

Two-phase power-law modeling of pipe flows displaying shear-thinning phenomena

This paper describes work in modeling concentrated liquid-solids flows in pipes. COMMIX-M, a three-dimensional transient and steady-state computer program developed at Argonne National Laboratory, was used to compute velocities and concentrations. Based on the authors` previous analyses, some concentrated liquid-solids suspension flows display shear-thinning rather than Newtonian phenomena. Therefore, they developed a two-phase non-Newtonian power-law model that includes the effect of solids concentration on solids viscosity. With this new two-phase power-law solids-viscosity model, and with constitutive relationships for interfacial drag, virtual mass effect, shear lift force, and solids partial-slip boundary condition at the pipe walls, COMMIX-M is capable of analyzing concentrated three-dimensional liquid-solids flows

FORCE2: A state-of-the-art two-phase code for hydrodynamic calculations

A three-dimensional computer code for two-phase flow named FORCE2 has been developed by Babcock and Wilcox (B & W) in close collaboration with Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). FORCE2 is capable of both transient as well as steady-state simulations. This Cartesian coordinates computer program is a finite control volume, industrial grade and quality embodiment of the pilot-scale FLUFIX/MOD2 code and contains features such as three-dimensional blockages, volume and surface porosities to account for various obstructions in the flow field, and distributed resistance modeling to account for pressure drops caused by baffles, distributor plates and large tube banks. Recently computed results demonstrated the significance of and necessity for three-dimensional models of hydrodynamics and erosion. This paper describes the process whereby ANL`s pilot-scale FLUFIX/MOD2 models and numerics were implemented into FORCE2. A description of the quality control to assess the accuracy of the new code and the validation using some of the measured data from Illinois Institute of Technology (UT) and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) are given. It is envisioned that one day, FORCE2 with additional modules such as radiation heat transfer, combustion kinetics and multi-solids together with user-friendly pre- and post-processor software and tailored for massively parallel multiprocessor shared memory computational platforms will be used by industry and researchers to assist in reducing and/or eliminating the environmental and economic barriers which limit full consideration of coal, shale and biomass as energy sources, to retain energy security, and to remediate waste and ecological problems

Computer modeling of fluidized-beds

Bubbling fluidized-bed combustors are being built as a means of burning high-sulfur coals in an environmentally acceptable manner. Although this technology has reached a commercial status, understanding of solids motion and its effect on erosion of heat exchanger tubes immersed in fluidized beds remains inadequate. To understand the mechanics of solids motion in fluidized beds with internal heat exchangers, a two-dimensional fluidized bed is simulated using hydrodynamic models. Predicted instantaneous and time-averaged porosities at different locations in the bed are compared with experimentally measured values. Power spectral analyses of both computed and experimental transient porosities are made to validate the presently used hydrodynamic model of fluidization. This study further extends the validation of such models used in earlier studies to compare experimental and predicted bubble sizes