The piston-cylinder pair is the key friction pairs in the piston pump. Its performance determines the volume efficiency of piston pump. With the increase of load pressure, the leakage at the clearance of piston-cylinder pair will also increase. In order to reduce leakage, the clearance of the piston-cylinder pair of the ultra-high pressure piston pump is smaller than that of the medium-high pressure piston pump. In order to explore whether the piston will stuck in the narrow gap, it is necessary to study the oil film characteristics of the piston-cylinder pair under the condition of ultra-high pressure, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the optimal design of the piston-cylinder pair of ultra-high pressure axial piston pump. In this paper, an ultra-high pressure axial piston pump is taken as the research object, and its structural characteristics are analyzed. The mathematical model of the oil film thickness of the piston-cylinder pair is established by using the cosine theorem i... [more]

Combinations of spherical vessels and pipes are frequently employed in industries. Scholars have primarily studied gas explosions in closed vessels and pipes. However, knowledge of combined spherical vessel and pipe systems is limited. Therefore, a flame acceleration simulator was implemented with computational fluid dynamics software and was employed to conduct natural gas explosions in three structures, including a single spherical vessel, a single spherical vessel with a pipe connected to it, and a big spherical vessel connected to a small spherical vessel with a pipe. These simulations reflected physical experiments conducted by at Nanjing Tech University. By changing the sizes of vessels, lengths of pipes, and ignition positions in linked vessels, we obtained relevant laws for the time, pressure, temperature, and concentrations of combustion products. Moreover, the processes of natural gas explosions in different structures were obtained from simulation results. Simulation results... [more]

Experiments of gas−liquid flow in a circular pipe for horizontal and inclined positions (upward/downward) are reported. The characteristics of two-phase flow in terms of liquid holdup (ε(L)) and induced flow patterns are studied using three experimental techniques; time-averaged ε(L) from permittivity profiles using electrical capacitance tomography (ECT), instantaneous ε(L) using two fast-closing valves (TFCV), and high-speed camera images (HSCI) to capture/identify the formed flow patterns. Thus, this experimental setup enables the development of more well-defined flow patterns in gas−liquid two-phase flow and allows for multi-technique verification of the results. Taken from experimental measurements, a model is proposed to predict ε(L) for high and low situations. The correlations are a function of the hydrodynamic dimensionless quantities which provide hydrodynamic similarity. Regarding different pipe orientations, ε(L) predictions are comparable to ε(L) from experimental measurem... [more]

There is a significant effort in miniaturizing nanodevices, such as semi-conductors, currently underway. However, a major challenge that is a significant bottleneck is dissipating heat generated in these energy-intensive nanodevices. In addition to being a serious operational concern (high temperatures can interfere with their efficient operation), it is a serious safety concern, as has been documented in recent reports of explosions resulting from many such overheated devices. A significant barrier to heat dissipation is the interfacial films present in these nanodevices. These interfacial films generally are not an issue in macro-devices. The research presented in this paper was an attempt to understand these interfacial resistances at the molecular level, and present possibilities for enhancing the heat dissipation rates in interfaces. We demonstrated that the thermal resistances of these interfaces were strongly anisotropic; i.e., the resistance parallel to the interface was signif... [more]

In order to reveal the evolution law of heat transfer during phase change in a corrugated plate flow passage of a plate heat exchanger, a two-dimensional two-channel model was established to simulate the process of heat transfer during phase change in an unsteady flow passage. The results show that when the time was 3/5T, the average Nusselt number and the average heat flux of the heat exchange wall, as well as the outlet average temperature of the cold and hot fluid, reached stability, while the volume fraction of the gas phase increased rapidly. During the whole heat transfer process, the change in Nusselt number and heat flux along the heat transfer wall surface was basically the same, and its value fluctuated along the wall surface, displaying extrema at the exit, entrance, and corrugated corner. The temperature of the heat exchange wall fluctuated and increased along the Y-axis, and began stabilizing after a time >3/5T. As time went on, the temperature gradient of the hot and cold... [more]

Renewed interest in freeze desalination has emerged due to its advantages over other desalination technologies. A major advantage of the freeze desalination process over evaporative methods is its lower energy consumption (latent heat of freezing is 333.5 kJ/kg and latent heat of evaporation is 2256.7 kJ/kg). Cryogenic fluids like LN2/LAir are emerging as an effective energy storage medium to maximise utilisation of intermittent renewable energy sources. The recovery of this stored cold energy has the potential to be used for freeze desalination. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling was developed to simulate the evaporation of liquid nitrogen to simultaneously conduct freeze desalination to investigate the feasibility of using cryogenic energy for freeze desalination. This integrated CFD model was validated using experimental heat exchanger test facility constructed, to evaporate liquid nitrogen to supply the cooling required for freezing. Parametric study on the LN2 flow rate... [more]

This work presents a molecular level investigation on the nature and mode of binding between imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) ([Cnbim]Br where n = 2, 4, 6) with calf thymus DNA. This investigation offers valuable insight into the mechanisms of interactions that can affect the structural features of DNA and possibly cause the alteration or inhibition of DNA function. To expedite analysis, the study resorted to using molecular docking and COnductor like Screening MOdel for Real Solvents (COSMO-RS) in conjunction with fluorescence spectroscopic data for confirmation and validation of computational results. Both the fluorescence and docking studies consistently revealed a weak interaction between the two molecules, which corresponded to the binding energy of a stable docking conformation in the range of −5.19 to −7.75 kcal mol−1. As predicted, the rod-like structure of imidazolium-based ILs prefers to bind to the double-helix DNA through a minor groove. Interestingly, the occurrence o... [more]

Tire cord steel is widely used in the tire production process of the vehicle manufacturing industry due to its excellent strength and toughness. Titanium nitride (TiN) inclusion, existing in tire rod, has a seriously detrimental effect on the fatigue and drawing performances of the tire steel. In order to control its amount and morphology, the precipitation behavior of TiN during solidification in SWRH 92A tire cord steel was analyzed by selected thermodynamic models. The calculated results showed that TiN cannot precipitate in the liquid phase region regardless of the selected models. However, the precipitation of TiN in the mushy zone would occur at the final stage during the solidification process (at solid fractions greater than 0.98) if the LRSM (Lever-rule model was applied for the N and Scheil model for Ti) or Ohnaka models (without considering the effect of carbon on secondary dendrite arm spacing (SDAS)) were adopted. For the Ohnaka model, in the case when the effect of carbon... [more]

Two of the methods for converting biomass to fuel are hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) and anaerobic digestion (AD). This study is aimed at designing and analyzing two scenarios for bioenergy production from undervalued biomass (sawdust). In one of the scenarios (direct combustion or DC), raw biomass is burned in a combustor to provide the heat that is required by the Rankine cycle to generate electricity. In the other scenario (HTC-AD), the raw biomass first undergoes HTC treatment. While the solid product (hydrochar) is used to produce power by a Rankine cycle, the liquid by-product undergoes an AD process. This results in fuel gas production and it can be used in a Brayton cycle to generate more power. Energy and mass balance analysis of both scenarios were developed for each unit process by using Engineering Equation Solver (EES). The required data were obtained experimentally or from the literature. The performances of the proposed systems were evaluated, and a sensitivity analysi... [more]

To study the appropriate numerical simulation methods for venturi injectors, including the investigation of the hydraulic performance, mixing process, and the flowing law of the two internal fluids, simulations and experiments were conducted in this study. In the simulations part, the cavitation model based on the standard k−ε turbulence and mixture models was added, after convergence of the calculations. The results revealed that the cavitation model has good agreement with the experiment. However, huge deviations occurred between the experimental results and the ones from the calculation when not considering the cavitation model after cavitation. Thus, it is inferred that the cavitation model can exactly predict the hydraulic performance of a venturi injector. In addition, the cavitation is a crucial factor affecting the hydraulic performance of a venturi injector. The cavitation can ensure the stability of the fertilizer absorption of the venturi injector and can realize the precise... [more]

The residue hydrotreating process plays a significant role in the petroleum refining industry. In this process, modeling and simulation have critical importance for process development, control, and optimization. However, there is a lack of relevant reports of plant scale due to complexity in characterizing feedstock and determining reaction mechanisms. In this paper, reaction and fractionation models are constructed and simulated for a real-life industrial residue hydrotreating process based on Aspen HYSYS/Refining. Considering the heavier and inferior residue, analytical characterization is carried out for feedstock characterization based on laboratory analysis data. Moreover, two reactor models with parallel structures are proposed to implement the intricate reaction network, namely, a hydrocracker reactor and a plug flow reactor. The former simulates lighter petroleum hydrotreating based on the built-in reaction network. The latter emulates the conversion of a peculiar, heavier res... [more]

The present research provides a numerical investigation of two dimensional nanofluid flow over an inverted cone inside a porous medium. The model is developed to incorporate non-spherical shapes of C d T e -nanoparticles in water based fluid. Simultaneous effects of pertinent parameters like volume fraction, Reynold number, Hartmann number, porosity, Grashof number, radiation parameter and Peclet number on temperature distribution and velocity profile are studied and illustrated graphically. In addition, the corresponding computational results of Nusselt number and skin frication for regulating parameters are also presented in graphs and tables. The highest Nusselt number is observed for blade-shaped C d T e particles. Furthermore, the thermal conductivity and viscosity are also calculated for non-spherical shapes of C d T e nanoparticles. The result showed that the thermal conductivity of nanofluid with blade-shaped particles is 0.94 % and 1.93 %... [more]

The objective of this paper was to develop a prediction tool for the burden distribution in a charging process of a bell-less-type blast furnace using the discrete element method (DEM). The particle behavior on the rotating chute and on the burden surface was modeled, and the burden distribution was analyzed. Furthermore, the measurements of the burden distribution in a 1/3-scale experimental blast furnace were performed to validate the simulated results. Particle size segregation occurred during conveying to the experimental blast furnace. The smaller particles were initially discharged followed by the larger ones later. This result was used as an input in the simulation. The burden profile simulated using DEM was similar to the experimental one. The terrace was found at the burden surface subsequent to ore-charging, and its simulated position simulated agreed with that of the experimental result. The surface angle of the ore layer was mostly similar. The simulated ore to coke mass ra... [more]

Grinding is widely used in mechanical manufacturing to obtain both precision and part requirements. In order to achieve carbon efficiency improvement and save costs, carbon emission and processing cost models of the grinding process are established in this study. In the modeling process, a speed-change-based adjustment function was introduced to dynamically derive the change of the target model. The carbon emission model was derived from the grinding force using regression. Considering the constraints of machine tool equipment performance and processing quality requirements, the grinding wheel’s linear velocity, cutting feed rate, and the rotation speed of the workpiece were selected as the optimization variables, and the improved NSGA-II algorithm was applied to solve the optimization model. Finally, fuzzy matter element analysis was used to evaluate the most optimal processing plan.

When coal mines exploit deep seams with high-gas content, risks are encountered due to the additional high likelihood of rock bursting potential problems. The bursts of coal pillars usually lead to severe fatalities, injuries, and destruction of property, including impeding access to active mine workings underground. The danger exists given that conditions in the already highly brittle coal material can be exacerbated by high stress and high gas pressure conditions. It is thus critical to develop methods that improve current understanding about bursting liability, and techniques to forecast or prevent coal bursting in underground coal mines. This study uses field data from a deep coal mine, and numerical modeling to investigate the effects of gas pressure and mechanical compressive stresses on coal bursting liability in high gas content coal seams. The bursting energy index is adopted to determine the coal bursting liability under high gas pressure conditions. The adopted methodology u... [more]

High consumption of electricity represents an economic and social problem in warm places, caused by the massive use of cooling machines. Absorption systems are a sustainable method for air conditioning applications. However, environmental conditions should be analyzed to avoid crystallization problems of the working mixture. This article presents a thermal analysis of a solar absorption cooling system in dynamic conditions using NH₃-H₂O, H₂O-LiBr, NH₃-NaSCN, NH₃-LiNO₃, and H₂O-LiCl working mixtures using Equation Engineering Solver (EES) and TRaNsient SYstem Simulation (TRNSYS) software. A solar collector area of 42.5 m² was selected to carry out the thermal analysis. The results showed that H₂O-LiCl obtained the maximum solar (0.67) and minimum heating (0.33) fraction. However, it obtained the maximum lost heat fraction (0.12), in spite of obtaining the best coefficient of performance (COP) among the other working mixtures, due mainly to a crystallization problem. The gain fraction (G... [more]

In this paper, a numerical study is performed to investigate the effect of a periodic magnetic field on three-dimensional free convection of MWCNT (Mutli-Walled Carbone Nanotubes)-water/nanofluid. Time-dependent governing equations are solved using the finite volume method under unsteady magnetic field oriented in the x-direction for various Hartmann numbers, oscillation periods, and nanoparticle volume fractions. The aggregation effect is considered in the evaluation of the MWCNT-water/nanofluid thermophysical properties. It is found that oscillation period, the magnitude of the magnetic field, and adding nanoparticles have an important effect on heat transfer, temperature field, and flow structure.

Based on the principles of nonlinear dynamics, a dynamic model of the jet system for adaptive fire-fighting monitors was established. The influence of nonlinear fluid spring force on the dynamic model was described by the Duffing equation. Results of numerical calculation indicate that the nonlinear action of the fluid spring force leads to the nonlinear dynamic behavior of the jet system and fluid gas content, fluid pressure, excitation frequency, and excitation amplitude are the key factors affecting the dynamics of the jet system. When the excitation frequency is close to the natural frequency of the corresponding linear dynamic system, a sudden change in vibration amplitude occurs. The designed adaptive fire-fighting monitor had no multi-cycle, bifurcation, or chaos in the range of design parameters, which was consistent with the stroboscopic sampling results in the dynamic experiment of jet system. This research can provide a basis for the dynamic design and optimization of the ad... [more]

This paper presents an investigation of external flow characteristics and pressure fluctuation of a submersible tubular pumping system by using a combination of numerical simulation and experimental methods. The steady numerical simulation is used to predicted the hydraulic performance of the pumping system, and the unsteady calculation is adopted to simulate the pressure fluctuation in different components of a submersible tubular pumping system. A test bench for a model test and pressure pulsation measurement is built to validate the numerical simulation. The results show that the performance curves of the calculation and experiment are in agreement with each other, especially in the high efficiency area, and the deviation is minor under small discharge and large discharge conditions. The pressure pulsation distributions of different flow components, such as the impeller outlet, middle of the guide vane, and guide vane outlet and bulb unit, are basically the same as the measurement d... [more]

Based on the molecular dynamics method, the calculations for diffusion coefficients were carried out in binary aqueous solutions of three alcohols: ethanol, isopropanol, and tert-butanol. The intermolecular potential TIP4P/2005 was used for water; and five force fields were analyzed for the alcohols. The force fields providing the best accuracy of calculation were identified based on a comparison of the calculated self-diffusion coefficients of pure alcohols with the experimental data for internal (Einstein) diffusion coefficients of alcohols in solutions. The temperature and concentration dependences of the interdiffusion coefficients were determined using Darken’s Equation. Transport (Fickian) diffusion coefficients were calculated using a thermodynamic factor determined by the non-random two-liquid (NRTL) and Willson models. It was demonstrated that for adequate reproduction of the experimental data when calculating the transport diffusion coefficients, the thermodynamic factor has... [more]

To meet the increasingly strict emission limits imposed by regulations, internal combustion engines for transport applications require the urgent development of novel emission abatement systems. The introduction of biodiesel or other biofuels in the engine operation is considered to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, these alternative fuels can affect the performance of the post-combustion systems due to the variability they introduce in the exhaust particle distribution and their particular physical properties. Bioceramic materials made from vegetal waste are characterized by having an orthotropic hierarchical microstructure, which can be tailored in some way to optimize the filtration mechanisms as a function of the particle distribution of the combustion gases. Consequently, they can be good candidates to cope with the variability that new biofuel blends introduce in the engine operation. The objective of this work is to predict the filtration performance of a wall-flow parti... [more]

This article comprises the study of three-dimensional squeezing flow of (CNT-SiO2/H2O) hybrid nanofluid. The flow is confined inside a rotating channel whose lower wall is stretchable as well as permeable. Heat transfer with viscous dissipation is a main subject of interest. We have analyzed mathematically the benefits of hybridizing SiO 2 -based nanofluid with carbon nanotubes ( CNTs ) nanoparticles. To describe the effective thermal conductivity of the CNTs -based nanofluid, a renovated Hamilton−Crosser model (RHCM) has been employed. This model is an extension of Hamilton and Crosser’s model because it also incorporates the effect of the interfacial layer. For the present flow scenario, the governing equations (after the implementation of similarity transformations) results in a set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs). We have solved that system of ODEs, coupled with suitable boundary conditions (BCs), by implementing a newly proposed modified Hermite... [more]

The internal circulation system in Internal Circulation (IC) reactor plays an important role in increasing volumetric loading rate and promoting the mixing between sludge and wastewater. In order to design the internal circulation system, the flow behaviors of gas-liquid inside vertical riser should be studied in detail. In the present study, the Multiple Flow Regimes model is adopted to capture the phase interface for different flow conditions. The flow patterns, internal circulation flow rate, gas holdup, and frictional pressure drop of vertical riser are investigated. The results show that the bubble flow inside a vertical riser is in a stable flow condition. There exists a maximum value for internal circulation flow rate with the increasing superficial gas velocity. The parameters of Martinelli models for gas holdup and frictional pressure drop are improved based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) results. The deviations between the calculated gas holdup and frictional pressure... [more]

The tip gap existing between the blade tip and casing can give rise to tip leakage flow and interfere with the main flow, which causes unstable flow characteristics and intricate vortex in the passage. Investigation on the tip clearance effect is of great important due to its extensive applications in the rotating component of pumps. In this study, a scaling axial flow pump used in a south-north water diversion project with different sizes of tip clearances was employed to study the tip clearance effect on tip leakage vortex (TLV) characteristics. This analysis is based on a modified turbulence model. Validations were carried out using a high-speed photography technique. The tip clearance effect on the generation and evolution of TLV was investigated through the mean velocity, pressure, and vorticity fields. Results show that there are two kinds of TLV structures in the tip region. Accompanied by tip clearance increasing, the viscous loss in the tip area of the axial flow pump increase... [more]

Miniature drainage pumps with a radial blade are widely used in situations with critical constant head and low noise requests, but the stable operation state is often broken up by the entraining gas. In order to explore the internal flow characteristics under gas−liquid two phase flow, pump performance and emitted noise measurements were processed under different working conditions. Three-dimensional numerical calculations based on the Euler inhomogeneous model and obtained experimental boundaries were carried out under different inlet air void fractions (IAVFs). A hybrid numerical method was proposed to obtain the flow-induced emitted noise characteristics. The results show there is little influence on pump characteristics when the IAVF is less than 1%. The pump head slope degradation was found to increase with air content. The bubbles adhere to the impeller hub on the blade’s suction side and spread to the periphery with a big IAVF, leading to unstable operation. It is obvious that v... [more]