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Mixing is a basic but challenging step to achieve in high throughput microfluidic applications such as organic synthesis or production of particles. A common approach to improve micromixer performance is to devise a single component that enhances mixing through optimal convection, and then sequence multiple such units back-to-back to enhance overall mixing at the end of the sequence. However, the mixing units are often optimized only for the initial non-mixed fluid composition, which is no longer the input condition for each subsequent unit. Thus, there is no guarantee that simply repeating a single mixing unit will achieve optimally mixed fluid flow at the end of the sequence. In this work, we analyzed sequences of 20 cylindrical obstacles, or pillars, to optimize the mixing in the inertial regime (where mixing is more difficult due to higher Peclet number) by managing their interdependent convection operations on the composition of the fluid. Exploiting a software for microfluidic design optimization called FlowSculpt, we predicted and optimized the interfacial stretching of two co-flowing fluids, neglecting diffusive effects. We were able to quickly design three different optimal pillar sequences through a space of 3220 possible combinations of pillars. As proof of concept, we tested the new passive mixer designs using confocal microscopy and full 3D CFD simulations for high Peclet numbers (Pe ≈ O(105–6)), observing fluid flow shape and mixing index at several cross-sections, reaching mixing efficiencies around 80%. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of the inter-pillar spacing on the most optimal design, quantifying the tradeoff between mixing performance and hydraulic resistance. These micromixer designs and the framework for the design in inertial regimes can be used for various applications, such as lipid nanoparticle fabrication which has been of great importance in vaccine scale up during the pandemic.

The flexibility in respect of design and manufacturing freedom that additive manufacturing (AM) offer are key driving factors for many industrial scctors. For example, designing and manufacturing unique internal conformal cooling/heating channels with enhanced functionalities for various applications like tools and heat cxchangcrs. However, for the majority of the metal AM-processes in the as-build condition, AM is associated with high surface roughness, which has a measurable impact e.g on the heat transfer and flow properties. Hence, proper characterization of the fluid flow and heat transfer is vital to understand how the AM surfaces should be optimized for maximum output. The current study considers the cffcct of surface roughness and channels dimensions on the pressure drop and heat transfer. An experimental investigation was made of cooling channels produced by Powdcr-Bcd-Fusion using Lascr-Bcam-Mclting (PBF-LBM) additive manufacturing technique. Cooling channels with as-build surfaces was compared to post-processed cooling channels such as extrude honing and drilled channels, respectively. Results showed the lowest pressure drop for extrude honed channels compare to drilled and as-build channels, while heat transfer showed the same trend for as-build and extrude honed channels. The complexity of surface topography of as-build channels need to be described by parameters suitable for the detection of fluid interaction. Combination of different parameters remains to be investigated.

This study aimed to experimentally investigate the effects of Al2O3-water nanofluids with six different volume concentrations (0.02%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8%) instead of water as working fluid on heat transfer and pressure drop on the tube side of a mini-channel shell and tube heat exchanger (MC-STHE). The shell-side hot fluid flow rate was kept constant at 180 L/h, while the flow rate of the tube-side cold fluids ranged from 125 to 600 L/h. The convective heat transfer coefficient (CHTC) of the nanofluids increased in the transition and turbulent regions. The nanofluids also extended the transition region. The nanofluids had higher friction factors than water. The nanofluids had an optimal volumetric concentration and a flow rate of 0.4% and 375 L/h, respectively, at which the CHTC enhanced by 49%, while the friction factor increased by 21% compared to water. Compared to macrotube heat exchangers, the CHTC enhanced 3 to 7 times with the combined effect of the mini-channels and nanofluids in the shell-and-tube heat exchanger (STHE). Consistent with earlier studies (maximum TEF of 1.8), the thermal enhancement factor (TEF) for the optimal volumetric concentration Al2O3-water nanofluid in the MC-STHE was 1.6 at most under the same hydrodynamic conditions. The performance evaluation criterion (PEC) and the efficiency evaluation criterion (EEC) showed that there was no point (not enhancement) in using nanofluids instead of the base fluid (water) in the MC-STHE. © 2022 Elsevier Masson SAS

We study the flow past a permeable sphere modeled using homogenization theory. The flow through the porous medium is described by the Darcy law, in which the permeability quantifies the resistance for the fluid to pass through the microstructure. A slip condition on the tangential velocity at the interface between the fluid and porous region is employed to account for the viscous effects in the proximity of the interface. The steady and axisymmetric flow is first characterized under the assumption of a homogenous and isotropic porous medium. In a certain range of permeability, the recirculation region penetrates inside the sphere, resulting in a strong modification of the linear stability properties of the flow and in a decrease in the critical Reynolds numbers for the flow instability. However, for very large permeabilities, a critical permeability value is identified, beyond which the steady and axisymmetric flow remains always linearly stable. The hypothesis of a homogenous porous medium is then relaxed, and the effect of polynomial distributions of permeability inside the body is studied. Interestingly, some macroscopic flow properties do not significantly vary with the permeability distributions, provided that their average is maintained constant. The analysis is concluded by outlining a simplified procedure to retrieve the full-scale structure corresponding to a considered distribution of permeability.

Description, Intravital imaging guides a personalized medicine approach to target mechanoreciprocity in pancreatic cancer., Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly metastatic, chemoresistant malignancy and is characterized by a dense, desmoplastic stroma that modulates PDAC progression. Here, we visualized transient manipulation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), which integrates bidirectional cell-environment signaling, using intravital fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy of the FAK-based Förster resonance energy transfer biosensor in mouse and patient-derived PDAC models. Parallel real-time quantification of the FUCCI cell cycle reporter guided us to improve PDAC response to standard-of-care chemotherapy at primary and secondary sites. Critically, micropatterned pillar plates and stiffness-tunable matrices were used to pinpoint the contribution of environmental cues to chemosensitization, while fluid flow–induced shear stress assessment, patient-derived matrices, and personalized in vivo models allowed us to deconstruct how FAK inhibition can reduce PDAC spread. Last, stratification of PDAC patient samples via Merlin status revealed a patient subset with poor prognosis that are likely to respond to FAK priming before chemotherapy.

2021 SPE Middle East Oil and Gas Show and Conference, MEOS 2021 -- 28 November 2021 through 1 December 2021 -- -- 177500, EUR (Estimated Ultimate Recovery) forecasting in unconventional fields has been a tough process sourced by its physics involved in the production mechanism of such systems which makes it hard to model or forecast. Machine learning (ML) based EUR prediction becomes very challenging because of the operational issues and the quality of the data in historical production. Geology-driven EUR forecasting, once established, offers EUR forecasting solutions that is not affected by operational issues such as shut-ins. This study illustrates the overall methodology in intelligent fields with real-time data flow and model update that enables optimization of well placement in addition to EUR forecasting for individual wells. A synthetic but realistic model which demonstrates the physics is utilized to generate input data for training the ML model where the spatially-distributed geological parameters including but not limited to porosity, permeability, saturation have been used to describe the production values and ultimately the EUR. The completion is given where the formation characteristics vary in the field that lead to location-dependent production performance leading to well placement optimization based on EUR forecasting from the geological parameters. The algorithm not only predicts the EUR of an individual well and makes decision for the optimum well locations. As the training model includes data of interfering wells, the model is capable of capturing the pattern in the well interference. Even though a synthetic but realistic reservoir model is constructed to generate the data for the aim of assisting the ML model, in practice, it is not an easy task to (1) obtain the input parameters to build a robust reservoir simulation model and (2) understanding and modeling of physics of fluid flow and production in unconventionals is a complex and time-consuming task to build real models. Thus, data-driven approaches like this help to speed up reservoir management and development decisions with reasonable approximations compared to numerical models and solutions. Application of machine learning in intelligent fields is also explained where the models are dynamically-updated and trained with the new data. Geology-driven EUR forecasting has been applied and relatively-new in the industry. In. this study, we are extending it to optimize well placement in intelligent fields in unconventionals beyond other existing studies in the literature. © 2021, Society of Petroleum Engineers

A transient three-dimensional (3D) sequentially coupled mathematical model has been developed to explore multiphysical fields in the twin-electrode electroslag remelting (TE-ESR) furnace. The mechanical APDL module based on the finite element method and the Fluid Dynamics module based on the finite volume method were used to resolve the electromagnetic field and simulate the fluid flow, heat transfer, and solidification process, respectively. The resulting electromagnetic force and Joule heating were incorporated into the source terms of Navier–Stokes and energy conservation equations, respectively. The motion of molten metal droplets and fluctuation of slag/metal interface were tracked by the volume of fluid (VOF) approach. The enthalpy-based technique was employed to simulate the solidification. The results show that the current density is distributed uniformly due to the proximity effect. This is very different from the traditional ESR process during which the skin effect phenomenon is dominated. Besides, the current density is mainly distributed in the slag, only one-fifth flowing through the ingots. The magnitude of velocities in the molten slag is two orders of magnitude higher than those in the steel. The highest temperature zone in the TE-ESR process occurs in the middle of twin-electrode, whereas in the traditional ESR process it occurs beneath the electrode tip. Finally, parametric studies including melting rate, slag thickness, electrode diameter, and center distance have been conducted in detail.

A dilute system of reacting particles transported by fluid flows is considered. The particles react as A + A -> ? with a given rate when they are within a finite radius of interaction. The system is described in terms of the joint n-point number spatial density that obeys a hierarchy of transport equations. An analytic solution is obtained in either the dilute or the long-time limit by using a Lagrangian approach where statistical averages are performed along non-reacting trajectories. In this limit, it is shown that the moments of the number of particles have an exponential decay rather than the algebraic prediction of standard mean-field approaches. The effective reaction rate is then related to Lagrangian pair statistics by a large-deviation principle. Numerical simulations in a smooth, compressible, random delta-correlated-in-time Gaussian velocity field support the theoretical results.

Due to the increased use of nanoparticles in everyday applications, there is a need for theoretical descriptions of particle transport and attachment in porous media. It should be possible to develop a one dimensional model to describe nanoparticle retention during capillary transport of liquid mixtures in porous media. Water-glycerol-nanoparticle mixtures were prepared and the penetration process in porous Al2O3 samples of varying pore size is measured using NMR imaging. The liquid and particle front can be measured by utilizing T2 relaxation effects from the paramagnetic nanoparticles. A good agreement between experimental data and the predicted particle retention by the developed theory is found. Using the model, the binding constant for Fe2O3 nanoparticles on sintered Al2O3 samples and the maximum surface coverage are determined. Furthermore, we show that the penetrating liquid front follows a square root of time behavior as predicted by Darcy's law. However, scaling with the liquid parameters is no longer sufficient to map different liquid mixtures onto a single master curve. The Darcy model should be extended to address the two formed domains (with and without particles) and their interaction, to give an accurate prediction for the penetrating liquid front.

Non-spherical particles suspended in fluid flows are subject to hydrodynamic torques generated by fluid velocity gradients. For small axisymmetric particles, the most popular formulation of hydrodynamic torques is that given by Jeffery (Proc R Soc Lond A 102:161–179, 1922), which is valid for uniform shear flow in the viscous Stokes regime. In the lack of simple alternative formulations outside the Stokes regime, the Jeffery formulation has been widely applied to inertial particles in turbulent flows, where it is bound to produce inaccurate results. In this paper we quantify the statistical error incurred when the Jeffery formulation is used to study the motion of elongated axisymmetric particles under nonlinear shear flow conditions. Considering the archetypical case of prolate ellipsoidal particles in turbulent channel flow, we show that error for ellipsoids of the same length, l, as the Kolmogorov scale of the flow, $$\eta _K$$ , is indeed small (order $$1\%$$ ) but increases exponentially up to $$l \simeq 10 \eta _K$$ before becoming almost independent of elongation.

We study fluid permeability in random sphere packings consisting of impermeable monodisperse hard spheres. Several different pseudo-potential models are used to obtain varying degrees of microstructural heterogeneity. Systematically varying solid volume fraction and degree of heterogeneity, virtual screening of more than 10,000 material structures is performed, simulating fluid flow using a lattice Boltzmann framework and computing the permeability. We develop a well-performing functional regression model for permeability prediction based on using isotropic two-point correlation functions as microstructural descriptors. The performance is good over a large range of solid volume fractions and degrees of heterogeneity, and to our knowledge this is the first attempt at using two-point correlation functions as functional predictors in a nonparametric statistics/machine learning context for permeability prediction.

The flows can be characterized as: laminar or turbulent flow; uniform or transient and compressible and incompressible. The Reynolds number is an important dimensionless quantityin fluid mechanics, that is used to help predict flow patterns in different fluid flow situationss, being defined by the ratio between inertial forces and viscous forces. The present work had as objective to use a didactic experiment of the Chemical Engineering Laboratory course, specifically Fluid Mechanics, to evoke the following concepts seen in the classroom, as well as: A) hydraulic diameter; B) Reynolds number; C) mass flow and volumetric flow; D) average flow velocity; (E) continuity equation, and visualize the different flow regimes: laminar, transition and turbulent. The experimental observation allowed a classification of the flow consistent with that of the calculations. In this experiment, it was mathematically confirmed by the uncertainty analysis and error propagation, using the EES software, the significant contribution of the water volume measurement into the values ??of the experimental errors. The effect and the contribution of temperature were also verified in the determination of the Reynolds number. Os escoamentos podem ser caracterizados como: escoamento laminar ou turbulento; uniforme ou transiente e compressível e incompressível. O número de Reynolds é uma grandeza adimensional que caracteriza o movimento de fluidos, sendo definido pela razão entre forças inerciais e forças viscosas. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo utilizar um experimento didático da disciplina de Laboratório de Engenharia Química, especificamente Mecânica dos Fluidos, para evocar os seguintes estes conceitos vistos em sala de aula, bem como: a) diâmetro hidráulico; b) número de Reynolds; c) vazão mássica e vazão volumétrica; d) velocidade média do escoamento; (e) equação da continuidade, e visualizar os diferentes regimes de escoamento: laminar, transição e turbulento. A observação experimental possibilitou uma classificação do escoamento coerente com aquela dos cálculos. Neste experimento, foi confirmada, matematicamente pela análise de propagação de incertezas, usando o programa EES, a contribuição significativa da medida do volume de água nos valores dos erros experimentais. O efeito da temperatura e a contribuição de sua incerteza também foram verificados na determinação do número de Reynolds.

Nowadays, the issues of air pollution and global warming have become serious as the atmosphere contaminated with harmful gases from human daily life use of vehicles and industrial manufacturing process, leading to global warming and greenhouse effect. These had emphasised the need for better engines with higher performance and less emission level towards non-harmful and friendly environmental vehicle axillary. There are various techniques and methods used for such purposes. For instance, the nano gas dissolve technique can be used for fuel enhancement through a better combustion reaction by adding more oxidant gases molecular into combustion reaction. Dissolved gases can improve engine combustion performance for reducing the levels of harmful gas emission. The property of small nano particles helps to join or mix or transport interfacial within large molecules of fuels to mix up together and form new combination, introducing different chemical properties. Thus, this paper introduces a pre-design concept for fuel enhancement technique by dissolving nano gases such as air or oxygen into the gasoline fuel, taking advantage of hammer shock phenomena in fluid flow. It presents a case study for understanding combustion influence through use of gas dissolve technique with theoretical calculation validating the condition. The validating results obtained from the theoretical calculation and chemical theoretical results reactions theoretically expressed significant development in combustion mixture. Such technology can provide better fuel improvement for future recommended work by direct integration of the nano bubble generator hardware mobile size device on the fuel supply line. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd. The author would like to thank University Putra Malaysia and Universiti Malaysia Pahang (www.ump.edu.my) for providing research facilities and grant. The study is supported by GP-IPS research grant from UPM with project code GP-IPS 9525100 and FRGS grant under KPT-UMP RDU160152.

The porosity distribution and mineralogical changes in a clay-rich fault core from the Tournemire underground research laboratory are analyzed to determine the mechano-chemical processes in a small-scale vertical strike-slip fault. The results display significant spatial variations in porosity and mineralogy along different gouge zones due to a polyphased tectonic history combined with complex paleo-fluid migrations. Porosity values increase from the center of the gouges to their borders indicating diffusive sealing/healing effects and past hydrothermal activities. The healing and thus the strengthening of the fault is marked by an increase of calcium content, which is concurrent with lower porosities around the gouge zone. Chemical mapping in the gouges reveal clay alteration, iron zonality and the presence of zinc sulphide as well as barium sulphate inside the gouge, further suggesting past hydrothermal activity. Finally, even though the observed porosity variations only occur in subcentimeter-thick gouge bands, the higher porosity sections are pathways for fluid flow during fault activity. © 5th International Conference on Fault and Top Seals 2019. All Rights Reserved.

One of the pending issues regarding Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engines is high load operation limit constrained by excessive pressure rise rates (PRRs). The present study investigates various measures to reduce combustion harness in a residual-affected HCCI engine. At the same time, the impact of those measures on efficiency and emissions is assessed. Experimental research was performed on a single cylinder engine equipped with a fully-flexible valvetrain mechanism and direct gasoline injection. The HCCI combustion mode with exhaust gas trapping was realized using negative valve overlap and fuel reforming, achieved via the injection of a portion of fuel during exhaust re-compression. Three measures are investigated for the PRR control under the same reference operating conditions, namely: (i) variable intake and exhaust valve timing, (ii) boost pressure adjustment and (iii) split fuel injection to control the amount of fuel injected for reforming. Variable exhaust valve timing enabled control of the amount of trapped residuals, and thus of the compression temperature. The reduction in the amount of trapped residuals, at elevated engine load, delays auto-ignition, which results in a simultaneous reduction of pressure rise rates and nitrogen oxides emissions. The effects of intake valve timing are much more complex, because they include the variability in the amount of intake air, the thermodynamic compression ratio as well as the in-cylinder fluid flow. It was found, however, that both early and late intake valve openings delay auto-ignition and prolong combustion. Additionally, the reduction of the amount of fuel injected during exhaust re-compression further delays combustion and reduces combustion rates. Intake pressure reduction has by far the largest effect on peak pressure reduction yet is connected with excessive NOx emissions. The research successfully identifies air-path and injection techniques, which allow for the control of combustion rates and emissions under elevated load regime, thus shorting the gap towards the real-world application of HCCI concepts.

In the Honalilar area (Denizli Basin, Turkey), the occurrence of banded Ca-carbonate veins and travertine deposits, represented by a dismantled fissure ridge-type depositional system, are the evidence of a middle-late Pleistocene exhumed, shallow, hydrothermal system. Their occurrence offers the best opportunity to: (i) reconstruct the fluid paths from the underground to the palaeo-surface, and (ii) analyse the role of fault zones in controlling the permeability and fluids circulation. Permeability developed in overstepping regional scale normal faults, with a slight left-lateral oblique-slip component. At the surface, faults favored the localization and development of a fissure ridge-type travertine deposit. At depth, the root of the hydrothermal system consists of W-E oriented fractures filled of up to 6.5 m thick Ca-carbonate veins, developed in a high dilatation zone. It corresponds to the step-over determined by the oblique-slip kinematics of the NW-striking main faults. The high dilatation step-over zone contrasted the progressive sealing induced by the concomitant Ca-carbonate deposition within the fractures, thus favoring permeability maintenance and fluids circulation for at least 200 ka. This evidence adds key inputs for predicting permeable volumes during geothermal exploration in areas affected by extensional tectonics. The main NW-oriented faults remained active even after the hydrothermal fluid flow, causing the dismantlement and progressive exhumation of the upper part of the hydrothermal system. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd

The effects of axisymmetric flow of a Powell-Eyring fluid over an impermeable radially stretching surface are presented. Characteristics of the heat transfer process are analyzed with a more realistic condition named the convective boundary condition. Governing equations for the flow problem are derived by the boundary layer approximations. The modeled highly coupled partial differential system is converted into a system of ordinary differential equations with acceptable similarity transformations. The convergent series solutions for the resulting system are constructed and analyzed. Optimal values are obtained and presented in a numerical form using an optimal homotopy analysis method (OHAM). The rheological characteristics of different parameters of the velocity and temperature profiles are presented graphically. Tabular variations of the skin friction coefficient and the Nusselt number are also calculated. It is observed that the temperature distribution shows opposite behavior for Prandtl and Biot numbers. Furthermore, the rate of heating/cooling is higher for both the Prandtl and Biot numbers. 2016, Shanghai University and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. Scopus

Travertine geobodies have been identified as potential reservoir analogues to carbonate build-ups in pre-salt hydrocarbon systems. To investigate travertine geobody deformation, faults were mapped in 35 travertine quarries that excavate the Ballık travertine, i.e. a c. 12.5 km2 large travertine geobody that precipitated at the intersection of the NE margin of the Denizli Basin and neighbouring Baklan Graben (SW Turkey). This travertine precipitated from cooling carbonate-saturated thermal spring waters that resurfaced along the margin fracture/fault network and through Neogene unconsolidated underlying sediments. From the Denizli basin floor to the uplifted graben shoulders, fault orientation is dominantly WNW-ESE oriented with major basin faults showing a left-stepping trend. Along the upper Denizli margin, travertine is only deformed by extensional normal faults. Along the lower margin, travertine starts with a subhorizontal facies but evolves to a travertine facies formed by a sloping topography with a domal architecture. Paleostress inversion of fault-slip data reveals that an Early Pleistocene NNE-SSW extensional-transtensional phase initiated the WNW-ESE oriented, graben-facing normal fault network. In the Middle Pleistocene, the Ballık fault network was left-lateral strike-slip reactivated because it acted as a transfer zone between the NW-SE extending neighbouring Baklan Basin and NW-SE extension along NE-SW oriented margin faults of the DGHS. In this stress configuration, travertine precipitated along the SW margin fault of the Baklan Graben. After strike-slip reactivation, a Late Pleistocene-to-current NNE-SSW extensional stress regime reinstalled during which margin faults widened and active travertine precipitation moved to more central parts of the DGHS. As different tectonic regimes affect graben intersections, reservoir analogues can have a complex deformation history driven by fault reactivation and recurrent stress permutations. This study concludes that large travertine geobodies can form at graben intersections because of their susceptibility to enhanced fluid flow through the complex fault-fracture network. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd

Microfluidic laboratories-on-a-chip (LoCs) are replacing the conventional biochemical analyzers and are able to integrate the necessary functions for biochemical analysis on-chip. There are several types of LoCs, each having its advantages and limitations. In this paper we are interested in flow-based LoCs, in which a continuous flow of liquid is manipulated using integrated microvalves. By combining several microvalves, more complex units, such as micropumps, switches, mixers, and multiplexers, can be built. We consider that the architecture of the LoC is given, and we are interested in synthesizing an implementation, consisting of the binding of operations in the application to the functional units of the architecture, the scheduling of operations and the routing and scheduling of the fluid flows, such that the application completion time is minimized. To solve this problem, we propose a list scheduling-based application mapping (LSAM) framework and evaluate it by using real-life as well as synthetic benchmarks. When biochemical applications contain fluids that may adsorb on the substrate on which they are transported, the solution is to use rinsing operations for contamination avoidance. Hence, we also propose a rinsing heuristic, which has been integrated in the LSAM framework.

Due to the increased use of nanoparticles in everyday applications, there is a need for theoretical descriptions of particle transport and attachment in porous media. It should be possible to develop a one dimensional model to describe nanoparticle retention during capillary transport of liquid mixtures in porous media. Water-glycerol-nanoparticle mixtures were prepared and the penetration process in porous Al2O3 samples of varying pore size is measured using NMR imaging. The liquid and particle front can be measured by utilizing T2 relaxation effects from the paramagnetic nanoparticles. A good agreement between experimental data and the predicted particle retention by the developed theory is found. Using the model, the binding constant for Fe2O3 nanoparticles on sintered Al2O3 samples and the maximum surface coverage are determined. Furthermore, we show that the penetrating liquid front follows a square root of time behavior as predicted by Darcy's law. However, scaling with the liquid parameters is no longer sufficient to map different liquid mixtures onto a single master curve. The Darcy model should be extended to address the two formed domains (with and without particles) and their interaction, to give an accurate prediction for the penetrating liquid front. © 2018 Elsevier Inc.

One of the pending issues regarding Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engines is high load operation limit constrained by excessive pressure rise rates (PRRs). The present study investigates various measures to reduce combustion harness in a residual-affected HCCI engine. At the same time, the impact of those measures on efficiency and emissions is assessed. Experimental research was performed on a single cylinder engine equipped with a fully-flexible valvetrain mechanism and direct gasoline injection. The HCCI combustion mode with exhaust gas trapping was realized using negative valve overlap and fuel reforming, achieved via the injection of a portion of fuel during exhaust re-compression. Three measures are investigated for the PRR control under the same reference operating conditions, namely: (i) variable intake and exhaust valve timing, (ii) boost pressure adjustment and (iii) split fuel injection to control the amount of fuel injected for reforming. Variable exhaust valve timing enabled control of the amount of trapped residuals, and thus of the compression temperature. The reduction in the amount of trapped residuals, at elevated engine load, delays auto-ignition, which results in a simultaneous reduction of pressure rise rates and nitrogen oxides emissions. The effects of intake valve timing are much more complex, because they include the variability in the amount of intake air, the thermodynamic compression ratio as well as the in-cylinder fluid flow. It was found, however, that both early and late intake valve openings delay auto-ignition and prolong combustion. Additionally, the reduction of the amount of fuel injected during exhaust re-compression further delays combustion and reduces combustion rates. Intake pressure reduction has by far the largest effect on peak pressure reduction yet is connected with excessive NOX emissions. The research successfully identifies air-path and injection techniques, which allow for the control of combustion rates and emissions under elevated load regime, thus shorting the gap towards the real-world application of HCCI concepts.

The perturbation of a protein conformation by a physiological fluid flow is crucial in various biological processes including blood clotting and bacterial adhesion to human tissues. Investigating such mechanisms by computer simulations is thus of great interest, but it requires development of ad hoc strategies to mimic the complex hydrodynamic interactions acting on the protein from the surrounding flow. In this study, we apply the Lattice Boltzmann Molecular Dynamics (LBMD) technique built on the implicit solvent coarse-grained model for protein Optimized Potential for Efficient peptide structure Prediction (OPEP) and a mesoscopic representation of the fluid solvent, to simulate the unfolding of a small globular cold-shock protein in shear flow and to compare it to the unfolding mechanisms caused either by mechanical or thermal perturbations. We show that each perturbation probes a specific weakness of the protein and causes the disruption of the native fold along different unfolding pathways. Notably, the shear flow and the thermal unfolding exhibit very similar pathways, while because of the directionality of the perturbation, the unfolding under force is quite different. For force and thermal disruption of the native state, the coarse-grained simulations are compared to all-atom simulations in explicit solvent, showing an excellent agreement in the explored unfolding mechanisms. These findings encourage the use of LBMD based on the OPEP model to investigate how a flow can affect the function of larger proteins, for example, in catch-bond systems.

Spatio-temporal instability of miscible two-fluid symmetric flow in a horizontal slippery channel is considered. Both fluids have the same density but different viscosity. A smooth viscosity stratification is created by a thin mixed layer between the fluids due to the presence of two species/scalars, which are diffusing at different rates. Our study suggests the existence of a rapidly growing absolute unstable mode for higher viscosity ratio with a highly viscous fluid close to the slippery channel wall. This instability is less stronger in the case of the equivalent single component two-fluid flow. The viscosity stratified single component (SC) and double-diffusive (DD) slippery flows are absolutely unstable for a wide range of parameter values, when a highly viscous fluid is adjacent to the slippery wall and the mixed layer is close to the channel wall with slip. The instability can be either enhanced or suppressed by wall slip and this is dependent on the location of mixed layer, inertial effects, diffusivity and the log-mobility ratios of the faster and slower diffusing species. This suggests that one can achieve early transition to turbulence due to the absolute instability in a viscosity stratified channel flow by making the channel walls hydrophobic/rough/porous with small permeability, which can be modelled by the Navier-slip condition. � 2015 Elsevier Ltd.

This numerical study was conducted to analyze and understand the parameters that affect the mixing per- formance of droplet-based flow in sinusoidal microfluidic channels. Finite element analysis was used for modeling fluid flow and droplet formation inside the microchannels via tracking interface between the two heterogeneous flu - ids along with multiple particle trajectories inside a droplet. The solutions of multiphase fluid flow and particle trajec - tories were coupled with each other so that drag on every single particle changed in every time step. To solve fluid motion in multiphase flow, level set method was used. Para - metric study was repeated for different channel dimensions and different sinusoidal channel profiles. These results were compared with mixing in droplets inside a straight microchannel. Additionally, tracking of multiple particles inside a droplet was performed to simulate the circulating flow profile inside the droplets. Based on the calculation of the dispersion length, particle trajectories, and velocities inside droplets, it is concluded that having smaller chan- nel geometries increases the mixing performance inside the droplet. This also shows that droplet-based fluid flow in microchannels is very suitable for performing chemical reactions inside droplets as it will occur faster. Moreover, narrower and sinusoidal microchannels showed better dis- persion length difference compared to straight and wider microchannels.

The strategic application of entropy generation concept for optimization of the natural convection process has been studied in the present work. The wall, AB is isothermally heated and walls, BC and DA are cooled in presence of adiabatic wall CD. The numerical results are presented in terms of isotherms (θ), streamlines (ψ) and entropy generation maps for heat transfer (Sθ) and fluid flow (Sψ) for various modified Prandtl numbers ( P r m = 0.015 and 1000), modified Darcy numbers ( D a m = 10 − 5 -- 10 − 2 ) and modified Rayleigh numbers ( R a m = 10 3 and 106). The maximum value of the entropy generation due to heat transfer (Sθ, max) is observed at hot and cold junction points (A and B), due to high temperature gradient, irrespective of Dam, Prm and inclination angles (φ). The active regions of Sθ occur at top portion of the walls, BC and DA at high Dam ( D a m = 10 − 2 ) and high Prm ( P r m = 1000). The maximum value of entropy generation due to fluid flow (Sψ, max) is found at various locations on the walls of the cavity whereas significant Sψ is also observed in the interior regions due to the friction between counter rotating circulation cells. The heat transfer rate along the wall AB ( N u ¯ AB ) and the total entropy generation (Stotal) are found to be constant for the conduction dominant regime ( 10 − 5 ≤ D a m ≤ 10 − 3 ) whereas non linear increasing trends are observed for convection dominant regime ( 10 − 3 ≤ D a m ≤ 10 − 2 ) . The inclination angle ranges, 30° ≤ φ ≤ 50° and 25° ≤ φ ≤ 75° are optimal tilt angles for P r m = 0.015 and 1000, respectively based on minimum entropy generation and reasonable heat transfer rate at high Dam ( D a m = 10 − 2 ) with R a m = 10 6 .

A common method used in identification of hydrodynamics phenomena occurring in Continuous Casting (CC) device's tundish is to determine the RTD curves of time. These curves allows to determine the way of the liquid steel flowing and mixing in the tundish. These can be identified either as the result of numerical simulation or by the experiments - as the result of researching the physical models. Special problem is to objectify it while conducting physical research. It is necessary to precisely determine the time constants which characterize researched phenomena basing on the data acquired in the measured change of the concentration of the tracer in model liquid's volume. The mathematical description of determined curves is based on the approximate differential equations formulated in the theory of fluid mechanics. Solving these equations to calculate the time constants requires a special software and it is very time-consuming. To improve the process a method was created to calculate the time constants with use of automation elements. It allows to solve problems using algebraic method, which improves interpretation of the research results of physical modeling.

Mixed convection in closed cavities are important for various processing industries especially those associated with conservation of energy. Finite element based simulations are carried out for two cases based on the motion of the horizontal wall(s) (cases 1a–1d) or vertical wall(s) (cases 2a–2c). Heat flow distribution within the cavity enclosed by isothermally hot bottom wall, cold side walls and insulated top wall is analyzed for various fluids with Prandtl number, Pr = 0.026 and 7.2, Reynolds number, Re = 10–100 and Grashof number, Gr = 103–105. The direction of motion of wall(s) plays a significant role on the fluid flow field at Pr = 0.026, Gr = 103 and Re = 10 due to dominant forced convection for both horizontally (cases 1a–1d) or vertically (cases 2a–2c) moving wall(s). At Pr = 7.2, Gr = 105 and Re = 100, multiple convective heatline cells are observed for cases 1a–1d. It is found that, the strength of fluid or heatline circulation cells is less at Re = 100 compared to Re = 10 for cases 2a–2c due to weak buoyancy force at high Re. Energy transfer rates are assessed via local and average Nusselt numbers for cases 1a–1d and 2a–2c.