arXiv subjects

Hua-Shu Dou

Publications and source records attributed to Hua-Shu Dou.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2010

Investigation of Turbulent transition in plane Couette flows Using Energy Gradient Method

The energy gradient method has been proposed with the aim of better understanding the mechanism of flow transition from laminar flow to turbulent flow. In this method, it is demonstrated that the transition to turbulence depends on the relative magnitudes of the transverse gradient of the total mechanical energy which amplifies the disturbance and the energy loss from viscous friction which damps the disturbance, for given imposed disturbance. For a given flow geometry and fluid properties, when the maximum of the function K (a function standing for the ratio of the gradient of total mechanical energy in the transverse direction to the rate of energy loss due to viscous friction in the streamwise direction) in the flow field is larger than a certain critical value, it is expected that instability would occur for some initial disturbances. In this paper, using the energy gradient analysis, the equation for calculating the energy gradient function K for plane Couette flow is derived. The result indicates that K reaches the maximum at the moving walls. Thus, the fluid layer near the moving wall is the most dangerous position to generate initial oscillation at sufficient high Re for given same level of normalized perturbation in the domain. The critical value of K at turbulent transition, which is observed from experiments, is about 370 for plane Couette flow when two walls move in opposite directions (anti-symmetry). This value is about the same as that for plane Poiseuille flow and pipe Poiseuille flow (385-389). Therefore, it is concluded that the critical value of K at turbulent transition is about 370-389 for wall-bounded parallel shear flows which include both pressure (symmetrical case) and shear driven flows (anti-symmetrical case).

nlin.CD↗

arXiv2010

Determining the Critical Condition for Flow Transition in a Full-Developed Annulus Flow

Axial flow in an annulus between two concentric cylinders is commonly seen in various flow devices used in chemical processing industries and petroleum science and engineering. The flow state in the annulus strongly influences the performance of fluid transportation in the devices. Therefore, the determination of flow state which is laminar flow or turbulent flow is an important task to predict the performance of the flow devices. In previous works, we have proposed an energy gradient method for studying the flow instability and turbulent transition. In this method, it is shown that the flow instability and turbulent transition in wall bounded shear flows depend on the relative magnitude of the gradient of the total mechanical energy in transverse direction and the rate of loss of the total mechanical energy along the streamwise direction for a given imposed disturbance. For pipe and plane Poiseuille flows, it has been demonstrated that the transition to turbulence for these wall bounded parallel flows occurs at a consistent value of the energy gradient parameter (Kmax). In present study, the critical condition for turbulent transition in annulus flow is calculated with the energy gradient method for various radius ratios. The critical flow rate and critical Reynolds number are given for various radius ratios. Then, the analytical results are compared with the experiments in the literature. Finally, the implication of the result is discussed in terms of the drag reduction and mixing as well as heat transfer in practical industrial applications of various fluid delivery devices.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2010

Effect of Initial Disturbance on The Detonation Front Structure of a Narrow Duct

The effect of an initial disturbance on the detonation front structure in a narrow duct is studied by three-dimensional numerical simulation. The numerical method used includes a high resolution fifth-order weighted essentially non-oscillatory scheme for spatial discretization, coupled with a third order total variation diminishing Runge-Kutta time stepping method. Two types of disturbances are used for the initial perturbation. One is a random disturbance which is imposed on the whole area of the detonation front, and the other is a symmetrical disturbance imposed within a band along the diagonal direction on the front. The results show that the two types of disturbances lead to different processes. For the random disturbance, the detonation front evolves into a stable spinning detonation. For the symmetrical diagonal disturbance, the detonation front displays a diagonal pattern at an early stage, but this pattern is unstable. It breaks down after a short while and it finally evolves into a spinning detonation. The spinning detonation structure ultimately formed due to the two types of disturbances is the same. This means that spinning detonation is the most stable mode for the simulated narrow duct. Therefore, in a narrow duct, triggering a spinning detonation can be an effective way to produce a stable detonation as well as to speed up the deflagration to detonation transition process.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2009

Criteria Of Turbulent Transition In Parallel Flows

Based on the energy gradient method, criteria for turbulent transition are proposed for pressure driven flow and shear driven flow, respectively. For pressure driven flow, the necessary and sufficient condition for turbulent transition is the presence of the velocity inflection point in the averaged flow. For shear driven flow, the necessary and sufficient condition for turbulent transition is the existence of zero velocity gradient in the averaged flow profile. It is shown that turbulent transition can be effected via a singularity of the energy gradient function which may be associated with the chaotic attractor in dynamic system. The role of disturbance in the transition is also clarified in causing the energy gradient function to approach the singularity. Finally, it is interesting that turbulence can be controlled by modulating the distribution of the energy gradient function.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2008

Mechanism of Tubular Pinch Effect of Dilute Suspension in a Pipe Flow

Experiments have shown that in dilute suspension flow at laminar state through a circular tube particles migrate towards a concentric annular region with a mean radius of about 0.6 of the tube radius. This phenomenon is well-known as the tubular pinch effect, which is still not fully understood. In this study, the energy gradient method is used to study this phenomenon. It is found that at low Reynolds number particles will move to the position of r/R=0.58. Based on the result, the mechanism of this phenomenon is well explained.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2008

Incipient Separation in Shock Wave Boundary Layer Interactions as Induced by Sharp Fin

The incipient separation induced by the shock wave turbulent boundary layer interaction at the sharp fin is the subject of present study. Existing theories for the prediction of incipient separation, such as those put forward by McCabe (1966) and Dou and Deng (1992), can have thus far only predicting the direction of surface streamline and tend to over-predict the incipient separation condition based on the Stanbrook's criterion. In this paper, the incipient separation is firstly predicted with Dou and Deng (1992)'s theory and then compared with Lu and Settles (1990)' experimental data. The physical mechanism of the incipient separation as induced by the shock wave/turbulent boundary layer interactions at sharp fin is explained via the surface flow pattern analysis. Furthermore, the reason for the observed discrepancy between the predicted and experimental incipient separation conditions is clarified. It is found that when the wall limiting streamlines behind the shock wave becomes\ aligning with one ray from the virtual origin as the strength of shock wave increases, the incipient separation line is formed at which the wall limiting streamline becomes perpendicular to the local pressure gradient. The formation of this incipient separation line is the beginning of the separation process. The effects of Reynolds number and the Mach number on incipient separation are also discussed. Finally, a correlation for the correction of the incipient separation angle as predicted by the theory is also given.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2008

Simulations of Fibre Orientation in Dilute Suspensions with Front Moving in the Filling Process of a Rectangular Channel Using Level Set Method

The simulation of fibre orientation in dilute suspension with a front moving is carried out using the projection and level set methods. The motion of fibres is described using the Jeffery equation and the contribution of fibres to the flow is accounted for by the configuration field method. The governing Navier-Stokes equation for the fluid flow is solved using the projection method with finite difference scheme, while the fibre-related equations are directly solved with the Runge-Kutta method. Our findings indicate that the fibre motion has strong influence on the distributions of the streamwise and transverse velocities in the fountain flow. Fibre motion produces strong normal stress near the wall which leads to the reduction of transversal velocity as compared to the Newtonian flow without fibres and in turn the streamwise velocity near the wall is increased. Thus, the fibre addition to the flow weakens the strength of the fountain flow. It is also found that the fibre orientation is not always along the direction of velocity vector in the process of mold filling. In the region of the fountain flow, the fibre near the centerline is more oriented cross the streamwise direction comparing to that in the region far behind the flow front. This leads to that the fibre near the centreline in the region of fountain flow is more extended along the transverse direction. Since fibre orientation in the suspension flow and the shape of the flow front have great bearing on the quality of the product made from injection molding, this study has much implications for engineering applications. These results can also be useful in other field dealing with fibre suspensions.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2008

Numerical Simulation of Fibre Suspension Flow through an Axisymmetric Contraction and Expansion Passages by Brownian Configuration Field Method

In this paper, the finite element method is combined with the Brownian Configuration Field (BFC) method to simulate the fibre suspension flow in axisymmetric contraction and expansion passages. In order to solve for the high stress at high concentration, the Discrete Adaptive Viscoelastic Stress Splitting (DAVSS) method is employed. For the axisymmetric contraction and expansion passages with different geometry ratios, the results obtained are compared to available constitutive models and experiments. The predicted vortex length for dilute suspensions agrees well with experimental data in literature. Our numerical results show clearly the effect on vortex enhancement with increase of the volume fractions and the aspect ratios. Effect of aspect ratio of fibres on the vortex length is also studied. It is found that for the lower expansion ratio flows the vortex dimension in the corner region is fairly independent of fibre concentration and aspect ratio of fibres while the said vortex dimension increases with the increase of fibre concentration for contraction flows. The finding suggests that the aligned fibre approximation traditionally employed in previous work does not exactly describe the effect of fibre motion, and the present BFC method is deemed more suitable for the flow of dilute fibre suspensions. In terms of numerics, the employment of DAVSS enhances numerical stability in the presence of high concentration of fibre in the flow.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2008

Mechanism of Wall Turbulence in Boundary Layer Flow

The energy gradient method is used to analyze the turbulent generation in the transition boundary layer flow. It is found that the maximum of the energy gradient function occurs at the wall for the Blasius boundary layer flow. At this location under a sufficiently high Reynolds number, even a low level of free-stream disturbance can cause the turbulent transition and sustain the flow to be in a state of turbulence. This is an excellent explanation of the physics of self-sustenance of wall turbulence. The mechanism of receptivity for boundary layer flow can also be understood from the energy gradient criterion. That is, the free-stream disturbance can propagate towards the wall by the "energy gradient" process to cause turbulent transition, and the transition point in boundary layer can be moved forward towards the leading edge when the level of external disturbance increases.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2007

On the Rayleigh theorem for inflectional velocity instability of inviscid flows

It is exactly proved that the classical Rayleigh Theorem on inflectional velocity instability is wrong which states that the necessary condition for instability of inviscid flow is the existence of an inflection point on the velocity profile. It is shown that the disturbance amplified in 2D inviscid flows is necessarily 3D. After the break down of T-S wave in 2D parallel flows, the disturbance becomes a type of spiral waves which proceed along the streamwise direction. This is just the origin of formation of streamwise vortices.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2007

Three Important Theorems for Fluid Dynamics

The new proposed "energy gradient theory," which physically explains the phenomena of flow instability and turbulent transition in shear flows and has been shown to be valid for parallel flows, is extended to curved flows in this study. Then, three important theorems for fluid dynamics are deduced. These theorems are (1) Potential flow (inviscid and irrotational) is stable. (2) Inviscid rotational (nonzero vorticity) flow is unstable. (3) Velocity profile with an inflectional point is unstable when there is no work input or output to the system, for both inviscid and viscous flows. These theorems are, for the first time, deduced, and are of great significance for the understanding of generation of turbulence and the explanation of complex flows. From these results, it is concluded that the classical Rayleigh theorem (1880) on inflectional velocity instability of inviscid flows is incorrect which has last for more than a century. It is demonstrated that existence of inflection point on velocity profile is a sufficient condition, but not a necessary condition for flow instability, for both inviscid and viscous flows. The paradox of dual role of viscosity has been resolved: viscosity has only stable role. Why the paradox appeared is due to that the Rayleigh Theorem of inviscid flows by linear analysis is incorrect.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2005

Laws of Energy Gradient for Instabilities

Transition to turbulence is due to the instability of a laminar flow subject to a disturbance. This complicated problem can be explained using a new proposed energy gradient theory in our previous study. This theory is extended to the instability of fluid material systems in this study. The instability of fluid material systems may lead to the evolution of natural environments and the occurrence of catastrophic events in the world. To better describe these phenomena and to understand the physical mechanism behind them are very important. In order to more generally describe the instability of fluid material systems, laws of energy gradient are summarized for static and motion systems, respectively. These laws could be applicable to various flow problems and material systems. Examples are shown that many events in the world could be explained using these laws.

nlin.CD↗

arXiv2005

Threshold amplitudes for transition to turbulence in a pipe

Threshold amplitude of disturbance for transition to turbulence in a pipe Poiseuille flow is investigated. Based on the energy gradient theory, we argued that the transition to turbulence depends on magnitudes of the energy gradient of mean flow and the disturbance energy. Furthermore, the threshold disturbance energy required for turbulence transition is expressed as a function of the complementary angle to the energy angle which also characterizes the behaviour of the energy gradient of mean flow. With some mathematical treatments, the variation of the threshold energy of disturbance versus the Reynolds number is obtained. Then, it is found for a fixed disturbance frequency that the normalized amplitude of disturbance is scaled by Re with an exponent of -3/2 for the transition occurrence in a pipe. This value of exponent agrees well with several recent results reported in the literature. Finally, the mechanism of transition to turbulence is suggested for different disturbance levels.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2005

On the Disturbance Equation of Flow Instability

In this note, we propose a new idea by analyzing the basic disturbance equations, and give starting equations for understanding the instability phenomena of laminar flows and transition to turbulence. It is considered that there is an interaction between the disturbance and the base flow in the process of disturbance amplification. The transition to turbulence is the result of this interaction. The linearity of the disturbance in linear theory is oversimplified the problem. It is pointed out that the development of disturbance is subjected to the influence of the base flow, and these effects must be included in the governing equations of the disturbance.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2005

Stability of Rotating Viscous and Inviscid flows

Flow instability and turbulent transition can be well explained using a new proposed theory--Energy gradient theory [1]. In this theory, the stability of a flow depends on the relative magnitude of energy gradient in streamwise direction and that in transverse direction, if there is no work input. In this note, it is shown based on the energy gradient theory that inviscid non-uniform flow is unstable if the energy in transverse direction is not constant. This new finding breaks the classical linear theory from Rayleigh that inviscid flow is unstable if the velocity profile has an inflection point in parallel flows and inviscid flow is stable if the velocity profile has no inflection point in parallel flow. Then, stability of rotating viscous and inviscid flows is studied, and two examples of rotating flows (rotating rigid body motion and free vortex motion) are shown, respectively.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2005

Shear Instabilities in Granular Flows down on Inclined Plane

Instabilities at interface of two stream granular flows have been reported in recent experiment [1] that breaking waves can form at the interface between two streams of identical grains flowing on an inclined plane downstream of a splitter plate. In this report, the theory of hydrodynamic instability is used to analyze the shear flow of granular materials. It is shown that the shear instability in two-stream granular flows actually comes from the competition between the energy gradients in transverse and streamwise directions as well as the interaction of two streams. We argue that the flow energy loss in the streamwise direction has a stabilizing effect, while the transverse component of the friction force formed by grain surface friction acts as the source of instabilities. An equation has been derived to characterize the transition between steady and wavy flows. Good qualitative agreement with the experimental data is obtained.

physics.class-ph↗

arXiv2005

Viscous Flow Instability of Inflectional Velocity Profile

Rayleigh showed that inviscid flow is unstable if the velocity profile has an inflection point in parallel flows. However, whether viscous flows is unstable or not is still not proved so far when there is an inflection point in the velocity profile. Fluid viscosity has showed dual role to the flow instability. In this paper, it is demonstrated for the first time that viscous parallel flow with inflectional velocity profile is sufficient for flow instability.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2005

Energy Gradient Theory of Hydrodynamic Instability

A new universal theory for flow instability and turbulent transition is proposed in this study. Flow instability and turbulence transition have been challenging subjects for fluid dynamics for a century. The critical condition of turbulent transition from theory and experiments differs largely from each other for Poiseuille flows. In this paper, a new mechanism of flow instability and turbulence transition is presented for parallel shear flows and the energy gradient theory of hydrodynamic instability is proposed. It is stated that the total energy gradient in the transverse direction and that in the streamwise direction of the main flow dominate the disturbance amplification or decay. A new dimensionless parameter K for characterizing flow instability is proposed for wall bounded shear flows, which is expressed as the ratio of the energy gradients in the two directions. It is thought that flow instability should first occur at the position of Kmax which may be the most dangerous position. This speculation is confirmed by Nishioka et al's experimental data. Comparison with experimental data for plane Poiseuille flow and pipe Poiseuille flow indicates that the proposed idea is really valid. It is found that the turbulence transition takes place at a critical value of Kmax of about 385 for both plane Poiseuille flow and pipe Poiseuille flow, below which no turbulence will occur regardless the disturbance. More studies show that the theory is also valid for plane Couette flows and Taylor-Couette flows between concentric rotating cylinders.

nlin.CD↗