A numerical study of the accelerating motion of a dense rigid sphere in non-newtonian power law fluids

The equations of motion of an accelerating sphere falling through non-Newtonian fluids with power law index n in the range 0.2 ≤ n ≤ 1.8 were integrated numerically using the assumption that the drag on the sphere was a function of both power law index and terminal Reynolds number, Re_t For 10^?2 ≤ Re_t ≤ 10³ both dimensionless time and distance travelled by the sphere under transient conditions showed a much stronger dependence on the flow behaviour index, n, for shear-thinning than for shear-thickening fluids. The form of this dependence is investigated here. Furthermore, results in four typical shear-thinning fluids suggested a strong correlation between the distance and time travelled by the sphere under transient conditions and the value of the fluid consistency index. The analysis reported herein is, however, restricted to dense spheres falling in less dense fluids, when additional effects arising from the Basset forces can be neelected.     

THE MEASUREMENT OF THE FLOW AROUND A SPHERE SETTLING IN A RECTANGULAR BOX USING 3-DIMENSIONAL PARTICLE IMAGE VELOCIMETRY

A novel three-dimensional particle image velocimetry technique is used to measure the planar three-dimensional flow field about the centreline of a sphere sedimenting in a rectangular shaped box. Measurements are made in the center of the container and also one diameter from a plane wall. Results are presented for a sphere falling in both a constant viscosity elastic (Boger) fluid and a shear-thinning elastic liquid. In the center of the box, the flow field is essentially two-dimensional as expected. Near the wall, there is substantial out-of-plane motion in the shear-thinning solution due to the presence of the wall. Surprisingly, there is little out-of-plane motion for a sphere sedimenting near the wall in the Boger fluid. There are significant qualitative differences in the flow field for the sphere sedimenting in the shear-thinning and constant viscosity elastic liquids. The results are compared with previously published work for a sphere settling in a non-Newtonian fluid and also with results obtained in an identical geometry for a Newtonian fluid. Reasons for the differences in the velocity maps are discussed. The drag coefficient for each geometry and fluid is calculated.     

THE MEASUREMENT OF THE FLOW AROUND A SPHERE SETTLING IN A RECTANGULAR BOX USING 3-DIMENSIONAL PARTICLE IMAGE VELOCIMETRY

A novel three-dimensional particle image velocimetry technique is used to measure the planar three-dimensional flow field about the centreline of a sphere sedimenting in a rectangular shaped box. Measurements are made in the center of the container and also one diameter from a plane wall. Results are presented for a sphere falling in both a constant viscosity elastic (Boger) fluid and a shear-thinning elastic liquid. In the center of the box, the flow field is essentially two-dimensional as expected. Near the wall, there is substantial out-of-plane motion in the shear-thinning solution due to the presence of the wall. Surprisingly, there is little out-of-plane motion for a sphere sedimenting near the wall in the Boger fluid. There are significant qualitative differences in the flow field for the sphere sedimenting in the shear-thinning and constant viscosity elastic liquids. The results are compared with previously published work for a sphere settling in a non-Newtonian fluid and also with results obtained in an identical geometry for a Newtonian fluid. Reasons for the differences in the velocity maps are discussed. The drag coefficient for each geometry and fluid is calculated.     

Free convection in power-law fluids from a heated sphere

In this work, the governing field equations describing heat transfer from a heated sphere immersed in quiescent power-law fluids have been solved numerically. In particular, consideration has been given to elucidate the role of Grashof number (Gr), Prandtl number (Pr) and power-law index (n), on the value of the Nusselt number (Nu) for a sphere in the natural convection regime. Further insights are provided by presenting streamline and constant temperature contours. The results presented herein encompass the following ranges of conditions: 10≤Gr≤10⁷; 0.72≤Pr≤100 and 0.4≤n≤1.8 thereby covering both shear-thinning and shear-thickening types of fluid behaviours. Broadly, all else being equal, shear-thinning behaviour can enhance the rate of heat transfer by up to three-fold where as shear-thickening can impede it up to ～30?40% with reference to that in Newtonian fluids. The paper is concluded by presenting detailed comparisons with the scant experimental data and the other approximate treatments of this problem available in the literature.     

Steady Flow of Power Law Fluids across a Circular Cylinder

The momentum equations describing the steady cross‐flow of power law fluids past an unconfined circular cylinder have been solved numerically using a semi‐implicit finite volume method. The numerical results highlighting the roles of Reynolds number and power law index on the global and detailed flow characteristics have been presented over wide ranges of conditions as 5 ≤ Re ≤ 40 and 0.6 ≤ n ≤ 2. The shear‐thinning behaviour (n < 1) of the fluid decreases the size of recirculation zone and also delays the separation; on the other hand, the shear‐thickening fluids (n > 1) show the opposite behaviour. Furthermore, while the wake size shows non‐monotonous variation with the power law index, but it does not seem to influence the values of drag coefficient. The stagnation pressure coefficient and drag coefficient also show a complex dependence on the power law index and Reynolds number. In addition, the pressure coefficient, vorticity and viscosity distributions on the surface of the cylinder have also been presented to gain further physical insights into the detailed flow kinematics.     

Residence time distribution of high viscosity fluids falling film flow down outside of industrial-scale vertical wavy wall: Experimental investigation and CFD prediction

The flow behavior of gravity-driven falling film of non-conductive high viscosity polymer fluids on an industrial-scale vertical wavy wall was investigated in terms of film thickness and residence time distribution by numerical simulation and experiment. Falling film flow of high viscosity fluids was found to be steady on a vertical wavy wall in the presence of the large film thickness. The comparison between numerical simulation and experiment for the film thickness both in crest and trough of wavy wall showed good agreement. The simulation results of average residence time of falling film flow with different viscous fluids were also consistent with the experimental results. This work provides the initial insights of how to evaluate and optimize the falling film flow system of polymer fluid.     

Characterisation of inelastic power-law fluids using falling sphere data

Two simple methods are presented for the characterization of inelastic power law fluids from falling sphere data. The methods involve the application of shear rate or shear stress correction factors which have been derived theoretically using Slattery's solution for creeping flow about spheres. Flow curves obtained using these methods are in excellent agreement with those measured on a Weissenberg rheogoniometer for 0.83 ≤ n ≤ 1.0. The experimentally determined drag coefficients are found to be in good agreement with the predictions of Slattery's creeping flow first approximation solution. The wall correction factors of Faxen and Francis appear to be valid for inelastic non-Newtonian fluids up to a diameter ratio of at least 0.08.     

Turbulent circulation in bubble columns from eddy viscosity distributions of single-phase pipe flow

The exact prediction of the flow structure in bubble columns is important for their design and scale-up. This paper proposes a theoretical model for the liquid circulation on the basis of Reynolds equation of motion and the eddy viscosity distribution of single phase pipe flow, and presents a derivation of an analytical equation for the axial liquid velocity profiles that is fast and easy to use. The model shows a strong analogy for the eddy viscosity between multiphase and single-phase systems, and how both eddy and molecular viscosities affect the flow. The velocity profiles calculated from the model are shown to agree well with reported experimental data for both low and high viscosity fluids.     

Effect of power-law index on critical parameters for power-law flow across an unconfined circular cylinder

The conditions for the formation of a wake and for the onset of wake instability for the flow of power-law fluids over an unconfined circular cylinder are investigated numerically by solving the continuity and momentum equations using FLUENT (version 6.2). The effect of power-law index on the critical Reynolds numbers, Strouhal number and drag coefficient has been presented over a wide range of power-law index (0.3?n?1.8) thereby establishing the limits of the flow without separation and the steady symmetric flow regimes, respectively. While both the shear-thinning (n<1) and the shear-thickening (n>1) seem to lower the value of the critical Reynolds number denoting the onset of wake instability as compared to that for Newtonian fluids, the effect is seen to be more prominent for shear-thickening fluids than that for shear-thinning fluids. The corresponding values of the critical Strouhal number (St_c) and drag coefficient have also been presented for the critical values of the Reynolds number. Included here are also a series of streamline plots showing the onset of asymmetry and of the time-dependent flow regime.     

A macroscopic model for shear-thinning flow in packed beds based on network modeling

The flow of non-Newtonian fluids in packed beds and other porous media is important in several applications such as polymer processing, filtration, and enhanced oil recovery. Expressions for flowrate versus pressure gradient are desirable for a-priori prediction and for substitution into continuum models. In this work, physically representative network models are used to model the flow of shear-thinning fluids, including power-law and Ellis fluids. The networks are used to investigate the effects of fluid rheology and bed morphology on flow.A simple macroscopic model is developed for the flow of power-law and Ellis fluids in packed beds using results from the network model. The model has the same general functionality as those developed using the popular bundle-of-tubes approach. The constant β, which appears in these models, is often directly derived from the tortuosity and a simple representation of the porous media. It is shown here that this can lead to incorrect and ambiguous values of the constant. Furthermore, the constant is a weak function of the shear-thinning index, indicating that no single bundle-of-tubes could ever properly model flow for a wide variety of shear-thinning fluids.The macroscopic model is compared to experimental data for shear-thinning fluids available in the literature. The model fits the data well when β is treated as an experimental parameter. The best-fit values of β vary, which is expected because even the constant C in the Blake-Kozeny equation varies depending on the source consulted. Additionally, physical effects, such as adsorption and filtration, as well as rheological effects such as viscoelasticity may affect the value of β. We believe that in the absence of these effects, β equals approximately 1.46 for packed beds of uniform spheres at relatively moderate values of the shear-thinning index (>0.3).     

Electroviscous effect in dilute suspensions of ionic polymer latices

The viscosity of dilute suspensions of ionic polymer latices was measured using a variable-shear capillary viscometer, a rotational viscometer and an Ubbelohde viscometer. The viscosity of the suspension was much larger than the Einstein theoretical value and showed a marked shear-thinning behaviour, due to the electroviscous effect. The dependence of the reduced viscosity of latex suspensions on latex concentration, salt concentration and solvent was essentially the same as that of linear ionic polymer solutions. Counterion effect was also investigated.     

Drag on chains and agglomerates of spheres in viscous newtonian and power law fluids

New experimental data on the free settling velocity of straight chains (up to twenty spheres) and planar clusters of touching spheres in Newionian and power law media are reported. The results embrace the following ranges of conditions: 0.65 ≤ n ≤ 1; Re < - 2.5 and 1.22 < m < 48.87 Pa·sⁿ. The straight chain drag measurements are in line with theoretical predictions for Newtonian fluids. The present results in power law fluids seem to suggest that it is possible to express the drag on a straight chain of spheres in terms of that on a single sphere of equal volume. Limited results with planar clusters are satisfactorily correlated using a volume equivalent sphere diameter.     

剪切稀化流体中微粒子聚集行为研究

在化工过程、生物工程等领域中,实现颗粒分离至关重要。通过整合微流控技术、高速显微图像采集技术和数字图像处理技术,探究微粒尺寸、通道流量和液相流变特性对微粒聚集的影响规律。结果表明,在剪切稀化流体羧甲基纤维素钠(CMC)水溶液中,随着通道流量和颗粒粒径增大,微颗粒聚集位置逐渐向剪切速率较高的一侧偏移;随着CMC质量分数增加,聚集位置不断向剪切速率较低的一侧偏移。利用求解的幂律型剪切稀化流体速度和剪切速率方程,结合对微颗粒的受力分析,证明稠度系数越大,聚集位置越偏向剪切速率较低处;剪切稀化特性越强,聚集位置越偏向剪切速率较高处,说明在幂律型剪切稀化流体中的黏度变化是微颗粒发生特殊迁移聚集行为的一个重要原因。     

Turbulent flow of shear-thinning liquids in stirred tanks—The effects of Reynolds number and flow index

LDA measurements are reported on the turbulent velocity fields in vessels agitated by a Rushton turbine and containing Newtonian as well as non-Newtonian, shear-thinning fluids. Ten different liquids were investigated, with flow indices varying from 1.00 down to 0.56. Experiments were performed in three vessel sizes, viz. 28.6, 44.1, and 62.7 cm in diameter, at various impeller speeds. The main issue of the paper is the question whether or not, and if so to what extent, turbulent flow of shear-thinning fluids differs from that of Newtonian liquids, or – in other words – whether and when turbulent flow of shear-thinning liquids exhibits Reynolds number similarity.     

Steady Two‐Dimensional Non‐Newtonian Flow Past an Array of Long Circular Cylinders up to Reynolds number 500: A Numerical Study

The free surface and zero vorticity cell models have been combined with the equations of motion to investigate numerically the steady flow of incompressible power‐law (shear‐thinning and shear‐thickening) fluids across banks of long cylinders. The equations of motion in the stream function/vorticity formulation have been solved numerically using a second order accurate finite difference method to obtain extensive information on the behaviour of the drag coefficient, surface vorticity distribution, streamlines and iso‐vorticity patterns, for high Reynolds numbers (Re = 50 500) and using a wide range of power‐law index (0.3 ≤ n ≤ 2.0), and porosity (0.4 ≤ e ≤0.9) values. The behaviour of the aforementioned parameters at low Reynolds numbers has also been investigated and validated using theoretical and numerical work from the literature. The results reported here enable extension of the limits of creeping flow behaviour up to Re = 50 for fluids with highly shear‐thickening characteristics under low porosity conditions.     

Drag on Freely Falling Cones in Newtonian and in Power Law Fluids

New extensive data on the terminal falling velocities of conical shaped bodies in scores of Newtonian and power law fluids are reported. Altogether, 11 Newtonian and 11 non‐Newtonian test liquids together with 33 cones made from four different materials and 14 spheres of three different materials have been used to gather 486 individual data points covering wide ranges of conditions as follows: Reynolds number 0.0019 to 507; power law flow behaviour index 0.4 to 1, the value of sphericity 0.59 to 0.79; and the cone‐to‐fall tube diameter ratios up to 0.264 to assess the extent of wall effects. A simple expression is developed to estimate the terminal falling velocity of a cone from a knowledge of its dimensions, and the terminal velocity of an equivalent sphere. A generalized drag equation applicable to both Newtonian and power law liquids is also presented.     

Laminar and turbulent entry flow of polymer solutions

Entry lengths and contraction losses have been determined for 0.01, 0.2 and 0.6% aqueous solutions of Separan AP-30. The Reynolds numbers ranged between 10² and 10⁵ in 1/2-in. and 2-in. tubes. At Reynolds numbers in excess of 2100, the entry lengths and contraction losses for the polymer solutions are significantly larger than those for Newtonian fluids. These effects are shown to be related to the transitional flow phenomena which occur with drag reducing polymer solutions. At low Reynolds number the contraction loss data show expected trends but are in quantitative disagreement with predictions based on recent studies in capillary tubes. These indicate that the analyses based on small tubes are less general than anticipated.     

Development of an in-line viscometer in an extrusion molding process

In this work, an in-line viscometer to measure the viscosity of polymer melts under extrusion molding processes was developed. The in-line viscometer contains a stress sensor and a shear rate sensor which were installed between the screw and the die of an extruder. In this way, the flow line after the screw cannot be changed, unlike the present in-line capillary rheometer which can change the diameter of the pipe of the flow line and hence influence the throughput. All data acquisition is done by a computer such that the melt viscosity can be calculated automatically. The shear-thinning behavior of a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) under three different temperatures is presented in all experiments. It is concluded that the melt viscosity can be effectively monitored. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 63: 919–924, 1997     

An experimental study of motion of cylinders in newtonian fluids: Wall effects and drag coefficient

The terminal velocity of several cylinders (of glass, perspex and stainless steel) falling with their axis parallel to the direction of motion has been measured in a series of Newtonian fluids embracing a 40-fold variation in liquid viscosity. The measurements have been carried out in fall tubes of four different diameters to elucidate the importance of wall effects. The experimental results encompass the following ranges of conditions: cylinder to fall tube diameter ratio: 0.08 to 0.4; length to diameter ratio: 0.05 to 2 and Reynolds number varied from 0.2 to 180. The wall effects are discussed in a manner analogous to those for spherical particles. Terminal velocity data are analysed using two approaches, namely, drag coefficient-Reynolds number relationship and a dimensionless velocity ratio denoting the departure from the behaviour of an equivalent sphere. Predictive equations have been developed using both schemes.     

Numerical study on steady and transient mass/heat transfer involving a liquid sphere in simple shear creeping flow

A numerical method is utilized to examine the steady and transient mass/heat transfer processes that involve a neutrally buoyant liquid sphere suspended in simple shear flow at low Reynolds numbers is described. By making use of the known Stokes velocity field, the convection‐diffusion equations are solved in the three‐dimensional spherical coordinates system. For the mass transfer either outside or inside a liquid sphere, Sherwood number Sh approaches an asymptotic value for a given viscosity ratio at sufficiently high Peclet number Pe. In terms of the numerical results obtained in this work, two new correlations are derived to predict Sh at finite Pe for various viscosity ratios. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 343–352, 2014