Implementation of a transient adaptive sub-cell module for the parallel-DSMC code using unstructured grids

A method of transient adaptive sub-cells (TAS) suitable for unstructured grids that is modified from the existing one for the structured grids of DSMC is introduced. The TAS algorithm is implemented within the framework of a parallelized DSMC code (PDSC). Benchmarking tests are conducted for steady driven cavity flow, steady hypersonic flow over a two-dimensional cylinder, steady hypersonic flow over a cylinder/flare and the unsteady vortex shedding behind a two-dimensional cylinder. The use of TAS enables a reduction in the computational expense of the simulation since larger sampling cells and less simulation particles can be employed. Furthermore, the collision quality of the simulation is maintained or improved and the preservation of property gradients and vorticity at the scale of the sub-cells enables correct unsteady vortex shedding frequencies to be predicted. The use of TAS in a parallel-DSMC code allows simulations of unsteady processes at a level to be carried out efficiently, accurately and with acceptable computational time.     

The pumping performances of the turbomoleculae pump simulated by direct simulation monte carlo method

Turbomolecular pumps (TMPs) are used extensively in several highly important areas of industry and research. The performances of TMP are evaluated by maximum throughput and maximum pressure ratio. In this paper, they are investigated by DSMC method. A 3D analysis in a rotating reference frame is proposed to simulate this flow field. Considering the Coriolis and centrifugal accelerations, the equations about the molecular velocities and position are deduced. The VSS model and NTC collision schemes are used to calculate the intermolecular collisions. The diffuse reflection is employed on the molecular reflection from the surfaces of boundary. The procedures for establishment of the correct collision rate are based on the cells, while individual collision pairs are chosen from the sub-cells. The pump performances of one stage TMP under the different kinds of gas, different heights, and different blade angles are simulated and the results are analyzed. Numerical results agree well with the existing experiment data.     

Crookes辐射计内最佳真空度的实验和仿真研究

应用实验和蒙特卡罗(DSMC)方法,研究了Crookes 辐射计工作的最佳真空条件.在辐射计内转子可以自由转动的条件下,测量了辐射计转子的转速与腔内真空度的关系,实验表明,转子的转速与腔内的真空度、转子叶片的边长有关.在叶片边长分别为20 mm和10 mm的情况下,最大转速分别出现在0.1 Pa和3 Pa.应用DSMC方法,仿真得到了在不同真空度条件下,作用在转子叶片两边的压力差分布,结果表明,在叶片边长分别为20 mm和10 mm的情况下,最大压力差分别出现在0.1～0.5 Pa和2～5 Pa.文中给出了腔内稀薄气体的速度矢量图.     

Direct Monte Carlo Method Simulation of the Synthesis of Carbon Particle Through Coagulation in the Detonation of Explosives

A model is constructed and used in computing the coagulation probability of free carbon during the deto-nation of explosives. A direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) program is constructed to simulate the coagulation of free carbon particles. The evaluation of the distribution spectrum of particles in the system is obtained. The simulation result is consistent with the experimental curve.     

Investigation of basic molecular gas structural effects on hydrodynamics and thermal behaviors of rarefied shear driven micro/nano flow using DSMC

In the present work, rarefied gas flow between two parallel moving plates maintained at the same uniform temperature is simulated using the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method. Heat transfer and shear stress behavior in the micro/nano-Couette flow is studied and the effects of the important molecular structural parameters such as molecular diameter, mass, degrees of freedom and viscosity–temperature index on the macroscopic behavior of gases are investigated. Velocity, temperature, heat flux and shear stress in the domain are studied in details. Finally, a discussion on the role of the molecular structural parameters in the decrease or increase of amounts of hydrodynamics and thermal properties of the gas is presented.     

微纳多孔结构中稀薄气体流动渗透率的解析型预测模型

针对多孔结构内气体表观渗透率受稀薄效应的影响而显著高于其固有渗透率的现象,从孔隙尺度流线的几何拓扑特性出发,提出了利用固有渗透率、孔隙率、弯曲度和收缩-扩张因子来表示多孔结构的有效孔隙尺寸的方法,并将该有效孔隙尺寸与经典的稀薄气体管道流动模型相结合,理论推导出一种新的多孔结构稀薄气体渗透率模型。利用该模型,可以在孔隙几何结构和物性状态已知的条件下对气体的表观渗透率进行预测。随后,通过高精度的直接模拟Monte Carlo方法(DSMC)对提出模型的准确性进行验证。通过对Knudsen数在0.01~10范围、孔隙率在0.17~0.90范围、不同气体工质以及多种有序性孔隙形式下的气体流动过程进行数值模拟表明,所提出的理论模型与模拟数据的平均偏差小于10%。     

An open source, parallel DSMC code for rarefied gas flows in arbitrary geometries

This paper presents the results of validation of an open source Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) code for general application to rarefied gas flows. The new DSMC code, called dsmcFoam, has been written within the framework of the open source C++ CFD toolbox OpenFOAM. The main features of dsmcFoam code include the capability to perform both steady and transient solutions, to model arbitrary 2D/3D geometries, and unlimited parallel processing. Test cases have been selected to cover a wide range of benchmark examples from 1D to 3D. These include relaxation to equilibrium, 2D flow over a flat plate and a cylinder, and 3D supersonic flows over complex geometries. In all cases, dsmcFoam shows very good agreement with data provided by both analytical solutions and other contemporary DSMC codes.     

Numerical simulations on performance of MEMS-based nozzles at moderate or low temperatures

Performance of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based nozzles at moderate and low temperatures is numerically analyzed using the direct simulation Monte Carlo method. Considering the intermolecular attractive potential caused by low temperature, the generalized soft sphere collision model is introduced. The Larsen–Borgnakke model for the generalized sphere model is used to model the energy exchange between the translational and internal modes. The results for nozzle flows at an initial temperature of 300 K show that the temperature behind the throat is quite low and the intermolecular attractive potential cannot be ignored. Different working conditions in two-dimensional (2D) nozzles are simulated using the present method, including exit pressure, inlet pressure, initial temperature, nozzle geometry, and gas species. The effects on the nozzle performance are analyzed. Simulations on flows in a three-dimensional (3D) low aspect ratio flat nozzle show that the increased surface-to-volume ratio, which leads to high viscosity dissipation, causes a much lower flow characteristic and performance comparing with the 2D case.     

Calibration of low-pressure MEMS gas sensor for detection of hydrogen gas

Detection of hydrogen by sensors are significant for improvement and safe usage of hydrogen gas as an energy source. In this paper, the application of the MEMS gas sensor for detection of hydrogen gas is numerically studied to develop the application of this device in different industrial applications. The flow feature and force generation mechanism inside a rectangular enclosure with heat and cold arms as the non-isothermal walls are inclusively discussed. In this study, the pressure of hydrogen is varied from 62 to 1500 pa correspond to Knudsen number from 0.1 to 4.5 to investigate all characteristics of the thermal-driven force inside the MEMS sensor. In order to simulate a rarefied gas inside the micro gas detector, Boltzmann equations are applied to obtain high precision results. To solve these equations, Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) approach is used as a robust method for the non-equilibrium flow field. The effects of length, thickness and temperature of arms are comprehensively investigated in different ambient pressures. In addition, the effect of various hydrogen concentrations on the Knudsen force is studied. Our findings show that maximum Knudsen force occurs at P = 387 pressure and intensifies when the length of the arms is increased from 50 μm to 150 μm. In addition, the obtained results demonstrate that the generated force is highly sensitive to hydrogen gas species and this enables device for detection of hydrogen gas.     

静电悬浮转子微陀螺高努森数下的空气阻尼力矩

针对工作于高真空密封腔中的静电悬浮MEMS陀螺微转子,为建立其旋转动力学模型,实现高精度恒速旋转控制,需要得到高努森数条件下的空气阻尼力矩特性。结合复杂结构的轮状扁平微转子,根据分子动理论和Christian模型,推导出压膜阻尼力矩特性;根据稀薄气体动力学,在考虑腔室内壁和转子表面具有不同切向动量适应系数的条件下,推导出滑膜阻尼力矩解析公式。以根据腔内空气流动特征进行的分区直接蒙特卡罗模拟(DSMC)结果为参考,总阻尼力矩系数的解析误差约为16%,表明解析模型具有较好的精度,对于高努森数条件下类似微器件的建模和系统设计具有较高的实用价值。