Energy and Environmental Flow Modelling Group - Projects
Energy and Environmental Flow Modelling Group
Projects
Convective heat transfer modelling in two phase flow: a numerical and experimental investigation
Duration:
Feb. 2005 – Aug. 2008
Funding:
Science Foundation Ireland, Basic Research 2004
Summary
This is a fundamental study of convective heat transfer in air-water two-fluid flow. The effect of sliding and detaching bubbles and their wakes on free convection flow from heated flat plates is to be characterised by complementary numerical and experimental studies.
An existing code for the solution of the two dimensional laminar fluid flow equations has been improved to include a Volume of Fluid model capable of accounting for surface tension effects. Numerical testing is on-going. Initial results support the validity of the modelling choices made. Further improvement may however be required at a later stage of the project. A multigrid algorithm for efficient solution of the pressure correction equation has also been implemented and fully validated.
Part of the test rig and associated components have been designed and built. This includes a tilting test tank with imaging and lighting systems, computer controlled bubble generator and heating foil and associated computer codes. Initial experiments have been conducted to study the dynamics of rising, detaching and sliding bubbles.
Research staff
High Performance Computing of Ocean Wave Structure Interaction
Funding:
Faculty of Engineering and Computing
Duration:
Aug. 2006 – Aug. 2009
Summary
A numerical model based on the solution of the three dimensional Navier-Stokes system of equations will be developed to model two fluid flow and its interaction with a fixed wave energy conversion device. A two fluid scheme suitable for three dimensional flow and distributed computing and capable of integrating moving boundaries will be developed. The method and code will be tested on a 16 node cluster and assessed on the basis of their computational efficiency and accuracy. Results are to be validated against existing experimental and numerical data.
Research staff
See demonstration of free rising air bubble in water; motion slowed to 1/5.