Knowledge Base

Scale1e-3 to 1 m / 1e-3 to 1 s, 1 to 60 s

Non-expert summaryIce-pigging is a cleaning method in which a dense slurry (to be removed) is pushed along a channel (often a pipe, but more complex geometries can also be cleaned by this method) by an upstream solid-liquid thick ice slurry. The authors use the commercial CFD code FLUENT to evaluate a numerical model of this multiphase (solid-liquid) material undergoing pipe flow. In this coupled Eulerian-Eulerian description the two phases are treated separately as continuous phases coupled by pressure and interphase forces. They validate their model against experimental data from literature and report the predicted ice volume fraction, wall shear stress and melting rate. The results show strong inhomogeneity in the solid content (ice volume fraction).

Article

Shear flow over a protuberance on a plane wall

Pozrikidis, C.

1997Journal of Engineering Mathematics3129-42

Keywordsdecontamination, flow displacement, shear flow

DisciplinesApplied Mathematics, Fluid Mechanics

Non-expert summaryMany cleaning and decontamination operations employ a flow to detach or move a particle or foreign element (e.g. a piece of dust, baterium or a spore) from a surface. The presence of the element disturbs the flow near the wall. Knowledge of the flow field and the forces imposed on the element is useful for predicting or quantifying removal. This paper considers a simple shear flow of a Newtonian fluid over an axisymmetric protuberance (with uniform shape) on a plane wall. The full 3-D problem is formulated in terms of three scalar Fredholm integral equations of the first kind and is solved using a boundary-element method. The hydrodynamic force and torque exerted on the protuberance, and distribution of shear stresses, are calculated. There is good agreement with previous analytical computations for hemi-spherical and spherical shapes.

Article

Lift, drag and added mass of a hemispherical bubble sliding and growing on a wall in a viscous linear shear flow

Legendre, D., Colin, C., Coquard, T.

2008Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A3662233-2248

Keywordsflow displacement, shear flow

DisciplinesFluid Mechanics

Non-expert summaryThe Navier-Stokes equations for the three-dimensional flow of a Newtonian fluid around a hemispherical bubble simultaneously sliding along a flat wall and growing are solved. The forces experienced by the bubble (lift, drag and added mass) are calculated for bubble Reynolds numbers greater than or equal to 0.01 and flow Reynolds numbers < 2000. The bubble does not change shape. The scenarios studied are (i) an immobile bubble in a linear shear flow; (ii) a bubble sliding along the wall in an otherwise stagnant fluid; and (iii) a bubble sliding in a linear shear flow. The results are presented in the form of dimensionless coefficients.

Article

A three-dimensional computer model analysis of three hypothetical biofilm detachment mechanisms

Chambless, J.D., Stewart, P.S.

2007Biotechnology and Bioengineering97(6)1573-1584

Keywordsbacteria, biofilm, cleaning, detachment, flow displacement, shear flow

DisciplinesChemical Engineering, Microbiology

Scale1e-6 m, 1e-6 to 1e-3 m, 1e-3 m / 1e-3 to 1 s, 1 to 60 s, 1 to 60 min

Non-expert summaryThe removal of biofilms by sloughing is a natural phenomenon in biofilm dynamics. Three hypothetical mechanisms of detachment were incorporated into a 3D model of biofilm development. The model integrated processes of substrate utilization, substrate diffusion, growth, cell advection, and detachment in a cellular automata framework. The three detachment mechanisms analyzed represented various physical and biological influences hypothesized to affect biofilm detachment; fluid shear removing protruding material; removal linked to local nutrient availability; and erosion. The detachment mechanisms demonstrated diverse behaviors with respect to the four analysis criteria. The results show that detachment is a critical determinant of biofilm structure and of the dynamics of biofilm accumulation and loss.

Article

A general description of detachment for multidimensional modelling of biofilms

Xavier, J. de B., Picioreanu, C., van Loosdrecht, M.C.M.

2005Biotechnology and Bioengineering91(6)651-669

Keywordsbacteria, biofilm, cleaning, detachment, erosion, shear flow

DisciplinesChemical Engineering, Microbiology

Scale1e-6 m, 1e-6 to 1e-3 m, 1e-3 m / 1e-3 to 1 s, 1 to 60 s, 1 to 60 min

Non-expert summaryThe structure of many biofilms results in a surface layer which does not detach readily and a growing layer that detaches (sloughs) off more readily. The authors present a general method for describing biomass detachment in a multidimensional biofilm modelling framework. Biomass losses from processes acting on the entire surface of the biofilm, such as erosion, are modelled, and discrete detachment events, i.e. sloughing, are implicitly derived from the simulations. This methodology for biomass detachment was integrated with multidimensional (2D and 3D) particle-based multispecies biofilm models by using the level set method. Application of the method is demonstrated by looking at the trends in biofilm structure and activity over time in two case studies: I - a simple model considering uniform biomass; II - a model discriminating biomass composition in heterotrophic active mass, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and inert mass.

Article

Three-dimensional advective–diffusive boundary layers in open channels with parallel and inclined walls

Etzold, M.A., Landel, J.R., Dalziel, S.B.

2020International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer153119504

Keywordscleaning, decontamination, drop, heat transfer, mass transfer, narrow channel

CategoriesNumerical simulations, Theoretical modelling

Scale1e-6 to 1e-3 m, 1e-3 m, 1e-3 to 1 m / 1e-3 to 1 s, 1 to 60 s, 1 to 60 min, 1 to 24 hours

Non-expert summaryThe authors consider the steady laminar advective transport of a diffusive component released at the base of a narrow three-dimensional longitudinal open channel with non-absorbing side walls and rectangular or truncated-wedge-shaped cross-sections: the findings are relevant to heat and mass transfer applications in confined U-shaped or V-shaped channels (or trenches) such as might arise in the decontamination and cleaning of narrow gaps, crevices and boundary features on walls or other surfaces, and well as transport processes in chemical or biological microfluidic devices. The fluid flows along the channel in the laminar regime and there is no flux or slip on the side walls. Numerical simulations are conducted for various duct shapes and the rate of mass transfer from the base is calculated: this is used to evaluate the dimensionless mass transfer coefficient, the Sherwood number. The results for 3-D (constant cross section, long in the direction of flow) are compared favourably with results for a simplified, 2-D, calculation.

Article

Modelling mass casualty decontamination systems informed by field exercise data

Egan, J.R., Amlôt, R.

2012International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health93685-3710

Keywordschemical warfare agent simulant, decontamination, emergency response, people

DisciplinesStatistics & Probabilities

CategoriesField work, Numerical simulations

Scale1 to 10 m, 10 to 1000 m, greater than 1 km / 1 to 24 hours, 1 to 30 days

Non-expert summaryThe management of decontamination of the population (who were mobile enough to walk through a showering lane) in the event of a large-scale chemical release in the UK was modelled, based on data collected in field trials. The movement of volunteer casualties at two mass decontamination field exercises was monitored using passive Radio Frequency Identification tags and detection mats. The data were used to inform a computer model of the UK fire and rescue service component of the mass decontamination process. This identified bottlenecks in the process and led to recommendations for change, particularly in the re-dressing part of the process.

Article

Pressure-driven miscible two-fluid channel flow with density gradients

Sahu, K.C., Ding, H., Valluri, P., Matar, O.K.

2009Physics of Fluids21043603

Keywordscleaning, flow displacement, hydrodynamics, miscible liquids, multiphase flow

Non-expert summaryThe displacement of one liquid by another in a channel of constant height occurs in flushing and cleaning operations. The authors study the effect of buoyancy (arising from different fluid densities) on a pressure-driven flow of two miscible fluids in inclined channels using direct numerical simulations DNS). The flow dynamics are governed by the continuity and Navier–Stokes equations, without the Boussinesq approximation for buoyancy, coupled to a convective-diffusion equation for mass transfer between the two liquids. The effect of concentration on viscosity and density is modelled. The effect of varying the density ratio, Froude number, and channel inclination on the flow dynamics is examined, for moderate Reynolds numbers. These detailed simulations give insights into mixing and cleaning behaviour.

Article

Linear stability analysis and numerical simulation of miscible two-layer channel flow

Sahu, K.C., Ding, H., Valluri, P., Matar, O.K.

2009Physics of Fluids21042104

Keywordscleaning, flow displacement, interfacial dynamics, linear stability analysis, miscible liquids, multiphase flow

CategoriesNumerical simulations, Theoretical modelling

Non-expert summaryWhen one liquid is pumped into a channel containing a second liquid, the behaviour depends on the properties of the two fluids and pressure driving force. This paper considers the stability of a flow of two miscible fluids in a horizontal channel. The flow dynamics are governed by the continuity and Navier–Stokes equations, with mass transfer between the two. An analysis of the flow in the linear regime delineates the presence of convective and absolute instabilities, and shows that vertical gradients of viscosity perturbations (caused by mixing) are the main destabilizing influence of the interface (in agreement with previous work). Previous work in the area is reviewed as well. Transient numerical simulations demonstrate the development of complex dynamics in the nonlinear regime, characterized by roll-up phenomena and intense convective mixing.

Article

Sliding, pinch-off and detachment of a droplet on a wall in shear flow

Ding, H., Gilani, M.N.H., Spelt, P.D.M.

2010Journal of Fluid Mechanics644217–244

Keywordsdecontamination, drop, hydrodynamics, interfacial dynamics, shear flow

CategoriesNumerical simulations, Theoretical modelling

Non-expert summaryThis modelling study considers what happens after a droplet is set into motion by the action of an impose shear flow. Inertial effects and contact-angle hysteresis are both considered. A number of flow regimes are investigated, including steadily moving drops, partial and entire droplet entrainment. The critical conditions (capillary number) for the onset of entrainment are determined for pinned as well as for moving drops. The approach to breakup is then investigated in detail, including the growth of a ligament on a drop, and the reduction of the radius of a pinching neck. A model based on an energy argument is proposed for the rate of elongation of ligaments. The paper concludes with an investigation of detachment of a hydrophobic droplet from a solid wall.

Article

Convective mass transport from rectangular cavities in viscous flow

Occhialini, J.M., Higdon, J.J.L.

1992J. Electrochem. Soc.139(10)2845-2855

Keywordscavity flow, cleaning, decontamination, mass transfer, shear flow

Non-expert summaryThe authors conduct a comprehensive numerical study of convective mass transport from 2-D rectangular cavities in low‐Reynolds‐number flows, i.e. the flow set up in a long rectangular trench by the motion of a steady shear flow across the top. They calculate the velocity field in the trench and the associated mass transport (enhancement of diffusion). The flow field is calculated by a high‐order implementation of the boundary‐integral method, while the convective diffusion equation is solved using the spectral‐element method. Results are presented in the form of concentraton contours and local mass fluxes, for cavity aspect ratios from 1:1 to 4:1 and for Péclet numbers from 0 to 100,000. They investigate the effects of inlet flow profile and system boundaries on the system.

Article

Transport enhancement mechanisms in open cavities

Horner, M., Metcalf, G., Wiggins, S., Ottino, J.M.

2002J. Fluid Mechanics452199-229

Keywordscavity flow, cleaning, hydrodynamics, mass transfer, shear flow

DisciplinesFluid Mechanics

CategoriesLaboratory experiments, Numerical simulations

Scale1e-3 to 1 m / 1 to 60 s, 1 to 60 min, 1 to 24 hours

Non-expert summaryWhen a steady shear flow passes over a long (2-D) cavity it sets up a circulation cell in the cavity, where the flow in the cavity is contained within the cavity (with a boundary called the separatrix) and mass transport into and out of the cavity is predominantly by diffusion. This is particularly true at small scales. The authors investigate numerically and experimentally two methods for enhancing mass transport from these 'cells' - by geometrically modifying the boundary driving the flow, and making the driving flow time-dependent. Both modifications destabilize one of the wall attachment points of the separatrix, allowing fluid exchange between the cavity and channel. The range of Reynolds and Reynolds-Strouhal numbers studied is 7.7 <= Re <= 46.5 and 0.52 <= ReSr <= 12,55 in the spatially dependent mode and 12 <= Re <= 93 and 0.26 <= ReSr <= 5.02 in the time-dependent mode. The transport is described theoretically via lobe dynamics, which characterizes the instability of the separatrix. They find that the resulting mass transfer between the cavity and the outer shear flow, through the distabilized separatrix is enhanced by several orders of magnitude compared to a diffusive mass transfer.