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Simulations of axisymmetric, inviscid swirling flows in circular pipes with various geometries

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Abstract

The numerical simulations of the dynamics of high Reynolds number (\(Re>100{,}000\)) swirling flows in pipes with varying geometries of engineering applications continues to be a challenging computational problem, specifically when vortex-breakdown zones or wall-separation regions naturally evolve in the flows. To tackle this challenge, the present paper describes a simulation scheme of the evolution of inviscid, axisymmetric and incompressible swirling flows in expanding or contracting pipes. The integration in time of the circulation together with azimuthal vorticity uses an explicit, first-order accurate finite-difference scheme with a second-order accurate upwind difference formulation in the axial and radial directions. The Poisson solver for advancing in time the spatial distribution of the stream function as a function of azimuthal vorticity uses a second-order accurate over-relaxation difference scheme. No additional numerical steps are needed for computing the natural evolution of flows including the dynamics to states with slow-speed recirculation zones along the pipe centerline or attached to pipe wall. This numerical method shows convergence of the computed results with mesh refinement for various swirl levels and pipe geometry variations. The computed results of time-asymptotic states also present agreement with available theoretical predictions of steady vortex flows in diverging or contracting pipes. In addition, comparison with available experimental data demonstrates that the present algorithm accurately predicts instability processes and long-term mean-flow dynamics of vortex flows in pipes at high Re. The inviscid-flow simulation results support the theoretical predictions and clarify the nature of high-Re flow evolution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Washington State University, Richland, WA, 99354, USA

    Yuxin Zhang

  2. Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA

    Zvi Rusak

  3. Mathematics Department, The University of Auckland, 38 Princes Street, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand

    Shixiao Wang

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  1. Yuxin Zhang
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  2. Zvi Rusak
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  3. Shixiao Wang
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Correspondence to Yuxin Zhang.

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Zhang, Y., Rusak, Z. & Wang, S. Simulations of axisymmetric, inviscid swirling flows in circular pipes with various geometries. J Eng Math 119, 69–91 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10665-019-10019-5

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