Understanding the Mechanism of Vortex Flow Modulation by Inertial Particles
Description
This dissertation investigates the complex dynamics of semi-dilute inertial particles suspended in vortices using the Eulerian-Lagrangian method. The study explores the modulation of flow induced by inertial particles, focusing on the characteristics of a single vortex, instability analysis within particle-laden flows, and the merging process of co-rotating vortices. Simulations reveal a preferential concentration mechanism, where inertial particles cluster around a void fraction bubble, accelerating the decay of the vortex tube. Small-scale clusters, arising from particle-trajectory crossings, induce significant gradients in the fluid vorticity field, contributing to rapid vortex breakdown. Within a specific Stokes number range, increased particle inertia results in faster vortex decay and stronger inhomogeneity in the particle phase. The instability mechanism in particle-laden flows is explored using a Rankine vortex model. Two-way coupling triggers azimuthal perturbations, leading to the breakdown of the vortex structure. Linear Stability Analysis and Two-Fluid modeling demonstrate that the dusty vortex flow exhibits unstable modes, with growth rates increasing with wavenumber. Eulerian-Lagrangian simulations validate these results, showing excellent agreement between computed and predicted growth rates. The dissertation also delves into the co-rotating vortex merger in a semi-dilute dusty flow. For weak inertial effects, merger experiences a delay compared to particle-free vortices. Under moderate inertial conditions, the merger process exhibits repulsion, increased separation, and eventual convective merger stages. Highly inertial particles stretch the vortex core, initiating a merger with an outcome of a particle-free vortex core surrounded by a halo of concentrated particles. In conclusion, the feedback force from the dispersed phase induces instability and significantly influences the dynamics of vortices in particle-laden flows. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the intricate interactions between inertial particles and vortical structures.
Date Created
The date the item was original created (prior to any relationship with the ASU Digital Repositories.)
2024
Agent
- Author (aut): Shuai, Shuai
- Thesis advisor (ths): Kasbaoui, Mohamed Houssem
- Committee member: Herrmann, Marcus
- Committee member: Peet, Yulia
- Committee member: Huang, Huei-Ping
- Committee member: Wang, Zhihua
- Publisher (pbl): Arizona State University