Flow regime analysis of high-pressure transcritical fluids in microducts

Microduct flows are known for their inherent laminar regimes resulting from the characteristic small dimensions and low velocities. In this regard, direct numerical simulations are employed to investigate an innovative approach that harnesses the unique thermophysical properties of high-pressure tra...

ver descrição completa

Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: Bandarrinha Monteiro, Carlos Alexandre, Jofre Cruanyes, Lluís|||0000-0003-2437-259X
Formato: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Recursos:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/402009
Acesso em linha:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/402009
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2024.125295
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palavra-chave:Supercritical fluids
Turbulence
Heat transfer
Microfluidics
Mixing
Square duct flow
Fluids supercrítics
Turbulència
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria mecànica::Mecànica de fluids
Descrição
Resumo:Microduct flows are known for their inherent laminar regimes resulting from the characteristic small dimensions and low velocities. In this regard, direct numerical simulations are employed to investigate an innovative approach that harnesses the unique thermophysical properties of high-pressure transcritical fluids to achieve significantly higher rates of mixing and heat transfer in microduct geometries. The strategy is based on the sizeable changes in properties that supercritical fluids, at pressures and temperatures exceeding their critical value, undergo across the pseudo-boiling region. To this end, four different cases are considered, and systematically analyzed, in which the bulk pressure and temperature difference between walls are varied. The results obtained indicate that laminar flow prevails at low-pressure conditions, while flow regimes with turbulent characteristics can be achieved when operating at high-pressure conditions with a transversal temperature difference. The transition to the turbulence-like regime is assessed by quantifying variations in velocity and temperature profiles, accompanied by the observation of secondary flow motions. As a result, substantial increases in the Nusselt number of roughly 20×, indicative of enhanced heat transfer, are obtained at the hot wall in comparison to cases with same temperature differences at low pressure.