Direct simulation of viscous flow in a wavy pipe using the lattice Boltzmann approach. (20th June 2008)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Lian-Ping; Du, Michael H.
• Is Part Of: International journal of engineering systems modelling and simulation. Volume 1:Number 1(2008)
• Page Start: 20
• Page End: 29
• Publication Date: 2008-06-20
• Subjects: viscous flow -- curved pipes -- direct numerical simulation -- lattice Boltzmann method -- LBM -- Gortler vortices -- pressure loss -- flow transition -- frictional coefficient -- mixing -- wavy pipes -- transient flow -- heat transfer; Engineering systems -- Computer simulation -- Periodicals; Engineering systems -- Mathematical models -- Periodicals; 620.0042
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1755-9758

Abstract

Direct numerical simulation of three-dimensional (3D) viscous flow in a wavy pipe is performed using the lattice Boltzmann approach, to study 3D flow features in a curved pipe with nonuniform curvature. We first validate the lattice Boltzmann approach by simulating a transient flow in a straight pipe. In a wavy pipe, it is shown that the pressure gradient necessary to drive the flow depends more strongly on the flow Reynolds number, due to curvature ? induced fluid inertial force and transverse secondary flows. The wavy pipe could provide a simple design for enhancing mixing and heat transfer in pipes.