Semester
Fall
Date of Graduation
1998
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
College
Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Committee Chair
Ismail Celik.
Abstract
Numerical simulations were performed involving stratified, shear flows that have been investigated experimentally. One set of simulations dealt with a homogeneous shear flow involving miscible fluids. The other set of simulations dealt with a developing shear layer involving immiscible fluids. The re-fueling of a compensated fuel/ballast tank, which is partially characterized by a shear layer, was also simulated. In all the simulations a single fluid, scalar transport multiphase model and the k-epsilon turbulence model were used. In the simulations involving miscible fluids an interfacial thickness relationship given by delta/H∼(Ri*)--2.1 and an entrainment relationship given by E∼(Ri*)--1.1 were predicted. These relationships agree with experimental observations. Results from the simulations involving immiscible fluids show a strong gradient Richardson number dependence where the gradient Richardson number ranged from Ri G = 0.05 to RiG = 0.25. The simulations of the compensated fuel/ballast tank showed that buoyant flow events around internal manholes caused a significant amount of mixing.
Recommended Citation
Umbel, Matthew Robert, "Prediction of turbulent mixing at the interface of density stratified, shear flows using CFD" (1998). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 938.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/938