Numerical simulation of non-Newtonian fluid flow in mixing geometries

  • Stephen P. Havard

    Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis

    Abstract

    In this thesis, a theoretical investigation is undertaken into fluid and mixing flows generated by various geometries for Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, on both sequential and parallel computer systems. The thesis begins by giving the necessary background to the mixing process and a summary of the fundamental characteristics of parallel architecture machines. This is followed by a literature review which covers accomplished work in mixing flows, numerical methods employed to simulate fluid mechanics problems and also a review of relevant parallel algorithms. Next, an overview is given of the numerical methods that have been reviewed, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods. In the first section of the work the implementation of the primitive variable finite element method to solve a simple two dimensional fluid flow problem is studied. For the same geometry colour band mixing is also investigated. Further investigational work is undertaken into the flows generated by various rotors for both Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. An extended version of the primitive variable formulation is employed, colour band mixing is also carried out on two of these geometries. The latter work is carried out on a parallel architecture machine. The design specifications of a parallel algorithm for a MIMD system are discussed, with particular emphasis placed on frontal and multifrontal methods. This is followed by an explanation of the implementation of the proposed parallel algorithm, applied to the same fluid flow problems as considered earlier and a discussion of the efficiency of the system is given. Finally, a discussion of the conclusions of the entire accomplished work is presented. A number of suggestions for future work are also given. Three published papers relating to the work carried out on the transputer networks are included in the appendices.
    Date of Award1989
    Original languageEnglish

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