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Vertically stratified two-phase flow in a curved channel: Insights from a domain perturbation analysis
Published in American Institute of Physics Inc.
2014
Volume: 26
   
Issue: 7
Abstract
In this work, we investigate the fully developed flow field of two vertically stratified fluids (one phase flowing above the other) in a curved channel of rectangular cross section. The domain perturbation technique is applied to obtain an analytical solution in the asymptotic limit of low Reynolds numbers and small curvature ratios (the ratio of the width of the channel to its radius of curvature). The accuracy of this solution is verified by comparison with numerical simulations of the nonlinear equations. The flow is characterized by helical vortices within each fluid, which are driven by centrifugal forces. The number of vortices and their direction of circulation varies with the parameters of the system (the volume fraction, viscosity ratio, and Reynolds numbers). We identify nine distinct flow patterns and organize the parameter space into corresponding flow regimes. We show that the fully developed interface between the fluids is not horizontal, in general, but is deformed by normal stresses associated with the circulatory flow. The results are especially significant for flows in microchannels, where the Reynolds numbers are small. Themathematical results in this paper include an analytical solution to two coupled biharmonic partial differential equations; these equations arise in two-phase, two-dimensional Stokes flows. © 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.
About the journal
JournalData powered by TypesetPhysics of Fluids
PublisherData powered by TypesetAmerican Institute of Physics Inc.
ISSN10706631
Open AccessNo
Concepts (13)
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    Nonlinear equations
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    Perturbation techniques
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    Reynolds number
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    Vortex flow
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    Asymptotic limits
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    Centrifugal forces
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    Fully developed flows
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    Low reynolds number
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    Perturbation analysis
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    Radius of curvature
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    RECTANGULAR CROSS-SECTIONS
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    VERTICALLY STRATIFIED
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    Two phase flow