Viscoelastic fluid flow in three-dimensional square-square contractions

P.C. Sousa, P.M. Coelho, Monica Oliveira, M.A. Alves

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution book

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Visualizations of the flow patterns in a square-square contraction were undertaken using streak line photography, and detailed velocity field measurements were conducted using a Particle Image Velocimetry technique. We analyze the effect of contraction ratio on the flow patterns observed with a Newtonian and a Boger fluid. For the Newtonian fluid, the experimental results are compared with numerical simulations performed using a Finite-Volume method, and excellent agreement is found. For the viscoelastic case, we observe complex flow patterns that are dependent on the contraction ratio. For low contraction ratios strong divergent flow is observed upstream of the contraction, which is consistent with the findings of Alves and Poole [1]. On the other hand, for high contraction ratios no upstream divergent flow is observed, except in the vicinity of the re-entrant corner, where a localized atypical divergent flow is observed. For all contraction ratios studied (CR = 2.4, 4, 8 and 12), increasing the Deborah number leads to a strong elastic vortex enhancement upstream of the contraction, until a periodic complex flow is established at higher flow rates.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAIChE Annual Meeting, Conference Proceedings
Subtitle of host publication2007 AIChE Annual Meeting
Publication statusPublished - 2007
EventAICHE Annual Meeting - Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Duration: 4 Nov 20079 Nov 2007

Conference

ConferenceAICHE Annual Meeting
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySalt Lake City, Utah
Period4/11/079/11/07

Keywords

  • viscoelastic fluid flow
  • Three-dimensional flow
  • square-square contractions

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