Michel Speetjens

Topological mixing study of non-Newtonian duct flows

Tracer advection of non-Newtonian fluids in reoriented duct flows is investigated in terms of coherent structures in the web of tracer paths that determine transport properties geometrically. Reoriented duct flows are an idealization of in-line mixers, encompassing many micro and industrial continuous mixers. The topology of the tracer dynamics of reoriented duct flows is Hamiltonian. As the stretching per reorientation increases from zero, we show that the qualitative route from the integrable state to global chaos and good mixing does not depend on fluid rheology. This is due to a universal symmetry of reoriented duct flows, which we derive, controlling the topology of the tracer web. Symmetry determines where in parameter space global chaos first occurs, while increasing non-Newtonian effects delays the quantitative value of onset. Theory is demonstrated computationally for a representative duct flow, the rotated arc mixing flow.

Flow regime analysis of non-Newtonian duct flows

Reoriented duct flows of generalized Newtonian fluids are an idealization of non-Newtonian fluid flow in industrial in-line mixers. Based on scaling analysis and computation we find that non-Newtonian duct flows have several limit behaviors, in the sense that such flows can become (nearly) independent of one or more of the rheological and dynamical control parameters, simplifying the general flow and mixing problem. These limit flows give several levels of modeling complexity to the full problem of non-Newtonian duct flow. We describe the sets of simplified flow models and their corresponding regions of validity. This flow-model decomposition captures the essential rheological and dynamical characteristics of the reoriented duct flows and enables a more efficient and systematic study and design of flow and mixing of non-Newtonian fluids in ducts. Key aspects of the flow-model decomposition are demonstrated via a specific, but representative, duct flow.

Formation of coherent structures in a class of realistic 3D unsteady flows

The formation of coherent structures in three-dimensional (3D) unsteady laminar flows in a cylindrical cavity is reviewed. The discussion concentrates on two main topics: the role of symmetries and fluid inertia in the formation of coherent structures and the ramifications for the Lagrangian transport properties of passive tracers. We consider a number of time-periodic flows that each capture a basic dynamic state of 3D flows: 1D motion on closed trajectories, (quasi-)2D motion within (approximately) 2D subregions of the flow domain and truly 3D chaotic advection. It is shown that these states and their corresponding coherent structures are inextricably linked to symmetries (or absence thereof) in the flow. Symmetry breaking by fluid inertia and the resulting formation of intricate coherent structures and (local) onset of 3D chaos is demonstrated. Finally, first experimental analyses on coherent structures and the underlying role of symmetries are discussed.