Abstract
In this work, mesoscopic modeling via a computational lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is used to investigate the flow pattern phenomena and the physical properties of the flow field around one and two square obstacles inside a two-dimensional channel with a fixed blockage ratio, β=1/4, centered inside a 2D channel, for a range of Reynolds numbers (Re) from 1 to 300. The simulation results show that flow patterns can initially exhibit laminar flow at low Re and then make a transition to periodic, unsteady, and, finally, turbulent flow as the Re get higher. Streamlines and velocity profiles and a vortex shedding pattern are observed. The Strouhal numbers are calculated to characterize the shedding frequency and flow dynamics. The effect of the layouts or configurations of the obstacles are also investigated, and the possible connection between the mixing process and the appropriate design of a chemical mixing system is discussed.
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This paper was recommended for publication in revised form by Associate Editor
Jiraporn Yojina received a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from the Mathematics Department, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand, in 2010. Her research interests focus on mathematical biology and medicine.
Waipot Ngamsaad received a Ph.D. in Physics from Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand, in 2010. His research interests focus on computational biophysics and LBM.
Wannapong Triampo received a Ph.D. in Physics from Virginia Tech, USA, in 2001. Sinice graduation, he has been with Mahidol University, Thailand, where he is now an Associate Professor in Physics. His research interests focus on biophysics and stochastic modeling.
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Yojina, J., Ngamsaad, W., Nuttavut, N. et al. Investigating flow patterns in a channel with complex obstacles using the lattice Boltzmann method. J Mech Sci Technol 24, 2025–2034 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-010-0712-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-010-0712-x