FLUID DYNAMICSFluid dynamics describes how liquids and gases move and aims to limit the effects of drag. Every objectin motion encounters the momentum-sapping effects of friction and drag from surrounding fluids. Modernsociety uses excessive amounts of energy to overcome these effects in many industries. From single cellsto humpback whales, organisms move fluids—and move through them—using minimal energy. Studying theirmovements helps improve the energy profile of companies in industries such as utilities, warehouse anddistribution, manufacturing, and transportation.INDUSTRIESBuilding ConstructionBuilding SystemsCement & ConcreteChemical ManufacturingData CentersElectronicsFood ManufacturingSELECTED STRATEGIESVORTICAL FLOWSVehicles, structures, and industrial equipment such as pipes, ducts,engines, and turbines are often streamlined to create idealized laminarflow but suffer energetic losses or mechanical failure when these flowpatterns break down. Animals and other organisms leverage idealizedvortical flows such as spiraling eddies. By exploiting or even creatingvortices instead of trying to avoid them, flocking birds, swarminginsects, schooling fish, and the human heart are able to move throughfluid and move fluid with minimal energy expenditure. 99 Companies, suchas PAX Scientific, are using these insights to provide new, low-energyprocesses and increased power production.HVAC & RefrigerationIndustrial MachineryMiningOil & GasPower Generation,Distribution & StorageTextiles & ApparelTransportationUtilitiesCONSTRUCTAL THEORYFluid flow in nature always follows the most efficient path. Thisphenomenon can be described by constructal theory—the study of howliving and nonliving systems in nature optimize flow systems. 100 Theflow of air in human lungs, nutrients in leaves, and water in river deltasfollows this principle, balancing various “flow resistances” to createsystems that minimize expended energy. Flow resistances are anyaspect of the system that interact with the fluid’s movement; optimizingthese simultaneously will result in designs with superior performance.Harbec is using constructal theory in the design of their injection molds,mimicking vascular systems to move coolant, and thus thermal energy,more effectively.Water Treatment28<strong>Tapping</strong> <strong>into</strong> <strong>Nature</strong>
EXISTING PRODUCTSFans, mixers, pumps, and propellers all aim to move fluid—air, water,and the like—using as little energy as possible. The Lily Impeller designedby PAX Scientific, a California-based technology firm, creates spiralingflows to move fluid. The same strategy—using vortices—is employedby birds in flight and schools of fish. 99 The importance of this spiralingdesign is that it allows fluid to flow with reduced friction, minimizingthe energy needed to move material from one point to another. PAX’stechnologies are tailored for specific industries, offering reduced energyinputs, reduced operating noise, and efficient mixing over conventionaltechnology. PAX Water—aimed at water and wastewater treatment—caneffectively circulate 10 million gallons of water using the same power asthree 100 watt light bulbs. This is much less power than conventionaltechnology requires and has been installed at 1,000 sites. 101 PAX Mixertechnologies—focused on industries where fluid mixing is critical—areable to reduce required energy inputs, capital costs, and mixing time,while increasing product yields. 102LILY IMPELLERCommercialized by Toronto-based WhalePower, Tubercle Technologyemulates the vortex-forming bumps on humpback whale fins. The smallvortices created by whales’ tubercles delay stalling effects, permitting a40% increase in the angle of attack before flow separation occurs andreducing drag by 30%. 99,103 Envira-North Systems has partnered withWhalePower to use this technology in high-volume, low-speed ceilingfans. Compared to conventional fans, these tubercle-enabled fans reducepower consumption by 20% and reduce operating noise. 104 WhalePoweris also commercializing their technology for the wind energy industry,providing reductions in both turbine noise and mechanical fatigue.TUBERCLE TECHNOLOGYPRODUCTS IN DEVELOPMENTUnlike horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWTs), which are costly topurchase, install, and maintain, and require large expanses of land,vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) offer closer spacing, omnidirectionaloperation, and lower capital and maintenance costs. Dr. John Dabiri atCalTech has patented a bioinspired design for VAWT farms. Informed bythe vortices of schooling fish, Dr. Dabiri has shown that counter-rotating,closely-spaced turbines minimize the negative effects of turbulence inVAWT farms. Though VAWT farms produce less power output overall, thespatial arrangements recommended by Dabiri result in wind farm powerdensities that are ten times higher than HAWT farms (30 W/m 2 comparedto 3 W/m 2 ), decreasing a system’s footprint and enabling medium andlarge sized VAWT installations to be more readily adopted. 105 Dabiri’sdesigns have been implemented at an existing wind farm to improvepower density and in Igiugig, Alaska, to provide high power output in thisremote village. 106 This innovative approach yields reductions in cost, windfarm size, and environmental impacts.WIND FARMS© 2015 Terrapin Bright Green LLC 29
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