Tezduyar, Tayfun E2019-05-162019-05-162019-052019-04-17May 2019Zhang, Yutong. "Computational Flow Analysis of a Cyclone Vacuum Cleaner." (2019) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/105402">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/105402</a>.https://hdl.handle.net/1911/105402Computational flow analysis of a cyclone vacuum cleaner can provide valuable fluid mechanics information for efficient design and operation. The vacuum cleaner is made of multiple cones, each with a rotational flow field that facilitates the dust collection. Reliable computational analysis requires both accurate representation of the complex geometry and high-resolution representation of the boundary layers near the internal surfaces of the cones. We address these computational challenges with the Space–Time Variational Multiscale (ST-VMS) method and isogeometric discretization, using NURBS basis functions. The ST framework has higher-order accuracy in general, and the VMS feature of the ST-VMS addresses the challenge created by the turbulent nature of the flow. The isogeometric discretization provides a more accurate representation of the geometry and increased accuracy in the flow solution. We conduct our studies for both single-cone and multi-cone configurations, and the comparison of the results from the two helps us discern the reasonableness of using single-cone flow analysis in place of full-machine flow analysis.application/pdfengCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.Fluid MechanicsComputational Fluid MechanicsThesis2019-05-16