Introduction: This paper describes the results of research aimed at developing a method of otolaryngological diagnosis based on computational fluid dynamics, which has been called Virtual Rhinomanometry. Material and methods: Laboratory studies of airflows through a 3D printed model of nasal cavities based on computed tomography image analysis have been performed. The CFD results have been compared with those of an examination of airflow through nasal cavities (rhinomanometry) of a group of 25 patients. Results: The possibilities of simplifying model geometry for CFD calculations have been described, the impact of CT image segmentation on geometric model accuracy and CFD simulation errors have been analysed, and recommendations for future research have been described. Conclusions: The measurement uncertainty of the nasal cavities’ walls has a significant impact on CFD simulations. The CFD simulations better approximate RMM results of patients after anemization, as the influence of the nasal mucosa on airflow is then reduced. A minor change in the geometry of the nasal cavities (within the range of reconstruction errors by CT image segmentation) has a major impact on the results of CFD simulations.

The main aim of this paper is to present a possibility to enhance the drag reduction effect in straight pipe flow by the simultaneous addition to the transported liquid of a small amount of high molecular weight polymers and surfactants. Qualitative analysis of the polymer-micellar additive influence on the shape and character of flow resistance curves has been performed. Also multicomponent polymer-micellar solution flow resistance curves were compared with appropriate single additive polymer or surfactant solution flow resistance curves. The experimental data shows that, for polymer-micellar solutions, the stable transitional zone between the laminar and the turbulent flow regions is extended toward higher values of the critical Reynolds numbers. Occurrence of the phenomenon can be explained by the flow laminarization caused by polymer-micellar aggregates. Existence of the third extended drag reduction zone in the turbulent range of flow has also been observed for the first time.

Introduction: Rhinomanometry is an otolaryngological diagnostic method used to determine airflow as a function of the pressure drop through the left and right nasal cavities. Airflow is measured using orifice flowmeters that attenuate the flow. Aim: This paper describes the results of a study into the effects of flowmeter design on rhinomanometry results and detection of nasal airflow asymmetry. Material and methods: Four flowmeters were examined using a 3D printed model of a human nose. Conclusions: Each flowmeter interfered with the rhinomanometry results.

W artykule przedstawiono wyniki badań automatycznego działka wodno‑pianowego przeznaczonego do zastosowań w instalacjach przeciwpożarowych obiektów przemysłowych i magazynowych. Badane urządzenie stanowi element opracowanego przez autorów systemu gaśniczego integrującego działko wodno‑pianowe, układ automatycznego sterowania oraz system detekcji termowizyjnej. Szczególną uwagę poświęcono analizie charakterystyki hydraulicznej urządzenia oraz ocenie jego działania w warunkach rzeczywistych. Zakres badań obejmował pomiary hydrauliczne, badania poligonowe oraz analizy numeryczne CFD. Wyznaczono zależności pomiędzy parametrami pracy działka a zasięgiem strumienia środka gaśniczego, określono charakterystykę strat ciśnienia oraz zweryfikowano warunki przepływu wewnątrz układu hydraulicznego. Wyniki analiz numerycznych potwierdziły brak zjawiska kawitacji w analizowanym zakresie parametrów pracy. Przeprowadzone badania wykazały możliwość uzyskania zasięgu strumienia dochodzącego do około 100 m przy ciśnieniu roboczym 12 bar i wydajności około 3700 l/min. Największy zasięg uzyskiwano dla kąta nachylenia działka wynoszącego około 30°. Badania na stanowisku ogniowym potwierdziły skuteczność działania systemu automatycznej detekcji i naprowadzania strumienia środka gaśniczego. Uzyskane wyniki wskazują, że opracowane rozwiązanie może stanowić skuteczne uzupełnienie klasycznych stałych urządzeń gaśniczych w obiektach wielkopowierzchniowych, wymagających dużego zasięgu działania oraz szybkiej reakcji na rozwijające się zagrożenia pożarowe.

This paper presents a combined CFD and experimental investigation of water flow through a Shootfire-1000 water-foam fire monitor. The study aimed to assess pressure losses, flow characteristics, hydraulic stability, and cavitation risk, and to evaluate the influence of selected geometric and operating parameters on hydraulic performance. A numerical model based on the actual geometry of the device was developed and experimentally validated using pressure loss measurements obtained under representative operating conditions. The influence of flow rate, monitor elevation angle, water temperature, nozzle cone position, and cone plate fillet radius was analyzed. The results showed that the dominant pressure losses occur within the monitor head, particularly in the annular constriction formed by the nozzle cone and the housing. Water temperature and monitor elevation angle had only a minor effect on the overall hydraulic performance, whereas relatively small modifications of the nozzle cone geometry significantly affected pressure losses. The analyses further demonstrated that local geometric features play a key role in determining velocity distribution and hydraulic stability. No pressure values below the water vapour pressure were observed within the investigated operating range, indicating a negligible risk of cavitation. The results confirm that optimization of the monitor head geometry can effectively reduce hydraulic losses and improve the hydraulic performance of water-foam fire monitors.