Influence of Martian Atmospheric Parameters on Laminar and Turbulent Flow Dynamics: A Multiphysics CFD Approach

Abstract

This research discusses the behavior of fluid flow in a pipe when under Martian environmental conditions. The atmosphere of Mars is extremely thin with low pressure (about 0.636 kPa) and low mean temperature (approximately 210 K), so the fluid dynamics in the planet would be considerably different from Earth. The overall objective of this study is to see how various fluids alcohol, water, and honey act as they move through a pipe under a Mars-like condition. The fluids were selected to signify low, medium, and high viscosity, respectively. All simulations used a typical pipe with a 1.5-meter length and an inner diameter of 0.075 meters. The inlet velocity was constant at 0.25 m/s. We utilized the Navier-Stokes momentum equation to simulate the flow and utilized MATLAB and ANSYS Fluent software to perform simulations. MATLAB was employed to calculate velocity profiles, pressure drops, and shear stress in Martian conditions, whereas ANSYS Fluent was utilized to visualize the flow in 2D and 3D with appropriate meshing and turbulence models. Results indicated that water and alcohol, which had lower viscosities, were inclined to show turbulent flow, while honey, with its high viscosity, showed a laminar type of flow. The maximum velocity was observed in the center of the pipe and minimum at the walls, exhibiting a parabolic profile. The values of shear stress and pressure drop were dependent on the fluid's viscosity. In general, the research emphasizes how low pressure, lower temperature, and atmospheric makeup on Mars greatly influence fluid flow, and thus viscosity becomes an important parameter in flow behavior. The research can be beneficial for future engineering systems and fluid transport designs on Mars.