Results for “engine CFD” — Page 10

NASA NTRS2002

An Engine Research Program Focused on Low Pressure Turbine Aerodynamic Performance

A comprehensive test program was performed in the Propulsion Systems Laboratory at the NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland Ohio using a highly instrumented Pratt and Whitney Canada PW 545 turbofan engine. A key objective of this program was the development of a high-altitude database on small, high-bypass ratio engine performance and operability. In particular, the program documents the impact of altitude (Reynolds Number) on the aero-performance of the low-pressure turbine (fan turbine). A second objective was to assess the ability of a state-of-the-art CFD code to predict the effect of Reynolds number on the efficiency of the low-pressure turbine. CFD simulation performed prior and after the engine tests will be presented and discussed. Key findings are the ability of a state-of-the art CFD code to accurately predict the impact of Reynolds Number on the efficiency and flow capacity of the low-pressure turbine. In addition the CFD simulations showed the turbulent intensity exiting the low-pressure turbine to be high (9%). The level is consistent with measurements taken within an engine.

Castner, Raymond↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

BENEFIT AND CRITICAL FACTORS FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THE BOUNDARY LAYER INGESTING PROPULSION

The benefit of the boundary layer ingestion(BLI)is described in the perspective of the propulsion and engine development. A power saving map of the BLI engines is derived based on the correlation of the wake velocity ratio of the ingested boundary layer profile and the propulsive efficiency. The ratio of the mass flow rate between BLI and non-BLI propulsors is introduced to quantify the power saving of the BLI engine relative to a clean inlet flow engine which generates same amount of thrust. The wake recovery factor from the jet flow out of the BLI engine is employed to find an adequate sizing of the BLI engine for the given design requirement. The effects of the fan pressure ratio on the power saving are also investigated to explore the feasible range of the BLI engine design. The derived correlation is validated with CFD analyses. A numerical experiment is carried out by varying the wake velocity ratio through different BLI engines sized with respect to an influencing body. Consequently, the propulsor efficiency is quantified and presented by the saving in the actual shaft power. The efficiency penalty, pressure ratio of the BLI fan stage are correlated with the power saving and the correlation is validated through BLI2DTF and R4 fan stage CFD analyses based on rig test data.

B J Lee↗

NASA NTRS1992

Computational fluid dynamics analysis of Space Shuttle main engine multiple plume flows at high-altitude flight conditions

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis is providing verification of Space Shuttle flight performance details and is being applied to Space Shuttle Main Engine Multiple plume interaction flow field definition. Advancements in real-gas CFD methodology that are described have allowed definition of exhaust plume flow details at Mach 3.5 and 107,000 ft. The specific objective includes the estimate of flow properties at oblique shocks between plumes and plume recirculation into the Space Shuttle Orbiter base so that base heating and base pressure can be modeled accurately. The approach utilizes the Rockwell USA Real Gas 3-D Navier-Stokes (USARG3D) Code for the analysis. The code has multi-zonal capability to detail the geometry of the plumes based region and utilizes finite-rate chemistry to compute the plume expansion angle and relevant flow properties at altitude correctly. Through an improved definition of the base recirculation flow properties, heating, and aerodynamic design environments of the Space Shuttle Vehicle can be further updated.

Dougherty, N. S.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Merging Intelligent Systems Technologies with CFD Analysis Strategies: Prototype Development at NASA Ames

A collaborative team of researchers from fields of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), fluid physics, computer architectures, and computer science and knowledge engineering have begun work on a prototype system that addresses several of industry's concerns in using NASA-developed CFD codes as part of the design cycle. A major problem exists in the application of CFD technologies within the aeronautics design cycle due primarily to misunderstandings in the ranges of applicability of the various solver codes or turbulence models. Features that arise during the CFD solution process need to be discriminated and recognized as actual flow features with physical support in the geometry and flow conditions of the problem being solved, or as numerical or non-physical errors arising from mis-application of solver code and its parameters, gridding strategies, or discretization. interpolations. The fundamental concept is to develop an intelligent computational system that can accept the engineer's definition of the problem and construct an optimal CFD solution. To do this requires capturing both the knowledge of how to apply the various CFD tools and how to adapt the application of those tools to flow structures as they evolve during the flow simulation. Embedded within this adaptive system approach is the additional desire to automatically identify and quantify the quality of resolution of the pertinent flow structures, be they genuine or error-induced, and then to adjust the solution strategy accordingly. This paper discusses the status of that prototyping effort.

Thompson, David E.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

RDE Nozzle Computational Design Methodology Development and Application

The rotating detonation engine (RDE) is currently under investigation as an approach to achieving pressure gain combustion for propulsion and power systems. The RDE typically consists of an annulus with one end open (or having a throat and/or nozzle) and the other end valved using non-mechanical, fluidic means. In this study, a total of 6 nozzle design variations were studied for the NPS combustor geometry, using the validated quasi-2D to 3-D coupled simulation approach.

CFD↗

NASA NTRS2023

Python Based Plume Dynamics Estimation Tool (PyPDET) Rapid Plume Strike Analysis for RPOD Maneuvers in Deep Space Operations

I worked as a NASA Intern during the Summer 2023 term in the DS-00 division under the supervision of my mentor, Dr. Jonathan Pitt. Our goal was to build on our previous work from 2022 to develop a plume strike estimation tool using a prescribed physics methodology and model plume impingement effects while considering the dynamics of a rendezvous, operations, proximity, and docking (RPOD) maneuver. This tool supports previously configured CFD-DSMC calculations by allowing for rapid analysis of initial designs using a low-fidelity source flow model. Engineers can then use the high-fidelity CFD-DSMC tool to consolidate results as they work towards finalizing a design. This year’s project was focused on developing a software application that other engineers would be using in their analysis. Thus, the user’s experience was considered in the development of this application. Proper documentation, testability, and modularity of the codebase was our priority. For example, the project included auto documentation procedures to start building towards a User Manual, while also including dedicated demonstration cases for more explicit communication of functionality. Also, this project included a framework for testing the source code for future developments. Additionally, care was taken to develop the code using an Object-Oriented Programming approach. Thus, allowing for a modular extensibility of functionality in anticipation of future developments. The core work of this project was developing an algorithm that would transform the visiting vehicle and associated thruster data according to the kinematics described in the jet firing history. It would then calculate the estimated plume strikes on two of the target vehicles and write data accordingly into a VTK file. Summer work is to conclude by developing and presenting a PowerPoint slide deck at the intern exit briefing on August 11 th , 2023. Once the model for simple plume strike calculations is developed and tested there are several avenues to explore to continue development of this tool. These are also discussed in this report.

Plume Impingement↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Benefit and Critical Factors for the Performance of the Boundary Layer Ingesting Propulsion

The benefit of the boundary layer ingestion (BLI) is described in the perspective of the propulsion and engine development. A power saving map of the BLI engines is derived based on the correlation of the shape factor of the ingested boundary layer and the propulsive efficiency. The ratio of the mass flow rate between BLI and non-BLI propulsors is introduced to quantify the power saving of the BLI engine relative to a corresponding clean inlet flow engine that generates the same amount of net thrust. The wake recovery factor from the jet flow is applied to find the optimum sizing of the engine for the given design requirement. The effects of the fan pressure ratio of the propulsor toward the power saving are also investigated to seek out the feasible range of the BLI propulsor design. The derived correlation is validated with CFD analyses. Simulation models using variously sized engines relative to an influencing body are developed so that a numerical experiment is carried out with the various shape factors. The effect of the propulsion airframe integration toward the aerodynamic forces on the fuselage and nacelle is investigated via parametric study of the engine sizing and fan pressure ratio for the wake ingestion models. The propulsor efficiency is quantified toward the saving in the actual shaft power and correlated with the efficiency penalty of the BLI propulsor. The correlation is also validated via comparison of the turbo-machinery CFD results for BLI2DTF and conventional transonic fan stages.

Boundary Layer Ingestion↗

NASA NTRS2020

CFD Predictions of Soot & CO Emissions Generated by a Partially-Fueled 9-Element Lean-Direct Injection Combustor

A study was undertaken to investigate the CO & soot emissions generated by a partially-fueled 9- element LDI (Lean-Direct Injection) combustor configuration operating in the idle range of jet engine conditions. In order to perform the CFD analysis, several existing soot/chemistry models were implemented into the OpenNCC (Open National Combustion Code). The calculations were based on a Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) simulation with standard k-epsilon turbulence model, a 62- species jet-a/air chemistry, a 2-equation soot model, & a Lagrangian spray solver. A separate transport equation was solved for all individual species involved in jet-a/air combustion. In the test LDI configuration we examined, only five of the nine injectors were fueled with the major pilot injector operating at an equivalence ratio of near one and the other four main injectors operating at an equivalence ratio near 0.55. The calculations helped to identify several reasons behind the soot & CO formation in different regions of the combustor. The predicted results were compared with the reported experimental data on soot mass concentration (SMC) & emissions index of CO (EICO). The experimental results showed that an increase in either T3 and/or F/A ratio lead to a reduction in both EICO & SMC. The predicted results were found to be in reasonable agreement. However, the predicted EICO differed substantially in one test condition associated with higher F/A ratio.

Raju, M. S.↗

NASA NTRS2015

Results of Microgravity Fluid Dynamics Captured With the Spheres-Slosh Experiment

This paper provides an overview of the SPHERES-Slosh Experiment (SSE) aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and presents on-orbit results with data analysis. In order to predict the location of the liquid propellant during all times of a spacecraft mission, engineers and mission analysts utilize Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). These state-of-the-art computer programs numerically solve the fluid flow equations to predict the location of the fluid at any point in time during different spacecraft maneuvers. The models and equations used by these programs have been extensively validated on the ground, but long duration data has never been acquired in a microgravity environment. The SSE aboard the ISS is designed to acquire this type of data, used by engineers on earth to validate and improve the CFD prediction models, improving the design of the next generation of space vehicles as well as the safety of current missions. The experiment makes use of two Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) connected by a frame. In the center of the frame there is a plastic, pill shaped tank that is partially filled with green-colored water. A pair of high resolution cameras records the movement of the liquid inside the tank as the experiment maneuvers within the Japanese Experimental Module test volume. Inertial measurement units record the accelerations and rotations of the tank, making the combination of stereo imaging and inertial data the inputs for CFD model validation.

slosh↗

NASA NTRS2015

Results of Microgravity Fluid Dynamics Captured with the Spheres-Slosh Experiment

This paper provides an overview of the SPHERES-Slosh Experiment (SSE) aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and presents on-orbit results with data analysis. In order to predict the location of the liquid propellant during all times of a spacecraft mission, engineers and mission analysts utilize Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). These state-of-the-art computer programs numerically solve the fluid flow equations to predict the location of the fluid at any point in time during different spacecraft maneuvers. The models and equations used by these programs have been extensively validated on the ground, but long duration data has never been acquired in a microgravity environment. The SSE aboard the ISS is designed to acquire this type of data, used by engineers on earth to validate and improve the CFD prediction models, improving the design of the next generation of space vehicles as well as the safety of current missions. The experiment makes use of two Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) connected by a frame. In the center of the frame there is a plastic, pill shaped tank that is partially filled with green-colored water. A pair of high resolution cameras records the movement of the liquid inside the tank as the experiment maneuvers within the Japanese Experimental Module test volume. Inertial measurement units record the accelerations and rotations of the tank, making the combination of stereo imaging and inertial data the inputs for CFD model validation.

slosh↗

NASA NTRS2015

Result of Microgravity Fluid Dynamics Captured with the SPHERES-Slosh Experiment

This paper provides an overview of the SPHERES-Slosh Experiment (SSE) aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and presents on-orbit results with data analysis. In order to predict the location of the liquid propellant during all times of a spacecraft mission, engineers and mission analysts utilize Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). These state-of-the-art computer programs numerically solve the fluid flow equations to predict the location of the fluid at any point in time during different spacecraft maneuvers. The models and equations used by these programs have been extensively validated on the ground, but long duration data has never been acquired in a microgravity environment. The SSE aboard the ISS is designed to acquire this type of data, used by engineers on earth to validate and improve the CFD prediction models, improving the design of the next generation of space vehicles as well as the safety of current missions. The experiment makes use of two Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) connected by a frame. In the center of the frame there is a plastic, pill shaped tank that is partially filled with green-colored water. A pair of high resolution cameras records the movement of the liquid inside the tank as the experiment maneuvers within the Japanese Experimental Module test volume. Inertial measurement units record the accelerations and rotations of the tank, making the combination of stereo imaging and inertial data the inputs for CFD model validation.

slosh↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

RDE Nozzle Computational Design Methodology Development and Application

The Open National Combustion Code (OpenNCC) is used to simulate the aerospike exhaust nozzle region of a rotating detonation engine (RDE).The main objectives of the current study are twofold. The first goal is to validate the proposed computational methodology using the experimental data. The second goal is to demonstrate how the validated prediction tool can be used to optimize the nozzle geometry. To achieve a significant speed-up of computational time, the computational domain in divided into two parts: a combustion region and a throat-nozzle section. In the combustion region, a validated quasi-two-dimensional in-house code is utilized to generate an unsteady RDE flow field solution just upstream of the combustor throat. Subsequently, the unsteady flow data is fed into the three-dimensional throat-nozzle section as the inflow boundary condition. This facilitates the design optimization process since the unsteady inflow can be reused, and a relatively coarse mesh (i.e., larger time-step) can be used to analyze the flow fields around the nozzle. Five nozzle designs were studied and the predicted performance (i.e., thrust)compared. The optimized nozzle was found to produce 3.2% more overall thrust than a baseline nozzle design. Without the nozzle, there is a large low-pressure region at the throat exit, which significantly reduces the overall performance. This methodology is shown to be a promising approach to explore a wide variety of nozzle geometries in a relatively short amount of time.

CFD↗

NASA NTRS1998

A Geometry Based Infra-Structure for Computational Analysis and Design

The computational steps traditionally taken for most engineering analysis suites (computational fluid dynamics (CFD), structural analysis, heat transfer and etc.) are: (1) Surface Generation -- usually by employing a Computer Assisted Design (CAD) system; (2) Grid Generation -- preparing the volume for the simulation; (3) Flow Solver -- producing the results at the specified operational point; (4) Post-processing Visualization -- interactively attempting to understand the results. For structural analysis, integrated systems can be obtained from a number of commercial vendors. These vendors couple directly to a number of CAD systems and are executed from within the CAD Graphical User Interface (GUI). It should be noted that the structural analysis problem is more tractable than CFD; there are fewer mesh topologies used and the grids are not as fine (this problem space does not have the length scaling issues of fluids). For CFD, these steps have worked well in the past for simple steady-state simulations at the expense of much user interaction. The data was transmitted between phases via files. In most cases, the output from a CAD system could go to Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES) or Standard Exchange Program (STEP) files. The output from Grid Generators and Solvers do not really have standards though there are a couple of file formats that can be used for a subset of the gridding (i.e. PLOT3D data formats). The user would have to patch up the data or translate from one format to another to move to the next step. Sometimes this could take days. Specifically the problems with this procedure are:(1) File based -- Information flows from one step to the next via data files with formats specified for that procedure. File standards, when they exist, are wholly inadequate. For example, geometry from CAD systems (transmitted via IGES files) is defined as disjoint surfaces and curves (as well as masses of other information of no interest for the Grid Generator). This is particularly onerous for modern CAD systems based on solid modeling. The part was a proper solid and in the translation to IGES has lost this important characteristic. STEP is another standard for CAD data that exists and supports the concept of a solid. The problem with STEP is that a solid modeling geometry kernel is required to query and manipulate the data within this type of file. (2) 'Good' Geometry. A bottleneck in getting results from a solver is the construction of proper geometry to be fed to the grid generator. With 'good' geometry a grid can be constructed in tens of minutes (even with a complex configuration) using unstructured techniques. Adroit multi-block methods are not far behind. This means that a million node steady-state solution can be computed on the order of hours (using current high performance computers) starting from this 'good' geometry. Unfortunately, the geometry usually transmitted from the CAD system is not 'good' in the grid generator sense. The grid generator needs smooth closed solid geometry. It can take a week (or more) of interaction with the CAD output (sometimes by hand) before the process can begin. One way Communication. (3) One-way Communication -- All information travels on from one phase to the next. This makes procedures like node adaptation difficult when attempting to add or move nodes that sit on bounding surfaces (when the actual surface data has been lost after the grid generation phase). Until this process can be automated, more complex problems such as multi-disciplinary analysis or using the above procedure for design becomes prohibitive. There is also no way to easily deal with this system in a modular manner. One can only replace the grid generator, for example, if the software reads and writes the same files. Instead of the serial approach to analysis as described above, CAPRI takes a geometry centric approach. This makes the actual geometry (not a discretized version) accessible to all phases of the analysis. The connection to the geometry is made through an Application Programming Interface (API) and NOT a file system. This API isolates the top-level applications (grid generators, solvers and visualization components) from the geometry engine. Also this allows the replacement of one geometry kernel with another, without effecting these top-level applications. For example, if UniGraphics is used as the CAD package then Parasolid (UG's own geometry engine) can be used for all geometric queries so that no solid geometry information is lost in a translation. This is much better than STEP because when the data is queried, the same software is executed as used in the CAD system. Therefore, one analyzes the exact part that is in the CAD system. CAPRI uses the same idea as the commercial structural analysis codes but does not specify control. Software components of the CAD system are used, but the analysis suite, not the CAD operator, specifies the control of the software session. This also means that the license issues (may be) minimized and individuals need not have to know how to operate a CAD system in order to run the suite.

Haimes, Robert↗

NASA NTRS1988

The present status and the future of missile aerodynamics

Some recent developments in the state of the art in missile aerodynamics are reviewed. Among the subjects covered are: (1) tri-service/NASA data base, (2) wing-body interference, (3) nonlinear controls, (4) hypersonic transition, (5) vortex interference, (6) airbreathers, supersonic inlets, (7) store separation problems, (8) correlation of missile data, (9) CFD codes for complete configurations, (10) engineering prediction methods, and (11) future configurations. Suggestions are made for future research and development to advance the state of the art of missile aerodynamics.

Nielsen, Jack N.↗

NASA NTRS1989

The present status and the future of missile aerodynamics

Recent developments in the state of the art in missile aerodynamics are reviewed. Among the subjects covered are: (1) Tri-service/NASA data base, (2) wing-body interference, (3) nonlinear controls, (4) hypersonic transition, (5) vortex interference, (6) airbreathers, supersonic inlets, (7) store separation problems, (8) correlation of missile data, (9) CFD codes for complete configurations, (10) engineering prediction methods, and (11) future configurations. Suggestions are made for future research and development to advance the state of the art of missile aerodynamics.

Nielsen, Jack N.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Prediction of vortical flows on wings using incompressible Navier-Stokes equations

Numerical solutions to the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are in greater demand than ever before as the field of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) increases its impact as an engineering tool. An implicit upwind-relation finite-difference scheme is developed for solving unsteady incompressible Navier-Stokes equations incorporating an artificial time derivative of the pressure to the continuity equation. The essential features observed in experiments for complicated vortical flows past three round-edged low-aspect-ratio wings at high angles of attack are reproduced both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Hsu, C.-H.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Computational fluid dynamics at the Lewis Research Center: An overview

Lewis is a multidisciplinary Center with strong research and development programs in aeronautical and space propulsion, power, space communications, space experiments and materials. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is playing an important and growing role in most of these areas. Described here is how CFD is integrated into these programs and highlights elements of the CFD activities. Examples are presented of codes developed to predict flow fields in advanced propulsion systems and several of the code validation experiments are described. The CFD effort at Lewis ranges from basic research on new and improved algorithms through code development to the application of these codes to specific engineering problems. Because of the substantial improvement in CFD's predictive capability, its use at Lewis is on a steep growth path, spreading rapidly into new areas which had not traditionally taken advantage of the techniques of numerical simulation. Multidisciplinary codes and the future direction of CFD at Lewis are discussed.

Stubbs, Robert M.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Experiments on hypersonic ramjet propulsion cycles using a ram accelerator

Work on hypersonic propulsion research using a ram accelerator is presented. Several different ram accelerator propulsive cycles have been experimentally demonstrated over the Mach number range of 3 to 8.5. The subsonic, thermally choked combustion mode has accelerated projectiles to near the Chapman-Jouguet (C-J) detonation velocity within many different propellant mixtures. In the transdetonative velocity regime (85 to 115 percent of C-J speed), projectiles have established a propulsive cycle which allows them to transition smoothly from subdetonative to superdetonative velocities. Luminosity data indicate that the combustion process moves forward onto the projectile body as it approaches the C-J speed. In the superdetonative velocity range, the projectiles accelerate while always traveling faster than the C-J velocity. Ram accelerator projectiles operating continuously through these velocity regimes generate distinctive hypersonic phenomena which can be studied very effectively in the laboratory. These results would be very useful for validating sophisticated CFD computer codes and in collecting engineering data for potential airbreathing hypersonic propulsive systems.

Chew, G.↗