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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2007

Boundary Layer Transition on an Axial Compressor Stator Blade-Wake Passing and Freestream Turbulence Effects

Quantitative observations of transitional boundary layers in regions of strong flow deceleration on an axial compressor stator blade are reported. Measurements are obtained at a fixed chordwise position, and the blade incidence was varied by changing the compressor throughflow so as to move the transition region relative to the stationary probe. It was thus possible to observe typical boundary layer behavior at various stages of transition in the turbomachine environment. The range of observations covers separating laminar flow at transition onset, and reattachment of intermittently turbulent periodically separated shear layers.

Walker, G. J.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Oceanic mixing and waves in the presence of a suspended canopy

Large-eddy simulations are analysed to determine the influence of suspended canopies, such as those formed in macroalgal farms, on ocean mixed layer (OML) deepening and internal wave generation. In the absence of a canopy, we show that Langmuir turbulence, when compared with wind-driven shear turbulence, results in a deeper OML and more pronounced internal waves beneath the OML. Subsequently, we examine simulations with suspended canopies of varying densities located in the OML, in the presence of a background geostrophic current. Intensified turbulence occurs in the shear layer at the canopy’s bottom edge, arising from the interaction between the geostrophic current and canopy drag. Structures resembling Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH) instability emerge as the canopy shear layer interacts with the underlying stratification, radiating internal waves beneath the OML. Both intensified turbulence and lower-frequency motions associated with KH-type structures are critical factors in enhancing mixing. Consequently, the OML depth increases by up to a factor of two compared with cases without a canopy. Denser canopies and stronger geostrophic currents lead to more pronounced KH-type structures and internal waves, stronger turbulence and greater OML deepening. Additionally, vertical nutrient transport is enhanced as the OML deepens due to the presence of the canopy. Considering that the canopy density investigated in this study closely represents offshore macroalgal farms, these findings suggest a mechanism for passive nutrient entrainment conducive to sustainable farming. Overall, this study reveals the intricate interactions between the suspended canopy, turbulent mixing and stratification, underscoring their importance in reshaping OML characteristics.

Bo, Tong (ORCID:0000000260300561)↗
NASA NTRS1994

The effects of Kelvin-Helmholtz instability on resonance absorption layers in coronal loops

One of the long-standing uncertainties in the wave-resonance theory of coronal heating is the stability of the resonance layer. The wave motions in the resonance layer produce highly localized shear flows which vary sinusoidally in time with the resonance period. This configuration is potentially susceptible to the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability (KHI), which can enhance small-scale structure and turbulent broadening of shear layers on relatively rapid ideal timescales. We have investigated numerically the response of a characteristic velocity profile, derived from resonance absorption models, to finite fluid perturbations comparable to photospheric fluctuations. We find that the KHI primarily should affect long (approximately greater than 6 x 10(exp 4) km) loops where higher velocity flows (M approximately greater than 0.2) exist in resonance layers of order 100 km wide. There, the Kelvin-Helmholtz growth time is comparable to or less than the resonance quarter-period, and the potentially stabilizing magnetic effects are not felt until the instability is well past the linear growth stage. Not only is the resonance layer broadened by the KHI, but also the convective energy transport out of the resonance layer is increased, thus adding to the efficiency of the wave-resonance heating process. In shorter loops, e.g., those in bright points and compact flares, the stabilization due to the magnetic field and the high resonance frequency inhibit the growth of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability beyond a minimal level.

Karpen, Judith T.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Experimental Investigation of Separated and Transitional Boundary Layers Under Low-Pressure Turbine Airfoil Conditions

Modern low-pressure turbine airfoils are subject to increasingly stronger pressure gradients as designers impose higher loading in an effort to improve efficiency and to reduce part count. The adverse pressure gradients on the suction side of these airfoils can lead to boundary-layer separation, particularly under cruise conditions. Separation bubbles, notably those which fail to reattach, can result in a significant degradation of engine efficiency. Accurate prediction of separation and reattachment is hence crucial to improved turbine design. This requires an improved understanding of the transition flow physics. Transition may begin before or after separation, depending on the Reynolds number and other flow conditions, has a strong influence on subsequent reattachment, and may even eliminate separation. Further complicating the problem are the high free-stream turbulence levels in a real engine environment, the strong pressure gradients along the airfoils, the curvature of the airfoils, and the unsteadiness associated with wake passing from upstream stages. Because of the complicated flow situation, transition in these devices can take many paths that can coexist, vary in importance, and possibly also interact, at different locations and instances in time. The present work was carried out in an attempt to systematically sort out some of these issues. Detailed velocity measurements were made along a flat plate subject to the same nominal dimensionless pressure gradient as the suction side of a modern low-pressure turbine airfoil ('Pak-B'). The Reynolds number based on wetted plate length and nominal exit velocity, Re, was varied from 50;000 to 300; 000, covering cruise to takeoff conditions. Low, 0.2%, and high, 7%, inlet free-stream turbulence intensities were set using passive grids. These turbulence levels correspond to about 0.2% and 2.5% turbulence intensity in the test section when normalized with the exit velocity. The Reynolds number and free-stream turbulence level do not have a significant effect on the location of boundary-layer separation unless they are high enough to induce transition upstream of separation. The location and extent of the transition zone, in contrast, depend strongly on Re and TI. The beginning of reattachment closely follows the onset of transition. Under low free-stream turbulence conditions the boundary layer is laminar at separation and then begins to exhibit fluctuations in a finite frequency band in the shear layer over the separation bubble. These fluctuations are due to instability waves. The fluctuations grow in magnitude, higher harmonics are generated, and finally lead to a breakdown to turbulence. Transition begins in the shear layer, but quickly spreads to the near wall region and causes the boundary layer to reattach. The transition is rapid and the resulting turbulence contains a full range of high and low frequencies. Under high free-stream turbulence conditions, slowly growing low-frequency fluctuations are induced in the pretransitional boundary layer by the free-stream. The separation bubbles are considerably thinner than in the low TI cases, resulting in thinner boundary layers at the end of the test wall. At Re=50,000 and 100,000, the pre-transitional boundary layer separates at about the same location as in the low TI cases. Transition occurs through a bypass mode, begins upstream of the corresponding low-TI location, and proceeds in a manner similar to that of an attached boundary layer. Under high TI at Re=200,000 and 300,000, transition begins before separation. The boundary layer may separate, but if it does the separation bubble is very short and does not significantly affect the downstream development of the boundary layer. A comparison is made to previous work in a simulated cascade.

Hultgren, Lennart S.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Detecting shearless phase-space transport barriers in global gyrokinetic turbulence simulations with test particle map models

In magnetically confined fusion plasmas, the role played by zonal 𝐸 x 𝐵 flow shear layers in the suppression of turbulent transport is relatively well understood. However, less is understood about the role played by the weak shear regions that arise in the non-monotonic radial electric field profiles often associated with these shear layers. In electrostatic simulations from the global total-𝑓 gyrokinetic particle-in-cell code XGC, we demonstrate how shearless regions with non-zero flow curvature form zonal ‘jets’ that, in conjunction with neighbouring regions of shear, can act as robust barriers to particle transport and turbulence spreading. By isolating quasi-coherent fluctuations radially localised to the zonal jets, we construct a map model for the Lagrangian dynamics of gyrokinetic test particles in the presence of drift waves. We identify the presence of shearless invariant tori in this model and verify that these tori act as partial phase-space transport barriers in the simulations. We also demonstrate how avalanches impinging on these shearless tori cause eddy detachment events that form ‘cold/warm core ring’ structures analogous to those found in oceanic jets, facilitating transport across the barriers without destroying them completely. We discuss how shearless tori may generically arise from tertiary instabilities or other types of discrete eigenmodes, suggesting their potential relevance to broader classes of turbulent fluctuations.

fusion plasma↗
NASA NTRS1980

Prediction of optical propagation losses through turbulent boundary/shear layers

A simplified mathematical model was developed which predicts the optical propagation losses which occur when an optical beam of given wave length passes through a turbulent boundary layer or shear layer. The optical losses are predicted in terms of line spread function (or Strehl ratio) and modulation transfer function by using experimentally determined values of layer thickness, streamwise, lateral and beamwise density fluctuation length scales, and distribution of the standard deviation of the density fluctuations through the turbulent layer. The prediction model was applied to the analysis of a number of selected cases of interest from the aerodynamic-optical interaction wind-tunnel investigation conducted in the NASA-Ames 1.83 x 1.83 meter (6 x 6 ft) wind tunnel. Direct optical measurements are compared with the results predicted by the aerodynamic analysis.

Verhoff, A.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Second-order closure analysis of turbulent reacting flows

A reacting shear layer program for a complete second-order closure of turbulent reacting flows is developed. The program uses a typical eddy box model and many of the fluid mechanical turbulence models developed in earlier studies. The computer program actually solves a total of 30 equations, where the numerical integration of the equations is performed by a forward-time-centered space quasi-implicit upwind finite-difference scheme. Results for nonreacting and simple isothermal reacting flows are presented along with preliminary results for propane-air flames. It is shown that the program predictions for simple nonreacting flows are in good agreement with available data. The calculations for isothermal reacting flows demonstrate the importance of including a mixedness correlation in finite rate chemistry calculations, where significant errors in the flowfield properties can result from neglect of the interaction between turbulence and the chemistry. Results for propane-air diffusion flames further support this conclusion.

Varma, A. K.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Plasmaspheric Plume Turbulence: Signature of an Electrostatic Corotation Convection Shear-Layer Instability

As demonstrated by IMAGE-EUV observations, plasmaspheric drainage plumes are a common feature emanating from the plasmasphere during periods of enhanced convection. Concurrent IMAGE-EUV and LANL-MPA observations reveal that plasmaspheric plumes are not a uniform density structure that extends out to geosynchronous orbit and beyond. Instead, in–situ observations reveal a large spatial-scale structure populated by small-scale density structures suggestive of the presence of a turbulent process. Here, we investigate the occurrence and nature of plasmaspheric drainage plumes as observed by concurrent EUV-MPA observations, as well as explore the possibility that the in–situ observed small-scale density structures are the signature of an instability produced by the sheared velocity found within the plasmaspheric layers separating the corotation of the main plasmasphere from the convection-driven flow generating the plume. Particle-in-cell simulations indicate that the generation of shear-flow driven instabilities is possible under plasmaspheric plasma conditions. The initial results of these simulations indicate that the plasmaspheric instabilities generated are electrostatic in nature, consist with in–situ plume observations.

Mark L Adrian↗
NASA NTRS1989

An experimental study of a reattaching supersonic shear layer

A Mach 1.83 fully developed turbulent boundary layer was separated at a 25.4 mm backward step and formed a free shear layer. The incoming boundary layer thickness, momentum thickness, and Reynolds number were approximately 8 mm, 0.5 mm, and 52x10 to the 6th/m, respectively. A two-component coincident LDV system was used to take velocity measurements of the incoming boundary layer, the free shear layer, and the reattached shear layer. The results confirmed the existence of organized structures in both the free and the reattached shear layer which was reported earlier based on the authors dynamic pressure measurements and Schlieren photographs.

Samimy, M.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Study Of Compressibility Corrections To Turbulence Models

Effects on shear layers in simulated confined and unconfined flows studied. Report presents comparative study of some terms that correct for effects of compressibility in standard k-epsilon mathematical model of turbulence where k denotes turbulence kinetic energy and epsilon denotes rate of dissipation of turbulence kenetic energy. Involved simulation of flows by numerical solution of Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations.

Viegas, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Lear jet boundary layer/shear layer laser propagation experiments

Optical degradations of aircraft turbulent boundary layers with shear layers generated by aerodynamic fences are analyzed. A collimated 2.5 cm diameter helium-neon laser (0.63 microns) traversed the approximate 5 cm thick natural aircraft boundary layer in double pass via a reflective airfoil. In addition, several flights examined shear layer-induced optical degradation. Flight altitudes ranged from 1.5 to 12 km, while Mach numbers were varied from 0.3 to 0.8. Average line spread function (LSF) and Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) data were obtained by averaging a large number of tilt-removed curves. Fourier transforming the resulting average MTF yields an LSF, thus affording a direct comparison of the two optical measurements. Agreement was good for the aerodynamic fence arrangement, but only fair in the case of a turbulent boundary layer. Values of phase variance inferred from the LSF instrument for a single pass through the random flow and corrected for a large aperture ranged from 0.08 to 0.11 waves (lambda = .63 microns) for the boundary layer. Corresponding values for the fence vary from 0.08 to 0.16 waves. Extrapolation of these values to 10.6 microns suggests negligible degradation for a CO2 laser transmitted through a 5 cm thick, subsonic turbulent boundary layer.

Gilbert, K.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Investigation of high-speed free shear flows using improved pressure-strain correlated Reynolds stress turbulence model

A high-speed shear layer is studied using compressibility corrected Reynolds stress turbulence model which employs newly developed model for pressure-strain correlation. MacCormack explicit prediction-corrector method is used for solving the governing equations and the turbulence transport equations. The stiffness arising due to source terms in the turbulence equations is handled by a semi-implicit numerical technique. Results obtained using the new model show a sharper reduction in growth rate with increasing convective Mach number. Some improvements were also noted in the prediction of the normalized streamwise stress and Reynolds shear stress. The computed results are in good agreement with the experimental data.

Tiwari, S. N.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Effect of Heating on Turbulent Density Fluctuations and Noise Generation From High Speed Jets

Heated jets in a wide range of temperature ratios (TR), and acoustic Mach numbers (Ma) were investigated experimentally using far field microphones and a molecular Rayleigh scattering technique. The latter provided density fluctuations measurements. Two sets of operating conditions were considered: (1) TR was varied between 0.84 and 2.7 while Ma was fixed at 0.9; (2) Ma was varied between 0.6 and 1.48, while TR was fixed at 2.27. The implementation of the molecular Rayleigh scattering technique required dust removal and usage of a hydrogen combustor to avoid soot particles. Time averaged density measurements in the first set of data showed differences in the peripheral density shear layers between the unheated and heated jets. The nozzle exit shear layer showed increased turbulence level with increased plume temperature. Nevertheless, further downstream the density fluctuations spectra are found to be nearly identical for all Mach number and temperature ratio conditions. To determine noise sources a correlation study between plume density fluctuations and far field sound pressure fluctuations was conducted. For all jets the core region beyond the end of the potential flow was found to be the strongest noise source. Except for an isothermal jet, the correlations did not differ significantly with increasing temperature ratio. The isothermal jet created little density fluctuations. Although the far field noise from this jet did not show any exceptional trend, the flow-sound correlations were very low. This indicated that the density fluctuations only acted as a "tracer parameter" for the noise sources.

Panda, Jayanta↗
NASA NTRS1991

Direct simulation of compressible turbulence in a shear flow

Compressibility effects on the turbulence in homogeneous shear flow are investigated. The growth of the turbulent kinetic energy was found to decrease with increasing Mach number: a phenomenon which is similar to the reduction of turbulent velocity intensities observed in experiments on supersonic free shear layers. An examination of the turbulent energy budget shows that both the compressible dissipation and the pressure-dilatation contribute to the decrease in the growth of kinetic energy. The pressure-dilatation is predominantly negative in homogeneous shear flow, in contrast to its predominantly positive behavior in isotropic turbulence. The different signs of the pressure-dilatation are explained by theoretical consideration of the equations for the pressure variance and density variance. Previously, the following results were obtained for isotropic turbulence: (1) the normalized compressible dissipation is of O(M(sub t)(exp 2)); and (2) there is approximate equipartition between the kinetic and potential energies associated with the fluctuating compressible mode. Both of these results were substantiated in the case of homogeneous shear. The dilatation field is significantly more skewed and intermittent than the vorticity field. Strong compressions seem to be more likely than strong expansions.

Sarkar, S.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Direct simulation of compressible turbulence in a shear flow

The purpose of this study is to investigate compressibility effects on the turbulence in homogeneous shear flow. It is found that the growth of the turbulent kinetic energy decreases with increasing Mach number, a phenomenon similar to the reduction of turbulent velocity intensities observed in experiments on supersonic free shear layers. An examination of the turbulent energy budget shows that both the compressible dissipation and the pressure-dilatation contribute to the decrease in the growth of kinetic energy. The pressure-dilatation is predominantly negative in homogeneous shear flow, in contrast to its predominantly positive behavior in isotropic turbulence. The different signs of the pressure-dilatation are explained by theoretical consideration of the equations for the pressure variance and density variance.

Sarkar, S.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Theoretical model for VITA-educed coherent structures in the wall region of a turbulent boundary layer

Experiments on wall-bounded shear flows (channel flows and boundary layers) have indicated that the turbulence in the region close to the wall exhibits a characteristic intermittently formed pattern of coherent structures. For a quantitative study of coherent structures it is necessary to make use of conditional sampling. One particularly successful sampling technique is the Variable Integration Time Averaging technique (VITA) first explored by Blackwelder and Kaplan (1976). In this, an event is assumed to occur when the short time variance exceeds a certain threshold multiple of the mean square signal. The analysis presented removes some assumptions in the earlier models in that the effects of pressure and viscosity are taken into account in an approximation based on the assumption that the near-wall structures are highly elongated in the streamwise direction. The appropriateness of this is suggested by the observations but is also self consistent with the results of the model which show that the streamwise dimension of the structure grows with time, so that the approximation should improve with the age of the structure.

Landahl, Marten T.↗