Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “EQUILIBRIUM FLOW”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 235 records · Page 13

Comparative magnetospheric/ionospheric studies using Dynamics Explorer spacecraft and ground-based radars

Coincident observations between the Dynamics Explorer 1 and 2 spacecraft with Chatanika and Arecibo ground-based radar are briefly reviewed. Ionospheric-magnetospheric coupling processes in the plasmasphere, main trough, auroral zone, and polar cap are inferred from the density, temperature, composition, and angular distributions of the low-energy plasma observed from the E-region ionosphere out into the magnetosphere to an altitude of 2.5 earth radii (Re). From the polar cap to the inner plasmasphere, parallel and perpendicular electric fields, polar wind flow, and equilibrium diffusion appear to be involved in the ionospheric-magnetospheric coupling of the low energy plasma.

Green, J. L.↗

Comparative magnetospheric/ionospheric studies using Dynamics Explorer spacecraft and ground-based radars

Coincident magnetosphere-ionosphere observations between the Dynamics Explorer 1 and 2 spacecraft with ground-based radar are reviewed. Ionospheric-magnetospheric coupling processes in the plasmasphere, main trough, auroral zone, and polar cap are inferred from the density, temperature, composition, and angular distributions of the low-energy plasma observed from the E-region ionosphere out into the magnetosphere to an altitude of 2.5 Re. From the polar cap to the inner plasmasphere, parallel and perpendicular electric fields, polar wind flow, and equilibrium diffusion appear to be involved in the ionospheric-magnetospheric coupling of the low energy plasma.

Green, J. L.↗

Simulating The Performance Of A Scramjet

SCRAM computer program determines, according to one-dimensional mathematical model, cycle performance for airframe-integrated subsonic or supersonic combustion Ramjets. Reliable, efficient, and speedy ramjet designer's software tool usable on all standard computers down to those compatible with IBM PC-AT's. Scramjet cycle analysis code simulates, from nose to tail, hydrogen-fueled, airframe-integrated scramjet in real gas flow with equilibrium thermodynamic properties. Enables rapid scramjet performance estimates. Written in FORTRAN 77.

Walton, James T.↗

Local anisotropy in strained turbulence at high Reynolds numbers

It is shown that the hypothesis of local isotropy is implausible in the presence of significant mean rates of strain. In fact, it appears that in uniform shear flow near equilibrium, local isotropy can never constitute a systematic approximation, even in the limit of infinite Reynolds number. An estimate of the level of mean strain rate for which local isotropy is formally a good approximation is provided.

Durbin, P. A.↗

Application of radial-equilibrium condition to axial-flow compressor and turbine design

Basic general equations governing the three-dimensional compressible flow of gas through a compressor or turbine are given in terms of total enthalpy, entropy, and velocity components of the gas. Two methods of solution are obtained for the simplified, steady axially symmetric flow; one involves the use of a number of successive planes normal to the axis of the machine and short distances apart, and the other involves only three stations for a stage in which an appropriate radial-flow path is used. Methods of calculation for the limiting cases of zero and infinite blade aspect ratios and an approximate method of calculation for finite blade aspect ratio are also given. In these methods, the blade loading and the shape of the annular passage wall may be arbitrarily specified.

Wu, Chung-Hua↗

The structure of intense vorticity in homogeneous isotropic turbulence

The structure of the intense vorticity regions is studied in numerically simulated homogeneous, isotropic, equilibrium turbulent flow fields at four different Reynolds numbers in the range Re(sub lambda) = 36-171. In accordance with previous investigators, this vorticity is found to be organized in coherent, cylindrical or ribbon-like, vortices ('worms'). A statistical study suggests that they are just especially intense features of the background, O(omega'), vorticity. Their radii scale with the Kolmogorov microscale and their lengths with the integral scale of the flow. An interesting observation is that the Reynolds number based on the circulation of the intense vortices, gamma/nu, increases monotonically with Re(sub lambda), raising the question of the stability of the structures in the limit of Re(sub lambda) approaching infinity. One and two-dimensional statistics of vorticity and strain are presented; they are non-gaussian, and the behavior of their tails depends strongly on the Reynolds number. There is no evidence of convergence to a limiting distribution in our range of Re(sub lambda), even though the energy spectra and the energy dissipation rate show good asymptotic properties in the higher Reynolds number cases. Evidence is presented to show that worms are natural features of the flow and that they do not depend on the particular forcing scheme.

Jimenez, J.↗

Bounded energy states in homogeneous turbulent shear flow: An alternative view

The equilibrium structure of homogeneous turbulent shear flow is investigated from a theoretical standpoint. Existing turbulence models, in apparent agreement with physical and numerical experiments, predict an unbounded exponential time growth of the turbulent kinetic energy and dissipation rate; only the anisotropy tensor and turbulent time scale reach a structural equilibrium. It is shown that if vortex stretching is accounted for in the dissipation rate transport equation, then there can exist equilibrium solutions, with bounded energy states, where the turbulence production is balanced by its dissipation. Illustrative calculations are present for a k-epsilon model modified to account for vortex stretching. The calculations indicate an initial exponential time growth of the turbulent kinetic energy and dissipation rate for elapsed times that are as large as those considered in any of the previously conducted physical or numerical experiments on homogeneous shear flow. However, vortex stretching eventually takes over and forces a production-equals-dissipation equilibrium with bounded energy states. The validity of this result is further supported by an independent theoretical argument. It is concluded that the generally accepted structural equilibrium for homogeneous shear flow with unbounded component energies is in need of re-examination.

Bernard, Peter S.↗

The NATA code: Theory and analysis, volume 1

A computer program for calculating quasi-one-dimensional gas flow in axisymmetric and two-dimensional nozzles and rectangular channels is presented. Flow is assumed to start from a state of thermochemical equilibrium at a high temperature in an upstream reservoir. The program provides solutions based on frozen chemistry, chemical equilibrium, and nonequilibrium flow with finite reaction rates. Electronic nonequilibrium effects can be included using a two-temperature model. An approximate laminar boundary layer calculation is given for the shear and heat flux on the nozzle wall. Boundary layer displacement effects on the inviscid flow are considered also. Chemical equilibrium and transport property calculations are provided by subroutines. The code contains precoded thermochemical, chemical kinetic, and transport cross section data for high-temperature air, CO2-N2-Ar mixtures, helium, and argon. It provides calculations of the stagnation conditions on axisymmetric or two-dimensional models, and of the conditions on the flat surface of a blunt wedge. The primary purpose of the code is to describe the flow conditions and test conditions in electric arc heated wind tunnels.

Bade, W. L.↗

Multiple-Scale Turbulence Model

Turbulence in complex, recirculating flows not in spectral equilibrium. Report discusses mathematical fluid-flow model that includes multiple turbulence scales. Model developed for numerical prediction of confined, recirculating flows. Based on multiple-timescale concepts introduced in previous study, model takes into account turbulence in recirculating flow not in spectral equilibrium and different energy-transfer rates for eddies of different spatial scales treated separately.

Chen, C.↗

Development and application of computational aerothermodynamics flowfield computer codes

Presented is a collection of papers on research activities carried out during the funding period of October 1991 to March 1992. Topics covered include: blunt body flows in thermochemical equilibrium; thermochemical relaxation in high enthalpy nozzle flow; single expansion ramp nozzle simulations; lunar return aerobraking; line boundary problem for three dimensional grids; and unsteady shock induced combustion.

Venkatapathy, Ethiraj↗

A unified non-equilibrium phase change model for injection flow modeling

The homogenous relaxation model (HRM) is one of the most widely used models to describe the liquid- gas phase transition. However, in its original formulation, it is unable to handle multispecies vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE), which limits its applicability to single-component fluids. In this work, a unified non-equilibrium phase change model that considers the VLE of multicomponent mixtures is proposed building upon the HRM's structure. A time factor is introduced to mimic the effect of different phase change timescales due to different mechanisms, e.g., cavitation, flash-boiling, and evaporation. Here to assess the model's performance, computational fluid dynamics simulations of the internal and near-nozzle injection flow of the Engine Combustion Network's Spray G injector were performed using the nine-component PACE-20 fuel with both the unified model and the original HRM. The predicted fuel density in the near-nozzle region matched well with X-ray tomography measurements. The simulation results indicated that, whereas the HRM failed to capture the vaporization due to convective mixing between the fuel and ambient gas, the unified model performed well in predicting the mixing-driven vaporization and the corresponding evaporative cooling. Further comparisons using the nine-component fuel formula and a single-component fuel surrogate demonstrated the unified model's ability to predict preferential vaporization, which affects the predictions of local mixture composition and rate of vaporization. Finally, it is shown that the unified model is capable of representing multiple phase change mechanisms, and the relaxation time factor plays an important role in determining the degree of phase change due to the different mechanisms.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Siphon flows in isolated magnetic flux tubes. III - The equilibrium path of the flux-tube arch

It is shown how to calculate the equilibrium path of a thin magnetic flux tube in a stratified, nonmagnetic atmosphere when the flux tube contains a steady siphon flow. The equilbrium path of a static thin flux tube in an infinite stratified atmosphere generally takes the form of a symmetric arch of finite width, with the flux tube becoming vertical at either end of the arch. A siphon flow within the flux tube increases the curvature of the arched equilibrium path in order that the net magnetic tension force can balance the inertial force of the flow, which tries to straighten the flux tube. Thus, a siphon flow reduces the width of the arched equilibrium path, with faster flows producing narrower arches. The effect of the siphon flow on the equilibrium path is generally greater for flux tubes of weaker magnetic field strength. Examples of the equilibrium are shown for both isothemal and adiabatic siphon flows in thin flux tubes in an isothermal external atmosphere.

Thomas, John H.↗