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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 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2001

CFD Simulations in Support of Shuttle Orbiter Contingency Abort Aerodynamic Database Enhancement

Modern Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) techniques were used to compute aerodynamic forces and moments of the Space Shuttle Orbiter in specific portions of contingency abort trajectory space. The trajectory space covers a Mach number range of 3.5-15, an angle-of-attack range of 20deg-60deg, an altitude range of 100-190 kft, and several different settings of the control surfaces (elevons, body flap, and speed brake). Presented here are details of the methodology and comparisons of computed aerodynamic coefficients against the values in the current Orbiter Operational Aerodynamic Data Book (OADB). While approximately 40 cases have been computed, only a sampling of the results is provided here. The computed results, in general, are in good agreement with the OADB data (i.e., within the uncertainty bands) for almost all the cases. However, in a limited number of high angle-of-attack cases (at Mach 15), there are significant differences between the computed results, especially the vehicle pitching moment, and the OADB data. A preliminary analysis of the data from the CFD simulations at Mach 15 shows that these differences can be attributed to real-gas/Mach number effects. The aerodynamic coefficients and detailed surface pressure distributions of the present simulations are being used by the Shuttle Program in the evaluation of the capabilities of the Orbiter in contingency abort scenarios.

Papadopoulos, Periklis E.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Visualization and Tracking of Parallel CFD Simulations

We describe a system for interactive visualization and tracking of a 3-D unsteady computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation on a parallel computer. CM/AVS, a distributed, parallel implementation of a visualization environment (AVS) runs on the CM-5 parallel supercomputer. A CFD solver is run as a CM/AVS module on the CM-5. Data communication between the solver, other parallel visualization modules, and a graphics workstation, which is running AVS, are handled by CM/AVS. Partitioning of the visualization task, between CM-5 and the workstation, can be done interactively in the visual programming environment provided by AVS. Flow solver parameters can also be altered by programmable interactive widgets. This system partially removes the requirement of storing large solution files at frequent time steps, a characteristic of the traditional 'simulate (yields) store (yields) visualize' post-processing approach.

Vaziri, Arsi↗
NASA NTRS1997

On spurious behavior of CFD simulations

Spurious behavior in underresolved grids and/or semi-implicit temporal discretizations for four computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are studied. The numerical simulations consist of (a) a 1-D chemically relaxed nonequilibrium model, (b) the direct numerical simulation (DNS) of 2-D incompressible flow over a backward facing step, (c) a loosely-coupled approach for a 2-D fluid-structure interaction, and (d) a 3-D compressible unsteady flow simulation of vortex breakdown in delta wings. Using knowledge from dynamical systems theory, various types of spurious behaviors that are numerical artifacts were systematically identified. These studies revealed the various possible dangers of misinterpreting numerical simulation of realistic complex flows that are constrained by the available computing power. In large scale computations underresolved grids, semi-implicit procedures, loosely-coupled implicit procedures, and insufficiently long time integration in DNS are most often unavoidable. Consequently, care must be taken in both computation and in interpretation of the numerical data. The results presented confirm the important role that dynamical systems theory can play in the understanding of the nonlinear behavior of numerical algorithms and in aiding the identification of the sources of numerical uncertainties in CFD.

Numerical Solution↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Three-Dimensional CFD Simulations in the Film Boiling Regime During Liquid Nitrogen Chilldown Process

The paper presents a three-dimensional CFD simulation for predicting the liquid nitrogen chilldown process through a SS-304 tube. A dispersed mixture model has been employed to predict the two-phase flow behavior whereas the Lee phase change model has been used to predict the boiling process. Cryogenic chilldown process starts with a pure vapor region and proceeds to film, transition and nucleate boiling regimes before reaching the single phase liquid flow and complete chilldown of the transfer line. The present numerical model predicted the film boiling regime accurately and the slope of the chilldown curve deviates slightly from the experimental curve towards the transition and nucleate boiling regime, which needs further investigation. The contours of liquid volume fraction and temperature profiles has been presented to understand the inverted annular film flows in the film boiling regime in detail. In future, the present CFD model will be extended to a wide range of chilldown conditions and different cryogenic fluids to develop a robust methodology.

CFD↗
NASA NTRS1995

A procedure for automating CFD simulations of an inlet-bleed problem

A procedure was developed to improve the turn-around time for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of an inlet-bleed problem involving oblique shock-wave/boundary-layer interactions on a flat plate with bleed into a plenum through one or more circular holes. This procedure is embodied in a preprocessor called AUTOMAT. With AUTOMAT, once data for the geometry and flow conditions have been specified (either interactively or via a namelist), it will automatically generate all input files needed to perform a three-dimensional Navier-Stokes simulation of the prescribed inlet-bleed problem by using the PEGASUS and OVERFLOW codes. The input files automatically generated by AUTOMAT include those for the grid system and those for the initial and boundary conditions. The grid systems automatically generated by AUTOMAT are multi-block structured grids of the overlapping type. Results obtained by using AUTOMAT are presented to illustrate its capability.

Chyu, Wei J.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

A Methodology for Actuating RCS Jets in a Continuous, Time-Accurate CFD Simulation

Computational fluid dynamics simulations of Mars entry vehicle reaction control systems have been used to gain a better understanding of the wide range of flow phenomena encountered during various phases of flight. One aspect of this is simulating the system during controlled flight. Current practices model the system in a continuously actuated state, but this methodology is unable to accurately model the dynamic behavior of the system during EDL. One method to improve this is to create a coupled CFD-RBD-Control simulation. The first step to this is establishing a method of accurately actuating an RCS jet during a time accurate CFD simulation. This paper presents a method to achieve this actuation. There are three phases to the methodology: establishing the off state, creating a ramping function that will initialize the jet flow, and establishing the on state. A test case of a jet in a supersonic crossflow is implemented to establish the success of the methodology in being able to actuate a jet in the midst of an ongoing CFD simulation. It shows significant improvement in boundary condition responsiveness for linear and exponential ramping functions in comparison to the step function. A preliminary demonstration of the methodology is presented for the MSL vehicle which shows significant advantages for the implementation of a linear ramping function over a step function.

Alexandra Hickey↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

A Methodology for Actuating RCS Jets in a Continuous, Time-Accurate CFD Simulation

Computational fluid dynamics simulations of Mars entry vehicle reaction control systems have been used to gain a better understanding of the wide range of flow phenomena encountered during various phases of flight. One aspect of this is simulating the system during controlled flight. Current practices model the system in a continuously actuated state, but this methodology is unable to accurately model the dynamic behavior of the system during EDL. One method to improve this is to create a coupled CFD-RBD-Control simulation. The first step to this is establishing a method of accurately actuating an RCS jet during a time accurate CFD simulation. This paper presents a method to achieve this actuation. There are three phases to the methodology: establishing the off state, creating a ramping function that will initialize the jet flow, and establishing the on state. A test case of a jet in a supersonic crossflow is implemented to establish the success of the methodology in being able to actuate a jet in the midst of an ongoing CFD simulation. It shows significant improvement in boundary condition responsiveness for linear and exponential ramping functions in comparison to the step function. A preliminary demonstration of the methodology is presented for the MSL vehicle which shows significant advantages for the implementation of a linear ramping function over a step function.

Alexandra Hickey↗
NASA NTRS1995

The NASA Ames Hypersonic Combustor-Model Inlet CFD Simulations and Experimental Comparisons

Computations have been performed on a three-dimensional inlet associated with the NASA Ames combustor model for the hypersonic propulsion experiment in the 16-inch shock tunnel. The 3-dimensional inlet was designed to have the combustor inlet flow nearly two-dimensional and of sufficient mass flow necessary for combustion. The 16-inch shock tunnel experiment is a short duration test with test time of the order of milliseconds. The flow through the inlet is in chemical non-equilibrium. Two test entries have been completed and limited experimental results for the inlet region of the combustor-model are available. A number of CFD simulations, with various levels of simplifications such as 2-D simulations, 3-D simulations with and without chemical reactions, simulations with and without turbulent conditions, etc., have been performed. These simulations have helped determine the model inlet flow characteristics and the important factors that affect the combustor inlet flow and the sensitivity of the flow field to these simplifications. In the proposed paper, CFD modeling of the hypersonic inlet, results from the simulations and comparison with available experimental results will be presented.

Venkatapathy, E.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Comprehensive Approach to Verification and Validation of CFD Simulations Applied to Backward Facing Step-Application of CFD Uncertainty Analysis

There are inherent uncertainties and errors associated with using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to predict the flow field and there is no standard method for evaluating uncertainty in the CFD community. This paper describes an approach to -validate the . uncertainty in using CFD. The method will use the state of the art uncertainty analysis applying different turbulence niodels and draw conclusions on which models provide the least uncertainty and which models most accurately predict the flow of a backward facing step.

Groves, Curtis E.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Calculation of Turbine Axial Thrust by Coupled CFD Simulations of the Main Flow Path and Secondary Cavity Flow in an SLI LOX Turbine

Each single reusable Space Launch Initiative (SLI) booster rocket is an engine operating at a record vacuum thrust level of over 730,000 Ibf using LOX and LH2. This thrust is more than 10% greater than that of the Delta IV rocket, resulting in relatively large LOX and LH2 turbopumps. Since the SLI rocket employs a staged combustion cycle the level of pressure is very high (thousands of psia). This high pressure creates many engineering challenges, including the balancing of axial-forces on the turbopumps. One of the main parameters in the calculation of the axial force is the cavity pressure upstream of the turbine disk. The flow in this cavity is very complex. The lack of understanding of this flow environment hinders the accurate prediction of axial thrust. In order to narrow down the uncertainty band around the actual turbine axial force, a coupled, unsteady computational methodology has been developed to simulate the interaction between the turbine main flow path and the cavity flow. The CORSAIR solver, an unsteady three- dimensional Navier-Stokes code for turbomachinery applications, was used to solve for both the main and the secondary flow fields. Turbine axial thrust values are presented in conjunction with the CFD simulation, together with several considerations regarding the turbine instrumentation for axial thrust estimations during test.

Dorney, D. J.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Launching Liquid Slugs Through Tube Networks: Investigating Multiphase Liquid Slug Acceleration Behaviors in Spacecraft Propulsion Systems using 3D Multiphase VOF CFD Simulations and High-Speed Flow-Visualization Validation Experiments

Propellant management in spacecraft propulsion systems is complex. In many current and future crewed and robotic spacecraft propulsion systems, a number of unintended or unavoidable scenarios can occasionally lead to liquid “slugs” of propellant accumulating in unwanted locations and thereafter being rapidly accelerated through complex and arbitrary tubing networks otherwise filled with vapor or gas. To develop better understanding of the multiphase fluid dynamics associated with these “slug launch” scenarios, NASA Marshal Space Flight Center’s (MSFC) ER42 branch – the propulsion fluid dynamics research branch – conducted 3D multiphase transient Volume of Fluid (VOF) CFD simulations using an in-house tool called LOCI-Stream VOF on semi-canonical tube networks with straight sections, bends, and bend complexes. In addition, high-speed flow visualization validation experiments using propellants were conducted on similar tube network geometries at the NASA White Sands Test Facility (WSTF). These simulations and flow-visualization experiments found these scenarios lead to a variety of unique multiphase fluid dynamic effects involving the leading and trailing edges of the slug in both straight sections and curved bends as well as the progressive erosion, acceleration, and eventual “punch-through” of the driving gas through the liquid slug. Understanding these multiphase fluid dynamic effects has led to unique and often counter-intuitive observations which have been of critical relevance to important engineering concerns associated with these “slug launch” scenarios.

Multiphase Fluid Dynamics↗
NASA NTRS2011

System Identification Applied to Dynamic CFD Simulation and Wind Tunnel Data

Demanding aerodynamic modeling requirements for military and civilian aircraft have provided impetus for researchers to improve computational and experimental techniques. Model validation is a key component for these research endeavors so this study is an initial effort to extend conventional time history comparisons by comparing model parameter estimates and their standard errors using system identification methods. An aerodynamic model of an aircraft performing one-degree-of-freedom roll oscillatory motion about its body axes is developed. The model includes linear aerodynamics and deficiency function parameters characterizing an unsteady effect. For estimation of unknown parameters two techniques, harmonic analysis and two-step linear regression, were applied to roll-oscillatory wind tunnel data and to computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulated data. The model used for this study is a highly swept wing unmanned aerial combat vehicle. Differences in response prediction, parameters estimates, and standard errors are compared and discussed

Murphy, Patrick C.↗
NASA NTRS1992

CFD Simulations Of Sonic Booms In Near And Mid Fields

Report discusses computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to simulate generation and propagation of sonic booms in near- and mid-field regions of supersonic flows about simplified bodies representative of advanced airplanes. Parabolized Navier-Stokes equations integrated by implicit, approximate-factorization, finite-volume algorithm in which crossflow inviscid fluxes evaluated by Roe's flux-difference-splitting scheme. Near-field solutions obtained by applying algorithm to flows immediately surrounding bodies. Solutions transferred to computer codes based on Whitham"s F-function theory for extrapolation to far-field.

Cheung, Samson H.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Combustion Devices CFD Simulation Capability Roadmap

The objective of this roadmap is to enable the use of CFD for simulation of pre-burners, ducting, thrust chamber assembly and supporting infrastructure in terms of performance, life, and stability so as to affect the design process in a timely fashion. To enable flange to exit analysis of real(3D) propulsion hardware within the last 5 years (2008). To meet this objective all model problems must be sufficiently mastered.

West, Jeff↗
NASA NTRS2011

The Role of CFD Simulation in Rocket Propulsion Support Activities

Outline of the presentation: CFD at NASA/MSFC (1) Flight Projects are the Customer -- No Science Experiments (2) Customer Support (3) Guiding Philosophy and Resource Allocation (4) Where is CFD at NASA/MSFC? Examples of the expanding Role of CFD at NASA/MSFC (1) Liquid Rocket Engine Applications : Evolution from Symmetric and Steady to 3D Unsteady (2)Launch Pad Debris Transport-> Launch Pad Induced Environments (a) STS and Launch Pad Geometry-steady (b) Moving Body Shuttle Launch Simulations (c) IOP and Acoustics Simulations (3)General Purpose CFD Applications (4) Turbomachinery Applications

West, Jeff↗
NASA NTRS2007

An Approach to Improved Credibility of CFD Simulations for Rocket Injector Design

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has the potential to improve the historical rocket injector design process by simulating the sensitivity of performance and injector-driven thermal environments to. the details of the injector geometry and key operational parameters. Methodical verification and validation efforts on a range of coaxial injector elements have shown the current production CFD capability must be improved in order to quantitatively impact the injector design process.. This paper documents the status of an effort to understand and compare the predictive capabilities and resource requirements of a range of CFD methodologies on a set of model problem injectors. Preliminary results from a steady Reynolds-Average Navier-Stokes (RANS), an unsteady Reynolds-Average Navier Stokes (URANS) and three different Large Eddy Simulation (LES) techniques used to model a single element coaxial injector using gaseous oxygen and gaseous hydrogen propellants are presented. Initial observations are made comparing instantaneous results, corresponding time-averaged and steady-state solutions in the near -injector flow field. Significant differences in the flow fields exist, as expected, and are discussed. An important preliminary result is the identification of a fundamental mixing mechanism, accounted for by URANS and LES, but missing in the steady BANS methodology. Since propellant mixing is the core injector function, this mixing process may prove to have a profound effect on the ability to more correctly simulate injector performance and resulting thermal environments. Issues important to unifying the basis for future comparison such as solution initialization, required run time and grid resolution are addressed.

Tucker, Paul K.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Validation of High-Fidelity CFD Simulations for Rocket Injector Design

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has the potential to improve the historical rocket injector design process by evaluating the sensitivity of performance and injector-driven thermal environments to the details of the injector geometry and key operational parameters. Methodical verification and validation efforts on a range of coaxial injector elements have shown the current production CFD capability must be improved in order to quantitatively impact the injector design process. This paper documents the status of a focused effort to compare and understand the predictive capabilities and computational requirements of a range of CFD methodologies on a set of single element injector model problems. The steady Reynolds-Average Navier-Stokes (RANS), unsteady Reynolds-Average Navier-Stokes (URANS) and three different approaches using the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) technique were used to simulate the initial model problem, a single element coaxial injector using gaseous oxygen and gaseous hydrogen propellants. While one high-fidelity LES result matches the experimental combustion chamber wall heat flux very well, there is no monotonic convergence to the data with increasing computational tool fidelity. Systematic evaluation of key flow field regions such as the flame zone, the head end recirculation zone and the downstream near wall zone has shed significant, though as of yet incomplete, light on the complex, underlying causes for the performance level of each technique. 1 Aerospace Engineer and Combustion CFD Team Leader, MS ER42, NASA MSFC, AL 35812, Senior Member, AIAA. 2 Professor and Director, Computational Combustion Laboratory, School of Aerospace Engineering, 270 Ferst Dr., Atlanta, GA 30332, Associate Fellow, AIAA. 3 Reilly Professor of Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, 585 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, IN 47907, Fellow, AIAA. 4 Principal Member of Technical Staff, Combustion Research Facility, 7011 East Avenue, MS9051, Livermore, CA 94550, Associate Fellow, AIAA. 5 J. L. and G. H. McCain Endowed Chair, Mechanical Engineering, 104 Research Building East, University Park, PA 16802, Fellow, AIAA. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 1

Tucker, P. Kevin↗
NASA NTRS2006

CFD Simulation of the Space Shuttle Launch Vehicle with Booster Separation Motor and Reaction Control Plumes

The primary objective of this paper is to demonstrate the capability of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to simulate a very complicated flow field encountered during the space shuttle ascent. The flow field features nozzle plumes from booster separation motor (BSM) and reaction control system (RCS) jets with a supersonic incoming cross flow at speed of Mach 4. The overset Navier-Stokes code OVERFLOW, was used to simulate the flow field surrounding the entire space shuttle launch vehicle (SSLV) with high geometric fidelity. The variable gamma option was chosen due to the high temperature nature of nozzle flows and different plume species. CFD predicted Mach contours are in good agreement with the schlieren photos from wind tunnel test. Flow fields are discussed in detail and the results are used to support the debris analysis for the space shuttle Return To Flight (RTF) task.

Gea, L. M.↗