Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “wall modeling”

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 469 records · Page 26

Computational Analysis of X-57 Rate Derivatives and Comparison to Wind Tunnel Data

Rate derivates of the wind tunnel model of X-57 were evaluated using hysteresis from computational fluid dynamics simulation and compared with that computed using the wind tunnel experimental data. To accomplish the task, hysteresis of the pitch, roll, and yaw oscillations were produced numerically using two different CFD solvers: STARCCM+ and Launch Ascent and Vehicle Analysis. The rate derivatives were computed using same parameter identification technique on CFD-based and wind tunnel-based hysteresis data. Results show CFD-based pitch rate derivatives have large error, up to 73%, while the lateral and direction derivates compared well with errors within 5% with respect to the that computed using the wind tunnel data. This may be due to lack of wind tunnel wall and sting model in the CFD simulation as well as lack of wall correction in the wind tunnel data which has larger impact on pitch than lateral and directional oscillations. Geometrical features such as the shape, slope of extremities, and enclosed area were compared between CFD-based and wind tunnel-based hysteresis. Results show that area enclosed by the hysteresis had largest influence on the accuracy of the computed rate derivatives given that shape of the hysteresis were roughly equivalent.

Seung Y. Yoo↗

Computer-controlled multi-parameter mapping of 3D compressible flowfields using planar laser-induced iodine fluorescence

A computer-controlled technique, using planar laser-induced iodine fluorescence, for measuring complex compressible flowfields is presented. A new laser permits the use of a planar two-line temperature technique so that all parameters can be measured with the laser operated narrowband. Pressure and temperature measurements in a step flowfield show agreement within 10 percent of a CFD model except in regions close to walls. Deviation of near wall temperature measurements from the model was decreased from 21 percent to 12 percent compared to broadband planar temperature measurements. Computer-control of the experiment has been implemented, except for the frequency tuning of the laser. Image data storage and processing has been improved by integrating a workstation into the experimental setup reducing the data reduction time by a factor of 50.

Donohue, James M.↗

An application of a two-equation model of turbulence to three-dimensional chemically reacting flows

A numerical study of three dimensional chemically reacting and non-reacting flowfields is conducted using a two-equation model of turbulence. A generalized flow solver using an implicit Lower-Upper (LU) diagonal decomposition numerical technique and finite-rate chemistry has been coupled with a low-Reynolds number two-equation model of turbulence. This flow solver is then used to study chemically reacting turbulent supersonic flows inside combustors with synergetic fuel injectors. The reacting and non-reacting turbulent combustor solutions obtained are compared with zero-equation turbulence model solutions and with available experimental data. The hydrogen-air chemistry is modeled using a nine-species/eighteen reaction model. A low-Reynolds number k-epsilon model was used to model the effect of turbulence because, in general, the low-Reynolds number k-epsilon models are easier to implement numerically and are far more general than algebraic models. However, low-Reynolds number k-epsilon models require a much finer near-wall grid resolution than high-Reynolds number models to resolve accurately the near-wall physics. This is especially true in complex flowfields, where the stiff nature of the near-wall turbulence must be resolved. Therefore, the limitations imposed by the near-wall characteristics and compressible model corrections need to be evaluated further. The gradient-diffusion hypothesis is used to model the effects of turbulence on the mass diffusion process. The influence of this low-Reynolds number turbulence model on the reacting flowfield predictions was studied parametrically.

Lee, J.↗

Second-order near-wall turbulence closures - A review

Advances in second-order near-wall turbulence closures are summarized. All closures under consideration are based on high-Reynolds-number models. Most near-wall closures proposed to date attempt to modify the high-Reynolds-number models for the dissipation function and the pressure redistribution term so that the resultant models are applicable all the way to the wall. The asymptotic behavior of the near-wall closures is examined and compared with the proper near-wall behavior of the exact Reynolds-stress equations. It is found that three second-order near-wall closures give the best correlations with simulated turbulence statistics. However, their predictions of near-wall Reynolds-stress budgets are considered to be incorrect. A proposed modification to the dissipitation-rate equation remedies part of those predictions. It is concluded that further improvements are required if a complete replication of all the turbulence properties and Reynolds-stress budgets by a statistical model of turbulence is desirable.

So, R. M. C.↗

Turbulence modeling

The performance of existing two-equation eddy viscosity models was examined. An effort was made to develop better models for near-wall turbulence using direct numerical simulations of plane channel and boundary layer flows. The asymptotic near-wall behavior of turbulence was used to examine the problems of current second order closure models and develop new models with the correct near-wall behavior. Rapid Distortion Theory was used to analytically study the effects of mean deformation on turbulence, obtain analytical solutions for the spectrum tensor, Reynolds stress tensor, anisotropy tensor and its invariants, which can be used in the turbulence model development. The potential of the renormalization group theory in turbulence modeling was studied, as well as compressible turbulent flows, and modeling of bypass transition.

Shih, Tsan-Hsing↗

Comparison of NAE porous wall and NASA adaptive wall test results using the NAE CAST-10 airfoil model

Wind tunnels can now simulate flows over airfoils at high Reynolds numbers and high subsonic speeds. Methods to correct for (or reduce) test section wall interference at these test conditions must be validated. The National Aeronautics Establishment (NAE) of Canada and NASA have a cooperative agreement to study this area. The NAE designed, built, and tested a CAST-10 airfoil model in its conventional Two-Dimensional High Reynolds Number Facility. The results were corrected using classical correction techniques. NASA then tested the same model in its 0.3-meter Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel with the adaptive wall test section. The adaptive wall test section reduced the wall interference to what was expected to be an acceptable level. The corrected NAE results are compared with the uncorrected NASA results. The NAE results are also compared with NASA results after residual corrections for top and bottom wall interference. Finally, a comparison of both sets of results corrected for interference from all four walls is presented.

Mineck, Raymond E.↗

Ion thruster performance model

A model of ion thruster performance is developed for high flux density, cusped magnetic field thruster designs. This model is formulated in terms of the average energy required to produce an ion in the discharge chamber plasma and the fraction of these ions that are extracted to form the beam. The direct loss of high energy (primary) electrons from the plasma to the anode is shown to have a major effect on thruster performance. The model provides simple algebraic equations enabling one to calculate the beam ion energy cost, the average discharge chamber plasma ion energy cost, the primary electron density, the primary-to-Maxwellian electron density ratio and the Maxwellian electron temperature. Experiments indicate that the model correctly predicts the variation in plasma ion energy cost for changes in propellant gas (Ar, Kr and Xe), grid transparency to neutral atoms, beam extraction area, discharge voltage, and discharge chamber wall temperature. The model and experiments indicate that thruster performance may be described in terms of only four thruster configuration dependent parameters and two operating parameters. The model also suggests that improved performance should be exhibited by thruster designs which extract a large fraction of the ions produced in the discharge chamber, which have good primary electron and neutral atom containment and which operate at high propellant flow rates.

Brophy, J. R.↗

Progress Towards a Cartesian Cut-Cell Method for Viscous Compressible Flow

The proposed paper reports advances in developing a method for high Reynolds number compressible viscous flow simulations using a Cartesian cut-cell method with embedded boundaries. This preliminary work focuses on accuracy of the discretization near solid wall boundaries. A model problem is used to investigate the accuracy of various difference stencils for second derivatives and to guide development of the discretization of the viscous terms in the Navier-Stokes equations. Near walls, quadratic reconstruction in the wall-normal direction is used to mitigate mesh irregularity and yields smooth skin friction distributions along the body. Multigrid performance is demonstrated using second-order coarse grid operators combined with second-order restriction and prolongation operators. Preliminary verification and validation for the method is demonstrated using flat-plate and airfoil examples at compressible Mach numbers. Simulations of flow on laminar and turbulent flat plates show skin friction and velocity profiles compared with those from boundary-layer theory. Airfoil simulations are performed at laminar and turbulent Reynolds numbers with results compared to both other simulations and experimental data

Berger, Marsha↗

Experience with some repeat tests on the 9 inch chord CAST-10-2/DOA 2 airfoil model in the Langley 0.3-m TCT adaptive wall test section

A co-operative testing program is in progress between the Langley Research Center (NASA) and the National Aeronautical Establishment (NAE, Canada) to validate two different techniques of airfoil testing at transonic speeds. The procedure employed is to test the same airfoil model in the NAE two-dimensional tunnel and the Langley 0.3-m Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel (0.3-m TCT). The airfoil model used in testing was CAST-10-2/DOA-2 super-critical airfoil. The Langley 0.3-m TCT has a relatively small cross section of 13 in x 13 in, giving a (h/c) ratio of 1.44 for the same 9 in chord model. The approach employed in the 0.3-m TCT aims towards eliminating the wall effects by using active walls. The top and bottom walls are flexible. By changing the wall shapes during a test in an iterative manner, the wall interference effects are reduced. The method employed to change the wall shapes is the adaptive wall technique. The current test program provided an opportunity to validate the adaptive wall technique in the 0.3-m TCT. The relatively long chord airfoil represents a severe test case to test the efficacy of the adaptive wall technique under cryogenic conditions. The program also involved removal of side wall boundary-layer thus increasing the complexity of the wall adaptation technique. This paper deals with some salient results obtained regarding repeatability of test data and possible residual interference effects.

Murthy, A. V.↗

Effects of expansion ratio on the calculation of parallel-walled backward-facing step flows - Comparison of four models of turbulence

This paper presents a numerical study of the effects of expansion ratio on two-dimensional separating and reattaching flows in plane backward-facing step geometries with parallel walls. Closure of the Reynolds equations was achieved by four different turbulence models: k-epsilon, 'modified' k-epsilon, algebraic stress, and 'modified' algebraic stress models. The k-epsilon model relates the Reynolds stresses to the mean rate of strain through the definition of an isotropic turbulent viscosity. The more advanced algebraic stress model calculates the stresses from implicit algebraic relationships containing the stresses themselves, the mean rate of strain, and the turbulent kinetic energy and its dissipation rate. 'Modified' versions of the models employ a new dissipation rate equation whose production term was made more sensitive to streamwise curvature effects. A new nonequilibrium wall function treatment proposed by Chieng and Launder (1980) was also incorporated into each model.

Sindir, M. M.↗

Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes Simulation of a 2D Circulation Control Wind Tunnel Experiment

Numerical simulations are performed using a Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) flow solver for a circulation control airfoil. 2D and 3D simulation results are compared to a circulation control wind tunnel test conducted at the NASA Langley Basic Aerodynamics Research Tunnel (BART). The RANS simulations are compared to a low blowing case with a jet momentum coefficient, C(sub u), of 0:047 and a higher blowing case of 0.115. Three dimensional simulations of the model and tunnel walls show wall effects on the lift and airfoil surface pressures. These wall effects include a 4% decrease of the midspan sectional lift for the C(sub u) 0.115 blowing condition. Simulations comparing the performance of the Spalart Allmaras (SA) and Shear Stress Transport (SST) turbulence models are also made, showing the SST model compares best to the experimental data. A Rotational/Curvature Correction (RCC) to the turbulence model is also evaluated demonstrating an improvement in the CFD predictions.

Allan, Brian G.↗

Cooling Panel Optimization for the Active Cooling System of a Hypersonic Aircraft

Optimization of cooling panels for an active cooling system of a hypersonic aircraft is explored. The flow passages are of rectangular cross section with one wall heated. An analytical fin-type model for incompressible flow in smooth-wall rectangular ducts with coupled wall conduction is proposed. Based on this model, the a flow rate of coolant to each design minimum mass flow rate or coolant for a single cooling panel is obtained by satisfying hydrodynamic, thermal, and Mach number constraints. Also, the sensitivity of the optimal mass flow rate of coolant to each design variable is investigated. In addition, numerical solutions for constant property flow in rectangular ducts, with one side rib-roughened and coupled wall conduction, are obtained using a k-epsilon and wall function turbulence model, these results are compared with predictions of the analytical model.

Youn, B.↗

A lag model for turbulent boundary layers developing over rough bleed surfaces

Boundary layer mass removal (bleed) through spanwise bands of holes on a surface is used to prevent or control separation and to stabilize the normal shock in supersonic inlets. The addition of a transport equation lag relationship for eddy viscosity to the rough wall algebraic turbulence model of Cebeci and Chang was found to improve agreement between predicted and measured mean velocity distributions downstream of a bleed band. The model was demonstrated for a range of bleed configurations, bleed rates, and local free stream Mach numbers. In addition, the model was applied to the boundary layer development over acoustic lining materials for the inlets and nozzles of commercial aircraft. The model was found to yield accurate results for integral boundary layer properties unless there was a strong adverse pressure gradient.

Lee, J.↗

Evaluation of CFD Turbulent Heating Prediction Techniques and Comparison With Hypersonic Experimental Data

Results from a study to assess the accuracy of turbulent heating and skin friction prediction techniques for hypersonic applications are presented. The study uses the original and a modified Baldwin-Lomax turbulence model with a space marching code. Grid converged turbulent predictions using the wall damping formulation (original model) and local damping formulation (modified model) are compared with experimental data for several flat plates. The wall damping and local damping results are similar for hot wall conditions, but differ significantly for cold walls, i.e., T(sub w) / T(sub t) < 0.3, with the wall damping heating and skin friction 10-30% above the local damping results. Furthermore, the local damping predictions have reasonable or good agreement with the experimental heating data for all cases. The impact of the two formulations on the van Driest damping function and the turbulent eddy viscosity distribution for a cold wall case indicate the importance of including temperature gradient effects. Grid requirements for accurate turbulent heating predictions are also studied. These results indicate that a cell Reynolds number of 1 is required for grid converged heating predictions, but coarser grids with a y(sup +) less than 2 are adequate for design of hypersonic vehicles. Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that the local damping formulation be used with the Baldwin-Lomax and Cebeci-Smith turbulence models in design and analysis of Hyper-X and future hypersonic vehicles.

Dilley, Arthur D.↗

Modeling of an Atmospheric-Boundary-Layer Profile in Support of Experiments in the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel

This paper presents the results of the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analyses to model two atmospheric-boundary-layer (ABL) profiles inside the NASA Langley Research Center Transonic Dynamics Tunnel (TDT). The CFD models include tunnel walls and all additional hardware needed to simulate the ABL profiles. This hardware includes Irwin spires and floor-mounted roughness elements. The numerical simulations show that the application of higher-fidelity numerical methods is necessary to compute boundary-layer and turbulenceintensity profiles that match experimental data. The ABL profiles are computed both inside the numerical model of the TDT and in a classical free-air model. Both Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) with Spalart-Allmaras (SA) turbulence model and Modified Delayed Detached Eddy (MDDES) simulation methods are used. The results show that the MDDES-simulation results match the experimental data very well while URANS-SA does not. The results also show that the wind-tunnel walls have a significant effect on ABL prediction.

Chwalowski, Pawel↗

Two-dimensional model of a Space Station Freedom thermal energy storage canister

The Solar Dynamic Power Module being developed for Space Station Freedom uses a eutectic mixture of LiF-CaF2 phase change salt contained in toroidal canisters for thermal energy storage. Results are presented from heat transfer analyses of the phase change salt containment canister. A 2-D, axisymmetric finite difference computer program which models the canister walls, salt, void, and heat engine working fluid coolant was developed. Analyses included effects of conduction in canister walls and solid salt, conduction and free convection in liquid salt, conduction and radiation across salt vapor filled void regions and forced convection in the heat engine working fluid. Void shape, location, growth or shrinkage (due to density difference between the solid and liquid salt phases) were prescribed based on engineering judgement. The salt phase change process was modeled using the enthalpy method. Discussion of results focuses on the role of free-convection in the liquid salt on canister heat transfer performance. This role is shown to be important for interpreting the relationship between ground based canister performance (in l-g) and expected on-orbit performance (in micro-g). Attention is also focused on the influence of void heat transfer on canister wall temperature distributions. The large thermal resistance of void regions is shown to accentuate canister hot spots and temperature gradients.

Kerslake, Thomas W.↗

Two-dimensional model of a Space Station Freedom thermal energy storage canister

The Solar Dynamic Power Module being developed for Space Station Freedom uses a eutectic mixture of LiF-CaF2 phase change salt contained in toroidal canisters for thermal energy storage. Results are presented from heat transfer analyses of the phase-change salt containment canister. A 2-D, axisymmetric finite-difference computer program which models the canister walls, salt, void, and heat engine working fluid coolant was developed. Analyses included effects of conduction in canister walls and solid salt, conduction and free convection in liquid salt, conduction and radiation across salt vapor filled void regions, and forced convection in the heat engine working fluid. Void shape, location, and growth or shrinkage (due to density difference between the solid and liquid salt phases) were prescribed based on engineering judgement. The salt phase change process was modeled using the enthalpy method. Discussion of results focuses on the role of free-convection in the liquid salt on canister heat transfer performance. This role is shown to be important for interpreting the relationship between groundbased canister performance (in 1-g) and expected on-orbit performance (in micro-g). Attention is also focused on the influence of void heat transfer on canister wall temperature distributions. The large thermal resistance of void regions is shown to accentuate canister hot spots and temperature gradients.

Kerslake, Thomas W.↗

A subgrid-scale model based on the second-order velocity structure function

A series of tests were performed to help extend the use of a subgrid-scale model to compressible and wall-bounded flows. A priori tests were done in the case of the incompressible turbulent channel flow. They showed that a 1-D formulation of the structure-function model is more appropriate, leading to a satisfactory behavior of the model at the walls without requiring any damping function. This model is consistent with the original formulation of Metais & Lesieur (1990). In large-eddy simulations of compressible isotropic turbulence, both models performed well up to an initial rms Mach number of 0.6.

Comte, P.↗