Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Stokes parameters”

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 505 records · Page 28

Thrust chamber performance using Navier-Stokes solution

The viscous, axisymmetric flow in the thrust chamber of the space shuttle main engine (SSME) was computed on the CRAY 205 computer using the general interpolants method (GIM) code. Results show that the Navier-Stokes codes can be used for these flows to study trends and viscous effects as well as determine flow patterns; but further research and development is needed before they can be used as production tools for nozzle performance calculations. The GIM formulation, numerical scheme, and computer code are described. The actual SSME nozzle computation showing grid points, flow contours, and flow parameter plots is discussed. The computer system and run times/costs are detailed.

Chan, J. S.↗

Flowfield analysis of modern helicopter rotors in hover by Navier-Stokes method

The viscous, three-dimensional, flowfields of UH60 and BERP rotors are calculated for lifting hover configurations using a Navier-Stokes computational fluid dynamics method with a view to understand the importance of planform effects on the airloads. In this method, the induced effects of the wake, including the interaction of tip vortices with successive blades, are captured as a part of the overall flowfield solution without prescribing any wake models. Numerical results in the form of surface pressures, hover performance parameters, surface skin friction and tip vortex patterns, and vortex wake trajectory are presented at two thrust conditions for UH60 and BERP rotors. Comparison of results for the UH60 model rotor show good agreement with experiments at moderate thrust conditions. Comparison of results with equivalent rectangular UH60 blade and BERP blade indicates that the BERP blade, with an unconventional planform, gives more thrust at the cost of more power and a reduced figure of merit. The high thrust conditions considered produce severe shock-induced flow separation for UH60 blade, while the BERP blade develops more thrust and minimal separation. The BERP blade produces a tighter tip vortex structure compared with the UH60 blade. These results and the discussion presented bring out the similarities and differences between the two rotors.

Srinivasan, G. R.↗

Vortex generation and mixing in three-dimensional supersonic combustors

The generation and evolution of the flow vorticity established by instream injector ramps in a high Mach number/high enthalpy scramjet combustor flow-field are described in detail for a number of computational cases. Classical fluid dynamic circulation is presented for these cases in order to clarify the spatial distribution and convection of the vorticity. The ability of the simulations to accurately represent Stokes Law of circulation is discussed and shown. In addition, the conservation of swirl (effectively the moment-of-momentum theorem) is presented for these flows. The impact of both turbulent diffusion and the vortex/ramp non-uniformity on the downstream mixing rate is clearly illustrated. A correlation over the length of the combustor between fuel-air mixing and a parameter called the vortex stirring length is demonstrated. Finally, computational results for a representative ramp injector are compared with experimental data. Influence of the stream vorticity on the effective turbulent Prandtl number used in the simulation is discussed.

Riggins, D. W.↗

New constitutive equation for the volume viscosity in fluids

The traditional volume viscosity, Stokes' hypothesis, and acoustical relaxation are reviewed. The lossy Navier-Stokes Equation is applied to periodic (acoustic) flow, and it is shown that the traditional volume viscosity leads to a result which contradicts that describing acoustical relaxation. It is demonstrated that the addition of a second volume viscosity term to the constitutive equation, to account for pressure relaxation, resolves the conflict, and leads to a direct correspondence between the volume viscosity parameters and the acoustical relaxation parameters. The representation of volume viscosity is formulated for the case of multiple relaxations, as occur in air. Finally, an application of the new constitutive equation to a simple convective compressible flow, namely a linearly accelerating flow, demonstrates the impact of volume viscosity upon the flow and the physical conditions for which it is important.

Zuckerwar, Allan J.↗

Numerical Simulation of Mixing Enhancement in a Hot Supersonic Jet

Experimental observations show that the presence of small tabs on the edge of a hot, compressible jet exiting into a slower moving, colder ambient flow can increase the rate of spreading of the jet. This suggests that the rate of mixing of the jet and the ambient fluid is also increased. In order to elucidate the physical mechanism responsible for the increased spreading rate a set of calculations were carried out within the framework of the compressible three dimensional Navier-Stokes equations. A series of grid refinements were made to assess the accuracy of the results. The first simulated the flow without the tabs, obtaining reasonable agreement with experimental measurements of the velocity. We then simulated the flow, without tabs, over a range of values of the convective Mach number in order to determine the dependence of the mixing on this parameter. Simulations with modeled tabs were also carried out. In these calculations the effect of the tabs on the flow was modeled by pairs of counter rotating vortices. The results of these calculations indeed show that the presence of the tabs increase the spreading rate of the jet. The basic physical mechanism responsible for the enhanced spreading rate is discussed and qualitative comparisons with flow visualizations are made.

Grosch, C. E.↗

Analytical estimates of radial segregation in Bridgman growth from low-level steady and periodic accelerations

Approximate analytical solutions are developed that are mathematically tractable but provide the elements of CFD models for estimating convective flows subjected to low-level accelerations. The estimates are applicable to dilute systems that have horizontal temperature gradients in the vertical Bridgman configuration. The Navier-Stokes momentum equation is solved in 1D and subsequently in 2D by the first-order perturbation method. The analysis used is the case of plane-front solidification of a dilute system in the vertical thermally stable configuration. The model is found to predict the degree of radial segregation within a factor of two for a range of material and processing parameters. The method provides detailed information on the effects of processing on solute distribution in the grown crystal which are of interest in the orbital experiments emphasizing the control of radial segregation.

Naumann, Robert J.↗

Highly Accurate Experimental Heave Decay Tests with a Floating Sphere: A Public Benchmark Dataset for Model Validation of Fluid–Structure Interaction

Highly accurate and precise heave decay tests on a sphere with a diameter of 300 mm were completed in a meticulously designed test setup in the wave basin in the Ocean and Coastal Engineering Laboratory at Aalborg University, Denmark. The tests were dedicated to providing a rigorous benchmark dataset for numerical model validation. The sphere was ballasted to half submergence, thereby floating with the waterline at the equator when at rest in calm water. Heave decay tests were conducted, wherein the sphere was held stationary and dropped from three drop heights: a small drop height, which can be considered a linear case, a moderately nonlinear case, and a highly nonlinear case with a drop height from a position where the whole sphere was initially above the water. The precision of the heave decay time series was calculated from random and systematic standard uncertainties. At a 95% confidence level, uncertainties were found to be very low—on average only about 0.3% of the respective drop heights. Physical parameters of the test setup and associated uncertainties were quantified. A test case was formulated that closely represents the physical tests, enabling the reader to do his/her own numerical tests. The paper includes a comparison of the physical test results to the results from several independent numerical models based on linear potential flow, fully nonlinear potential flow, and the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations. A high correlation between physical and numerical test results is shown. The physical test results are very suitable for numerical model validation and are public as a benchmark dataset.

42 ENGINEERING↗

The three-dimensional steady radial expansion of a viscous gas from a sonic source into a vacuum.

The three-dimensional steady radial expansion of a viscous, heat-conducting, compressible fluid from a spherical sonic source into a vacuum is analyzed using the Navier-Stokes equations as a basis. It is assumed that the model fluid is a perfect gas having constant specific heats, a constant Prandtl number of order unity, and viscosity coefficients varying as a power of the absolute temperature. Limiting forms for the flow variable solutions are studied for the Reynolds number based on the sonic source conditions, going to infinity and the Newtonian parameter both fixed and going to zero. For the case of the viscosity-temperature exponent between .5 and 1, it is shown that the velocity as well as the pressure approach zero as the radial distance goes to infinity. The formulations of the distinct regions that span the domain extending from the sonic source to the vacuum are presented.

Bush, W. B.↗

SSME thrust chamber simulation using Navier-Stokes equations

The capability of the PHOENICS fluid dynamics code in predicting two-dimensional, compressible, and reacting flow in the combustion chamber and nozzle of the space shuttle main engine (SSME) was evaluated. A non-orthogonal body fitted coordinate system was used to represent the nozzle geometry. The Navier-Stokes equations were solved for the entire nozzle with a turbulence model. The wall boundary conditions were calculated based on the wall functions which account for pressure gradients. Results of the demonstration test case reveal all expected features of the transonic nozzle flows. Of particular interest are the locations of normal and barrel shocks, and regions of highest temperature gradients. Calculated performance (global) parameters such as thrust chamber flow rate, thrust, and specific impulse are also in good agreement with available data.

Przekwas, A. J.↗

Numerical simulation of 3-D Benard convection with gravitational modulation

In this numerical study, randomly and sinusoidally modulated gravitational fields imposed on three-dimensional Rayleigh-Benard convection are investigated in an effort to understand the effects of vibration (G-Jitter) on fluid systems. The time-dependent, Navier-Stokes equations and the energy equation with Boussinesq approximations are solved by a semi-implicit, pseudospectral procedure. An analysis of energy balances indicates that with increasing modulation amplitude, transition from synchronous to relaxation oscillation goes through the subharmonic response. Random modulations are found to be less stabilizing than sinusoidal and are shown to impose three-dimensionality on the flow for some parameter ranges both at terrestrial and zero base gravity conditions.

Biringen, S.↗

Grid and design variables sensitivity analyses for NACA four-digit wing-sections

Two distinct parameterization procedures are developed for investigating the grid sensitivity with respect to design parameters of a wing-section example. The first procedure is based on traditional (physical) relations defining NACA four-digit wing-sections. The second is advocating a novel (geometrical) parameterization using spline functions such as NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines) for defining the wing-section geometry. An interactive algebraic grid generation technique, known as Hermite Cubic Interpolation, is employed to generate C-type grids around wing-sections. The grid sensitivity of the domain with respect to design and grid parameters has been obtained by direct differentiation of the grid equations. A hybrid approach is proposed for more geometrically complex configurations. A comparison of the sensitivity coefficients with those obtained using a finite-difference approach has been made to verify the feasibility of the approach. The aerodynamic sensitivity coefficients are obtained using the compressible two-dimensional thin-layer Navier-Stokes equations.

Sadrehaghighi, Ideen↗

Bidisperse supension balance model

The suspension balance model (SBM) for viscous Stokes flow has been well studied for the case of identical, monodisperse spherical particles in a channel, however, more work remains to be done to explore the bidisperse and polydisperse SBM. Here, we present a simple extension of the SBM that allows for modeling of suspensions of particles of bidisperse size. The comparison with avaiable experiments and direct simulations is found to be good. Additionally, we present a range of simulations to justify the assumptions made in the polydisperse suspension balance model for non-Brownian, neutrally buoyant particles that vary in size with a bidisperse distribution. The aim is to study the effects of moderate size variation on the rheology of the suspension and the distribution of the particles across the flow, especially in the near-wall regions. It is shown that, at the size ratios considered, bidispersity in the particle size does not significantly affect rheological parameters including the particle volume fraction and relative viscosity in the bulk of a Couette flow. The particle phase stresses are distributed between small and large particles in proportion to the relative volume fractions of each species. In bidisperse suspensions, the large particles in the wall layer develop a spatial structure and form chains in the streamwise direction.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Investigation of shock-induced combustion past blunt projectiles

A numerical study is conducted to simulate shock-induced combustion in premixed hydrogen-air mixtures at various free-stream conditions and parameters. Two-dimensional axisymmetric, reacting viscous flow over blunt projectiles is computed to study shock-induced combustion at Mach 5.11 and Mach 6.46 in hydrogen-air mixture. A seven-species, seven reactions finite rate hydrogen-air chemical reaction mechanism is used combined with a finite-difference, shock-fitting method to solve the complete set of Navier-Stokes and species conservation equations. The study has allowed an improved understanding of the physics of shock-induced combustion over blunt projectiles and the numerical results can now be explained more readily with one-dimensional wave-interaction model.

Ahuja, J. K.↗

Computational Analyses in Support of Sub-scale Diffuser Testing for the A-3 Facility: Aero-Acoustic Analyses and Experimental Validation - Part 3

A unique assessment of acoustic similarity scaling laws and acoustic analogy methodologies in predicting the far-field acoustic signature from a sub-scale altitude rocket test facility at the NASA Stennis Space Center was performed. A directional, point-source similarity analysis was implemented for predicting the acoustic far-field. In this approach, experimental acoustic data obtained from "similar" rocket engine tests were appropriately scaled using key geometric and dynamic parameters. The accuracy of this engineering-level method is discussed by comparing the predictions with acoustic far-field measurements obtained. In addition, a CFD solver was coupled with a Lilley's acoustic analogy formulation to determine the improvement of using a physics-based methodology over an experimental correlation approach. In the current work, steady-state Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes calculations were used to model the internal flow of the rocket engine and altitude diffuser. These internal flow simulations provided the necessary realistic input conditions for external plume simulations. The CFD plume simulations were then used to provide the spatial turbulent noise source distributions in the acoustic analogy calculations. Preliminary findings of these studies will be discussed.

Allgood, Daniel C.↗

A finite scale model for shock structure

In this paper we explore the use of a finite scale model of fluid dynamics to predict the finite structure of a shock wave in a perfect gas. We begin by documenting the history and issues that have arisen when Navier–Stokes theory is applied to the shock structure problem, and continue by motivating the improvement that finite scale theory might provide from its representation of inviscid (anomalous) dissipation. Furthermore, our primary results include the formulation of a traveling wave equation from finite scale theory, an analysis of the solutions of that equation as regards shock width and monotonicity properties, and an estimation of the critical parameter of the theory from experimental data.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

A numerical investigation of coal particle modeling for the inlet section of a pressurized oxy-combustion burner

Concerns over climate change have led to numerous efforts to develop low-carbon technologies, and pressurized oxy-combustion (POC) is a promising candidate to reduce carbon emissions in the power industry. Designing an effective burner for such technologies is vital for the development of these and other coal combustion technologies. Because of the high pressure, the volume fraction of coal particles at the fuel inlet of the pressurized oxy-combustor burner is close to or even higher than the maximum limit for commercial CFD codes (e.g., ANSYS FLUENT). At these high particle volume fractions, the interactions among particles, fluid flow and wall need to be re-evaluated. The present computational work is a first step in a systematic analysis of the influence of various parameters, like method of particle release, release location, and particle size, in a pilot-scale POC combustor, developed at Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL). In the POC process, pulverized coal is burned under elevated pressure in an O2-CO2 environment. Specifically, a 15-bar, 100 kWth, POC combustor is modeled employing Ansys FLUENT commercial sodtware using the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) approach. It is revealed that for this pilot-scale, pressurized burner, velocity profiles in the near-wall region exhibit some anomalies. In order to investigate the influence of particle loading in the near-wall region, particle release location was investigated. The numerical simulations incorporate the coupling between the turbulent flow and the particles. A sensitivity investigation of particle release location found that by tuning the release location, the velocity profile can be consistent with the pure gas flow velocity profile. More importantly, the particle releasing location also affects flame stability. Particle size was also found to have a significant impact on particle trajectory, flame stability and temperature. Finally, Large Eddy Simulations (LES) were performed and compared with the results from two-dimensional RANS.

Li, Lei↗

A parametric study of staged fuel injector configurations for scramjet applications

A parametric study of staged (multiple) perpendicular fuel injector configurations has been conducted using a computer code which solves the two-dimensional elliptic Navier-Stokes equations. The program computes the turbulent mixing and reaction of hydrogen fuel and air and allows the study of separated regions of the flow immediately preceding and following the injectors. The validity of the code is demonstrated in a cold flow helium injection study with a single injector. Results are presented that describe the flow field near opposing staged injectors over a range of parameters. Parameters that are varied include injector size, fuel split, and distance between injectors. Comparisons of the configurations are made to assess their mixing and potential flame-holding qualities.

Weidner, E. H.↗

Numerical Solution of the Incompressible Navier-Stokes Equations in Three-dimensional Generalized Curvilinear Coordinates

Numerically solving the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations is known to be time consuming and expensive. Testing of the INS3D computers code, which solves these equations with the use of the pseudocompressibility method, shows this method to be an efficient way to obtain the steady state solution. The effects of the waves introduced by the pseudocompressibility method are analyzed and criteria are set and tested for the choice of the pseudocompressibility parameter which governs the artificial sound speed. The code is tested using laminar flow over a two dimensional backward-facing step, and laminar flow over a two dimensional circular cylinder. The results of the computations over the backward-facing step are in excellent agreement with experimental results. The transient solution of the flow over the cylinder impulsively started from rest is in good agreement with experimental results. However, the computed frequency of periodic shedding of vortices behind the cylinder is not in agreement with the experimental value. For a three dimensional test case, computations were conducted for a cylinder end wall junction. The saddle point separation and horseshoe vortex system appear in the computed field. The solution also shows secondary vortex filaments which wrap around the cylinder and spiral up in the wake.

Rogers, S. E.↗