Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Finite difference scheme”

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 667 records · Page 37

Analysis of Scramjet Inlets

NASCRIN program analyzes two-dimensional flow fields in supersoniccombustion ramjet (scramjet) inlets. Solves two-dimensional Euler or Navier-Stokes equations in conservative form by unsplit, explicit, two-step finite-difference method. More recent explicit/implicit, two-step scheme incorporated by analysis of viscous flow. Algebraic, two-layer eddy-viscosity model used for turbulent-flow calculations. Vectorized version, written for CDC CYBER 205, whereas scalar version, can be run on CRAY or other scalar computers.

Kumar, A.↗

Recent developments in shock-capturing schemes

The development of the shock capturing methodology is reviewed, paying special attention to the increasing nonlinearity in its design and its relation to interpolation. It is well-known that higher-order approximations to a discontinuous function generate spurious oscillations near the discontinuity (Gibbs phenomenon). Unlike standard finite-difference methods which use a fixed stencil, modern shock capturing schemes use an adaptive stencil which is selected according to the local smoothness of the solution. Near discontinuities this technique automatically switches to one-sided approximations, thus avoiding the use of discontinuous data which brings about spurious oscillations.

Harten, Ami↗

Overview of the relevant CFD work at Thiokol Corporation

An in-house developed proprietary advanced computational fluid dynamics code called SHARP (Trademark) is a primary tool for many flow simulations and design analyses. The SHARP code is a time dependent, two dimensional (2-D) axisymmetric numerical solution technique for the compressible Navier-Stokes equations. The solution technique in SHARP uses a vectorizable implicit, second order accurate in time and space, finite volume scheme based on an upwind flux-difference splitting of a Roe-type approximated Riemann solver, Van Leer's flux vector splitting, and a fourth order artificial dissipation scheme with a preconditioning to accelerate the flow solution. Turbulence is simulated by an algebraic model, and ultimately the kappa-epsilon model. Some other capabilities of the code are 2-D two-phase Lagrangian particle tracking and cell blockages. Extensive development and testing has been conducted on the 3-D version of the code with flow, combustion, and turbulence interactions. The emphasis here is on the specific applications of SHARP in Solid Rocket Motor design. Information is given in viewgraph form.

Chwalowski, Pawel↗

Convection in superposed fluid and porous layers

Thermal convection due to heating from below in a porous layer underlying a fluid layer has been analyzed using the Navier-Stokes equations for the fluid layers and the extended Darcy equation (including Brinkman and Forchheimer terms) for the porous layer. The flow is assumed to be two-dimensional and periodic in the horizontal direction. The numerical scheme used is a combined Galerkin and finite-difference method, and appropriate boundary conditions are applied at the interface. Results have been obtained for depth ratios of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0, where this ratio is defined as the ratio of the thickness of the fluid layer to that of the porous layer. For the depth ratio of 0.1, the convection is dominated by the porous layer, similar to the situation at onset, even though the Rayleigh number for the fluid layer is well into the supercritical regime.

Chen, Falin↗

Moving and adaptive grid methods for compressible flows

This paper describes adaptive grid methods developed specifically for compressible flow computations. The basic flow solver is a finite-volume implementation of Roe's flux difference splitting scheme or arbitrarily moving unstructured triangular meshes. The grid adaptation is performed according to geometric and flow requirements. Some results are included to illustrate the potential of the methodology.

Trepanier, Jean-Yves↗

Space-Dependent Wielandt Shifts for Multigroup Diffusion Eigenvalue Problems

We present a new concept—the space-dependent Wielandt shift (SDWS)—for accelerating the convergence of the power iteration (PI) scheme for multigroup diffusion k-eigenvalue problems. The SDWS improves on standard Wielandt shift (WS) techniques, which are empirical in nature and are typically effective only when the current estimate of the solution is reasonably converged. By accounting for the physics of the problem through SDWS, we are able to improve the acceleration for the initial iterates when the current estimate of the solution is not close to convergence. Numerical results from one-dimensional problems suggest that, compared to standard WS techniques, the new SDWS techniques can provide upward of a 46% reduction in the number of PIs required for convergence and a 40% reduction in the computational time required. This improvement is sensitive to several problem-dependent factors, such as the geometry and energy-dependence of the problem, the spatial discretization, and the initial guess. The reduction in computational time is also dependent on the linear solver in the PI scheme, as it is well known that WSs can significantly worsen the conditioning of the diffusion linear system. In this paper, we provide a detailed study of the impact of WSs on the performance of several iterative linear solvers. Results from our implementation of SDWS in the three-dimensional (3D) code MPACT show that SDWS can provide similar speedups for 3D multigroup diffusion eigenvalue problems. These results also show that moderate speedups can be obtained by applying SDWS to the coarse mesh finite difference (CMFD) solver in a CMFD-accelerated transport scheme. However, the benefit of doing this may be limited because all but the first few CMFD solves are relatively easy to converge, regardless of the WS used.

Nuclear Science & Technology↗

Documentation of the Fourth Order Band Model

A general circulation model is presented which uses quadratically conservative, fourth order horizontal space differences on an unstaggered grid and second order vertical space differences with a forward-backward or a smooth leap frog time scheme to solve the primitive equations of motion. The dynamic equations for motion, finite difference equations, a discussion of the structure and flow chart of the program code, a program listing, and three relevent papers are given.

Kalnay-Rivas, E.↗

Enriched immersed finite element and isogeometric analysis: algorithms and data structures

Immersed finite element methods provide a convenient analysis framework for problems involving geometrically complex domains, such as those found in topology optimization and microstructures for engineered materials. However, their implementation remains a major challenge due to, among other things, the need to apply nontrivial stabilization schemes and generate custom quadrature rules. This article introduces the robust and computationally efficient algorithms and data structures comprising an immersed finite element preprocessing framework. The input to the preprocessor consists of a background mesh and one or more geometries defined on its domain. The output is structured into groups of elements with custom quadrature rules formatted such that common finite element assembly routines may be used without or with only minimal modifications. The key to the preprocessing framework is the construction of material topology information, concurrently with the generation of a quadrature rule, which is then used to perform enrichment and generate stabilization rules. While the algorithmic framework applies to a wide range of immersed finite element methods using different types of meshes, integration, and stabilization schemes, the preprocessor is presented within the context of the extended isogeometric analysis. This method utilizes a structured B-spline mesh, a generalized Heaviside enrichment strategy considering the material layout within individual basis functions’ supports, and face-oriented ghost stabilization. Using a set of examples, the effectiveness of the enrichment and stabilization strategies is demonstrated alongside the preprocessor’s robustness in geometric edge cases. Additionally, the performance and parallel scalability of the implementation are evaluated.

Computer implementation↗

Divertor heat load estimates on NSTX and DIII-D using new and open-source 2D inversion analysis code

A thermography inversion algorithm has been developed in the open-source Python-based computer code, HYPERION, to calculate the heat flux incident on plasma-facing components (PFCs) in axisymmetric tokamaks. The chosen mesh size at the surface significantly affects the calculated transient heat flux results. The calculated transient heat flux will exceed the real value when the mesh size tends to zero but will underestimate the real value when the mesh size is large. A criterion for determining the appropriate mesh size for the transient heat flux calculation will be discussed. The numerical scheme for HYPERION uses a 2D fully implicit finite-difference approach, allowing temperature-dependent thermal properties of PFC materials. The inversion algorithm is benchmarked against established heat flux calculation codes, TACO and THEODOR, based on thermography data from NSTX and DIII-D respectively. The primary benefits of HYPERION compared to TACO and THEODOR are that it is open-source and it allows for the optimization of mesh thickness along the substrate. The algorithm also accounts for the thermal properties of thin surface layers that characteristically form on PFCs due to plasma-material interactions. The agreement between HYPERION and THEODOR is excellent, as the percent difference between the codes is ~5% on average in the case of the DIII-D data for moderate to high heat flux. Verification tests with TACO show slightly higher average percent differences of 8% and 12%. In using HYPERION to study filaments in heat flux, the initial results indicate that small ELMs filaments significantly broaden the divertor heat flux, and decrease divertor peak flux. Compared to the inter-ELM, the small ELM filaments decrease the divertor peak surface temperature. With intermittent divertor filaments, the divertor heat flux width is comparable with that found in L-mode.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Test problems for inviscid transonic flow

Solving of test problems with the TRANDES program is discussed. This method utilizes the full, inviscid, perturbation potential flow equation in a Cartesian grid system that is stretched to infinity. This equation is represented by a nonconservative system of finite difference equations that includes at supersonic points a rotated difference scheme and is solved by column relaxation. The solution usually starts from a zero perturbation potential on a very coarse grid (typically 13 by 7) followed by several grid halvings until a final solution is obtained on a fine grid (97 by 49).

Carlson, L. A.↗

Multigrid solution of the Navier-Stokes equations on nonuniform grids

The numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equations in general two dimensional domains is considered. A proper finite difference approximation to the governing equations, on nonstaggered grids, in a transformed plane is formulated. Several aspects of a multigrid method for the solution of the finite difference equations are described. The efficiency of some relaxation schemes and the transfer among the grids which are nonuniform in the physical plane are emphasized.

Fuchs, L.↗

Test problems for inviscid transonic flow

The paper discusses some results obtained in the solving of test problems for inviscid transonic flow with shock waves using the TRANDES program. The method used employs the full inviscid perturbation-potential flow equation in a Cartesian grid system that is stretched to infinity. The equation is represented by a nonconservative system of finite-difference equations that includes at supersonic points a rotated difference scheme and is solved by column relaxation. Except for the NACA 0012 case with the freestream Mach number equal to 0.95, all test problems were solved straightforwardly and appeared to be converged or close to convergence. The only difficulty was some sensitivity to grid placement, which is typical of the Cartesian formulation

Carlson, L. A.↗

On a finite-difference method for solving transient viscous flow problems

A method has been developed to solve the unsteady, compressible Navier-Stokes equation with the property of consistency and the ability of minimizing the equation stiffness. It relies on innovative extensions of the state-of-the-art finite-difference techniques and is composed of: (1) the upwind scheme for split-flux and the central scheme for conventional flux terms in the inviscid and viscous regions, respectively; (2) the characteristic treatment of both inviscid and viscous boundaries; (3) an ADI procedure compatible with interior and boundary points; and (4) a scalar matrix coefficient including viscous terms. The performance of this method is assessed with four sample problems; namely, a standing shock in the Laval duct, a shock reflected from the wall, the shock-induced boundary-layer separation, and a transient internal nozzle flow. The results from the present method, an existing hybrid block method, and a well-known two-step explicit method are compared and discussed. It is concluded that this method has an optimal trade-off between the solution accuracy and computational economy, and other desirable properties for analyzing transient viscous flow problems.

Li, C. P.↗

Developing fluid flow in a curved duct of square cross-section and its fully developed dual solutions

Developing fluid flow in a curved duct of square cross-section is studied numerically by a factored ADI finite-difference method on a staggered grid. A central-difference scheme with primitive variables is used inside the computational domain to reduce numerical diffusion. Two Reynolds numbers, 574 and 790, based upon a bulk velocity and hydraulic diameter are chosen for curvature ratios of 1/6.45 and 1/2.3, respectively. It is found that the secondary flow is far more complicated than expected, with the appearance of at least two pairs of vortices. Main-flow separation is also observed for the higher curvature ratio. Furthermore, it is observed that the flow develops into two quite different states downstream, depending upon the inlet conditions. Solutions of the fully developed Navier-Stokes equations is shown to be not unique beyond a certain critical Reynolds number. Developing flow seems to evolve into the fully developed state along a particular branch into which the fully developed solution bifurcates.

Soh, W. Y.↗

On the use of implicit line-relaxation and multi-zonal computations

The use of an implicit Gauss-Seidel line-relaxation scheme to solve unfactored equations resulting from a finite-difference upwind approach in solutions of the governing equations of fluid flow is discussed. It is shown that the use of boundary conditions to pass information between zonal boundaries can dramatically improve convergence in steady-state calculations. This is due to the iterative nature of the current implementation of the line-relaxation procedure.

Rogers, Stuart E.↗

Numerical models for the collapse and fragmentation of centrally condensed molecular cloud cores

The gravitational collapse and fragmentation of centrally condensed molecular cloud cores are investigated using a new hydrodynamical code. The numerical scheme is second-order accurate and uses explicit finite difference methods to advance the fluid variables on a 3D Cartesian grid. Two initial power-law density profiles, rho varies as r exp -1 and rho varies as r exp -2, are considered, as well as two initial density perturbations in the azimuthal coordinate theta, rho-i - rho(1 + a cos 2theta) where a = 0.1 and 0.5. Fragmentation is found to be possible in these centrally condensed cores if the initial conditions also include differential rotation. Models which collapse with initial uniform rotation do not produce fragments. If molecular cloud cores are indeed centrally condensed, as suggested by observations of star-forming regions and by studies of ambipolar diffusion, then differential rotation may be a mechanism for producing binary protostars during gravitational collapse.

Myhill, Elizabeth A.↗

An adaptive multigrid model for hurricane track prediction

This paper describes a simple numerical model for hurricane track prediction which uses a multigrid method to adapt the model resolution as the vortex moves. The model is based on the modified barotropic vorticity equation, discretized in space by conservative finite differences and in time by a Runge-Kutta scheme. A multigrid method is used to solve an elliptic problem for the streamfunction at each time step. Nonuniform resolution is obtained by superimposing uniform grids of different spatial extent; these grids move with the vortex as it moves. Preliminary numerical results indicate that the local mesh refinement allows accurate prediction of the hurricane track with substantially less computer time than required on a single uniform grid.

Fulton, Scott R.↗

A numerical method for solving the three-dimensional parabolized Navier-Stokes equations

A numerical technique that solves the parabolized form of the Navier-Stokes equations is presented. Such a method makes it possible to obtain very detailed descriptions of the flowfield in a relatively modest CPU time. The present approach is based on a space-marching technique, uses a finite volume discretization and an upwind flux-difference splitting scheme for the evaluation of the inviscid fluxes. Second order accuracy is achieved following the guidelines of the the ENO schemes. The methodology is used to investigate three-dimensional supersonic viscous flows over symmetric corners. Primary and secondary streamwise vortical structures embedded in the boundary layer and originated by the interaction with shock waves are detected and studied. For purpose of validation, results are compared with experimental data extracted from literature. The agreement is found to be satisfactory. In conclusion, the numerical method proposed seems to be promising as it permits, at a reasonable computational expense, investigation of complex three-dimensional flowfields in great detail.

Dambrosio, Domenic↗