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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 865 records · Page 48

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NASA NTRS1992

Some recent applications of Navier-Stokes codes to rotorcraft

Many operational limitations of helicopters and other rotary-wing aircraft are due to nonlinear aerodynamic phenomena incuding unsteady, three-dimensional transonic and separated flow near the surfaces and highly vortical flow in the wakes of rotating blades. Modern computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technology offers new tools to study and simulate these complex flows. However, existing Euler and Navier-Stokes codes have to be modified significantly for rotorcraft applications, and the enormous computational requirements presently limit their use in routine design applications. Nevertheless, the Euler/Navier-Stokes technology is progressing in anticipation of future supercomputers that will enable meaningful calculations to be made for complete rotorcraft configurations.

Mccroskey, W. J.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Three-dimensional turbopump flowfield analysis

A program was conducted to develop a flow prediction method applicable to rocket turbopumps. The complex nature of a flowfield in turbopumps is described and examples of flowfields are discussed to illustrate that physics based models and analytical calculation procedures based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) are needed to develop reliable design procedures for turbopumps. A CFD code developed at NASA ARC was used as the base code. The turbulence model and boundary conditions in the base code were modified, respectively, to: (1) compute transitional flows and account for extra rates of strain, e.g., rotation; and (2) compute surface heat transfer coefficients and allow computation through multistage turbomachines. Benchmark quality data from two and three-dimensional cascades were used to verify the code. The predictive capabilities of the present CFD code were demonstrated by computing the flow through a radial impeller and a multistage axial flow turbine. Results of the program indicate that the present code operated in a two-dimensional mode is a cost effective alternative to full three-dimensional calculations, and that it permits realistic predictions of unsteady loadings and losses for multistage machines.

Sharma, O. P.↗

NASA NTRS1986

A performance comparison of the Cray-2 and the Cray X-MP

A suite of thirteen large Fortran benchmark codes were run on Cray-2 and Cray X-MP supercomputers. These codes were a mix of compute-intensive scientific application programs (mostly Computational Fluid Dynamics) and some special vectorized computation exercise programs. For the general class of programs tested on the Cray-2, most of which were not specially tuned for speed, the floating point operation rates varied under a variety of system load configurations from 40 percent up to 125 percent of X-MP performance rates. It is concluded that the Cray-2, in the original system configuration studied (without memory pseudo-banking) will run untuned Fortran code, on average, about 70 percent of X-MP speeds.

Schmickley, Ronald↗

NASA NTRS1993

Computational fluid dynamic modelling of cavitation

Models in sheet cavitation in cryogenic fluids are developed for use in Euler and Navier-Stokes codes. The models are based upon earlier potential-flow models but enable the cavity inception point, length, and shape to be determined as part of the computation. In the present paper, numerical solutions are compared with experimental measurements for both pressure distribution and cavity length. Comparisons between models are also presented. The CFD model provides a relatively simple modification to an existing code to enable cavitation performance predictions to be included. The analysis also has the added ability of incorporating thermodynamic effects of cryogenic fluids into the analysis. Extensions of the current two-dimensional steady state analysis to three-dimensions and/or time-dependent flows are, in principle, straightforward although geometrical issues become more complicated. Linearized models, however offer promise of providing effective cavitation modeling in three-dimensions. This analysis presents good potential for improved understanding of many phenomena associated with cavity flows.

Deshpande, Manish↗

DOE OSTI2019

Hydrodynamic Analysis of a Suspended Cylinder Under Regular Wave Loading Based on Computational Fluid Dynamics

An investigation into the computation of hydrodynamic loads on a suspended cylinder in regular waves is presented. The primary goal was to perform a three-way validation of the loads between experimental measurements and simulations from two computational methods. Experimental measurements of the longitudinal in-line force on a cylinder suspended at a fixed position were available from the Offshore Code Comparison Collaboration, Continued, with Correlation (OC5) project, Phase Ia. These measurements were compared to computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations based on the solution of Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations, as implemented in STAR-CCM+. The study encompassed a sensitivity analysis of the loads computed in STAR-CCM+ based on wave modeling, boundary conditions, turbulence modeling, and spatial and temporal discretization. The analysis was supplemented by results generated with the offshore wind turbine engineering software OpenFAST, based on a hybrid combination of second-order potential flow and viscous drag from Morison's equation. The focus of the investigation was on the assessment of the accuracy of the computation of first- and higher-order hydrodynamic loads. Substantial differences were observed in the numerical prediction of the second and third harmonic force contribution. Local flow field analysis with CFD was applied to study the physics of wave run-up and diffraction dynamics to identify the causes.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

DOE OSTI2026

A methodology for domain overlapping coupling of thermal-hydraulic systems

Multi-scale coupling has increasingly drawn attention as a promising approach for modeling thermal systems. Traditional system codes provide fast and robust predictions at the plant scale, while high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based tools resolve localized flow and heat transfer phenomena with greater accuracy. By combining these complementary strengths, co-simulations enable multi-scale analysis that would otherwise be computationally prohibitive for a standalone CFD code. Here, this work introduces a robust and problem-agnostic domain overlapping (DO) coupling between the system thermal-hydraulic (STH) code System Analysis Module (SAM) and the coarse-mesh CFD code Pronghorn. Both applications belong to the Comprehensive Reactor Analysis Bundle (BlueCRAB) code suite, a code suite in active development at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), tailored for multi-physics analysis of advanced reactors. Unlike previous approaches, BlueCRAB supports an agnostic interface between codes based on different fidelity, while its coupling formulation can address arbitrary flow geometries with multiple inlets and outlets in coupled components. The implemented method leads to consistent pressure drops, enthalpies, and scalar concentrations between coupled SAM and Pronghorn simulations. The methodology is demonstrated through two verification tests, which ensure the numerical consistency and conservation across the codes, and through one validation test against experimental data. The proposed problems explore different physical aspects inherent to thermal systems, with particular attention given to nuclear reactor analysis. These include buoyancy-driven flows, complex flow patterns, and setups with multiple inlets and outlets, representing challenges in advanced reactor applications.

22 - GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

NASA NTRS1992

Application of Computational Fluid Dynamics to the Study of Vortex Flow Control for the Management of Inlet Distortion

The present study demonstrates that the Reduced Navier-Stokes code RNS3D can be used very effectively to develop a vortex generator installation for the purpose of minimizing the engine face circumferential distortion by controlling the development of secondary flow. The computing times required are small enough that studies such as this are feasible within an analysis-design environment with all its constraints of time and costs. This research study also established the nature of the performance improvements that can be realized with vortex flow control, and suggests a set of aerodynamic properties (called observations) that can be used to arrive at a successful vortex generator installation design. The ultimate aim of this research is to manage inlet distortion by controlling secondary flow through an arrangements of vortex generators configurations tailored to the specific aerodynamic characteristics of the inlet duct. This study also indicated that scaling between flight and typical wind tunnel test conditions is possible only within a very narrow range of generator configurations close to an optimum installation. This paper also suggests a possible law that can be used to scale generator blade height for experimental testing, but further research in this area is needed before it can be effectively applied to practical problems. Lastly, this study indicated that vortex generator installation design for inlet ducts is more complex than simply satisfying the requirement of attached flow, it must satisfy the requirement of minimum engine face distortion.

Anderson, Bernhard H.↗

DOE OSTI2018

Gear Test Assembly - Status Report FY2018

The gear test assembly completed testing in air and distilled water successfully under a range of loading conditions. An external torque sensor assembly was designed and added to confirm the torque readings provided by the Parker control system. Hand calculations were performed to determine the time range that the heaters could be turned on without exceeding the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel code Fatigue Stress Limits for 1,000,000 cycles. Transient computational fluid dynamics analyses were performed to determine the heater cycle on/off time. Steady state computational fluid dynamics analyses were performed to determine the final temperature distribution throughout the insulated assembly using a thinner but more effective insulation configuration. The initial heating tests were completed (without insulation installed) to check the heater control system. Testing of the argon pressurized seal chambers were performed and indicated the need for re-machining of several components to eliminate some leaks. Nondestructive examination of the gears continued successfully using eddy current and ultrasonic inspection techniques.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2019

Validation of Pin Span Superposition to Reconstruct Gridded Bundle Flows

This milestone shows a demonstration of the surface map model to map the surface temperature for single-phase computational fluid dynamics simulation data from STAR-CCM+ to the subchannel code CTF using a two-step process that captures global and local rod surface temperature behavior based on simulation boundary conditions and position. This model can be used to improve results from CTF by transforming surface temperatures obtained from CTF to model data that resembles data from STAR-CCM+. A summary of the current two-step model process and results of the initial investigations with a single subchannel and a 5 x 5 set of fuel rods are shown and discussed within, with suggestions for further improvements.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

NASA NTRS1989

Hypersonic CFD applications for the National Aero-Space Plane

Design and analysis of the NASP depends heavily upon developing the critical technology areas that cover the entire engineering design of the vehicle. These areas include materials, structures, propulsion systems, propellants, integration of airframe and propulsion systems, controls, subsystems, and aerodynamics areas. Currently, verification of many of the classical engineering tools relies heavily on computational fluid dynamics. Advances are being made in the development of CFD codes to accomplish nose-to-tail analyses for hypersonic aircraft. Additional details involving the partial development, analysis, verification, and application of the CFL3D code and the SPARK combustor code are discussed. A nonequilibrium version of CFL3D that is presently being developed and tested is also described. Examples are given of portion calculations for research hypersonic aircraft geometries and comparisons with experiment data show good agreement.

Richardson, Pamela F.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Coolant side heat transfer with rotation. Task 3 report: Application of computational fluid dynamics

An experimental and analytical program was conducted to investigate heat transfer and pressure losses in rotating multipass passages with configurations and dimensions typical of modern turbine blades. The objective of this program is the development and verification of improved analysis methods that will form the basis for a design system that will produce turbine components with improved durability. As part of this overall program, a technique is developed for computational fluid dynamics. The specific objectives were to: select a baseline CFD computer code, assess the limitations of the baseline code, modify the baseline code for rotational effects, verify the modified code against benchmark experiments in the literature, and to identify shortcomings in the code as revealed by the verification. The Pratt and Whitney 3D-TEACH CFD code was selected as the vehicle for this program. The code was modified to account for rotating internal flows, and these modifications were evaluated for flow characteristics of those expected in the application. Results can make a useful contribution to blade internal cooling.

Kopper, F. C.↗

NASA NTRS1999

SAGE: The Self-Adaptive Grid Code

The multi-dimensional self-adaptive grid code, SAGE, is an important tool in the field of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). It provides an efficient method to improve the accuracy of flow solutions while simultaneously reducing computer processing time. Briefly, SAGE enhances an initial computational grid by redistributing the mesh points into more appropriate locations. The movement of these points is driven by an equal-error-distribution algorithm that utilizes the relationship between high flow gradients and excessive solution errors. The method also provides a balance between clustering points in the high gradient regions and maintaining the smoothness and continuity of the adapted grid, The latest version, Version 3, includes the ability to change the boundaries of a given grid to more efficiently enclose flow structures and provides alternative redistribution algorithms.

Davies, Carol B.↗

NASA NTRS2002

Reduction of Wake-Stator Interaction Noise Using Passive Porosity

The present study was conducted to assess the potential of Passive Porosity Technology as a mechanism to reduce interaction noise in turbomachinery by reducing the fluctuating forces acting on the vane surfaces. To do so, a typical fan stator airfoil was subjected to the effects of a transversely moving wake; time histories of the primitive aerodynamic variables, obtained from Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solutions, were then input into an acoustic prediction code. This procedure was performed on the solid airfoil to obtain a baseline, and on a series of porous configurations in order to isolate those that yield maximum noise reductions without compromising the aerodynamic performance of the stator. It was found that communication between regions of high pressure differential - made possible by the use of passive porosity - is necessary to significantly alter the noise radiation pattern of the stator airfoil. In general, noise reductions were obtained for those configurations incorporating passive porosity in the region between x/c is approximately 0.15 on the suction side of the airfoil and x/c is approximately 0.20 on the pressure side. Reductions in overall radiated noise of approximately 1.0 dB were obtained. The noise benefit increased to about 2.5 dB when the effects of loading noise alone were considered.

Tinetti, Ana F.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Aeroheating and Aerodynamic CFD Validation And Prediction for The X-38 Program

This paper presents the results of a computational fluid dynamics validation exercise using the General Aerodynamic Simulation Program (GASP) code for vehicles under consideration for the X-38 program. The scope of the exercise involved simulation and comparison with wind tunnel aeroheating and aerodynamic data in the hypersonic regime. In addition, simulations were performed and results are presented for the full-scale flight vehicle along an expected re- entry trajectory.

Loomis, Mark P.↗

NASA NTRS2007

The Effect of Acoustic Disturbances on the Operation of the Space Shuttle Main Engine Fuel Flowmeter

The Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) uses a turbine fuel flowmeter (FFM) in its Low Pressure Fuel Duct (LPFD) to measure liquid hydrogen flowrates during engine operation. The flowmeter is required to provide accurate and robust measurements of flow rates ranging from 10000 to 18000 GPM in an environment contaminated by duct vibration and duct internal acoustic disturbances. Errors exceeding 0.5% can have a significant impact on engine operation and mission completion. The accuracy of each sensor is monitored during hot-fire engine tests on the ground. Flow meters which do not meet requirements are not flown. Among other parameters, the device is screened for a specific behavior in which a small shift in the flow rate reading is registered during a period in which the actual fuel flow as measured by a facility meter does not change. Such behavior has been observed over the years for specific builds of the FFM and must be avoided or limited in magnitude in flight. Various analyses of the recorded data have been made prior to this report in an effort to understand the cause of the phenomenon; however, no conclusive cause for the shift in the instrument behavior has been found. The present report proposes an explanation of the phenomenon based on interactions between acoustic pressure disturbances in the duct and the wakes produced by the FFM flow straightener. Physical insight into the effects of acoustic plane wave disturbances was obtained using a simple analytical model. Based on that model, a series of three-dimensional unsteady viscous flow computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed using the MSFC PHANTOM turbomachinery code. The code was customized to allow the FFM rotor speed to change at every time step according to the instantaneous fluid forces on the rotor, that, in turn, are affected by acoustic plane pressure waves propagating through the device. The results of the simulations show the variation in the rotation rate of the flowmeter due to the interaction of the flow straightener wakes and the upstream propagating acoustic waves. A detailed analysis of the acoustic disturbance effects is presented along with an assessment of the impact on measurement accuracy.

Marcu, Bogdan↗

DOE OSTI2019

Hydrodynamic Analysis of a Suspended Cylinder Under Regular Wave Loading Based on Computational Fluid Dynamics: Preprint

An investigation into the computation of hydrodynamic loads on a suspended cylinder in regular waves is presented. The primary goal was to perform a three-way-validation of the loads between experimental measurements and simulations from two computational methods. Experimental measurements of the longitudinal inline force on a cylinder suspended at a fixed po- sition were available from the Offshore Code Comparison Col- laboration, Continued, with Correlation (OC5) project, Phase Ia. These measurements were compared to Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations based on the solution of Reynolds- averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations, as implemented in STAR-CCM plus. The study encompassed a sensitivity analysis of the loads computed in STAR-CCM plus based on wave modeling, boundary conditions, turbulence modeling, and spatial and tem- poral discretization. The analysis was supplemented by results generated with the offshore wind turbine engineering software OpenFAST, based on a hybrid combination of second-order po- tential flow and viscous drag fromMorison's equation. The focus of the investigation was on the assessment of the accuracy of the computation of first- and higher-order hydrodynamic loads. Sub- stantial differences were observed in the numerical prediction of the second and third harmonic force contribution. Local flow field analysis with CFD was applied to study the physics of wave run-up and diffraction dynamics to identify the causes.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

NASA NTRS1992

Application of computational fluid dynamics to the study of vortex flow control for the management of inlet distortion

A study is presented to demonstrate that the Reduced Navier-Stokes code RNS3D can be employed effectively to develop a vortex generator installation that minimizes engine face circumferential distortion by controlling the development of secondary flow. The necessary computing times are small enough to show that similar studies are feasible within an analysis-design environment with all its constraints of costs and time. This study establishes the nature of the performance enhancements that can be realized with vortex flow control, and indicates a set of aerodynamic properties that can be utilized to arrive at a successful vortex generator installation design.

Anderson, Bernhard H.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Code Validation Study for Base Flows

New and old rocket launch concepts recommend the clustering of motors for improved lift capability. The flowfield of the base region of the rocket is very complex and can contain high temperature plume gases. These hot gases can cause catastrophic problems if not adequately designed for. To assess the base region characteristics, advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is being used. As a precursor to these calculations the CFD code requires validation on base flows. The primary objective of this code validation study was to establish a high level of confidence in predicting base flows with the USA CFD code. USA has been extensively validated for fundamental flows and other applications. However, base heating flows have a number of unique characteristics so it was necessary to extend the existing validation for this class of problems. In preparation for the planned NLS 1.5 Stage base heating analysis, six case sets were studied to extend the USA code validation data base. This presentation gives a cursive review of three of these cases. The cases presented include a 2D axi-symmetric study, a 3D real nozzle study, and a 3D multi-species study. The results of all the studies show good general agreement with data with no adjustments to the base numerical algorithms or physical models in the code. The study proved the capability of the USA code for modeling base flows within the accuracy of available data.

Ascoli, Edward P.↗