Tests of Cast Aluminum-alloy Mixed-flow Impellers
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Mixing and combusting high enthalpy flows, similar to those encountered in scramjet engines, were investigated using a shock tunnel to produce the flow in conjunction with non-intrusive optical diagnostics which monitored the performance of two injector configurations. The shock tunnel is configured to produce Mach 3 flow and stagnation enthalpies corresponding to flight equivalent Mach numbers between 7 and 11. A pulsed hydrogen injection capability and interchangeable injector blocks provide a means of examining high speed, high enthalpy reacting flows. Planar laser induced fluorescence (PLIF) of OH molecules in the near injector region produced images which show the combusting and mixing zones for the reacting flow. Line-of-sight exit plane measurement of water concentration and temperature were used to provide a unique method of monitoring exit plane products. These results demonstrated that a velocity matched axial injection system produced a fuel jet that lifted off the floor of the duct. Mixing was observed to increase for this system as a velocity mismatch was introduced. Comparison of exit plane water concentrations for a wall jet injection system and a velocity matched injection system indicated similar mixing performance but an accurate pressure measurement is necessary to further validate the result. In addition, exit plane measurements indicated an approximate steady-state condition was achieved during the 1 to 2 ms test times.
Mixing driven by buoyancy-induced flows is of particular interest to microgravity processes, as the body force that governs the intensity of flow fields can be directly controlled. We consider a model experimental system to explore the dynamics of mixing which employs two miscible liquids inside a cavity separated initially by a divider. The two liquids are oriented vertically inside a rectangular cavity with constant width and height, and varying depths to span the range of a Hele-Shaw cell to a 3-[) configuration. The two miscible liquids can be sufficiently diluted and died, for example water and deuterium oxide, such that a distinct interface exists across the divider. The transient mixing characteristic of the two fluids is addressed by following the Lagrangian history of the interface for various aspect ratios in the z-plane (depth variation) as well as a range of pulling velocities of the divider. The mixing characteristics of the two fluids are quantified from measurement of the length stretch of the interface and its flow field using respectively image processing techniques and Particle Imaging Velocimetry. Scaling analysis shows that the length stretch depends on four governing parameters, namely the Grashof number (Gr), Schmidt number (Sc), aspect ratio (Ar), and Reynolds number (Re). Variation of the Schmidt number is taken into account through thermophysical property variation. Thus our problem reduces to a codimension three bifurcation in parametric space for Gr, Ar, and Re. Our experimental results show that for Gr on the order of 106 and a nominal cavity aspect ratio Ar = 0.2, the net effect of removal of the divider and the overwhelming buoyancy force causes an overturning motion which stretches and folds the interface to produce ml internal breakwave. The structure of the breakwave is similar to the ubiquitous Rayleigh-Taylor instability morphology. The breakwave is dissipated either through internal or wall collision depending on the impulsive velocity of the divider as prescribed by the Reynolds number. The decay of the collision event occurs through sloshing oscillations over a short time scale. The two fluids then become stably stratified with a diffusive band at the interface indicating local mass transport. The local bifurcation of the internal breakwave is investigated as a function of aspect ratio. Results show that for narrow cavities on the order of 2mm (Ar = 0.04) folding does not occur, the interface only stretches. As the cavity size increases folding occurs through a supercritical bifurcation. Insight into the mechanism of folding is obtained from measurement of the flow field which shows that in the neighborhood of the folding event, there exists hyperbolic points caused by multiple vortex interactions. The global length stretch of the interface as a function of time is nearly Gaussian; calculations of finite-time Liapunov exponents as well as construction of horseshoe maps indicate the likelihood of a chaotic transient.
A description is given of the first results obtained with a new shock tube-electron beam facility designed to provide a versatile means for the systematic search for laser operation among several candidate metal atom-oxidizer systems. According to the current experimental approach, metal atoms are obtained in the vapor phase by the dissociation of metal compounds. A shock tube is employed to provide a short duration flow through an array of 29 supersonic flow-mixing nozzles. A high energy electron accelerator is used for the rapid initiation of chemical reaction in a mixed flow of encapsulated metal and oxidizer.
Mixing phenomena of cold and arc heated jets from coaxial flows of helium or nitrogen related to gaseous core nuclear rockets
The effect of turbopump design on rocket gross weight was investigated for a high-pressure bleed-type hydrogen-reactor long-range rocket with a fixed mission. Axial-flow, mixed-flow, and centrifugal pumps driven by single and twin turbines were considered. With an efficiency of 0.7 assumed for all pumps, the lowest rocket gross weights were obtained with an axial-flow or a mixed-flow pump driven by a single turbine of at least eight stages. All turbopump combinations could be used, however, with gross weight varying less than 8 percent for a given payload. Turbopump efficiencies have a significant effect on the ratio of gross weight to payload with the magnitude of the effect determined by the ratio of rocket structural weight to total propellant weight. One point in pump efficiency is worth 0.2 percent in gross weight for a given payload with a structural weight parameter of 0.1 and 0.6 percent with a structural weight parameter of 0.2. Turbine and pump weights are much less significant in terms of gross-to-pay weight ratio than the efficiencies of these components. One point in pump efficiency is equivalent to approximately 13 percent in pump weight, while 1 point in turbine efficiency is equivalent to about 7 percent in turbine weight.
Multiphase two dimensional mixing and combustion of flow fields suspended in gaseous medium for propulsion systems problems, obtaining governing equations
Multiphase two dimensional mixing and combustion of flow fields suspended in gaseous medium for propulsion systems problems, obtaining governing equations
Short Take-off, Vertical Landing (STOVL) demonstrator concepts using a common ATF engine core are discussed. These concepts include a separate fan and core flow engine cycle, mixed flow STOVL cycles, separate flow cycles convertible to mixed flow, and reaction control system engine air bleed. STOVL propulsion controls are discussed.
Detailed flow measurements made in the casing boundary layer of a two-stage transonic fan are summarized. These measurements were taken at a station upstream of the fan, between all blade rows, and downstream of the last row. Conventional boundary layer parameters were calculated from the measured data. A classical two dimensional casing boundary layer was measured at the fan inlet and extended inward to approximately 15 percent of span. A highly three dimensional boundary layer was measured at the exit of each blade row and extended inward to approximately 10 percent of span. The steep radial gradient of axial velocity noted at the exit of the rotors was reduced substantially as the flow passed through the stators. This reduced gradient is attributed to flow mixing. The amount of flow mixing was reflected in the radial redistribution of total temperature as the flow passed through the stators. The blockage factors calculated from the measured data show an increase in blockage across the rotors and a decrease across the stators. For this fan the calculated blockages for the second stage were essentially the same as those for the first stage.
Detailed flow measurements made in the casing boundary layer of a two-stage transonic fan are summarized. These measurements were taken at stations upstream of the fan, between all blade rows, and downstream of the last blade row. At the design tip speed of 429 m/sec the fan achieved a peak efficiency of 0.846 at a pressure ratio of 2.471. The boundary layer data were obtained at three weight flows at the design speed: one near choke flow, one near peak efficiency, and one near stall. Conventional boundary layer parameters were calculated from the data measured at each measuring station for each of the three flows. A classical two dimensional casing boundary layer was measured at the fan inlet and extended inward to approximately 15 percent of span. A highly three dimensional boundary layer was measured at the exit of each blade row and extended inward to approximately 10 percent of span. The steep radial gradient of axial velocity noted at the exit of the rotors was reduced substantially as the flow passed through the stators. This reduced gradient is attributed to flow mixing. The amount of flow mixing was reflected in the radial redistribution of total temperature as the flow passed through the stators. The data also show overturning of the tip flow at the stator exits that is consistent with the expected effect of the secondary flow field. The blockage factors calculated from the measured data show an increase in blockage across the rotors and a decrease across the stators.
The research described in this report has been funded by NASA Glenn Research Center as part of the Advanced Subsonic Technologies (AST) initiative. The program operates under the Large Engine Technologies (LET) as Task Order #3 1. Task Order 31 is a three year research program divided into three subtasks. Subtask A develops the experimental acoustic and aerodynamic subsonic mixed flow exhaust system databases. Subtask B seeks to develop and assess CFD-based aero-acoustic methods for subsonic mixed flow exhaust systems. Subtask B relies on the data obtained from Subtask A to direct and calibrate the aero-acoustic methods development. Subtask C then seeks to utilize both the aero-acoustic data bases developed in Subtask A and the analytical methods developed in Subtask B to define improved subsonic mixed-flow exhaust systems. The mixed flow systems defined in Subtask C will be experimentally demonstrated for improved noise reduction in a scale model aero-acoustic test conducted similarly to the test performed in Subtask A. The overall object of this Task Order is to develop and demonstrate the technology to define a -3EPNdB exhaust system relative to 1992 exhaust system technology.
As part of a propulsion/airframe integration program at Langley Research Center, tests were conducted in the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel to determine the effects of locating flow-through mixed flow engine nacelles in several aft underwing positions on the longitudinal aerodynamics of a high wing transport airplane. D-shaped inlet nacelles were used in the test. Some configurations with antishock bodies and with nacelle toe-in were also tested. Data were obtained for a free stream Mach number range of 0.70 to 0.85 and a model angle-of-attack range from -2.5 to 4.0 degrees.
Mixing of coaxial streams is analyzed by application of integral techniques. An integrated turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) equation is solved simultaneously with the integral equations for the mean flow. Normalized TKE profile shapes are obtained from incompressible jet and shear layer experiments and are assumed to be applicable to all free turbulent flows. The shear stress at the midpoint of the mixing zone is assumed to be directly proportional to the local TKE, and dissipation is treated with a generalization of the model developed for isotropic turbulence. Although the analysis was developed for ducted flows, constant-pressure flows were approximated with the duct much larger than the jet. The axisymmetric flows under consideration were predicted with reasonable accuracy. Fairly good results were also obtained for the fully developed two-dimensional shear layers, which were computed as thin layers at the boundary of a large circular jet.
The NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is developing a mechanically pumped two-phase fluid loop thermal control system to enable novel mission designs and greater science return. Pumped two-phase fluid loops have the potential to provide robust and effective thermal control that combine the best aspects of passive two-phase systems (heat pipes) and mechanically pumped single-phase fluid loops. The current program requirements include the development of a system with multiple 1 sq.m evaporators, each of which is capable of remaining spatially and temporally isothermal while accommodating heat loads of up to 500 W and local fluxes of up to 5 W/sq.cm. The goal is to attain this using less than 5 W of power. Such a system would be able to accommodate the next generation of payload and bus electronics while using minimal resources. This paper compares two different mechanically pumped two-phase fluid loop architectures in the context of these requirements. A mixed flow and separated flow architecture are compared on a theoretical and experimental basis. Test data from sub-scale, single evaporator/single condenser, mixed flow and separated flow testbeds are presented. In addition, a model is introduced to better understand separated flow systems and some expressions for the theoretical performance limits of such systems are developed. To date, the investigation suggests that a separated flow architecture is better suited to the program requirements. Separated flow systems have the potential to accommodate an isothermalizing two-phase evaporator while using lower levels of power than would be required for a mixed flow system. In addition, it is argued that separated flow systems are more robust and amenable to analysis than mixed flow systems, since they significantly reduce the occurrence of two-phase flow by separating phases in the evaporator. Future work will include developing a full-scale testbed that includes multiple evaporators and condensers in a representative flight configuration.
The aerodynamic design of an inlet stage for a two-stage, 10/1 pressure ratio, 2 lb/sec flow rate compressor is discussed. Initially a performance comparison was conducted for an axial, mixed flow and centrifugal second stage. A modified mixed flow configuration with tandem rotors and tandem stators was selected for the inlet stage. The term conical flow compressor was coined to describe a particular type of mixed flow compressor configuration which utilizes axial flow type blading and an increase in radius to increase the work input potential. Design details of the conical flow compressor are described.
The flow characteristics in the base region of a two-dimensional supersonic compression ramp are investigated. A stream-wise oriented air jet, M = 1.75, is injected through a thin horizontal slot into a supersonic air main flow, M = 2.3, at the end of a two-dimensional compression ramp. The velocity profile and basic characteristics of the flow in the base region immediately following the ramp are determined. Visualization of the flowfield for qualitative observations is accomplished via Dark Central Ground Interferometry (DCGI). Two-dimensional velocity profiles are obtained using Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV). The study is the initial phase of a four-year investigation of base flow mixing. The current study is to provide more details of the flowfield.
Variable cycle engines were identified, based on the mixed-flow low-bypass-ratio augmented turbofan cycle, which has shown excellent range capability in the AST airplane. The best mixed-flow augmented turbofan engine was selected based on range in the AST Baseline Airplane. Selected variable cycle engine features were added to this best conventional baseline engine, and the Dual-Cycle VCE and Double-Bypass VCE were defined. The conventional mixed-flow turbofan and the Double-Bypass VCE were on the subjects of engine preliminary design studies to determine mechanical feasibility, confirm weight and dimensional estimates, and identify the necessary technology considered not yet available. Critical engine components were studied and incorporated into the variable cycle engine design.