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At least 163 records · Page 9

Flow visualization of shock-boundary layer interaction

Two and three-dimensional shock-boundary layer interaction data were obtained from supersonic wind tunnel tests. These interactions are studied both with and without boundary layer bleed. The data verify computational fluid dynamic codes. Surface static pressure, pitot pressure, flow angularity, and bleed rates, are studied by flow visualization techniques. Surface oil flow using fluorescent dye and laser sheet using water droplets as the scattering material are used for flow visualization.

Hingst, W. R.↗

Fragmentation in a rotating protostar - A re-examination of comparison calculations

The self-gravitating collapse of a rotating, isothermal protostellar cloud has been recalculated with two independent fluid-dynamic computer codes, in three space dimensions, with improved spatial resolution compared to previous calculations. The results again predict fragmentation and formation of a binary protostellar system with properties similar to those obtained in the lower-resolution calculations. The results, however, are in disagreement with those obtained with a particle-dynamic code by Gingold and Monaghan (1981) for the collapse of a cloud from the same initial conditions. Possible explanations for the divergent results are discussed.

Bodenheimer, P.↗

Aerothermal modeling program, phase 1

The physical modeling embodied in the computational fluid dynamics codes is discussed. The objectives were to identify shortcomings in the models and to provide a program plan to improve the quantitative accuracy. The physical models studied were for: turbulent mass and momentum transport, heat release, liquid fuel spray, and gaseous radiation. The approach adopted was to test the models against appropriate benchmark-quality test cases from experiments in the literature for the constituent flows that together make up the combustor real flow.

Sturgess, G. J.↗

Calculation of a hollow-cone liquid spray in a uniform air stream

Fluid dynamic computer codes for the simulation of flows in gas turbine engine combustion systems are being developed. NASA is currently sponsoring a two-phase program for the evaluation of the performance of current codes, taking into account also an improvement of accuracy, if needed. The present investigation forms a part of this program. The numerical technique used includes a Lagrangian spray model for liquid fuels. The spray model, in conjunction with the turbulence model, determines the distribution of fuel in the burning zone of the combustor. The numerical technique was applied to a hollow-cone pressure atomizer spraying water into a coflowing confined airstream.

Sturgess, G. J.↗

Analysis of physical-chemical processes governing SSME internal fluid flows

The efforts to adapt CHAM's computational fluid dynamics code, PHOENICS, to the analysis of flow within the high pressure fuel turbopump (HPFTP) aft-platform seal cavity of the SSME are summarized. In particular, the special purpose PHOENICS satellite and ground station specifically formulated for this application are listed and described, and the preliminary results of the first part two-dimensional analyses are presented and discussed. Planned three-dimensional analyses are also briefly outlined. To further understand the mixing and combustion processes in the SSME fuelside preburners, a single oxygen-hydrogen jet element was investigated.

Singhal, A. K.↗

Calculation of confined swirling flows

Swirling jets are an important constituent flow of many types of combustion equipment. Flame size, shape, stability and combustion intensity are all favorably influenced by swirling some portion of the incoming air with the fuel. Fluid dynamics computer codes are being developed for the mathematical simulation of flows in practical combustors. It is important that these codes have the ability to accurately and reliably calculate swirling flows. Turbulent flow calculations with swirl can be inaccurate due to at least three major reasons: limitations of the turbulence modeling used, incorrect or inadequate specifications of inlet boundary conditions, and, error introduced through the numerics. These sources of error are described, and examples provided of each. The state-of-the-art in such calculations is reviewed. The controlling character of current numerics is demonstrated, and it is concluded that as a first priority, better numerics must be arrived at, and that an improved understanding of the discharge flow from swirl generators is essential as a second priority. When these priorities are satisfied an improved turbulence model is desirable. It is also concluded that an improved understanding of swirl-induced recirculation would be an asset.

Sturgess, G. J.↗

Mean velocity and turbulence measurements in a 90 deg curved duct with thin inlet boundary layer

The experimental database established by this investigation of the flow in a large rectangular turning duct is of benchmark quality. The experimental Reynolds numbers, Deans numbers and boundary layer characteristics are significantly different from previous benchmark curved-duct experimental parameters. This investigation extends the experimental database to higher Reynolds number and thinner entrance boundary layers. The 5% to 10% thick boundary layers, based on duct half-width, results in a large region of near-potential flow in the duct core surrounded by developing boundary layers with large crossflows. The turbulent entrance boundary layer case at R sub ed = 328,000 provides an incompressible flowfield which approaches real turbine blade cascade characteristics. The results of this investigation provide a challenging benchmark database for computational fluid dynamics code development.

Crawford, R. A.↗

Space shuttle main engine high pressure fuel pump aft platform seal cavity flow analysis

A general purpose, three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics code named PHOENICS, developed by CHAM Inc., is used to model the flow in the aft-platform seal cavity in the high pressure fuel pump of the space shuttle main engine. The model is used to predict the temperatures, velocities, and pressures in the cavity for six different sets of boundary conditions. The results are presented as input for further analysis of two known problems in the region, specifically: erratic pressures and temperatures in the adjacent coolant liner cavity and cracks in the blade shanks near the outer diameter of the aft-platform seal.

Lowry, S. A.↗

Simplified curve fits for the thermodynamic properties of equilibrium air

New, improved curve fits for the thermodynamic properties of equilibrium air have been developed. The curve fits are for pressure, speed of sound, temperature, entropy, enthalpy, density, and internal energy. These curve fits can be readily incorporated into new or existing computational fluid dynamics codes if real gas effects are desired. The curve fits are constructed from Grabau-type transition functions to model the thermodynamic surfaces in a piecewise manner. The accuracies and continuity of these curve fits are substantially improved over those of previous curve fits. These improvements are due to the incorporation of a small number of additional terms in the approximating polynomials and careful choices of the transition functions. The ranges of validity of the new curve fits are temperatures up to 25 000 K and densities from 10 to the -7 to 10 to the 3d power amagats.

Srinivasan, S.↗

A critical assessment of wind tunnel results for the NACA 0012 airfoil

A large body of experimental results, obtained in more than 40 wind tunnels on a single, well-known two-dimensional configuration, has been critically examined and correlated. An assessment of some of the possible sources of error has been made for each facility, and data which are suspect have been identified. It was found that no single experiment provided a complete set of reliable data, although one investigation stands out as superior in many respects. However, from the aggregate of data the representative properties of the NACA 0012 airfoil can be identified with reasonable confidence over wide ranges of Mach number, Reynolds number, and angles of attack. This synthesized information can now be used to assess and validate existing and future wind tunnel results and to evaluate advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics codes.

Mccroskey, W. J.↗

Numerical study of chemically reacting flows using an LU scheme

A new computational fluid dynamic code has been developed for the study of mixing and chemical reactions in the flow fields of ramjets and scramjets. The code employs an implicit finite volume, lower-upper symmetric successive overrelaxation scheme for solving the complete two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations and species transport equations in a fully-coupled and very efficient manner. The combustion processes are modeled by an 8-species, 14-step finite rate chemistry model whereas turbulence is simulated by a Baldwin-Lomax algebraic model. The validity of the code is demonstrated by comparing the numerical calculations with both experimental data and previous calculations of a cold flow helium injection into a straight channel and premixed hydrogen-air reacting flows in a ramped duct. The code is then used to calculate the mixing and chemical reactions of a hydrogen jet transversely injected into a supersonic airstream. Results are presented describing the flow field, the recirculation regions in front and behind the injector, and the chemical reactions.

Shuen, Jian Shun↗

Simplified curve fits for the transport properties of equilibrium air

New, improved curve fits for the transport properties of equilibruim air have been developed. The curve fits are for viscosity and Prandtl number as functions of temperature and density, and viscosity and thermal conductivity as functions of internal energy and density. The curve fits were constructed using grabau-type transition functions to model the tranport properties of Peng and Pindroh. The resulting curve fits are sufficiently accurate and self-contained so that they can be readily incorporated into new or existing computational fluid dynamics codes. The range of validity of the new curve fits are temperatures up to 15,000 K densities from 10 to the -5 to 10 amagats (rho/rho sub o).

Srinivasan, S.↗

Three-dimensional elliptic grid generation technique with application to turbomachinery cascades

Described is a numerical method for generating 3-D grids for turbomachinery computational fluid dynamic codes. The basic method is general and involves the solution of a quasi-linear elliptic partial differential equation via pointwise relaxation with a local relaxation factor. It allows specification of the grid point distribution on the boundary surfaces, the grid spacing off the boundary surfaces, and the grid orthogonality at the boundary surfaces. A geometry preprocessor constructs the grid point distributions on the boundary surfaces for general turbomachinery cascades. Representative results are shown for a C-grid and an H-grid for a turbine rotor. Two appendices serve as user's manuals for the basic solver and the geometry preprocessor.

Chen, S. C.↗

Numerical study of chemically reacting flows using an LU scheme

A new computational fluid dynamic code has been developed for the study of mixing and chemical reactions in the flow fields of ramjets and scramjets. The code employs an implicit finite volume, lower-upper symmetric successive overrelaxation scheme for solving the complete two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations and species transport equations in a fully-coupled and very efficient manner. The combustion processes are modeled by an 8-species, 14-step finite rate chemistry model whereas turbulence is simulated by a Baldwin-Lomax algebraic model. The validity of the code is demonstrated by comparing the numerical calculations with both experimental data and previous calculations of a cold flow helium injection into a straight channel and premixed hydrogen-air reacting flows in a ramped duct. The code is then used to calculate the mixing and chemical reactions of a hydrogen jet transversely injected into a supersonic airstream. Results are presented describing the flow field, the recirculation regions in front and behind the injector, and the chemical reactions.

Shuen, Jian Shun↗

Phenomenological aspects of infrared imaging in aeronautical research

The various factors leading to obtaining a thermography of an aerodynamic body of interest using an infrared imaging camera are scrutinized. Included is a description of how the various heat transfer mechanisms determine the final surface temperature that may be time dependent even for steady state flows. Some constraining factors of the camera are also discussed. Finally, a method is outlined showing how the infrared imaging of aerodynamic configurations may ultimately evolve as a computational fluid dynamics code validation tool.

Gartenberg, Ehud↗

Influence of bulk turbulence and entrance boundary layer thickness on the curved duct flow field

The influence of bulk turbulence and boundary layer thickness on the secondary flow development in a square, 90 degree turning duct was investigated. A three-dimensional laser velocimetry system was utilized to measure the mean and fluctuating components of velocity at six cross-planes in the duct. The results from this investigation, with entrance boundary layer thickness of 20 percent, were compared with the thin boundary layer results documented in NASA CR-174811. The axial velocity profiles, cross-flow velocities, and turbulence intensities were compared and evaluated with regard to the influence of bulk turbulence intensity and boundary layer thickness, and the influence was significant. The results of this investigation expand the 90 degree curved duct experimental data base to higher turbulence levels and thicker entrance boundary layers. The experimental results provide a challenging benchmark data base for computational fluid dynamics code development and validation. The variation of inlet bulk turbulence intensity provides additional information to aid in turbulence model evaluation.

Crawford, R. A.↗

A critical assessment of wind tunnel results for the NACA 0012 airfoil

A large body of experimental results, obtained in more than 40 wind tunnels on a single, well known two-dimensional configuration, was critically examined and correlated. An assessment of some of the possible sources of error was made for each facility, and data which are suspect were identified. It was found that no single experiment provided a complete set of reliable data, although an investigation stands out as superior in many respects. However, from the aggregate of data the representative properties of the NACA 0012 airfoil can be identified with reasonable confidence over wide range of Mach numbers, Reynolds number, and angles of attack. This synthesized information can now be used to assess and validate existing and future wind tunnel results and to evaluate advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics codes.

Mccroskey, W. J.↗

Development of comprehensive numerical schemes for predicting evaporating gas-droplets flow processes of a liquid-fueled combustor

An existing Computational Fluid Dynamics code for simulating complex turbulent flows inside a liquid rocket combustion chamber was validated and further developed. The Advanced Rocket Injector/Combustor Code (ARICC) is simplified and validated against benchmark flow situations for laminar and turbulent flows. The numerical method used in ARICC Code is re-examined for incompressible flow calculations. For turbulent flows, both the subgrid and the two equation k-epsilon turbulence models are studied. Cases tested include idealized Burger's equation in complex geometries and boundaries, a laminar pipe flow, a high Reynolds number turbulent flow, and a confined coaxial jet with recirculations. The accuracy of the algorithm is examined by comparing the numerical results with the analytical solutions as well as experimented data with different grid sizes.

Chen, C. P.↗