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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 649 records · Page 36

Turbulence, Transition, and Numerical Method Technologies

The close collaboration in the validation experimentation effort was excellent, the complementary research efforts related tofundamental numerical model development, and the activities related to effective HPC utilization on near term architectures that are coming down the pipeline were exactly what NASA should be doing. Even though the TQR panel cannot say that the success criteria were fully met, we do feel that the research funded by TTT/RCA was successful and useful in determining the next suite of CFD validation tests and the problematic flow conditions that continue to be difficult to predict using our current suite of computational tools. Given the TQR Panel’s review criteria: 1. The deliverables meet the technical requirements; 2.The appropriate technical approaches were followed in producing the deliverables; and 3. All technical caveats and concerns have been identified and the deliverables: a.Development of more accurate physics-based methods (e.g., higher moment closure); b. Large eddy simulation (LES); c. Advanced numerical methods; d. Transition prediction and modeling; e.Validation experiments; f. Multidisciplinary analysis and design (high fidelity). TQR panel feels that the technical processes were all completed and that the review criteria and all the deliverables were met. Thus, the Milestone TACP-2016-001 has been completed.

Mujeeb R Malik↗

Near-Wall Models in Large Eddy Simulations of Flow Behind a Backward-Facing Step

Accurate large eddy simulation (LES) of a wall-bounded flow generally requires a near-wall resolution comparable to that in direct numerical simulation (DNS). As much as 50% of the total grid points and computational costs are expended in the near-wall regions in a typical simulation. This limits LES to fairly low Reynolds numbers on current computers. To perform practical flow applications at realistically high Reynolds numbers, such as flow over an airfoil, it is desirable to replace very thin, near-wall regions in the LES with easily and inexpensively computed wall models to specify the near-wall boundary conditions.

Cabot, W.↗

Electrical Characteristics of Simulated Tornadoes and Dust Devils

It is well known that tornadoes and dust devils have the ability to accumulate significant, visible clouds of debris. Collisions between sand-like debris species produce different electric charges on different types of grains, which convect along different trajectories around the vortex. Thus, significant charge separations and electric currents are possible, which as the vortex fluctuates over time are thought to produce ULF radiation signatures that have been measured in the field. These electric and magnetic fields may contain valuable information about tornado structure and genesis, and may be critical in driving electrochemical processes within dust devils on Mars. In the present work, existing large eddy simulations of debris-laden tornadoes performed at West Virginia University are coupled with a new debris-charging and advection code developed at Goddard Space Flight Center to investigate the detailed (meter-resolution) fluid-dynamic origins of electromagnetic fields within terrestrial vortices. First results are presented, including simulations of the electric and magnetic fields that would be observed by a near-surface, instrument-laden probe during a direct encounter with a tornado.

Zimmerman, Michael I.↗

Energy input to the lower thermosphere

The asymmetry in solar heat input to the upper atmosphere at the solstice, and the asymmetry in atomic oxygen production, are largely compensated by a large scale wind system towards the winter polar region. At magnetically disturbed times, atmospheric composition at high winter latitudes changes in such a way as to indicate that polar region heating by magnetic variations, energetic particle inputs, and current systems is more intense than solar heating at low latitudes, thus leading to a reversal of the normal pattern of upper atmospheric circulation. Uncertainties in the intensity of solar radiation responsible for upper atmospheric heating and oxygen dissociation, and uncertainties in the degree of oxygen dissociation in the upper atmosphere, are such that the average rates of eddy mixing may be significantly lower than frequently assumed for the lower thermosphere.

Johnson, F. S.↗

Model-free simulations of turbulent reactive flows

The current computational methods for solving transport equations of turbulent reacting single-phase flows are critically reviewed, with primary attention given to those methods that lead to model-free simulations. In particular, consideration is given to direct numerical simulations using spectral (Galerkin) and pseudospectral (collocation) methods, spectral element methods, and Lagrangian methods. The discussion also covers large eddy simulations and turbulence modeling.

Givi, Peyman↗

Turbulence: The chief outstanding difficulty of our subject

A review of interesting current topics in turbulence research is decorated with examples of popular fallacies about the behavior of turbulence. Topics include the status of the Law of the Wall, especially in compressible flow; analogies between the effects of Reynolds numbers, pressure gradient, unsteadiness and roughness change; the status of Kolmogorov's universal equilibrium theory and local isotropy of the small eddies; turbulence modelling, with reference to universality, pressure-strain modelling and the dissipation equation; and chaos. Fallacies include the mixing-length concept; the effect of pressure gradient on Reynolds shear stress; the separability of time and space derivatives; models of the dissipation equation; and chaos.

Bradshaw, Peter↗

Sensitivity tests of two-dimensional model predictions of corridor effects

Future aerospace-vehicle systems, such as supersonic transport fleets, the Space Shuttle (SS), and the Heavy-Lift Launch Vehicle (HLLV) system will inject substantial amounts of pollutants into the stratosphere. It is, therefore, pertinent to ask whether the operation of these systems will lead to deleterious effects in the atmosphere. The current investigation is concerned with the development of criteria to assess the likelihood of a detectable corridor effect being caused by the long-term deposition of pollutants at a single latitude. The sources are assumed to operate continuously and at a uniform rate for periods of many years. It is found that transport by meridional winds and by eddy processes acts to diminish the corridor effect by advecting the pollutants out of the region of injection and by mixing them with the ambient air. Attention is given to the altitude for which a detectable corridor effect can be expected for the hypothetical launching of 400 HLLV's per year for 10 years.

Borucki, W. J.↗

Large eddy simulation of compressible turbulent channel flows

The development of turbulence within rocket propulsion chamber flows remains a difficult problem to predict. Within solid propellant rockets, the flow can exhibit multiple regions of transition to turbulence, and is susceptible to various modes of aero-acoustic interaction. The objective is to formulate, develop, and validate, a large eddy simulation (LES) method for compressible channel flows. The LES method separates the resolvable scale motions from the unresolvable scales by applying a spatial filter to the compressible Navier-Stokes equations. The equations are solved numerically using a modified four-step Runge-Kutta procedure in time and second or fourth order finite differences in space. The current simulations have validated the algorithm in the incompressible limit and have demonstrated the ability of the method to simulate high subsonic Mach number flows.

Beddini, Robert A.↗

Fully-Explicit and Self-Consistent Algebraic Reynolds Stress Models

A fully-explicit, self-consistent algebraic expression for the Reynolds stress, which is the exact solution to the Reynolds stress transport equation in the 'weak equilibrium' limit for two-dimensional mean flows for all linear and some quasi-linear pressure-strain models, is derived. Current explicit algebraic Reynolds stress models derived by employing the 'weak equilibrium' assumption treat the production-to-dissipation (P/epsilon) ratio implicitly, resulting in an effective viscosity that can be singular away from the equilibrium limit. In the present paper, the set of simultaneous algebraic Reynolds stress equations are solved in the full non-linear form and the eddy viscosity is found to be non-singular. Preliminary tests indicate that the model performs adequately, even for three dimensional mean flow cases. Due to the explicit and non-singular nature of the effective viscosity, this model should mitigate many of the difficulties encountered in computing complex turbulent flows with the algebraic Reynolds stress models.

Girimaji, Sharath S.↗

Large Eddy Simulation of Flow in Turbine Cascades Using LEST and UNCLE Codes

During the period December 23, 1997 and December August 31, 2004, we accomplished the development of 2 CFD codes for DNS/LES/RANS simulation of turbine cascade flows, namely LESTool and UNCLE. LESTool is a structured code making use of 5th order upwind differencing scheme and UNCLE is a second-order-accuracy unstructured code. LESTool has both Dynamic SGS and Sparlart's DES models and UNCLE makes use of URANS and DES models. The current report provides a description of methodologies used in the codes.

Ashpis, David↗

Simulation of Unsteady Combustion in a Ramjet Engine Using a Highly Parallel Computer

Combustion instability in ramjets is a complex phenomenon that involve nonlinear interaction between acoustic waves, vortex motion and unsteady heat release in the combustor. To numerically simulate this 3-D, transient phenomenon, enormous computer resources (time, memory and disk storage) are required. Although current generation vector supercomputers are capable of providing adequate resources for simulations of this nature, their high cost and limited availability, makes such machines less than satisfactory for routine use. The primary focus of this study is to assess the feasibility of using highly parallel computer systems as a cost-effective alternative for conducting such unsteady flow simulations. Towards this end, a large-eddy simulation model for combustion instability was implemented on the Intel iPSC/860 and a careful study was conducted to determine the benefits and the problems associated with the use of such machines for transient simulations. Details of this study along with the results obtained from the unsteady combustion simulations carried out on the iPSC/860 are discussed in this paper.

Menon, Suresh↗

A PANSONIC Navier-Stokes solver

A finite-difference formulation of the full Navier-Stokes equations which demonstrates a capability to economically solve two-dimensional problems has been developed. The basic algorithm was derived from the full, Reynolds-averaged, conservative, Navier-Stokes equations expressed in curvilinear coordinates. Eddy viscosity was determined by the Baldwin and Lomax algebraic turbulence model. This non-iterative, second-order accurate, implicit, numerical algorithm is based on the approximate factorization finite-difference scheme of Beam and Warming. Results indicate a facility for solving subsonic, transonic, and supersonic (hence PANSONIC) flows about arbitrary airfoils for a wide range of Reynolds numbers, Mach numbers, and angles of attack. Current computations demonstrate that vectorized implementations of this algorithm can solve steady-state, two-dimensional problems in five to ten minutes of computer time.

Cooper, G. K.↗

The South Residual CO2 Cap on Mars: Investigations with a Mars Global Climate Model

The CO2 cycle is one of the three controlling climate cycles on Mars. One aspect of the CO2 cycle that is not yet fully understood is the existence of a residual CO2 ice cap that is offset from the south pole. Previous investigations suggest that the atmosphere could control the placement of the south residual cap (e.g., Colaprete et al., 2005). These investigations show that topographically forced stationary eddies in the south during southern hemisphere winter produce colder atmospheric temperatures and increased CO2 snowfall over the hemisphere where the residual cap resides. Since precipitated CO2 ice produces higher surface albedos than directly deposited CO2 ice, it is plausible that CO2 snowfall resulting from the zonally asymmetric atmospheric circulation produces surface ice albedos high enough to maintain a residual cap only in one hemisphere. Our current work builds on these initial investigations with a version of the NASA Ames Mars Global Climate Model (GCM) that includes a sophisticated CO2 cloud microphysical scheme. Processes of cloud nucleation, growth, sedimentation, and radiative effects are accounted for. Simulated results thus far agree well with the Colaprete et al. study—the zonally asymmetric nature of the atmospheric circulation produces enhanced snowfall over the residual cap hemisphere throughout much of the winter season. However, the predicted snowfall patterns vary significantly with season throughout the cap growth and recession phases. We will present a detailed analysis of the seasonal evolution of the predicted atmospheric circulation and snowfall patterns to more fully evaluate the hypothesis that the atmosphere controls the placement of the south residual cap.

climate cycles on Mars↗

Shifting Surface Currents in the Northern North Atlantic Ocean

Analysis of surface drifter tracks in the North Atlantic Ocean from the time period 1990 to 2006 provides the first evidence that the Gulf Stream waters can have direct pathways to the Nordic Seas. Prior to 2000, the drifters entering the channels leading to the Nordic Seas originated in the western and central subpolar region. Since 2001 several paths from the western subtropics have been present in the drifter tracks leading to the Rockall Trough through which the most saline North Atlantic Waters pass to the Nordic Seas. Eddy kinetic energy from altimetry shows also the increased energy along the same paths as the drifters, These near surface changes have taken effect while the altimetry shows a continual weakening of the subpolar gyre. These findings highlight the changes in the vertical structure of the northern North Atlantic Ocean, its dynamics and exchanges with the higher latitudes, and show how pathways of the thermohaline circulation can open up and maintain or increase its intensity even as the basin-wide circulation spins down.

Hakkinen, Sirpa↗

Large eddy breakup devices as low Reynolds number airfoils

Turbulent drag reduction downstream of large-eddy breakup (LEBU) devices is analyzed from the viewpoint of low-Reynolds number airfoil aerodynamics. It is argued that the variability of results between different research labs is primarily due to low Reynolds number 'phenomena' associated with unsteady separation/transition of the LEBU device boundary layer. LEBU drag reduction is shown to be an extremely sensitive function of device microgeometry at the low Reynolds numbers of all current investigations, and by analogy with conventional low-Reynolds number airfoil testing, the conclusion is drawn that the full potential for LEBU drag reduction must be explored at chord Reynolds numbers of 300,000 and above.

Anders, John B.↗

Radar Reflectivity in Wingtip-Generated Wake Vortices

This report documents new predictive models of radar reflectivity, with meter-scale resolution, for aircraft wakes in clear air and fog. The models result from a radar design program to locate and quantify wake vortices from commercial aircraft in support of the NASA Aircraft Vortex Spacing System (AVOSS). The radar reflectivity model for clear air assumes: 1) turbulent eddies in the wake produce small discontinuities in radar refractive index; and 2) these turbulent eddies are in the 'inertial subrange' of turbulence. From these assumptions, the maximum radar frequency for detecting a particular aircraft wake, as well as the refractive index structure constant and radar volume reflectivity in the wake can be obtained from the NASA Terminal Area Simulation System (TASS) output. For fog conditions, an empirical relationship is used to calculate radar reflectivity factor from TASS output of bulk liquid water. Currently, two models exist: 1) Atlas-based on observations of liquid water and radar reflectivity factor in clouds; and 2) de Wolf- specifically tailored to a specific measured dataset (1992 Vandenberg Air Force Base).

Marshall, Robert E.↗

Investigating Mars South Residual CO2 Cap with a Global Climate Model

The CO2 cycle is one of the three controlling climate cycles on Mars. One aspect of the CO2 cycle that is not yet fully understood is the existence of a residual CO2 ice cap that is offset from the south pole. Previous investigations suggest that the atmosphere may control the placement of the south residual cap (e.g., Colaprete et al., 2005). These investigations show that topographically forced stationary eddies in the south during southern hemisphere winter produce colder atmospheric temperatures and increased CO2 snowfall over the hemisphere where the residual cap resides. Since precipitated CO2 ice produces higher surface albedos than directly deposited CO2 ice, it is plausible that CO2 snowfall resulting from the zonally asymmetric atmospheric circulation produces surface ice albedos high enough to maintain a residual cap only in one hemisphere. The goal of the current work is to further evaluate Colaprete et al.'s hypothesis by investigating model-predicted seasonally varying snowfall patterns in the southern polar region and the atmospheric circulation components that control them.

CO2 cycle↗

Implementation, Realization and an Effective Solver of Two-Equation Turbulence Models

Currently, when the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations are solved using turbulence modeling, most often the one-equation model of Spalart and Allmaras is used. Then, it is only necessary to solve the RANS equations in conjunction with a single transport equation for modeling turbulence. For this model, considerable assessment and analysis has been performed, allowing the possibility of a reliable solution method for an eddy viscosity required to compute the Reynolds stresses in the RANS equations. Such evaluation along with analysis has not been achieved to realize similar performance with two-equation models of the k-w type. The primary objective of this paper is to present and discuss the components of an effective numerical algorithm for solving the RANS equations and the two transport equations of k-w type turbulence models. All the important details of the turbulence model as actually implemented are given, which is sometimes not done in various papers considering such modeling. The viability and effectiveness of this solution algorithm are demonstrated by solving both two-dimensional and three-dimensional aerodynamic flows. In all applications, a linear rate of convergence without oscillations or other evidence of unstable behavior is observed. This behavior is also particularly true when the proposed algorithm is applied to systematically renewed mesh sequences, which is generally not observed with algorithms solving more than one transport equation. Thus, numerical integration errors are systematically reduced, allowing for a significantly more reliable assessment of the effectiveness of the turbulence model. Additionally, in this paper, analysis of the solution algorithm, including linear stability, is also performed for a particular flow problem.

Turbulence↗