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At least 91 records · Page 5

Effects of flameholder blockage on emissions and performance of lean premixed-prevaporized combustors

Results from a parametric study are presented. Tests were on conducted at inlet air pressure of 300,000 and 500,000 pascals, inlet air temperatures of 600K, 700K and 800K, reference velocites from 20 to 35 meters per second, and equivalent ratios from the lean stability limit to 0.7 using Jet A fuel. The tests were conducted in a closed duct test facility. Results from the test support the theory that flameholder blockage is one of the major determinants of the size and shape of the recirculation zone. The test data show that higher blockage with its larger recirculation zone provides more residence time which leads to more NOx formation.

Duerr, R. A.↗

Analysis of Large Civil Tilt Rotor Wind Tunnel Blockage and Validation Using RotCFD

Ground based experiments are often used to understand and measure rotor and airframe aerodynamic performance; however, these experiments have certain limitations. The effects of these limitations are evaluated here using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modeling techniques. Through this study, data from the 7- by 10-Foot Wind Tunnel experiments of the Large Civil Tilt Rotor (LCTR) at NASA Ames Research Center is validated using CFD. The Reynolds Averages Navier-Stokes solver, RotCFD, is used for the computations. In particular, the effect of the blockage generated by the test hardware on the walls is investigated. To study this problem, simplified geometries such as a flat plate, cube and cylinder are also investigated for blockage effects. This is done to explore if these different geometries can represent the LCTR as a simplified case to reduce computational time and get a quick first understanding of tunnel blockage effects. The focus of this research is to understand the limitations and accuracy of the recent small-scale Large Civil Tilt Rotor wind tunnel test campaigns.

Validation↗

Wind tunnel blockage study of a generic three-dimensional sidewall compression scramjet inlet at Mach 10

A large scale model of a generic three-dimensional sidewall compression scramjet inlet has been designed based on the results of a computational parametric study for testing in the 31-inch Mach 10 Hypersonic Wind Tunnel at the NASA Langley Research Center. In order to increase the instrumentation density in interaction regions for a highly instrumented model, it is desirable to make the model as large as possible. When the cross-sectional area of a model becomes large relative to the inviscid core size of the tunnel, the effects of blockage must be considered. In order to assess these effects, a blockage model (an inexpensive, much less densely instrumented version of the configuration) was fabricated for preliminary testing. Since it was desired to determine both the effect of the model on the performance of the wind tunnel and also to determine if the inlet would start, the model possessed a total of 32 static pressure orifices distributed on the forebody plane and sidewalls; seventeen static pressure orifices on the tunnel wall and 3 pitot probes on the model monitored the tunnel performance. This paper presents the design considerations in the development of the wind tunnel model and the blockage aspects of the effects of contraction ratio, cowl location, Reynolds number, and angle of attack.

Holland, Scott D.↗

Effects of percentage of blockage and flameholder downstream counterbores on lean combustion limits of premixed, prevaporized propane-air mixture

Lean combustion limits were determined for a premixed prevaporized propane air mixture with flat plate flame stabilizers. Experiments were conducted in a constant area flame tube combustor utilizing flameholders of varying percentages of blockage and downstream counterbores. Combustor inlet air velocity at ambient conditions was varied from 4 to 9 meters per second. Flameholders with a center hole and four half holes surrounding it were tested with 63, 73, and 85 percent blockage and counterbore diameters of 112 and 125 percent of the thru hole diameter, in addition to the no counterbore configuration. Improved stability was obtained by using counterbore flameholders and higher percentages of blockage. Increases in mixture velocity caused the equivalence ratio at blowout to increase in all cases.

Fernandez, M. A. B.↗

Advanced prediction technique for the low speed aerodynamics of V/STOL aircraft. Volume 2: User's manual

A computerized prediction method known as the Vought V/STOL Aircraft Propulsive Effects computer program (VAPE) for propulsive induced forces and moments in transition and Short TakeOff and Landing (STOL) flight is improved and evaluated. The VAPE program is capable of evaluating: (1) effects of relative wind about an aircraft, (2) effects of propulsive lift jet entrainment, vorticity and flow blockage, (3) effects of engine inlet flow on the aircraft flow field, (4) engine inlet forces and moments including inlet separation, (5) ground effects in the STOL region of flight, and (6) viscous effects on lifting surfaces.

Beatty, T. D.↗

Flow interference in a variable porosity trisonic wind tunnel.

Pressure data from a 20-degree cone-cylinder in a variable porosity wind tunnel for the Mach range 0.2 to 5.0 are compared to an interference free standard in order to determine wall interference effects. Four 20-degree cone-cylinder models representing an approximate range of percent blockage from one to six were compared to curve-fits of the interference free standard at each Mach number and errors determined at each pressure tap location. The average of the absolute values of the percent error over the length of the model was determined and used as the criterion for evaluating model blockage interference effects. The results are presented in the form of the percent error as a function of model blockage and Mach number.

Davis, J. W.↗

Effects of four inlet and outlet tip-annulus-area blockage configurations on the performance of an axial-flow fan rotor

An axial-flow fan rotor was tested with four configurations of tip-annulus-area blockage to speeds as high as 0.8 of design speed. The rotor performance with the four blockage configurations is compared with the unblocked rotor performance and with blockage configurations previously investigated. The blockage configurations enable the rotor to operate in a stable condition, to much lower flows than the unblocked rotor, with no evidence of rotating stall. The blockage configurations were effective in reducing rotor torque and weight flow but were accompanied by reductions in pressure ratio and efficiency.

Osborn, W. M.↗

Investigations of High Pressure Acoustic Waves in Resonators with Seal-like Features

A conical resonator (having a dissonant acoustic design) was tested in four configurations: (1) baseline resonator with closed ends and no blockage, (2) closed resonator with internal blockage, (3) ventilated resonator with no blockage, and (4) ventilated resonator with an applied pressure differential. These tests were conducted to investigate the effects of blockage and ventilation holes on dynamic pressurization. Additionally, the investigation was to determine the ability of acoustic pressurization to impede flow through the resonator. In each of the configurations studied, the entire resonator was oscillated at the gas resonant frequency while dynamic pressure, static pressure, and temperature of the fluid were measured. In the final configuration, flow through the resonator was recorded for three oscillation conditions. Ambient condition air was used as the working fluid.

Daniels, Christopher↗

Nonlinear Oscillations and Flow of Gas Within Closed and Open Conical Resonators

A dissonant acoustic resonator with a conical shaped cavity was tested in four configurations: (A) baseline resonator with closed ends and no blockage; (B) closed resonator with internal blockage; (C) ventilated resonator with no blockage; and (D) ventilated resonator with an applied pressure differential. These tests were conducted to investigate the effects of blockage and ventilation holes on dynamic pressurization. Additionally, the investigation was to determine the ability of acoustic pressurization to impede flow through the resonator. In each of the configurations studied, the entire resonator was oscillated at the gas resonant frequency while dynamic pressure, static pressure, and temperature of the fluid were measured. In the final configuration, flow through the resonator was recorded for three oscillation conditions. Ambient condition air was used as the working fluid. The baseline results showed a marked reduction in the amplitude of the dynamic pressure waveforms over previously published studies due to the use of air instead of refrigerant as the working fluid. A change in the resonant frequency was recorded when blockages of differing geometries were used in the closed resonator, while acoustic pressure amplitudes were reduced from baseline measurements. A sharp reduction in the amplitude of the acoustic pressure waves was expected and recorded when ventilation ports were added. With elevated pressure applied to one end of the resonator, flow was reduced by oscillating the cavity at the fluid fundamental resonant frequency compared to cases without oscillation and oscillation off-resonance.

Daniels, Christopher↗

Acoustic propagation in rigid ducts with blockage

Acoustic levitation has been suggested for moving nonmagnetic material in furnaces for heat processing in space experiments. Basically, acoustic standing waves under resonant conditions are excited in the cavity of the furnace while the material blockage is located at a pressure node and thus at a maximum gradient. The position of the blockage is controlled by displacing the node as a result of frequency change. The present investigation is concerned with the effect of blockage on the longitudinal and transverse resonances of a cylindrical cavity, taking into account the results of a one-dimensional and three-dimensional (3-D) analysis. Based on a Green's function surface element method, 3-D analysis is tested experimentally and proved to be accurate over a wide range of geometric parameters and boundary shapes. The shift in resonance depends on the change in pressure gradient and duct shortening caused by the blockage.

El-Raheb, M.↗

Confined swirling flow predictions

The validity of flowfield predictions resulting from the choice of inlet velocity profiles is assessed. Results demonstrate that realistic predictions are forthcoming only from the inclusion of realistic axial, radial and swirl velocity profiles as inlet conditions. Predictions are then exhibited for a range of swirl strengths phi = 0, 38, 45, 60 and 70 degrees using measured inlet axial, radial and swirl velocity profiles in each case. Downstream nozzle effects (two blockage size at two axial locations) are included. The ensuing flowfields are characterized via velocity profiles and streamline patterns, and illustrate the large-scale effects of inlet swirl and outlet nozzles on flowfields.

Abujelala, M. T.↗

Wind-tunnel blockage and actuation systems test of a two-dimensional scramjet inlet unstart model at Mach 6

The present study examines the wind-tunnel blockage and actuation systems effectiveness in starting and forcibly unstarting a two-dimensional scramjet inlet in the NASA Langley 20-Inch Mach 6 Tunnel. The intent of the overall test program is to study (both experimentally and computationally) the dynamics of the inlet unstart; however, prior to the design and fabrication of an expensive, instrumented wind-tunnel model, it was deemed necessary first to examine potential wind-tunnel blockage issues related to model sizing and to examine the adequacy of the actuation systems in accomplishing the start and unstart. The model is equipped with both a moveable cowl and aft plug. Windows in the inlet sidewalls allow limited optical access to the internal shock structure; schlieren video was used to identify inlet start and unstart. A chronology of each actuation sequence is provided in tabular form along with still frames from the schlieren video. A pitot probe monitored the freestream conditions throughout the start/unstart process to determine if there was a blockage effect due to the model start or unstart. Because the purpose of this report is to make the phase I (blockage and actuation systems) data rapidly available to the community, the data is presented largely without analysis of the internal shock interactions or the unstart process. This series of tests indicated that the model was appropriately sized for this facility and identified operability limits required first to allow the inlet to start and second to force the unstart.

Holland, Scott D.↗

Blockage Corrections for Three-Dimensional-Flow Closed-Throat Wind Tunnels, with Consideration of the Effect of Compressibility

Theoretical blockage corrections are presented for a body of revolution and for a three-dimensional, unswept wing in a circular or rectangular wind tunnel. The theory takes account of the effects of the wake and of the compressibility of the fluid, and is based on the assumption that the dimensions of the model are small in comparison with those of the tunnel throat. Formulas are given for correcting a number of the quantities, such as dynamic pressure and Mach number, measured in wind tunnel tests. The report presents a summary and unification of the existing literature on the subject

Herriot, J. G.↗

Blockage corrections for three-dimensional-flow closed-throat wind tunnels, with consideration of the effect of compressibility

Theoretical blockage corrections are presented for a body of revolution and for a three-dimensional unswept wing in a circular or rectangular wind tunnel. The theory takes account of the effects of the wake and of the compressibility of the fluid, and is based on the assumption that the dimensions of the model are small in comparison with those of the tunnel throat. Formulas are given for correcting a number of the quantities, such as dynamic pressure and Mach number, measured in wing-tunnel tests. The report presents a summary and unification of the existing literature on the subject.

Herriot, John G↗

Blockage corrections for three-dimensional-flow closed-throat wind tunnels, with consideration of the effect of compressibility

Theoretical blockage corrections are presented for a body of revolution and for a three-dimensional unswept wing in a circular or rectangular wind tunnel. The theory takes account of the effects of the wake and of the compressibility of the fluid, and is based on the assumption that the dimensions of the model are small in comparison with those of the tunnel throat. Formulas are given for correcting a number of the quantities, such as dynamic pressure and Mach number, measured in wind-tunnel tests. The report presents a summary and unification of the existing literature on the subject.

Herriot, John G↗

Verification of induction zone models for wind farm annual energy production estimation

Fast engineering wake models are the backbone of wind farm annual energy production (AEP) estimators, whereas the addition of induction zone models in existing tools is a more recent response to rising concerns over wind farm blockage associated losses. Here, "blockage" describes the combined induction fields of all wind turbines inside a farm. Unlike the term might suggest, blockage not only reduces flow speeds, but also increases them; for instance along the outer edges of wind farms. Evaluating the overall impact on AEP of these gains and losses necessitates accurate wind farm induction models. Whilst engineering wake models are tuned to predict wind farm performance, existing induction zone models are all derived for accurately predicting the near field induction not the far field value—important for wind farm simulations. This paper presents the induction models implemented in the wind farm simulation tool PyWake, as well as results from novel analytical models and compares their far field predictions to RANS-AD simulations of different turbines. We demonstrate that when including blockage in AEP simulations, the downstream speed-ups need to be included to avoid an unrealistic bias toward AEP loss and that wake expansion significantly impacts induction at rated thrust levels.

17 WIND ENERGY↗