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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 1,153 records · Page 64

Aftbody Closure Effects on the Reference H Configuration at Subsonic and Transonic Speeds

Experience with afterbody closure effects and accompanying test techniques issues on a High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT)-class configuration is described. An experimental data base has been developed which includes force, moment, and surface pressure data for the High Speed Research (HSR) Reference H configuration with a closed afterbody at subsonic and transonic speeds, and with a cylindrical afterbody at transonic and supersonic speeds. A supporting computational study has been performed using the USM3D unstructured Euler solver for the purposes of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method assessment and model support system interference assessment with a focus on lower blade mount effects on longitudinal data at transonic speeds. Test technique issues related to a lower blade sting mount strategy are described based on experience in the National Transonic Facility (NTF). The assessment and application of the USM3D code to the afterbody/sting interference problem is discussed. Finally, status and plans to address critical test technique issues and for continuation of the computational study are presented.

Wahls, Richard A.↗

SRM Internal Flow Tests and Computational Fluid Dynamic Analysis: CFD RSRM Full-Scale Analyses - Volume 2

This document presents the full-scale analyses of the CFD RSRM. The RSRM model was developed with a 20 second burn time. The following are presented as part of the full-scale analyses: (1) RSRM embedded inclusion analysis; (2) RSRM igniter nozzle design analysis; (3) Nozzle Joint 4 erosion anomaly; (4) RSRM full motor port slag accumulation analysis; (5) RSRM motor analysis of two-phase flow in the aft segment/submerged nozzle region; (6) Completion of 3-D Analysis of the hot air nozzle manifold; (7) Bates Motor distributed combustion test case; and (8) Three Dimensional Polysulfide Bump Analysis.

Source record↗

Deep Throttle Turbopump Technology Design Concepts

The objective of this project is to increase the throttling range of turbopumps from 30 to 120% of the design value, while maintaining high performance levels. Details are given on wide flow range issues, H-Q characteristics, stall characteristics, energy levels, pressure fluctuations at impeller exit, WFR impeller characteristics, commercial diffuser pumps, slotted or tandem vanes, leading edge characteristics, leading edge models, throat models, diffusion passage models, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methodologies, and CFD flow cases.

Guinzburg, Adiel↗

Calculation and Correlation of the Unsteady Flowfield in a High Pressure Turbine

Forced vibrations in turbomachinery components can cause blades to crack or fail due to high-cycle fatigue. Such forced response problems will become more pronounced in newer engines with higher pressure ratios and smaller axial gap between blade rows. An accurate numerical prediction of the unsteady aerodynamics phenomena that cause resonant forced vibrations is increasingly important to designers. Validation of the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes used to model the unsteady aerodynamic excitations is necessary before these codes can be used with confidence. Recently published benchmark data, including unsteady pressures and vibratory strains, for a high-pressure turbine stage makes such code validation possible. In the present work, a three dimensional, unsteady, multi blade-row, Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes code is applied to a turbine stage that was recently tested in a short duration test facility. Two configurations with three operating conditions corresponding to modes 2, 3, and 4 crossings on the Campbell diagram are analyzed. Unsteady pressures on the rotor surface are compared with data.

Bakhle, Milind A.↗

Evaluation of Open Cell Foam Heat Transfer Enhancement for Liquid Rocket Engine

As NASA pursues the exploration mission, advanced propulsion for the next generation of spacecraft will be needed. These new propulsion systems will require higher performance and increased durability, despite current limitations on materials. A break-through technology is needed in the thrust chamber. In this paper the idea of using a porous metallic foam is examined for its potential cooling enhancement capabilities. The goal is to increase the chamber wall cooling without creating an additional pressure drop penalty. A feasibility study based on experiments at laboratory-scale conditions was performed and analysis at rocket conditions is underway. In the experiment, heat transfer and pressure drop data were collected using air as the coolant in a copper or nickel foam filled annular channel. The foam-channel performance was evaluated based on comparison with conventional microchannel cooling passages under equal pressure drop conditions. The heat transfer enhancement of the foam channel over the microchannel ranges from 130% to 172%. The enhancement is relatively independent of the pressure drop and increases with decreasing pore size. A direct numerical simulation model of the foam heat exchange has been built. The model is based on the actual metal foam microstructure of thin ligaments (0.2- 0.3 mm in diameter) that form a network of interconnected open-cells. The cell dimension is around 2 mm. The numerical model was built using the FLUENT CFD code. Comparison of the pressure drop results predicted by the current model with those experimental data of Leong and Jin [8] shows favorable comparisons. Pressure drop predictions have been made using hydrogen as a coolant at typical rocket conditions. Conjugate heat transfer analysis using the foam filled channel is planned for the future.

Chung, J. N.↗

Characterization and Analyses of Valves, Feed Lines and Tanks used in Propellant Delivery Systems at NASA SSC

Accurate modeling of liquid rocket engine test processes involves assessing critical fluid mechanic and heat and mass transfer mechanisms within a cryogenic environment, and accurately modeling fluid properties such as vapor pressure and liquid and gas densities as a function of pressure and temperature. The Engineering and Science Directorate at the NASA John C. Stennis Space Center has developed and implemented such analytic models and analysis processes that have been used over a broad range of thermodynamic systems and resulted in substantial improvements in rocket propulsion testing services. In this paper, we offer an overview of the analyses techniques used to simulate pressurization and propellant fluid systems associated with the test stands at the NASA John C. Stennis Space Center. More specifically, examples of the global performance (one-dimensional) of a propellant system are provided as predicted using the Rocket Propulsion Test Analysis (RPTA) model. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analyses utilizing multi-element, unstructured, moving grid capability of complex cryogenic feed ducts, transient valve operation, and pressurization and mixing in propellant tanks are provided as well.

Ryan, Harry M.↗

Numerical Solutions for the CAWAPI Configuration on Structured Grids at NASA LaRC, United States

In this chapter numerical simulations of the flow around F-16XL are performed as a contribution to the Cranked Arrow Wing Aerodynamic Project International (CAWAPI) using the PAB3D CFD code. Two turbulence models are used in the calculations: a standard k-epsilon model, and the Shih-Zhu-Lumley (SZL) algebraic stress model. Seven flight conditions are simulated for the flow around the F-16XL where the free stream Mach number varies from 0.242 to 0.97. The range of angles of attack varies from 0 deg to 20 deg. Computational results, surface static pressure, boundary layer velocity profiles, and skin friction are presented and compared with flight data. Numerical results are generally in good agreement with flight data, considering that only one grid resolution is utilized for the different flight conditions simulated in this study. The Algebraic Stress Model (ASM) results are closer to the flight data than the k-epsilon model results. The ASM predicted a stronger primary vortex, however, the origin of the vortex and footprint is approximately the same as in the k-epsilon predictions.

Elmiligui, Alaa A.↗

Data Parallel Line Relaxation (DPLR) Code User Manual: Acadia - Version 4.01.1

Data-Parallel Line Relaxation (DPLR) code is a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) solver that was developed at NASA Ames Research Center to help mission support teams generate high-value predictive solutions for hypersonic flow field problems. The DPLR Code Package is an MPI-based, parallel, full three-dimensional Navier-Stokes CFD solver with generalized models for finite-rate reaction kinetics, thermal and chemical non-equilibrium, accurate high-temperature transport coefficients, and ionized flow physics incorporated into the code. DPLR also includes a large selection of generalized realistic surface boundary conditions and links to enable loose coupling with external thermal protection system (TPS) material response and shock layer radiation codes.

Wright, Michael J.↗

Calibration and Flight Results for the Ares I-X 5-Hole Probe

Flight and calibration results are presented for the Ares I-X 5-hole probe. The probe is calibrated by using a combination of wind tunnel, CFD, and other numerical modeling techniques. This is then applied to the probe flight data and comparisons are made between the vanes and 5-hole probe. Using this and other data it is shown the probe was corrupted by water rendering that measurement unreliable.

Campbell, Joel F.↗

Inertial Centrifugal-Based Pre-filter for Spacecraft Life Support Systems

The intrusion of planetary dust inside space vehicles on future Lunar missions may lead to performance compromises of the cabin air-filtration system. The evasive character of the fine planetary dust, in particular lunar dust, could enable the dust to make its way through the seals and barriers of the EVA hatches and become airborne in the cabin. This can result in performance and capacity overload of the high efficiency filter media and particle separation systems. Adequate pre-filtration can substantially reduce the load on the higher efficiency components leading to smaller dust loads during surge and nominal dust loading conditions, thereby protecting and extending the life of these components. A particle separation concept, based on centrifugal separation, is being investigated for its application as a pre-filter. The concept has previously been proposed for application in the aircraft engine industry, as means of capturing corrosive dust and salt deposits that may harm the engine. The technique has the advantages of being passive, integrable to HVAC and space vehicle architecture, and has the potential for high degree of particle separation with proper fluid dynamic design. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and particle tracing modeling were used to arrive at an initial design for rapid prototyping and testing. If feasible, the concept can be integrated to the Scroll Filter System which is being developed by NASA to address the filtration demands on long during spaceflight and surface missions. This paper will describe the modeling results of this concept.

Life Support Systems↗

Inertial Centrifugal-Based Pre-filter for Spacecraft Life Support Systems

The intrusion of planetary dust inside space vehicles on future Lunar missions may lead to performance compromises of the cabin air-filtration system. The evasive character of the fine planetary dust, in particular lunar dust, could enable the dust to make its way through the seals and barriers of the EVA hatches and become airborne in the cabin. This can result in performance and capacity overload of the high efficiency filter media and particle separation systems. Adequate pre-filtration can substantially reduce the load on the higher efficiency components leading to smaller dust loads during surge and nominal dust loading conditions, thereby protecting and extending the life of these components. A particle separation concept, based on centrifugal separation, is being investigated for its application as a pre-filter. The concept has previously been proposed for application in the aircraft engine industry, as means of capturing corrosive dust and salt deposits that may harm the engine. The technique has the advantages of being passive, integrable to HVAC and space vehicle architecture, and has the potential for high degree of particle separation with proper fluid dynamic design. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and particle tracing modeling were used to arrive at an initial design for rapid prototyping and testing. If feasible, the concept can be integrated to the Scroll Filter System which is being developed by NASA to address the filtration demands on long during spaceflight and surface missions. This paper will describe the modeling results of this concept.

Life Support Systems↗

Exploring the Langtry-Menter Transition Model for High Speed Applications Using FUN3D

A series of Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations were performed using the FUN3D flow solver to explore the capabilities of the Langtry-Menter Shear-Stress Transport (LM-SST) transition model for predicting transition for aircraft inlet applications. Two geometries were simulated: a zero-pressure-gradient flat plate and an axisymmetric cone exposed to hypersonic flow. In addition to the transition-sensitized LM-SST model investigations, simulations were run with the one-equation Spalart-Allmaras (SA) and the two-equation Menter Shear-Stress Transport (SST-V) RANS models in fully turbulent mode to identify the natural RANS model transition behavior as a function of Mach number when executed in fully turbulent mode. The flat plate simulations showed that (1) the transition model was able to predict rapid transition at a freestream Mach number of 0.2, which is expected but (2) the predicted transition location moved downstream as the freestream Mach number was increased for the simulations that used the SST-V turbulence model. The latter is significant as it is usually assumed that one- and two-equation turbulence models will produce fully turbulent flow very near the boundary layer origin. The flat plate simulation freestream Mach number trend was confirmed with simulations using the Wind-US code, which also saw a similar trend when employing the SA turbulence model. For the axisymmetric cone simulations, the transition location was highly sensitive to the inflow turbulence levels. This is significant as the prediction of the transition location is crucial when trying to predict inlet performance, especially for hypersonic vehicle applications. It was also noted that the predicted transition location for the cone when using the SST-V turbulence model agreed well with the predicted transition location from the equivalent zero-pressure-gradient flat plate case.

Transition Model↗

Unsteady CFD Simulations of a Compression Corner Geometry Using Wall-Modeled LES Methods in Loci/CHEM

As computing technology continues to improve, simulating unsteady aerodynamic environments on launch vehicle geometries becomes more viable. For NASA’s Space Launch System, the flowfield is characterized by large regions of unsteady turbulent wall-bounded flow. Simulating these unsteady wall-bounded environments is of interest to the SLS Aerodynamics team. Wall-modeled LES methods are currently the best approach for simulating these environments in engineering applications. Less-expensive computationally than fully-resolved methods while maintaining many of the benefits in simulating unsteady environments. Before applying these methods blindly to large geometries, best practices can first be applied and understood on smaller canonical problems.

Bryson Frank↗

A PIC Bootstrapping Strategy for Exascale CFD-DEM Simulation

The exascale computing era comes with the release of MFIX-Exa, a new code for studying gas-particle fluidization using CFD-DEM and PIC models on massively parallel, heterogeneous high-performance computing architectures. However, as compute resources continue to grow in scale and complexity, so too does the impetus to use them efficiently. Here, we propose a novel bootstrapping method to minimize neglected simulation time and cast the approach more broadly among a growing field of multi-fidelity methods.

Porcu, Roberto↗

Benchmarking a Pronghorn Model of the Natural Convection Shutdown Heat Removal Test Facility Against STAR-CCM+ (Poster)

Summary Verification of Pronghorn’s Net Radiation Transfer via Code-to-Code comparison with STAR-CCM+. Comparison based on Natural Convection Shutdown Heat-Removal Test Facility (NSTF). Near-perfect agreement if conjugate heat transfer inside the riser channels is replaced by fixed temperature. Difference of up to 5K if conjugate heat transfer is modeled (correlation vs. full CFD).

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Method for designing a combustion system with reduced environmentally-harmful emissions

A method for designing a combustion system which emits less of at least one environmentally-harmful emission is presented. In a describing step, an injector which introduces a fuel into a combustion chamber is described via a CFD code. In a modeling step, combustion kinetics of the fuel are modeled via a pre-processing code as the fuel mixes and reacts with an oxidizer. In a first selecting step, at least one primary scalar is derived during the modeling of the combustion kinetics. In a performing step, a table look-up is performed to obtain at least one data from a look-up database based on the primary scalar. In a second selecting step, at least one secondary scalar is selected in addition to the primary scalar(s). In a specifying step, at least one chemical pathway of formation or destruction for the secondary scalar is specified via a chemistry manager wherein the secondary scalar is representative of the environmentally-harmful emission(s) of the chemical pathway(s). In a utilizing step, the data is utilized to evaluate the chemical pathway(s) to quantify the environmentally-harmful emission(s). In an identifying step, an improvement to the combustion system is identified which reduces the environmentally-harmful emission(s).

Zambon, Andrea C.↗