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Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering

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College of Engineering

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Aerospace Design Group

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Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory (ASDL)

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Air Transportation Laboratory

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Cognitive Engineering Center

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Space Systems Design Laboratory (SSDL)

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Publication Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 14

A new two-scale model for large eddy simulation of wall-bounded flows

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009-05-14) Gungor, Ayse Gul

A new hybrid approach to model high Reynolds number wall-bounded turbulent flows is developed based on coupling the two-level simulation (TLS) approach in the inner region with conventional large eddy simulation (LES) away from the wall. This new approach is significantly different from previous near-wall approaches for LES. In this hybrid TLS-LES approach, a very fine small-scale (SS) mesh is embedded inside the coarse LES mesh in the near-wall region. The SS equations capture fine-scale temporal and spatial variations in all three cartesian directions for all three velocity components near the wall. The TLS-LES equations are derived based on defining a new scale separation operator. The TLS-LES equations in the transition region are obtained by blending the TLS large-scale and LES equations. A new incompressible parallel flow solver is developed that accurately and reliably predicts turbulent flows using TLS-LES. The solver uses a primitive variable formulation based on an artificial compressibility approach and a dual time stepping method. The advective terms are discretized using fourth-order energy conservative finite differences. The SS equations are also integrated in parallel, which reduces the overall cost of the TLS-LES approach. The TLS-LES approach is validated and investigated for canonical channel flows, channel flow with adverse pressure gradient and asymmetric plane diffuser flow. The results suggest that the TLS-LES approach yields very reasonable predictions of most of the crucial flow features in spite of using relatively coarse grids.
Study of compressible turbulent flows in supersonic environment by large-eddy simulation

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009-02-19) Genin, Franklin Marie

A Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) methodology adapted to the resolution of high Reynolds number turbulent flows in supersonic conditions was proposed and developed. A novel numerical scheme was designed, that switches from a low-dissipation central scheme for turbulence resolution to a flux difference splitting scheme in regions of discontinuities. Furthermore, a state-of-the-art closure model was extended in order to take compressibility effects and the action of shock / turbulence interaction into account. The proposed method was validated against fundamental studies of high speed flows and shock / turbulence interaction studies. This new LES approach was employed for the study of shock / turbulent shear layer interaction as a mixing-augmentation technique, and highlighted the efficiency in mixing improvement after the interaction, but also the limited spatial extent of this turbulent enhancement. A second practical study was conducted by simulating the injection of a sonic jet normally to a supersonic crossflow. The validity of the simulation was assessed by comparison with experimental data, and the dynamics of the interaction was examined. The sources of vortical structures were identified, with a particular emphasis on the impact of the flow speed onto the vortical evolution.
Large eddy simulation of premixed and non-premixed combustion in a stagnation point reverse flow combustor

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008-03-10) Undapalli, Satish

A new combustor, referred to as Stagnation Point Reverse Flow (SPRF) combustor has been developed at Georgia Tech to meet increasingly stringent emission regulations. The combustor incorporates a novel design to meet the conflicting requirements of low pollution and high efficiency in both premixed and non-premixed modes. The objective of this thesis is to perform Large Eddy Simulations (LES) on this lab-scale combustor and explain the underlying physics. To achieve this, numerical simulations are performed in both the premixed and non-premixed combustion modes. The velocity field, species field, entrainment characteristics, flame structure, emissions and mixing characteristics are then analyzed. Simulations have been carried out first for a non-reactive case and the flow features in the combustor are analyzed. Next, the simulations have been extended for the premixed reactive case by employing different sub-grid scale combustion chemistry closures - Eddy Break Up (EBU), Artificially Thickened Flame (TF) and Linear Eddy Mixing (LEM) models. Only LEMLES which is an advanced scalar approach is able to accurately predict both the velocity and species field in the combustor. The results from LEM with LES (LEMLES) using a reduced chemical mechanism have been analyzed in the premixed mode. The results showed that mass entrainment occurs along the shear layer in the combustor. The entrained mass carried products into the reactant stream and provided preheating. The product entrainment enhances the reaction rates and stabilizes the flame even at very lean conditions. These products are shown to enter into the flame through local extinction zones present on the flame surface. The flame structure is further analyzed and the combustion mode is found to be primarily in thin reaction zones. The emissions in the combustor are studied using simple global mechanisms for NOx. Computations show extremely low NOx values comparable to the measured emissions. These low emissions are shown to be primarily due to the low temperatures in the combustor. LEMLES computations are also performed with detailed chemistry to capture more accurately the flame structure. The flame in the detailed chemistry case is more sensitive to strain effects and show more extinction zones very near to the injector. LEMLES approach is also used to resolve the combustion mode in the non-premixed case. The studies indicate that mixing of fuel and air close to the injector controls the combustion process. The predictions in the near field are shown to be very sensitive to the inflow conditions. Analysis shows that fuel and air mixing occurs to lean proportions in the combustor before any burning takes place. The flame structure in the non-premixed mode is very similar to the premixed mode. Along with fuel-air mixing, the products also mix with the reactants and provide the preheating effects to stabilize the flame in the downstream region of the combustor.
Simulation of Hydrodynamic Fragmentation from a Fundamental and an Engineering Perspective

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2007-06-26) Patel, Nayan V.

Liquid fragmentation phenomenon is explored from both a fundamental (fully resolved) and an engineering (modeled) perspective. The dual objectives compliment each other by providing an avenue to gain further understanding into fundamental processes of atomization as well as to use the newly acquired knowledge to address practical concerns. A compressible five-equation interface model based on a Roe-type scheme for the simulation of material boundaries between immiscible fluids with arbitrary equation of state is developed and validated. The detailed simulation model accounts for surface-tension, viscous, and body-force effects, in addition to acoustic and convective transport. The material interfaces are considered as diffused zones and a mixture model is given for this transition region. The simulation methodology combines a high-resolution discontinuity capturing method with a low-dissipation central scheme resulting in a hybrid approach for the solution of time- and space-accurate interface problems. Several multi-dimensional test cases are considered over a wide range of physical situations involving capillary, viscosity, and gravity effects with simultaneous presence of large viscosity and density ratios. The model is shown to accurately capture interface dynamics as well as to deal with dynamic appearance and disappearance of material boundaries. Simulation of atomization processes and its interaction with the flow field in practical devices is the secondary objective of this study. Three modeling requirements are identified to perform Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) of spray combustion in engineering devices. In concurrence with these requirements, LES of an experimental liquid-fueled Lean Direct Injection (LDI) combustor is performed using a subgrid mixing and combustion model. This approach has no adjustable parameters and the entire flow-path through the inlet swirl vanes is resolved. The inclusion of the atomization aspects within LES eliminates the need to specify dispersed-phase size-velocity correlations at the inflow boundary. Kelvin-Helmholtz (or aerodynamic) breakup model by Reitz is adopted for the combustor simulation. Two simulations (with and without breakup) are performed and compared with measurements of Cai et al. Time-averaged velocity prediction comparison for both gas- and liquid-phase with available data show reasonable agreement. The major impact of breakup is on the fuel evaporation in the vicinity of the injector. Further downstream, a wide range of drop sizes are recovered by the breakup simulation and produces similar spray quality as in the no-breakup case.
Large Eddy Simulation Subgrid Model for Soot Prediction

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2007-01-08) El-Asrag, Hossam Abd El-Raouf

Soot prediction in realistic systems is one of the most challenging problems in theoretical and applied combustion. Soot formation as a chemical process is very complicated and not fully understood up to the moment. The major difficulty stems from the chemical complexity of the soot formation processes as well as its strong coupling with the other thermochemical and fluid processes that occur simultaneously. Soot is a major byproduct of incomplete combustion, having a strong impact on the environment, as well as the combustion efficiency. Therefore, it needs to be predicted in realistic configurations in an accurate and yet computationally efficient way. In the current study, a new soot formation subgrid model is developed and reported here. The new model is designed to be used within the context of the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) framework, combined with Linear Eddy Mixing (LEM) as a subgrid combustion model. The final model can be applied equally to premixed and non-premixed flames over any required geometry and flow conditions in the free, the transition, and the continuum regimes. The soot dynamics is predicted using a Method of Moments approach with Lagrangian Interpolative Closure (MOMIC) for the fractional moments. Since, no prior knowledge of the particles distribution is required, the model is generally applicable. The effect of radiation is introduced as an optically thin model. As a validation the model is first applied to a non-premixed non-sooting flame, then a set of canonically premixed flames. Finally, the model is validated against a non-premixed jet sooting flame. Good results are predicted with reasonable accuracy.
Large Eddy Simulation of a High Aspect Ratio Combustor

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2006-11-20) Kirtaş, Mehmet

The present research investigates the details of mixture preparation and combustion in a two-stroke, small-scale research engine with a numerical methodology based on large eddy simulation (LES) technique. A major motivation to study such small-scale engines is their potential use in applications requiring portable power sources with high power density. The investigated research engine has a rectangular planform with a thickness very close to quenching limits of typical hydrocarbon fuels. As such, the combustor has a high aspect ratio (defined as the ratio of surface area to volume) that makes it different than the conventional engines which typically have small aspect ratios to avoid intense heat losses from the combustor in the bulk flame propagation period. In most other aspects, this engine involves all the main characteristics of traditional reciprocating engines. A previous experimental work has identified some major design problems and demonstrated the feasibility of cyclic combustion in the high aspect ratio combustor. Because of the difficulty of carrying out experimental studies in such small devices, resolving all flow structures and completely characterizing the flame propagation have been an enormously challenging task. The numerical methodology developed in this work attempts to complement these previous studies by providing a complete evolution of flow variables. Results of the present study demonstrated strengths of the proposed methodology in revealing physical processes occurring in a typical operation of the high aspect ratio combustor. For example, in the scavenging phase, the dominant flow structure is a tumble vortex that forms due to the high velocity reactant jet (premixed) interacting with the walls of the combustor. LES gives the complete evolution of this flow structure, from its beginning to its eventual decay after the scavenging period is over. In addition, LES is able to predict the interaction between the bulk flow at top dead center (TDC) and the turbulent flame propagation. The success of this depends on the ability of the model in predicting turbulent flow structure including its length and velocity scales.
LES of Multiple Jets in Cross-Flow Using a Coupled Lattice Boltzmann-Navier-Stokes Solver

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2006-11-14) Feiz, Homayoon

Three-dimensional large-eddy simulations (LES) of single and multiple jets in cross-flow (JICF) were conducted using the 19-bit Lattice Boltzmann Equation (LBE) method coupled with a conventional Navier-Stokes (NS) finite-volume scheme. In this coupled LBE-NS approach, the LBE-LES was employed to simulate the flow inside jet nozzles, while the NS-LES was used to simulate the cross-flow. The key application area was to study the micro-blowing technique (MBT) for drag control similar to recent experiments at NASA/GRC. A single jet in the cross-flow case was used for validation purposes, and results were compared with experimental data and full LBE-LES simulation. Good agreement with data was obtained. Transient analysis of flow structures was performed to investigate the contribution of flow structures to the counter-rotating vortex pair (CRVP) formation. It was found that both spanwise roller (at the lee side of the jet) and streamwise vortices (at the jet-side) contribute to the generation of the CRVP. Span-wise roller at the corner of the jet experiences high spanwise vortex compression as well as high streamwise vortex stretch. As a result, they get realigned, mix with the jet-side streamwise vortices, and eventually generate the CRVP. Furthermore, acoustic pulses were used to test the proper information exchange from the LBE domain to the NS domain, and vice-versa. Subsequently, MBT over a flat plate with porosity of 25 percent was simulated using nine jets in a compressible cross-flow at a Mach number of 0.4. Three cases with injection ratios of 0.003, 0.02 and 0.07 were conducted to investigate how the blowing rate impacts skin friction. It is shown that MBT suppressed the near-wall vortices and reduced the skin friction by up to 50 percent. This is in good agreement with experimental data.
Large Eddy Simulation of premixed and partially premixed combustion

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2006-11-13) Porumbel, Ionut

Large Eddy Simulation (LES) of bluff body stabilized premixed and partially premixed combustion close to the flammability limit is carried out in this thesis. The LES algorithm has no ad-hoc adjustable model parameters and is able to respond automatically to variations in the inflow conditions. Algorithm validation is achieved by comparison with reactive and non-reactive experimental data. In the reactive flow, two scalar closure models, Eddy Break-Up (EBULES) and Linear Eddy Mixing (LEMLES), are used and compared. Over important regions, the flame lies in the Broken Reaction Zone regime. Here, the EBU model assumptions fail. The flame thickness predicted by LEMLES is smaller and the flame is faster to respond to turbulent fluctuations, resulting in a more significant wrinkling of the flame surface. As a result, LEMLES captures better the subtle effects of the flame-turbulence interaction. Three premixed (equivalence ratio = 0.6, 0.65, and 0.75) cases are simulated. For the leaner case, the flame temperature is lower, the heat release is reduced and vorticity is stronger. As a result, the flame in this case is found to be unstable. In the rich case, the flame temperature is higher, and the spreading rate of the wake is increased due to the higher amount of heat release Partially premixed combustion is simulated for cases where the transverse profile of the inflow equivalence ratio is variable. The simulations show that for mixtures leaner in the core the vortical pattern tends towards anti-symmetry and the heat release decreases, resulting also in instability of the flame. For mixtures richer in the core, the flame displays sinusoidal flapping resulting in larger wake spreading. More accurate predictions of flame stability will require the use of detailed chemistry, raising the computational cost of the simulation. To address this issue, a novel algorithm for training Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) for prediction of the chemical source terms has been implemented and tested. Compared to earlier methods, the main advantages of the ANN method are in CPU time and disk space and memory reduction.
Numerical Simulation of Pollutant Emission and Flame Extinction in Lean Premixed Systems

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2005-07-13) Eggenspieler, Gilles

Premixed and partially-premixed combustion and ollutant emissions in full-scale gas turbines has been numerically investigated using a massively-parallel Large-Eddy Simulation Combustion Dynamics Model. Through the use of a flamelet library approach, it was observed that CO (Carbon Oxide) and NO (Nitric Oxide) emission can be predicted and match experimental results. The prediction of the CO emission trend is shown to be possible if the influence of the formation of UHC (Unburnt HydroCarbons) via flame extinction is taken into account. Simulations were repeated with two different combustion approach: the G-equation model and the Linear-Eddy Mixing (LEM) Model. Results are similar for these two sets of numerical simulations. The LEM model was used to simulate flame extinction and flame lift-off in a dump combustion chamber. The LEM model is compared to the G-equation model and it was found that the LEM model is more versatile than the G-equation model with regard to accurate simulation of flame propagation in all turbulent premixed combustion regimes. With the addition of heat losses, flame extinction was observed for low equivalence ratio. Numerical simulation of flame propagation with transient inflow conditions were also carried out and demonstrated the ability of the LEM model to accurately simulate flame propagation in the case of a partially-premixed system. In all simulations where flame extinction and flame lift-off was simulated, release of unburnt fuel in the post-flame region through flame extinction was not observed.
The Development of an Erosive Burning Model for Solid Rocket Motors Using Direct Numerical Simulation

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2004-05-10) McDonald, Brian Anthony

A method for developing an erosive burning model for use in solid propellant design-and-analysis interior ballistics codes is described and evaluated. Using Direct Numerical Simulation, the primary mechanisms controlling erosive burning (turbulent heat transfer, and finite rate reactions) have been studied independently through the development of models using finite rate chemistry, and infinite rate chemistry. Both approaches are calibrated to strand burn rate data by modeling the propellant burning in an environment with no cross-flow, and adjusting thermophysical properties until the predicted regression rate matches test data. Subsequent runs are conducted where the cross-flow is increased from M=0.0 up to M=0.8. The resulting relationship of burn rate increase versus Mach Number is used in an interior ballistics analysis to compute the chamber pressure of an existing solid rocket motor. The resulting predictions are compared to static test data. Both the infinite rate model and the finite rate model show good agreement when compared to test data. The propellant considered is an AP/HTPB with an average AP particle size of 37 microns. The finite rate model shows that as the cross-flow increases, near wall vorticity increases due to the lifting of the boundary caused by the side injection of gases from the burning propellant surface. The point of maximum vorticity corresponds to the outer edge of the APd-binder flame. As the cross-flow increases, the APd-binder flame thickness becomes thinner; however, the point of highest reaction rate moves only slightly closer to the propellant surface. As such, the net increase of heat transfer to the propellant surface due to finite rate chemistry affects is small. This leads to the conclusion that augmentation of thermal transport properties and the resulting heat transfer increase due to turbulence dominates over combustion chemistry in the erosive burning problem. This conclusion is advantageous in the development of future models that can be calibrated to heat transfer conditions without the necessity for finite rate chemistry. These results are considered applicable for propellants with small, evenly distributed AP particles where the assumption of premixed APd-binder gases is reasonable.