Viscous Flow Analysis as a Design Tool for Hydraulic Turbine Components

1990 ◽  
Vol 112 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. C. Vu ◽  
W. Shyy

Viscous flow analysis based on the full Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations is being applied to successfully predict turbulent flow characteristics and energy losses in different hydraulic turbine components. It allows the designer to evaluate the hydraulic performance of alternative designs before proceeding with laboratory testing or to perform elaborate parametric study to optimize the hydraulic design. In this paper, the applications of three-dimensional viscous flow analysis as an analytical design tool for elbow draft tube and spiral casing are presented and their impact on engineering design assessed.

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenwei Mo ◽  
Juliang Xiao ◽  
Gang Wang

We use the continuity equation and the Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations to study the flow-pattern characteristics around a turbine runner for the small-opening cylindrical valve of a hydraulic turbine. For closure, we adopt the renormalization-groupk-εtwo-equation turbulence model and use the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software FLUENT to numerically simulate the three-dimensional unsteady turbulent flow through the entire passage of the hydraulic turbine. The results show that a low-pressure zone develops around the runner blades when the cylindrical valve is closed in a small opening; cavitation occurs at the blades, and a vortex appears at the outlet of the runner. As the cylindrical valve is gradually closed, the flow velocity over the runner area increases, and the pressure gradient becomes more significant as the discharge decreases. In addition, the fluid flow velocity is relatively high between the lower end of the cylindrical valve and the base, so that a high-velocity jet is easily induced. The calculation and analysis provide a theoretical basis for improving the performance of cylindrical-valve operating systems.


2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. V. Rathish Kumar ◽  
T. Yamaguchi ◽  
H. Liu ◽  
R. Himeno

Abstract Unsteady flow dynamics in a doubly constricted vessel is analyzed by using a time accurate Finite Volume solution of three dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. Computational experiments are carried out for various values of Reynolds number in order to assess the criticality of multiple mild constrictions in series and also to bring out the subtle 3D features like vortex formation. Studies reveal that pressure drop across a series of mild constrictions can get physiologically critical. Further this pressure drop is found to be sensitive to the spacing between the constrictions and also to the oscillatory nature of the inflow profile.


2003 ◽  
pp. 55-82
Author(s):  
M. Despotovic ◽  
Milun Babic ◽  
D. Milovanovic ◽  
Vanja Sustersic

This paper describes a three-dimensional compressible Navier-Stokes code, which has been developed for analysis of turbocompressor blade rows and other internal flows. Despite numerous numerical techniques and statement that Computational Fluid Dynamics has reached state of the art, issues related to successful simulations represent valuable database of how particular tech?nique behave for a specifie problem. This paper deals with rapid numerical method accurate enough to be used as a design tool. The mathematical model is based on System of Favre averaged Navier-Stokes equations that are written in relative frame of reference, which rotates with constant angular velocity around axis of rotation. The governing equations are solved using finite vol?ume method applied on structured grids. The numerical procedure is based on the explicit multistage Runge-Kutta scheme that is coupled with modem numerical procedures for convergence acceleration. To demonstrate the accuracy of the described numer?ical method developed software is applied to numerical analysis of flow through impeller of axial turbocompressor, and obtained results are compared with available experimental data.


1987 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 406-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger L. Davis ◽  
Ron-Ho Ni ◽  
James E. Carter

Author(s):  
Man-Woong Heo ◽  
Tae-Wan Seo ◽  
Chung-Suk Lee ◽  
Kwang-Yong Kim

This paper presents a parametric study to investigate the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic characteristics of a side channel regenerative blower. Flow analysis in the side channel blower was carried out by solving three-dimensional steady and unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations with the shear stress transport turbulence closure. Aeroacoustic analysis was conducted by solving the variational formulation of Lighthill’s analogy on the basis of the aerodynamic sources extracted from the unsteady flow analysis. The height and width of the blade and the angle between inlet and outlet ports were selected as three geometric parameters, and their effects on the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic performances of the blower have been investigated. The results showed that the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic performances were enhanced by decreasing height and width of blade. It was found that angle between inlet and outlet ports significantly influences the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic performances of the blower due to the stripper leakage flow.


Author(s):  
Yannis Kallinderis ◽  
Hyung Taek Ahn

Numerical prediction of vortex-induced vibrations requires employment of the unsteady Navier-Stokes equations. Current Navier-Stokes solvers are quite expensive for three-dimensional flow-structure applications. Acceptance of Computational Fluid Dynamics as a design tool for the offshore industry requires improvements to current CFD methods in order to address the following important issues: (i) stability and computation cost of the numerical simulation process, (ii) restriction on the size of the allowable time-step due to the coupling of the flow and structure solution processes, (iii) excessive number of computational elements for 3-D applications, and (iv) accuracy and computational cost of turbulence models used for high Reynolds number flow. The above four problems are addressed via a new numerical method which employs strong coupling between the flow and the structure solutions. Special coupling is also employed between the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations and the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model. An element-type independent spatial discretization scheme is also presented which can handle general hybrid meshes consisting of hexahedra, prisms, pyramids, and tetrahedral.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 3977-3980

A numerical analysis is carried out to understand the flow characteristics for different impeller configurations of a single stage centrifugal blower. The volute design is based on constant velocity method. Four different impeller configurations are selected for the analysis. Impeller blade geometry is created with point by point method. Numerical simulation is carried out by CFD software GAMBIT 2.4.6 and FLUENT 6.3.26. GAMBIT work includes geometry definition and grid generation of computational domain. This process includes selection of grid types, grid refinements and defining correct boundary conditions. Processing work is carried out in FLUENT. The viscous Navier-Stokes equations are solved with control volume approach and the k-ε turbulence model. In this three dimensional numerical analysis is carried out with steady flow approach. The rotor and stator interaction is solved by mixing plane approach. Results of simulation are presented in terms of flow parameters, at impeller outlet and various angular positions inside the volute. Also, the contours of flow properties are presented at the outlet plane of fluid domain. Results suggest that for the same configurations of centrifugal blower, as we change geometrical parameter of impeller the flow inside the blower get affected.


2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (33) ◽  
pp. 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Cavallaro ◽  
Fabio Dentale ◽  
Giovanna Donnarumma ◽  
Enrico Foti ◽  
Rosaria E. Musumeci ◽  
...  

Until recently, physical models were the only way to investigate into the details of breakwaters behavior under wave attack. From the numerical point of view, the complexity of the fluid dynamic processes involved has so far hindered the direct application of Navier-Stokes equations within the armour blocks, due to the complex geometry and the presence of strongly non stationary flows, free boundaries and turbulence. In the present work the most recent CFD technology is used to provide a new and more reliable approach to the design analysis of breakwaters, especially in connection with run-up and overtopping. The solid structure is simulated within the numerical domain by overlapping individual virtual elements to form the empty spaces delimited by the blocks. Thus, by defining a fine computational grid, an adequate number of nodes is located within the interstices and a complete solution of the full hydrodynamic equations is carried out. In the work presented here the numerical simulations are carried out by integrating the three-dimensional Reynolds Average Navier-Stokes Equations coupled with the RNG turbulence model and a Volume of Fluid Method used to handle the dynamics of the free surface. The aim of the present work is to investigate the reliability of this approach as a design tool. Two different breakwaters are considered, both located in Southern Sicily: one a typical quarry stone breakwater, another a more complex design incorporating a spill basin and an armoured layer made up by Coreloc® blocks.


1980 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 193-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Khalil ◽  
W. Tabakoff ◽  
A. Hamed

A method for analyzing the viscous flow through turbomachine rotors is presented. The field analysis is based on the solution of the full Navier-Stokes equations over the rotor blade-to-blade stream channels. An Alternating-Direction-Implicit method is employed to carry out the necessary numerical integration of the elliptic governing equations. The flow analysis may be applied to various types of turbomachine rotors. Preliminarily, only the case of laminar flows are considered in this paper. The flow characteristics within the rotors of a radial inflow turbine and a radial bladed compressor are investigated over a wide range of operating conditions. Excellent results are obtained when compared with existing experimental data. The method of this analysis is quite general and can deal with wide range of applications. Possible modification of the present study to deal with turbulent flow cases are also identified.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document