A Combined Experimental and Computational Study for the Design of a Low Water Consumption Cooling Tower

Author(s):  
Burak Dogan ◽  
Ibrahim Yilmaz ◽  
Ozgur Polat ◽  
Oytun Karabulut ◽  
Ahmet Ural ◽  
...  

In this study, a combined experimental and computational study for the design of a low water consumption cooling tower is performed. The purpose of the study is to reduce the water consumption without decreasing the efficiency of a typical cooling tower. To achieve this aim, it is necessary to enhance the homogeneity of mist/air mixture. For this purpose, firstly, an experimental set-up including a small scale wind tunnel is installed which provides opportunity to examine different inlet and outlet configurations easily. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used extensively to examine the effects of different configurations before experimental studies. Simulations of different inlet and outlet configurations are performed using only air. Several turbulators are designed and simulated to increase the turbulence levels. A three dimensional multi-phase CFD model is utilized to design a nozzle-turbulator system for the cooling tower. As results of the computational and experimental studies, the most efficient inlet and outlet configurations are specified and turbulators are selected from the alternative designs.

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 926
Author(s):  
Fushou Xie ◽  
Siqi Xia ◽  
Erfeng Chen ◽  
Yanzhong Li ◽  
Hongwei Mao ◽  
...  

The hydrodynamic information of liquid oxygen in the conveying pipeline of cryogenic launch vehicles directly determines the reliability of the operation of the turbopump. A 0.09 MPa anomalous pressure fall phenomenon in the feeding system has been observed during the flight and run test of a cryogenic rocket with four parallel engines. In previous work, we set up a full-scale experimental system with liquid oxygen as media. The anomalous pressure fall was successfully reproduced. Experimental studies of this phenomenon suggest that the problem might be associated with vortices into the five-way spherical cavity structure. The objective of this study was to determine the three-dimensional instability flow by computational methods to identify and better understand the anomalous pressure fall phenomenon. A numerical model developed by the turbulent conservation equations was validated by experimental data. The generation and evolution of vortices into the five-way spherical cavity of feeding pipelines was captured. It was found that the root cause of the instability flow causing the unusual pressure fall is the formation of a spindle-like vortex into the five-way spherical cavity due to disturbance of the inlet liquid oxygen. The results showed that there is a mirror-symmetrical four-vortices structure in the absence of disturbance, in which the liquid oxygen pressure fall with the rise of the Reynolds number is in good agreement with the predicting values calculated by a set of traditional empirical correlations. In the case of the specific operating conditions, it is also consistent with the experimental results. When the disturbance occurs at the inlet of the spherical cavity, the mirror-symmetrical four-vortices structure gradually evolves into the mirror-symmetrical two-vortices structure. When the disturbance is further enhanced, the mirror-symmetrical two-vortices structure merge with each other to form a spindle-like vortex, which is similar to the Rankine vortex structure. The pressure fall on the corresponding side of the spindle-like vortex core reduces abnormally, and is about 0.07 MPa, which is consistent with the experimental data under certain disturbance conditions. Moreover, it was found that the spindle-like vortex is a stable eddy structure, and would continue to exist once it is formed, which could also not disappear with the removal of the disturbance.


Author(s):  
Rolf Baarholm ◽  
Kjetil Skaugset ◽  
Halvor Lie ◽  
Henning Braaten

The VIV oscillations of marine risers are known to increase drag, and lead to structural fatigue. One proven method of suppressing this vibration is the use of fairings and strakes. These coverings essentially modify the flow along the cylinder, tripping the production of Karman vortices so that they act less coherently or far enough downstream so they interact less with the body. The Norwegian Deepwater Programme (NDP) has conducted a project with the objective to develop and qualify effective low drag fairing concepts with respect to VIV mitigation and galloping. Furthermore, emphasis is put on easy handling and installation. This paper describes the work and findings in an early phase of the development. This includes small scale model test campaigns. In addition to the bare riser for reference, the behaviour and performance of a total of 10 different fairing concepts are evaluated. Free oscillation tests are performed in a towing tank, where 2D fairings were tested in a pendulum set-up. The set-up enables free vibrations in up to 3 DOF (in-line and cross-flow vibrations and yaw). Fix tests with the purpose of establishing hydrodynamic coefficients for the various fairings have been performed in a large cavitation tunnel. Clear differences in performance have been noticed; particular for drag and galloping responses. Based on the results from the 2D tests, a screening of the fairing designs has been performed and the findings have set the course for further development of the most promising candidates for real life applications.


2011 ◽  
Vol 233-235 ◽  
pp. 2432-2438
Author(s):  
Song Hao Wang ◽  
Ronald José Doblado Perez ◽  
Ronald García ◽  
Jia Cheng Chen

This study aims to research and develop Pipe Flow Generators. The focus in this paper is on the rotor design for pipes of different sizes. Modern engineering tools such as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software and Rapid Prototyping technology are utilized to facilitate the numerical and experimental studies. The CFD numerical simulations consist of two and three-dimensional transient and steady analyses. These simulations were conducted to find the relationship between the flow rate, blade geometry and number of blades. During the experimentation process, Rapid Prototyping Technology (RP) was used to fabricate many different types of turbine geometries to test different impeller parameters. RPM and voltages where measured for each turbine design. The study leads to several important findings for better pipe flow generators design.


2013 ◽  
Vol 805-806 ◽  
pp. 1785-1789
Author(s):  
Chang Bin Wang ◽  
Miao Wang ◽  
Xiao Xu Li ◽  
Yu Liu ◽  
Jie Nan Dong

A three dimensional fluid flow model was set up in this paper, based on the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the elasticity theory. Using the finite volume method, a 120° bend was taken as a research object to simulate the erosion to the wall of fluid with sparse particles, finally, to determine the most severe wear areas.At the same time, the distribution of two-phase flows pressure and velocity was analyzed in 45° and 90° bends, then tracked the trajectory of the particles. The results show that the 90°bend has the smallest wear area and particle distribution or combination property is the best.


2010 ◽  
Vol 133-134 ◽  
pp. 497-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvaro Quinonez ◽  
Jennifer Zessin ◽  
Aissata Nutzel ◽  
John Ochsendorf

Experiments may be used to verify numerical and analytical results, but large-scale model testing is associated with high costs and lengthy set-up times. In contrast, small-scale model testing is inexpensive, non-invasive, and easy to replicate over several trials. This paper proposes a new method of masonry model generation using three-dimensional printing technology. Small-scale models are created as an assemblage of individual blocks representing the original structure’s geometry and stereotomy. Two model domes are tested to collapse due to outward support displacements, and experimental data from these tests is compared with analytical predictions. Results of these experiments provide a strong understanding of the mechanics of actual masonry structures and can be used to demonstrate the structural capacity of masonry structures with extensive cracking. Challenges for this work, such as imperfections in the model geometry and construction problems, are also addressed. This experimental method can provide a low-cost alternative for the collapse analysis of complex masonry structures, the safety of which depends primarily on stability rather than material strength.


Author(s):  
Maopei Cui ◽  
Anthony G Straatman ◽  
Chao Zhang

A numerical study has been undertaken to explore the influence of geometry and flow parameters on the entrainment of solid in an ESE nozzle system immersed in a fluidized riser. A fully three-dimensional computational model of the nozzle system has been developed and all appropriate approximations and simplifications are described. A multi-phase Eulerian-Eulerian model incorporating the kinetic theory for solid particles is used. Numerical results are obtained using the commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics software FLUENT. The results indicate that solid entrainment in the ESE system is a strong function of both geometry and flow. The optimal entrainment is seen to occur when the ratio of the draft tube diameter D to separation distance I is approximately unity. At this value, the jet of injected gas is seen to spread fully into the opening of the draft tube causing the highest transport of solid particles through the tube. The entrainment is shown to increase with increasing jet velocity across the full range of flows considered. The results are consistent with similar experimental results. The results of this study should find immediate application in the design and implementation of ESE nozzle systems.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Selahattin Kocaman ◽  
Stefania Evangelista ◽  
Giacomo Viccione ◽  
Hasan Güzel

Flood caused by a dam-breaking flow may be catastrophic for the downstream area due to the sudden discharge of large volumes of water. Besides the complex flow of the propagating dam-break wave, the presence of structures such as bridges and buildings yield free surfaces which can be accurately reproduced by means of three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software. The prediction of the dam-break flow main features in the presence of obstacles has a crucial role in decreasing the damage. In this study, small-scale laboratory experiments were conducted to examine the problem with a single obstacle. Five ultrasonic sensors were used as measurement devices. Measurements were compared with the numerical results obtained with the FLOW-3D software, solving RANS equations with the k- turbulence closure model. A good agreement was observed.


2012 ◽  
Vol 455-456 ◽  
pp. 334-338
Author(s):  
Yong Zhe Lv ◽  
Dong Xiang Jiang ◽  
Yong Jiang

This paper presents an analysis on the performance of vertical axis wind turbine of two types, namely straight-blade vertical axis wind turbine (SB-VAWT) and twisted-blade vertical axis wind turbine (TB-VAWT). An attempt of this simulation is to identify which type performs better in the same wind conditions and swept area. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was adopted in this analysis, after solid models of them were generated. Preliminary results of torque, power and aerodynamics in the fluid field were obtained for discussion. Finally, there provided some guidance for future wind tunnel tests.


2008 ◽  
Vol 596 ◽  
pp. 103-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. VAISHNAVI ◽  
A. KRONENBURG ◽  
C. PANTANO

Spatial length scales of the rate of dissipation, χ, of fluctuations of a conserved scalar, Z, are inferred numerically using a DNS database of a turbulent planar jet flame. The Taylor-scale Reynolds numbers lie in the range of 38 to 58 along the centreline of the simulated jet flame. Three different methods are used to study the spatial length scales associated with χ. First, analysis of the one-dimensional dissipation spectra shows an expected Reδ−3/4 (Kolmogorov) scaling with the outer-scale Reynolds number, Reδ. Secondly, thin sheet-like three-dimensional scalar dissipation structures have been investigated directly. Such structures were identified within the computational domain using level-sets of the χ-field, and their thicknesses were subsequently computed. The study shows, in accordance with experimental studies, that the captured dissipation-layer thickness also shows a Kolmogorov scaling with Reδ. Finally, spatial filters of varying widths were applied to the instantaneous Z field in order to model the averaging effect that takes place with some experimental measurement techniques. The filtered scalar dissipation rate was then calculated from the filtered scalar field. The peaks in the instantaneous filtered χ-profiles are observed to decrease exponentially with increasing filter width, yielding estimates of the true value of χ. Unlike the dissipation length scales obtained from the spectral analysis and the level-set method, the length-scale estimates from the spatial-filtering method are found to be proportional to Reδ−1. This is consistent with the small-scale intermittency of χ which cannot be captured by techniques that just resolve the conventional Batchelor/Obukhov–Corrsin scale. These results have implications when considering resolution requirements for measuring scalar dissipation length scales in experimental flows.


2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Narges Tabatabaei ◽  
Sudhakar Gantasala ◽  
Michel J. Cervantes

Icing limits the performance of wind turbines in cold climates. The prediction of the aerodynamic performance losses and their distribution due to ice accretion is essential. Blade element momentum (BEM) is the basis of blade structural studies. The accuracy and limitations of this method in icing condition are assessed in the present study. To this purpose, a computational study on the aerodynamic performance of the full-scale NREL 5 MW rotor is performed. Three-dimensional (3D) steady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations are performed for both clean and iced blade, as well as BEM calculations using two-dimensional (2D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) sectional airfoil data. The total power calculated by the BEM method is in close agreement with the 3D CFD results for the clean blade. There is a 4% deviation, while it is underestimated by 28% for the iced one. The load distribution along the clean blade span differs between both methods. Load loss due to the ice, predicted by 3D CFD, is 32% in extracted power and the main loss occurs at the regions where the ice horn height exceeds 8% of the chord length.


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