A Partially Integrated Approach to Component Zooming Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

Author(s):  
Vassilios Pachidis ◽  
Pericles Pilidis ◽  
Geoffrey Guindeuil ◽  
Anestis Kalfas ◽  
Ioannis Templalexis

This study focuses on a simulation strategy that will allow the performance characteristics of an isolated gas turbine engine component, resolved from a detailed, high-fidelity analysis, to be transferred to an engine system analysis carried out at a lower level of resolution. This work will enable component-level, complex physical processes to be captured and analyzed in the context of the whole engine performance, at an affordable computing resource and time. The technique described in this paper utilizes an object-oriented, zero-dimensional (0-D) gas turbine modeling and performance simulation system and a high-fidelity, three-dimensional (3-D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) component model. The technique is called ‘partially integrated’ zooming, in that there is no automatic link between the 0-D engine cycle and the 3-D CFD model. It can be applied to all engine components and involves the generation of a component characteristic map via an iterative execution of the 0-D cycle and the 3-D CFD model. This work investigates relative changes in the simulated engine performance after integrating the CFD-generated component map into the 0-D engine analysis. This paper attempts to demonstrate the ‘partially integrated’ approach to component zooming by using a 3-D CFD intake model of a high by-pass ratio (HBR) turbofan as a case study. The CFD model is based on the geometry of the intake of the CFM56-5B2 engine. The CFD-generated performance map can fully define the characteristic of the intake at several operating conditions and is subsequently used to provide a more accurate, physics-based estimate of intake performance (i.e. pressure recovery) and hence, engine performance, replacing the default, empirical values within the 0-D cycle model. A detailed comparison between the baseline engine performance (empirical pressure recovery) and the engine performance obtained after using the CFD-generated map is presented in this paper. The analysis carried out by this study, demonstrates relative changes in the simulated engine performance larger than 1%.

Author(s):  
Vassilios Pachidis ◽  
Pericles Pilidis ◽  
Fabien Talhouarn ◽  
Anestis Kalfas ◽  
Ioannis Templalexis

This study focuses on a simulation strategy that will allow the performance characteristics of an isolated gas turbine engine component, resolved from a detailed, high-fidelity analysis, to be transferred to an engine system analysis carried out at a lower level of resolution. This work will enable component-level, complex physical processes to be captured and analyzed in the context of the whole engine performance, at an affordable computing resource and time. The technique described in this paper utilizes an object-oriented, zero-dimensional (0-D) gas turbine modeling and performance simulation system and a high-fidelity, three-dimensional (3-D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) component model. The work investigates relative changes in the simulated engine performance after coupling the 3-D CFD component to the 0-D engine analysis system. For the purposes of this preliminary investigation, the high-fidelity component communicates with the lower fidelity cycle via an iterative, semi-manual process for the determination of the correct operating point. This technique has the potential to become fully automated, can be applied to all engine components and does not involve the generation of a component characteristic map. This paper demonstrates the potentials of the ‘fully integrated’ approach to component zooming by using a 3-D CFD intake model of a high by-pass ratio (HBR) turbofan as a case study. The CFD model is based on the geometry of the intake of the CFM56-5B2 engine. The high-fidelity model can fully define the characteristic of the intake at several operating condition and is subsequently used in the 0-D cycle analysis to provide a more accurate, physics-based estimate of intake performance (i.e. pressure recovery) and hence, engine performance, replacing the default, empirical values. A detailed comparison between the baseline engine performance (empirical pressure recovery) and the engine performance obtained after using the coupled, high-fidelity component is presented in this paper. The analysis carried out by this study, demonstrates relative changes in the simulated engine performance larger than 1%.


2004 ◽  
Vol 128 (3) ◽  
pp. 579-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vassilios Pachidis ◽  
Pericles Pilidis ◽  
Fabien Talhouarn ◽  
Anestis Kalfas ◽  
Ioannis Templalexis

Background . This study focuses on a simulation strategy that will allow the performance characteristics of an isolated gas turbine engine component, resolved from a detailed, high-fidelity analysis, to be transferred to an engine system analysis carried out at a lower level of resolution. This work will enable component-level, complex physical processes to be captured and analyzed in the context of the whole engine performance, at an affordable computing resource and time. Approach. The technique described in this paper utilizes an object-oriented, zero-dimensional (0D) gas turbine modeling and performance simulation system and a high-fidelity, three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) component model. The work investigates relative changes in the simulated engine performance after coupling the 3D CFD component to the 0D engine analysis system. For the purposes of this preliminary investigation, the high-fidelity component communicates with the lower fidelity cycle via an iterative, semi-manual process for the determination of the correct operating point. This technique has the potential to become fully automated, can be applied to all engine components, and does not involve the generation of a component characteristic map. Results. This paper demonstrates the potentials of the “fully integrated” approach to component zooming by using a 3D CFD intake model of a high bypass ratio turbofan as a case study. The CFD model is based on the geometry of the intake of the CFM56-5B2 engine. The high-fidelity model can fully define the characteristic of the intake at several operating condition and is subsequently used in the 0D cycle analysis to provide a more accurate, physics-based estimate of intake performance (i.e., pressure recovery) and hence, engine performance, replacing the default, empirical values. A detailed comparison between the baseline engine performance (empirical pressure recovery) and the engine performance obtained after using the coupled, high-fidelity component is presented in this paper. The analysis carried out by this study demonstrates relative changes in the simulated engine performance larger than 1%. Conclusions. This investigation proves the value of the simulation strategy followed in this paper and completely justifies (i) the extra computational effort required for a more automatic link between the high-fidelity component and the 0D cycle, and (ii) the extra time and effort that is usually required to create and run a 3D CFD engine component, especially in those cases where more accurate, high-fidelity engine performance simulation is required.


Author(s):  
Andrea G. Sanvito ◽  
Giacomo Persico ◽  
M. Sergio Campobasso

Abstract This study provides a novel contribution toward the establishment of a new high-fidelity simulation-based design methodology for stall-regulated horizontal axis wind turbines. The aerodynamic design of these machines is complex, due to the difficulty of reliably predicting stall onset and poststall characteristics. Low-fidelity design methods, widely used in industry, are computationally efficient, but are often affected by significant uncertainty. Conversely, Navier–Stokes computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can reduce such uncertainty, resulting in lower development costs by reducing the need of field testing of designs not fit for purpose. Here, the compressible CFD research code COSA is used to assess the performance of two alternative designs of a 13-m stall-regulated rotor over a wide range of operating conditions. Validation of the numerical methodology is based on thorough comparisons of novel simulations and measured data of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) phase VI turbine rotor, and one of the two industrial rotor designs. An excellent agreement is found in all cases. All simulations of the two industrial rotors are time-dependent, to capture the unsteadiness associated with stall which occurs at most wind speeds. The two designs are cross-compared, with emphasis on the different stall patterns resulting from particular design choices. The key novelty of this work is the CFD-based assessment of the correlation among turbine power, blade aerodynamics, and blade design variables (airfoil geometry, blade planform, and twist) over most operational wind speeds.


1996 ◽  
Vol 118 (1) ◽  
pp. 214-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. H. Tindell ◽  
T. M. Alston ◽  
C. A. Sarro ◽  
G. C. Stegmann ◽  
L. Gray ◽  
...  

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods are applied to the analysis of a low-pressure turbine exhaust hood at a typical steam power generating station. A Navier-Stokes solver, capable of modeling all the viscous terms, in a Reynolds-averaged formulation, was used. The work had two major goals. The first was to develop a comprehensive understanding of the complex three-dimensional flow fields that exist in the exhaust hood at representative operating conditions. The second was to evaluate the relative benefits of a flow guide modification to optimize performance at a selected operating condition. Also, the influence of simulated turbine discharge characteristics, relative to uniform hood entrance conditions, was evaluated. The calculations show several interesting and possibly unique results. They support use of an integrated approach to the design of turbine exhaust stage blading and hood geometry for optimum efficiency.


Author(s):  
J. Allan

An approach for predicting the relative tendency for weak extinction among similar gas turbine premix combustors is presented. The method involves analyzing CFD (computational fluid dynamics) solutions so as to evaluate the recirculating masses in the primary zone and the resulting potential heating rate of incoming fresh mixture. Results are illustrated for two combustor geometries which look similar but have very different behaviour. The comparison between the combustors agrees with test data when the CFD model incorporates a simulation of the flame. The inadequacy of cold flow models for the purpose is shown.


2004 ◽  
Vol 126 (4) ◽  
pp. 794-802 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong-Chun Choi ◽  
David L. Rhode

A new approach for employing a two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to approximately compute a three-dimensional flow field such as that in a honeycomb labyrinth seal was developed. The advantage of this approach is that it greatly reduces the computer resource requirement needed to obtain a solution of the leakage for the three-dimensional flow through a honeycomb labyrinth. After the leakage through the stepped labyrinth seal was measured, it was used in numerically determining the value of one dimension (DTF1) of the simplified geometry two-dimensional approximate CFD model. Then the capability of the two-dimensional model approach was demonstrated by using it to compute the three-dimensional flow that had been measured at different operating conditions, and in some cases different distance to contact values. It was found that very close agreement with measurements was obtained in all cases, except for that of intermediate clearance and distance to contact for two sets of upstream and downstream pressure. The two-dimensional approach developed here offers interesting benefits relative to conventional algebraic-equation models, particularly for evaluating labyrinth geometries/operating conditions that are different from that of the data employed in developing the algebraic model.


Author(s):  
Bo Zhang ◽  
Ye Qin ◽  
Shaoping Shi ◽  
Shu Yan ◽  
Yanfei Mu ◽  
...  

Abstract Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) is a technology that integrates the coal gasification and combined cycle to produce electricity efficiently. Due to the fact that the heating value of syngas from coal gasification process is typically lower than that of the natural gas, the conventional gas turbine will have to be adapted for syngas. The nozzle adjustment is the key to the successful transformation since the ignition properties are different between syngas and natural gas which have totally different compositions. The nozzles suitable for natural gas have been prone to partially melting around the flame stabilization holes on sidewalls of the nozzle in real operation. Thus a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was constructed for the syngas nozzles as well as combustion chamber of the gas turbine for low heating value syngas to study the thermostability of the nozzle. The detailed structure of the syngas nozzle, the combustion characteristics of syngas, as well as the actual operation condition of the gas turbine were all employed in the CFD model to improve the simulation accuracy. The reason of partially melting of the nozzles suitable for natural gas can be attributed to that the syngas leaked from the flame stabilization holes into the mainstream air can quickly mix with air, adhere to the sidewalls of the nozzles and then ignite around the holes which result in temperatures high enough to melt the material of the nozzle around the holes through CFD simulation. Finally, a new structure of the syngas nozzle was proposed and validated by CFD simulations. The simulation result shows that the flames caused by the syngas leaked from the flame stabilization holes are no longer adhering to the nozzle sidewalls and local high temperature can be lowered by about 30% which will not be able to melt the nozzle material.


Author(s):  
Alexander O. Pugachev ◽  
Clemens Griebel ◽  
Stacie Tibos ◽  
Bernard Charnley

In this paper, a hybrid brush pocket damper seal is studied theoretically using computational fluid dynamics. In the hybrid sealing arrangement, the brush seal element with cold clearance is placed downstream of a 4-bladed, 8-pocket, fully partitioned pocket damper seal. The new seal geometry is derived based on designs of short brush-labyrinth seals studied in previous works. Transient CFD simulations coupled with the multi-frequency rotor excitation method are performed to determine frequency-dependent stiffness and damping coefficients of pocket damper seals. A moving mesh technique is applied to model the shaft motion on a predefined whirling orbit. The rotordynamic coefficients are calculated from impedances obtained in frequency domain. The pocket damper seal CFD model is validated against available experimental and numerical results found in the literature. Bristle pack in the brush seal CFD model is described as porous medium. The applied brush seal model is validated using the measurements obtained in previous works from two test rigs. Predicted leakage characteristics as well as stiffness and damping coefficients of the hybrid brush pocket damper seal are presented for different operating conditions. In this case, the rotordynamic coefficients are calculated using a single-frequency transient simulation. By adding the brush seal, direct stiffness is predicted to be significantly decreased while effective damping shows a more moderate or no reduction depending on excitation frequency. Effective clearance results indicate more than halved leakage compared to the case without brush seal.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-34
Author(s):  
Krishna C Kalvakala ◽  
Pinaki Pal ◽  
Yunchao Wu ◽  
Goutham Kukkadapu ◽  
Christopher Kolodziej ◽  
...  

Abstract Growing environmental concerns and demand for better fuel economy are driving forces that motivate the research for more advanced engines. Multi-mode combustion strategies have gained attention for their potential to provide high thermal efficiency and low emissions for light-duty applications. These strategies target optimizing the engine performance by correlating different combustion modes to load operating conditions. The extension from boosted SI mode at high loads to advanced compression ignition (ACI) mode at low loads can be achieved by increasing compression ratio and utilizing intake air heating. Further, in order to enable an accurate control of intake charge condition for ACI mode and rapid mode-switches, it is essential to gain fundamental insights into the autoignition process. Within the scope of ACI, homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) mode is of significant interest. It is known for its potential benefits, operation at low fuel consumption, low NOx and PM emissions. In the present work, a virtual Cooperative Fuel Research (CFR) engine model is used to analyze fuel effects on ACI combustion. In particular, the effect of fuel Octane Sensitivity (S) (at constant RON) on autoignition propensity is assessed under beyond-RON (BRON) and beyond-MON (BMON) ACI conditions. The 3D CFR engine computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model employs finite-rate chemistry approach with multi-zone binning strategy to capture autoignition. Two binary blends with Research Octane Number (RON) of 90 are chosen for this study: Primary reference fuel (PRF) with S = 0, and toluene-heptane (TH) blend with S = 10.8, representing paraffinic and aromatic gasoline surrogates. Reduced mechanisms for these blends are generated from a detailed gasoline surrogate kinetic mechanism. Simulation results with the reduced mechanisms are validated against experimental data from an in-house CFR engine, with respect to in-cylinder pressure, heat release rate and combustion phasing. Thereafter, the sensitivity of combustion behavior to ACI operating condition (BRON vs BMON), air-fuel ratio (λ = 2 and 3), and engine speed (600 and 900rpm) is analyzed for both fuels. It is shown that the sensitivity of a fuel's autoignition characteristics to λ and engine speed significantly differs at BRON and BMON conditions. Moreover, this sensitivity is found to vary among fuels, despite the same RON. It is also observed that the presence of low temperature heat release (LTHR) under BRON condition leads to more sequential autoignition and longer combustion duration than BMON condition. Finally, the study indicates that the octane index (OI) fails to capture the trend in the variation of autoignition propensity with S under BMON condition.


2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Halama ◽  
Hartmut Spliethoff

Modeling pressurized entrained flow gasification of solid fuels plays an important role in the development of integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plants and other gasification applications. A better understanding of the underlying reaction kinetics is essential for the design and optimization of entrained flow gasifiers—in particular at operating conditions relevant to large-scale industrial gasifiers. The presented computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations aim to predict conversion rates as well as product gas compositions in entrained flow gasifiers. The simulations are based on the software ansys fluent 15.0 and include several detailed submodels in user defined functions (UDF). In a previous publication, the developed CFD model has been validated for a Rhenish lignite against experimental data, obtained from a pilot-scale entrained flow gasifier operated at the Technische Universität München. In the presented work, the validated CFD model is applied to a Siemens test gasifier geometry. Simulation results and characteristic parameters, with focus on char gasification reactions, are analyzed in detail and provide new insights into the gasification process.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document