Mixing in Large Scale Tanks: Part I — Flow Modeling of Turbulent Mixing Jets

Author(s):  
Si Young Lee ◽  
Robert A. Dimenna ◽  
Richard A. Leishear ◽  
David B. Stefanko

Flow evolution models were developed to evaluate the performance of the new advanced design mixer pump (ADMP) for sludge mixing and removal operations in one of the large-scale Savannah River Site (SRS) waste tanks, Tank 18. This paper is the first in a series of four that describe the computational model and its validation, the experiment facility and the flow measurements used to provide the validation data, the extension of the computational results to real tank conditions through the use of existing sludge suspension data, and finally, the sludge removal results from actual Tank 18 operations using the new ADMP. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach was used to simulate the sludge removal operations. The models employed a three-dimensional representation of the tank with a two-equation turbulence model, since this approach was verified by both test and literature data. The discharge of the ADMP was modeled as oppositely directed hydraulic jets submerged at the center of the 85-ft diameter tank, with pump suction taken from below. The calculations were based on prototypic tank geometry and nominal operating conditions. In the analysis, the magnitude of the local velocity was used as a measure of slurrying and suspension capability. The computational results showed that normal operations in Tank 18 with the ADMP mixer and a 70-in liquid level would provide adequate sludge removal in most regions of the tank. The exception was the region within about 1.2 ft of the tank wall, based on an historical minimum velocity required to suspend sludge. Sensitivity results showed that a higher tank liquid level and a lower elevation of pump nozzle would result in better performance in suspending and removing the sludge. These results were consistent with experimental observations.

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Si Y. Lee ◽  
Richard A. Dimenna ◽  
Robert A. Leishear ◽  
David B. Stefanko

Flow evolution models were developed to evaluate the performance of the new advanced design mixer pump for sludge mixing and removal operations with high-velocity liquid jets in one of the large-scale Savannah River Site waste tanks, Tank 18. This paper describes the computational model, the flow measurements used to provide validation data in the region far from the jet nozzle, and the extension of the computational results to real tank conditions through the use of existing sludge suspension data. A computational fluid dynamics approach was used to simulate the sludge removal operations. The models employed a three-dimensional representation of the tank with a two-equation turbulence model. Both the computational approach and the models were validated with onsite test data reported here and literature data. The model was then extended to actual conditions in Tank 18 through a velocity criterion to predict the ability of the new pump design to suspend settled sludge. A qualitative comparison with sludge removal operations in Tank 18 showed a reasonably good comparison with final results subject to significant uncertainties in actual sludge properties.


Author(s):  
Roger W. Ainsworth ◽  
John L. Allen ◽  
J. Julian M. Batt

The advent of a new generation of transient rotating turbine simulation facilities, where engine values of Reynolds and Mach number are matched simultaneously together with the relevant rotational parameters for dimensional similitude (Dunn et al [1988], Epstein et al [1984]. Ainsworth et al [1988]), has provided the stimulus for developing improved instrumentation for investigating the aerodynamic flows in these stages. Much useful work has been conducted in the past using hot-wire and laser anemometers. However, hot-wire anemometers are prone to breakage in the high pressure flows required for correct Reynolds numbers, Furthermore some laser techniques require a longer runtime than these transient facilites permit, and generally yield velocity information only, giving no data on loss production. Advances in semiconductor aerodynamic probes are beginning to fulfil this perceived need. This paper describes advances made in the design, construction, and testing of two and three dimensional fast response aerodynamic probes, where semiconductor pressure sensors are mounted directly on the surface of the probes, using techniques which have previously been successfully used on the surface of rotor blades (Ainsworth, Dietz and Nunn [1991]). These are to be used to measure Mach number and flow direction in compressible unsteady flow regimes. In the first section, a brief review is made of the sensor and associated technology which has been developed to permit a flexible design of fast response aerodynamic probe. Following this, an extensive programme of testing large scale aerodynamic models of candidate geometries for suitable semiconductor scale probes is described, and the results of these discussed. The conclusions of these experiments, conducted for turbine representative mean and unsteady flows, yielded new information for optimising the design of the small scale semiconductor probes, in terms of probe geometry, sensor placement, and aerodynamic performance. Details are given of a range of wedge and pyramid semiconductor probes constructed, and the procedures used in calibrating and making measurements with them. Differences in performance are discussed, allowing the experimenter to choose an appropriate probe for the particular measurement required. Finally, the application of prototype semiconductor probes in a transient rotor experiment at HP turbine representative conditions is described, and the data so obtained is compared with (PD solutions of the unsteady viscous flow-field.


Author(s):  
M. U. Siddiqui ◽  
A. F. M. Arif

Photovoltaic (PV) technology provides a direct method to convert solar energy into electricity. In recent years, the use of PV systems has increased greatly with many applications of PV devices in systems as small as battery chargers to large scale electricity generation systems and satellite power systems. An important factor that influences the reliability of photovoltaic modules is their ability to withstand high thermal stresses which develop in PV modules due to the different coefficients of thermal expansion of the different module materials. PV modules also experience thermal cycles which can lead to failure of the module. In the present work, three dimensional numerical thermal and structural models of a PV module were developed and sequentially coupled together to calculate the temperature distribution in the PV module and the thermal stresses developing in it. The model is also capable of simulating PV module cooling. Using the model, a study was conducted to evaluate the thermal and structural performance of the module with and without cooling and the variation in thermal stress magnitudes with changing environmental conditions (solar radiation and ambient temperature) and operating conditions (heat exchanger inlet temperature and velocity).


Author(s):  
Charles Seeley ◽  
Sunil Patil ◽  
Andy Madden ◽  
Stuart Connell ◽  
Gwenael Hauet ◽  
...  

Abstract Hydroelectric power generation accounts for 7% of the total world electric energy production. Francis turbines are often employed in large-scale hydro projects and represent 60% of the total installed base. Outputs up to 800 MW are available and efficiencies of 95% are common. Cost, performance, and design cycle time are factors that continue to drive new designs as well as retrofits. This motivates the development of more sophisticated analysis tools to better assess runner performance earlier in the design phase. The focus of this paper is to demonstrate high fidelity and time-efficient runner damping and forced response calculations based on one-way fluid-structure interaction (FSI) using loosely coupled commercial finite element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes. The runner damping is evaluated based on the work done by the fluid on the runner. The calculation of the work first involves determining the runner mode shapes and natural frequencies using a cyclic symmetric FEA model with structural elements to represent the runner hardware, and acoustic fluid elements to represent the mass loading effect of the fluid. The mode shapes are then used in a transient CFD calculation to determine the damping which represents the work done by the fluid on the runner. Positive damping represents stability from flutter perspective while negative damping represents unstable operating conditions. A transient CFD calculation was performed on a runner to obtain engine order forcing function from upstream stationary vanes. This unsteady forcing function was mapped to the FEA model. Care is taken to account for the proper inter-blade phase angle on the cyclic symmetric model. The hydraulic damping from flutter calculations was also provided as input to the forced response. The forced response is then determined using this equivalent proportional damping and modal superposition of the FEA model that includes both the structural and acoustic elements. Results of the developed analysis procedure are presented based on the Tokke runner, that has been the basis of several studies through the Norwegian HydroPower Center. Unique features of the workflow and modeling approaches are discussed in detail. Benefits and challenges for both the FEA model and the CFD model are discussed. The importance of the hydraulic damping, that is traditionally ignored in previous analysis is discussed as well. No validation data is available for the forced response, so this paper is focused on the methodology for the calculations.


Author(s):  
Mohammad A. Hotait ◽  
Avinash Singh

This paper presents a new 3-dimensional multi-body dynamic model of a chain-type continuously variable unit (CVU). The modeling requirements and assumptions are presented first. Then, the paper discusses the approaches developed to mathematically represent the chain, pulleys, and their interactions in terms of contact and friction. Three dimensional representation of the chain is given. Actual geometries of the pins and pulleys are captured, including crowning on either member. The model is then used to investigate the effects of different operating conditions, including speed ratio and torque, on the quasi-static performance of a CVU. Several metrics are discussed to characterize the behavior of an example CVU under practical operating conditions; these include torque capacity and the ratio of clamping forces. The predictions presented show the sensitivity of the model to these operating conditions. Finally, trends that describe the CVU quasi-static behavior are explained in context of the parameters studied.


Author(s):  
Jaromír Jílek

A detailed experimental investigation of the three-dimensional subsonic flow was carried out in a typical nozzle and impulse configuration of plane turbine cascades with a chord length 0.5 m. Flow parameters were measured within the passage and behind the cascade using a five-hole probe. Pressure distribution measurements and flow visualization were made on blade surfaces and side walls. Flow measurements were taken in endwall and airfoil boundary layers for both types of cascades. The influence of the aspect ratio, the inlet side wall boundary layer and the position of traversing planes on aerodynamic characteristics and losses is discussed.


1995 ◽  
Vol 117 (4) ◽  
pp. 625-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. Ainsworth ◽  
J. L. Allen ◽  
J. J. M. Batt

The advent of a new generation of transient rotating turbine simulation facilities, where engine values of Reynolds and Mach number are matched simultaneously together with the relevant rotational parameters for dimensional similitude (Dunn et al., 1988; Epstein and Guenette, 1984; Ainsworth et al., 1988), has provided the stimulus for developing improved instrumentation for investigating the aerodynamic flows in these stages. Much useful work has been conducted in the past using hot-wire and laser anemometers. However, hot-wire anemometers are prone to breakage in the high-pressure flows required for correct Reynolds numbers. Furthermore, some laser techniques require a longer run-time than these transient facilities permit, and generally yield velocity information only, giving no data on loss production. Advances in semiconductor aerodynamic probes are beginning to fulfill this perceived need. This paper describes advances made in the design, construction, and testing of two and three-dimensional fast response aerodynamic probes, where semiconductor pressure sensors are mounted directly on the surface of the probes, using techniques that have previously been successfully used on the surface of rotor blades (Ainsworth et al., 1991). These are to be used to measure Mach number and flow direction in compressible unsteady flow regimes. In the first section, a brief review is made of the sensor and associated technology that has been developed to permit a flexible design of fast response aerodynamic probe. Following this, an extensive program of testing large-scale aerodynamic models of candidate geometries for suitable semiconductor scale probes is described, and the results of these discussed. The conclusions of these experiments, conducted for turbine representative mean and unsteady flows, yielded new information for optimizing the design of the small-scale semiconductor probes, in terms of probe geometry, sensor placement, and aerodynamic performance. Details are given of a range of wedge and pyramid semiconductor probes constructed, and the procedures used in calibrating and making measurements with them. Differences in performance are discussed, allowing the experimenter to choose an appropriate probe for the particular measurement required. Finally, the application of prototype semiconductor probes in a transient rotor experiment at HP turbine representative conditions is described, and the data so obtained are compared with CFD solutions of the unsteady viscous flow-field.


Author(s):  
Michele Marconcini ◽  
Filippo Rubechini ◽  
Andrea Arnone ◽  
Seiichi Ibaraki

The flow field of a high pressure ratio centrifugal compressor for turbocharger applications is investigated using a three-dimensional Navier-Stokes solver. The compressor is composed of a double-splitter impeller followed by a vaned diffuser. The flow field of the transonic open-shrouded impeller is highly three-dimensional, and it is influenced by shock waves, tip leakage vortices and secondary flows. Their interactions generate complex flow structures which are convected and distorted through the impeller blades. Both steady and unsteady computations are performed in order to understand the physical mechanisms which govern the impeller flow field while the operation ranges from choke to surge. Detailed Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) flow measurements are available at various cross-sections inside the impeller blades at both design and off-design operating conditions.


Author(s):  
Gorazd Medic ◽  
Donghyun You ◽  
Georgi Kalitzin

Large scale integrated computations of jet engines can be performed by using the unsteady RANS framework to compute the flow in turbomachinery components while using the LES framework to compute the flow in the combustor. This requires a proper coupling of the flow variables at the interfaces between the RANS and LES solvers. In this paper, a novel approach to turbulence coupling is proposed. It is based on the observation that in full operating conditions the mean flow at the interfaces is highly non-uniform and local turbulence production dominates convection effects in regions of large velocity gradients. This observation has lead to the concept of using auxilliary ducts to compute turbulence based on the mean velocity at the interface. In the case of the RANS/LES interface, turbulent fluctuations are reconstructed from an LES computation in an auxiliary three-dimensional duct using a recycling technique. For the LES/RANS interface, the turbulence variables for the RANS model are computed from an auxilliary solution of the RANS turbulence model in a quasi-2D duct. We have demonstrated the feasibility of this approach for the integrated flow simulation of a 20° sector of an entire jet engine.


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