Influence of innovative hydrogen multi strut injector with different spacing on cavity-based scramjet combustor

In this study, the flow dynamics with finite volume approach on commercial software Ansys-Fluent 20.0 to solve the compressible two-dimensional fluid flow with Reynolds Average Navier Stokes equation (RANS) equation by considering the density-based solver with Shaer stress transport model (SST) k- ω turbulent model. The species transport model with volumetric reaction and finite rate/eddy dissipation turbulence chemistry interaction is adopted to study the combustion phenomena. Additionally, the effect of spacing between the struts on the flow characters and performance of the combustor is studied by increasing the spacing of struts from 1 mm to 4 mm for each increment of 1 mm. It is found that the multi strut improves the mixing and combustion efficiency compared with that of the single strut owing to the formation of a significant separation layer, resulting in multiple shocks, vortices, and a larger recirculation zone. However, when the spacing of struts is increased further, the performance of the combustor is found to be deteriorating owing to the formation of larger separation layers. The recirculation zone is significant when the strut spacing is minimal and shrinks and restricts itself within the cavity when spacing is increased. So, for better performance of combustor, multi strut with minimum spacing is preferable.

Numerical and Experimental Investigation of a Non-Premixed Double Swirl Combustor

This paper focuses on a detailed numerical investigation combined with experimental research for a non-premixed swirl combustor, which aims to analyze the effects of the blade angle of the outer swirler and equivalence ratio on flow and combustion characteristics. In the experiment, the temperature in the furnace was obtained with a thermocouple, while a realizable k-ε turbulence model and two-step reaction mechanism of methane and air are used in the numerical method. The calculation results are in good agreement with the experimental data. The results reveal that the air flow rate through the swirler accounts for a small amount of the total air due to the influence of the draft fan, and there is no central recirculation zone (CRZ) despite the presence of the swirler. It was also found that NO emissions gradually decrease as the blade angle of the outer swirler increases. It was also indicated that the average temperature is 100 K higher than the general combustor with a 58° blade angle in the furnace by increasing the equivalent ratio of the tertiary air area, and the NO emissions reduced by approximately 25%. This study can provide guidance for the operation and structural design of non-premixed swirl combustors.

CFD Analysis of Flow Over Pickup Truck with And Without Covering Cargo Area Using OpenFOAM

Pickup truck serves purpose as car as well as small truck. Pickup truck is popularly used in USA and Saudi Arabia. Pickup truck consists of enclosed cab and an open cargo space. Here CFD analysis of full scale pickup truck is performed using free CFD software OpenFOAM for speed range from 40km/hr to 140km/hr. For turbulence modelling k-ω model is used. This work investigates effect of covering cargo area on aerodynamics drag. Covering cargo area decreases drag coefficient by 5.2% by horizontally covering cargo area whereas decreases by 13% by inclined surface covering cargo area. Thus, covering cargo area reduces drag coefficient as recirculation zone is reduced. Inclined cover case shows drastic rise in lift force, requiring attention for safety as traction will be affected.

Analysis of Storage Effects in the Recirculation Zone Based on the Junction Angle of Channel Confluence

In this study, numerical simulations using the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code model were conducted to elucidate the effects of flow structures in the recirculation zone on solute storage based on the junction angle. Numerical simulations were performed at a junction angle of 30° to 90° with a momentum flux ratio of 1.62. The simulation results revealed that an increase in the junction angle caused the recirculation zone length and width to increase and strengthened the development of helical motion. The helical motion increased the vertical gradient of the mixing layer and the mixing metric of the dosage curves. The recirculation zone accumulated the solute as a storage zone, which formed a long tail in the concentration curves. The interaction between the helical motion and recirculation zone affected the transverse mixing, such that the transverse dispersion had a positive relationship with the helical motion intensity and a negative relationship with the recirculation zone size. Transverse mixing exhibited an inverse relationship with the mass exchange rate of the recirculation zone. These results indicate that the transverse dispersion is replaced by mixing due to strongly developed storage zones.

Investigation of unsteady combustion of methane-air flame in a model combustion chamber with swirling flow

The present paper reports on the investigation of unsteady combustion of a methane-air mixture, including combustion at increased pressure in the combustion chamber and increased temperature of mixture heating for a model gas-turbine swirl burner based on a design by Turbomeca. To measure the velocity and OH fluorescence fields in the flows a combination of stereoscopic PIV and acetone PLIF systems is used. In all cases, the flow dynamics is associated with the movement of large-scale vortex structures in the inner and outer mixing layers and the flow structure corresponds to a swirling jet with a central recirculation zone containing combustion products. An increase in the heating temperature of the mixture and pressure in the combustion chamber leads to a periodic partial separation of the flame from the model swirl nozzle. However, the flow of fuel through the central channel will stabilize the flame.

Numerical assessment of hydrodynamic and mixing characteristics for mixed electroosmotic and pressure-driven flow through a wavy microchannel with patchwise surface heterogeneity

The micromixing of two fluids plays a vital role in lab-on-a-chip devices. For obtaining better mixing efficiency, we propose a micromixer using patchwise surface potential heterogeneity and wavy wall. We numerically investigate the hydrodynamic and mixing characteristics for flow through a microchannel with a straight top wall and wavy bottom wall. The primary flow is actuated by an external pressure-gradient and patches are placed at the top wall with positive zeta potential, such that the reversed electroosmotic actuation forms the recirculation zones close to the top wall. The streamlines, flow velocity, recirculation zone velocity, species concentration, flow rate, and mixing efficiency are investigated by varying the relative pressure-gradient strength, Debye parameter, zeta potential and wavy surface amplitude. Two different configurations are considered by placing the patches at the top wall, opposite to the peaks and valleys of the bottom wavy surface, respectively. It reveals that the recirculation zone velocity increases with the increase in both Debye parameter and surface amplitude, whereas it decreases with relative pressure-gradient strength near the patch surfaces. The flow rate decreases with the increase in zeta potential and we also identify the values of zeta potential for chocking of flow in the microchannel. It reveals that the mixing efficiency monotonically increases with surface amplitude, and the variation with zeta potential is non-monotonic. We also identify the range of zeta potential for which the value of mixing efficiency is higher than 90% for different configurations of the channel.

Determining basic characteristics of stabilizer micro torch burners for the combustion of ballasted fuel gases

This paper reports an experimental study into the combustion of alternative gases in the form of a mixture of propane-butane with air and carbon dioxide after a stabilizing flat module whose both sides are flown around with an airflow. The ballasted fuel was fed by jets into the airflow from the holes located on the side walls of the stabilizer. In this case, the fuel and air were partially premixed. It was established that when ballasting fuel with inert admixtures, the length of the torch and the maximum temperature gradually decreased while nitrogen oxide emissions decreased. With an increase in the content of ballast in fuel, combustion breaks. The dependence of torch stability on the relative consumption of ballast has been established. To stabilize the combustion, highly reactive fuel is supplied to the recirculation zone after a stabilizer from a separate collector. Ballasted fuel passes through the next torches of high-temperature fuel; the all fuel combustion process takes place. The combined scheme of mixture formation makes it possible to adjust fuel consumption in the zones and thus maintain a stable burner power. In the case of supplying all fuel to the recirculation zone after the stabilizer, a so-called "rich" detachment is possible when the torch is detached from the stabilizer. When working under such modes, highly reactive fuel is supplied from the holes on the side walls of the stabilizer, which are placed closer to its detachment edges than the holes for the supply of ballasted fuel. At the same time, the jets of ballasted fuel also pass between the torches of highly reactive fuel so there is joint combustion of all fuel

Instabilities and sensitivities in a flow over a rotationally flexible cylinder with a rigid splitter plate

This paper investigates the origin of flow-induced instabilities and their sensitivities in a flow over a rotationally flexible circular cylinder with a rigid splitter plate. A linear stability and sensitivity problem is formulated in the Eulerian frame by considering the geometric nonlinearity arising from the rotational motion of the cylinder which is not present in the stationary or purely translating stability methodology. This nonlinearity needs careful and consistent treatment in the linearised problem particularly when considering the Eulerian frame or reference adopted in this study that is not so widely considered. Two types of instabilities arising from the fluid–structure interaction are found. The first type of instabilities is the stationary symmetry breaking mode, which was well reported in previous studies. This instability exhibits a strong correlation with the length of the recirculation zone. A detailed analysis of the instability mode and its sensitivity reveals the importance of the flow near the tip region of the plate for the generation and control of this instability mode. The second type is an oscillatory torsional flapping mode, which has not been well reported. This instability typically emerges when the length of the splitter plate is sufficiently long. Unlike the symmetry breaking mode, it is not so closely correlated with the length of the recirculation zone. The sensitivity analysis however also reveals the crucial role played by the flow near the tip region in this instability. Finally, it is found that many physical features of this instability are reminiscent of those of the flapping (or flutter instability) observed in a flow over a flexible plate or a flag, suggesting that these instabilities share the same physical origin.

A CFD Analysis on the Influence of Upstream Surface Geometry Modifications of Clerestory Shaped Rib on Heat Transfer Characteristics of Solar Air Heater

Two-dimensional numerical analysis is conducted to determine the influence of upstream surface modifications of a novel clerestory shaped rib turbulator on thermal performance augmentation. The upstream surface of the rib is divided into two parts where the upper rib surface is always normal to the incoming flow and the lower rib surface, which is inclined to the flow. The elevation of the vertical surface is varied using non-dimensional approach length (h/e=0, 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75), and the inclination of the lower surface is varied using the rib angle (θ=15°, 45° and 90°). The relative roughness height and pitch of rib is fixed as 0.0421 and 12.5, respectively. RNG k-ϵ turbulence model is used in the analysis, and Reynolds number is varied from 8000-20000. The results reveal that the combined effect of flow impingement and the suppression of formation of recirculation zone leads to increased heat transfer. Lower values of non-dimensional approach length and rib angle provides a higher thermal enhancement factor. The highest increase in Nusselt number is found to be about 1.82 times that of the smooth duct at Re=8000 for h/e=0.25 and rib angle of 15°. The maximum thermal enhancement factor is found to have a range of 1.6-1.45 for an approach length of 0.25 and a rib angle of 15°.