Heat Transfer Enhancement of Impingement Cooling by Different Crossflow Diverters

Impingement cooling can effectively disperse local heat load, but its downstream heat transfer is always reduced due to crossflow effect. In this study, the flow and heat transfer characteristics of impingement cooling with Semi-Circular (SC), Semi-Rectangular (SR), Semi-Diamond (SD) and Semi-Four-pointed Star (SFS) crossflow diverters are compared over the ReD ranging from 3,500 to 14,000 by solving three dimensional Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations with SST k-? turbulence model. It is found that crossflow diverters change the distribution of local jet Reynolds number (ReD,j/ReD) and reduce the mass velocity ratio of downstream crossflow to jet (Gcf/Gj), so they enhance the heat transfer significantly, but also come at the cost of friction loss. Overall evaluation reveals that various crossflow diverters can improve the comprehensive heat transfer performance parameter (F), and the maximum increases are 11.0%, 14.3%, 12.2% and 14.7% for SC, SR, SD and SFS cases respectively. It is noted that the Nusselt number of heated SFS-shaped diverter surface is also the highest. Besides, the influences of streamwise location (L) and thickness (t) of SFS-shaped diverter are also investigated. Results show that the heat transfer and friction loss change a little when the L increases from 2D to 3D, but the heat transfer decreases sharply and friction loss increases seriously when the L increases from 3D to 4D. With respect to the t, it has almost no effect on the flow field and heat transfer.

Turbulence modulation in thermally expanding and contracting flows

We present direct numerical simulations of developing turbulent channel flows subjected to thermal expansion or contraction downstream of a heated or cooled wall. Using different constitutive relations for viscosity we analyse the response of variable property flows to streamwise acceleration/deceleration by separating the effect of streamwise acceleration/deceleration from the effect of wall-normal property variations. We demonstrate that, beyond a certain streamwise location, the flow can be considered in a state of ‘quasi-equilibrium’ regarding semilocally scaled variables. As such, we claim that the development of turbulent quantities due to streamwise acceleration/deceleration is localized to the region of impulsive heating/cooling, while changes in turbulence occurring farther downstream can be attributed solely to property variations. This finding allows us to study turbulence modulation in accelerating/decelerating flows using the semilocal scaling framework. By investigating the energy redistribution among the turbulent velocity fluctuations, we conclude that a change in bulk streamwise velocity has a non-local effect which originates from the change in mean shear and modifies the energy pathways through velocity-pressure-gradient correlations. On the other hand, the wall-normal property gradients have a local effect and act through the modification of the viscous dissipation. We show that it is possible to superimpose and compare the two different effects when using the semilocal scaling framework.

Experimental investigation on the structures and induced drag of wingtip vortices for different wingtip configurations

As an effective method to reduce induced drag and the risk of wake encounter, the winglet has been an essential device and developed into diverse configurations. However, the structures and induced drag, as well as wandering features of the wingtip vortices ( WTVs) generated by these diverse winglet configurations are not well understood. Thus, the WTVs generated by four typical wingtip configurations, namely the rectangular wing with blended/raked/split winglet and without winglet (Model BL/ RA/ SP/NO for short), are investigated in this paper using particle image velocimetry technology. Comparing with an isolated primary wingtip vortex generated by Model NO, multiple vortices are twisted coherently after installing the winglets. In addition, the circulation evolution of WTVs demonstrates that the circulation for Model SP is the largest, while Model RA is the smallest. By tracking the instantaneous vortex center, the vortex wandering behavior is observed. The growth rate of wandering amplitude along with the streamwise location from the quickest to the slowest corresponds to Model SP, Model NO, Model BL, Model RA in sequence, implying that the WTVs generated by model SP exhibit the quickest mitigation. Considering that the induced drag scales as the lift to power 2, the induced drag and lift are estimated based on the wake integration method, and then the form factor λ, defined by [Formula: see text], is calculated to evaluate the aerodynamic performance. Comparing with the result of Model NO, the form factor decreases by 7.99%, 4.80%, and 2.60% for Model RA, Model BL, Model SP, respectively. In sum, Model RA and BL have a smaller induced drag coefficient but decay slower; while Model SP has a larger induced drag coefficient but decays quicker. An important implication of these results is that reducing the strength of WTVs and increasing the growth rate of vortex wandering amplitude can be the mutual requirements for designing new winglets.

Optimization of a Centrifugal Impeller on Blade Thickness Distribution to Reduce Hydro-Induced Vibration

The vibration performance of centrifugal impellers is important for pumps and hydraulic excitation is a key source of vibration. The complex internal secondary flow in the centrifugal impeller brings degradation on vibration performances. An attempt of optimization by controlling the thickness distribution of centrifugal impeller blade is given to repress the internal secondary flow and alleviating vibration. The usual method of modifying an impeller on vibration performance is applying splitter blades. In this study, an ordinarily designed impeller is improved by the optimization attempt and the optimized impeller (OPT) is compared with the prototype impeller (PRT) with traditional splitter blades. The vibration performances of the impellers, the PRT, the ordinary impeller (ODN), and the OPT, are investigated numerically and experimentally. Meanwhile, further study on the influence of the thickness distribution optimization on vibration is conducted. There is a relative velocity gradient from suction side (SS) to pressure side (PS) in impeller ODN, causing nonuniformity of energy distribution. By means of thickness distribution optimization, the impeller blade angle on the PS and SS along the blade-aligned streamwise location is, respectively, modified and therefore the flow field can be reordered. The energy transfer in impeller is also redistributed after the modification of blade thickness distribution. What is more, experimental research upon impeller PRT and impeller OPT is also complemented to support the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results. The experimental results show that the hydraulic performance of the impellers basically agree with the CFD results and the vibration data also proves a better vibration performance of the OPT.

Comprehensive shear stress analysis of turbulent boundary layer profiles

Motivated by the need for accurate determination of wall shear stress from profile measurements in turbulent boundary layer flows, the total shear stress balance is analysed and reformulated using several well-established semi-empirical relations. The analysis highlights the significant effect that small pressure gradients can have on parameters deduced from data even in nominally zero pressure gradient boundary layers. Using the comprehensive shear stress balance together with the log-law equation, it is shown that friction velocity, roughness length and zero-plane displacement can be determined with only velocity and turbulent shear stress profile measurements at a single streamwise location for nominally zero pressure gradient turbulent boundary layers. Application of the proposed analysis to turbulent smooth- and rough-wall experimental data shows that the friction velocity is determined with accuracy comparable to force balances (approximately 1 %–4 %). Additionally, application to boundary layer data from previous studies provides clear evidence that the often cited discrepancy between directly measured friction velocities (e.g. using force balances) and those derived from traditional total shear stress methods is likely due to the small favourable pressure gradient imposed by a fixed cross-section facility. The proposed comprehensive shear stress analysis can account for these small pressure gradients and allows more accurate boundary layer wall shear stress or friction velocity determination using commonly available mean velocity and shear stress profile data from a single streamwise location.

Double Wall Cooling of an Effusion Plate With Simultaneous Cross Flow and Impingement Jet Array Internal Cooling

Considered is double wall cooling, with full-coverage effusion-cooling on the hot side of the effusion plate, and a combination of impingement cooling and cross flow cooling, employed together on the cold side of the effusion plate. Data are given for a main stream flow passage with a contraction ratio (CR) of 4 for main stream Reynolds numbers Rems and Rems,avg of 157,000–161,000 and 233,000–244,000, respectively. Hot-side measurements (on the main stream flow or hot side of the effusion plate) are presented, which are measured using infrared thermography. Using a transient thermal measurement approach, measured are spatially resolved distributions of surface adiabatic film cooling effectiveness, and surface heat transfer coefficient. For the same Reynolds number, initial blowing ratio (BR), and streamwise location, increased thermal protection is often provided when the effusion coolant is provided by the cross flow/impingement combination configuration, compared to the cross flow only supply arrangement. In general, higher adiabatic effectiveness values are provided by the impingement only arrangement, relative to the impingement/cross flow combination configuration, when compared at the same Reynolds number, initial BR, and x/de location. Data for one streamwise location of x/de = 60 show that the highest net heat flux reduction line-averaged net heat flux reduction (NHFR) values are produced either by the impingement/cross flow combination configuration or by the impingement only arrangement, depending upon the particular magnitude of BR, which is considered.

Onset of orbital motion in a trailing vortex from an oscillating wing

The onset and development of orbital motion of a trailing vortex from a wing undergoing small amplitude heaving motion is investigated using stereo particle image velocimetry in conjunction with three-dimensional reconstruction techniques. The effect of Strouhal number is examined via space–time representations of axial and azimuthal vorticity, axial velocity deficit and swirl ratio. At low Strouhal number, the undulation of the vortex remains unidirectional with no amplification in the streamwise direction. In contrast, at high Strouhal number, the amplitude of vortex undulation can increase by up to a factor of ten in the streamwise direction. These large amplitudes occur during orbital motion of the vortex. Irrespective of the value of either the Strouhal number of excitation or the streamwise location along the undulating vortex, generic physical mechanisms occur. Changes in curvature along the vortex are closely related to changes in the axial velocity deficit, extreme values of axial vorticity and swirl ratio and the onset and attenuation of pronounced azimuthal vorticity.

Optimization and Investigation on the Impact of Centrifugal Impeller Blade Thickness Distribution on Hydro-Induced Vibration

The vibration performance of centrifugal impellers is of great importance for pumps in some application areas such as automobiles and ships. Apart from mechanical excitations for instance, unbalanced rotor and misalignment, attentions should be concentrated on the hydraulic excitations. The complex internal secondary flow in the centrifugal impeller brings degradation on both hydraulic and vibration performances. On the purpose of repressing the internal secondary flow and alleviating vibration, an attempt of optimization by controlling the thickness distribution of centrifugal impeller blade is given. The vibration performances of the impellers are investigated numerically and experimentally. Meanwhile, further study on the mechanism of the influence of the thickness distribution optimization on vibration is conducted. There is a relative velocity gradient from suction side (SS) to pressure side (PS) due to the Coriolis force, which causes non-uniformity of energy distribution. By means of thickness distribution optimization, the impeller blade angle on the PS and SS along the blade-aligned (BA) streamwise location is respectively modified and therefore the flow field can be improved.

Flow Characteristics of a Narrow Rectangular Channel Equipped With a Flapping Flag

Recently, the use of flapping plates or ‘flags’ as vortex generators has gained attention for its potential application in heat transfer enhancement in channels. The motion of the flag generates additional turbulence which leads to enhanced heat transfer. However, very few reports deal with the turbulence characteristics inside a channel with flag vortex generators. This paper presents some flow turbulence properties experimentally measured behind a flapping flag. Using multi-hole pressure (cobra) probes, the flow properties behind a flag (M* = 0.42) were measured in a rectangular channel (aspect ratio, α = 1/3) at four levels of flow Reynolds number (Redh = 11.5k–19.7k). Results show that the spectral properties of the flow parameters are closely dependent on the flag oscillation properties. Depending on streamwise location and Redh, measurements reveal that the flag can generate as high as 20% turbulence intensity in the channel centerline, almost six times that of a bare channel at the same Redh. In addition, a streamwise location has been identified where the flag’s oscillation no longer influences the spectral characteristics of the flow. The insights gained from this study may serve as a basis for the design and analysis of systems using flags as turbulence enhancers.

The synergistic effect between compound lean and aspiration on aerodynamic performance in compressor cascades

In this paper, the synergistic effect between compound lean and aspiration on the aerodynamic performance of compressor cascades is discussed. Preliminary experimental data verify the accuracy of the computational fluid dynamics method adopted, and a thorough study on reciprocal effect among lean angle, aspirated flow fraction and aspiration streamwise location is conducted. The calculations show that, due to the shorter streamwise length of the re-grown boundary layer against adverse pressure gradient, the aspiration location located farther downstream from the leading edge can minimize the loss of the blade passage flow. With the application of blade lean, which is similar to the flow control mechanism in the unaspirated cascades, an increase in pressure at the suction surface corner is used to migrate the low momentum fluid from the corners towards the midspan of the suction surface. Meanwhile, the reduced aspirated flow velocity and the improved favorable pressure gradient in the lean anterior plenum can reduce the entropy rise through the plenum. Simultaneously, the suction power required in the blade passage flow is reduced with blade lean, while the suction power for the aspirated flow through the plenum shows the opposite trend.