Kevin J. Ryan

ANALYSIS OF TURBULENT SCALAR FLUX MODELS FOR A DISCRETE HOLE FILM COOLING FLOW.

Algebraic closures for the turbulent scalar fluxes were evaluated for a discrete hole film cooling geometry using the results from a high-fidelity Large Eddy Simulation (LES). Several models for the turbulent scalar fluxes exist, including the widely used Gradient Diffusion Hypothesis, the Generalized Gradient Diffusion Hypothesis, and the Higher Order Generalized Gradient Diffusion Hypothesis. By analyzing the results from the LES, it was possible to isolate the error due to these turbulent mixing models. Distributions of the turbulent diffusivity, turbulent viscosity, and turbulent Prandtl number were extracted from the LES results. It was shown that the turbulent Prandtl number varies significantly spatially, undermining the applicability of the Reynolds analogy for this flow. The LES velocity field and Reynolds stresses were fed into a RANS solver to calculate the fluid temperature distribution. This analysis revealed in which regions of the flow various modeling assumptions were invalid and what effect those assumptions had on the predicted temperature distribution.

Building block experiments in discrete hole film cooling

This paper reports a series of building block experiments for discrete hole film cooling. Seven different configurations, including variations in injection wall curvature, mainstream pressure gradient, and boundary layer thickness are measured for a round film cooling hole, inclined 30 degrees at injection, and operated at a blowing ratio of unity. Full three dimensional, three component velocity fields and scalar coolant concentration fields are acquired using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) techniques. The results show the effect of varying the mainstream condition on the mean coolant concentration distribution and mean velocity field, including the counter-rotating vortex pair (CVP), a dominant feature of jet in crossflow type flows. The present study focuses on an analysis of the building block configurations only possible with full three dimensional velocity and concentration fields. Several scalar parameters including normalized perimeter, jet trajectory, maximum coolant concentration, and coolant concentration spread are extracted from the collected data and compared across the different configurations. The results indicate that the pressure gradient variations have the strongest effect on the calculated quantities, the boundary layer slightly less, and the curvature very little.© 2015 ASME

Analysis of Turbulent Scalar Flux Models for a Discrete Hole Film Cooling Flow

Algebraic closures for the turbulent scalar fluxes were evaluated for a discrete hole film cooling geometry using the results from the high-fidelity Large Eddy Simulation (LES) of Bodart et al. [1]. Several models for the turbulent scalar fluxes exist, including the widely used Gradient Diffusion Hypothesis, the Generalized Gradient Diffusion Hypothesis [2], and the Higher Order Generalized Gradient Diffusion Hypothesis [3]. By analyzing the results from the LES, it was possible to isolate the error due to these turbulent mixing models. Distributions of the turbulent diffusivity, turbulent viscosity, and turbulent Prandtl number were extracted from the LES results. It was shown that the turbulent Prandtl number varies significantly spatially, undermining the applicability of the Reynolds analogy for this flow. The LES velocity field and Reynolds stresses were fed into a RANS solver to calculate the fluid temperature distribution. This analysis revealed in which regions of the flow various modeling assumptions were invalid and what effect those assumptions had on the predicted temperature distribution.Copyright

Three-Dimensional Velocity Measurements Around and Downstream of a Rotating Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

Modern designs for straight-bladed vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) feature smaller individual footprints than conventional horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs), allowing closer spacing of turbines and potentially greater power extraction for the same wind farm footprint. However, the wakes of upstream turbines could persist far enough to affect the performance of closely-spaced downstream turbines. In order to optimize the inter-turbine spacing and to investigate the potential for constructive aerodynamic interactions, the complex dynamics of VAWT wakes should be understood. The full three-component mean velocity field around and downstream of a scaled model of a rotating VAWT has been measured by Magnetic Resonance Velocimetry (MRV). The model turbine has an aspect ratio (height/diameter) of 1, and was operated in a water facility at subscale but still turbulent Reynolds number of 11,600 based on the turbine diameter. The main flow features including recirculation bubble sizes and strong vortex structures are believed to be representative of flow at full scale Reynolds number. To have kinematic similarity with a power-producing turbine, the model turbine was externally driven. Measurements were taken with the turbine stationary and while driven at tip speed ratios (TSRs) of 1.25 and 2.5, realistic values for VAWTs in operation. The MRV measurement produced three-dimensional velocity data with a resolution of 1/50 of the turbine diameter in all three directions. The flow is shown to be highly three dimensional and asymmetric for the entirety of the investigated region (up to 7 diameters downstream of the turbine). The higher TSR produced greater velocity defect and asymmetry in the near wake behind the turbine, but also showed faster wake recovery than the slower TSR and stationary cases. Wake recovery is affected by a counter-rotating vortex pair generated at the upwind-turning side of the turbine, which mixes faster fluid from the free stream in with the wake. The strength of vortices is shown to increase with TSR.