Richard B. Medvitz

Performance Analysis of Cavitating Flow in Centrifugal Pumps Using Multiphase CFD

A multi-phase CFD method is used to analyze centrifugal pump performance under developed cavitating conditions. The differential model employed is the homogeneous two-phase Reynolds-Averaged-Navier-Stokes equations, wherein mixture momentum and volume continuity equations are solved along with vapor volume fraction continuity. Mass transfer modeling is provided for the phase change associated with sheet cavitation. Quasi-three-dimensional (Q3D) and fully-three-dimensional analyses are performed for two impeller configurations. Using Q3D analysis, steady and time-dependent analyses were performed across a wide range of flow coefficients and cavitation numbers. Characteristic performance trends associated with offdesign flow and blade cavitation are observed. The rapid drop in head coefficient at low cavitation numbers (breakdown) is captured for all flow coefficients. Local flow field solution plots elucidate the principal physical mechanisms associated with the onset of breakdown. Results are also presented which illustrate the full three dimensional capability of the method.

CFD Analysis of Gear Windage Losses: Validation and Parametric Aerodynamic Studies

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method has been applied to gear configurations with and without shrouding. The goals of this work have been to validate the numerical and modeling approaches used for these applications and to develop physical understanding of the aerodynamics of gear windage loss. Several spur gear geometries are considered, for which experimental data are available. Various canonical shrouding configurations and free spinning (no shroud) cases are studied. Comparisons are made with experimental data from open literature, and data recently obtained in the NASA Glenn Research Center Gear Windage Test Facility, Cleveland, OH. The results show good agreement with the experiment. The parametric shroud configuration studies carried out in the Glenn experiments and the CFD analyses elucidate the physical mechanisms of windage losses as well as mitigation strategies due to shrouding and newly proposed tooth contour modifications.

Development and validation of a computational fluid dynamics methodology for simulation of pulsatile left ventricular assist devices.

An unsteady computational fluid dynamic methodology was developed so that design analyses could be undertaken for devices such as the 50cc Penn State positive-displacement left ventricular assist device (LVAD). The piston motion observed in vitro was modeled, yielding the physiologic flow waveform observed during pulsatile experiments. Valve closure was modeled numerically by locally increasing fluid viscosity during the closed phase. Computational geometry contained Bjork-Shiley Monostrut mechanical heart valves in mitral and aortic positions. Cases for computational analysis included LVAD operation under steady-flow and pulsatile-flow conditions. Computations were validated by comparing simulation results with previously obtained in vitro particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements. The steady portion of the analysis studied effects of mitral valve orientation, comparing the computational results with in vitro data obtained from mock circulatory loop experiments. The velocity field showed good qualitative agreement with the in vitro PIV data. The pulsatile flow simulations modeled the unsteady flow phenomena associated with a positive-displacement LVAD operating through several beat cycles. Flow velocity gradients allowed computation of the scalar wall strain rate, an important factor for determining hemodynamics of the device. Velocity magnitude contours compared well with PIV data throughout the cycle. Computational wall shear rates over the pulsatile cycle were found to be in the same range as wall shear rates observed in vitro.

Propeller Cavitation Breakdown Analysis

A Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes computational model of homogeneous multiphase flow is presented. Cavitation driven thrust and torque breakdown over a wide range of advance ratios is modeled for an open propeller. Computational results are presented as a form of validation against water tunnel measured thrust and torque breakdown for the propeller. Successful validation of the computational model is achieved. Additional observations are made with regards to cavity size and shape as well as cavitation breakdown behavior.

Validation of a CFD Methodology for Positive Displacement LVAD Analysis Using PIV Data

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is used to asses the hydrodynamic performance of a positive displacement left ventricular assist device. The computational model uses implicit large eddy simulation direct resolution of the chamber compression and modeled valve closure to reproduce the in vitro results. The computations are validated through comparisons with experimental particle image velocimetry (PIV) data. Qualitative comparisons of flow patterns, velocity fields, and wall-shear rates demonstrate a high level of agreement between the computations and experiments. Quantitatively, the PIV and CFD show similar probed velocity histories, closely matching jet velocities and comparable wall-strain rates. Overall, it has been shown that CFD can provide detailed flow field and wall-strain rate data, which is important in evaluating blood pump performance.

A Passively-Suspended Tesla Pump Left Ventricular Assist Device

The design and initial test results of a new passively suspended Tesla type left ventricular assist device blood pump are described. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was used in the design of the pump. Overall size of the prototype device is 50 mm in diameter and 75 mm in length. The pump rotor has a density lower than that of blood and when spinning inside the stator in blood it creates a buoyant centering force that suspends the rotor in the radial direction. The axial magnetic force between the rotor and stator restrain the rotor in the axial direction. The pump is capable of pumping up to 10 L/min at a 70 mm Hg head rise at 8,000 revolutions per minute (RPM). The pump has demonstrated a normalized index of hemolysis level below 0.02 mg/dL for flows between 2 and 9.7 L/min. An inlet pressure sensor has also been incorporated into the inlet cannula wall and will be used for control purposes. One initial in vivo study showed an encouraging result. Further CFD modeling refinements are planned and endurance testing of the device.

CFD Design and Analysis of a Passively Suspended Tesla Pump Left Ventricular Assist Device

This article summarizes the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to design a novel suspended Tesla left ventricular assist device. Several design variants were analyzed to study the parameters affecting device performance. CFD was performed at pump speeds of 6500, 6750, and 7000 rpm and at flow rates varying from 3 to 7 liters per minute (LPM). The CFD showed that shortening the plates nearest the pump inlet reduced the separations formed beneath the upper plate leading edges and provided a more uniform flow distribution through the rotor gaps, both of which positively affected the device hydrodynamic performance. The final pump design was found to produce a head rise of 77 mm Hg with a hydraulic efficiency of 16% at the design conditions of 6 LPM through flow and a 6750 rpm rotation rate. To assess the device hemodynamics the strain rate fields were evaluated. The wall shear stresses demonstrated that the pump wall shear stresses were likely adequate to inhibit thrombus deposition. Finally, an integrated field hemolysis model was applied to the CFD results to assess the effects of design variation and operating conditions on the device hemolytic performance.

Computational Fluid Dynamics Design and Analysis of a Passively Suspended Tesla Pump Left Ventricular Assist Device

This article summarizes the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to design a novel suspended Tesla left ventricular assist device. Several design variants were analyzed to study the parameters affecting device performance. CFD was performed at pump speeds of 6500, 6750, and 7000 rpm and at flow rates varying from 3 to 7 liters per minute (LPM). The CFD showed that shortening the plates nearest the pump inlet reduced the separations formed beneath the upper plate leading edges and provided a more uniform flow distribution through the rotor gaps, both of which positively affected the device hydrodynamic performance. The final pump design was found to produce a head rise of 77 mm Hg with a hydraulic efficiency of 16% at the design conditions of 6 LPM through flow and a 6750 rpm rotation rate. To assess the device hemodynamics the strain rate fields were evaluated. The wall shear stresses demonstrated that the pump wall shear stresses were likely adequate to inhibit thrombus deposition. Finally, an integrated field hemolysis model was applied to the CFD results to assess the effects of design variation and operating conditions on the device hemolytic performance.

Parameterization of a Multi-Directional Tidal Turbine Performance Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

High resolution RANS CFD analysis is performed to support the design and development of the Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) TidGen™ multi-directional tidal turbine. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional unsteady, moving-mesh CFD is utilized to parameterize the device performance and to provide guidance for device efficiency improvements.The unsteady CFD analysis was performed using a well validated, naval hydrodynamic CFD solver and implementing dynamic overset meshes to perform the relative motion between geometric components. This dynamic capability along with the turbulence model for the expected massively separated flows was validated against published data of a high angle of attack pitching airfoil.Two-dimensional analyses were performed to assess both blade shape and operating conditions. The blade shape performance was parameterized on both blade camber and trailing edge thickness. The blades shapes were found to produce nearly the same power generation at the peak efficiency tip speed ratio (TSR), however off-design conditions were found to exhibit a strong dependency on blade shape. Turbine blades with the camber pointing outward radially were found to perform best over the widest range of TSR’s. In addition, a thickened blade trailing edge was found to be superior at the highest TSR’s with little performance degradation at low TSR’s.Three-dimensional moving mesh analyses were performed on the rotating portion of the full TidGen™ geometry and on a turbine blade stack-up. Partitioning the 3D blades axially showed that no sections reached the idealized 2D performance. The 3D efficiency dropped by approximately 12 percentage points at the peak efficiency TSR. A blade stack-up analysis was performed on the complex 3D/barreled/twisted turbine blade. The analysis first assessed the infinite length blade performance, next end effects were introduced by extruding the 2D foil to the nominal 5.6m length, next barreling was added to the straight foils, and finally twist was added to the foils to reproduce the TidGen™ geometry. The study showed that making the blades a finite length had a large negative impact on the performance, whereas barreling and twisting the foils had only minor impacts. Based on the 3D simulations the largest factor impacting performance in the 3D turbine was a reduction in mass flow through the turbine due to the streamlines being forces outward in the horizontal plane due to the turbine flow resistance. Strategies to mitigate these 3D losses were investigated, including adding flow deflectors on the turbine support structure and stacking multiple turbines in-line.Copyright

Computational Fluid Dynamics Design and Analysis of a Passively Suspended Tesla Pump Left Ventricular Assist Device: PASSIVELY SUSPENDED TESLA PUMP LVAD

This article summarizes the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to design a novel suspended Tesla left ventricular assist device. Several design variants were analyzed to study the parameters affecting device performance. CFD was performed at pump speeds of 6500, 6750, and 7000 rpm and at flow rates varying from 3 to 7 liters per minute (LPM). The CFD showed that shortening the plates nearest the pump inlet reduced the separations formed beneath the upper plate leading edges and provided a more uniform flow distribution through the rotor gaps, both of which positively affected the device hydrodynamic performance. The final pump design was found to produce a head rise of 77 mm Hg with a hydraulic efficiency of 16% at the design conditions of 6 LPM through flow and a 6750 rpm rotation rate. To assess the device hemodynamics the strain rate fields were evaluated. The wall shear stresses demonstrated that the pump wall shear stresses were likely adequate to inhibit thrombus deposition. Finally, an integrated field hemolysis model was applied to the CFD results to assess the effects of design variation and operating conditions on the device hemolytic performance.