Contra-Rotating Open Rotor Operation for Improved Aerodynamics and Noise at Takeoff

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexios Zachariadis ◽  
Cesare A. Hall ◽  
Anthony B. Parry
Keyword(s):  
Rotational Speed ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Acoustic Analysis ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Separated Flow ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Aviation Fuel ◽  
Lower Velocity ◽  
Speed Increase ◽  
Open Rotor

The contra-rotating open rotor is, once again, being considered as an alternative to the advanced turbofan to address the growing pressure to cut aviation fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. One of the key challenges is meeting community noise targets at takeoff. Previous open rotor designs are subject to poor efficiency at takeoff due to the presence of large regions of separated flow on the blades as a result of the high incidence needed to achieve the required thrust. This is a consequence of the fixed rotor rotational speed constraint typical of variable pitch propellers. Within the study described in this paper, an improved operation is proposed to improve performance and reduce rotor-rotor interaction noise at takeoff. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations have been performed on an open rotor rig at a range of takeoff operating conditions. These have been complemented by analytical tone noise predictions to quantify the noise benefits of the approach. The results presented show that for a given thrust, a combination of reduced rotor pitch and increased rotor rotational speed can be used to reduce the incidence onto the front rotor blades. This is shown to eliminate regions of flow separation, reduce the front rotor tip loss and reduce the downstream stream tube contraction. The wakes from the front rotor are also made wider with lower velocity defect, which is found to lead to reduced interaction tone noise. Unfortunately, the necessary increase in blade speed leads to higher relative Mach numbers, which can increase rotor alone noise. In summary, the combined CFD and aero-acoustic analysis in this paper shows how careful operation of an open rotor at takeoff, with moderate levels of re-pitch and speed increase, can lead to improved front rotor efficiency as well as appreciably lower overall noise across all directivities.

Contrarotating Open Rotor Operation for Improved Aerodynamics and Noise at Takeoff

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexios Zachariadis ◽  
Cesare Hall ◽  
Anthony B. Parry
Keyword(s):  
Rotational Speed ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Separated Flow ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Aviation Fuel ◽  
Lower Velocity ◽  
Speed Increase ◽  
Community Noise ◽  
Open Rotor

The contrarotating open rotor is, once again, being considered as an alternative to the advanced turbofan to address the growing pressure to cut aviation fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. One of the key challenges is meeting community noise targets at takeoff. Previous open rotor designs are subject to poor efficiency at takeoff due to the presence of large regions of separated flow on the blades as a result of the high incidence needed to achieve the required thrust. This is a consequence of the fixed rotor rotational speed constraint typical of variable pitch propellers. Within the study described in this paper, an improved operation is proposed to improve performance and reduce rotor-rotor interaction noise at takeoff. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations have been performed on an open rotor rig at a range of takeoff operating conditions. These have been complemented by analytical tone noise predictions to quantify the noise benefits of the approach. The results presented show that for a given thrust, a combination of reduced rotor pitch and increased rotor rotational speed can be used to reduce the incidence onto the front rotor blades. This is shown to eliminate regions of flow separation, reduce the front rotor tip loss and reduce the downstream stream tube contraction. The wakes from the front rotor are also made wider with lower velocity defect, which is found to lead to reduced interaction tone noise. Unfortunately, the necessary increase in blade speed leads to higher relative Mach numbers, which can increase rotor alone noise. In summary, the combined CFD and aeroacoustic analysis in this paper shows how careful operation of an open rotor at takeoff, with moderate levels of repitch and speed increase, can lead to improved front rotor efficiency as well as appreciably lower overall noise across all directivities.

scholarly journals A Numerical Investigation into the PAT Hydrodynamic Response to Impeller Rotational Speed Variation

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7998
Author(s):  
Maxime Binama ◽  
Kan Kan ◽  
Hui-Xiang Chen ◽  
Yuan Zheng ◽  
Daqing Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rotational Speed ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Energy Regulation ◽  
Speed Increase ◽  
Energy Field ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Study Results

The utilization of pump as turbines (PATs) within water distribution systems for energy regulation and hydroelectricity generation purposes has increasingly attracted the energy field players’ attention. However, its power production efficiency still faces difficulties due to PAT’s lack of flow control ability in such dynamic systems. This has eventually led to the introduction of the so-called “variable operating strategy” or VOS, where the impeller rotational speed may be controlled to satisfy the system-required flow conditions. Taking from these grounds, this study numerically investigates PAT eventual flow structures formation mechanism, especially when subjected to varying impeller rotational speed. CFD-backed numerical simulations were conducted on PAT flow under four operating conditions (1.00 QBEP, 0.82 QBEP, 0.74 QBEP, and 0.55 QBEP), considering five impeller rotational speeds (110 rpm, 130 rpm, 150 rpm, 170 rpm, and 190 rpm). Study results have shown that both PAT’s flow and pressure fields deteriorate with the machine influx decrease, where the impeller rotational speed increase is found to alleviate PAT pressure pulsation levels under high-flow operating conditions, while it worsens them under part-load conditions. This study’s results add value to a thorough understanding of PAT flow dynamics, which, in a long run, contributes to the solution of the so-far existent technical issues.

scholarly journals Computational Analysis on Numerical Simulation of Internal Flow Physics for Pump as Turbine in Renewable Small Hydro Energy Generation

Complexity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Du Jianguo ◽  
Daniel Adu ◽  
Emmanuel Acheaw ◽  
Shakir Hafeez ◽  
Eric Ofosu Antw
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Rotational Speed ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
Hydroelectric Power ◽  
Small Hydropower ◽  
Speed Increase ◽  
Blade Thickness ◽  
The Impact

Energy contributes significantly in almost all aspects of human life as well as economic activities and plays a crucial role in the infrastructural development of a county to alleviate poverty. Generating energy from a renewable source such as small hydropower through the application of pump operating as a turbine mode called Pump as Turbine is one of the best alternatives to provide clean and inexpensive energy. Using Pump as Turbine helps in generating reasonably priced hydroelectric power for communities in underdeveloped counties. This study investigates the effects of internal flow behaviour and performance of Pump as Turbine under different rotational speed and flow rate. The rotational speed is an essential physical parameter as it affects the Pump as Turbine operation. A model-specific speed centrifugal pump model with head 32 (m), flow rate of 12.5 (m3/h) and the rotational speed of 2900 rpm, has been selected for the study. Numerical simulations have been conducted using the k-ω turbulence model to solve three-dimensional (3D) equations. The pump mode experimental data were used to confirm the results for better analysis. The results predicted that vortex and turbulent kinetic energy increase per rotational speed increase. Also, at the higher rotational speed, very high recirculation of flow is detected at the blade suction chamber, although the pressure side has a smooth flow. This study provides beneficial information which will serve as a reference to help improve PAT performance along with selecting PAT for a small hydropower site. Future works will consider the impact of blade thickness and cavitation in Pump as Turbine.

Application of a Navier-Stokes Solver to the Study of Open Rotor Aerodynamics

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexios Zachariadis ◽  
Cesare A. Hall
Keyword(s):  
Control Volume ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Computational Approach ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Computational Results ◽  
Field Boundary ◽  
Rotor Aerodynamics ◽  
Open Rotor ◽  
Good Agreement

This paper establishes a proven computational approach for open rotor configurations that can be used as a basis for further studies involving open rotor aerodynamics and design. Many of the difficulties encountered in the application of computational fluid dynamics to an open rotor engine arise due to the removal of the casing that is present in conventional aeroengine turbomachinery. In this work, an advanced three-dimensional Navier-Stokes solver is applied to the open rotor. The approach needed to accurately capture the aerodynamics is investigated with particular attention to the mesh configuration and the specification of boundary conditions. A new three-step meshing strategy for generating the mesh and the most suitable type of far-field boundary condition are discussed. A control volume analysis approach is proposed for post-processing the numerical results for rotor performance. The capabilities of the solver and the applied methodology are demonstrated at both cruise and take-off operating conditions. The comparison of computational results with experimental measurements shows good agreement for both data trend and magnitudes.

Application of a Navier–Stokes Solver to the Study of Open Rotor Aerodynamics

2010 ◽  
Vol 133 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexios Zachariadis ◽  
Cesare A. Hall
Keyword(s):  
Control Volume ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Computational Approach ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Field Boundary ◽  
Rotor Aerodynamics ◽  
Aero Engine ◽  
Open Rotor ◽  
Good Agreement

This paper establishes a proven computational approach for open rotor configurations that can be used as a basis for further studies involving open rotor aerodynamics and design. Many of the difficulties encountered in the application of computational fluid dynamics to an open rotor engine arise due to the removal of the casing that is present in conventional aero-engine turbomachinery. In this work, an advanced three-dimensional Navier–Stokes solver is applied to the open rotor. The approach needed to accurately capture the aerodynamics is investigated with particular attention to the mesh configuration and the specification of the boundary conditions. A new three-step meshing strategy for generating the mesh and the most suitable type of far-field boundary condition are discussed. A control volume analysis approach is proposed for post-processing the numerical results for the rotor performance. The capabilities of the solver and the applied methodology are demonstrated at both cruise and take-off operating conditions. The comparison of the computational results with the experimental measurements shows good agreement for both data trend and magnitudes.

scholarly journals Prediction of the Aero-Acoustic Performance of Open Rotors

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dale E. Van Zante ◽  
Edmane Envia
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Field ◽  
Measurement Techniques ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Tip Vortex ◽  
Rotor Wake ◽  
Rotor Noise ◽  
Open Rotor

The rising cost of jet fuel has renewed interest in contra-rotating open rotor propulsion systems. Contemporary design methods offer the potential to maintain the inherently high aerodynamic efficiency of open rotors while greatly reducing their noise output, something that was not feasible in the 1980’s designs. The primary source mechanisms of open rotor noise generation are thought to be the front rotor wake and tip vortex interacting with the aft rotor. In this paper, advanced measurement techniques and high-fidelity prediction tools are used to gain insight into the relative importance of the contributions to the open rotor noise signature of the front rotor wake and rotor tip vortex. The measurements include three-dimensional particle image velocimetry of the intra-rotor flowfield and the acoustic field of a model-scale open rotor. The predictions provide the unsteady flowfield and the associated acoustic field. The results suggest that while the front rotor tip vortex can have a significant influence on the blade passing tone noise produced by the aft rotor, the front rotor wake plays the decisive role in the generation of the interaction noise produced as a result of the unsteady aerodynamic interaction of the two rotors. At operating conditions typical of takeoff and landing operations, the interaction noise level is easily on par with that generated by the individual rotors, and in some cases is even higher. This suggests that a comprehensive approach to reducing open rotor noise should include techniques for mitigating the wake of the front rotor as well as eliminating the interaction of the front rotor tip vortex with the aft rotor blade tip.

Acoustic Analysis of Detailed Three-Dimensional Shape of the Human Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinuses

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatsuya Kitamura ◽  
Hironori Takemoto ◽  
Hisanori Makinae ◽  
Tetsutaro Yamaguchi ◽  
Kotaro Maki
Keyword(s):  
Nasal Cavity ◽  
Paranasal Sinuses ◽  
Acoustic Analysis ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Dimensional Shape ◽  
Three Dimensional Shape

Three-Dimensional and Rotational Aerodynamics on the NREL Phase VI Wind Turbine Blade

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvaro Gonzalez ◽  
Xabier Munduate
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Separated Flow ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Wind Turbine Blade ◽  
Trailing Edge ◽  
Rotating Blade ◽  
Nrel Phase Vi ◽  
Edge Separation

This work undertakes an aerodynamic analysis over the parked and the rotating NREL Phase VI wind turbine blade. The experimental sequences from NASA Ames wind tunnel selected for this study respond to the parked blade and the rotating configuration, both for the upwind, two-bladed wind turbine operating at nonyawed conditions. The objective is to bring some light into the nature of the flow field and especially the type of stall behavior observed when 2D aerofoil steady measurements are compared to the parked blade and the latter to the rotating one. From averaged pressure coefficients together with their standard deviation values, trailing and leading edge separated flow regions have been found, with the limitations of the repeatability of the flow encountered on the blade. Results for the parked blade show the progressive delay from tip to root of the trailing edge separation process, with respect to the 2D profile, and also reveal a local region of leading edge separated flow or bubble at the inner, 30% and 47% of the blade. For the rotating blade, results at inboard 30% and 47% stations show a dramatic suppression of the trailing edge separation, and the development of a leading edge separation structure connected with the extra lift.

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