scholarly journals On the Accuracy of Three-Dimensional Actuator Disc Approach in Modelling a Large-Scale Tidal Turbine in a Simple Channel

Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anas Rahman ◽  
Vengatesan Venugopal ◽  
Jerome Thiebot

To date, only a few studies have examined the execution of the actuator disc approximation for a full-size turbine. Small-scale models have fewer constraints than large-scale models because the range of time-scale and length-scale is narrower. Hence, this article presents the methodology in implementing the actuator disc approach via the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) momentum source term for a 20-m diameter turbine in an idealised channel. A structured grid, which varied from 0.5 m to 4 m across rotor diameter and width was used at the turbine location to allow for better representation of the disc. The model was tuned to match known coefficient of thrust and operational profiles for a set of validation cases based on published experimental data. Predictions of velocity deficit and turbulent intensity became almost independent of the grid density beyond 11 diameters downstream of the disc. However, in several instances the finer meshes showed larger errors than coarser meshes when compared to the measurements data. This observation was attributed to the way nodes were distributed across the disc swept area. The results demonstrate that the accuracy of the actuator disc was highly influenced by the vertical resolutions, as well as the grid density of the disc enclosure.

2010 ◽  
Vol 133-134 ◽  
pp. 497-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvaro Quinonez ◽  
Jennifer Zessin ◽  
Aissata Nutzel ◽  
John Ochsendorf

Experiments may be used to verify numerical and analytical results, but large-scale model testing is associated with high costs and lengthy set-up times. In contrast, small-scale model testing is inexpensive, non-invasive, and easy to replicate over several trials. This paper proposes a new method of masonry model generation using three-dimensional printing technology. Small-scale models are created as an assemblage of individual blocks representing the original structure’s geometry and stereotomy. Two model domes are tested to collapse due to outward support displacements, and experimental data from these tests is compared with analytical predictions. Results of these experiments provide a strong understanding of the mechanics of actual masonry structures and can be used to demonstrate the structural capacity of masonry structures with extensive cracking. Challenges for this work, such as imperfections in the model geometry and construction problems, are also addressed. This experimental method can provide a low-cost alternative for the collapse analysis of complex masonry structures, the safety of which depends primarily on stability rather than material strength.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minghao Wu ◽  
Leen De Vos ◽  
Carlos Emilio Arboleda Chavez ◽  
Vasiliki Stratigaki ◽  
Tiago Fazeres-Ferradosa ◽  
...  

This paper presents a series of large-scale wave flume experiments on the scour protection damage around a monopile under combined waves and current conditions with model scales of 1:16.67 and 1:8.33. The main objective is to compare the damage data obtained from these large-scale models with existing monopile scour protection design approaches, which were proposed based on small scale wave flume experiments, and to study the applicability of the existing approaches. The static stability (onset of motion and bed shear stress) and the dynamic stability (three-dimensional damage numbers) of the scour protection are investigated. Both results show that the existing design approaches can be conservative when applied to large scale models, which highlights the need of further investigations on scale and model effects. In addition, this paper also analyses the scour protection damage depth. It is observed that damage depths of the scour protection layer under low Keulegan–Carpenter number (KC) conditions are smaller than predictions. The study provides valuable large scale experimental data for future research on the monopile scour protection design.


Author(s):  
D. Keith Walters ◽  
William H. Luke

A new methodology for CFD simulation of airflow in the human bronchopulmonary tree is presented. The new approach provides a means for detailed resolution of the flow features via three-dimensional Navier-Stokes CFD simulation without the need for direct simulation of the entire flow geometry, which is well beyond the reach of available computing power now and in the foreseeable future. The method is based on a finite number of flow paths, each of which is fully resolved, to provide a detailed description of the entire complex small-scale flowfield. A stochastic coupling approach is used for the unresolved flow path boundary conditions, yielding a virtual flow geometry allowing accurate statistical resolution of the flow at all scales for any set of flow conditions. Results are presented for multi-generational lung models based on the Weibel morphology and the anatomical data of Hammersley and Olson. Validation simulations are performed for a portion of the bronchiole region (generations 4–12) using the flow path ensemble method, and compared to simulations that are geometrically fully resolved. Results are obtained for three inspiratory flowrates and compared in terms of pressure drop, flow distribution characteristics, and flow structure. Results show excellent agreement with the fully resolved geometry, while reducing the mesh size and computational cost by as much as 94%.


2010 ◽  
Vol 132 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Keith Walters ◽  
William H. Luke

A new methodology for CFD simulation of airflow in the human bronchopulmonary tree is presented. The new approach provides a means for detailed resolution of the flow features via three-dimensional Navier–Stokes CFD simulation without the need for full resolution of the entire flow geometry, which is well beyond the reach of available computing power now and in the foreseeable future. The method is based on a finite number of flow paths, each of which is fully resolved, to provide a detailed description of the entire complex small-scale flowfield. A stochastic coupling approach is used for the unresolved flow path boundary conditions, yielding a virtual flow geometry that allows accurate statistical resolution of the flow at all scales for any set of flow conditions. Results are presented for multigenerational lung models based on the Weibel morphology and the anatomical data of Hammersley and Olson (1992, “Physical Models of the Smaller Pulmonary Airways,” J. Appl. Physiol., 72(6), pp. 2402–2414). Validation simulations are performed for a portion of the bronchiole region (generations 4–12) using the flow path ensemble method, and compared with simulations that are geometrically fully resolved. Results are obtained for three inspiratory flowrates and compared in terms of pressure drop, flow distribution characteristics, and flow structure. Results show excellent agreement with the fully resolved geometry, while reducing the mesh size and computational cost by up to an order of magnitude.


2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Sun ◽  
Guotal Feng

A time-accurate three-dimensional Navier-Stokes solver of the unsteady flow field in a transonic fan was carried out using "Fluent-parallel" in a parallel supercomputer. The numerical simulation focused on a transonic fan with inlet square wave total pressure distortion and the analysis of result consisted of three aspects. The first was about inlet parameters redistribution and outlet total temperature distortion induced by inlet total pressure distortion. The pattern and causation of flow loss caused by pressure distortion in rotor were analyzed secondly. It was found that the influence of distortion was different at different radial positions. In hub area, transportation-loss and mixing-loss were the main loss patterns. Distortion not only complicated them but enhanced them. Especially in stator, inlet total pressure distortion induced large-scale vortex, which produced backflow and increased the loss. While in casing area, distortion changed the format of shock wave and increased the shock loss. Finally, the format of shock wave and the hysteresis of rotor to distortion were analyzed in detail.


2008 ◽  
Vol 615 ◽  
pp. 371-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. DONG

We report three-dimensional direct numerical simulations of the turbulent flow between counter-rotating concentric cylinders with a radius ratio 0.5. The inner- and outer-cylinder Reynolds numbers have the same magnitude, which ranges from 500 to 4000 in the simulations. We show that with the increase of Reynolds number, the prevailing structures in the flow are azimuthal vortices with scales much smaller than the cylinder gap. At high Reynolds numbers, while the instantaneous small-scale vortices permeate the entire domain, the large-scale Taylor vortex motions manifested by the time-averaged field do not penetrate a layer of fluid near the outer cylinder. Comparisons between the standard Taylor–Couette system (rotating inner cylinder, fixed outer cylinder) and the counter-rotating system demonstrate the profound effects of the Coriolis force on the mean flow and other statistical quantities. The dynamical and statistical features of the flow have been investigated in detail.


1999 ◽  
Vol 382 ◽  
pp. 307-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
JUDITH K. FOSS ◽  
K. B. M. Q. ZAMAN

The large- and small-scale vortical motions produced by ‘delta tabs’ in a two-stream shear layer have been studied experimentally. An increase in mixing was observed when the base of the triangular shaped tab was affixed to the trailing edge of the splitter plate and the apex was pitched at some angle with respect to the flow axis. Such an arrangement produced a pair of counter-rotating streamwise vortices. Hot-wire measurements detailed the velocity, time-averaged vorticity (Ωx) and small-scale turbulence features in the three-dimensional space downstream of the tabs. The small-scale structures, whose scale corresponds to that of the peak in the dissipation spectrum, were identified and counted using the peak-valley-counting technique. The optimal pitch angle, θ, for a single tab and the optimal spanwise spacing, S, for a multiple tab array were identified. Since the goal was to increase mixing, the optimal tab configuration was determined from two properties of the flow field: (i) the large-scale motions with the maximum Ωx, and (ii) the largest number of small-scale motions in a given time period. The peak streamwise vorticity magnitude [mid ]Ωx−max[mid ] was found to have a unique relationship with the tab pitch angle. Furthermore, for all cases examined, the overall small-scale population was found to correlate directly with [mid ]Ωx−max[mid ]. Both quantities peaked at θ≈±45°. It is interesting to note that the peak magnitude of the corresponding circulation in the cross-sectional plane occurred for θ≈±90°. For an array of tabs, the two quantities also depended on the tab spacing. An array of contiguous tabs acted as a solid deflector producing the weakest streamwise vortices and the least small-scale population. For the measurement range covered, the optimal spacing was found to be S≈1.5 tab widths.


Author(s):  
Feng Jie Zheng ◽  
Fu Zheng Qu ◽  
Xue Guan Song

Reservoir-pipe-valve (RPV) systems are widely used in many industrial process. The pressure in an RPV system plays an important role in the safe operation of the system, especially during the sudden operation such as rapid valve opening/closing. To investigate the pressure especially the pressure fluctuation in an RPV system, a multidimensional and multiscale model combining the method of characteristics (MOC) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method is proposed. In the model, the reservoir is modeled by a zero-dimensional virtual point, the pipe is modeled by a one-dimensional MOC, and the valve is modeled by a three-dimensional CFD model. An interface model is used to connect the multidimensional and multiscale model. Based on the model, a transient simulation of the turbulent flow in an RPV system is conducted, in which not only the pressure fluctuation in the pipe but also the detailed pressure distribution in the valve are obtained. The results show that the proposed model is in good agreement with the full CFD model in both large-scale and small-scale spaces. Moreover, the proposed model is more computationally efficient than the CFD model, which provides a feasibility in the analysis of complex RPV system within an affordable computational time.


2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Jie Zheng ◽  
Chao Yong Zong ◽  
William Dempster ◽  
Fu Zheng Qu ◽  
Xue Guan Song

Reservoir-pipe-valve (RPV) systems are widely used in many industrial processes. The pressure in an RPV system plays an important role in the safe operation of the system, especially during the sudden operations such as rapid valve opening or closing. To investigate the pressure response, with particular interest in the pressure fluctuations in an RPV system, a multidimensional and multiscale model combining the method of characteristics (MOC) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method is proposed. In the model, the reservoir is modeled as a zero-dimensional virtual point, the pipe is modeled as a one-dimensional system using the MOC, and the valve is modeled using a three-dimensional CFD model. An interface model is used to connect the multidimensional and multiscale model. Based on the model, a transient simulation of the turbulent flow in an RPV system is conducted in which not only the pressure fluctuation in the pipe but also the detailed pressure distribution in the valve is obtained. The results show that the proposed model is in good agreement when compared with a high fidelity CFD model used to represent both large-scale and small-scale spaces. As expected, the proposed model is significantly more computationally efficient than the CFD model. This demonstrates the feasibility of analyzing complex RPV systems within an affordable computational time.


Author(s):  
Roger W. Ainsworth ◽  
John L. Allen ◽  
J. Julian M. Batt

The advent of a new generation of transient rotating turbine simulation facilities, where engine values of Reynolds and Mach number are matched simultaneously together with the relevant rotational parameters for dimensional similitude (Dunn et al [1988], Epstein et al [1984]. Ainsworth et al [1988]), has provided the stimulus for developing improved instrumentation for investigating the aerodynamic flows in these stages. Much useful work has been conducted in the past using hot-wire and laser anemometers. However, hot-wire anemometers are prone to breakage in the high pressure flows required for correct Reynolds numbers, Furthermore some laser techniques require a longer runtime than these transient facilites permit, and generally yield velocity information only, giving no data on loss production. Advances in semiconductor aerodynamic probes are beginning to fulfil this perceived need. This paper describes advances made in the design, construction, and testing of two and three dimensional fast response aerodynamic probes, where semiconductor pressure sensors are mounted directly on the surface of the probes, using techniques which have previously been successfully used on the surface of rotor blades (Ainsworth, Dietz and Nunn [1991]). These are to be used to measure Mach number and flow direction in compressible unsteady flow regimes. In the first section, a brief review is made of the sensor and associated technology which has been developed to permit a flexible design of fast response aerodynamic probe. Following this, an extensive programme of testing large scale aerodynamic models of candidate geometries for suitable semiconductor scale probes is described, and the results of these discussed. The conclusions of these experiments, conducted for turbine representative mean and unsteady flows, yielded new information for optimising the design of the small scale semiconductor probes, in terms of probe geometry, sensor placement, and aerodynamic performance. Details are given of a range of wedge and pyramid semiconductor probes constructed, and the procedures used in calibrating and making measurements with them. Differences in performance are discussed, allowing the experimenter to choose an appropriate probe for the particular measurement required. Finally, the application of prototype semiconductor probes in a transient rotor experiment at HP turbine representative conditions is described, and the data so obtained is compared with (PD solutions of the unsteady viscous flow-field.


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