AC 6-10 CFD Simulations: Difference between revisions

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=== Computational Domain ===
=== Computational Domain ===


The computational domain, illustrated in [A6-10cfd.htm#Figure31 Figure 3.1], covers one blade pitch with the blade located centrally in the domain.
The computational domain, illustrated in [[#Figure3.1|Figure 3.1]], covers one blade pitch with the blade located centrally in the domain.


<span id="Figure3.1"></span>
<center>[[Image:A6-10d30_files_image018.gif]] </center>
<center>[[Image:A6-10d30_files_image018.gif]] </center>


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A pseudo-2D approach was adopted and to allow for the endwall effects present in cascade testing, the streamtube thickness was varied by modifying the spanwise position of the endwall boundaries with axial distance. Only an overall value of the streamtube contraction is given in the test data and no information is provided regarding the variation between the inlet and exit planes. To investigate the effect on the predictions, two possible distributions of streamtube thickness were investigated. Firstly an approximately linear variation between the inlet and exit measuring planes and secondly, constant values upstream and downstream and a linear variation between the leading and trailing edges.
A pseudo-2D approach was adopted and to allow for the endwall effects present in cascade testing, the streamtube thickness was varied by modifying the spanwise position of the endwall boundaries with axial distance. Only an overall value of the streamtube contraction is given in the test data and no information is provided regarding the variation between the inlet and exit planes. To investigate the effect on the predictions, two possible distributions of streamtube thickness were investigated. Firstly an approximately linear variation between the inlet and exit measuring planes and secondly, constant values upstream and downstream and a linear variation between the leading and trailing edges.


Case 3 (M<sub>1</sub>=0.8, &alpha;<sub>1</sub>=49.5, &Omega; =1.2) was used to test these distributions. The results ([A6-10cfd.htm#Figure32 Figure 3.2]) show the former approach to be more accurate and this is to be expected for a high aspect ratio (3.75) cascade like the V2. Previous analysis of this cascade confirms these results [3.2].
Case 3 (M<sub>1</sub>=0.8, &alpha;<sub>1</sub>=49.5, &Omega; =1.2) was used to test these distributions. The results ([[#Figure3.2|Figure 3.2]]) show the former approach to be more accurate and this is to be expected for a high aspect ratio (3.75) cascade like the V2. Previous analysis of this cascade confirms these results [3.2].


The variation used is given below:
The variation used is given below:
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C<sub>ax</sub>=axial chord
C<sub>ax</sub>=axial chord


In addition, the effect of the streamtube thickness variation can be analysed by examining the variation in loss with incidence. The mean flow condition at the leading edge will not equal the inlet values due to the streamtube contraction between the inlet measuring plane and the leading edge. A true local incidence value at the leading edge can be evaluated with the above AVDR assumption. Similarly a corrected loss coefficient can be calculated by correcting the measured loss coefficient by the ratio of inlet dynamic heads (p<sub>01</sub>-p<sub>1</sub>) at the upstream and leading edge planes. Plotting corrected loss against corrected incidence for the experimental data at 0.8 inlet mach number shows that data points for all operating conditions follow an approximate bucket shaped loss profile ([A6-10cfd.htm#Figure33 Figure 3.3]).
In addition, the effect of the streamtube thickness variation can be analysed by examining the variation in loss with incidence. The mean flow condition at the leading edge will not equal the inlet values due to the streamtube contraction between the inlet measuring plane and the leading edge. A true local incidence value at the leading edge can be evaluated with the above AVDR assumption. Similarly a corrected loss coefficient can be calculated by correcting the measured loss coefficient by the ratio of inlet dynamic heads (p<sub>01</sub>-p<sub>1</sub>) at the upstream and leading edge planes. Plotting corrected loss against corrected incidence for the experimental data at 0.8 inlet mach number shows that data points for all operating conditions follow an approximate bucket shaped loss profile ([[#Figure3.3|Figure 3.3]]).


<span id="Figure3.2"></span>
<center>[[Image:A6-10d30_files_image025.jpg]]</center>
<center>[[Image:A6-10d30_files_image025.jpg]]</center>


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|}
|}


<span id="Figure3.3"></span>
[[Image:A6-10d30_files_image029.gif]]
[[Image:A6-10d30_files_image029.gif]]


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The sheared-H meshes were generated manually: splines were fitted through the points and the domain was then filled with 2D cells. The domain extended from x/C<sub>ax</sub>=-0.53 to x/C<sub>ax</sub>=1.53, with 150 streamwise points and 50 pitchwise points for mesh A giving a total of 7500 cells. The final mesh was then created by extruding the 2D blade-to-blade mesh in the spanwise direction.
The sheared-H meshes were generated manually: splines were fitted through the points and the domain was then filled with 2D cells. The domain extended from x/C<sub>ax</sub>=-0.53 to x/C<sub>ax</sub>=1.53, with 150 streamwise points and 50 pitchwise points for mesh A giving a total of 7500 cells. The final mesh was then created by extruding the 2D blade-to-blade mesh in the spanwise direction.


Mesh C was generated using the ESTurbo grid generation package. The O-grid topology around the blade with H-grids at each end gives an excellent blade definition and good cell clustering for an overall low cell count. Therefore it is mainly the results from this mesh that are presented. There were 164 grid points around the blade and 50 across the pitch. The domain was extended to x/C<sub>ax</sub>=-0.8 to x/C<sub>ax</sub>=1.8. Mesh points were clustered close to the blade surface and at the leading and trailing edges. [A6-10cfd.htm#Figure34 Figures 3.4] and [A6-10cfd.htm#Figure35 3.5] show detailed views of the meshes at the leading and trailing edges. The mesh was also constructed for best utilisation of wall function boundary conditions, see [A6-10cfd.htm#Figure36 Figure 3.6].
Mesh C was generated using the ESTurbo grid generation package. The O-grid topology around the blade with H-grids at each end gives an excellent blade definition and good cell clustering for an overall low cell count. Therefore it is mainly the results from this mesh that are presented. There were 164 grid points around the blade and 50 across the pitch. The domain was extended to x/C<sub>ax</sub>=-0.8 to x/C<sub>ax</sub>=1.8. Mesh points were clustered close to the blade surface and at the leading and trailing edges. [[#Figure3.4|Figure 3.4]] and [[#Figure3.5|Figure 3.5]] show detailed views of the meshes at the leading and trailing edges. The mesh was also constructed for best utilisation of wall function boundary conditions, see [[#Figure3.6|Figure 3.6]].


The wall function representation of the near-wall turbulent behavior is inexact, the accuracy being dependent on the degree to which the assumptions and approximations embodied in the functions correspond with the reality of the application. The main assumptions on which the presently employed wall functions are based are the following:
The wall function representation of the near-wall turbulent behavior is inexact, the accuracy being dependent on the degree to which the assumptions and approximations embodied in the functions correspond with the reality of the application. The main assumptions on which the presently employed wall functions are based are the following:
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* There is a linear variation of turbulence length scale.
* There is a linear variation of turbulence length scale.


More information is contained in Reference 3.1.<br style="page-break-before: always" clear="all" />
More information is contained in Reference 3.1.
<br style="page-break-before: always" clear="all" />


<span id="Figure3.4"></span>
[[Image:A6-10d30_files_image035.gif]]
[[Image:A6-10d30_files_image035.gif]]


<center>Figure 3.4 Mesh A and Mesh B<br style="page-break-before: always" clear="all" /></center>
<center>Figure 3.4 Mesh A and Mesh B<br style="page-break-before: always" clear="all" /></center>


<center> </center>
<center></center>


<span id="Figure3.5"></span>
{| align="left"
{| align="left"
| width="18" |
| width="18" |
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<center>Figure 3.5 Mesh C<br style="page-break-before: always" clear="all" /></center>
<center>Figure 3.5 Mesh C<br style="page-break-before: always" clear="all" /></center>


<span id="Figure3.6"></span>
<center>[[Image:A6-10d30_files_image041.jpg]]</center>
<center>[[Image:A6-10d30_files_image041.jpg]]</center>



Revision as of 12:23, 13 March 2009


Front Page

Description

Test Data

CFD Simulations

Evaluation

Best Practice Advice




Axial compressor cascade

Application Challenge 6-10               © copyright ERCOFTAC 2004


CFD Simulations

Overview of CFD simulations

The CFD simulations were carried out by Computational Dynamics Limited (CD) as part of an ongoing validation of STAR-CD for turbomachinery applications. The CFD code used was STAR-CD v3.150.

Six test conditions were modelled at which overall performance parameters, blade surface pressure data and wake profiles were compared with experimental data from exit plane traverses. Calculations were performed using two sheared H-meshes and an O-mesh. The number of cells in the blade-to-blade plane ranged from 5500 to 7500. The steady state compressible Navier-Stokes equations using a variant of the k-ε model for closure were solved using the SIMPLE algorithm. Discretisation was undertaken using the second-order MARS scheme with the default compression level of 0.5.

The results show that the main flow features are captured and that the overall performance is reasonably accurate. Deviation and loss were predicted quite accurately for design incidence, although loss was always slightly low. Predicted loss and deviation improved when the O-mesh was used. Surface pressure distributions were in general predicted accurately.

The computational domain covers one blade pitch with the blade located centrally in the domain. The prescribed variation of AVDR enables the case to be modelled using a pseudo-2D approach. This allows the predictions of the fundamental blade-to-blade flow to be evaluated for effects of grid dependency, boundary conditions and numerical settings. The case could also be run fully 3D.

The prediction of boundary layer development in adverse pressure gradients is of central importance to the success of simulations of this type of flow. The experimental data available allows detailed validation of the boundary layer predictions. The STAR-CD code provides a wide range of models and meshing capabilities on which to test this case.

The results are summarised in Table EXP-A and the data contained in these files are given in Table EXP-B.


Table CFD-A Summary description of all test cases

NAME

GNDPs
PDPs (problem definition parameters)
SPs (simulated parameters)
Re1
Tu1 %
L (m)
Mass Avg
M1
Mass Avg
α1 (degs)
Ω
detailed data
DOAPs

CFD 1

5E5
5
8E5

0.3

49.5
1.2
mass avg: Cp, ω
ζ1, a2, M2
Re1
Tu1 %
L (m)
M1
α1 (degs)
Ω
detailed data
DOAPs

CFD 2

5E5
5
8E5
0.6
49.5
1.2
mass avg: Cp, ω
ζ1, a2, M2
Re1
Tu1 %
L (m)
M1
α1 (degs)
Ω
detailed data
DOAPs

CFD 3

5E5
5
8E5
0.8
49.5
1.2
mass avg: Cp, ω
ζ1, a2, M2
Re1
Tu1 %
L (m)
M1
α1 (degs)
Ω
detailed data
DOAPs

CFD 7

5E5
5
8E5
0.8
49.5
1.12
mass avg: Cp, ω
ζ1, a2, M2
Re1
Tu1 %
L (m)
M1
α1 (degs)
Ω
detailed data
DOAPs

CFD 9

5E5
5
8E5
0.8
52.5
1.12
mass avg: Cp, ω
ζ1, a2, M2
Re1
Tu1 %
L (m)
M1
α1 (degs)
Ω
detailed data
DOAPs

CFD 10

5E5
5
8E5
0.8
52.5
1.3
mass avg: Cp, ω
ζ1, a2, M2



Table CFD-B Summary description of all available datafiles, and simulated parameters.
SP 1
Cp
SP 2
ω
DOAPs
ζ1, a2, M2

CFD 1 (mesh C)

cfd11.dat
cfd12.dat
cfd14.dat

CFD 2 (mesh C)

cfd21.dat
cfd22.dat
cfd24.dat

CFD 3 (mesh A)

cfd31A.dat
cfd32A.dat
cfd34A.dat

CFD 3 (mesh B)

cfd31B.dat
cfd32B.dat
cfd34B.dat

CFD 3 (mesh C)

cfd31C.dat
cfd32C.dat
cfd34C.dat

CFD 7 (mesh C)

cfd71.dat
cfd72.dat
cfd74.dat

CFD 9 (mesh C)

cfd91.dat
cfd92.dat
cfd94.dat

CFD 10 (mesh C)

cfd101.dat
cfd102.dat
cfd104.dat


Solution strategy

The CFD simulations were carried out by CD-adapco Group as part of an ongoing validation of STAR-CD for turbomachinery applications. The CFD code used was STAR-CD v3.150. The steady state compressible Navier-Stokes equations using a variant of the k-ε model for closure were solved using the SIMPLE algorithm. Default values for the SIMPLE algorithm relaxation control parameters, residual and solver tolerances were used. The MARS scheme with a blending factor of 0.5 was used to discretise the momentum, total enthalpy and turbulence equations. Full central differencing was used for density interpolation to cell faces. More information is contained in reference 3.1.

Computational Domain

The computational domain, illustrated in Figure 3.1, covers one blade pitch with the blade located centrally in the domain.

A6-10d30 files image018.gif
Figure 3.1 Computational domain

A pseudo-2D approach was adopted and to allow for the endwall effects present in cascade testing, the streamtube thickness was varied by modifying the spanwise position of the endwall boundaries with axial distance. Only an overall value of the streamtube contraction is given in the test data and no information is provided regarding the variation between the inlet and exit planes. To investigate the effect on the predictions, two possible distributions of streamtube thickness were investigated. Firstly an approximately linear variation between the inlet and exit measuring planes and secondly, constant values upstream and downstream and a linear variation between the leading and trailing edges.

Case 3 (M1=0.8, α1=49.5, Ω =1.2) was used to test these distributions. The results (Figure 3.2) show the former approach to be more accurate and this is to be expected for a high aspect ratio (3.75) cascade like the V2. Previous analysis of this cascade confirms these results [3.2].

The variation used is given below:

A6-10d30 files image021.gif


A6-10d30 files image023.gif


where: STT=StreamTube Thickness

Ω =Axial Velocity Density Ratio (at exit plane)

x=axial distance

Cax=axial chord

In addition, the effect of the streamtube thickness variation can be analysed by examining the variation in loss with incidence. The mean flow condition at the leading edge will not equal the inlet values due to the streamtube contraction between the inlet measuring plane and the leading edge. A true local incidence value at the leading edge can be evaluated with the above AVDR assumption. Similarly a corrected loss coefficient can be calculated by correcting the measured loss coefficient by the ratio of inlet dynamic heads (p01-p1) at the upstream and leading edge planes. Plotting corrected loss against corrected incidence for the experimental data at 0.8 inlet mach number shows that data points for all operating conditions follow an approximate bucket shaped loss profile (Figure 3.3).

A6-10d30 files image025.jpg
(a) linear variation between inlet and exit planes
A6-10d30 files image027.jpg
(b) linear variation between leading and trailing edges
Figure 3.2 Effect of axial variation of streamtube thickness

α1 = 47.5

α1 = 49.5

α1 = 52.5

A6-10d30 files image029.gif

Figure 3.3 Corrected Loss vs Incidence, M1 = 0.8

Three meshes were used in the study. Mesh A was a sheared-H structure with 7.5k cells and reasonably good leading and trailing edge detail. Mesh B was coarser then mesh A with 6k cells and cusped leading and trailing edges. Mesh C had an O-grid topology around the blade with an H-grid upstream and downstream. This mesh was generated with 4 spanwise cells and had a total of 22k cells with 5.5k in each spanwise layer. Vertices defining the aerofoil section and the extent of the surrounding domain were created using a Fortran program.

The sheared-H meshes were generated manually: splines were fitted through the points and the domain was then filled with 2D cells. The domain extended from x/Cax=-0.53 to x/Cax=1.53, with 150 streamwise points and 50 pitchwise points for mesh A giving a total of 7500 cells. The final mesh was then created by extruding the 2D blade-to-blade mesh in the spanwise direction.

Mesh C was generated using the ESTurbo grid generation package. The O-grid topology around the blade with H-grids at each end gives an excellent blade definition and good cell clustering for an overall low cell count. Therefore it is mainly the results from this mesh that are presented. There were 164 grid points around the blade and 50 across the pitch. The domain was extended to x/Cax=-0.8 to x/Cax=1.8. Mesh points were clustered close to the blade surface and at the leading and trailing edges. Figure 3.4 and Figure 3.5 show detailed views of the meshes at the leading and trailing edges. The mesh was also constructed for best utilisation of wall function boundary conditions, see Figure 3.6.

The wall function representation of the near-wall turbulent behavior is inexact, the accuracy being dependent on the degree to which the assumptions and approximations embodied in the functions correspond with the reality of the application. The main assumptions on which the presently employed wall functions are based are the following:

  • Variations in velocity etc. are predominantly normal to the wall, leading to one-dimensional behavior.
  • Effects of pressure gradients and body forces are negligibly small, leading to uniform shear stress in the layer.
  • Shear stress and velocity vectors are aligned and unidirectional throughout the layer.
  • A balance exists between turbulence energy production and dissipation.
  • There is a linear variation of turbulence length scale.

More information is contained in Reference 3.1.

A6-10d30 files image035.gif

Figure 3.4 Mesh A and Mesh B


A6-10d30 files image039.gif

Figure 3.5 Mesh C

A6-10d30 files image041.jpg
Mesh A
A6-10d30 files image043.jpg
Mesh C
Figure 3.6 y+ values of near-wall cells on the blade surface

Boundary Conditions

The following boundary types and conditions were used:

Stagnation pressure equivalent to 1E5 Pa at the upstream boundary, the inflow angle constrained and a fixed total temperature of 313K. Turbulence intensity was set to 5% and the inlet turbulence length scale to 8E-5.

Fixed static pressure was specified at the outlet such that the appropriate inlet Mach number was achieved.

Cyclic boundaries on the mid-pitch domain boundaries, matched using arbitrary cyclic interfacing.

Adiabatic no-slip walls on the blade surfaces, which were assumed to be hydraulically smooth.

Adiabatic slip-walls (inviscid) on the endwalls.

Application of Physical Models

The flow was assumed to be compressible and steady. Transport equations were solved for two momentum components, total enthalpy, continuity and the turbulence parameters k and ε. The high Reynolds number k-ε RNG turbulence model was used for all the calculations. The fluid properties of air were modelled as follows:

Density: Ideal gas law with molecular weight of 28.96 kg/kmol

Molecular: viscosity Sutherlands Law with μ0=1.71E-5 kg/ms, Cs=116

Specific heat capacity: Constant 1006 J/KgK

Conductivity: Constant 0.026 W/mK

Numerical Accuracy and CPU requirements

The standard convergence criteria (a drop in normalised residuals of three orders of magnitude, and steady monitored values) with standard normalisation was used. Double precision single processor runs were compiled requiring 20MB memory. The runs took on average 1.8 seconds CPU time per iteration on an IBMSP2 and required around 1000 iterations to reach convergence.

Previous experience of similar calculations had shown that meshes 1 and 3 would be an adequate density to capture the flow physics accurately. A coarser mesh of 6000 cells with cusped leading and trailing edges was also run at one test condition for comparison.

Flow Initialisation

Flow initialisation was carried out using the code’s built-in initialisation procedure.This procedure endeavors to establish approximate pressure and velocity fields based on a characteristic problem length, supplied specifically for initialisation purposes (the maximum solution domain dimension is taken as the default length). The initial velocities are computed so as to satisfy continuity. In addition, the maximum expected velocity in the solution domain needs to be specified for problems containing only pressure boundaries, or a combination of pressure and total pressure boundaries. The initial velocity field is then scaled to give the specified maximum velocity. In turbulent flow problems, the k and ε fields are initialised using the specified initial distributions of these variables, if available, or the velocity field calculated above, together with turbulence intensity and mixing length specified by the user. For compressible flow, an isentropic density variation assumption is made to compute initial fields of density and temperature from the calculated pressure.

Simulation Case CFD-1

CFD1 V2 cascade simulation: Mesh C. RANS calculations, RNG k-ε, coordinate system as per experiments, cell-centered data. Mass averaging of inlet and exit values for calculations of overall performance. M1=0.3, α1=49.5, Ω=1.2

cfd11.dat (binary file; headers: Re, Tu; L, M1, α1, Ω. columns: Cp)

cfd12.dat (binary file; headers: Re, Tu; L, M1, α1, Ω. columns: ω)

cfd14.dat (binary file; headers: Re, Tu; L, M1, α1, Ω. Data ζ1, M2, a2)

Simulation Case CFD-2

See EXP 1: M1=0.6, α1=49.5, Ω=1.2

Simulation Case CFD-3

See EXP 1: M1=0.8, α1=49.5, Ω=1.2

Also data for mesh A and B.

Simulation Case CFD-7

See EXP 1: M1=0.8, α1=49.5, Ω=1.12

Simulation Case CFD-9

See EXP 1: M1=0.8, α1=52.5, Ω=1.12

Simulation Case CFD-10

See EXP 1: M1=0.8, α1=52.5, Ω=1.3

References

3.1 STAR-CD v3.150 User Guide and Methodology Manuals.

3.2 Application of S1BYL2 to the AGARD WG18 compressor test cases, W.J. Calvert, AGARD CP 510, CFD techniques for propulsion applications, 1991.

© copyright ERCOFTAC 2004



Contributors: Michael Dickens; Alex Read - Computational Dynamics Ltd


Front Page

Description

Test Data

CFD Simulations

Evaluation

Best Practice Advice