CFD Simulation and Optimisation of a Low Energy Ventilation and Cooling System

Wind tunnel and CFD study of the natural ventilation performance of a commercial multi-directional wind tower

Introduction: We examined the viability of pairing wire-obtained flow pressure data with computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis for accurate patient-specific 3D reconstruction of flow through cerebral vessels—an approach that provides comprehensive velocity data and other flow parameters to assist the preventative diagnosis of cerebral stenosis. Methods: Two physical phantom models of a cerebral stenosis—differing in regard to vascular morphology at and around the stenosis—were prepared, filled with physiological saline and connected individually to a flow pump (Vascular Simulations LLC Left Heart Replicator) applying pulsatile flow. Pressure measurements were taken upstream of the stenosis by microcatheter-guided wires to define an inlet boundary condition for CFD analysis. Pressure and velocity at 2 cm proximal to stenosis, the stenosis inlet, the stenosis outlet, and 2 cm distal to stenosis were measured to validate the CFD simulated flow. Results: Excellent agreement was observed between CFD and wire-measured time-dependent flow pressure, with the expected pulsatile behavior observed at each location. Between the two methods, differences in maximum systolic pressures ranged between |0.73±0.72|% and |3.90±0.74|%. Differences in minimum diastolic pressures ranged between |1.79±1.33|% and |9.08±1.42|%. Velocity data from wire measurements lacked pulsatile behavior and showed differences ranging between |2.93±5.20|% and |120.10±2.91|% from CFD-obtained measurements, which did show correct pulsatile behavior. Larger discrepancies were strongly associated with areas of higher CFD predicted velocities (r=0.86). Conclusion: Guidewire flow measurements provided CFD analysis with accurate inlet boundary conditions and validated CFD simulation results. CFD analysis allowed for detailed visualization of key flow parameters that may be difficult to physically measure—such as velocity—that are relevant for understanding risk factors associated with cerebral stenosis on a case-by-case basis.

Modeling and experimental analysis of packed column for SO2 emission control process

Computational fluid dynamic analysis of wind flow around Mangrove roots to reduce the damage due to heavy wind

QFA (quench factor analysis) method is widely used to predict the mechanical properties such as hardness and strength according to temperature of quenched material that has to be determined by experimental heat treatment. But, QFA coupled with CFD (computational fluid dynamics) analysis of this study can predict the mechanical properties without the experiment of heat treatment except the experiment to determine the material constants of QFA. First of all, Jominy test and FPS (flexible polyhedron search) are performed to determine the material constants of QFA. The CFD analysis is applied to predict the cooling temperature of Al6061 cylinder cooled by water of 25°C during quenching of solid solution heat treatment. Hardnesses of T6 heat treated Al6061 cylinder is predicted by the QFA coupled with CFD analysis without experiment of heat treatment and then the predicted hardnesses are compared with experimentally measured hardnesses according to positions of cylinder. The predicted hardnesses of cylinder are in good agreement with the measured ones within a maximum error of 8.45%.

Providing efficient ventilation in road tunnels is essential to prevent severe air pollution exposure for both drivers and pedestrians in such enclosed spaces with heavy vehicle emissions. Longitudinal ventilation methods like commercial jet fans have been widely applied and confirmed to be effective for introducing external fresh air into road tunnels that are shorter than 3 km. However, operating tunnel jet fans is energy consuming. Therefore, for small-scale (~100 m–1 km) road tunnels, mechanical ventilation methods might be highly energetically expensive and unaffordable. Many studies have found that the use of wind catchers could improve buildings’ natural ventilation, but their effect on improving natural ventilation in small-scale road tunnels has, hitherto, rarely been studied. This paper, therefore, aims to quantify the influence of style and arrangement of one-sided flat-roof wind catchers on ventilation performance in a road tunnel. The concept of intake fraction (IF) is applied for ventilation and pollutant exposure assessment in the overall tunnel and for pedestrian regions. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methodology with a standard k-epsilon turbulence model is used to perform a three-dimensional (3D) turbulent flow simulation, and CFD results have been validated by wind-tunnel experiments for building cross ventilation. Results show that the introduction of wind catchers would significantly enhance wind speed at pedestrian level, but a negative velocity reduction effect and a near-catcher recirculation zone can also be found. A special downstream vortex extending along the downstream tunnel is found, helping remove the accumulated pollutants away from the low-level pedestrian sides. Both wind catcher style and arrangement would significantly influence the ventilation performance in the tunnel. Compared to long-catcher designs, short-catchers would be more effective for providing fresh air to pedestrian sides due to a weaker upstream velocity reduction effect and smaller near-catcher recirculation zone. In long-catcher cases, IF increases to 1.13 ppm when the wind catcher is positioned 240 m away from the tunnel entrance, which is almost twice that in short-catcher cases. For the effects of catcher arrangements, single, short-catcher, span-wise, shifting would not help dilute pollutants effectively. Generally, a design involving a double short-catcher in a parallel arrangement is the most recommended, with the smallest IF, i.e., 61% of that in the tunnel without wind catchers (0.36 ppm).

This study focuses on the design and optimization of an electronics enclosure intended for use in a centrifugal fan being driven by an electric motor for the residential heating, ventilating, and air conditioning(HVAC) market. Typically in these systems the motor is mounted directly in the airstream of the centrifugal fan, but in this case the Regal Beloit’s axial motor technology allows for the minimization of this obstruction to the airflow. In the system analyzed the axial motor is mounted in the center of the centrifugal fan and the electronics used to drive the system is enclosed and mounted to the axial motor. This enclosure has been optimized for system airflow efficiency and thermal management of the electronics. A sensitivity analysis was also performed to understand the optimized design’s performance under various application environments. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used as a test platform and tool for optimization. The CFD analysis was driven by goal optimization software to explore the design space and lead to an optimized design for overall efficiency. Results were validated to test data and test visualization methods. This presentation will cover the design requirements and details of the application, the optimization and CFD techniques used, and the criteria used for CFD model validation.

Background: Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is used to evaluate the need for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in cases of moderate stenosis of the coronary artery. Recently, diagnostic imaging support with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis has been garnering attention. This study defines the relationship between FFR conducted for cardiac catheterization and CFD analyses conducted using coronary computed tomography (CT) for moderate stenosis, in addition to considering whether wall pressure (WP) and wall shear stress (WSS) can be used to evaluate ischemia.Methods and Results: Cases in which FFR was measured via coronary CT and cardiac catheterization was performed within 3 months were collected retrospectively. In the CFD analysis, WP and WSS were calculated and compared with FFR. Three groups were created to compare results of CFD analysis and FFR values according to the location of the stenosis: the right coronary artery, the left anterior descending artery, and the left circumflex artery. There was a correlation between FFR and WSS according to CFD analysis for moderate stenosis of the coronary artery, with a cut-off value for treatment able to be calculated.Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that ischemia can be evaluated by conducting CFD analysis (WSS) using coronary CT.

<div class="htmlview paragraph">Computational fluid dynamic modeling methodology was utilized to develop a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) duct. The design was modeled and analyzed using the STAR-CD computational fluid dynamics software.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">A console mounted HVAC duct was designed and installed in a test vehicle to enhance the airflow distribution in the rear passenger compartment. A model of this design was constructed and computational analysis was performed to identify the opportunities for improvement. The location and position of the baffle was modified based on the computational fluid dynamic analysis. Validation and flow visualization tests of the revised design provided good correlation with the predicted behavior. The modified design increased the volumetric airflow by 25% and balanced the air distribution at each register.</div>

Passive cooling of the PBMR spent and used fuel tanks

Port design is an integral part of a combustion system. For a spark-ignited engine, it impacts both in-cylinder charge motion and performance potential. While turbulence intensity and air-mixture quality affect dilution tolerance and fuel economy as a result, breathing ability affects wide open throttle performance. Traditional approaches deploy experimental techniques to reach a target balance between the charge motion and breathing capacity. Such techniques do not necessarily result in an optimized solution. Unrelenting development of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools, Design of Experiment (DOE) and optimization techniques combined with increased computational power led to the development of new methodologies over the past decade. Such advancements have the potential to deliver optimized solutions. Recent releases of engineering CAD packages, like CATIA V5 and Pro-Engineer, enable both parametric modeling and associative design update. This paper demonstrates a coupling process between CFD analysis and engineering CAD software using process integration and design optimization software (PIDO). CATIA V5, ICEM-CFD meshing tool and FLUENT-UNS CFD code were integrated to run through many port designs using ISIGHT. The automatic coupling was aimed at optimizing the port layout for a certain cost function such as flow restriction or charge motion, subject to manufacturing and packaging constraints. Accomplishing this task necessitates running the executables of various software using macros and scripts. This integrating methodology utilized best design practices for an intake port, and numerous numerical experiments were attempted. This methodology was demonstrated on a V-engine intake port with geometric, manufacturing and packaging constraints. In order to prove the methodology described, two distinct designs were attempted, the first of which demonstrated high flow at the expense of charge motion, while the other targeted tumble charge motion to the detriment of flow. Both concepts were prototyped and evaluated on the flow bench. Good correlation between simulation and test results was demonstrated in this study. It was concluded that this process could be reliably adopted in a production environment with reasonable amount of turn around time.

The actual underlying mechanisms of acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) are not well understood. The present study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of AAAD using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis. We performed CFD analysis using patient-specific computed tomography imaging in 3 healthy control cases and 3 patients with AAAD. From computed tomography images, we made a healthy control model or pre-dissection model for CFD analysis. Pulsatile cardiac flow during one cardiac cycle was simulated, and a three-dimensional flow streamline was visualized to evaluate flow velocity, wall shear stress and oscillatory shear index (OSI). In healthy controls, the transvalvular aortic flow was parallel to the ascending aorta. There was no spotty high OSI area at the ascending aorta. In pre-dissection patients, accelerated transvalvular aortic flow was towards the posterolateral ascending aorta. The vortex flow was observed on the side of the lesser curvature in mid-systole and expanded throughout the entire ascending aorta during diastole. Systolic wall shear stress was high due to the accelerated aortic blood flow on the side of the greater curvature of the ascending aorta. On the side of the lesser curvature, high OSI areas were observed around the vortex flow. In all pre-dissection cases, a spotty high OSI area was in close proximity to the actual primary entry site of the future AAAD. The pre-onset high OSI area with vortex flow is closely associated with the future primary entry site. Therefore, we can elucidate the mechanism of AAAD with CFD analysis.

Inferior turbinate reduction (ITR) is a commonly performed procedure for the treatment of nasal obstruction. Which portion of the inferior turbinates should be surgically addressed to improve nasal airflow has yet to be determined. To use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to evaluate the airflow changes after reduction along different portions of the inferior turbinate. Computed tomographic scans of 5 patients were selected. Seven CFD models were created for each patient: 1 unaltered and 6 various ITRs, including 3 one-third ITRs (anterior, middle, and posterior one-third); 2 two-thirds ITRs (anterior and posterior two-thirds); and 1 full-length ITR model. Total airflow rate and nasal resistance was obtained through CFD analysis, and regression analysis was performed on the increased nasal volume, locations, and nasal resistance for all 5 patients. Total airflow rate and nasal resistance was obtained through CFD analysis, and regression analysis was performed on the increased nasal volume, locations, and nasal resistance for all 5 patients. Full ITR over the whole length was consistently most effective to improve nasal airflow and resistance for all 5 patients (2 men and 3 women), adjusted for the volume. Regression analysis showed a strong linear (R2≥0.79) relationship between nasal volume changes and nasal airflow. However, the most effective location of partial turbinate reduction was not consistent among patients. Surprisingly, for some patients, posterior ITRs were more effective than anterior ITRs. The site of most effective partial ITR differed from 1 side to the other even in the same individual. The effectiveness of partial ITR and target location likely depends on individual patient anatomy. The fact that full ITRs were consistently most effective and the linear regression between flow and nasal volume changes may indicate that the entire length of the IT has a functional impact on nasal airflow and resistance. NA.

The objective of this paper is to present the performance comparison of 2D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis with experimental analysis of 0.6 m impulse turbine with fixed guide vanes for both 0.6 and 0.7 hub to tip ratio (H/T). Also the comparison of 2D CFD analysis of the said turbine with different values of H/T ranging from 0.5 to 0.7. A 2D-cascade model was used for CFD analysis while uni-directional steady flow was used for experimental analysis. The blade and guide vane geometries are based on 0.6 m rotor diameter, with optimum profile, and different H/T of 0.5, 0.6 and 0.7. It was concluded from 2D CFD analysis that 0.5 H/T ratio performances was higher than that of 0.6 and 0.7 H/T at peak efficiency and the operational flow range for 0.5 H/T was found to be wider than that of 0.6 and 0.7 H/T ratio.

Achieving minimum pressure loss and exit temperature pattern factors are the two important, but conflicting performance goals of a gas turbine combustor. In this study, Taguchi method was used to design CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) analysis based experiments in order to arrive at optimized liner hole sizes (primary and dilution) of an annular gas turbine combustor. The CFD experiments were steady & three-dimensional Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) based analyses performed on a 20-degree sector combustor model. Nine CFD analyses were performed as per the Taguchi L-9 orthogonal array, based on which, an optimal hole configuration was arrived. An additional CFD run was carried out to verify the predicted result. The optimized hole size combination reduces the Circumferential Pattern Factor (CPF) by 28% and pressure loss by 0.06% (difference between absolute values of percentage pressure losses) in comparison to the baseline configuration.