Numerical simulation of unsteady flow in hydraulicturbomachines (06642)

Project nummer: 06642

Omschrijving van het onderzoek

For the design of turbomachines like compressors, turbines, fans and centrifugal pumps, more and more use is made of numerical flow simulations. Using numerical methods, the pressure and velocity distribution of the internal flow are calculated and global characteristics, like discharge pressure and efficiency, are determined. The internal flow in turbomachines is very complex; geometries are three-dimensional with highly curved surfaces and the flow is highly turbulent. Furthermore, these machines are characterized by a rotating impeller in a stationary housing, resulting into unsteadiness. This combination of phenomena poses high demands on the numerical model. Most turbomachinery manufacturers use commercially available flow simulation software, like STAR-CD, CFX-TASCflow, and FLUENT. In all cases the numerical models are based on so-called 'collocated-grid' schemes, which are suited for compressible flows and steady incompressible flows. In the case of centrifugal pumps and fans the flow is incompressible as well as unsteady. This means that the numerical models in all commercially available software codes are in principle unsuited for this application. There are a few 'work-arounds' for this problem which are incorporated into commercial codes. The drawback, however, is that such methods are less accurate and less convenient for unsteady incompressible flows. In this investigation it was shown that the best method for calculating unsteady and incompressible flows in turbomachines is based on a so-called 'staggered-grid' with Wesbeek discretization scheme. A code was developed which enables calculation of 2D flows through radial and axial type centrifugal pumps. Extension of the method to 3D is straightforward.

Gebruikers

Six companies are involved in this project.

Projectleider

Dr. B.P.M. van Esch
Technische Universiteit Eindhoven
Faculteit Werktuigbouwkunde
Process Technology
Postbus 513
5600 MB Eindhoven

Status van het project

startdatum:	01-04-2005
einddatum:	31-03-2009

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