Strategies for modeling turbulent flows in electronics

Hybrid methods based on the Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) equations and the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) formulation are investigated to try and improve the accuracy of heat transfer and surface temperature predictions for electronics systems and components. Two relatively low Reynolds number flows are studied using hybrid RANS-LES, RANS-Implicit-LES (RANS-ILES) and non-linear LES models. Predictions using these methods are in good agreement with each other, even using different grid resolutions. © 2008 IEEE.

Predictive techniques for turbulent oscillatory flows

The prediction of turbulent oscillatory flow at around transitional Reynolds numbers is considered for an idealized electronics system. To assess the accuracy of turbulence models, comparison is made with measurements. A stochastic procedure is used to recover instantaneous velocity time traces from predictions. This procedure enables more direct comparison with turbulence intensity measurements which have not been filtered to remove the oscillatory flow component. Normal wall distances, required in some turbulence models, are evaluated using a modified Poisson equation based technique. A range of zero, one and two equation turbulence models are tested, including zonal and a non-linear eddy viscosity models. The non-linear and zonal models showed potential for accuracy improvements.

Computation of transient and steady turbulent isothermal flows with an impinging rectangular jet

The computation of both transient and steady turbulent incompressible isothermal flows is studied. The flow is very complex, having streamline curvature, large vortex structures and stagnation resulting from an impinging rectangular jet. For transient computations, the standard k-ε model is adopted. For steady flows, the k-ε, high and low Reynolds number k-l and mixing length models are tried. Zonal approaches combining the above turbulence models are also investigated. None of the models are found to give satisfactory agreement with velocity measurements.

Response of two acoustically excited turbulent premixed flames to an imposed phase lag

This paper describes an experimental investigation into the interactions that occur between two acoustically forced lean turbulent premixed flames for an induced phase lag. Phase-averaged FSD from cinematographic OH-PLIF measurements and global heat release measurements were obtained for a range phase lags (ψ S) and amplitudes (A) as a function of flame separation distance, S. The effect of bringing two flames closer together causes jet merging, which alters the vortex flame interactions that drive the thermo-acoustic response. To simulate circumferential modes a phase lag was introduced, which affected the flame dynamics in the region of flame-flame interaction, with these changes dependent on S. For moderate separation distances, the flame structure becomes increasingly asymmetric inducing a very small transverse oscillation. However, for moderate phase lags (φ s ≤ 20) the magnitude of these changes and their subsequent influence on the thermo-acoustic response was found to be slight in comparison with changes in S. Copyright © 2012 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc.

Reynolds number effects on scalar dissipation rate transport and its modeling in turbulent premixed combustion

The effects of turbulent Reynolds number, Ret, on the transport of scalar dissipation rate of reaction progress variable in the context of Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes simulations have been analyzed using three-dimensional simplified chemistry-based direct numerical simulation (DNS) data of freely propagating turbulent premixed flames with different values of Ret. Scaling arguments have been used to explain the effects of Ret on the turbulent transport, scalar-turbulence interaction, and the combined reaction and molecular dissipation terms. Suitable modifications to the models for these terms have been proposed to account for Ret effects, and the model parameters include explicit Ret dependence. These expressions approach expected asymptotic limits for large values of Ret. However, turbulent Reynolds number Ret does not seem to have any major effects on the modeling of the term arising from density variation. Copyright © Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Experimental investigation of dynamic response of acoustically forced turbulent premixed CH4/CO2/air flames

Increasing demand for energy and continuing increase in environmental as well as financial cost of use of fossil fuels drive the need for utilization of fuels from sustainable sources for power generation. Development of fuel-flexible combustion systems is vital in enabling the use of sustainable fuels. It is also important that these sustainable combustion systems meet the strict governmental emission legislations. Biogas is considered as one of the viable sustainable fuels that can be used to power modern gas turbines: However, the change in chemical, thermal and transport properties as well as change in Wobbe index due to the variation of the fuel constituents can have a significant effect on the performance of the combustor. It is known that the fuel properties have strong influence on the dynamic flame response; however there is a lack of detailed information regarding the effect of fuel compositions on the sensitivity of the flames subjected to flow perturbations. In this study, we describe an experimental effort investigating the response of premixed biogas-air turbulent flames with varying proportions of CH4 and CO2 to velocity perturbations. The flame was stabilized using a centrally placed conical bluff body. Acoustic perturbations were imposed to the flow using loud speakers. The flame dynamics and the local heat release rate of these acoustically excited biogas flames were studied using simultaneous measurements of OH and H2CO planar laser induced fluorescence. OH* chemiluminescence along with acoustic pressure measurements were also recorded to estimate the total flame heat release modulation and the velocity fluctuations. The measurements were carried out by keeping the theoretical laminar flame speed constant while varying the bulk velocity and the fuel composition. The results indicate that the flame sensitivity to perturbations increased with increased dilution of CH4 by CO2 at low amplitude forcing, while at high amplitude forcing conditions the magnitude of the flame response was independent of dilution.