Chambers, Steven B. (2005-02). Investigation of combustive flows and dynamic meshing in computational fluid dynamics. Master's Thesis. Thesis uri icon

abstract

  • Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a field that is constantly advancing. Its advances in terms of capabilities are a result of new theories, faster computers, and new numerical methods. In this thesis, advances in the computational fluid dynamic modeling of moving bodies and combustive flows are investigated. Thus, the basic theory behind CFD is being extended to solve a new class of problems that are generally more complex. The first chapter that investigates some of the results, chapter IV, discusses a technique developed to model unsteady aerodynamics with moving boundaries such as flapping winged flight. This will include mesh deformation and fluid dynamics theory needed to solve such a complex system. Chapter V will examine the numerical modeling of a combustive flow. A three dimensional single vane burner combustion chamber is numerically modeled. Species balance equations along with rates of reactions are introduced when modeling combustive flows and these expressions are discussed. A reaction mechanism is validated for use with in situ reheat simulations. Chapter VI compares numerical results with a laminar methane flame experiment to further investigate the capabilities of CFD to simulate a combustive flow. A new method of examining a combustive flow is introduced by looking at the solutions ability to satisfy the second law of thermodynamics. All laminar flame simulations are found to be in violation of the entropy inequality.

publication date

  • February 2005