CFD Modeling of Flow through Twisted Tape
Department
Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science
Major
Nuclear Engineering
Research Advisor
Mueller, Gary Edward, 1954-
Advisor's Department
Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science
Funding Source
Mining and Nuclear Engineering Department
Abstract
Sustained nuclear fusion subjects components to extremely high heat fluxes. Heat transfer enhancement techniques are necessary to ensure the survival of these components in such conditions; one enhancement mechanism currently proposed for use in toroidal fusion devices such as Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) is a twisted tape swirltube inserted in a monoblock. Swirl flow induced by the twisted tape is expected to increase the critical heat flux and localized boiling by sweeping the hottest part of the fluid in contact with the tube into the bulk flow. This study uses STAR-CCM+ 13.06.011-R8 computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to examine the flow from twisted tape and how modifications to geometry, physics models, meshing models, and flow conditions affect the results. The simulations visualize radial and axial transport of the fluid and determine pressure drop due to the geometry, and will later be compared to positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) experiments.
Biography
Jack Fletcher is a freshman pursuing his degree in Nuclear Engineering. He is an active member in the Nuclear Science Design Team and the American Nuclear Society, through which he gained the opportunity to conduct research in the fields of heat transfer and fluid dynamics under the direction of Ph.D. candidates Mr. Ryan Steere and Ms. Monica Gehrig, respectively. Through both organizations he enjoys the ability to create strong connections in his degree field and make tangible contributions to the scientific community, even as a first-year student at the University. He plans to continue conducting, guiding, and teaming from research well into his graduate studies and professional career.
Research Category
Engineering
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Document Type
Presentation
Award
Engineering oral presentation, Second place
Location
Ozark Room
Presentation Date
16 Apr 2019, 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm
CFD Modeling of Flow through Twisted Tape
Ozark Room
Sustained nuclear fusion subjects components to extremely high heat fluxes. Heat transfer enhancement techniques are necessary to ensure the survival of these components in such conditions; one enhancement mechanism currently proposed for use in toroidal fusion devices such as Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) is a twisted tape swirltube inserted in a monoblock. Swirl flow induced by the twisted tape is expected to increase the critical heat flux and localized boiling by sweeping the hottest part of the fluid in contact with the tube into the bulk flow. This study uses STAR-CCM+ 13.06.011-R8 computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to examine the flow from twisted tape and how modifications to geometry, physics models, meshing models, and flow conditions affect the results. The simulations visualize radial and axial transport of the fluid and determine pressure drop due to the geometry, and will later be compared to positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) experiments.
