Aerodynamic Study of a Vane-Cascade Swirl Generator

Published

November 1, 2000

Author(s)

J F. Widmann, S R. Charagundla, Cary Presser

Abstract

The air flow through a vane-cascade swirl generator is examined both experimentally and numerically to characterize the inlet combustion air flow entering a reference spray combustion facility at NIST. A three-dimensional model is used to simulate the aerodynamics in the 12-vane cascade swirl generator that imparts the desired degree of angular momentum to the air in annulus leading into the reactor. A numerical simulation using the Renormalization Group method (RNG) kappa-eplison} turbulence model results in a velocity profile consistent with experimental measurements, and correctly predicts a recirculation zone that is experimentally observed at the exit of the annular passage. The standard (kappa-eplison} turbulence model does not compare as well with the experimental data and fails to predict the recirculation zone at the exit. This work is part of a larger project at NIST in which the benchmark data are collected for input and validation of multiphase combustion models, and the results presented provide a well-characterized inlet condition for the spray combustion reactor. The good agreement between the experimental data and the simulation with the RNG kappa-eplison} turbulence model provides further validation for this model in confined, annular flows.

Citation

Chemical Engineering Science

Volume

55

Issue

No. 22

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

CFD, fluid mechanics, numerical analysis, pitot probe, simulation, swirl, turbulence

Citation

Widmann, J. , Charagundla, S. and Presser, C. (2000), Aerodynamic Study of a Vane-Cascade Swirl Generator, Chemical Engineering Science (Accessed October 14, 2025)