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Thermal Fluids & CFD Projects

Gas Turbine Engine

In this study, PDAQ lab software was used to record temperature and pressures of a MiniLab SR-30 gas turbine engine to enable comparisons of theoretical and actual performance as well as to calculate efficiencies of the system using a nonideal cycle model. The total cycle efficiency was determined to be 7.54% at 40,000 RPM ranging up to 24.63% at 78,000 RPM. 

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The experiments were performed by recording steady-state temperatures using thermocouples and pressures using pressure sensors at the compressor’s inlet and exit, turbine inlet and exit, and the exhaust. Fuel flow, rotational speed, and thrust were also recorded. Enthalpy values for each state were calculated using the CoolProps MatLab function with P and T values and the assumption that the gas turbine engine is air-standard

Wind Tunnel Sphere Analysis

This experiment seeks to analyze how boundary layer location and turbulent wake affect the drag and lift forces on an object. Various spheres and an airfoil were placed in a wind tunnel, data was recorded, and drag and lift coefficients were calculated. 

 

Form drag is a result of the pressure differential between the front and rear of the object.  Sharp drops in drag occur at high Reynolds numbers because the turbulent boundary layer stays attached later and subsequently reduces the pressure differential between the two sides. The location of the drop varies depending on the shape and size of the object.  

 

Large and smooth spheres undergo drag drops at a Reynolds number ~200,000 and have a drag coefficient that peaks at ~0.4. Adding texture to the small sphere causes the drag-drop to occur at a Reynolds number of ~75,000. Adding a tripwire 30° from the stagnation point at the front of the large sphere causes the drop to occur at a Reynold’ number of ~100,000. It can be observed that the airfoil undergoes stall at an angle of attack of 20° and the lift coefficient peaks at about 1.5. The drag coefficient increases to about 0.4 at 20°. These results are congruent with established results.

Steam Turbine Generator

The purpose of this lab is to observe and analyze a 5-kW steam turbine power plant.  In this lab, temperature and pressure measurements were taken at several stages in the power plant cycle for 11 different loads. Once data was recorded T-S diagrams were created and efficiencies were calculated. The system was observed to be most efficient overall at 100% full load. The mechanical efficiency peaked at almost 60% efficiency. These values increase as full load increases but max at around 75% full load. The isentropic efficiency peaked at 30% ± 1.15%. The cycle efficiency peaked at 3.5% ± 0.11%. The generator efficiency peaked at 89%. On the other hand, condenser effectiveness decreased as it approached full load. At 100% full load the condenser effectiveness was 87.25% ± 0.15%.

Airfoil CFD Analysis

I modeled a basic airplane wing using Autodesk Inventor. I varied the aileron position for several cases. I simulated the wing moving through laminar flow using Fluent CFD software. I created flow visualizations and calculated drag and lift coefficients for each case. I presented the results of this study to my senior class.

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