PITTSBURGH, Sept. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Engineers
from Stanford University, Honeywell International and ANSYS
(NASDAQ: ANSS) are working together with simulation software to
create more energy-efficient aircraft engines at lower costs.
As demand grows for increased gas turbine efficiency, engine
manufacturers are challenged with creating designs that operate at
higher temperatures. But that becomes a significant challenge as
temperatures approach the melting point of some engine component
material. A well-established method for maintaining turbine blade
temperatures at acceptable levels is to employ "film-cooling," a
technique in which cooler, compressor-discharge air is detoured
around the combustor then ejected from precisely-machined holes
placed over the surface of the turbine airfoil. Excessive use of
compressor air for turbine film cooling can, however, reduce engine
efficiency.
Historically, film-cooling-hole-placement on turbine airfoils
has been optimized by elaborate experiments, sometimes
necessitating engine testing. For decades, research engineers have
been developing computer simulations of film cooling geometries
with the ambition of reducing – if not eliminating – the need for
expensive, time-consuming rig testing.
Stanford, with support from
Honeywell and ANSYS®, is performing a new type of
testing with 3-D magnetic resonance velocimetry to measure the
velocity and concentration field in a test section. These methods
measure the turbulent interaction of crossflow jets with the main
flow, for a variety of jet configurations and orientations. These
data sets provide an important benchmark against which the large
available range of ANSYS turbulence models and computational
methods can be compared. The objective is to develop validated
models, methods and best practices for prediction of film
cooling.
"This is the first time that an engineering software company has
supported an extensive test series like this, and it illustrates
the commitment of ANSYS to the continued upgrade of the turbulence
models in ANSYS computational fluid dynamics solutions," said
John K. Eaton, the Charles Lee
Powell Foundation professor in Stanford's School of Engineering. "Our combined
efforts are aimed at validating the turbulent mixing models in
these tools over entire complex flow fields, something that has
never been done before. Conducting this testing over a wide range
of film cooling conditions provides a comprehensive test of the
predictive capability."
"At 30,000 feet in the air, there's little margin for error,"
said Brad Hutchinson, global
industry director for industrial equipment and rotating machinery
at ANSYS. "By always focusing on solving the most complex
problems – like the thin film cooling challenge Honeywell and
Stanford are addressing – ANSYS ensures
that our customers are armed with the tools that will help them to
create the most innovative products on the market."
About ANSYS, Inc.
ANSYS brings clarity and insight to customers' most complex
design challenges through fast, accurate and reliable engineering
simulation. Our technology enables organizations -- no matter
their industry -- to predict with confidence that their
products will thrive in the real world. Customers trust our
software to help ensure product integrity and drive business
success through innovation. Founded in 1970, ANSYS employs nearly
2,700 professionals, many of them expert in engineering fields such
as finite element analysis, computational fluid dynamics,
electronics and electromagnetics, and design optimization.
Headquartered south of Pittsburgh,
U.S.A., ANSYS has more than 75
strategic sales locations throughout the world with a network of
channel partners in 40+ countries. Visit www.ansys.com for more
information.
ANSYS also has a strong presence on the major social
channels. To join the simulation conversation, please visit:
www.ansys.com/Social@ANSYS
ANSYS and any and all ANSYS, Inc. brand, product, service and
feature names, logos and slogans are registered trademarks or
trademarks of ANSYS, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States or other
countries. All other brand, product, service and
feature names or trademarks are the property of their respective
owners.
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Contact
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Media
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Tom
Smithyman
724.514.3076
tom.smithyman@ansys.com
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Investors
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Annette Arribas,
CTP
724.514.1782
annette.arribas@ansys.com
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SOURCE ANSYS, Inc.