Abstract:
This thesis aims to make advances in the accurate simulation of the ows in and around
clustered module
plug nozzles. The resulting simulations presented in this thesis are,
as far as can be ascertained from available data, the most detailed to date in Europe.
A
comparison is made with results from other sources for clarication of this point.
In the
process of producing these solutions, two ow solvers have been developed.
NSAXIMB is a
general 2D multi-block ow solver,developed by the author, for the
axisymmetric, Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations. It was developed to allow
simulation of
axisymmetic plug nozzle congurations and the investigation of the
effects of turbulence
modelling on such ows. MERLIN is a general 3D, implicit,
multi-block ow solver
again for the RANS equations. MERLIN was developed by
the Centre for
Computational uid Dynamic at Craneld. Signicant input from this
work has included a
large portion of the structure of the mean ow solver and the
extension of the advanced two
equation turbulence modelling, incorporated in NSAX-
IMB, to three dimensions. Of the turbulence models investigated the zonal models of
Menter
prove to be most effective in reproducing experimental results. These models
out
perform a more advanced non-linear eddy viscosity formulation, based on the work
of Abid. In an effort to
improve solution accuracy, grid adaptation software, based on
node redistribution
techniques has been developed for use in conjunction with the 3D
ow solver. This work is demonstrated in
conjunction with a basic test case before
application to the clustered module plug nozzle conguration. Results for the complex
block
topology adopted in the 3D test case are shown to cause the adaptation process
to fail. Further, it is shown that such a process may not be generalised for arbitrary
topologies.
