In this study the effects of changes to the geometry of a vortex amplifier are investigated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques, in the context of glovebox operations for the nuclear industry. These investigations were required because of anomalous behavior identified when, for operational reasons, a long-established vortex amplifier design was reduced in scale. The aims were (i) to simulate both the anomalous back-flow into the glovebox through the vortex amplifier supply ports, and the precessing vortex core in the amplifier outlet, then (ii) to determine which of the various simulated geometries would best alleviate the supply port back-flow anomaly. Various changes to the geometry of the vortex amplifier were proposed; smoke and air tests were then used to identify a subset of these geometries for subsequent simulation using CFD techniques. Having verified the mesh resolution was sufficient to reproduce the required effects, the code was then validated by comparing the results of the steady-state simulations with the experimental data. The problem is challenging in terms of the range of geometrical and dynamic scales encountered, with consequent impact on mesh quality and turbulence modeling. The anomalous nonaxisymmetric reverse flow in the supply ports of the vortex amplifier has been captured and the mixing in both the chamber and the precessing vortex core has also been successfully reproduced. Finally, by simulating changes to the supply ports that could not be reproduced experimentally at an equivalent cost, the geometry most likely to alleviate the back-flow anomaly has been identified.
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April 2011
Research Papers
Computational Fluid Dynamic Studies of Vortex Amplifier Design for the Nuclear Industry—I. Steady-State Conditions
D. Parker
,
D. Parker
John Tyndall Institute for Nuclear Research, School of Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences,
darren.parker@telerealtrillium.com
University of Central Lancashire
, Preston, UK; Trillium, 140 Aldersgate Street, London, UK
Search for other works by this author on:
M. J. Birch
,
M. J. Birch
John Tyndall Institute for Nuclear Research, School of Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences,
mjbirch@uclan.ac.uk
University of Central Lancashire
, Preston, UK
Search for other works by this author on:
J. Francis
J. Francis
John Tyndall Institute for Nuclear Research, School of Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences,
jfrancis1@uclan.ac.uk
University of Central Lancashire
, Preston, UK
Search for other works by this author on:
D. Parker
John Tyndall Institute for Nuclear Research, School of Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences,
University of Central Lancashire
, Preston, UK; Trillium, 140 Aldersgate Street, London, UK
darren.parker@telerealtrillium.com
M. J. Birch
John Tyndall Institute for Nuclear Research, School of Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences,
University of Central Lancashire
, Preston, UK
mjbirch@uclan.ac.uk
J. Francis
John Tyndall Institute for Nuclear Research, School of Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences,
University of Central Lancashire
, Preston, UK
jfrancis1@uclan.ac.uk
J. Fluids Eng. Apr 2011, 133(4): 041103 (16 pages)
Published Online: May 16, 2011
Article history
Received:
July 5, 2010
Revised:
February 3, 2011
Accepted:
February 3, 2011
Online:
May 16, 2011
Published:
May 16, 2011
Citation
Parker, D., Birch, M. J., and Francis, J. (May 16, 2011). "Computational Fluid Dynamic Studies of Vortex Amplifier Design for the Nuclear Industry—I. Steady-State Conditions." ASME. J. Fluids Eng. April 2011; 133(4): 041103. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4003775
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