A study of airfoil parameterization,modeling, and optimization based on the computational fluid dynamics method

An excellent airfoil with a high lift-to-drag ratio may decrease oil consumption and enhance the voyage. Based on NACA 0012, an improved airfoil is explored in this paper. The class/shape function transformation has been proved to be a good method for airfoil parameterization, and in this paper it is modified to improve imitation accuracy. The computational fluid dynamics method is applied to obtain numerically the aerodynamic parameters of the parameterized airfoil, and the result is proved credible by comparison with available experimental data in the open literature. A polynomial-based response surface model and the uniform Latin hypercube sampling method are employed to decrease computational cost. Finally, the nonlinear programming by quadratic Lagrangian method is utilized to modify the multi-island genetic algorithm, which has an improved optimization effect than the method used on its own. The obtained result shows that the modified class/shape function transformation method produces a better imitation of an airfoil in the nose and tail regions than the original method, and that it will satisfy the tolerance zone of the model in a wind tunnel. The response surface model based on the uniform Latin hypercube sampling method gives an accurate prediction of the lift-to-drag ratio with changes in the design variables. The numerical result of the flow around the airfoil shows reasonable agreement with the experimental data graphically and quantitatively. Ultimately, an airfoil with better capacity than the original one is acquired using the multi-island genetic algorithm based nonlinear programming by quadratic Lagrangian optimization method. The pressure contours and lift-to-drag ratio along with the attack angle have been compared with those of the original airfoil, and the results demonstrate the strength of the optimized airfoil. The process for exploring an improved airfoil through parameterization to optimization is worth referencing in future work.     

Numerical simulation of a gas pipeline network using computational fluid dynamics simulators

This article describes numerical simulation of gas pipeline network operation using high-accuracy computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulators of the modes of gas mixture transmission through long, multi-line pipeline systems (CFD-simulator). The approach used in CFD-simulators for modeling gas mixture transmission through long, branched, multi-section pipelines is based on tailoring the full system of fluid dynamics equations to conditions of unsteady, non-isothermal processes of the gas mixture flow. Identification, in a CFD-simulator, of safe parameters for gas transmission through compressor stations amounts to finding the interior points of admissible sets described by systems of nonlinear algebraic equalities and inequalities. Such systems of equalities and inequalities comprise a formal statement of technological, design, operational and other constraints to which operation of the network equipment is subject. To illustrate the practicability of the method of numerical simulation of a gas transmission network, we compare computation results and gas flow parameters measured on-site at the gas transmission enter-prise.     

Numerical simulation of a direct internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell using computational fluid dynamics method

A detailed mathematical model of a direct internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell （DIR-SOFC） incorporating with simulation of chemical and physical processes in the fuel cell is presented. The model is developed based on the reforming and electrochemical reaction mechanisms, mass and energy conservation, and heat transfer. A computational fluid dynamics （CFD） method is used for solving the complicated multiple partial differential equations （PDEs） to obtain the numerical approximations. The resulting distributions of chemical species concentrations, temperature and current density in a cross-flow DIR-SOFC are given and analyzed in detail. Further, the influence between distributions of chemical species concentrations, temperature and current density during the simulation is illustrated and discussed. The heat and mass transfer, and the kinetics of reforming and electrochemical reactions have significant effects on the parameter distributions within the cell. The results show the particular characteristics of the DIR-SOFC among fuel cells, and can aid in stack design and control.     

Optimization study of a PEM fuel cell performance using 3D multi-phase computational fluid dynamics model

INTRODUCTION Water management is one of the critical opera-tion issues in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuelcells. Spatially varying concentrations of water inboth vapour and liquid form are expected throughoutthe cell because of varying rates of production andtransport (Sui and Djilali, 2005). Devising betterwater management is therefore a key issue in PEMFCdesign, and this requires improved understanding ofthe parameters affecting water transport in the mem-brane. Proper thermal m…     

Numerical simulation of a direct internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell using computational fluid dynamics methodas

A detailed mathematical model of a direct internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell (DIR-SOFC) incorporating with simulation of chemical and physical processes in the fuel cell is presented. The model is developed based on the reforming and electrochemical reaction mechanisms, mass and energy conservation, and heat transfer. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method is used for solving the complicated multiple partial differential equations (PDEs) to obtain the numerical approximations.The resulting distributions of chemical species concentrations, temperature and current density in a cross-flow DIR-SOFC are given and analyzed in detail. Further, the influence between distributions of chemical species concentrations, temperature and current density during the simulation is illustrated and discussed. The heat and mass transfer, and the kinetics of reforming and electrochemical reactions have significant effects on the parameter distributions within the cell. The results show the particularchar acteristics of the DIR-SOFC among fuel cells, and can aid in stack design and control.     

Wind suitability in site analysis of coastal concave terrains using computational fluid dynamics simulation: a case study in East Asia

The effect of wind environment is becoming increasingly important in analyzing and selecting sites for better natural ventilation of residential buildings, external comfort, and pollution dispersion. The main purpose of this study was to develop a set of methods for wind environment assessment in coastal concave terrains. This set of methods can be used to provide quantifiable indicators of preferable wind conditions and help site analysis. Firstly, a total of 20 types of coastal bays with concave terrains in East Asia were characterized to find ideal locations. The selected areas were divided into five categories according to the main terrain features. Then a sample database for the concave terrains was compiled for modelling comparisons. Secondly, a number of key wind variables were identified. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models of the typical coastal concave terrains identified as a result of the study were created, and the local wind environments were simulated with input from geographic information system (GIS) and statistic package for social science (SPSS) analysis. A measure of wind suitability was proposed that takes wind velocity and wind direction into account using GIS. Finally, SPSS was used to find the relationship between wind suitability and key terrain factors. The results showed that wind suitability was significantly associated with terrain factors, especially altitude. The results suggest that residential building sites should be selected such that their bay openings face the direction of the prevailing wind and that the opposite direction should be avoided.