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Hypersonic Heat Transfer Load Analysis In Star-Ccm+, Robert Comstock

Master's Theses

This thesis investigates the capabilities of STAR-CCM+, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software owned by Siemens, in predicting hypersonic heat transfer loads on forward-facing surfaces. Results show that STAR-CCM+ predicted peak heat transfer loads within +/- 20% of experimental data on the leading edge of a delta wing design from the X-20 Dyna-Soar program with 73^o of sweep. Steady-state laminar simulations were run as replications of wind tunnel tests documented in NASA CR-535, a NASA technical report that measured and studied the hypersonic pressure and heat transfer loads on preliminary X- 20 wing designs across a wide range of …

Thermal Modelling And Validation Of Heat Profiles In An Rf Plasma Micro-Thruster, Alec Sean Henken

Master's Theses

The need and demand for propulsion devices on nanosatellites has grown over the last decade due to interest in expanding nanosatellite mission abilities, such as attitude control, station-keeping, and collision avoidance. One potential micro-propulsion device suitable for nanosatellites is an electrothermal plasma thruster called Pocket Rocket. Pocket Rocket is a low-power, low-cost propulsion platform specifically designed for use in nanosatellites such as CubeSats. Due to difficulties associated with integrating propulsion devices onto spacecraft such as volume constraints and heat dissipation limitations, a characterization of the heat generation and heat transfer properties of Pocket Rocket is necessary. Several heat-transfer models of …

Validation Of A Cfd Approach For Gas Turbine Internal Cooling Passage Heat Transfer Prediction, Daniel G. Wilde

Master's Theses

This report describes the development and application of a validated Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling approach for internal cooling passages in rotating turbomachinery. A CFD Modelling approach and accompanying assumptions are tuned and validated against academically available experimental results for various serpentine passages. Criteria of the CFD modelling approach selected for investigation into advanced internal cooling flows include accuracy, robustness, industry familiarity, and computational cost.

Experimental data from NASA HOST (HOt Section Technology), Texas A&M, and University of Manchester tests are compared to RANS CFD results generated using Fluent v14.5 in order to benchmark a CFD modelling approach.

Capability of …

Time-Temperature Curing Relationship Of An Adhesive Binder With Rice Straw, Kevin Ka-Wan Ng

Master's Theses

Rice straw is a global and proliferate agricultural waste whose production grossly outstrips viable uses. Current disposal methods are not sustainable, and more convenient methods – such as incineration – exude poor environmental stewardship. Although the direct use of straw bales in building construction presents a practical and sustainable alternative, engineering challenges associated with using it prevent its wide adoption. The Stak Block – a composite formed from compressed rice straw and a heat-cured adhesive – may overcome challenges associated with straw bale building. However, the times and temperatures needed to cure the binder with straw are not well understood. …

An Experiment On Integrated Thermal Management Using Metallic Foam, Derek M. Geiger

Master's Theses

This report details an approach to using metal foam heat exchangers inside an integrated thermal management system on a variable cycle engine. The propulsion system of interest is a variable cycle engine with an auxiliary, variable flow rate fan. The feasibility of utilizing an open-celled metallic foam heat exchanger in the ducting between the constant and variable-fans on this variable cycle engine to cool the avionics was explored using an experimental approach. Two heat exchangers, 6.3 inch width by 6.3 inch length by 0.5 inch thickness, were constructed from 20 and 40 pores per inch (PPI) metal foam and tested. …