Key Contributions
Developed parameterized model of experimental low-swirl injector designs
Analyzed turbulent flow through the injector using a variety of models including k-epsilon and k-omega models through ANSYS as well as LES simulations and began supporting efforts to test uRANS models
Wrote Matlab scripts to handle flow data and generate plots for comparison and papers
Created 3D printed models and wrote procedures to generate smooth models for experimental testing as well as machining drawings for metal models
Wrote student presentations and papers to present in-front of judges for Caltech’s SURF Poster Competition, summer undergraduate research fellowship competition.
Project Overview
Contribution Period: Summer 2020 - Spring 2021
Stable low-swirl hydrogen combustion promises to be a clean path for hydrogen to become a prime renewable in an increasingly diverse energy sector. This particular project focused on the modeling of a low-swirl injector in ANSYS and using custom code written by Professor Blanquart’s lab. The design varied injector geometries and different parameters tracked to indicate performance by different variables including swirl number, velocity, and mixing. While I’m not currently researching in Prof. Blanquart’s lab the project is on-going and will now serve as part of a thesis of a graduate student.
The main paper I wrote out of the work during the Fall of 2020 can be found here and contains some details concerning the methods I employed and how this project taught me ANSYS Fluent.