Simplified CFD based Approach for Estimation of Heat Flux over Wedge Models in High Speed Plasma Flows

Analysis of plasma flows at hypersonic velocity over blunt bodies is quite complex and challenging as it involves complex flow physics and carries several uncertainties. Simultaneous simulation of all the parameters as existing in re-entry flight puts constraints on most of the ground based experiments. Numerical simulations, on the other hand, require modelling of ionisation and real gas effects and prove to be computationally costly. This paper highlights the development of unstructured, cell centred second order accurate parallel version of in-house computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver where high temperature equivalent properties used from Hansen’s 7 species model and establishment of a simplified procedure for estimation of heat flux over wedge models tested in Plasma Wind Tunnel facility, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. Numerical simulations were carried out for Plasma tunnel initially to get the flow properties inside the tunnel when operated without any model. A simplified CFD based approach is established for computing the heat flux over the bodies tested inside the tunnel and compared with the measured data. The comparison of numerical and measured values shows that the proposed methodology captures the flow physics and various parameters with acceptable levels of accuracy

Simulation of Thermo-fluid Interactions in Cryogenic Stage Turbine Startup System Using AUSM+-UP-based Higher-order Accurate Flow Solver

High-speed turbines are used in upper stage liquid engines of launch vehicles and the most common ones include LH2 and LOX turbines used in the cryogenic stages. The main constraints in the design of turbine system for a liquid engine are thermal loads, mass flow and pressure drops in various systems ahead of the turbine inlet. The temperature of the combustion products/gases reaching the turbine blades must be well below the melting point of the turbine blade material and the mass flow rate must be sufficient to generate the required power. Turbine can be started in two ways, by generating gases using a solid propellant-based spinner motor, and using compressed gases stored in gas bottles. The first method involves design challenges but requires less space and weight. On the other hand, second method is simple but requires more space. Because of the space and weight constraints associated with the upper stages, first method is preferred and discussed in this paper. It consists of a solid propellant-based spinner motor with a convergent-divergent nozzle, a guiding duct connecting nozzle exit, and the turbine inlet manifold in the form of a torroid with nozzle block having 39 guiding nozzles. The combustion products generated by the spinner motor are guided to the manifold through the guiding duct. Inlet manifold acts as a reservoir and supplies hot gases uniformly to the turbine through 39 nozzles. This study addresses the role of  computational fluid dynamics in the design of turbine startup system using unstructured cell-centered AUSM+-UP-based finite volume solver with the twoequation turbulence model. The flow and the thermal characteristics of the solid motor with a convergentdivergent nozzle were studied to evaluate the gas temperature, operating pressure, and flow velocities. The guiding duct along with the inlet manifold was analysed separately to find the drop in temperature and pressure within the system. From the simulation results, the mass flow through each guiding nozzle, and hence, energy available could be evaluated to ensure proper functioning of the turbine.Defence Science Journal, 2009, 59(3), pp.215-229, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.59.151

Effect of various inspired oxygen concentrations on pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics and oxygenation during resuscitation in a transitioning preterm model.

BackgroundThe Neonatal Resuscitation Program recommends initial resuscitation of preterm infants with low oxygen (O2) followed by titration to target preductal saturations (SpO2). We studied the effect of resuscitation with titrated O2 on gas exchange, pulmonary, and systemic hemodynamics.MethodologyTwenty-nine preterm lambs (127 d gestation) were randomized to resuscitation with 21% O2 (n = 7), 100% O2 (n = 6), or initiation at 21% and titrated to target SpO2 (n = 16). Seven healthy term control lambs were ventilated with 21% O2.ResultsPreductal SpO2 achieved by titrating O2 was within the desired range similar to term lambs in 21% O2. Resuscitation of preterm lambs with 21% and 100% O2 resulted in SpO2 below and above the target, respectively. Ventilation of preterm lambs with 100% O2 and term lambs with 21% O2 effectively decreased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). In contrast, preterm lambs with 21% O2 and titrated O2 demonstrated significantly higher PVR than term lambs on 21% O2.Conclusion(s)Initial resuscitation with 21% O2 followed by titration of O2 led to suboptimal pulmonary vascular transition at birth in preterm lambs. Ventilation with 100% O2 in preterm lambs caused hyperoxia but reduced PVR similar to term lambs on 21% O2. Studies evaluating the initiation of resuscitation at a higher O2 concentration followed by titration based on SpO2 in preterm neonates are needed

A note on the eight bar grouper, Hyporthodus octofasciatus (Griffin, 1926) (Pisces: Serranidae) from Indian waters

A single specimen of a serranid fish Hyporthodus octofasciatus of length 213 mm TL was collected during a commercial trawl operation off the South western coast of India, during March 2011 from a depth of 200 m. The present paper provides description, morphometric and meristic features of specimen and comparative account with earlier descriptions

Masked Randomized Trial of Epinephrine versus Vasopressin in an Ovine Model of Perinatal Cardiac Arrest.

BackgroundCurrent neonatal resuscitation guidelines recommend the use of epinephrine for bradycardia/arrest not responding to ventilation and chest compressions. Vasopressin is a systemic vasoconstrictor and is more effective than epinephrine in postnatal piglets with cardiac arrest. There are no studies comparing vasopressin with epinephrine in newly born animal models with cardiac arrest induced by umbilical cord occlusion. Objective: To compare the effect of epinephrine and vasopressin on the incidence and time to return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), hemodynamics, plasma drug levels, and vasoreactivity in perinatal cardiac arrest. Design/Methods: Twenty-seven term fetal lambs in cardiac arrest induced by cord occlusion were instrumented and resuscitated following randomization to epinephrine or vasopressin through a low umbilical venous catheter. Results: Eight lambs achieved ROSC prior to medication. Epinephrine achieved ROSC in 7/10 lambs by 8 ± 2 min. Vasopressin achieved ROSC in 3/9 lambs by 13 ± 6 min. Plasma vasopressin levels in nonresponders were much lower than responders after the first dose. Vasopressin caused in vivo increased pulmonary blood flow and in vitro coronary vasoconstriction. Conclusions: Vasopressin resulted in lower incidence and longer time to ROSC compared to epinephrine in a perinatal model of cardiac arrest supporting the current recommendations for exclusive use of epinephrine in neonatal resuscitation