Research
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Heat Transfer Augmentation |
Most compact heat exchangers operate in the low Reynolds number laminar to transitional regime. The research has focused on the use of enhanced surfaces to augment heat transfer through unsteady mechanisms. A distinguishing feature has been the emphasis on the detailed analysis of fundamental flow physics in relation to heat transfer augmentation. |
| Gas Turbine Turbulent Heat Transfer |
Gas turbine combustor followed by the first stage high pressure nozzle vane and blade undergo active internal and external cooling to protect against high mainstream temperatures. The resulting flows are highly turbulent and complex with turbulence modeling playing a critical role in accurate prediction. The research focuses on high-fidelity time-dependent methods such as Large-eddy Simulations (LES) for heat transfer prediction. |
| Gas Turbine Deposition and Fouling |
Ingestion of sand, dirt and volcanic ash into a gas turbine engine can cause erosion and deposition in the engine. Deposition can block cooling circuits, can reduce heat transfer, and change the aerodynamic performance of components. The research focuses on the turbulent transport of particulate matter in the flow path and modeling the impact mechanics of particles with the surface. |
| Methods Development |
Many different physical models, numerical techniques, turbulence models, etc. make up the solution of the governing transport processes. The research focuses on developing, implementing, and testing different methods and models. |
| High Performance Parallel Computing |
Computers have undergone a revolutionary change in architecture and capacity in the last few decades. This research focuses on algorithms, solution techniques, and parallel computing paradigms that make effective use of high performance computing architectures. |
| Multiphase Fluid-Particulate Systems |
Fluid-particulate systems have a wide range of applications in chemical processing, energy production, pharmaceuticals, environment, etc. This research focuses on the development of tools, models, methods for simulating dense fluid-particulate systems and their application. |
| Bio-locomotion: Flapping Flight |
The flapping motion is used by all flying creatures and even by many aquatic animals for swimming. This research focuses on the mechanism of flapping as used by insects, birds and bats to generate the unsteady forces that allow them to fly and maneuver. |
| Bio-fluid Mechanics: Cardiovascular |
Cardiovascular disease is one of the major causes of mortality in the world. This research focuses on the hemodynamics of flows in arteries and veins and the physio-chemical conditions that lead to the formation and growth of thrombii. |
| Other Topics |
Other topics range from fundamental investigations of flow separation-reattachment, dynamic stall on pitching airfoils, environmental flows and dispersion of pollutants, microfluid platforms for cancer research, vertical-axis wind turbines, thermal-hydraulics of nuclear reactor core components and steam generator, ablation of sacrificial rocket nozzle liners, etc. |
Danesh Tafti
William S. Cross Professor
(540) 231-9975
dtafti@vt.edu
Professor Tafti's research focuses on computational fluid dynamics and heat-mass transfer. His research interests span methods and software development on supercomputers and applications in propulsion, energy, and biological systems.