Swift v. 300

Overview

Swift is a multiblock CFD code for the analysis of 3-D flows in turbomachinery, developed by Dr. Rodrick V. Chima at NASA Glenn Research Center. The code solves the thin-layer Navier-Stokes equations using explicit finite-difference techniques. It can be used to analyze linear cascades or annular blade rows with or without rotation. Limited multiblock capability can be used to model tip-clearances and multistage machines.

TCGRID is a separate grid generator used to generate computational grids for Swift. Grids are stored in PLOT3D format and can be used with other analysis codes.

Swift home page: http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/5810/rvc/

Swift and TCGRID are available to companies and universities within the United States from the NASA GRC software repository:
https://technology.grc.nasa.gov/software/

Applications

• Linear cascades and rectangular ducts
• Axial compressors and turbines
• Isolated blade rows or multistage machines
• Centrifugal impellers, mixed flow machines without splitters, radial diffusers, and pumps

• C-grids around blades with H-grids upstream
• H-grids around blades
• O-grids for hub and tip clearances (a non-gridded clearance model is also available)
• Patched C-grids for multistage calculations using an averaging-plane technique

Swift solves the Navier-Stokes equations formulated in a Cartesian coordinate system with rotation about the x-axis. The equations are mapped to a general body-fitted coordinate system. Streamwise viscous terms are neglected using the thin-layer assumption, but all cross-channel viscous terms are retained.

• Central difference with artificial viscosity
• AUSM+ and H-CUSP upwind schemes

• Baldwin-Lomax or Cebeci-Smith algebraic models
• Wilcox's k-omega or Menter SST two-equation models

All turbulence models include transition and roughness effects.

• Explicit multi-stage Runge-Kutta scheme
• Variable time-step and implicit residual smoothing for convergence acceleration
• Preconditioning for low-speed (incompressible) flows

• Grids are usually generated using TCGRID and are stored in PLOT3D format
• Namelist input
• Solution files are in PLOT3D format
• Printed output of convergence history, spanwise output of average flow properties, and streamwise output of blade surface properties

Computer and graphics requirements

Swift requires a Fortran 90 compiler and CFD visualization software for use.

Examples
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Grids
Grid for a1.5 stage fan	Multiblock grid, SSME fuel turbine 1st stage	C-grid, radial turbine
Solutions
Pressure contours, for a 1.5 stage fan	Pressure contours, SSME fuel turbine 1st stage	Pressure contours on a pump impeller