Zixiang Sun

Dr Zixiang Sun

Research Fellow
+44 (0)1483 682333

About

Research interests

  • Turbulence modelling, including Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS), Large Eddy Simulation (LES), and various RANS turbulence modelling techniques;
  • Advanced flow systems and heat transfer;
  • Combustion, radiation, particle tracking and multi-phase flow;
  • Aero-thermal-mechanical coupling;
  • Multi-physics modelling with various coupling interfaces, including fluid-to-fluid, fluid-to-solid and solid-to-solid interface techniques;
  • Jet-engine secondary air systems and advanced cooling; 
  • Fan, pump, fluid coupling and other turbo-machinery applications;
  • Low fidelity methods for engineering design. 

Current Research Projects

  • Rotating disc cavity flow and heat transfer;
  • Rotor bow simulation;
  • Particle tracking in jet engine secondary air systems;
  • Ceramic matrix composite (CMC) segment performance and leakage modelling.

 

Research

Awards & Fellowships 

  • Best Paper Award (ASME Paper GT2015-42609) in 2015 by International Gas Turbine Institute, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
  • Certificate of Acknowledgement in 2005 by Rolls-Royce plc. for my work in the fluid-coupling research.
  • JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship for Foreign Researchers by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, 1996-1998. 

Publications

  • Zixiang Sun, John W. Chew, Feng Gao, Andrea Bristot and Jake Williams, 2023, “Parametric dependence and elementary modelling for compressor disc cavity heat transfer”, submitted to Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science (Paper ID JMES-23-0077)
  • Zixiang Sun, Feng Gao, John W. Chew and Dario Amirante, 2022, “Large eddy simulation investigation of low Rossby number buoyant flow in rotating cavities”, Journal of engineering for gas turbines and power, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), 144(12). 
  • Zixiang Sun, Dario Amirante, John W. Chew, and Nicholas J. Hills, 2016, “Coupled aerothermal modeling of a rotating cavity with radial inflow”, Journal of engineering for gas turbines and power, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), 138 (3).
  • Debin Fu, John W. Chew and Zixiang Sun, 2014, “Velocity pick-up and discharge coefficient for round orifices with cross flow at inlet”, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science, 228 (15).
  • Zixiang Sun, John W. Chew, Nicholas J. Hills, Leo Lewis and Christophe Mabilat, 2012, “Coupled aero-thermo-mechanical simulation for a turbine disk through a full transient cycle”, Journal of Turbomachinery, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), 134 (1).
  • Zixiang Sun, John W. Chew, Nicholas J. Hills, Konstantin Volkov, and Chris Barnes, 2010, “Efficient finite element analysis/computational fluid dynamics thermal coupling for engineering applications”, Journal of Turbomachinery, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), 132 (3).
  • Zixiang Sun, John W. Chew, J., Neil Fomison and David Edwards, 2009, “Analysis of fluid flow and heat transfer in industrial fluid couplings”, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science, 223 (9).
  • Zixiang Sun, Klas Lindblad, John W. Chew and Colin Young, 2007, “LES and RANS investigations into buoyancy-affected convection in a rotating cavity with a central axial throughflow”, Journal of engineering for gas turbines and power, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), 129 (2).
  • Ruonan Wang, Feng Gao, John W. Chew, Olaf Marxen and Zixiang Sun, 2023, “Advanced modelling of flow and heat transfer in rotating disc cavities using open-source CFD”, accepted by ASME Turbo Expo 2023, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME Paper GT2023-102491. 
  • Zixiang Sun, Feng Gao, John W. Chew and Dario Amirante, 2022, “LES investigation of low Rossby number buoyant flow in rotating cavities”, Proc. ASME Turbo Expo 2022, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME Paper GT2022-81338. 
  • Zixiang Sun, Nicholas J. Hills and Richard Scott, 2019, “A CFD assessment of engine core zone casing heat transfer”, Proc. ASME Turbo Expo 2019, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME paper GT2019-90381.
  • Zixiang Sun and John W. Chew, 2017, “Study of a conceptual design for cooled cooling air in a Preswirl Cavity”, Proc. of the 23rd ISABE conference, International Society of Air Beating Engines.
  • Dario Amirante, Zixiang Sun, John W. Chew, Nick Hills, and Nick Atkins, 2016, “Modeling of compressor drum cavities with radial inflow”, Proc. ASME Turbo Expo 2016, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME Paper GT2016-56505.
  • Zixiang Sun, Dario Amirante, John W. Chew, and Nicholas J. Hills, 2015, “Coupled aerothermal modeling of a rotating cavity with radial inflow”, Proc. ASME Turbo Expo 2015, American Society of Mechanical Engineers,  ASME Paper GT2015-42609.
  • Zixiang Sun, John W. Chew, Nicholas J. Hills, Chris Barnes and Antonio G. Valencia, 2012, “3D coupled fluid-solid thermal simulation of a turbine disc through a transient cycle”, Proc. ASME Turbo Expo 2012, American Society of Mechanical Engineers,  ASME Paper GT2012-68430.
  • 1 Zixiang Sun, John W. Chew, Nicholas J. Hills, Leo Lewis and Christophe Mabilat, 2010, “Coupled aero-thermo-mechanical simulation for a turbine disk through a full transient cycle”, Proc. of ASME Turbo Expo 2010, American Society of Mechanical Engineers,  ASME Paper GT2010-22673.
  • Zixiang Sun, John W. Chew and Neil Fomison, 2009, “Numerical simulation of complex air flow in an aeroengine gear box” , Proc. ASME Turbo Expo 2009, American Society of Mechanical Engineers,  ASME Paper GT2009-59530.
  • Zixiang Sun, John W. Chew, Nicholas J. Hills, Konstantin Volkov, and Chris Barnes, 2008, “Efficient finite element analysis/computational fluid dynamics thermal coupling for engineering applications”, Proc. ASME Turbo Expo 2008, American Society of Mechanical Engineers,  ASME Paper GT2008-50638.
  • Zixiang Sun, John W. Chew and Nicholas J. Hills, 2008, “Use of CFD for Thermal Coupling in Aeroengine Internal Air Systems Applications”, Invited paper, Proc of the 4th International Symposium on Fluid Machinery and Fluid Engineering, Paper no. IL07, November 24-27, 2008, Beijing, China.
  • Zixiang Sun, Klas Lindblad, John W. Chew and Colin Young, 2006, “LES and RANS investigations into buoyancy-affected convection in a rotating cavity with a central axial throughflow”, Proc. ASME Turbo Expo 2006, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME Paper GT2006-90251.
  • Zixiang Sun, John W. Chew, Alistair Kifoil, Nicholas J. Hills, 2004, “Numerical simulation of natural convection in stationary and rotating cavities”, Proc ASME Turbo Expo 2004, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME Paper GT2004-53528.
  • Zixiang Sun and John W. Chew, 2004, “Large Eddy Simulation of Duct Flow”, Proc. of the 3rd International Symposium on Fluid Machinery and Fluid Engineering, Beijing, China.
  • Sun, Z. , Surana, T., Ishida, M., Ueki, H., (2002): Numerical Simulation of Flow Separation Behavior in a Centrifugal Impeller under Periodic Inflow Condition, Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Pumps and Fans, Beijing, China, pp.201-207
  • Ishida, M., Sun, Z. , Surana, T., Sakaguchi, D., (2002): Numerical Investigation of Inducer Stall at Small Flow Rates in a Centrifugal Blower (Effect of Blade Leading Shape on Flow Separation), Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Pumps and Fans, Beijing, China, pp. 157-164
  • Sun, Z. , Ishida, M., Masuzawa, C. (2000): A Computational Study on Optimum Inducer Leading Geometry for Stall Suppression in a Centrifugal Blower, Proceedings of 2000 ASME Fluids Engineering Division Summer Meeting, Boston, USA, June 2000, Paper No. FEDSM2000-11059, pp.1-8
  • Ishida, M., Sun, Z. , Sakaguchi, D. and Ueki, H. (2000): A Computational Investigation of 3-D Flow Separation in a Vaneless Diffuser, Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium on Fluid Machinery and Fluid Engineering, Beijing, China, October 2000, Paper No. C3, pp.154-160
  • Sun, Z. , Ishida, M., Sakaguchi, D. and Ueki, H. (2000): Suppression of Inducer Stall based on Inlet Recirculation in a Centrifugal Blower, (2nd Report, Numerical Analysis of Stall Suppression Effect), Transaction of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (Collection B), Vol. 66, No.647, pp.1712-1718 (in Japanese)
  • Ueki, H., Ishida, M., Sakaguchi, D. and Sun, Z. (2000): Suppression of Inducer Stall based on Inlet Recirculation in a Centrifugal Blower, (1st Report, Improvement in Stall Limit by Ring Groove Arrangement), Transaction of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (Collection B), Vol. 66, No.647, pp.1706-1711 (in Japanese)
  • Sun, Z. , Ishida, M., Sakaguchi, D. and Ueki, H. (2000): Computational Analysis of 3-D Turbulent Flow Separation in a Vaneless Diffuser (Comparison between Numerical Analysis and Momentum Integral Method), Proceedings of JSME Fluids Engineering Conference, Muroran, Japan, September 2000, pp.1-4 (in Japanese)
  • Sakaguchi, D., Ishida, M., Sun, Z. and Ueki, H. (2000): Effect of Beveled Grooves on Suppression of Rotating Stall in a Centrifugal Blower, Reports of the Faculty of Engineering, Nagasaki University, Vol. 30, No. 55, pp.131-135 (in Japanese)
  • Sakaguchi, D., Ishida, M., Sun, Z. and Ueki, H. (2000): Effect of Diffuser Inlet Velocity Distribution on Rotating Stall Inception of a Centrifugal Blower, Reports of the Faculty of Engineering, Nagasaki University, Japan, Vol.30, No.54, pp.23-28 (in Japanese)
  • Sun, Z. , Ishida, M., Sakaguchi, D. and Ueki, H. (1999): Numerical Analysis of Inducer Stall in a Centrifugal Impeller, Proceedings of JSME Fluids Engineering Conference, Tottori, Japan, October 1999, pp.289-290 (in Japanese)
  • Ishida, M., Sun, Z. , Sakaguchi, D. and Ueki, H., Masuzawa, C. (1999): Numerical Analysis and Experimental Verification of Inlet Recirculation for Unstable Flow Suppression in a Centrifugal Blower, Proceedings of the 3rd ASME/JSME Joint Fluids Engineering Symposium, San Francisco, USA, July 1999, Paper No. 6844, pp.1-8
  • Sun, Z., Ishida, M., Sakaguchi, D. and Ueki, H. (1998): Flow Analysis and Surge Suppression in a Centrifugal Blower, Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Pumps and Fans, Beijing, China, October 1998, pp.204-214
  • Ishida, M., Sakaguchi, D., Sun, Z. and Ueki, H. (1998): Suppression of Rotating Stall in Vaneless Diffuser by Wall Roughness Control, Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Pumps and Fans, Beijing, China, October 1998, pp.232-241