scholarly journals Blade Roughness Effects on Compressor and Engine Performance—A CFD and Thermodynamic Study

Aerospace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 330
Author(s):  
Jasem Alqallaf ◽  
Joao A. Teixeira
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Performance Degradation ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Blade Surface ◽  
Pressure Compressor

Degradation of compressors is a common concern for operators of gas turbine engines (GTEs). Surface roughness, due to erosion or fouling, is considered one of the major factors of the degradation phenomenon in compressors that can negatively affect the designed pressure rise, efficiency, and, therefore, the engine aero/thermodynamic performance. The understanding of the aerodynamic implications of varying the blade surface roughness plays a significant role in establishing the magnitude of performance degradation. The present work investigates the implications due to the degradation of the compressor caused by the operation in eroding environments on the gas turbine cycle performance linking, thereby, the compressor aerodynamics with a thermodynamic cycle. At the core of the present study is the numerical assessment of the effect of surface roughness on compressor performance employing the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools. The research engine test case employed in the study comprised a fan, bypass, and two stages of the low pressure compressor (booster). Three operating conditions on the 100% speed-line, including the design point, were investigated. Five roughness cases, in addition to the smooth case, with equivalent sand-grain roughness (Ks) of 15, 30, 45, 60, and 150 µm were simulated. Turbomatch the Cranfield in-house gas turbine performance simulation software, was employed to model the degraded engine performance. The study showed that the increase in the uniform roughness is associated with sizable drops in efficiency, booster pressure ratio (PR), non-dimensional mass flow (NDMF), and overall engine pressure ratio (EPR) together with rises in turbine entry temperature (TET) and specific fuel consumption (SFC). The performance degradation evaluation employed variables such as isentropic efficiency (ηis), low pressure compressor (LPC) PR, NDMF, TET, SFC, andEPR. The variation in these quantities showed, for the maximum blade surface degradation case, drops of 7.68%, 2.62% and 3.53%, rises of 1.14% and 0.69%, and a drop of 0.86%, respectively.

Military Engine Response to Compressor Inlet Stratified Pressure Distortion by an Integrated CFD Analysis

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo Melloni ◽  
Petros Kotsiopoulos ◽  
Anthony Jackson ◽  
Vassilios Pachidis ◽  
Pericles Pilidis
Keyword(s):  
Engine Performance ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
High Fidelity ◽  
Inlet Flow ◽  
Performance Simulation ◽  
Simulation Strategy ◽  
Compressor Inlet ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Pressure Compressor

Especially in aircraft applications, the inlet flow is quite often non uniform resulting in severe changes in compressor performance and hence, engine performance. The magnitude of this phenomenon can be amplified in military engines due to the complex shape of intake ducts and the extreme flight conditions. The usual approach to engine performance simulation is based on non-dimensional maps for compressors and turbines and assumes uniform flow characteristics throughout the engine. In the context of the whole engine performance, component-level, complex physical processes, such as compressor inlet flow distortion, can not be captured and analyzed. This work adopts a simulation strategy that allows the performance characteristics of an engine component, resolved from a detailed, high-fidelity analysis, to be transferred to an engine system analysis carried out at a lower level of fidelity. The methodology described in this paper utilizes an object-oriented, zero-dimensional gas turbine modeling and performance simulation system and a high-fidelity, three-dimensional, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), low-pressure compressor model. The CFD model is based on the overall geometry and performance of the low-pressure compressor of a modern, two-spool, low by-pass ratio (LBR) military turbofan engine and is subjected to both clean and distorted inlet flows. The analysis involves the generation of two characteristic maps for the first stage of the LP compressor from CFD simulations that account for a range of operating conditions and power settings with a uniform and a distorted inlet flow. The same simulation strategy could be adopted for other engine components such as the intake or the high-pressure compressor and for different magnitudes and types of distortion (i.e. radial, circumferential). By integrating the CFD-generated maps, into the 0-D engine analysis system, this paper presents a relative comparison between the ‘uniform-inlet’ engine performance (baseline compressor stage map) and the engine performance obtained after using the map accounting for a typical extent of stratified inlet distortion. The analysis carried out by this study, demonstrates relative changes in the simulated engine performance larger than 1%.

Numerical Analysis of Non-Radial Blading in a Low Speed and Low Pressure Turbine for Electric Turbocompounding Applications

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Alvarez-Regueiro ◽  
Esperanza Barrera-Medrano ◽  
Ricardo Martinez-Botas ◽  
Srithar Rajoo
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Analysis ◽  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Thermal Stresses ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Blade Angle ◽  
Low Speed

Abstract This paper presents a CFD-based numerical analysis on the potential benefits of non-radial blading turbine for low speed-low pressure applications. Electric turbocompounding is a waste heat recovery technology consisting of a turbine coupled to a generator that transforms the energy left over in the engine exhaust gases, which is typically found at low pressure, into electricity. Turbines designed to operate at low specific speed are ideal for these applications since the peak efficiency occurs at lower pressure ratios than conventional high speed turbines. The baseline design consisted of a vaneless radial fibre turbine, operating at 1.2 pressure ratio and 28,000rpm. Experimental low temperature tests were carried out with the baseline radial blading turbine at nominal, lower and higher pressure ratio operating conditions to validate numerical simulations. The baseline turbine incidence angle effect was studied and positive inlet blade angle impact was assessed in the current paper. Four different turbine rotor designs of 20, 30, 40 and 50° of positive inlet blade angle are presented, with the aim to reduce the losses associated to positive incidence, specially at midspan. The volute domain was included in all CFD calculations to take into account the volute-rotor interactions. The results obtained from numerical simulations of the modified designs were compared with those from the baseline turbine rotor at design and off-design conditions. Total-to-static efficiency improved in all the non-radial blading designs at all operating points considered, by maximum of 1.5% at design conditions and 5% at off-design conditions, particularly at low pressure ratio. As non-radial fibre blading may be susceptible to high centrifugal and thermal stresses, a structural analysis was performed to assess the feasibility of each design. Most of non-radial blading designs showed acceptable levels of stress and deformation.

scholarly journals The Design and Evaluation of a 14 Stage, 16:1 Pressure Ratio Compressor for an Industrial Gas Turbine

1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad R. Saadatmand
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Rotor Blade ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Design Intent ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Industrial Gas Turbine

The aerodynamic design process leading to the production configuration of a 14 stage, 16:1 pressure ratio compressor for the Taurus 70 gas turbine is described. The performance of the compressor is measured and compared to the design intent. Overall compressor performance at the design condition was found to be close to design intent. Flow profiles measured by vane mounted instrumentation are presented and discussed. The flow through the first rotor blade has been modeled at different operating conditions using the Dawes (1987) three-dimensional viscous code and the results are compared to the experimental data. The CFD prediction agreed well with the experimental data across the blade span, including the pile up of the boundary layer on the corner of the hub and the suction surface. The rotor blade was also analyzed with different grid refinement and the results were compared with the test data.

The Port Width and Position Determination for Pressure-Exchange Ejector

2012 ◽  
Vol 134 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenjing Zhao ◽  
Dapeng Hu ◽  
Peiqi Liu ◽  
Yuqiang Dai ◽  
Jiupeng Zou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Performance Optimization ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Maximum Deviation ◽  
Dimensionless Time ◽  
Pressure Flow ◽  
Outlet Pressure ◽  
Pressure Exchange

A pressure-exchange ejector transferring energy by compression and expansion waves has the potential for higher efficiency. The width and position of each port are essential in pressure-exchange ejector design. A dimensionless time τ expressing both port widths and the positions of port ends was introduced. A prototype was designed and the experimental system was set up. Many sets of experiment with different geometrical arrangements were conducted. The results suggest that the efficiency greatly changes with the geometrical arrangements. The efficiency is about 60% at proper port widths and positions, while at improper geometrical arrangements, the efficiency is much lower and the maximum deviation may reach about 20%. The proper dimensionless port widths and positions at different operating conditions are obtained. For a fixed overall pressure ratio, the widths of the high pressure flow inlet and middle pressure flow outlet increase as the outlet pressure increases and the low pressure flow inlet width is reduced with a larger outlet pressure. The middle pressure flow outlet (MO) opening end remains constant at different outlet pressures. The positions of the high pressure flow inlet (HI) closed end and the low pressure flow inlet (LI) open end increase with the elevation of outlet pressure, however, the distance between the HI closing end and the LI opening end is constant. The port widths and positions have a significant influence on the performance of the pressure-exchange ejector. The dimensionless data obtained are very valuable for pressure-exchange ejector design and performance optimization.

The Heat Transfer Performance of Porous Gas Turbine Blades

1968 ◽  
Vol 72 (696) ◽  
pp. 1087-1094 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. J. Bayley ◽  
A. B. Turner
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Specific Power ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Inlet Temperature ◽  
Turbine Inlet ◽  
Compression And Expansion

It is well known that the performance of the practical gas turbine cycle, in which compression and expansion are non-isentropic, is critically dependent upon the maximum temperature of the working fluid. In engines in which shaft-power is produced the thermal efficiency and the specific power output rise steadily as the turbine inlet temperature is increased. In jet engines, in which the gas turbine has so far found its greatest success, similar advantages of high temperature operation accrue, more particularly as aircraft speeds increase to utilise the higher resultant jet velocities. Even in high by-pass ratio engines, designed specifically to reduce jet efflux velocities for application to lower speed aircraft, overall engine performance responds very favourably to increased turbine inlet temperatures, in which, moreover, these more severe operating conditions apply continuously during flight, and not only at maximum power as with more conventional cycles.

scholarly journals Impact of compressed air energy storage demands on gas turbine performance

2020 ◽  
pp. 095765092090627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uyioghosa Igie ◽  
Marco Abbondanza ◽  
Artur Szymański ◽  
Theoklis Nikolaidis
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Compressed Air ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Simulation Code ◽  
Ratio Distribution ◽  
Stall Margin ◽  
Industrial Gas Turbines

Industrial gas turbines are now required to operate more flexibly as a result of incentives and priorities given to renewable forms of energy. This study considers the extraction of compressed air from the gas turbine; it is implemented to store heat energy at periods of a surplus power supply and the reinjection at peak demand. Using an in-house engine performance simulation code, extractions and injections are investigated for a range of flows and for varied rear stage bleeding locations. Inter-stage bleeding is seen to unload the stage of extraction towards choke, while loading the subsequent stages, pushing them towards stall. Extracting after the last stage is shown to be appropriate for a wider range of flows: up to 15% of the compressor inlet flow. Injecting in this location at high flows pushes the closest stage towards stall. The same effect is observed in all the stages but to a lesser magnitude. Up to 17.5% injection seems allowable before compressor stalls; however, a more conservative estimate is expected with higher fidelity models. The study also shows an increase in performance with a rise in flow injection. Varying the design stage pressure ratio distribution brought about an improvement in the stall margin utilized, only for high extraction.

scholarly journals Investigation of Micro Gas Turbine Systems for High Speed Long Loiter Tactical Unmanned Air Systems

Aerospace ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Large ◽  
Apostolos Pesyridis
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Turbine Engine ◽  
Micro Gas Turbine ◽  
Fan Speed ◽  
Relative Design ◽  
Design Simplicity

In this study, the on-going research into the improvement of micro-gas turbine propulsion system performance and the suitability for its application as propulsion systems for small tactical UAVs (<600 kg) is investigated. The study is focused around the concept of converting existing micro turbojet engines into turbofans with the use of a continuously variable gearbox, thus maintaining a single spool configuration and relative design simplicity. This is an effort to reduce the initial engine development cost, whilst improving the propulsive performance. The BMT 120 KS micro turbojet engine is selected for the performance evaluation of the conversion process using the gas turbine performance software GasTurb13. The preliminary design of a matched low-pressure compressor (LPC) for the proposed engine is then performed using meanline calculation methods. According to the analysis that is carried out, an improvement in the converted micro gas turbine engine performance, in terms of thrust and specific fuel consumption is achieved. Furthermore, with the introduction of a CVT gearbox, the fan speed operation may be adjusted independently of the core, allowing an increased thrust generation or better fuel consumption. This therefore enables a wider gamut of operating conditions and enhances the performance and scope of the tactical UAV.

Probabilistic and Numerical Modelling of a Lobed Mixer at Windmilling Conditions

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxime Lecoq ◽  
Nicholas Grech ◽  
Pavlos K. Zachos ◽  
Vassilios Pachidis
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Response Surface ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Pressure Loss ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Total Pressure Loss ◽  
Operating Point ◽  
Mixing Losses

Aero-gas turbine engines with a mixed exhaust configuration offer significant benefits to the cycle efficiency relative to separate exhaust systems, such as increase in gross thrust and a reduction in fan pressure ratio required. A number of military and civil engines have a single mixed exhaust system designed to mix out the bypass and core streams. To reduce mixing losses, the two streams are designed to have similar total pressures. In design point whole engine performance solvers, a mixed exhaust is modelled using simple assumptions; momentum balance and a percentage total pressure loss. However at far off-design conditions such as windmilling and altitude relights, the bypass and core streams have very dissimilar total pressures and momentum, with the flow preferring to pass through the bypass duct, increasing drastically the bypass ratio. Mixing of highly dissimilar coaxial streams leads to complex turbulent flow fields for which the simple assumptions and models used in current performance solvers cease to be valid. The effect on simulation results is significant since the nozzle pressure affects critical aspects such as the fan operating point, and therefore the windmilling shaft speeds and air mass flow rates. This paper presents a numerical study on the performance of a lobed mixer under windmilling conditions. An analysis of the flow field is carried out at various total mixer pressure ratios, identifying the onset and nature of recirculation, the flow field characteristics, and the total pressure loss along the mixer as a function of the operating conditions. The data generated from the numerical simulations is used together with a probabilistic approach to generate a response surface in terms of the mass averaged percentage total pressure loss across the mixer, as a function of the engine operating point. This study offers an improved understanding on the complex flows that arise from mixing of highly dissimilar coaxial flows within an aero-gas turbine mixer environment. The total pressure response surface generated using this approach can be used as look-up data for the engine performance solver to include the effects of such turbulent mixing losses.

Compressor Characteristics in Gas Turbine Performance Modelling

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoff Jones ◽  
Pericles Pilidis ◽  
Barry Curnock
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Pressure Loss ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Performance Model ◽  
Flow Function ◽  
Performance Modelling ◽  
Turbine Engine ◽  
Loss Parameter ◽  
Modelling Methods

The choice of how to represent the performance of the fans and compressors of a gas turbine engine in a whole-engine performance model can be critical to the number of iterations required by the solver or indeed whether the system can be solved. This paper therefore investigates a number of compressor modelling methods and compares their relative merits. Particular attention is given to investigating the ability of the various representations to model the performance far from design point. It is noted that, for low rotational speeds and flows, matching on pressure ratio will produce problems, and that efficiency is a discontinuous function at these conditions. Thus, such traditional representations of compressors are not suitable for investigations of starting or windmilling performance. Matching on pressure ratio, Beta, the Crainic exit flow function and the true exit flow function is investigated. The independent parameters of isentropic efficiency, pressure loss, a modified pressure loss parameter, specific torque, and ideal and actual enthalpy rises are compared. The requirements of the characteristic choice are investigated, with regard to choosing matching variables and ensuring that relationships are smooth and continuous throughout the operating range of the engine.

How to Create a Performance Model of a Gas Turbine From a Limited Amount of Information

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Kurzke
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Reference Point ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Performance Model ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Secondary Importance ◽  
Engine Simulation ◽  
A Performance

Gas turbine manufacturers develop complex performance simulation models for their products; these proprietary models are based on design information and the many measurements taken during engine development. For subcontractors in collaborative projects, for gas turbine users and outsiders there is often only a limited amount of data accessible for creating a performance model of the engine. User-friendly, accurate and fast PC-based engine simulation tools are available for anybody from several sources. With these tools it is possible to create from a limited amount of data full thermodynamic models. In this paper a methodology is presented which minimizes the effort needed for creating such models. It consists of four steps: Firstly a suitable cycle reference point is chosen and the model is tailored to the data of this point. Secondly compressor and turbine maps are added and scaled such that they fit exactly to the cycle reference point. In this step a second operating point is considered and the location of the cycle reference point in the component maps is adapted such that the simulation fits optimally to the given data of the second point. In a third step, the rest of the data are compared graphically with the simulation. Here many modelers fall in a trap: They plot the data versus spool speed as x-axis because speed is accurately measurable and regarded as reliable information. However, spool speed is — from the view of thermodynamics — a parameter of secondary importance. If the correlation of spool speed with corrected flow in the compressor map is incorrect — which is very probable at the beginning of the modeling process — then all graphics will show discrepancies. This makes the adaptation of the model to the data an extended iterative process. If one uses for the model checks a primary thermodynamic parameter — like corrected mass flow, overall pressure ratio or thrust respectively shaft power — as basis then the task is very much simplified. In the fourth and final step the speed values in the estimated compressor maps are adjusted. This has little effect on the matching accuracy of the previous steps, so the model is finished quickly. The procedure is demonstrated by creating a model for a two-spool turbojet which was tested over quite a range of operating conditions in an altitude test facility. Without much iteration a model is quickly created which matches all the measured data within the quoted uncertainty of the measurements.

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