Knowledge area(s) Computational Physics en theoretische aërodynamica

Engine performance prediction for varied low pressure turbine vane geometry utilizing test rig data and combined computational fluid dynamic and cycle models Problem area Engine performance is a result of the interaction between individual components. Any deviation from the design geometry does not only affect the flow locally, but can also lead to significantly altered whole engine performance. Specifically for Low Pressure Turbine (LPT) vanes, erosion and subsequent refurbishment can lead to considerable changes in geometry. Following vane refurbishment, the part’s effective flow area may be measured and adjusted to meet turbine nozzle matching requirements for the engine build. Other parameters such as pressure loss and outlet flow angle are not evaluated, but rather assumed equivalent to a new part. Consequently, a large portion of vanes is rejected only after engine test, making it an expensive process. Description of work A new methodology is presented here that promises to reduce the cost of acceptance tests by predicting the performance of an engine with a refurbished vane. It follows a multi-fidelity approach involving experimental testing, zero-dimensional cycle modelling and three-dimensiona