Aero-Design of Aerodynamically Lifting Struts for Intermediate Compressor Ducts

• Main Author: Bergstedt, Robin
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: KTH, Aerodynamik 2014
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-163702

Increasing demands on the performance and sustainability of modern turbofan engines put high requirements on each system component, and the limit of what is possible is expected to continue to extend. This thesis focuses on studies on the so-called turning struts concept which aims to shorten the compressor module of a future turbofan engine by introducing aerodynamically modified struts in the compressor mid-frame. Through CFD analysis and low-speed experimental evaluations, this concept is further developed with promising results attained in its early design stages. Important aerodynamic aspects related to this concept are highlighted, and appropriate conceptual design approaches are discussed. It was found that the length of the intermediate compressor duct could be reduced by up to 20% by eliminating the need for the last stator row in the upstream compressor, whilst providing comparable or improved performance compared to conventional designs.