Erosion of an Axial Transonic Fan due to Dust Ingestion

Abstract

This paper deals with the prediction of the particle dynamic and erosion characteristics due to dust ingestion in an axial flow fan, installed in a high bypass-ratio turbofan engine that operates in a dusty environment. Dynamic behavior comprises the particle trajectory and its impact velocity and location. While the erosion characteristics are resembled by the impact frequency, erosion rate, erosion parameter and the penetration rate. The study was carried out in two flight regimes, namely, takeoff, where the sand particles are prevailing, and cruise, where the fly ashes are dominated. In both cases, the effect of the particle size on its trajectory, impact location, and the erosion characteristics was studied. To simulate the problem in a more realistic manner, a Rosin Rambler particle diameter distribution was assumed at takeoff and cruise conditions. At takeoff, this distribution varies from 50 to 300 μm with a mean diameter of 150 μm sand particles. While at cruise, this distribution varies from 5 to 30 μm with a mean diameter of 15 μm fly ash particles. The computational domain employed was a periodic sector through both the fan and its intake bounding an angle of (360/38) where the number of fan blades is (38). The intake is a stationary domain while the fan is a rotating one and the FLUENT solver is used to solve this problem. Firstly, the flow field was solved in the computational domain using the Navier-Stokes finite- volume supported by the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model. The governing equations, representing the particle motion through the moving stream of a compressible flow are introduced herein to calculate the particle trajectory. The solution of these equations is carried out based on the Lagrangian approach. Next, empirical equations representing the particle impact characteristics with the walls are introduced to calculate the rebound velocity, the erosion rate, erosion parameter, impact frequency and penetration rate. Moreover, a method to smoothen the irregularity in the calculated scattered data was discussed as well. During takeoff flight regime, the pressure side of fan blade experienced higher particle impact and erosion damage. The highest erosion rate was found at the corner formed by blade tip and trailing edge of pressure side. During cruise conditions, less erosion rates resulted. Maximum erosion rates are found at the leading edge of the pressure side.