Exploring GasTurb 12 for Supplementary Use on an Introductory Propulsion Design Project

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore GasTurb 12, a commercial gas turbine engine performance simulation program, for supplementary use on an introductory propulsion design project in an undergraduate course. This paper will describe several possible opportunities for supplementing AEDsys (Aircraft Engine Design System Analysis) version 4.012, the engine design software tool currently in use. The project is assigned to juniors taking their first propulsion course in the aeronautical engineering major at the USAF Academy. This course, Aeronautical Engineering 361, which focuses on cycle analysis and selection, is required of all aero majors and is used to satisfy the ABET Program Criterion requiring knowledge of propulsion fundamentals. This paper describes the most recent design project that required the students to re-engine the USAF T-38 with the aim of competing for the Advanced Pilot Training Program (T-X) program. The goal of the T-X program is to replace the T-38 aircraft that entered service in 1961 with an aircraft capable of sustained high-G operations that is also more fuel efficient. The design project required the students to select an engine-cycle for a single, non-afterburning, mixed stream, low bypass turbofan engine to replace the two J85 turbojets currently in the T-38. It was anticipated that the high specific thrust requirements might possibly be met through the use of modern component measures of merit to include a much higher turbine inlet temperature. Additionally, it was anticipated that the required 10% reduction in thrust specific fuel consumption might possibly be achieved by using a turbofan engine cycle with a higher overall pressure ratio. This paper will describe the use of GasTurb 12 to perform the same design analysis that was described above using AEDsys as well as additional features such as numerical optimization, temperature-entropy diagrams, and the generation of scaled, two-dimensional engine geometry drawings. The paper will illustrate how GasTurb 12 offers important supplementary information that will deepen student understanding of engine cycle design and analysis.