Turbotest - A Computer Program for Rig Test Analysis of Arbitrary Gas Turbine Engines

Abstract

This paper presents a computer model called ‘TURBOTEST’ which is applicable both to analysis of gas turbine engine rig tests and to simulation of engine steady-state performance. As with the earlier ‘TURBOFLEXI’ model a wide range of gas turbine engines can be simulated, using any kind of hydrocarbon fuel, and allowing for chemical dissociation of the gas, and for the effect of air humidity.In addition, however, for the particular requirements of rig test analysis, the following new features have been developed and incorporate:-(a) It can carry out rig test analysis for a wide range of gas turbine engines if all the necessary test data are presented.(b) If the test data is incomplete, a computer simulation of the engine can be used to complete the analysis.(c) Performance deterioration of engine components can be detected by comparing the results of a test analysis and of a parallel simulation using stored characteristics of engine components in the “as new” condition.The program has been tested on simulated test data generated by engine models such as a turbojet and a turbofan. The results show it has close and repeatable agreement with design values. Further tests of the model have been carried out by applying it to the actual engine rig test data.© 1984 ASME