Inlet Flow Distortion Research Articles

Velocimetry Measurements of a Scramjet Cavity Flameholder with Inlet Distortion

Particle image velocimetry measurements were made along the center plane of a scramjet cavity flameholder to analyze simulated inlet flow distortion in the direct-connect test environment. Mach 3 nonreacting tests examined an oblique shock impinging upon locations in- and upstream of the cavity, including cases with wall-normal air injection upstream of the cavity to simulate fuel injection. Addition of flow distortion altered the size and shape of the primary recirculation region within the cavity by deflecting the bounding shear layer: the recirculation region was compressed by shock impingement upstream of the cavity, and shock impingement on the cavity itself expanded it. Air injection upstream of the cavity thickened the shear layer and produced a stronger effect on velocity direction than magnitude, preventing the formation of a large-scale recirculation region in two of the three shock locations studied. Flow distortion and upstream air injection both increased flow unsteadiness, with the greatest increases occurring in the shear layer and above the cavity closeout ramp. Additionally, results suggest the formation of spanwise secondary flow patterns that may account for flow nonuniformities observed in prior studies. This work presents the first velocimetry characterization of a scramjet cavity flameholder under distorted-flow conditions.

The Effect of Inlet Guide Vanes on Inlet Flow Distortion Transfer and Transonic Fan Stability

An investigation was carried out into the effects of variable inlet guide vanes (VIGVs) on the performance and stability margin of a transonic fan in the presence of inlet flow distortion. The study was carried out using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and validated with experimental data. The capability of CFD to predict the changes in performance with or without VIGVs in the presence of an inlet flow distortion is assessed. Results show that the VIGVs improve the performance and stability margin and do so by reducing the amount of swirl at inlet to the rotor component of the fan.

Optimization of orifice meter's energy consumption

Orifice meters are commonly used in many industrial facilities and pipelines. However, they increase the annual energy consumption and cost due to their high pressure loss. The present research introduces a new design that reduces this high pressure loss by inserting a ring downstream the standard orifice meter. Maximum reduction of pressure loss is achieved by optimizing the downstream ring geometry. Numerical optimization is implemented using CFD simulation together with a genetic algorithm. Accurate CFD simulation is performed to solve the flow field at different downstream ring geometries while the genetic algorithm is used to estimate the optimum ring geometry. Optimization results show 29.8–33.5% reduction of orifice meter pressure loss for a Reynolds number Re=1.84×104 to 8.69×104. An increase of the discharge coefficient by 17.7–22% is also obtained within the investigated operating range. Both the effect of upstream distance and inlet flow disturbance and distortion are investigated. This investigation shows that the downstream ring reduces the pressure loss of standard orifice meters by 31–33.2% even under high flow disturbance and short upstream length. The proposed design adds many new advantages to the well known standard orifice meters.

A preliminary method to estimate impacts of inlet flow distortion on boundary layer ingesting propulsion system design point performance

Boundary layer ingestion by fans in propulsion system improves the propulsive efficiency. However, inlet flow distortion will dramatically eliminate these benefits. This paper puts forward a method to deal with inlet flow distortions and examines their impacts on turbofan performance at engine design point. The method models both radial and circumferential distortion and their impacts separately. Firstly, a distorted fan map is calculated by parallel compressor method. Then, the new map is utilised to find the fan exit flow conditions by parallel stream method. Finally, we assume that all the flows mixed well before entering the nozzle without any pressure losses. At all examined fan pressure ratios, boundary layer ingesting improved fuel consumption. However, the benefits reduced by the new method are lower than previous predictions without considering intake distortion. If the fan pressure loss and efficiency drop due to inlet distortion are too high, boundary layer ingestion should not be used with a traditional fan design. Large boundary layer ingestion for future propulsion system should consider new fan blade design.

Effects of Boundary-Layer Ingestion on the Aero-Acoustics of Transonic Fan Rotors

The use of boundary-layer-ingesting, embedded propulsion systems can result in inlet flow distortions where the interaction of the boundary-layer vorticity and the inlet lip causes horseshoe vortex formation and the ingestion of streamwise vortices into the inlet. A previously-developed body-force-based fan modeling approach was used to assess the change in fan rotor shock noise generation and propagation in a boundary-layer-ingesting, serpentine inlet. This approach is employed here in a parametric study to assess the effects of inlet geometry parameters (offset-to-diameter ratio and downstream-to-upstream area ratio) on flow distortion and rotor shock noise. Mechanisms related to the vortical inlet structures were found to govern changes in the rotor shock noise generation and propagation. The vortex whose circulation is in the opposite direction to the fan rotation (counter-swirling vortex) increases incidence angles on the fan blades near the tip, enhancing noise generation. The vortex with circulation in the direction of fan rotation (co-swirling vortex) creates a region of subsonic relative flow near the blade tip radius that decreases the sound power propagated to the far-field. The parametric study revealed that the overall sound power level at the fan leading edge is set by the ingested streamwise circulation, and that for inlet designs in which the streamwise vortices are displaced away from the duct wall, the sound power at the upstream inlet plane increased by as much as 9 dB. By comparing the far-field noise results obtained to those for a conventional inlet, it is deduced that the changes in rotor shock noise are predominantly due to the ingestion of streamwise vorticity.

An Experimental Study of Loss Sources in a Fan Operating With Continuous Inlet Stagnation Pressure Distortion

The viability of boundary layer ingesting (BLI) engines for future aircraft propulsion is dependent on the ability to design robust, efficient engine fan systems for operation with continuously distorted inlet flow. A key step in this process is to develop an understanding of the specific mechanisms by which an inlet distortion affects the performance of a fan stage. In this paper, detailed full-annulus experimental measurements of the flow field within a low-speed fan stage operating with a continuous 60 deg inlet stagnation pressure distortion are presented. These results are used to describe the three-dimensional fluid mechanics governing the interaction between the fan and the distortion and to make a quantitative assessment of the impact on loss generation within the fan. A 5.3 percentage point reduction in stage total-to-total efficiency is observed as a result of the inlet distortion. The reduction in performance is shown to be dominated by increased loss generation in the rotor due to off-design incidence values at its leading edge, an effect that occurs throughout the annulus despite the localized nature of the inlet distortion. Increased loss in the stator row is also observed due to flow separations that are shown to be caused by whirl angle distortion at rotor exit. By addressing these losses, it should be possible to achieve improved efficiency in BLI fan systems.

Experimental and numerical analysis on the effect of inlet distortion on the performance of a centrifugal fan with a mixing chamber

Inlet flow distortions, which are caused by fluid mixing, cause a significant deterioration in fan performance. An experimental test rig for an industrial fan with dual inlets and a mixing chamber was constructed. The flow fields in the mixing chamber of the fan were numerically investigated. Consequently, impact parameters, including the length of the mixing chamber (100, 200, and 300 mm) and the mass flow rate ratio (1 to 10), as well as their effects on fan performance, were discussed. A generalized formula considering the Reynolds number, hydraulic diameter, and mixing length was proposed to predict the pressure drop in dual inlets. Results show that the efficiency of and pressure in the fan decreased by 6.5% and 203 Pa, respectively, under mixing inlet condition. Optimum fan performance is achieved at a flow rate ratio of 5 under the same mass flow rate. The increase in the flow rate ratio kept the fan performance almost constant. At the design stage, fan performance and pressure decrease by an average of 2% and 70 Pa in increments of 100 mm mixing length, respectively. The results presented in this paper provide a basis in the design optimization of mixing structures.

Shock Propagation and MPT Noise From a Transonic Rotor in Nonuniform Flow

One of the major challenges in high-speed fan stages used in compact, embedded propulsion systems is inlet distortion noise. A body-force-based approach for the prediction of multiple-pure-tone (MPT) noise was previously introduced and validated. In this paper, it is employed with the objective of quantifying the effects of nonuniform flow on the generation and propagation of MPT noise. First-of-their-kind back-to-back coupled aero-acoustic computations were carried out using the new approach for conventional and serpentine inlets. Both inlets delivered flow to the same NASA/GE R4 fan rotor at equal corrected mass flow rates. Although the source strength at the fan is increased by 38 dB in sound power level due to the nonuniform inflow, far-field noise for the serpentine inlet duct is increased on average by only 3.1 dBA overall sound pressure level in the forward arc. This is due to the redistribution of acoustic energy to frequencies below 11 times the shaft frequency and the apparent cut-off of tones at higher frequencies including blade-passing tones. The circumferential extent of the inlet swirl distortion at the fan was found to be two blade pitches, or 1/11th of the circumference, suggesting a relationship between the circumferential extent of the inlet distortion and the apparent cut-off frequency perceived in the far field. A first-principles-based model of the generation of shock waves from a transonic rotor in nonuniform flow showed that the effects of nonuniform flow on acoustic wave propagation, which cannot be captured by the simplified model, are more dominant than those of inlet flow distortion on source noise. It demonstrated that nonlinear, coupled aerodynamic and aero-acoustic computations, such as those presented in this paper, are necessary to assess the propagation through nonuniform mean flow. A parametric study of serpentine inlet designs is underway to quantify these propagation effects.

Numerical simulations of the flow through the inlet and isolator of a Mach 4 dual mode scramjet

AbstractResults from numerical simulations of the three dimensional flow in the intake-isolator of a dual mode scramjet are presented. The FANS calculations have utilised the SST k -ω turbulence model. The effect of cowl length and cowl convergence angle on the inlet mass capture ratio, flow distortion, shock strength and pressure rise are studied in detail. Three cowl lengths and four or five cowl convergence angles for each cowl length are considered. The predicted values of the dimensionless wall static pressure and inlet mass capture ratio are compared with experimental data reported in the literature. The numerical predictions are shown to agree well with the experimental data. In addition, details of the flow field such as shocks, expansion fans and shock boundary interaction are also captured accurately. Inlet unstart is also demonstrated for one case.

Experimental and Computational Assessment of a Ducted-Fan Rotor Flow Model

Ducted-fan-based vertical and/or short takeoff and landing uninhabited aerial vehicles are frequently encountered in aeronautical applications. In edgewise flight, the performance of these vehicles is, in general, poor because of the increasingly distorted inlet flow as the flight speed is increased. The present experimental study uses a planar particle image velocimeter system to investigate the near duct aerodynamic performance in hover and edgewise flight conditions. High-resolution particle image velocimetry measurements provide reliable and highresolution aerodynamic data forming a validation basis for further analytical and computational design studies. A radial equilibrium-based fan aerodynamic model is also integrated into a three-dimensional Reynold-averagedNavier–Stokes-based computational system. Particle image velocimetry measurements and computational predictions of the mean flow near the fan inlet plane are in very good agreement at hover conditions. The aerodynamic modifications due to fan inlet flow distortion in an edgewise flight regime are clearly displayed in particle image velocimetry results. A comparison of the current particle image velocimetry measurements and the accelerated Reynold-averaged-Navier–Stokes predictions supported by the simple radial equilibrium-based rotor model indicates that the current rotor model can be highly effective and time efficient in the design cycle of future vertical and/or short takeoff and landing uninhabited aerial vehicle systems based on ducted fans.

The effects of radial inlet with splitters on the performance of variable inlet guide vanes in a centrifugal compressor stage

Variable inlet guide vanes (VIGVs) can regulate pressure ratio and mass flow at constant rotational speed in centrifugal compressors as a result of inducing a controlled prewhirl in front of impellers. Radial inlets and VIGVs are typical upstream components in front of the first-stage impellers in many industrial centrifugal compressors. However, previous investigations on VIGVs in centrifugal compressors were mostly conducted under the condition of axial inlets, and this study aims to focus on the effects of radial inlet on the VIGVs performance of a centrifugal compressor stage. The axial inlet stage model is compared with the radial inlet stage model with splitters using numerical flow simulation. The flow from the radial inlet was non-uniform in both circumferential and radial directions; thus, the VIGVs, the impeller, the vaneless diffuser, and the return vane channel are modelled with fully 360° passages. The three-dimensional (3D) flow field is numerically simulated at VIGVs setting angles ranging from - 20° to 60°. The overall stage performance parameters are obtained by integrating the field quantities. Though the splitters are equipped in the radial inlet, the overall stage polytropic efficiency decreases by an average of 4 per cent and total pressure ratio decreases by an average of 3.3per cent in comparison with the axial stage model. This can be attributed to the effect of both flow non-uniformity induced by radial inlet and flow loss in the radial inlet at different VIGV setting angles. The flow loss in the radial inlet with splitters is the main reason of the stage performance decrease compared with the flow non-uniformity. The simulation results show that the performance of VIGVs is degraded by its inlet flow distortions resulting from a radial inlet. The results in this study can be applied to centrifugal compressor design and optimization.

Influences of wind-break wall configurations upon flow and heat transfer characteristics of air-cooled condensers in a power plant

Wind-break wall is considered to be an effective way to weaken the inlet flow distortions and hot plume recirculation of air-cooled condensers in a power plant. It is of use to investigate the effects of wind-break wall configurations on the thermo-flow performances of air-cooled condensers. The physical and mathematical models of the air-side fluid and heat flows for the air-cooled condensers in a representative 2 × 600 MW direct dry cooling power plant are established with three different configurations of the wind-break wall. The volumetric flow rate and heat rejection of the air-cooled condensers are calculated and compared on the basis of the simulation results of air velocity and temperature fields at various ambient wind speeds and directions. The results show that the thermo-flow performances of the air-cooled condensers are improved by the extensions of the inner and outer walkways and elevation of the wind-break wall, especially at the wind directions ranging between 0° and 90°. The improvement thanks to the width increase of the inner or outer walkway is superior to that resulting from the elevated wind-break wall.

Study for the Effect of Combined Pressure and Temperature Distortion on a Turbojet Engine

This paper describes how the effect of inlet flow distortion to a turbojet can be evaluated by a distortion model of whole engine, which is based on mass, momentum and energy conservation, and has been proved to be a valid tool for evaluating the effects of inlet flow distortion on turbofan.In this model, pressure (or temperature) distortion is quantified with coefficient which associates the pressure (or temperature) in the spoiled sector with the value in the clean sector. Detailed computation and analysis under different overlap phase and distortion intensity are conducted on the stability of turbojet after the representation of combined distortion index. It can be concluded that there is a maximal loss of stall margin when total pressure distortion sector laps over total temperature distortion sector completely. The reduction of stall margin arising due to combined inlet distortions can be minimized through the optimization of a disturbance overlap phase.

Experimental Investigation of a Forward Swept Rotor in a Multistage Fan with Inlet Distortion

Previous studies of transonic swept rotors in single stage fans have demonstrated the potential of significant improvements in both efficiency and stall margin with forward swept blading. This paper extends the assessment of the payoff derived from forward sweep to multistage configurations. The experimental investigation compare two builds of an advanced two-stage fan configuration tested alternately with a radial and a forward swept stage 1 blade. In the two-stage evaluations, the testing was extended to include the effect on inlet flow distortion. While the common second stage among the two builds prevented the overall fan from showing clean inlet performance and stability benefits with the forward swept rotor 1, this configuration did demonstrate superior front stage efficiency and tolerance to inlet distortion. Having obtained already low distortion sensitivity with the radial rotor 1 configuration relative to current production military fan standards, the sensitivity to inlet distortion was halved with the forward swept rotor 1 configuration. In the case of the 180-degree one-per-rev distortion pattern, the two-stage configuration was evaluated both with and without inlet guide vanes (IGVs). The presence of the inlet guide vanes had a profound impact in lowering the two-stage fan's sensitivity with inlet distortion.

Development of a Method for Enhanced Fan Representation in Gas Turbine Modeling

A challenge in civil aviation future propulsion systems is expected to be the integration with the airframe, coming as a result of increasing bypass ratio or above wing installations for noise mitigation. The resulting highly distorted inlet flows to the engine make a clear demand for advanced gas turbine performance prediction models. Since the dawn of jet engine, several models have been proposed, and the present work comes to add a model that combines two well-established compressor performance methods in order to create a quasi-three-dimensional representation of the fan of a modern turbofan. A streamline curvature model is coupled to a parallel compressor method, covering radial and circumferential directions, respectively. Model testing has shown a close agreement to experimental data, making it a good candidate for assessing the loss of surge margin on a high bypass ratio turbofan, semiembedded on the upper surface of a broad wing airframe.

The Cumulative Effects of Forcing Function, Damping, and Mistuning on Blade Forced Response in a High Speed Centrifugal Compressor With Inlet Distortion

The vibratory response amplitude of a blade under forced response conditions depends primarily on the aerodynamic excitation amplitude, on damping, and on the effects of mistuning. The work presented here targets to identify the individual contribution of these parameters to the resultant response amplitude depending on the mass flow and the resonance case. For this purpose, measurements were performed of the excitation amplitude, damping, and response amplitude for a high-speed centrifugal compressor. The inlet flow field was intentionally distorted in order to target specific excitation cases of the first main blade mode. For the compressor used, it was found that the overall damping of the first mode could be considered to be constant for any resonance case and mass flow. For this reason, case-to-case variations in the blade-averaged response amplitude were found to depend solely on the aerodynamic excitation amplitude due to inlet flow distortion. Based on an examination of the aerodynamic work distribution during resonance, zones of either excitation or damping work on the blade surface could be successfully identified. This enabled the conclusion to be drawn that energy transfer is a very localized phenomenon and may significantly change as the mass flow is altered, thereby introducing a redistribution of the blade excitation function. The effect of mistuning was shown to alter aerodynamic damping and response amplitude. However, the variation in aerodynamic damping of individual blades was relatively low, thus suggesting that blade-to-blade variation in response amplitude is primarily driven by energy localization in the sense typically experienced with coupled and mistuned structures.

Blade Forcing Function and Aerodynamic Work Measurements in a High Speed Centrifugal Compressor With Inlet Distortion

Centrifugal compressors operating at varying rotational speeds, such as in helicopters or turbochargers, can experience forced response failure modes. The response of the compressors can be triggered by aerodynamic flow nonuniformities such as with diffuser-impeller interaction or with inlet distortions. The work presented here addresses experimental investigations of forced response in centrifugal compressors with inlet distortions. This research is part of an ongoing effort to develop related experimental techniques and to provide data for validation of computational tools. In this work, measurements of blade surface pressure and aerodynamic work distribution were addressed. A series of pressure sensors were designed and installed on rotating impeller blades and simultaneous measurements with blade-mounted strain gauges were performed under engine representative conditions. To the best knowledge of the authors, this is the first publication, which presents comprehensive experimental unsteady pressure measurements during forced response, for high-speed radial compressors. The experimental data were obtained for both resonance and off-resonance conditions with uniquely tailored inlet distortion. This paper covers aspects relating to the design of fast response pressure sensors and their installation on thin impeller blades. Additionally, sensor properties are outlined with a focus on calibration and measurement uncertainty estimations. The second part of this paper presents unsteady pressure results taken for a number of inlet distortion cases. It will be shown that the intended excitation order due to inlet flow distortion is of comparable magnitude to the second and third harmonics, which are consistently observed in all measurements. Finally, an experimental method will be outlined that enables the measurement of aerodynamic work on the blade surface during resonant crossing. This approach quantifies the energy exchange between the blade and the flow in terms of cyclic work along the blade surface. The phase angle between the unsteady pressure and the blade movement will be shown to determine the direction of energy transfer.

High-Fidelity Numerical Analysis of Per-Rev-Type Inlet Distortion Transfer in Multistage Fans—Part I: Simulations With Selected Blade Rows

Demands for improved performance and operability of advanced propulsion systems require an understanding of the physics of inlet flow distortion transfer and generation and the subsequent engine response. This also includes developing a high-fidelity characterization capability and suitable tools/rules for the design of distortion tolerant engines. This paper describes efforts to establish a high-fidelity prediction capability of distortion transfer and fan response via high-performance computing. The current CFD capability was evaluated with a focus of predicting the transfer of prescribed inlet flow distortions. Numerical simulations, comparison to experimental data, and analysis of two selected three-stage fans are presented. The unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) code PTURBO demonstrated remarkable agreement with data, accurately capturing both the magnitude and profile of total pressure and total temperature measurements. Part I of this paper describes the establishment of the required numerical simulation procedures. The computational domains are limited to the first three blade rows for the first multistage fan and the last three blade rows for the second fan. This paper presents initial validation and analysis of the total pressure distortion transfer and the total temperature distortion generation. Based on the established ground work of Part I, the entire two multistage fans were simulated with inlet distortion at normal operating condition and near stall condition, which is Part II of this paper. Part II presents the full range validation against engine test data and in-depth analysis of distortion transfer and generation mechanisms throughout the two fans.

Unsteady Computational Fluid Dynamics Investigation on Inlet Distortion in a Centrifugal Compressor

Blade failure in turbomachinery is frequently caused by an excessive resonant response. Forced response of the blades originates from unsteady fluid structure interactions as conditioned in the inlet section by duct bends, struts, or inlet guide vanes. This paper presents the computational part of a research effort that focuses on the blade forced response in a centrifugal compressor. Unsteady fluid flow simulations are used to quantify the forcing function acting on the compressor blades due to inlet flow distortion. The measured inlet flow distribution is applied as inlet boundary conditions in the computation. The unsteady investigation provided the temporal evolution of the distorted flow through the compressor. The time-resolved blade pressure distribution showed the temporal evolution of the dynamic load on the blade surface caused by the inlet distortion. The results suggest that the forcing function is most sensitive in the leading edge region due to inlet angle variations. Toward the impeller stability line the increase in incidence caused separation on the suction side of the main blade and therefore considerably altered the amplitude and the phase angle of the unsteadiness. The investigation of the effect of idealizing the inlet flow distribution on the forcing function showed an increase in the peak amplitude of approximately 30% compared with the actual inlet flow distribution.

Cavitation Surge Suppression of Pump Inducer with Axi-asymmetrical Inlet Plate

The attachment of inducer in front of main impeller is a powerful method to improve cavitation performance. Cavitation surge oscillation, however, often occurs at partial flow rate and extremely low suction pressure. As the cavitation surge oscillation with low frequency of about 10 Hz occurs in a close relation between the inlet backflow cavitation and the growth of blade cavity into the throat section of blade passage, one method of installing an axi-asymmetrical plate upstream of inducer has been proposed to suppress the oscillation. The inlet flow distortion due to the axi-asymmetrical plate makes different elongations of cavities on all blades, which prevent the flow from becoming simultaneously unstable at all throat sections. In the present study, changes of the suppression effects with the axial distance between the inducer inlet and the plate and the changes with the blockage ratios of plate area to the cross-sectional area of inducer inlet are investigated for helical inducers with tip blade angles of and . Then a conceivable application will be proposed to suppress the cavitation surge oscillation by installing axi-asymmetrical inlet plate.