Open Rotor Engine Research Articles

Application of a Navier–Stokes Solver to the Study of Open Rotor Aerodynamics

This paper establishes a proven computational approach for open rotor configurations that can be used as a basis for further studies involving open rotor aerodynamics and design. Many of the difficulties encountered in the application of computational fluid dynamics to an open rotor engine arise due to the removal of the casing that is present in conventional aero-engine turbomachinery. In this work, an advanced three-dimensional Navier–Stokes solver is applied to the open rotor. The approach needed to accurately capture the aerodynamics is investigated with particular attention to the mesh configuration and the specification of the boundary conditions. A new three-step meshing strategy for generating the mesh and the most suitable type of far-field boundary condition are discussed. A control volume analysis approach is proposed for post-processing the numerical results for the rotor performance. The capabilities of the solver and the applied methodology are demonstrated at both cruise and take-off operating conditions. The comparison of the computational results with the experimental measurements shows good agreement for both data trend and magnitudes.

Next Generation of Transport Engines

This article discusses the features of very high bypass ratio turbofans and open rotor engines. Each of these engine options has its pros and cons to consider. The very large bypass ratio turbofan engine maintains that the proven capability of containment of blade failures is inherently quieter due to ability to incorporate acoustic treatment in the fan duct and is not subject to high fan tip losses associated with direct exposure to higher cruise level flight speeds. The duct does not come for free, however, and installed weight becomes a primary concern as the increased bypass ratio drives up the engine diameter. Additionally, the fan is subject to higher local airfoil incidence when the fan nozzle un-chokes at low flight speed. The open rotor engine can achieve potentially greater improvements in propulsive efficiency than a turbofan but lacks the containment and noise reduction benefits of a duct. The rotor is also exposed to flight speed, driving up tip losses at today's accepted cruise flight speeds.

Mitigation of Aviation Emissions of Carbon Dioxide

This paper investigates the interaction between economic, technological, and operational measures intended to reduce air transport-related emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2). In particular, the introduction of aviation to the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) in 2012 may prompt increased uptake of presently available options for emission reduction (e.g., retrofitting winglets, expanding maintenance programs) by airlines operating in Europe. Carbon prices may also determine the use of options currently under development [e.g., open-rotor engines, second-generation biofuels, and improved air traffic management (ATM)]. The results of a several studies analyzing airline costs and emission reductions that are possible from different mitigation options are applied to a systems model of European aviation. With a set of nine scenarios (three internally consistent projections for future population, gross domestic product, oil and carbon prices, each run with three policy cases), technology uptake and the resulting effect on fuel life cycle CO2 emissions with and without an ETS are analyzed. Some options are rapidly taken up under all scenarios (e.g., improved ATM), others are taken up more slowly by specific aircraft classes depending on the scenario (e.g., biofuels), and others have negligible impact in the cases studied. High uptake of one mitigation option may also reduce the uptake of other options. European aviation fuel life cycle emissions could be reduced below 2005 levels before 2050 if cellulosic biomass fuels are made available by 2020. However, the land use requirements in this scenario may limit its practicality at currently projected cellulosic biomass yields.