Project description
Keeping radial compressors on the straight and narrow
In a basic jet engine, air enters the intake and is compressed. The compressed air is then forced into combustion chambers where it is sprayed with fuel and the air–fuel mixture is ignited. Compressor surge is a type of aerodynamic instability or disruption of airflow through the compressor that can be catastrophic for engine function and aircraft safety. Modern airplanes have control systems to prevent this from happening. The EU-funded FLORA project is developing passive flow control strategies to minimise compressor surge, enhancing compressor stability and engine operability for the novel high-speed radial compressors under development.
Objective
The enhancement of an engine operability involves increasing the compressor surge margin which is still an open challenge.
The project FLORA (FLOw control in RAdial compressor) is twofold.
First, it proposes to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the transient behavior of the radial compressor delivered by the Topic Leader through a precise characterization of the instabilities which develop at various rotation speeds and at different IGV (Inlet Guide Vanes) stagger angles. Detailed experimental investigations are planned providing an improved and time-resolved description of the path to surge.
Then, it proposes to apply passive flow control strategies in order to push back the compressor surge line towards low mass flow which will consequently enhance the compressor stability, hence the engine operability. The proposal particularly aims at evaluating the benefits from the boundary layer aspiration in radial geometries in terms of performance (gain in pressure ratio and efficiency) and surge margin. Besides experiments, calculations will help for the understanding of the internal flow structures which develop from stable operating points up to surge. High-fidelity Large Eddy Simulations (LES) will be used to get an in-depth comprehension of the impact of the flow control on the internal flow.
The project FLORA will contribute to the development of stable and efficient radial compressors with extended operating range.
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
69134 Ecully
France