Effects of inlet total pressure distortion on fan performance

Nizam Haris Md Ishak, Purdue University

Abstract

Experiments were performed at the AneCom AeroTest facility in Wildau, Germany to determine the effects of inlet total pressure distortions, representative of those expected for an inlet to a supersonic business jet, on fan performance. A Rolls-Royce fan, similar to one that would be used for a supersonic business jet engine, was tested with several different inlet total pressure distortions. The distortions were designed to capture the effects of an inlet cone, struts associated with the cone, endwall boundary layers, and wind gusts. Following industry best practice procedures, the change in performance and inlet flow characteristics are described based on the Society of Automotive Engineer (SAE) documents: AIR-1419 and ARP-1420. The fan was found to be very sensitive to tip radial distortion, where alteration of the flow condition at the tip was seen to either enhance or deteriorate the fan stability, especially when the fan instability is rotating stall or surge. Circumferential distortion was found to have the most impact when the fan instability is flutter. Using correlation method recommended by SAE, radial distortion was successfully correlated to surge margin loss. Additionally, lessons learned from wire-gauze screen design work done at the Purdue Compressor/Pre-Diffuser/Combustor (CPC) Research facility were documented. The single stage facility models the last stage of a high pressure compressor, and to create the proper inlet flow, multiple screens with partial spanwise coverage were used. The effect of changing screen porosity, screen spanwise coverage, and the addition or removal of gear rack (blockage generator) at the tip and hub to the inlet total pressure profile was documented.

Degree

M.S.A.A.

Advisors

Key, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Aerospace engineering|Mechanical engineering

Off-Campus Purdue Users:
To access this dissertation, please log in to our
proxy server
.

Share

COinS