An Approach for Efficient CFD Simulations of an Ejector Air Injection System for Active Aerodynamic Compressor Stabilization

Abstract

The Institute of Jet Propulsion at the University of the German Federal Armed Forces Munich has developed and patented a novel concept of air injection systems for active aerodynamic stabilization of turbo compressors. This so-called Ejector Injection System (EIS) utilizes the ejector effect to enhance efficiency and impact of the aerodynamic stabilization of the Larzac 04 two-spool turbofan engine’s LPC. The EIS design manufactured recently has been subject to CFD and experimental pre-investigations in which the expected ejector effect performance has been proven and the CFD set-up has been validated. Subsequently, optimization of the EIS ejector geometry comes into focus in order to enhance its performance. In this context, CFD parameter studies on the influence of in total 16 geometric and several aerodynamic parameters on the ejector effect are required. However, the existing and validated CFD set-up of the EIS comprises not only the mainly axisymmetric ejector geometry but also the highly complex 3D supply components upstream of the ejector geometry. This is hindering large scale CFD parameter studies due to the numerical effort required for these full 3D CFD simulations. Therefore, an approach to exploit the overall axissymmetry of the ejector geometry is presented within this paper which reduces the numerical effort required for CFD simulations of the EIS by more than 90%. This approach is verified by means of both experimental results as well as CFD predictions of the full 3D set-up. The comprehensive verification data set contains wall pressure distributions and the mass flow rates involved at various Aerodynamic Operating Points (AOP). Furthermore, limitations of the approach are revealed concerning its suitability e.g. to judge the response of the attached compressor of future EIS designs concerning aerodynamic stability or cyclic loading.