Study and Numerical Analysis of Compressor Transition Duct

Abstract

-In the modern age of aviation, turbofan engines are designed with pressure ratio as high as 40 and by-pass ratios in excess of 8. Multi spool compressor connected with a transition duct fulfils the requirement of high pressure ratio. The inter-stage annular Sshaped transition duct connects the exit of LP compressor to the inlet of HP compressor. Due to the curvature of the duct, turbulence losses and flow separation losses will develop inside the duct. Sometimes, struts are placed inside the duct for better guidance of flow. The present paper incorporates numerical analysis of the compressor transition duct with CFD software ANSYS 15. The S-Shaped compressor transition duct is designed for the 3 stage LP compressor, which operates at mass flow rate 77.8 kg/sec and pressure ratio 3.3. Numerical work consists of flow analysis of the 2D duct, the 3D duct, and the 3D duct with provision of struts. Modeling and flow analysis of the S-shaped duct is carried out with ANSYS 15.0. The results suggest that the total pressure loss is increased from 2D to 3D and 3D without strut to cases of 3D duct with struts.

Review on the aerodynamics of intermediate compressor duct

“…The loss coefficient increased from 0.040 to 0.042 for without compressor case whereas it increased from 0.035 to 0.038 with compressor case. Milanovic et al [43] Baloni et al [44] One, six and eight strut -Computational fluid dynamics showed the capability to capture the flow physics of the duct accurately under the strutted environment. -Similar to the experimental study, numerical simulation also captured wakes near to the trailing edge of the strut.…”