Work

Rapid aerodynamic characterization of surface heat exchangers for turbofan aeroengines through optical techniques and additive manufacturing

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Surface heat exchangers that use the bypass flow as heat sink are becoming a widely used solution to alleviate the high thermal load of modern aeroengines. Experimental characterization of such heat exchangers in full-scale engine tests is extremely expensive and time-consuming, so carrying out experiments in scaled wind tunnels that can replicate their very challenging flow conditions is highly desirable. However, intrusive instrumentation can affect the actual aerodynamics of the component due to the reduced size of the section and the typical high air velocities of turbofan engines. For this reason, a methodology to characterize a surface heat exchanger designed to work in the turbofan bypass using optical techniques is presented in this work. Additionally, the possibility of replicating the experimental conditions using additively manufactured models of exchangers would allow rapid preliminary characterization of these components. In this investigation, different non-intrusive techniques such as PIV, LDA, Schlieren, or LDV have been applied to determine the heat exchanger aerodynamic performance and vibration response, and a detailed characterization of the flow field has been carried out. Data have been cross-validated using different measurement techniques. A 3D-printed model has also been built to compare with the aluminum heat exchanger, showing almost an identical behavior in terms of velocity distribution downstream of the heat exchanger and pressure drop induced by its fins, as well as corrected frequencies, confirming thus the suitability of additive manufacturing for the aerodynamic characterization of these devices in preliminary stages.

Source: Thermal Science and Engineering Progress

DOI: 10.1016/j.tsep.2024.102966

Authors: A. Broatch, J. García-Tíscar, P. Quintero, A. Felgueroso

Institution: Universitat Politècnica de València

Language: English

Topic: Turbomachinery Performance and Optimization

Subfield: Aerospace Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,000