Full Engine Simulation

Avetec is working to develop a high fidelity, three-dimensional, unsteady flow simulation of a jet engine that includes the fan, booster, high-pressure compressor, combustor, high-pressure turbine and low pressure turbine.  To support this goal, Avetec is collaborating with leading aerospace researchers and high performance computing partners from academia, industry, and the federal government.

Developing a high fidelity, three-dimensional, unsteady flow simulation of a jet engine requires national computing assets that push the limit of currently available resources.  Avetec is leveraging both existing and planned high performance computing assets available through high-speed network connections between Avetec, the Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC) Major Shared Resource Center (MSRC) of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

The full engine simulation is the focal point for this research that will emphasize component validation, component coupling and multi-disciplinary simulations including aero-thermal studies and fluid-structure interaction.  The turbomachinery modeling requires 3-D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model development, while combustion modeling will use CFD techniques coupled with fuel atomization and two-phase flow spray physics.

A key part of this effort will be the validation of the tools using real test data for components as well as for the entire jet engine.  Another area of interest is to demonstrate the application of high-fidelity, computationally intensive tools in the design process.  Fans utilizing intelligent flow control and a variable cycle concept will be designed and analyzed.  These elements will be used to prove the Avetec concept of virtual testing.  Virtual test results will be validated with actual engine test data later.