Session: 01-01/05-07 Joint Session: Aero-Engine Control & Diagnostics

Paper Number: 152042

Aerodynamic Performance Prognosis of Operationally-Used Aero Engine Compressor Blading 

The operational efficiency of aircraft engines is adversely affected over time due to degradation,
manifesting as increased exhaust gas temperature (EGT) and thrust-specific fuel consumption
(TSFC). Exceeding critical EGT limits necessitates an overhaul of the engine. During the
maintenance of fan and compressor blades, adherence to specific limits outlined in the engine
manual is crucial to ensure safe blade functionality. However, current practices lack established
criteria for evaluating aerodynamic performance, particularly concerning which geometric
parameters—such as leading and trailing edge thickness, chord length, tip clearance, as well as
variations in lean and sweep—most significantly impact the performance. Consequently, the
extent of engine performance degradation remains uncertain. This study aims to investigate the
aerodynamic implications of geometric alterations in compressor blades following usage in a
commonly deployed turbofan engine. Serviced blades, processed during maintenance, were
digitized and parameterized. A design of experiments approach was employed to create a
comprehensive array of synthetic compressor blades based on these parameter variations.
Through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis and integration into a fan and low-pressure
compressor (LPC) simulation model, as well as a high-pressure compressor (HPC) model,
metamodels of the compressor modules were developed. These surrogate models facilitate the
assessment of how specific geometric changes impact the aerodynamic efficiency of the
compressor, thereby enhancing our understanding of performance deterioration in operational
aircraft engines.

Presenting Author: Ingo Voissel Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery

Presenting Author Biography: B.Sc. mechanical engineering TU Braunschweig in 2017
M.Sc. Aerospace engineering TU Braunschweig in 2021
since 2022 phd student at Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery TU Braunschweig

Authors:

Ingo Voissel Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery
Siddhartha Kudeti Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery
Nils Budziszewski MTU Maintenance Hannover
Christoph Bode Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery
Jens Friedrichs Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery