Session: 34-07 Turbomachinery Design

Paper Number: 153140

Aerodynamic Analysis of an Open Virtual Test Case for Open Fans 

This paper presents an open virtual test case of an Open Fan geometry. The Open Fan is the newest and most promising Un-ducted Engine concept. It is expected to be quieter and mechanically less complex than a CROR and, at the same time, deliver a similar level of Fuel Burn. The Fuel Burn and Emissions improvements with respect to an Ultra-high by-pass-ratio Ducted Fan are expected to be very significant. The challenge will be to minimize the acoustic impact. Nowadays, there is no available State of the Art Open Fan design in the public domain, or even a State of the Art CROR geometry, over which researchers can conduct simulations independently.  A realistic industrially driven Open Fan virtual test case has been released by the PANDORA project consortium. The key outcome of the PANDORA project is an estimate of the improvements delivered by the Open Fan configuration with respect to a CROR in terms of noise, performance and emissions. The added value of having a realistic design is that it drives naturally the research in the correct direction and fixes the range of parameters where the physics must be properly solved and understood.  The principal output of this work will be the detailed definition of the geometry of the blades, vanes and spinner, pitch settings, and relevant boundary conditions. The geometry at different running conditions will be delivered as well. The aerodynamics of an Open Fan is more demanding than that of a CROR. In fact, the Open Fan has higher aerodynamic loading and Mach number for the same thrust. The aerodynamic performance of the Open Fan configuration is shown using RANS simulations. RANS computations are also used for evaluating the Open Fan performance sensitivity to design changes. These stationary flow simulations are also used to extract the aerodynamic loading, thrust and efficiency at different operating conditions.

Presenting Author: Michele Greco Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

Presenting Author Biography: Michele obtained his master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Florence. He later specialized in the field of aeroelasticity in turbomachinery, conducting research at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), where he earned a PhD in Aerospace Engineering. He is currently an assistant professor at UPM, focusing on advanced topics in turbomachinery and aerospace applications.

Authors:

Michele Greco Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
Roque Corral Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
Fanzhou Zhao Imperial College London
Rainer Schnell Institute of Propulsion Techonology, German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Carola Rovira Sala Institute of Propulsion Techonology, German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Raul Martinez Luque Safran Aircraft Engines
Fernando Gea Aguilera Safran Aircraft Engines