Session: 01-04 Engine Performance and Cycle Design II

Paper Number: 151418

Development and Validation of a Transient Gas Turbine Simulation Tool for Shaft-Failure Modelling 

Airworthiness regulations require engine manufacturers to certify new engines against uncontained or hazardous failure modes which may require expensive testing campaigns. This paper presents an alternative approach based on a highly integrated, multi-disciplinary, dynamic whole-engine simulation tool capable of predicting a gas turbine engine’s behaviour following the failure of a shaft or fuel control system. It describes the methodology and validation of a 1D through-flow compressor model capable of post-stall simulation, coupled with a transient combustor model and a quasi-steady turbine solver for overspeed modelling. The individual components are integrated aerodynamically and mechanically to produce a transient whole-engine model which is resolved at timesteps ranging from 1 to 100 μs. Control and aerodynamic effects impacting turbine overspeed predictions include changes in handling bleeds, fuel supply, turbine capacity reduction due to overspeed, frictional torque and variable geometry malschedule. The modelling of a gas turbine engine’s response following a surge event is required for overspeed modelling and this is achieved through a 1D compressor model based on its complete characteristics. The whole engine simulation tool is validated against a 3-spool experimental gas turbine engine which experienced a shaft failure event on a test stand. The simulation model correctly predicted the turbine’s terminal speed within a 4% error margin and the rate of depressurisation of the HPC following a surge event until recovery.

Presenting Author: Lucas Pawsey Rolls-Royce

Presenting Author Biography: After completing a PhD at Cranfield University I joined Rolls-Royce plc as a transient performance engineer. I then moved on to become a team leader in Transient Performance, and then a Project Engineer covering Performance and Thermofluids. I now hold the position of Capability Lead for Transient Performance.

Authors:

Sajal Kissoon Cranfield University
Mauro Righi Rolls-Royce
Lucas Pawsey Rolls-Royce
Vassilios Pachidis Cranfield University
Ioannis Roumeliotis Cranfield University