T-GAP: TURBINE GEOMETRY with ACCUMULATING PARTICLES

Current computer fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of gas turbine engines can capture the turbulent combustion flow within but lack the capability to represent ingested particles such as sand, dust, or volcanic ash that melt and then impact and adhere to engine surfaces such as turbine blades. These accumulated particles lead to engine failure in real-world applications and are of great concern to the Department of Defense and engine manufacturers. To address this gap in simulation capability, the Turbine Geometry with Accumulating Particles (T-GAP) solver will be developed as a standalone program that interfaces with existing CFD software and estimates the changing geometry within a gas turbine engine due to particle accumulation in an iterative process. T-GAP consists of a comprehensive particle phase change database and a sophisticated particle solver that together allow for changing particle shape, aerodynamic drag, state (i.e. molten, partially molten, or solid), and adhesion coefficient for many types of particles. T-GAP will allow the US Navy to speed up the design of effective shielding components or engine tolerance characteristics. Ultimately, T-GAP may be adapted to become an effective early warning system on aircraft avionics electronics to warn pilots or maintenance crews of an impending estimated engine failure.