Advanced Prediction Software for Low Observable Augmentor Heat Release

Combustion instability, pollution emission, and problems associated with pattern factor and combustion exhaust profile in aircraft engines can be traced to heat release. Low observable (LO) augmentor performance problems such as flame instability, lowefficiency, and screech require accurate heat release prediction for mitigation. Because these phenomena are the usual causes of failure, reduced thrust, increased fuel consumption, and reduced life cycle of aircraft engines, the potential for theiroccurrence must be anticipated in new designs. Unfortunately, their elimination through costly, iterative re-design and testing is likely to become more of an issue as engines are pushed to higher levels of performance. The innovative research proposed byThaerocomp Technical Corporation (TTC) will result in the development and validation of an advanced software package for heat release prediction in single-phase and liquid-fueled spray combustors and LO augmentors. The proposed use of high order, scalable,parallel computational procedure assures the most accurate calculations and efficient computational performance. It also permits the accurate resolution of very low amplitude pressure oscillations associated with combustion instability, which aredissipated by most numerical methods. The benefits of the proposed product include improved engine safety, faster turn-around in the analysis cycle, and significant savings in the cost of analysis. The product proposed by Thaerocomp Technical Corporation(TTC) promises substantial reduction in the cost of analysis and design cycles. Many government (military and civilian) programs will benefit from the innovation. The reduction in the time-to-market that results from using the product goes right into acompany's bottom line; it enhances the profitability of the numerous commercial industries that use the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technology. Engine and utility companies will find the product useful in achieving competitive edge. Some commercialCFD software vendors will also add value to their products by incorporating TTC's innovation rather than developing one from scratch.