A CFD Model for Reacting Flows in an Aero-Engine Hot End Simulator
This paper presents a three-dimensional CFD model that numerically simulates the physical and chemical species transformations in the aero-engine turbine and nozzle aimed at contributing to an improved understanding of the minor species emitted by the aircraft, in particular the production of the gaseous aerosol precursors such as SO3, H2SO4 and HONO within the aircraft engine. The results presented are for the model applications to an aero-engine Hot End Simulator (HES). The HES was designed in the PARTEMIS programme to recreate the thermodynamic profile in the turbine and nozzle through which the hot gases pass after leaving the combustor so that detailed measurements can be made within the HES providing key boundary conditions and validations to the CFD model predictions. A detailed sulphur reaction mechanism has been incorporated in the numerical model, together with hydrocarbon-air and nitrogen chemistry, so that the effect of both engine condition and fuel sulphur content on the sulphur IV to VI conversion, as well as NOx/NOy conversion, in the post combustor region can be numerically predicted. For the two operational conditions studied, it is noted that there is still a significant portion of sulphur conversions taking place within the HES, although they are smaller when compared with the sulphur conversions that take place in the combustor. Overall conversion efficiencies of about 3.2% and 2.8% have been predicted for the Cruise and the Modern conditions studied, respectively, of which 0.6% and 0.7% were predicted occurring within the HES, respectively. The CFD predictions compared well with the available data from the HES measurements, although considerable uncertainties in the model input exist. The modelling results suggest that reasonable predictions can be obtained for the fluid flow, heat transfer and the chemical species transformations that occur in the turbine and nozzle, particularly for some of the unstable species that are not readily obtained through measurements. These results could also provide useful information/boundary conditions for the subsequent post engine modelling of the new particulate materials formed within the aircraft wake.