Project Highlights

P&W Improves Aircraft Engine Combustor Simulations

The Geared Turbofan engine will deliver game-changing performance, including double-digit improvements in fuel burn and environmental emissions. This research used resources of the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility at Argonne National Laboratory, which is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy under contract DE-AC02-06CH11357. [high-res]

A jet engine combustor combines air flowing faster than a hurricane with swirling fuel to generate the extraordinary release of heat that ultimately powers the aircraft. Understanding these complex physical and chemical interactions is critical to fuel efficiency and emissions performance, but physical testing can be difficult and time consuming.  “Virtual Testing” with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), the numerical simulation of fluid flows, can offer insights that are difficult to achieve with physical methods.  However, industrial use of CFD for combustors is challenged by the inherent tradeoff between simulation fidelity and turnaround time.

Approach

Pratt & Whitney has been exploring leading-edge combustor design methods at the ALCF using the IBM Blue Gene supercomputer as part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) INCITE program.  This work is studying the effect of different fidelities of analysis as well as computational methods to reduce turnaround time.  The goal is to define a design process that makes simulations that were traditionally challenging “one offs” usable in the production design cycle for next generation commercial and military jet engines. 

Results/Accomplishments

This INCITE project has led to improved capabilities and reduced solution times for three-dimensional (3-D) combustor simulations. The work has been a key enabler for the depth of understanding needed to meet emissions goals. Capabilities improved through INCITE are now being applied to Pratt & Whitney’s next-generation, low-emission PurePower™ engine. This groundbreaking engine will deliver unprecedented reductions in emissions, noise, and cost of ownership as compared to current engines.

Future Efforts

Computing technology changes rapidly and compute power grows exponentially.  This is an opportunity because it enables new analysis that can lead to improved products, but it is also a challenge as industry must leverage emerging opportunities to remain competitive.  The ALCF gives industry early access to next generation capabilities, which will improve competitiveness and enable advances that impact the lives of people throughout the world.

Researchers plan to use the Blue Gene’s capabilities to complete high-fidelity simulations that will give new insights on aerodynamic behavior inside an operating jet engine combustor.

Contact

Peter Bradley
Pratt & Whitney