Aggressive Duct Aerodynamics

Important results from the project

The ADA (Aggressive Duct Aerodynamics) project was a project coordinated by GKN Aerospace Sweden, and completed in collaboration with KTH, Stockholm. The project included two technical work packages led by GKN (WP1) and KTH (WP2) respectively. WP1 sought to understand the detailed flow in aerodynamically aggressive intermediate compressor ducts and establish the most effective methods to predict these flows, while WP2 sought to investigate the most effective methods to extend the aerodynamic duty of such ducts by using passive and active flow control devices.

Expected long term effects

In the project, all milestones were completed. In WP1 the computational fluid dynamics modelling of the flow in the duct was successfully studied and the methods from these studies used successfully to analyze the flow in the same duct in more realistic test. In WP2 the ability of flow control devices to extend the operation of the duct was investigated. The most promising devices including both mid-height and shroud splitter vanes as well as boundary layer blowing and suction were noted to not only reduce the losses associated with the duct separations but in some cases eliminate these.

Approach and implementation

ADA was completed using x1 management work package and x2 technical work packages. Each technical work package was divided into milestones and tracked as individual smaller tasks. Completion dates of major technical tasks were tracked in the detailed time plan. Within each work package, resources were organized by: WP leader (responsible for the overall technical direction and completion of the WP); Technical experts / engineers (primary undertakers of the work); and collaborators. As the coordinator, GKN Aerospace functioned as the final aggregator of all output from GKN and KTH.