Design and Flow Visualization of Turbo Fan for Micro Gas Turbine

Abstract

The research presents the design and simulation of the flow of a turbofan in a micro gas turbine, with a specific focus on analysing the resulting thrust using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations in ANSYS. The objective of this research is to enhance the understanding of the flow characteristics and performance factors of turbofans at the micro-scale and to explore the impact of design parameters on the generated thrust. The study begins with a comprehensive literature review of micro gas turbines, highlighting the existing knowledge gap in understanding the flow behaviour of turbofans in micro gas turbines. The design process involves the fluid flow geometry, inlet conditions, and outlet conditions to achieve optimal performance. CFD simulations are conducted using ANSYS to analyse the flow behaviour, pressure distribution, and velocity profiles within the turbofan. The thrust generated by the turbofan is evaluated under various operating conditions, providing insights into the relationship between design parameters and thrust performance. The results highlight the importance of design, inlet conditions, and outlet conditions in optimizing thrust production. The lowest thrust produced is 152.341 N (design 1) and the highest thrust produced is 36711.71 N. Overall, this thesis provides valuable insights into the design and simulation of the flow of a turbofan in a micro gas turbine, specifically focusing on the resulting thrust using CFD simulations in ANSYS.