Numerical investigation of configuration with optimum swirl recovery for propeller propulsion systems

Qingxi Li, Xinyuan Liu, Georg Eitelberg, Leo Veldhuis

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volumeConference contributionScientificpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
6 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This paper addresses the design of swirl recovery vanes for propeller propulsion in tractor configuration at cruise conditions using numerical tools. A multi-fidelity optimization framework is formulated for the design purpose, which exploits low-fidelity potential flow-based analysis results as input for high-fidelity Euler equation-based simulations. Furthermore, a model alignment procedure between low-and high-fidelity models is established based on the shape-preserving response prediction algorithm. Two cases of swirl recovery are examined, i.e. swirl recovery by the trailing wing which leads to a reduction of the lift-induced drag, and swirl recovery by a set of stationary vanes (SRVs) located inside the propeller slipstream which leads to production of additional thrust. In the first case, the optimization of the wing circulation distribution is achieved by twist optimization. The resulting reduction in induced drag is 5.9% out of 66.1 counts at the design cruise condition of CL= 0.5. In the case of the SRV design, four configurations are evaluated by locating the vanes at different azimuthal and axial positions relative to the wing. The interactions between SRVs and wing are discussed and an optimum configuration is identified, where the vanes are positioned on the blade-downgoing side downstream of the wing. In this configuration, the wake and tip vortices of the vanes have negligible effect on the wing circulation distribution and consequently introduce no extra drag. With a blade count of 4, the total system drag has decreased by 6.1 counts, which is equivalent to 2.4% of propeller thrust.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2018 Applied Aerodynamics Conference
PublisherAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc. (AIAA)
ISBN (Electronic)9781624105593
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2018
Event36th AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conference, 2018 - [state] GA, United States
Duration: 25 Jun 201829 Jun 2018

Conference

Conference36th AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conference, 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited States
City[state] GA
Period25/06/1829/06/18

Bibliographical note

Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care
Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.

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