Numerical Investigation Of Propeller Slipstream Effects With Actuator Disk Model

Propeller slipstream affects the aerodynamic performance of turboprop nacelle and intake. Henceknowledge of the aerodynamic interference between the propeller and the nacelle/intake is significantfor the design of turboprop engine. Based on theory analysis, numerical investigation and experiment,a new adjustable and simple implemental ADM is established for the numerical investigation ofinterference between the propeller and the nacelle/intake in the present investigation.First, based on existing ADM, a new ADM is established with C++program in whichthree-dimensional induced velocity of propeller slipstream, blade geometry parameters and tip-losscorrection are taken into consideration according to airplane propeller theory.Second, two problems of the existing models were found, which are the way of valuing the swirlinduced velocity and tip-loss correction, then corresponding improvement schemes were suggested.numerical results of the new ADM show good agreement with theoretical results.Third, numerical simulation and experiments were conducted to validate the ADM, resultsindicate: the established ADM can predict the thrust and torque with high accuracy; new ADM can beused to evaluate influence of slipstream in place of real propeller for accordance of slipstream flowfield behind propeller except some minor region.Last, a chin-scoop S duct and nacelle of turboprop engine was designed which are used fornumerical simulation of the interference between propeller and nacelle/intake by both sliding meshand ADM, and it was conducted that analyse the effect of propeller on the performance of inlet andoutlet. In general, very good agreement between both sliding mesh and ADM results is achieved andthe variation of flow field is correctly captured, As was to be expected the former one produces betterresults than the later, but at a much higher computational cost.