Propulsion system intake design and unsteady aerodynamics

Many major economies have committed to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To realise these targets immediate action is required. It is expected that net zero will be achieved through a mix of different technologies, including sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), hydrogen powered and hybrid or all electric aircraft. The UK Jet Zero consultation forecasts that even with an uptake of SAF and breakthroughs in hydrogen and electric aircraft, system efficiency improvements will need to provide 36% of the overall emissions abatement. These efficiency improvements can be achieved through advances in propulsion and airframe design.

The design of compact intakes is considered a vital technology in the development of next generation ducted propulsion systems. Compact intakes are expected to provide benefits in terms of fuel burn reduction through cruise drag benefits as well as a reduction in the mass of the overall propulsion system. Intake performance at safety critical off-design conditions such as high incidence climb-out is part of the aircraft certification process. Without adequate aerodynamic understanding and design methods, novel propulsion systems may not be viable.

The student will test the hypothesis that to design a compact propulsion system intake and to realise the inherent benefits, the unsteady distorted intake flow-field, as well as the unsteady interaction between fan and intake, need to be accounted. To achieve this, the unsteady distorted flow-field needs to be assessed from the point of view of the intake aerodynamic design, fan operability and aero-mechanical robustness.