Aero-Engines Intake: A Review and Case Study

This paper presents an aerodynamic review for intakes of aero-engines. Classification of different types is introduced for both subsonic and supersonic aircrafts. Important parameters influencing intake performance like pressure recovery and spillage drag are discussed. In addition, crucial performance issues such as the angle of attack, ground vortex, swirl flow, noise propagation and icing are presented. These are critical issues which are carefully considered by airframe rather than engine manufacturers. Intake icing may be extremely dangerous and leads to drastic decrease in air mass flow and consequently aircraft propulsion. Calculation of intake performance is explained. The effect of intake performance on the whole engine performance is highlighted. Numerical analyses for present and previous researches are explained and critical parameters are identified. Finally, a case study resembling the intake of a high bypass ratio turbofan engine (in close similarity to that of GE CF-6 Turbofan Engine) is numerically analysed using the commercial code “ESI- CFD 2010” is thoroughly described and analysed. This paper is the first of a series of research work that will cover several R & D activities in HBPR and future EBPR turbofan intakes.