3D modeling of transformation of gaseous pollutants in the high-pressure turbine of an aircraft engine

Trung Hieu Nguyen ^a,*, Phuong Nguyen-Tri ^b,c,*, Francois Garnier ^a

a. Department of Mechanical Engineering, École de Technologie Supérieure (ETS), Montreal, Quebec, H3C 1K3, Canada
         b. Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, 550000, Viet Nam
         c. Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, University of Quebec, Trois-Rivières (Québec), G9A 5H7,                    Canada  

Abstract: Aircraft emissions contribute to global climate change and regional air pollution near airports. Understanding the formation and the transformation of emissions in the aircraft engine is essential to properly quantify the environmental impact and air pollution. However, precise investigation of chemical process in the turbine is challenging because of the complexity of the transformation process in the complex flow relating to the moving blade at high temperature and high pressure. We present here, the first published model study of 3D chemical formations inside a high-pressure turbine and first time to compare three numerical solutions (1D, 2D and 3D calculations) of transformation of trace species inside an aircraft engine. The model has simulated the evolution of principal precursor pollutant gases (NO_x and SO_x) and other species (hydrogen, oxygen species and carbon oxides). Our results also indicated strong dissimilarities in chemical transformations of 3D calculations. In comparing the three solutions, the results obtained showed that the difference of mole fractions of species can be under predicted by 75% between 1D and 2D calculations and in the comparison of 2D and 3D calculation, the under predicted difference may be 90%.

Keywords: Gaseous pollutants; High-pressure turbine; Aircraft engine; 3D modeling