A Surge/Stall-Capable Dynamic Performance Simulation Methodology for a Turbojet Engine

Abstract A lumped-parameter dynamic performance model for a single-spool turbojet engine is presented in this paper. This model can handle pre and poststall transients under forward and reverse-flow conditions. The inter-component volume technique is employed instead of the standard matching technique to be able to handle high-frequency transients and reverse-flow conditions. Inspired by Greitzer's lumped-parameter surge model, momentum (duct) and volume elements are placed within the flow path to handle surge dynamics. Compressor and turbine maps are extended to low-flow and reverse-flow regions using a combination of the guidelines presented by Kurzke, the cubic axisymmetric characteristics of Moore and Greitzer, and a quadratic function guess for in-stall characteristics. Combustor efficiency, stability limits, and delay are taken from the literature. Poststall behavior of the model is validated using the data available in the literature for a Rolls-Royce Viper engine. A good match is observed with a correct prediction of poststall behaviors, which transition from surge after locked stall to multiple surge cycles around 80% speed and multiple surge cycles to surge after flameout around 95% speed. The effects of different modeling choices and modeling parameters on the obtained results are discussed. The produced model can be calibrated for a specific engine with surge tests, and it can be used for hard-to-test scenarios like surge after shaft breakage. Different surge/stall-causing events, such as fuel spiking, in-bleeding, and shaft breakage, are simulated to see the capabilities of the model.