Heat Exchanger Optimization
Lightweight Turbofan Engine Oil Cooler
Engineering Principles Studied:
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Software Utilized:
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Tools Utilized:
NA |
Main Objective:
To create a model that will allow a current production turbofan engine oil cooler to be optimized for weight savings without sacrifice to performance. The model will allow users to change aspects of the heat exchanger such as fin geometry, material properties, and fin configuration in order to see their affect on overall weight.
To create a model that will allow a current production turbofan engine oil cooler to be optimized for weight savings without sacrifice to performance. The model will allow users to change aspects of the heat exchanger such as fin geometry, material properties, and fin configuration in order to see their affect on overall weight.
Background:
For many applications, especially those related to aviation, weight is a key factor in the design and engineering decisions made while creating or modifying components. In the case of the turbofan engine oil coolers manufactured by Honeywell, relatively rudimentary designs have persisted in lieu of lightweight alternatives primarily due to focus on other large components. This current dated design was created with performance and ease of manufacturing in mind, but lacks the weight saving characteristics demanded by the current industry. The current heat exchanger utilizes an oil-to-air design. Fins are used to increase the surface area of the cooler which results in increased heat transfer via convection (the primary mode of heat transfer). This cooler is placed around the circumference of the low pressure turbine casing and is exposed to the cool fan exhaust air which passes over it at high velocity. This project models and explores three different fin configurations that may potentially increase heat transfer performance while minimizing weight. |
Results:
- Determined the performance capabilities of the current heat exchanger.
- Determined that of the three, the parabolic pin fin would yield the best performance to weight ratio.
- Created an excel model which generates a heat exchanger design based on input criteria.
- The generated design will match the performance characteristics of the current production design while reducing overall weight.
- Proposed a design that optimizes performance, weight, cost of materials, and ease of manufacturing.