Thermal Analysis of Liquid Hydrogen Turbine Inlet Manifold Using CFD

Abstract

This study takes a look at the design process of the air
intake system of the Liquid Hydrogen Turbine Inlet
Manifold. Differences in turbine outputs and
applications require different designs of intake-air
manifolds in order to achieve the best volumetric
efficiency and thus the best turbine performance. In the
present work, the flow characteristics of liquid
hydrogen flowing in various designs of air-intake
manifold will be studied. The study is done by three
dimensional simulations of the flow of air within two
designs of air-intake manifold into the turbine by using
commercial CFD software, ANSYS. The simulation
results are validated by an experimental study
performed using a flow bench. The study reveals that
the variations in the geometry of the air-intake system
can result in a difference of up to 20% in the mass
flow rate of air entering the combustion chamber.