Numerical Turbulence Modeling in a Transonic Boundary-Layer Ingestion Intake

The boundary–layer ingestion (BLI) engine concept is a possible solution to improve aircraft efficiency for the next decades. This concept enables an improvement in engine efficiency due to the lower momentum flow ingested at the air intake. In addition, the weight and drag reduction contributes to the overall improvement of aircraft performance. However, previous studies have shown that the efficiency benefit of a BLI engine is very sensitive to flow distortion and pressure losses. The intake curvature causes complex secondary flows that lead to total pressure distortions and swirl velocities at the engine face. The intent of this paper is to assess the accuracy of different turbulence models, Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes and zonal detached eddy simulation, to simulate the complex physical phenomena, such as flow recirculation, vortices, and secondary flows, associated with a BLI intake. The results are compared to experimental data obtained during the project, the objective of which is to study the BLI technology for civil aircraft applications.