Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of Radial Impeller Designs for Electric Pneumatic Propulsion

This research aims to qualify and explain the experimental findings for three radial impeller designs used for electric pneumatic propulsion discussed in Sadowski’s 2024 study through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis. These impeller variants consist of different designs: Impeller 1 with forward curved circular blades, Impeller 2 with uncurved circular blades, and Impeller 3 with blade edges normal to the tangent line of the impeller perimeter (BENTL). Data was collected by analyzing the three impeller variant 3D models from Sadowski’s study with the same electrically driven compressor-nozzle pneumatic propulsion system (ED-CNPPS) using Ansys Fluent software, simulated at 22,000 RPM to replicate the physical experiment from the 2024 paper. The data from analysis of the ED-CNPPS variants closely aligned with the outcome of Luke T. Sadowski’s black box experimental data, with impeller 3 performing the greatest of the three designs, most likely due to greater internal pressure at the nozzle of the system. This research not only aims to confirm the validity of Luke T. Sadowski’s experimental findings for these three impeller designs, but also to give us a deeper understanding of the performance metrics for these three impellers, making it possible to modify these impeller designs to maximize their potential for future application.