Research Information System
Thesis Type: Postgraduate
Institution Of The Thesis: Gazi University, Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Turkey
Approval Date: 2024
Thesis Language: Turkish
Student: Safa DUMANLI
Supervisor: Nureddin Dinler
Abstract:
In this thesis, the aerodynamic effects of distributed propulsion systems have been numerically investigated. Distributed propulsion means that the thrust force in aircraft is provided not from a single center but from multiple points with multiple rotors. This approach aims to provide higher performance and energy efficiency compared to traditional centralized propulsion systems. In this study, a code based on the “Blade Element Momentum Theory” (BEM) was developed and integrated into the open-source Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solver SU2. The developed BEM code was validated through experimental tests on various rotor configurations, and the effects of distributed propulsion systems on aerodynamic coefficients under different flight scenarios were analyzed in detail. In experimental validations, it was observed that the integration of the BEM code into the SU2 software allowed distributed propulsion systems to consume less power while providing the same thrust and significantly enhancing aerodynamic performance. According to the analyses, the CL/CD ratios of the distributed propulsion system compared to the single-rotor system range between 1.004 and 1.034, indicating improved aerodynamic efficiency. Additionally, it was confirmed in all scenarios that increasing the number of rotors resulted in the 8-rotor system having a higher efficiency in terms of CL/CD ratio compared to the 6-rotor system. In conclusion, the study examined the relationships between thrust and rotor power in distributed propulsion systems, revealing their potential to enhance aerodynamic performance and energy efficiency. The research also explored the advantages and market viability of distributed propulsion as an innovative aircraft concept, supported by numerical analyses. It was shown that distributed propulsion systems play a critical role in achieving energy efficiency and performance goals in the aviation industry, providing an important foundation for future research in this field.
Key Words : Distributed propulsion, aerodynamic optimization, blade element momentum theory, rotorcraft systems