Thermal-Fluid Systems

Modeling and Performance Analysis of the Fuel System in an Aircraft Gas Turbine Engine

The fuel system in an aircraft gas turbine engine supplies fuel to the combustor and manages the temperature of both lubricating oil and fuel. It also provides hydraulic power to actuators, such as variable stator actuators and variable bleed valves. Since the fuel system directly affects engine performance and control, its reliability is a critical concern. In this study, the fuel system—including the fuel pumping/metering units and the fuel-oil heat exchanger—was modeled using the commercial system software AMESim. Variations in thermal and fluid properties according to flight conditions were then investigated to assess performance during the preliminary concept design process.