Matthew Goetting

What is the ideal material type and printing geometry for 3D printed turbine blades that optimize coolant efficiency, the maximum operating temperature, and overall turbine efficiency to enable long-range supersonic flight?

Started June 21, 2023

Abstract or project description

The principal objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of 3D printed turbine blades, another objective is to analyze the implications of such manufacturing methods on coolant efficiency and the maximum operating temperature of the 3d printed turbine blades, with an emphasis on the potential for more complex and efficient internal cooling channel designs. We plan to investigate the effect of material types and printing geometries on internal cooling effectiveness to then analyze overall turbine efficiency increases. We hope to show how 3D printed turbine blades are enabling technologies for long-range supersonic flight. Methods to be used are finite element analysis, first principle heat transfer analysis, and aerodynamic range correlations.