A Parametric Starting Study of an Axial-Centrifugal Gas Turbine Engine Using a One-Dimensional Dynamic Engine Model and Comparisons to Experimental Results: Part I—Model Development and Facility Description

Abstract

A generic one-dimensional gas turbine engine model, development at the Arnold Engineering Development Center, has been configured to represent the gas generator of a General Electric axial-centrifugal gas turbine engine in the six kg/sec airflow class. The model was calibrated against experimental test results for a variety of initial conditions to insure that the model accurately represented the engine over the range of test conditions of interest. These conditions included both assisted (with a starter motor) and unassisted (altitude windmill) starts. The model was then exercised to study a variety of engine configuration modifications designed to improve its starting characteristics, and, thus, quantify potential starting improvements for the next generation of gas turbine engines. This paper discusses the model development and describes the test facilities used to obtain the calibration data. The test matrix for the ground level testing is also presented. A companion paper presents the model calibration results and the results of the trade-off study.