TURBINES AND STRUCTURES FOR ULTRA-HIGH PRESSURE RATIO AERO-ENGINES

This paper describes the research carried out in the European Commission co-funded project LEMCOTEC (Low Emission Core Engine Technology) on aerodynamics for turbines and structures for compressors, combustors and turbines. The aim is to significantly contribute to the reduction of the environmental footprint of aviation with regard to emissions from aero engines. The LEMCOTEC turbine and structure technologies are directed primarily to act as enablers for higher thermal efficiency arising from increased overall pressure ratio. Thus the work is supporting increased operating temperatures, reduced core deformation, reduced cooling flows and increased performance to weight ratio, in addition to direct reduction of flow losses and associated component efficiency increases. The article details the targets for performance improvements, the validation of the technologies and how they, together with LEMCOTEC's improved technologies on compressors and combustors, relate to the goal of building ultra-high pressure ratio engines.