April 10: David Hall, The Penn State University

• 1:30 p.m.
• 3100 Torgersen Hall
  
• Host: Todd Lowe

"Mechanisms, Benefits, and Challenges of Boundary Layer Ingesting Propulsion"

Abstract: Boundary layer ingestion (BLI) is a propulsion concept where thrust is generated by accelerating a vehicle’s boundary layer or wake flow. The lower momentum of this flow, relative to the free stream, means thrust can be generated using less power than conventional propulsion, and BLI has been proposed for numerous high-efficiency aircraft concepts. This seminar will review the fundamental mechanisms of BLI power savings and challenges associated with performance of the propulsor turbomachinery. Wind tunnel experiments on the D8 “double bubble” aircraft concept demonstrated power savings with BLI on the order of 10%. The same experiments characterized non-uniform engine inlet flows inherent to BLI, which have adverse effects on efficiency, aeromechanics, stability, and acoustics of BLI fans. New approaches to integrated aircraft performance and distortion-tolerant turbomachinery are required to enable the potential benefits of BLI, and this seminar will discuss recent work on non-axisymmetric turbomachinery design approaches to improve the performance of BLI fans.

Bio: David K. Hall is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University, where he leads the Aircraft Propulsion Research Group, focused on developing advanced aircraft propulsion concepts for improved capability and environmental sustainability. Prior to joining the Penn State faculty in 2021, he led the Propulsion Group at Aurora Flight Sciences, A Boeing Company and worked as a Postdoctoral Associate and Research Engineer at the MIT Gas Turbine Laboratory. He earned Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, and Mathematics, from Duke University, and his S.M. and Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT. He a Senior Member of AIAA and a Member of ASME and VFS.