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Adaptive and Passive Flow Control for Fan Broadband Noise Reduction

PROJECTS
Funding
European
European Union
Duration
-
Status
Complete with results
Geo-spatial type
Other
Total project cost
€5 277 682
EU Contribution
€3 562 536
Project Acronym
FLOCON
STRIA Roadmaps
Vehicle design and manufacturing (VDM)
Transport mode
Airborne icon
Transport policies
Environmental/Emissions aspects
Transport sectors
Passenger transport,
Freight transport

Overview

Call for proposal
FP7-AAT-2007-RTD-1
Link to CORDIS
Background & Policy context

Air traffic is predicted to grow by 5% per year in the short and medium term. Technology advances are required to achieve this growth with acceptable levels of noise. FLOCON addresses this issue by reducing fan noise at the source through the development of innovative concepts based on flow control technologies. FLOCON aimed primarily at reducing fan broadband noise. This is one of the most significant noise sources on modern aircraft and FLOCON provides one essential element of a wider effort by the industry to achieve established targets for noise reduction.

Objectives

Previous attempts at reducing broadband noise were inhibited by a limited understanding of the dominant mechanisms and a lack of high-fidelity numerical models. These issues have been addressed in the ongoing PROBAND FP6 project. In FP7, FLOCON moved beyond the scope of PROBAND to the development of specific concepts for reducing broadband noise in aero-engine fan stages.

FLOCON demonstrated methods capable of reducing fan broadband noise from aero-engines at source by 5dB at approach and take-off conditions, contributing to the European objective of reducing aircraft external noise per operation by 10dB by 2020.

To achieve this, FLOCON:

  • designed noise-reduction concepts and associated devices able to reduce fan broadband noise from aero engines;
  • assessed the noise reduction concepts by conducting lab-scale experiments;
  • complemented the experiments by numerical simulations that are assessing the capability of currently available numerical tools to design low broadband noise treatments and configurations;
  • developed understanding of the mechanisms involved and extrapolate the results to the aero engine environment using state-of-the-art numerical methods;
  • selected the best concepts by balancing noise benefit and integration impact.
Methodology

In FLOCON, a wide range of concepts was considered and developed to Technology Readiness Level 4 (laboratory-scale validation):

  • Rotor trailing edge blowing;
  • Rotor tip vortex suction;
  • Rotor overtip treatments;
  • Rotor and stator leading and trailing-edge treatments;
  • Partly lined stator vanes.

Experiments were performed on two rotating rigs, supported where possible by more detailed measurements on a single airfoil and a cascade. Numerical methods were used to optimise the concepts for experimental validation and to extrapolate the results from laboratory scale to real-engine application.

The impact of scaling from lab- to engine-relevant operating conditions were assessed, as well as the side/complementary effect of broadband noise reduction features on fan-tone noise. Generally speaking, FLOCON increased the understanding of the flow physics and broadband noise generation and control mechanisms.

The potential benefit of each concept was assessed, including any associated penalties (weight, complexity and aerodynamic performance). Recommendations were made as to which concepts could be integrated into new engine designs and which will require further validation at industrial rig or full engine-scale. Any developments required in enabling technologies were also identified.

Funding

Parent Programmes
Institution Type
Public institution
Institution Name
The European Commission
Type of funding
Public (EU)

Results

Due to some delays, the FLOCON project's duration was extended. At the time of publishing this summary (January 2013) no final results had been published or made public by the consortium. The results mentioned here, are expected or intermediate results.

FLOCON will provide the European aero-engine industry methods to reduce broadband noise at the source. In doing so, the project will contribute to achieve European Aerospace industries' objectives for lower-noise aircraft in order to meet society's needs for more environmentally friendly air transport, and to enhance European aeronautics' global competitiveness.

The broadband noise reduction concepts developed will be broadly applicable to the fan stage of all new aero-engine designs. A subset of the methods will be applicable also to core compressor designs. The FLOCON will bring each concept up to Technology Readiness Level 4 (validation at laboratory scale) and recommend a subset for development to engine ready level.

Innovation aspects

Innovative noise reduction concepts based on flow control technology.

Technical Implications

The FLOCON project will validate the concepts at laboratory scale, and will provide recommendations for development to engine ready level.

Strategy targets

Innovating for the future (technology and behaviour):

  • Promoting more sustainable development
  • A European Transport Research and Innovation POlicy

Partners

Lead Organisation
Organisation
Deutsches Zentrum Fr Luft Und Raumfahrt E.v
Address
Linder Hoehe, 51147 KOELN, Germany
Organisation website
EU Contribution
€571 500
Partner Organisations
Organisation
Universitaet Siegen
Address
Adolf Reichwein Strasse 2A, 57076 Siegen, Germany
EU Contribution
€137 000
Organisation
Mtu Aero Engines
Address
Dachauer Strasse 665, 80995 MUENCHEN, Germany
Organisation website
EU Contribution
€195 300
Organisation
Safran Aircraft Engines
Address
2 Bvd Du General Martial-Valin, 75724 Paris, France
EU Contribution
€187 957
Organisation
Stichting Centrum Voor De Ontwikkeling Van Transport En Logistiek In Europa
Address
Van Nelleweg 1, 3044 BC Rotterdam, Netherlands
Organisation website
EU Contribution
€92 000
Organisation
Sandu M. Constantin Persoana Fizica
Address
Ripiceni, Bl.5, Apt.40, Sect.2, 23624 Bucharest, Romania
Organisation website
EU Contribution
€77 000
Organisation
Airbus Defence And Space Gmbh
Address
Ludwig-Boelkow-Allee 1, 85521 Ottobrunn, Germany
Organisation website
EU Contribution
€266 779
Organisation
Technische Universitat Berlin
Address
STRASSE DES 17 JUNI 135, 10623 Berlin, Germany
Organisation website
EU Contribution
€182 000
Organisation
Office National D'etudes Et De Recherches Aerospatiales
Address
CHEMIN DE LA HUNIERE, 91120 PALAISEAU, France
Organisation website
EU Contribution
€341 500
Organisation
Avio S.p.a.
Address
Via 1 Maggio 99, 00187 RIVALTA DI TORINO, Italy
Organisation website
EU Contribution
€95 500
Organisation
University Of Southampton
Address
Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
Organisation website
EU Contribution
€267 000
Organisation
Ecole Centrale De Lyon
Address
AVENUE GUY DE COLLONGUE 36, 69134 ECULLY, France
Organisation website
EU Contribution
€304 000
Organisation
Gkn Aerospace Sweden Ab
Address
46181 Trollhaettan, Sweden
EU Contribution
€177 000
Organisation
Fluorem
Address
Chemin de Mouilles 64, 69130 ECULLY, France
Organisation website
EU Contribution
€227 000
Organisation
Rolls Royce Plc
Address
65 Buckingham gate, LONDON, SW1E 6AT, United Kingdom
Organisation website
EU Contribution
€169 000
Organisation
Microflown Technologies Bv
Address
Tivolilaan 205, 6824 BV Arnhem, Netherlands
EU Contribution
€122 000
Organisation
Chalmers Tekniska Hoegskola Ab
Address
41296 GOTHENBURG, Sweden
Organisation website
EU Contribution
€150 000

Technologies

Technology Theme
Noise testing, modelling and reduction
Technology
Aircraft noise reduction at source
Development phase
Demonstration/prototyping/Pilot Production

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