Design of a consolidated swirler monopart structure by optimizing the processes of micrometallurgical layer-to-layer fusion of heat-resistant alloys

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15587/1729-4061.2026.359455

Keywords:

additive technologies, L-PBF, swirler, combustion chamber, gas turbine engine, CFD simulation

Abstract

This study investigates air flow characteristics and the temperature field in the combustion chamber, which are determined by the geometry of the swirler. The task addressed is predetermined by the fact that swirlers manufactured by conventional casting methods with subsequent assembly are characterized by significant geometric deviations of the flow-through elements. This leads to a dispersion of air flow along the contours, a violation of the uniformity of the fuel-air mixture and, as a result, to increased circular unevenness of the temperature field at the outlet of the combustion chamber, which reduces the resource and reliability of engine operation.

In this work, three-dimensional simulation of the swirler was performed using the Unigraphics NX CAD system; a numerical CFD analysis of processes in the combustion chamber was carried out. Experimental studies on geometric deviations and air flow rates for swirlers manufactured by the conventional casting method and the additive method L-PBF (Laser Powder Bed Fusion) were conducted. The geometric accuracy was assessed using a 3-D scanning method with comparison with a digital model; the flow characteristics were determined by bench tests during the purging of the air and fuel circuits, as well as during the combined operation of the circuits.

It was found that the swirlers manufactured using the L-PBF method provide air flow stability within ±1.5%, which is a better indicator compared to cast analogs. That has made it possible to reduce the circular unevenness of the combustion chamber temperature field to 12.5–18.9% with an allowable value of no more than 21%.

The results confirm the feasibility of using additive technologies for the manufacture of swirlers for combustion chambers in gas turbine engines

Author Biographies

Volodymyr Yefanov, Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Deputy Director

Scientific and Educational Institute “Titan”

Oleh Kalinichenko, Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies

PhD

Department of Fuel, Polymer, and Polygraphic Materials Technologies

Dmytro Kuts, Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies

PhD Student

Department of Power Engineering

Oleg Ovchynnykov, Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies

Department of Fuel, Polymer, and Polygraphic Materials Technologies

Hanna Laptieva, National University Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic

PhD

Department of Integrated Technologies of Welding and Modeling of Structures

References

  1. Lefebvre, A. H., Ballal, D. R. (2010). Gas Turbine Combustion. CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781420086058
  2. Turns, S. R. (2012). An Introduction to Combustion: Concepts and Applications. McGraw-Hill, 736. Available at: https://www.academia.edu/40886924/An_Introduction_To_Combustion_Concepts_And_Applications_
  3. Poinsot, T., Veynante, D. (2005). Theoretical and Numerical Combustion. R.T. Edwards, 540. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/248068931_Theoretical_and_Numerical_Combustion
  4. Pitsch, H. (2006). Large-eddy simulation of turbulent combustion. Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics, 38 (1), 453–482. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.fluid.38.050304.092133
  5. Lieuwen, T. C., Yang, V. (2006). Combustion Instabilities In Gas Turbine Engines. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. https://doi.org/10.2514/4.866807
  6. Mattingly, J. D. (2002). Elements of Gas Turbine Propulsion. AIAA Education Series, 945. Available at: https://soaneemrana.org/onewebmedia/ELEMENTS%20OF%20GAS%20TURBINE%20PROPULTION2.pdf
  7. Frazier, W. E. (2014). Metal Additive Manufacturing: A Review. Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, 23 (6), 1917–1928. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-014-0958-z
  8. Herzog, D., Seyda, V., Wycisk, E., Emmelmann, C. (2016). Additive manufacturing of metals. Acta Materialia, 117, 371–392. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2016.07.019
  9. Spierings, A. B., Herres, N., Levy, G. (2011). Influence of the particle size distribution on surface quality and mechanical properties in AM steel parts. Rapid Prototyping Journal, 17 (3), 195–202. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552541111124770
  10. Vodennikova, O. S., Koval, M. O., Vodennikov, S. A. (2021). Investigation of Mechanical Properties and Structure of Inconel 718 Alloy Obtained by Selective Laser Sintering from Powder Produced by ‘LPW’. Metallofizika I Noveishie Tekhnologii, 43 (7), 925–937. https://doi.org/10.15407/mfint.43.07.0925
  11. Launder, B. E., Spalding, D. B. (1972). Lectures in Mathematical Models of Turbulence. London: Academic Press, 169.
  12. Burke, S. P., Schumann, T. E. W. (1928). Diffusion Flames. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry, 20 (10), 998–1004. https://doi.org/10.1021/ie50226a005
  13. Pope, S. B. (1976). The probability approach to the modelling of turbulent reacting flows. Combustion and Flame, 27, 299–312. https://doi.org/10.1016/0010-2180(76)90035-3
  14. Crowe, C. T. (1982). Review – Numerical Models for Dilute Gas-Particle Flows. Journal of Fluids Engineering, 104 (3), 297–303. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3241835
  15. van Leer, B. (1997). Towards the Ultimate Conservative Difference Scheme. Journal of Computational Physics, 135 (2), 229–248. https://doi.org/10.1006/jcph.1997.5704
  16. Turbomeca uses metal additive manufacturing for helicopter engine components. Available at: https://www.metal-am.com/turbomeca-uses-metal-additive-manufacturing-for-helicopter-engine-components/
  17. Pedash, A. A., Klochykhin, V. V., Lysenko, N. A., Shilo, V. G., Kasay, P. A. (2019). Influence of the powder manufacturing technique on the structure and properties of the SLM-parts. Bulletin of Engine Building, 2, 31–39. Available at: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjln6bLjo6UAxW9ywIHHX86JYgQFnoECBYQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fvd.zp.edu.ua%2Farticle%2Fview%2F180255%2F180181&usg=AOvVaw1kuOs1mY5xtbSOyCCDmrKp&opi=89978449
  18. Klochikhin, V. V., Kasai, P. A., Naumyk, V. V. (2022). Structure and Properties of Material of Samples, Cultivated by Selective Laser Melting of In718 Alloy Powder after Hot Isostatic Pressing and Subsequent Heat Treatment. Casting Processes, 147 (1), 19–29. https://doi.org/10.15407/plit2022.01.019
  19. Klochikhin, V. V., Kasay, P. A., Balushok, K. B., Shilo, V. G., Naumyk, V. V. (2021). Study of the Material Quality of Samples Obtained by Selective Laser Melting (SLM) Method from IN718 Alloy Powder. Casting Processes, 144 (2), 12–22. https://doi.org/10.15407/plit2021.02.012
  20. WZ16/Ardiden 3C. ENGINES. Safran-Group JSC. Available at: https://www.safran-group.com/products-services/ardiden-3c-first-jointly-developed-aero-engine-be-entirely-certified-china
  21. Nozzles Ariane 6. Ariane-Group JSC. Available at: https://www.ariane.group/en/space-transportation/ariane-6/
  22. Hahn, J. (2020). Hyperganic uses AI to design 3D-printed rocket engine. Available at: https://www.dezeen.com/2020/03/30/hyperganic-ai-rocket-engine-3d-printed/
  23. D printing a rocket engine. Available at: https://www.etmm-online.com/3d-printing-arocket-engine-a-886960/
  24. Giant Satellite Fuel Tank Sets New Record for 3-D Printed Space Parts. Available at: https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2018-07-11-Giant-Satellite-Fuel-Tank-Sets-New-Record-for-3-D-Printed-Space-Parts#assets_115
  25. Yadroitsev, I., Yadroitsava, I., du Plessis, A., MacDonald, E. (2021). Fundamentals of Laser Powder Bed Fusion of Metals. Elsevier, 654. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350007655_Fundamentals_of_Laser_Powder_Bed_Fusion_of_Metals
  26. Kuts, D., Yefanov, V., Halienkova, O., Ovchynnykov, O., Tepla, T., Lemishka, I., Mierzwiński, D. (2025). Additive technologies for manufacturing swirlers of the combustion chamber of aircraft engines from nickel superalloy powders. Archives of Materials Science and Engineering. https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0055.0368
Design of a consolidated swirler monopart structure by optimizing the processes of micrometallurgical layer-to-layer fusion of heat-resistant alloys

Downloads

Published

2026-04-30

How to Cite

Yefanov, V., Kalinichenko, O., Kuts, D., Ovchynnykov, O., & Laptieva, H. (2026). Design of a consolidated swirler monopart structure by optimizing the processes of micrometallurgical layer-to-layer fusion of heat-resistant alloys. Eastern-European Journal of Enterprise Technologies, 2(1 (140), 91–104. https://doi.org/10.15587/1729-4061.2026.359455

Issue

Section

Engineering technological systems