Performance Deterioration Modeling in Aircraft Gas Turbine Engines

Steady state performance models can be used to evaluate a new engine’s baseline performance. As a gas turbine accumulates operating time in the field, its performance deteriorates due to fouling, erosion and wear. This paper presents the development of a model for predicting the performance deterioration of aircraft gas turbines. The model accounts for rotating component deterioration based on the aircraft mission profiles and environmental conditions, and the engine physical and design characteristics. The methodology uses data correlations combined with a stage stacking technique for the compressor and a tip rub model along with data correlations for the turbine to determine the amount of performance deterioration. The performance deterioration model interfaces with the manufacturer’s baseline engine simulation model in order to create a deteriorated performance model for that engine.