An Analysis Method for Inertial Particle Separator

Abstract

The paper describes an analysis method for an inertial particle separator (IPS) system modeled as a multi-element airfoil configuration. The analysis method is implemented in a numerical tool that is able to perform impingement analysis using spherical, non-spherical particles as well as water droplets for a range of Reynolds number (10-4 ≤ Re ≤ 5×105). A limitations of the analysis tool is that it lacks an appropriate particle rebound model for the treatment of particle-wall collisions. The usefulness of the analysis tool is its use in conjunction with a multipoint inverse design tool for the design of multi-element airfoil based IPS system model in an inverse fashion as opposed to the direct design methods being employed currently for this task. With such a design and analysis tool at hand, the design space can be explored as well as trade-off studies can be performed that can aid in the development of a more efficient design methodology for multi-element airfoil based IPS systems.