Article
DESIGN, MODELING, AND CFD ANALYSIS OF AN AIRCRAFT ENGINE COOLING FAN
Efficient thermal management is a critical aspect of modern aircraft engine design, as excessive temperatures can reduce engine efficiency, accelerate component degradation, and compromise operational safety. This project presents the modelling and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis of aircraft engine fan cooling to investigate airflow characteristics and heat dissipation within the fan section. A three-dimensional model of the engine fan assembly is developed using computer-aided design (CAD) software and imported into a CFD environment for numerical simulation. The analysis evaluates airflow velocity, pressure distribution, turbulence intensity, and temperature variations under different operating conditions. Appropriate boundary conditions, material properties, and turbulence models are applied to replicate realistic engine cooling scenarios. The simulation identifies regions of high thermal concentration and airflow recirculation that may reduce cooling efficiency. Based on the obtained results, design modifications such as optimized blade geometry, improved airflow channels, and enhanced cooling passage configurations are assessed to improve thermal performance. The CFD outcomes demonstrate that optimized airflow significantly enhances heat transfer, minimizes temperature gradients, and promotes uniform cooling across critical engine components. The study also highlights the importance of numerical simulation in reducing prototype development time, lowering experimental costs, and supporting design optimization during the early stages of aircraft engine development. Overall, the proposed CFD-based approach provides valuable insights into the thermal behaviour of aircraft engine fans and offers an effective methodology for improving cooling efficiency, engine reliability, and operational lifespan. The findings contribute to the advancement of aerospace thermal management systems by enabling engineers to design safer, lighter, and more energy-efficient aircraft propulsion systems while maintaining high performance under demanding flight conditions.
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