The Effect of Reynolds Number on a Transonic Swept Fan OGV in a Small Turbofan Engine

In this paper, Reynolds effects on a transonic swept fan outlet guide vane (OGV) in a small turbofan engine are evaluated using a CFD model, successfully assessed with respect to experimental data. The flow-fields are evaluated at two Reynolds number conditions, a high Reynolds condition (corresponding to take-off conditions) and a low Reynolds number condition (corresponding to cruise conditions). The CFD results show large differences in the overall OGV performance between these two points. The flow mechanism for the deterioration in the OGV’s performance at the low Reynolds number condition is shown. Finally a new idea for improving the OGV performance is proposed.Copyright © 2012 by ASME