Thermal FSI analysis of an airflow heater for aerospace applications - December 2009
Fully coupled Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) model was developed to simulate heat transfer process and thermal deformations in an electric heater used in aerospace applications. Steady-state conjugate heat transfer simulations were performed to assess thermal performance of the heat exchangers and el. heaters. However, the heat transfer characteristics of the heaters are sensitive to the airflow distribution around the heating elements. Test installations had indicated that the elements can deform under thermal loads and hence the deflection of the elements and hence supports could be an important aspect of the design.
The client wished to assess both structural and aero-thermal aspects of the design. The ultimate aim was to eliminate a test phase from the development programme thereby reducing costs and time to market. A demonstration project was undertaken in which a full conjugate heat transfer analysis of heat transfer in the air flow, the el. heater outer shell and the internal structure was performed in conjunction with a thermal stress analysis using coupled FSI approach.
