Validation of RANS simulations of the flow in a short highly bent intake duct

The current development of modern aircraft concepts often focuses on fully integrated propulsion systems. These fully integrated propulsion systems require the use of short highly bent intake ducts. At the Institute of Jet Propulsion a short highly bent intake duct, the Military Engine Intake Research Duct (MEIRD), was designed and developed. The MEIRD was investigated experimentally as well as with steady state RANS simulations with many different numerical setup parameters. From this extensive study, one setup was chosen for detailed investigations. To ensure the validity of the predicted flow phenomena inside the MEIRD, the results were compared with experimental data, gained at the Institute’s jet engine test facility. It is shown that good qualitative and quantitative data can be achieved using a proper numerical setup.