Thermal-Hydraulic Performance of Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces for use in Transpiration cooling
Overview
This research explores how Triply-Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) structures can improve transpiration cooling by optimizing coolant flow and reducing pressure losses in aerospace applications. Transpiration cooling relies on porous materials to evenly distribute coolant and protect critical components from extreme heat, but the complex geometries of TPMS structures present challenges in understanding their flow resistance and permeability. Currently, there is limited data on how different TPMS designs influence pressure drop and fluid behavior, making it difficult to implement these structures effectively.
To address this, the study will use Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to analyze how different TPMS unit cell sizes and geometries affect pressure drop, coolant distribution, and flow efficiency. Simulations will be performed under realistic aerospace operating conditions, and the results will provide a basis for comparisons to experimental data to ensure accuracy.
By improving our understanding of how fluid moves through these porous materials, this study will help develop more efficient cooling systems for gas turbines, hypersonic vehicles, and other high-temperature aerospace applications, contributing to advancements in next-generation thermal management technologies.
Problem statement
There is an ever evolving need to reduce heat flux to the surface of rocket and gas turbine engines to allow for hotter and longer duration burn times, whilst also maintaining their structural integrity. There are other cooling methods, however they do not provide even coolant distribution, leading to isolated hotspots.
A key advantage of TPMS structures over conventional sintered porous media is their well defined and repeatable geometry. Whilst sintered materials exhibit random pore distributions that are difficult to characterize and predict, TPMS structures are mathematically generated and highly structured. This enables more accurate analysis of fluid flow and heat transfer, as well as greater control when designing for specific performance outcomes.