An Inertial Particle Separator (IPS) is a particulate removal device installed at the inlet of a gas turbine to mitigate effects of sand ingestion on the engine. These are usually permanent features of helicopters that allow landings in austere conditions while eliminating particulate ingestion so as to increase engine life. Typically, IPS systems have lower engine power costs than alternative engine inlet filtration technologies. The present study investigates the effect of IPS particle removal efficiency as a function of scavenge leg geometry. Performance was evaluated based on particle separation efficiency, mass flow rate temporal variations, and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). Of the various scavenge geometries considered, it was found that flow constriction with a hub-side ramp most improved separation efficiency and stabilized mass flow rates. This is attributed to a reduction in the flow separation extent into the scavenge leg due to the addition of favorable pressure gradient.
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