Gas Turbine Design Modification
Problem statement
The Aerospace Propulsion Outreach Program (APOP) competition was developed by the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) to promote aerospace engineering to senior undergraduate students and recruit the next generation of aerospace engineers. In the 2025-2026 competition, teams must design a solution to heat an external airflow from the compressor of a P100-RX jet engine using a heat exchanger. Currently, there is little research into bleed air applications for small jet turbine engines. Previous applications of bleed air in commercial jet engines have been used to serve vital aircraft components allowing system safety and reliability such as cabin pressurization, air conditioning, engine thermal management, and component anti-icing [1]. The heat exchanger must be capable of 5000 BTU/hr using compressor bleed air at 80% engine speed, while minimizing penalties to thrust, efficiency, weight, and size. APOP’s goal is to make aviation safe and reliable at every level and this project will be a part of the larger mission of safety and reliability. This challenge inspires confidence in APOP, AFRL, the aerospace industry as a whole, and future UW engineers that the future engineers in the aerospace industry can solve critical thermal management needs. Addressing this challenge supports the advancement of aerospace thermal management, where engines must deliver both thrust and thermal balance for future platforms military and commercial applications.
Team members
Bennett Unger – communicator
Luke Krueger – accountant
Luke Olmsted – facilitator
Tyler Janiszewski – admin
Client
Michael Cheadle
UW – Mechanical Engineering