A model-based simulation approach to support the product configuration and optimization of gas turbine ducts

Nowadays, product configuration and optimization are very important topics in several industrial
applications such as the manufacturing of Engineered-to-order (ETO) products, where there is a
fierce increase in market competition. The product configuration allows past design solutions to be
reused and new product variants to be defined and pre-designed. However, the delivery of new configurations
of products requires a technical feasibility analysis before closing the contract of the order
with the customer. There is a lack of commercial tools which can support the designer from the early
configuration phase to the product optimization with the automatic generation of geometric models
and simulations. While traditional software tools can be used for the product configuration, with
automation in the CAD modeling, other ones can combine optimization algorithms with numerical
simulations. However, the combination of all these design levels requires the development of a dedicated
platform tools. The research aims to reduce time and cost related to the early design phase of
an oil & gas system, focusing on gas turbine ducts. The paper proposes a methodological approach
to integrate the design optimization with the product configuration using Model-Based simulations
to verify the technical feasibility and to optimize the product design. As a test case, the early design
of a gas turbine chimney is proposed.