GTREO Seminar: Dr. Masha Folk, Rolls-Royce

The Case for a Simple Model – Dr. Masha Folk, Rolls-Royce

Recent advancements in computing have made computational simulations ubiquitous in turbomachinery. This generates a wealth of data for engineers. Machine learning algorithms can be trained on thousands of simulations to identify favorable features and large, scale-resolving simulations can give insight to the most complex flow structures. But how do we use all that data to make meaningful design decisions? This talk will show the power of using a simple physical model to understand the effect of complex flow in turbomachinery and how advanced simulations can be used to build these simple models. Using a turbine blade as an example we will build a simple model to represent the most important loss mechanisms in the gas turbine and use this framework to pose important research questions.

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Folk is an aerothermal specialist in turbomachinery with Rolls-Royce, where she has worked for 13 years. Her research on combustor turbine interaction was recognized by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers as the most outstanding contribution to the field in 2019. Dr. Folk’s responsibilities at Rolls-Royce include gaspath design and fluid dynamic analysis of the gas turbine hot end including preliminary design, high fidelity simulation, and testing of the combustor and the turbine. Dr. Folk received her Ph.D. from University of Cambridge, M.S. from Purdue University, and B.S. from Ohio State University.