Development of computational and experimental noise assessment and suppression methodologies for the next generation of silent distributed propulsion configurations (SilentProp)

Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP) is particularly attractive from a noise reduction perspective since the induced high frequency noise is associated with: i) increased atmospheric absorption benefiting citizens and ii) improved structural shielding benefiting passengers as well as citizens. SilentProp specific objectives are:
-Performing an inclusive testing campaign within a modern and large anechoic wind tunnel configuration. Comprehensive measurements for a wide range of experimental and operational parameters will be delivered for quantifying interactions when adjacent propellers are operating within a DEP system.
-Developing a seamless and efficient numerical methodology for providing near field and far field numerical noise computations for DEP configurations nominally identical to the ones experimentally tested. A reduced surrogate modelling approach will also be delivered for accelerating the subsequent optimization procedure.
-Experimentally and numerically assessing the effectiveness of established, as well as novel noise suppression technologies including propeller phase blocking for directional sound cancellation and poroelastic, metamaterial and adaptive liners in a variety of configurations. Noise structural shielding by the aircraft structures will also be quantified to evaluate induced disturbance for citizens, as well as passengers.
SilentProp will directly contribute to the CS2JU vision of drastically reducing aircraft induced community noise. This will be achieved by delivering key technological advancements to the European aerospace sector that will eventually facilitate the optimal multidisciplinary design and social acceptance for DEP configurations. The Consortium will advance the understanding of key noise aspects involved in DEP systems, enabling initial evaluation of the overall noise level produced for a wide range of DEP designs, as well as provide substantiated appraisal of the efficiency of several noise mitigation means.