Optimum sub-megawatt electric-hybrid power source selection
| Autor: | Benoit Picard, Mathieu Picard, David Rancourt, Jean-Sébastien Plante |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2020 |
| Předmět: |
Engine configuration
Computer science 020209 energy Aerospace Engineering Electric generator 02 engineering and technology Turbine Automotive engineering law.invention 020401 chemical engineering law Power electronics 0202 electrical engineering electronic engineering information engineering Recuperator 0204 chemical engineering Hybrid power Heat engine Nominal power (photovoltaic) |
| Zdroj: | Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology. 92:717-726 |
| ISSN: | 1748-8842 |
| DOI: | 10.1108/aeat-06-2019-0119 |
| Popis: | Purpose The limited energy density of batteries generates the need for high-performance power sources for emerging eVTOL applications with radical operational improvement potential over traditional aircraft. This paper aims to evaluate on-design and off-design recuperated turbogenerator performances based on newly developed compression loaded ceramic turbines, the Inside-out Ceramic Turbine (ICT), in order to select the optimum engine configuration for sub-megawatt systems. Design/methodology/approach System-level thermal engine modeling is combined with electric generators and power electronics performance predictions to obtain the Pareto front between efficiency and power density for a variety of engine designs, both for recuperated and simple cycle turbines. Part load efficiency for those engines are evaluated, and the results are used for an engine selection based on a simplified eVTOL mission capability. Findings By operating with high turbine inlet temperature, variable output speed and adequately sized recuperator, a turbogenerator provides exceptional efficiency at both nominal power and part load operation for a turbomachine, while maintaining the high power density required for aircraft. In application with a high peak-to-cruise power ratio, such power source would provide eight times the range of battery-electric power pack and an 80% improvement over the state-of-the-art simple cycle turbogenerator. Practical implications The implementation of a recuperator would provide additional gains especially important for military and on-demand mobility applications, notably reducing the heat signature and noise of the system. The engine low-pressure ratio reduces its complexity and combined with the fuel savings, the system could significantly reduce operational cost. Originality/value Implementation of radically new ICT architecture provides the key element to make a sub-megawatt recuperated turbogenerator viable in terms of power density. The synergetic combination of a recuperator, high temperature turbine and variable speed electric generator provides drastic improvement over simple-cycle turbines, making such a system highly relevant as the power source for future eVTOL applications. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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