NASA Launches Development of Eco-Friendly Jet Engine Core for Greener Aviation
This artist's concept depicts a small-core jet engine produced by NASA mounted in the CFM RISE jet engine design of General Electric Aerospace. An further boost in efficiency comes from the large open turbofan driven by the smaller, more fuel-efficient core. In an effort to provide insights for the next generation of ultra-efficient aircraft, the project is a part of NASA's Sustainable Flight National Partnership.
GE Aviation Officially moving on to the next phase of the project, NASA and industry will shortly start developing a new jet engine concept for the next generation of ultra-efficient airliners.
NASA is creating a small core for a hybrid-electric turbofan jet engine that might burn 10% less fuel than current engines as part of its mission to make the aviation sector more environmentally friendly.
Compressed air and fuel are mixed together and ignited in the core of a jet engine to produce power. Carbon emissions can be decreased and fuel economy increased by shrinking this core.
In order to demonstrate this tiny core and have the technology ready for use in engines powering next-generation aircraft by the 2030s, the project is termed Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core, or HyTEC. NASA's Sustainable Flight National Partnership heavily relies on HyTEC.
HyTEC is set up to accomplish its lofty objective in two stages:
Phase 1, which is wrapping up, focused on selecting the component technologies to use in the core demonstrator.
Phase 2, starting now, will see researchers design, build, and test a compact core in collaboration with GE Aerospace.
Head of HyTEC at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Anthony Nerone, said, "We are ramping up Phase 2 and winding down Phase 1 of HyTEC." "This phase will culminate in a core demonstration test that proves the technology so it can transition to industry."
The End of the Beginning
Researchers had to investigate novel, cutting-edge materials for the engine before they could begin designing and building the core. Following three years of unusually rapid advancement, researchers at HyTEC developed remedies.
From the beginning, we have had a singular focus. We started the project with certain technical objectives and success criteria, and thus far, we haven't had to deviate from any of them," Nerone stated.
In comparison with today's normal jet engines, heat and pressure must rise in order to reduce the size of a core while keeping the same amount of thrust. This implies that stronger materials that can tolerate higher temperatures must be used to create the engine core.
Apart from performing research on materials, the initiative also investigated advanced aerodynamics and other crucial technological aspects.
A typical turbofan engine's ross section identifies key components that HyTEC will strive to improve. These comprise the components for power extraction, the high-pressure turbine, the combustor, and the high-pressure compressor.
What Comes Next
Phase 2 builds on Phase 1 to create a compact core for ground testing that proves HyTEC's capabilities.
"Phase 2 is very complex. It's not just a core demonstration," Nerone said. "What we're creating has never been done before, and it involves many different technologies coming together to form a new type of engine."
A significantly greater bypass ratio, hybridization, and compatibility with sustainable aviation fuels will be made possible by technologies tested in the HyTEC program.
The relationship between the volume of air passing through the engine core and the volume of air circling the core is expressed as the bypass ratio.
The HyTEC idea would consume less fuel and emit fewer greenhouse gases by shrinking the core while expanding the size of the turbofan it powers, all while retaining the same thrust output.
"HyTEC is a crucial component of our RISE program," GE Aerospace's Kathleen Mondino, who assists in leading RISE program technologies, said. "GE Aerospace and NASA have worked together for many years to develop cutting-edge aircraft technologies. To assist shape the future of more environmentally friendly flying, the HyTEC program expands on this partnership."
Hybridization represents a further element in the jigsaw. Because of HyTEC's hybrid-electric capacity, more electrical power will be added to the core, significantly reducing fuel use and carbon emissions.
"This engine will be the first mild hybrid-electric engine, and hopefully, the first production engine for airliners that is hybrid-electric," Nerone stated.