Aircraft Cryogenic Fuel System with Catalytic Converter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft gas turbine engines face inefficiencies due to the use of compressed air for cooling, which reduces engine performance, and have high Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC), leading to higher operating costs and environmental impact from greenhouse gases and pollutants. Additionally, they lack the ability to efficiently utilize cheaper cryogenic fuels like liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual fuel system in aircraft gas turbine engines that includes a passively cooled cryogenic fuel storage tank and a catalytic converter to manage evaporated fuel, allowing for the use of both conventional jet fuel and LNG, with a heat exchanger to convert LNG into a gaseous state for combustion, thereby improving cooling efficiency and reducing emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If compressed air is used for cooling in conventional gas turbine applications, then cooling function is achieved, but engine efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cryogenic fuel storage system provides self-cooling through passive heat exchange with the surrounding environment, eliminating the need for compressed air cooling. The stored cryogenic fuel naturally absorbs heat from the engine components, providing cooling while maintaining engine efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
A heat exchanger is introduced as an intermediary between the cryogenic fuel storage system and the engine components that require cooling. This heat exchanger transfers heat from the engine parts to the cryogenic fuel, providing efficient cooling without consuming engine power.
2Reliability
If conventional jet fuel is used, then engine operation is maintained, but Specific Fuel Consumption is high and operating costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the fuel parameter from conventional jet fuel to cryogenic fuel (such as liquefied natural gas), which has different thermodynamic properties that result in lower Specific Fuel Consumption and reduced operating costs while maintaining reliable engine operation.
3Power
If conventional gas turbine engines operate, then propulsion is provided, but greenhouse gas emissions and pollutant production are high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fuel composition parameter from conventional jet fuel to cryogenic fuel such as liquefied natural gas, which produces lower greenhouse gas emissions and fewer pollutants while maintaining the required propulsion power.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This dual fuel system enhances engine efficiency, lowers SFC, reduces environmental impact by using LNG, and allows for flexible fuel usage, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and pollutant production.
Implementation Method 1
a catalytic converter fluidly coupled to the pressure vent and receiving the natural gas vent stream and converting the natural gas vent stream into a second gas stream comprising the products of oxidation
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger to convert LNG into a gaseous state for combustion
Implementation Method 3
Gas in the form of evaporated cryogenic fuel is vented from the storage tank
Data Source
AI summary
A method of managing evaporated cryogenic fuel in a storage tank of a cryogenic fuel system of an aircraft and an aircraft having at least one turbine engine providing propulsive force for the aircraft and a cryogenic fuel system including a passively cooled cryogenic fuel storage tank located within the aircraft, a pressure vent fluidly coupled to the cryogenic fuel storage tank and exhausting evaporated gas from the cryogenic fuel to define a natural gas vent stream, and a catalytic converter fluidly coupled to the pressure vent.