Aircraft Power Generation via Air Separation and Turbine Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fuel cell technologies for aircraft power generation are in early stages of adoption and require improvements in efficiency and performance to effectively serve as primary or secondary power sources.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a compressor, air separation module, and hydrogen consuming power generation source, where a nitrogen-enriched air stream from the separation module rotates a turbine, which in turn drives the compressor, and an oxygen-enriched air stream is used by the power generation source, enhancing mechanical and electrical power generation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If fuel cell technologies are used for power generation, then environmental impact is reduced and fuel burn is reduced, but efficiency and performance need improvement
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of air composition by separating it into oxygen-enriched and nitrogen-enriched streams. The oxygen-enriched stream is supplied to the fuel cell to improve combustion efficiency, while the nitrogen-enriched stream is used in the turbine to generate mechanical power. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by optimizing both environmental performance and power generation efficiency simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The air supply system is segmented into two separate streams: an oxygen-enriched stream for the fuel cell and a nitrogen-enriched stream for the turbine. This segmentation allows each component to receive optimized air composition, improving overall system efficiency while maintaining environmental benefits of fuel cell technology.
2Productivity
If air separation module is introduced to produce oxygen-enriched and nitrogen-enriched streams, then power generation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the air separation module with the existing compressor and turbine components into an integrated power generation system. By combining these components, the system achieves improved power generation efficiency through oxygen-enriched fuel cell operation and nitrogen-enriched turbine power generation, while the integrated design helps manage the increased device complexity.
3Power
If turbine is coupled to compressor to generate mechanical power, then power burden is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine is coupled to the compressor to create a self-service system where the turbine generates mechanical power that drives the compressor. This configuration reduces the external power burden on the system while the integrated coupling manages the added device complexity through coordinated operation of the two components.
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 configuration improves the efficiency of fuel cell systems by utilizing oxygen-enriched air and nitrogen-enriched air streams to generate mechanical and electrical power, reducing the power burden on the system and expanding the functionality of onboard aircraft systems.
Implementation Method 1
an air separation module configured to receive the pressurized air stream from the first compressor and produce therefrom a nitrogen-enriched air stream and an oxygen-enriched air stream
Implementation Method 2
a turbine configured to receive the nitrogen-enriched air stream from the air separation module and rotate in response to receiving the nitrogen-enriched air stream
Implementation Method 3
a hydrogen consuming power generation source configured to receive the pressurized oxygen-enriched air stream from the second compressor
Implementation Method 4
hydrogen consuming power generation source
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for power generation, for example, onboard an aircraft. The system comprises a first compressor configured to produce a pressurized air stream from a source of air, an air separation module configured to receive the pressurized air stream and produce therefrom a nitrogen-enriched air stream and an oxygen-enriched air stream, a second compressor configured to produce a pressurized oxygen-enriched air stream from the oxygen-enriched air stream, a hydrogen consuming power generation source configured to receive the pressurized oxygen-enriched air stream, and a turbine that is either coupled to the first or second compressor and configured to receive the nitrogen-enriched air stream from the air separation module, rotate in response to receiving the nitrogen-enriched air stream, and thereby cause rotation of the first or second compressor coupled thereto.