Angled Exhaust Condenser Layout for Aircraft Steam Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft propulsion systems face challenges in improving thermal, transfer, and propulsive efficiencies, particularly in recovering and utilizing water from exhaust gas flows for enhanced performance.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft propulsion system with angled condenser pairs and evaporators that condense and vaporize water from exhaust gas flows, utilizing cooling airflow for efficient water recovery and generating steam for injection into the combustor, enhancing propulsive efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If water is condensed from exhaust gas flow using conventional condenser arrangements, then water recovery is achieved, but thermal efficiency and propulsive efficiency are not sufficiently improved
Solution Approach 1:
The condenser arrangement is divided into multiple condenser pairs, each pair consisting of two condensers positioned at different angular locations. This segmentation allows for optimized heat transfer surfaces and improved water condensation efficiency from the exhaust gas flow, thereby improving thermal efficiency while maintaining compact configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The condenser pairs are positioned at different angular locations around the exhaust duct, utilizing the circumferential dimension to maximize heat transfer surface area exposure to the exhaust gas flow. This three-dimensional arrangement improves thermal efficiency by enhancing heat transfer without increasing the axial length of the system.
2Productivity
If steam injection is used to increase mass flow, then propulsive efficiency is improved, but additional work and energy input are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the waste thermal energy in the exhaust gas flow into useful steam by condensing water from the exhaust gases. The condensed water is then evaporated using the remaining thermal energy in the exhaust flow to generate steam for injection, transforming what would be wasted heat into a propulsive benefit without requiring additional external energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust gas flow itself provides the thermal energy needed to generate the steam for injection. The system uses the hot exhaust gases to evaporate the condensed water and produce steam, making the system self-sufficient without requiring additional fuel or external energy sources.
3Productivity
If condenser pairs are positioned to maximize heat transfer, then water condensation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple condensers are grouped into pairs and positioned together around the exhaust duct. This merging approach allows for optimized heat transfer while sharing common support structures and cooling air flows, reducing the overall complexity compared to having individually positioned condensers throughout the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The condenser pairs serve multiple functions: they condense water from the exhaust gas flow, provide heat transfer surfaces for thermal energy recovery, and can be configured to accommodate different engine orientations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall system design.
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
The system improves propulsive efficiency by increasing turbine mass flow and power output without additional work, utilizing hydrogen-based fuels and steam injection, and optimizing condenser and evaporator configurations for improved thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
condense water from the exhaust gas flow received through a corresponding one of the plurality of exhaust ducts
Implementation Method 2
each condenser of the plurality of condenser pairs comprises an inward facing side and an outward facing side through which a cooling air flow is communicated for cooling the exhaust gas flow
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator where water extracted from the exhaust gas flow is heated to generate a steam flow for injection into the core engine
Implementation Method 4
water extracted from the exhaust gas flow is heated to generate a steam flow
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft propulsion system includes a plurality of condenser pairs where water is condensed from the exhaust gas flow received through a corresponding one of the plurality of exhaust ducts. Each of the condenser pairs are angled relative to each other and the corresponding one of the plurality of exhaust ducts and each condenser of the plurality of condenser pairs comprises an inward facing side and an outward facing side through which a cooling air flow is communicated for cooling the exhaust gas flow.