Assessment of the efficiency gains introduced by novel aero engine concepts

摘要

The purpose of the present study is to investigate fuel efficiency gains introduced by two novel aero engine concepts available in the timeframe of 2025. The analysis focuses on the assessment of geared turbofan (GTF) and counter rotating open rotor (CROR) concepts in regard to their potential to improve global aero engine efficiency. Since the CROR engine is most likely to be integrated into short and medium range aircraft, the airframe application considered in the present investigation is a 150 passenger short range airliner. The efficiency benefits of the engine concepts mentioned above are assessed in two steps. At first, representative models of both concepts are optimized for a set of discrete operating points, which stem from the baseline top level aircraft requirements. To preserve comparability between the novel concepts, component efficiencies and cooling technology of the core engines are aligned to a common technology level while taking into account concept-specific characteristics. Engine weight and drag estimations are performed on the basis of conceptual annulus designs. The operating point based optimization results are presented and compared to a baseline engine. In step two, installation effects are accounted for, as the engines are installed to the airframe model and analyzed on flight mission level.