Applications of Endothermic Reaction Technology to HSCT and AST

摘要

The success of strategies for controlling emissions and enhancing performance in High Speed Research and Advanced Subsonic Technology applications may be increased by more effective utilization of the heat sink afforded by the fuel in the vehicle thermal management system. This study quantifies the potential benefits associated with the use of supercritical preheating and endothermic cracking of jet fuel prior to combustion to enhance the thermal management capabilities of the propulsion systems in the High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT) and the Advanced Subsonic Transport (AST). A fuel-cooled thermal management system, consisting of plate-fin heat exchangers and a small auxiliary compressor, is defined for the HSCT, integrated with the engine, and an assessment of the effect on engine performance, weight, and operating cost is performed. Critical requirements for system development are identified, and an approach for validating the concept is described.