Engineering topics
Tran, Donald H.
Publications and source records attributed to Tran, Donald H..
Parametric Study of a Mach 2.4 Transport Engine with Supersonic Through-Flow Rotor and Supersonic Counter-Rotating Diffuser (SSTR/SSCRD)
A parametric study is conducted to evaluate a mixed-flow turbofan equipped with a supersonic through-flow rotor and a supersonic counter-rotating diffuser (SSTR/SSCRD) for a Mach 2.4 civil transport. Engine cycle, weight, and mission analyses are performed to obtain a minimum takeoff gross weight aircraft. With the presence of SSTR/SSCRD, the inlet can be shortened to provide better pressure recovery. For the same engine airflow, the inlet, nacelle, and pylon weights are estimated to be 73 percent lighter than those of a conventional inlet. The fan weight is 31 percent heavier, but overall the installed engine pod weight is 11 percent lighter than the current high-speed civil transport baseline conventional mixed-flow turbofan. The installed specific fuel consumption of the supersonic fan engine is 2 percent higher than that of the baseline turbofan at supersonic cruise. Finally, the optimum SSTR/SSCRD airplane meets the FAR36 Stage 3 noise limit and is within 7 percent of the baseline turbofan airplane takeoff gross weight over a 5000-n mi mission.
Effects of chemical equilibrium on turbine engine performance for various fuels and combustor temperatures
A study was performed to quantify the differences in turbine engine performance with and without the chemical dissociation effects for various fuel types over a range of combustor temperatures. Both turbojet and turbofan engines were studied with hydrocarbon fuels and cryogenic, nonhydrocarbon fuels. Results of the study indicate that accuracy of engine performance decreases when nonhydrocarbon fuels are used, especially at high temperatures where chemical dissociation becomes more significant. For instance, the deviation in net thrust for liquid hydrogen fuel can become as high as 20 percent at 4160 R. This study reveals that computer central processing unit (CPU) time increases significantly when dissociation effects are included in the cycle analysis.