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1 - Benefits of Electrified Propulsion for Large Aircraft

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2022

By
Rodger Dyson ,
Ralph Jansen  and
Nateri Madavan
Edited by
Kiruba Haran ,
Nateri Madavan  and
Tim C. O'Connell
Kiruba Haran
Affiliation:
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Nateri Madavan
Affiliation:
NASA Aeronautics Mission Directorate, NASA
Tim C. O'Connell
Affiliation:
P.C. Krause & Associates
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Summary

The electrical systems in turboelectric and hybrid-electric aircraft provide unmatched flexibility, coupling the power turbines to the fan propulsors and facilitating tight propulsion system-airframe integration. Reduced noise, emissions, and fuel burn result. However, the associated weight and efficiency penalties offset these benefits. Luckily, studies have shown significant aerodynamic improvements from electrically sourcing a small fraction of propulsive power. Partially turboelectric and hybrid-electric propulsion systems provide an intermediate step between conventional turbofan and fully turboelectric or all-electric architectures. This chapter details the benefits of electrified propulsion for large aircraft, using numerous trade studies and analyses of concept vehicles. It presents a first-order breakeven analysis that reveals key electrical power system requirements, providing a framework for comparing electric drive system performance factors, such as electrical efficiency, in the context of electrified and traditional propulsion systems. This can guide electrical system component research and provide aircraft designers with rational component expectations.

Keywords

breakeven analysisSTARC-ABLN3-XPEGASUSturboelectrichybrid electricall electricbypass ratioboundary layer ingestionlift-to-drag ratio
Type
Chapter
Information
Electrified Aircraft Propulsion
Powering the Future of Air Transportation
 , pp. 1 - 28
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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References

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