Conceptual Design of a Compressor Vane- HEX for LH2 Aircraft Engine Applications

Conference poster, 2020

In order to meet the ambitious environmental targets set by the Paris Agreement, new sustainable carbon neutral aviation fuels need to be introduced. The high gravimetry energy density of hydrogen, makes it a prime candidate for a future aviation fuel. However, the associated poor volumetric energy density, requires an increased aircraft volume and associated penalty in aerodynamic performance. The required volume occupied by the hydrogen fuel can be decreased in half, if stored in its liquid form. This however requires that the liquid hydrogen (LH2) is kept at cryogenic temperatures, requiring adequate tank insulation. Moreover, to increase the effective heating value of hydrogen, the fuel distribution system will include heat exchanger technology to increase the fuel temperature before injection in the combustion chamber. The present work provides an outlook of different heat exchanger technology for application in hydrogen fueled gas turbine aero engines. The heat exchangers can be placed in the vicinity of the engine to reject the heat generated by the gas core to the hydrogen fuel. Ideally, they are strategically located to use heat management to maximize the engine efficiency and ensuring sufficient component durability. Moreover, the combination of liquid hydrogen’s high specific heat with cryogenic storage temperatures results in a formidable cooling capacity that can be explored by more compact heat exchanger solutions.