Exergy method for conception and assessment of aircraft systems

Abstract

A tendency of the commercial aeronautical industry is to develop more efficient aircraft in terms of fuel consumption and direct operational costs. Regarding fuel consumption, some strategies of the aeronautical industry are to use more efficient aerodynamics, lightweight materials, and more efficient engines and systems. The conventional turbo fan engine mainly provides electric power for cabin systems (lights, entertainment, and galleys) and avionics, hydraulic power for flight control systems, and bleed air for ice protection and environmental control systems. More efficient engines and different types of systems architectures, such as more electric systems, are a promise to reduce fuel consumption. In order to compare systems and engine architectures at the same basis, exergy analysis is the true thermodynamic approach that shall be used as a decision tool to aircraft systems and engine design and optimization. This chapter describes applications and a method based on exergy analysis for conception and assessment of aircraft systems. The method can support the design of the complete vehicle as a system and all of its subsystems in a common framework.