Overview
To meet Flightpath 2050 environmental targets, the nearer term aviation technologies being targeted by CS2 aim at improving the overall efficiency of future aircraft and reducing emissions, consequently reducing the impact of civil aviation on the environment.
With technology limits being reached in conventional engine designs, the industry is actively pursuing higher overall aero-engine efficiency through the introduction of ultra-high bypass ratios, higher core temperatures through utilisation of advanced CMC materials for the hot section and the utilisation of alternative fuels to reduce emissions.
These technologies, while promising exceptional benefits, will be a transition from traditional propulsion system design, engineering and asset utilisation, and will need to be better understood in the context of possible design limitations, operational feasibility and economic viability. Through numerical simulations, UTOPEA will investigate these aspects, with an aim to provide detailed assessments of the performance and emissions characteristics of the UHBR engine focussing on three specific Research Themes (RTs).
RT1: Engine Impacts on Aircraft Operational Capabilities - Investigation of stability challenges encountered during low power manoeuvres
RT2: Engine Impacts on Aircraft Use and Economic Competitiveness - Exploration of benefits of using CMC materials in the hot section in terms of performance, component life and cost
RT3: Impact of Fuel Characteristics on Engine Design and Performance – Assessment of the potential reduction in emissions and necessary changes required for combustion and propulsion system design and performance for the introduction of non-drop-in fuels (longer-term) and dual-fuel (shorter-term) combustion systems.
The key outcome of UTOPEA will be the integration and delivery of multi-fidelity tools/methods for the preliminary design of more efficient, economically competitive and lower emissions UHBR engines.