Conceptual Design and Control Schedule Optimization for Parallel Hybrid Propulsion System of Regional Turboprop Aircraft

Abstract

Current environmental policies for the aviation industry motivate the use of cleaner propulsion systems to reduce its CO2 and noise footprint in the coming years. In this context, hybrid propulsion systems have emerged as a potential solution as they have demonstrated a good trade-off between performance and low pollutant emissions. In the present work, the conceptual design and control schedule optimisation of a parallel hybrid propulsion system for the De Havilland Dash 8 regional turboprop aircraft is carried out. A parametric study of the turboprop engine with different degrees of hybridisation at design point and off-design performance analysis of the parallel hybrid propulsion system with different control schedules for an aircraft typical mission has been carried out. Overall aircraft performance parameters are used to evaluate hybrid propulsion systems with different degrees of hybridisation and control schedules. From the results, it was found that a control schedule with 10-15% hybridisation during the cruise phase is the most promising when considering the aircraft mission blocked fuel and fuel efficiency.