Thermodynamic, economic, and environmental analysis of a hydrogen-powered turbofan engine at varying altitudes

Abstract

In this study, the thermodynamic parameters of the GEnx-1B76 model high bypass turbofan engine produced for Boeing 787 and 747–8 were modelled with Engineering Equation Solver (EES) software. The use of the hydrogen instead of the conventional fuels in the turbofan engine was examined. Then, energy, exergy, exergy sustainability, and exergoeconomic analyses were performed at changing altitudes. Also, it was investigated the exergoenvironmental impact of the hydrogen-fuelled turbofan engine. In the result of the study, the highest mass flow rate of hydrogen-fuelled turbofan engine was calculated as 1.42 kg/s at take-off altitude. The thrust and thermal efficiency of the hydrogen-fuelled turbofan engine were found as 49.07 % and 50.76 %, respectively. In addition, the specific fuel consumption of the hydrogen-fuelled turbofan engine was determined to be 14.11 kg/kN.h during take-off and 12.66 kg/kN.h at cruise. The component with the maximum improvement potential in the system was observed to be the combustion chamber with a value of 16368.36 kW. The highest energetic and exergetic fuel cost rates of the turbofan engine were calculated as 20400.5 $/h and 18652.33 $/h, respectively. The lowest exergy sustainable index of the turbofan engine was calculated in the combustion chamber as 3.34.