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Effect of hydrogen addition on exergetic performance of gas turbine engine

P. Gunasekar (School of Aeronautical Engineering, Sathyabama University, Chennai, India)
S. Manigandan (School of Aeronautical Engineering, Sathyabama University, Chennai, India)
Venkatesh S. (Sathyambama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India)
R. Gokulnath (Sathyambama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India)
Rakesh Vimal (Sathyambama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India)
P. Boomadevi (Sathyambama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India)

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology

ISSN: 0002-2667

Article publication date: 1 November 2019

Issue publication date: 22 January 2020

726

Abstract

Purpose

The depletion of fossil fuel and emissions of harmful gases forced the pioneers in search of alternate energy source. The purpose of this study is to present an effective use of hydrogen fuel for turbojet engines based on its exergetic performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was performed to measure the assessment of exergetic data of turbojet engines. Initially, the test was carried out on the Jet A-1 fuel. Then, a series of similar tests were carried out on turbojet engines with hydrogen fuel to measure their performance results. Finally, the exergetic values of both were compared with each other.

Findings

The introduction of hydrogen fuel reduced the exergy efficiency, and a 10 per cent reduction was observed in exergy efficiency. Simultaneously, the waste exergy rate increased by 9 per cent. However, because of the high specific fuel exergy, hydrogen fuel was better than Jet A-1 fuel. Note that parameters such as environmental effect factor and ecological effect witnessed an increase in their index owing to the addition of hydrogen.

Practical implications

Introduction of alternative blends is necessary for achieving lower emission of gases such as CO, NOx and CO2 from gas turbine engines without compromising on performance. The Jet A fuels were replaced by blends to obtain better emission characteristics.

Originality/value

The use of hydrogen in turbojet engines showed an adverse effect on exergetic performance. However, it was very impressive to see a 200 per cent reduction in emissions. From the comparison of exergy efficiency results of inlet, combustion and nozzle, it is evident that the combustion chamber has the largest values of exergy ratio, waste exergy ratio, cost flow, ecological factor, environmental factor and fuel ratio owing to irreversibility in the combustion process.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Ms. Radha Ramalingam for her motivating to perform this study.

Citation

Gunasekar, P., Manigandan, S., S., V., Gokulnath, R., Vimal, R. and Boomadevi, P. (2020), "Effect of hydrogen addition on exergetic performance of gas turbine engine", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 92 No. 2, pp. 180-185. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-05-2019-0095

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited

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