An investigation into potential fuel savings for 110–130 seat passenger transport aircraft due to the incorporation of natural laminar flow or hybrid laminar flow control on the engine nacelles

A computer program, capable of accurately determining the required fuel for a given mission profile, has been developed for two ‘project’ aircraft types. The program was initially validated against reference aircraft and then modified to study the potential impact on trip fuel due to the incorporation of natural laminar flow or hybrid laminar flow control on the engine nacelles, by implementing changes the aircraft’s drag coefficient (C subscript D), specific fuel consumption and operating empty weight. Trade studies, with changes to C subscript D, specific fuel consumption and operating empty weight, were conducted using trip fuel as the objective function. The results can be superimposed, permitting estimates of the trip fuel reduction due to the incorporation of alternative drag reduction designs. The impact of trip distance on the fuel-saving potential of laminar flow technologies has also been explored. The potential fuel savings for the aircraft fleet (with the incorporation of hybrid laminar flow control or natural laminar flow) has been estimated using an aircraft utilisation model (representing the probability of the aircraft flying a given stage length). It was concluded that there would be a net fuel saving based on the utilisation model. Finally, to obtain a realistic assessment of the potential benefit of these technologies, the probable time-in-cloud, which will result in a loss of laminar flow, has been considered.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1177/0954410012454812
• Record URL:
  http://pig.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/227/8/1300
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/19966973
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications, Ltd.
• Authors:
  • Young, Trevor M
• Publication Date: 2013-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 1300-1324
• Serial:
  • Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part G: Journal of Aerospace Engineering
  • Volume: 227
  • Issue Number: 8
  • Publisher: Sage Publications, Incorporated
  • ISSN: 0954-4100
  • EISSN: 2041-3025
  • Serial URL: http://pig.sagepub.com/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Drag; Fuel conservation; Fuel consumption; Laminar flow; Nacelles; Passenger aircraft
• Uncontrolled Terms: Fuel savings
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Energy; Vehicles and Equipment; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01489989
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 19 2013 4:12PM