Numerical Study on the Effect of Natural Gas on Aircraft Turbofan Engine Propulsion

The world has been concerned and worried about the depletion of the liquid oil fuel, besides new environmental rules are to be followed to reduce pollution hazards and global warming. The utilization of natural gas (as a near term fuel) and hydrogen (as long-term fuel) are receiving great attention, because they have less pollution effects. Since the aviation has a great deal in environmental pollution effects due to the cruise flight in the upper troposphere (supersonic aircraft) or in the lower stratosphere (subsonic aircraft) where most of the ozone concentrate, which helps in protecting the earth form ultra violet radiation. Therefore, the use of alternate fuel has a great attention in aviation. In the present study, the thrust specific fuel consumption and specific thrust for the aircraft during aircraft flight profile are predicted, when using aviation fuel and natural gas. The P&W JT9D –7R-turbofan jet engine is taken as a base line engine propelling the Boeing 747-200 aircraft as a base line aircraft with four engine nacelles mounted on wings. The model engine fuel-air cycle representation is carried out for design point calculations based on sea level static conditions and variable specific heats along engine components. The predicted engine performance results compared very well with the reported values by the manufacture. Predictions carried out using aviation fuel and natural gas show an increase in the specific thrust by 3% and decrease in the thrust specific fuel consumption by 14% and fuel to air ratio by 11%, when using natural gas.