Experimental Validation of a Combined Thermal Management and Power Generation System Using a Multi-Mode Rankine Cycle

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2020

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Abstract

Two sub-systems that present a significant challenge in high performance air vehicle development is the power generation and thermal management sub-systems. The air friction that is experienced at high speeds, particularly around the engine, generates large thermal loads that need to be managed. In addition, traditional jet engines do not operate at speeds greater than Mach 3, therefore eliminating the possibility of a rotating power generator. A multi-mode water-based Rankine cycle is an innovative method to address both of these constraints of generating power and providing cooling. Implementing a Rankine cycle-based system allows for the waste heat from the vehicle to be used to meet the onboard power requirements. This application of a Rankine cycle differs from standard power plant applications because the transient system dynamics become important due to rapid changes in thermal loads and electrical power requirements. Both an experimental and computational investigation is presented. Experimental testing showed an increase in power generation of 283% in 30.5 seconds when starting from idle, with a steady state power generation of 230 W. In addition to the power generation, the experimental system removed 10.7 kW from the hot oil loop which emulates a typical aircraft cooling fluid. A dynamic computational system model was developed using OpenModelica, an open-source modeling tool. The model provides the opportunity to optimize the performance, control algorithms and predict scaling of a next generation high performance aircraft Rankine cycle subsystem.

DOI

10.2514/6.2020-3951

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