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Sustainable Water-Injecting Turbofan Comprising Hybrid-electrics

Project description

New technology makes net zero-emissions aviation a reality

Europe’s aviation sector is flying towards a sustainable, climate-neutral future. Bringing together a group of leading aerospace companies, the EU-funded SWITCH project will develop future airliner propulsion systems. Supported by the EU Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking, it will develop a sustainable gas turbine propulsion system as a response to the challenge of climate-neutral short-medium range air transport. Specifically, its hybrid water enhanced turbofan can improve energy efficiency by 25 % and reduce climate impact by 75 % (using net zero-CO2 sustainable aviation fuel, 50 % with conventional Jet-A kerosene). It is the only concept to significantly reduce all three major warming effects: CO2 through unmatched efficiency, nitrogen oxides through water injection in the combustor, and contrails through particle removal and water recovery.

Objective

The SWITCH project is an ambitious initiative aimed at addressing the challenge of achieving climate-neutral short- to medium-range air transport by developing a revolutionary sustainable gas turbine propulsion system. This project is tightly aligned with the strategic goals of the Clean Aviation program, which seeks to foster innovation and sustainability in the aviation sector.

The primary objectives of the SWITCH project are improving fuel burn consumption and hence CO2 emissions by 20% and achieving a 50% reduction in the climate impact of both NOx emissions and contrails, compared to a state-of-the-art engine. These improvements would significantly reduce the three major warming effects of aviation on the climate: CO2, NOx, and contrails.

This 20% reduction in fuel burn meets the foreseen contribution from the propulsion system side to the -30% goal at the aircraft level, as outlined in the Clean Aviation Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA).

To achieve these objectives, the project develops the Hybrid Second-Generation Geared Turbofan (GTF) featuring a dual-spool hybrid-electric architecture. This concept is complemented by a set of additional and enabling propulsion system technologies which are developed within SWITCH, and a broad range of evolutionary improvements to the current in-service GTF, creating an engine concept ready to power the next generation of short- to medium-range aircraft.

The dual-spool hybrid-electric architecture combines two Collins Aerospace megawatt-class electric motor generators within a Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine. The additional and enabling propulsion system technologies include a hybrid-enabling High-Pressure Compressor (HPC) and a low-emissions combustor to reduce NOx and nvPM emissions. An optimised low-drag nacelle and thrust reverser, as well as lightweight multifunctional primary load structures, support the integration of novel technologies into the powerplant and contribute to the fuel-burn objective.

Local air quality and noise levels around airports are improved through electric taxiing. The propulsion system will be compatible with 100% drop-in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and its principle is suitable for power plants that burn hydrogen. It addresses all climate-relevant market segments: short-, medium-, and long-range.

A global consortium is conducting the SWITCH project, involving aircraft, engine and system OEMs, key tier 1 suppliers and leading research institutes in combustion and propulsion. This unprecedented collaborative effort will leverage synergies between European and national programs, ensuring that the project is well-placed within the context of the Clean Aviation initiative.

By the end of the project, SWITCH will mature both the dual-spool hybrid-electric GTF and its additional and enabling propulsion system technologies to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 by validating its sub-systems. By 2030, in Phase 2 of Clean Aviation, the dual-spool hybrid-electric configuration shall be ground and flight tested and all technologies matured to TRL 5 and 6, subject to the availability of relevant grants under Clean Aviation Calls 4 and 5, respectively.

Results from SWITCH will reinforce confidence in the climate reduction potential of the dual-spool hybridised Second-Generation GTF and lay the technological foundation to enable the innovation to enter the market from 2035.

Overall, the SWITCH project is ready to make a significant contribution to sustainable aviation, driving innovation, and substantially reducing the environmental impact of air travel.

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Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-JU-IA - HORIZON JU Innovation Actions

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-JU-Clean-Aviation-2022-01

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Coordinator

MTU AERO ENGINES AG
Net EU contribution
€ 12 895 237,09
Address
DACHAUER STRASSE 665
80995 MUENCHEN
Germany
Region
Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost
€ 18 947 655,27

Participants (19)

Partners (4)