NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA CarbonLess Electric AviatioN (CLEAN) Propulsion and Power Generation By Dr. Pankaj Dhussa

1. CarbonLess Electric AviatioN (CLEAN)
Propulsion and Power Generation
Challenge
- Design a propulsion system for a 150-passenger
commercial aircraft that has no carbon emissions
and minimal NOx production
- Aircraft are large carbon emitters and high
energy consumers
- Commercial air travel is expected to grow >60%
by 2050
- US Energy Information Administration
Expected Impacts
- Reduced carbon footprint of commercial flights
- A new power generation system with many
applications outside of aviation
- Advance the knowledge and understanding of
solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs)
- Specifically using anhydrous ammonia as the
fuel (NH3)
Partners and/or Participants
‐ Tennessee Tech University
‐ Tennessee State University
‐ The Ohio State University
‐ University of Dayton
‐ University of South Florida
‐ University of Washington-Bothell
‐ Special Power Sources
‐ Raytheon Technologies
‐ Boeing
Proposed Solution
- Retrofitting current Boeing 737 design to accommodate
hybrid propulsion system.
- Maintaining same propulsive mass (Fuel + Engines)
- SOFCs used in conjunction with gas turbines.
- Fueled by NH3 (Ammonia)
- Our system could allow for carbonless emissions to be
commercially viable sooner due to modification of
existing Boeing 737.
- As opposed to a full plane redesign
Results
An SOFC Gas Turbine hybrid propulsion system results in
higher thermal efficiencies with a tradeoff of higher mass and
therefore lower range. Range is still reasonable for most
regional flights in the continental US and operational costs
could be lower than conventional Boeing 737s.
Next Steps
‐ Further analysis and optimization of the system design
‐ SOFC testing with ammonia
‐ Structural and aerodynamic analysis of the new propulsion
systems
‐ Further operational, business, and cost analysis
By David Schafer and Griffin Layhew
SOFC Gas Turbine Hybrid System Diagram Efficiency and Mass of Propulsive System
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
11000
12000
13000
14000
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
0.05 0.07 0.09 0.11 0.13 0.15 0.17 0.19 0.21 0.23 0.25 0.27 0.29
Mass
(kg)
Efficiency
Cruise
(%)
Split (TO)
Efficiency & Mass Vs. Take-Off Split
Tennessee Tech’s SOFC Pressurized Test Stand
Tubular SOFC