Modeling and analysis of methane-fueled turboexpander engine under the consideration of chemical non-equilibrium

Jin Gao, Youyin Wang, Yuejie Yu, Weiheng Sun, Junlong Zhang and Wen Bao

Energy, 2025, vol. 321, issue C

Abstract: The turboexpander engines are regarded as a possible solution of low Mach numbers propulsion system of single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) vehicles and spacecraft. Although the turboexpander engine was proposed for decades, previous work has focused on hydrogen-fueled turboexpander engines. Although some researchers have analyzed the cycle performance of different fuels, the thermal decomposition of the fuel caused by the high turbine inlet temperature was neglected. However, the thermal decomposition of hydrocarbon fuel can significantly affect the performance of the engine. Thermodynamic models of the methane-fueled turboexpander engine considering the chemical non-equilibrium were built, and the engine performance was analyzed to reveal the necessity of considering the chemical non-equilibrium in the methane-fueled turboexpander engine. The major results showed that the methane conversion rate in the heat exchanger is the key factor affecting the performance of methane-fueled turboexpander engine, and on this basis, the methods of improving the engine performance was suggested.

Keywords: Thermodynamic analysis; Turboexpander engine; Chemical non-equilibrium; Air-turborocket; Supersonic propulsion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:321:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225010084

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.135366

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