Parametric And Performance Analysis Of A Hybrid Pulse Detonation / Turbofan Engine

Abstract

The performance of a hybrid pulse detonation engine (PDE), with the PDE tubes installed in the bypass duct of a turbofan engine is investigated in this study. Performance parameters for the duct burning PDE engine are compared with a baseline turbofan engine. The PDE analysis is based on an updated numerical analysis by Endo-Fujiwara, whereas the turbofan calculations are based on Mattingly's gas turbine model. The calculations were done with MATLAB 2010 as a platform. A mixer analysis was performed for the hybrid engine concept. In the duct burning PDE, the PDE exhaust was mixed with the turbine exhaust prior to entering the nozzle. For this configuration, core air was mixed with the PDE exhaust to cool the flow prior to entering the turbine. The performance of both configurations was compared for parametric variations of compressor and fan pressure ratio, bypass ratio, PDE tube length and frequency. A performance analysis was carried out for the resulting hybrid baseline engine at different altitudes and Mach numbers.