Integrated Design Optimization of Environmental Control Systems for Next-Generation Aircraft

Journal Article (2025)
Author(s)

Andrea Giuffré (TU Delft - Flight Performance and Propulsion)

F. Ascione (TU Delft - Flight Performance and Propulsion)

P Colonna di Paliano (TU Delft - Flight Performance and Propulsion)

C. M. Servi (TU Delft - Flight Performance and Propulsion, Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek)

Research Group
Flight Performance and Propulsion
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.2514/1.C038093
More Info
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Publication Year
2025
Language
English
Research Group
Flight Performance and Propulsion
Bibliographical Note
Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository as part of the Taverne amendment. More information about this copyright law amendment can be found at https://www.openaccess.nl. Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public. @en
Issue number
3
Volume number
62
Pages (from-to)
498-516
Reuse Rights

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Abstract

The use of an electrically driven vapor compression cycle (VCC) for the environmental control system (ECS) of next-generation aircraft could substantially reduce fuel consumption. The renovated interest in this technology is due to the advent of new refrigerants featuring low global warming potential and the latest developments in high-speed centrifugal compressors and ultracompact heat exchangers. This paper documents the development of an integrated design optimization method for aircraft ECS, whereby the system-level design is performed along with the preliminary design of its main components. The methodology is used to perform the multipoint and multi-objective design optimization of a bleedless air cycle machine (ACM), i.e., the state-of-the-art ECS installed onboard the Boeing 787, and an electrically driven VCC system for a single-aisle, short-haul aircraft. The performance of the two optimal architectures is compared, showing that the VCC system is characterized by lower weight and electric power consumption than the bleedless ACM but features a higher drag penalty. Overall, the optimal VCC system leads to an 18% reduction in fuel weight penalty with respect to the bleedless ACM for the prescribed application.

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