Abstract
In the context of advancing aviation technology towards greater efficiency and reduced environmental impact, the design of a Microtube Precooler Heat Exchanger integrated with a Waste Heat Recovery System (WHRS) for a Jet Engine fuel system has emerged. The primary objective is to harness energy from the WHRS to preheat, NH3, ammonia before undergoing a cracking process, where it is decomposed into its constituent elements — nitrogen and hydrogen. The WHRS precooler design meets requirements for prolonged cruise operation, which ensures its robustness and viability across diverse operational regimes. The inlet parameters for the supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) side are derived from the results of a modified simple Brayton cycle analysis at the specified steady state operating condition. Concurrently, the demands of the ammonia side at this condition dictate the corresponding boundary conditions for effective heat transfer. The successful design and integration of this component is crucial because it enhances the overall efficiency of the jet engine and consequently reduces the carbon footprint.
