The benefits of wave rotor topping in small (300- to 500-kW [400- to 700-hp] class) and intermediate (2000- to 3000-kw [3000- to 4000-hp] class) turboshaft engines, and large (350- to 450-kN [80,000- to 100,000-lbf] class) high-bypass-ratio turbofan engines are evaluated. Wave rotor performance levels are calculated using a one-dimensional design/analysis code. Baseline and wave-rotor-enhanced engine performance levels are obtained from a cycle deck in which the wave rotor is represented as a burner with pressure gain. Wave rotor topping is shown to enhance the specific fuel consumption and specific power of small- and intermediate-sized turboshaft engines significantly. The specific fuel consumption of the wave-rotor-enhanced large turbofan engine can be reduced while it operates at a significantly reduced turbine inlet temperature. The wave-rotor-enhanced engine is shown to behave off-design like a conventional engine. Discussion concerning the impact of the wave rotor/gas turbine engine integration identifies technical challenges.

Issue Section:
Gas Turbines: Structures and Dynamics
Topics:
Gas turbines, Rotors, Waves, Engines, Design, Fuel consumption, Turbofans, Cycles, Knudsen number, Pressure, Temperature, Turbines
1.
Azoury
P. H.
,
1965-1966
, “
An Introduction to the Dynamic Pressure Exchanger
,”
Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng.
, Vol.
180
, Pt. 1, pp.
451
–
480
.
2.
Berchtold, M., 1985, “Supercharging With Comprex,” R. P. Shreeve and A. Mathur, eds., Proc. 1985, ONR/NAVAIR Wave Rotor Research and Technology Workshop, Report NPS-67-85-008, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, May, pp. 51-74.
3.
Goldstein
A. W.
,
Klapproth
J. F.
, and
Hartmann
M. J.
,
1958
, “
Ideal Performance of Valved-Combustors and Applicability to Several Engine Types
,”
Trans. ASME
, Vol.
80
, July, pp.
1027
–
1036
.
4.
Kentfield
J. A. C.
,
1969
, “
The Performance of Pressure-Exchanger Dividers and Equalizers
,”
ASME Journal of Basic Engineering
, Vol.
91
, pp.
361
–
370
.
5.
Klann, J., and Snyder, C., 1994, “NEPP Programmer,’s Manual (NASA Engine Performance Program), Vols. I and II,” NASA TM-106575.
6.
Larosiliere, L. M., 1993, “Three-Dimensional Numerical Simulation of Gradual Opening in a Wave Rotor Passage,” Paper No. AIAA-93-2526.
7.
Mathur, A., 1985, “A Brief Review of G. E. Wave Engine Program (1958-1963),” R. P. Shreeve and A. Mathur, 1985, Proc. 1985 ONR/NAVAIR Wave Rotor Research and Technology Workshop, Report NPS-67-85-008, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, May, pp. 171–193.
8.
Meyer
A.
,
1947
, “
Recent Developments in Gas Turbines
,”
Mech. Engineering
, Vol.
69
, pp.
273
–
277
.
9.
Moritz, R., 1995, “Rolls-Royce Study of Wave Rotors 1965-1970,” R. P. Shreeve and A. Mathur, Proc. 1985 ONR/NAVAIR Wave Rotor Research and Technology Workshop, Report NPS-67-85-008, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, May, pp. 116–124.
10.
Nalim, M. R., 1995, “Preliminary Assessment of Combustion Modes for Internal Combustion Wave Rotors,” Paper No. AIAA-95-2801.
11.
Paxson, D. E., 1993, “A Comparison Between Numerically Modelled and Experimentally Measured Loss Mechanisms in Wave Rotors,” Paper No. AIAA-93-2522; also NASA TM-106279.
12.
Paxson, D. E., 1995, “A Numerical Model for Dynamic Wave Rotor Analysis,” Paper No. AIAA-95-2800; also NASA TM-106997.
13.
Pearson, R. D., 1985, “Performance Predictions for Gas Wave Turbines Including Practical Cycles With Wide Speed Range,” R. P. Shreeve and A. Mathur, 1985, Proc. 1985 ONR/NAVAIR Wave Rotor Research and Technology Workshop, Report NPS-67-85-008, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, May, pp. 329–378.
14.
Plencner, R., and Snyder, C., 1991, “The Navy/NASA Engine Program (NNEP89)—A User’s Manual,” NASA TM-105186.
15.
Taussig, R. T., 1984, “Wave Rotor Turbofan Engines for Aircraft,” J. F. Sladky, Jr., ed., Machinery for Direct Fluid-Fluid Energy Exchange, AD-07, ASME, New York, Dec. pp. 9–45.
16.
Weatherston
R. C.
, and
Hertzberg
A.
,
1967
, “
The Energy Exchanger, a New concept for High-Efficiency Gas-Turbine Cycles
,”
ASME Journal of Engineering for Power
, Vol.
89
, pp.
218
–
228
.
17.
Welch, G. E., 1993, “Two-Dimensional Numerical Study of Wave Rotor Flow Dynamics,” Paper No. AIAA-93-2525.
18.
Wilson, J., and Fronek, D., 1993, “Initial Results From the NASA Lewis Wave Rotor Experiment,” Paper No. AIAA-93-2521; also NASA TM-106148.
19.
Wilson, J., and Paxson, D. E., 1993, “Jet Engine Performance Enhancement Through Use of a Wave-Rotor Topping Cycle,” NASA TM-4486, Oct.
20.
Wilson, J., and Paxson, D. E., 1995, “Optimization of Wave Rotors for Use as Gas Turbine Engine Topping Cycles,” Paper No. SAE-951411.
21.
Zauner, E., Chyou, Y.-P., Walraven, F., and Althaus, R., 1993, “Gas Turbine Topping Stage Based on Energy Exchangers: Process and Performance,” ASME Paper No. 93-GT-58.
22.
Zehnder, G., Mayer, A., and Matthews, L., 1989, “The Free Running Comprex,” SAE Paper No. 890452.
This content is only available via PDF.
Copyright © 1997
 by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
You do not currently have access to this content.