Targeting a significant leap in fuel efficiency, NASA is spearheading the development of a novel jet engine core concept for next-generation, eco-friendly airliners. This project, known as the Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC), is a collaboration between NASA and private industry partners, aiming to revolutionize the aviation industry’s approach to sustainability.
HyTEC’s defining characteristic lies in its compact size, making it the smallest core ever designed for a hybrid-electric turbofan jet engine. This reduction in size translates to a projected 10% decrease in fuel consumption compared to current engines. Additionally, HyTEC has the potential to be the first-ever production engine specifically designed for hybrid-electric airliners, paving the way for a greener future of air travel, as noted by HyTEC project lead Antony Nerone in a recent NASA publication.
HyTEC: Revolutionizing Air Travel with Compact, Sustainable Engine Cores
The core of a jet engine plays a critical role in propulsion. It’s where compressed air is mixed with fuel and ignited to generate the power needed for flight. By minimizing the size of this core, engineers hope to achieve significant improvements in fuel efficiency, ultimately leading to reduced carbon emissions.
The HyTEC project embodies this innovative approach. Its primary goal is to successfully demonstrate the feasibility of a compact jet engine core. With a target timeframe for commercial use in next-generation airliners by the 2030s, HyTEC aligns perfectly with NASA’s Sustainable Flight National Partnership.
The project is currently progressing through a well-defined development process. Phase 1 focused on the crucial task of selecting the most suitable component technologies for the core demonstrator. Now, in Phase 2, NASA is collaborating with GE Aerospace to translate these selections into a tangible design. This phase will culminate in the construction and testing of a compact core prototype, paving the way for further advancements.
Pioneering Efficiency: Early Days of Mild Hybrid
Achieving the same level of thrust with a smaller core necessitates significantly higher temperatures and pressure compared to conventional jet engines. Consequently, the core’s construction requires exceptionally durable materials capable of withstanding these extreme conditions.
The successful implementation of HyTEC technologies, as envisioned by NASA, will ultimately pave the way for a substantial increase in bypass ratio, enabling the use of hybrid powertrains and compatibility with sustainable aviation fuels. The bypass ratio is a critical metric that reflects the proportion of air flowing directly through the core for combustion compared to the air that bypasses the core entirely. By strategically reducing the core size while proportionally increasing the size of the turbofan it powers, engineers can achieve the desired thrust output with improved fuel efficiency.
“HyTEC is a cornerstone of our participation in the RISE program,” stated Kathleen Mondino, a leading figure for RISE program technologies at GE Aerospace, in a NASA publication. “GE Aerospace boasts a long and successful history of collaboration with NASA in advancing cutting-edge aviation technologies. The HyTEC program serves as a testament to this enduring partnership, aiming to chart a course towards a more sustainable future of flight.”
Furthermore, hybridization represents another key element of HyTEC. The engine core will be supplemented by electric power, leading to a further reduction in carbon emissions. According to Nerone, HyTEC aspires to be the “forefront of mild hybrid-electric engine development, with the ultimate goal of becoming the first production engine specifically designed for hybrid-electric airliners.