PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - BA038 (B777) Thread
View Single Post
Old 31st Jul 2009, 21:12
  #2502 (permalink)  
barit1
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: flyover country USA
Age: 82
Posts: 4,579
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
A random thought

Liquid-fuel rocket engines use regenerative cooling, wherein the cryogenic fuel and/or oxidizer is used to cool the case and nozzle of the engine, and in so doing vaporize the liquid.
Kill two birds with one stone.

In a gas turbine engine, there is a strong thermodynamic case to be made for mid-stage cooling of the compressor airflow. It would not be a pretty picture, with additional air ducts or fuel lines running hither and thither, but it would be a useful way to heat fuel in the tank and simultaneously optimize the engine cycle.

I'm sure it's been considered and rejected because of cost and complexity, but who knows? If fuel approaches $10/gallon, should it be reconsidered?
barit1 is offline