IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v323y2025ics0360544225015178.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Evaluation of multi-mode shared combustor with different flame holder designs for an innovative turbo-ramjet combined cycle engine

Author

Listed:
  • Zhang, Kai
  • Yu, Xuanfei
  • Zhang, Duo
  • Guo, Jian
  • Qin, Fei

Abstract

Air-breathing combined cycle propulsion is critical for realizing sustained long range hypersonic flying. Indexes like combustion efficiency and total pressure recovery are commonly employed in combustor design evaluations. However, the opposite trends encountered making these indexes occasionally falls short to effectively guide the design trade-offs of combustor concerning the complicated full-envelope combustion organization requirements of combined-cycle engine like FABRE. On account of this, in current study a system-level design evaluation method for FABRE multi-modal combustor is developed through integrating of combustor numerical simulations with engine performance assessment model. The method is then applied to evaluate a combustor designed with three representative flame holder schemes. Results show that the scheme without intermediate strut assembly and with half invasion depth strut assembly delivers superior performance in ramjet mode at Mach 3–4 and 5–6 respectively. The scheme with full length intermediate strut assembly nevertheless shows significant performance advantage in turbocharged mode. Considering each of the scheme evaluated possesses distinct advantage over some specified operation range, an adaptable scheme with a retractable intermediate strut assembly is identified as the optimal solution for FABRE wide-operating-range multi-modal shared combustor. This study may be helpful to provide some crucial guidance for the design of complex combustion systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Kai & Yu, Xuanfei & Zhang, Duo & Guo, Jian & Qin, Fei, 2025. "Evaluation of multi-mode shared combustor with different flame holder designs for an innovative turbo-ramjet combined cycle engine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 323(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:323:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225015178
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.135875
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544225015178
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2025.135875?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Deng, Li & Chen, Min & Tang, Hailong & Zhang, Jiyuan, 2024. "Performance evaluation of multicombustor engine for Mach3+-Level propulsion system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 295(C).
    2. Cai, Changpeng & Chen, Haoying & Fang, Juan & Zheng, Qiangang & Chen, Cheng & Zhang, Haibo, 2023. "Thermodynamic analysis of a novel precooled supersonic turbine engine based on aircraft/engine integrated optimal design," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
    3. Lv, Chengkun & Xu, Haiqi & Chang, Juntao & Wang, Youyin & Chen, Ruoyu & Yu, Daren, 2022. "Mode transition analysis of a turbine-based combined-cycle considering ammonia injection pre-compressor cooling and variable-geometry ram-combustor," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(PB).
    4. Zhang, Duo & Chen, Chen & Yu, Xuanfei, 2023. "Control law synthetizing for an innovative indirect precooled airbreathing engine under off-design operation conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PE).
    5. Fernández-Villacé, Víctor & Paniagua, Guillermo, 2013. "On the exergetic effectiveness of combined-cycle engines for high speed propulsion," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 382-394.
    6. Leng, Jun-xue & Shen, Yang & Huang, Wei & An, Kai & Zhou, Can-can & Wang, Zhen-guo, 2024. "Multi-fidelity data mining-based design optimization framework for scramjet-based aircraft," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 311(C).
    7. Zhang, Tiantian & Wang, Zhenguo & Huang, Wei & Ingham, Derek & Ma, Lin & Porkashanian, Mohamed, 2020. "An analysis tool of the rocket-based combined cycle engine and its application in the two-stage-to-orbit mission," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    8. Song, Yue & Zhou, Yu & Zhao, Shuai & Du, Fa-rong & Li, Xue-yu & Zhu, Kun & Yan, Huan-song & Xu, Zheng & Ding, Shui-ting, 2024. "Cyclic coupling and working characteristics analysis of a novel combined cycle engine concept for aviation applications," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 301(C).
    9. Zhen, Man & Dong, Xuezhi & Shao, Dong & Liu, Xiyang & Tan, Chunqing, 2024. "Research on high fidelity modelling and optimum designing of an adaptive cycle engine's starting process," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 294(C).
    10. Wang, Cong & Feng, Yu & Liu, Zekuan & Wang, Yilin & Fang, Jiwei & Qin, Jiang & Shao, Jiahui & Huang, Hongyan, 2022. "Assessment of thermodynamic performance and CO2 emission reduction for a supersonic precooled turbine engine cycle fueled with a new green fuel of ammonia," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(PA).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jiang, Guohe & Chen, Min & Tang, Hailong & Zhang, Jiyuan, 2025. "Matching mechanism of a novel variable cycle propulsion concept with hydrogen intercooling," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 317(C).
    2. Lv, Chengkun & Huang, Qian & Lan, Zhu & Chang, Juntao & Yu, Daren, 2023. "Parametric optimization and exergy analysis of a high mach number aeroengine with an ammonia mass injection pre-compressor cooling cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    3. Lv, Chengkun & Huang, Qian & Wang, Ziao & Chang, Juntao & Yu, Daren, 2024. "Mode transition control law analysis of ammonia MIPCC aeroengine considering inlet–compressor safety matching," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 288(C).
    4. Song, Yue & Zhou, Yu & Li, Xueyu & Zhong, Zhiming & Yan, Huansong & Xu, Zheng & Ding, Shuiting, 2025. "Investigation on cycle modes and energy distribution strategies of a novel combined cycle aviation engine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 319(C).
    5. Wen, Jie & Wan, Chenxi & Xu, Guoqiang & Zhuang, Laihe & Dong, Bensi & Chen, Junjie, 2024. "Optimization of thermal management system architecture in hydrogen engine employing improved genetic algorithm," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 297(C).
    6. Cai, Changpeng & Zheng, Qiangang & Wang, Yong & Chen, Haoying & Zhang, Haibo, 2024. "Predictive control method for mode transition process of multi-mode turbine engine based on onboard adaptive composite model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 302(C).
    7. Lv, Chengkun & Lan, Zhu & Wang, Ziao & Chang, Juntao & Yu, Daren, 2024. "Intelligent ammonia precooling control for TBCC mode transition based on neural network improved equilibrium manifold expansion model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 288(C).
    8. Huang, W.S. & Ning, H.Y. & Tang, G.H., 2025. "Investigation of high-compactness and high-efficiency TPMS precoolers for precooled aero-engine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 319(C).
    9. Cai, Changpeng & Chen, Haoying & Fang, Juan & Zheng, Qiangang & Chen, Cheng & Zhang, Haibo, 2023. "Thermodynamic analysis of a novel precooled supersonic turbine engine based on aircraft/engine integrated optimal design," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
    10. Leng, Jun-xue & Shen, Yang & Wang, Zhen-guo & Huang, Wei, 2025. "Investigation on factors influencing the range of boost-glide-cruise combined trajectories for scramjet-powered vehicles," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 317(C).
    11. Ullah, Zia & Alam, Md. Mahbub & El-Zahar, Essam R. & Shahab, Sana & Abu-Zinadah, Hanaa & Seddek, Laila F. & Ebaid, Abdelhalim, 2025. "Wave oscillation in periodic-boundary layers and turbulent heat flow using Powell-Eyring nanofluid, nonlinear radiation and entropy generation via finite-difference method," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    12. Lv, Chengkun & Huang, Qian & Chang, Juntao & Wang, Ziao & Zheng, Jialin & Yu, Daren, 2023. "Mode transition path optimization for turbine-based combined-cycle ramjet stage under uncertainty propagation of integrated airframe-propulsion system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
    13. Deng, Li & Chen, Min & Tang, Hailong & Zhang, Jiyuan, 2024. "Performance evaluation of multicombustor engine for Mach3+-Level propulsion system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 295(C).
    14. Zhang, Wujie & Xu, Liangze & Zhang, Jiaxu & Zheng, Zhaoqi & Miao, Ruijiao & Huang, Yonghua, 2025. "Multi-objective optimization of cryogenic propellant zero boil-off storage: Modeling, optimization method and performance enhancement," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).
    15. Lv, Chengkun & Lan, Zhu & Chang, Juntao & Yu, Daren, 2024. "Adaptive dynamic programming for ramjet intelligent tracking control via neural network-enhanced equilibrium manifold expansion estimator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).
    16. Fu, Wei & Razak, N.A. & Wang, Haixin & Sun, Xiaohui & Song, Zongxian, 2025. "Improvement of the fuel mixing of ramp injector system via 4-lobe nozzle at scramjet engine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 315(C).
    17. Liang, Zhirong & Liu, Haoye & Han, Zhangliang & Fan, Yukun & Lei, Lei, 2024. "Combustion and particulate I/SVOC characteristics of an aero-engine combustor with dual-stage under operational power and injection pressure," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 302(C).
    18. Yan, Dongxu & Tang, Hailong & Chen, Min & Zhang, Jiyuan, 2025. "Steady-state and starting performance study of intercooling turbofan engine based on validation models," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
    19. Yuan, Chenheng & Lu, Jiangchuan & Li, Shilei, 2023. "Thermoelectric coupling effect of secondary injection on gasoline fuel spray and mixing of a free vibration combustion alternator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 281(C).
    20. Liu, Yunfeng & Han, Xin & Zhang, Zijian, 2024. "Study on the propulsive performance of oblique detonation engine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 292(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:323:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225015178. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.