When purchasing air tickets, the fuel surcharge ranges from S$100 to S$400, which is sometimes more than the air ticket itself. Despite advertisers placing prices as low as S$1 from Singapore to Thailand, the true prices are always much more because of expensive fuel surcharges. When measuring performances of an engine, the thrust-to-weight ratio and SFC are often used, and these are priority specifications that airlines look at when they decide which engine to purchase.
From the evolution of engines from piston engine to turbojet engine and then to turbofan engine, we see that the turbojet was invented after piston engine because turbojet engines are able to have a higher power-to-weight ratio as compared to the piston engine. Turbofan was later invented because turbojet was notorious for its high fuel consumption and hence the turbofan to reduce the fuel consumption and increase efficiency. As we see here, fuel consumption is an important factor in the design of engines. We need to keep this as low as possible in order to save cost and to improve performance.
Ways to achieve fuel savings include increasing the turbine inlet temperature and decreasing the engine weight. Under the ultra efficient engine program, advanced disk alloy will be evaluated to test if it can withstand the high turbine inlet temperature. Advanced thermal barrier coatings will also be explored together with advanced cooling systems for the same reason.
To reduce the engine weight, innovative lightweight materials and structural concepts will be developed. In addition, the fan will also be designed to reduce weight and improve efficiency. Reducing engine weight in general will contribute to reduction of overall fuel consumption.
In respond to the relatively low efficiency of current engines, ultra efficient engines program will include the ultra-high-loaded axial compressor technology to target a pressure ratio of 12:1 in four stages with a polytropic efficiency of 92%.
From the evolution of engines from piston engine to turbojet engine and then to turbofan engine, we see that the turbojet was invented after piston engine because turbojet engines are able to have a higher power-to-weight ratio as compared to the piston engine. Turbofan was later invented because turbojet was notorious for its high fuel consumption and hence the turbofan to reduce the fuel consumption and increase efficiency. As we see here, fuel consumption is an important factor in the design of engines. We need to keep this as low as possible in order to save cost and to improve performance.
Ways to achieve fuel savings include increasing the turbine inlet temperature and decreasing the engine weight. Under the ultra efficient engine program, advanced disk alloy will be evaluated to test if it can withstand the high turbine inlet temperature. Advanced thermal barrier coatings will also be explored together with advanced cooling systems for the same reason.
To reduce the engine weight, innovative lightweight materials and structural concepts will be developed. In addition, the fan will also be designed to reduce weight and improve efficiency. Reducing engine weight in general will contribute to reduction of overall fuel consumption.
In respond to the relatively low efficiency of current engines, ultra efficient engines program will include the ultra-high-loaded axial compressor technology to target a pressure ratio of 12:1 in four stages with a polytropic efficiency of 92%.
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