Performance analysis of a pre-cooled and fuel-rich pre-burned mixed-flow turbofan cycle for high speed vehicles

A novel Pre-cooled and Fuel-rich Pre-burned Mixed-flow Turbofan (PFPMT) cycle is presented for reusable high speed vehicles based on practical technologies to reduce the travelling time of long distance flights. The motivation and the working principle of the PFPMT are explained in detail. A performance simulation model for the PFPMT cycle is established with the assumption of equilibrium fuel rich gas as the working fluid in the gas generator. Then parametric cycle studies are performed with the variation of bypass ratio, fuel/air ratio, core compressor pressure ratio and bypass fan pressure ratio at the flight Mach number of 0 and 5 respectively. The interrelationships between cycle parameters and their effects on cycle performance are discussed. Based on the parametric analysis, cycle parameters for a practical PFPMT engine are suggested for the flight speeds of Mach 0, 3 and 5 respectively. The predicted engine performance shows that the PFPMT concept exhibits a competitive specific impulse with respect to an ATR GG engine and an enhanced thrust to weight ratio with respect to an ATREX engine, and might be a promising propulsion system for high speed air-breathing flying vehicles.