Turboelectric distributed propulsion benefits on the N3-X vehicle

The purpose of this article is to present a summary of recent study results on a turboelectric distributed propulsion vehicle concept named N3-X.

The turboelectric distributed propulsion system uses multiple electric motor-driven propulsors that are distributed on an aircraft. The power to drive these electric propulsors is generated by separately located gas turbine-driven electric generators on the airframe. To estimate the benefits associated with this new propulsion concept, a system analysis was performed on a hybrid-wing-body transport configuration to determine fuel burn (or energy usage), community noise and emissions reductions.

N3-X would be able to reduce energy consumption by 70-72 per cent compared to a reference vehicle, a Boeing 777-200LR, flying the same mission. Predictions for landing and take-off NO_X are estimated to be 85 per cent less than the Tier 6-CAEP/6 standard. Two variants of the N3-X vehicle were examined for certification noise and found to have International Civil Aviation Organization Chapter 4 cumulative margins of 32EPNdB and 64EPNdB.

It is expected that the turboelectric distributed propulsion system may indeed provide unprecedented reductions in fuel/energy consumption, community noise and landing and take-off NO_X emissions required in future transport aircraft.

The studied propulsion concept is a step change from the conventional propulsion system and addresses growing aviation demands and concerns on the environment and energy usage.