A Parametric Study of a Piston-Prop Aircraft Engine Using Exergy and Exergoeconomic Analysis Methods

Abstract

In this study, exergetic and exergoeconomic analysis methods are applied to a four-cylinder, spark ignition (SI), naturally aspirated and air-cooled piston-prop aircraft engine in the cruise phase of flight operations. The duration of cruise is selected to be 1 h. Three parameters, altitude, rated power setting (PS), and air-to-fuel ratio (AF), are varied by the calculation of the max-min values of exergy analysis. Based on the results of energy analysis, the values for the maximum energy efficiency and fuel consumption flow rate are calculated to be 21.73% and 28.02 kg/h, respectively, at 1000-m altitude and 75% PS. The results of exergy analysis indicate that all exergetic values vary from 65% to 75% PS, while this increase is not seen in exergoeconomic analysis. While the maximum exergy input rate is obtained to be 405.60 kW, exergy efficiency has the minimum value with 14.43% and exergy destruction rate has the maximum value with 168.48 kW. These values are achieved at 3000-m altitude and 18 AFs. The maximum average exergy cost of the fuel is calculated to be 130.77 $/GJ at 1000-m altitude, 13 AF ratios, and 65% PS. At this point, while the minimum cost rate associated with the exergy destruction is obtained to be 40.29 $/h, the maximum exergoeconomic factor is found to be 19.98%.