Modeling hybrid-electric regional jet aircraft performance & emissions reduction potential

A parallel hybrid-electric regional jet model based on an Embraer ERJ-175 was created to estimate emissions and predict performance for an EIS 2035 aircraft. The emissions associated with aviation are projected to grow, indicating a pressing need for breakthrough technology such as electrified aircraft. The parallel hybrid-electric regional jet aircraft model was produced using separate models for the aerodynamic drag, the turbofan engine, the electric motor and battery system, and hybrid-electric aircraft weights. Hybridization power factor, the ratio electric motor power over total power, sets the sizing limitations of the drivetrain, and several variations of this sizing value were evaluated. Given the technological readiness expected for EIS 2035, future hybrid-electric commercial aircraft are expected perform primarily short-haul missions due to limits on energy density of batteries. Mission modeling was performed using quasi-steady-state Euler integration, using a typical mission profile with a 200 nmi reserve mission. Cruise Mach number was prescribed to 0.78, but altitude was variable based on achievable mission range. Compared to a conventional regional jet, hybrid-electric aircraft may offer 17% reduction in carbon dioxide equivalent emissions at short ranges around 300 nmi. Investigation of emissions contour maps against altitude and Mach number indicate that further emissions reduction may be possible and that emissions decrease linearly with increasing hybridization. Slower cruise speeds at high altitudes offer reduced emissions per passenger-nautical mile during cruise for all cases, but as hybridization increases altitude selection becomes more flexible. Further emissions reduction and range extension than 17% at 300 nmi appear to be possible when subject to variation in hybridization, altitude, and Mach number during cruise and climb operation.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Aerospace Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2022

Author dc:creator

• Wroblewski, Gabrielle E

Contributors dc:contributor

• Ansell, Phillip
• Merret, Jason
• Haran, Kiruba
• Selig, Michael

• aircraft
• hybrid-electric
• hybrid-electric aircraft
• aircraft simulation
• aircraft performance
• aircraft design
• aeronautics
• aerospace

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2022 Elle Wroblewski

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/117697

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F117697