Reducing contrails from an aircraft powerplant
AssigneeRaytheon Technologies Corporation
InventorsNeil J. Terwilliger, Joseph B. Staubach, David L. Ma
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method is provided during which an aircraft powerplant is provided. The aircraft powerplant includes a combustor and a water recovery system. The water recovery system includes a condenser and a reservoir. Fuel is combusted within the combustor to provide combustion products. Water is extracted from the combustion products using the condenser. The water recovery system is operated in one of a plurality of modes based on likelihood of contrail formation. The modes include a first mode and a second mode, where the water is collected within the reservoir during the first mode, and where the water passes through the water recovery system during the second mode.
Claims20
A method, comprising:
- providing an aircraft powerplant including a combustor and a water recovery system, the water recovery system including a condenser and a reservoir;
- combusting fuel within the combustor to provide combustion products;
- extracting water from the combustion products using the condenser;
- and
- operating the water recovery system in one of a plurality of modes based on likelihood of contrail formation, the plurality of modes including a first mode and a second mode, collecting the water within the reservoir during the first mode, and passing the water through the water recovery system during the second mode.
A method, comprising:
- providing a powerplant for an aircraft, the powerplant including a combustor and a water recovery system, and the water recovery system including a condenser and a reservoir;
- combusting fuel within the combustor to provide combustion products;
- extracting water from the combustion products using the condenser;
- and
- operating the water recovery system in one of a plurality of modes based on ambient environmental conditions outside of the aircraft, the plurality of modes including a first mode and a second mode, collecting the water within the reservoir during the first mode, and directing the water out of the water recovery system during the second mode.
A powerplant for an aircraft, comprising:
- a combustor;
- a turbine fluidly coupled with and downstream of the combustor;
- an exhaust fluidly coupled with and downstream of the turbine;
- a core flowpath extending from the combustor, through the turbine to the exhaust;
- and
- a water recovery system including a condenser and a reservoir, the condenser arranged with the exhaust;
- the water recovery system configured to extract water from combustion products flowing through the core flowpath using the condenser;
- and
- the water recovery system configured to operate in one of a plurality of modes based on likelihood of contrail formation, the plurality of modes including a first mode and a second mode, wherein the water is collected within the reservoir during the first mode, and the water passes through the water recovery system during the second mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.