Department: Aerodynamics, Energy and Propulsion Department (DAEP)

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This internship is organised by ISAE-Supaero and co-directed by the start-up Viraj H2. It is part of the collaboration between these two entities on the propulsion project developed by the company.

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Internship description :

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Aviation accounts for approximately 5% of global radiative forcing, with a significant contribution from CO₂ and non-CO₂ emissions. In the context of the energy transition, the aviation industry is focusing on decarbonising energy carriers and increasing thermopropulsive efficiency. Among emerging technologies, water and steam injection is particularly promising for improving engine thermal efficiency and reducing non-CO₂ effects. This technology has been extensively studied for ground-based gas turbines [1], water injection for aeronautical applications has been used in particular in the context of military aircraft [2], and international research programmes have been conducted more recently [3] with a view to achieving economic and environmental performance. However, no functional demonstrator of continuous water injection has been developed in aeronautical propulsion.

This internship is part of the design of a turboprop engine developed by the start-up Viraj H2, incorporating steam injection to improve thermal performance and reduce NOx emissions throughout the flight, among other things. The main objective of the internship is to model the evaporation of water droplets injected into a hot air flow. This work will involve studying the impact of droplet size and water injection rate on heat exchange, changes in the local heat transfer coefficient, and pressure losses induced by the injection.

The modelling of these phenomena will be carried out on a defined geometry, using advanced numerical methods, particularly in two-phase fluid mechanics, taking into account the interactions between steam, droplets, walls and air flow. The objective is to arrive at an estimate of the criteria mentioned above for another given geometry without resorting to complex numerical simulation, but rather by relying on phenomena that can be modelled using a residence time, thermodynamic, NTU (Transfer Unit Number method), and other simplified principles adapted to the evaluation of heat exchange and pressure drops.

Profile sought :

We are looking for a dynamic, curious, versatile candidate who is capable of working in an academic and start-up environment. You will have an engineering degree or master's degree in Energy Systems, Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics, and skills in numerical modelling, propulsion, and thermodynamics.

Location: Work locations alternating between different departments (mainly ISAE Campus)

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[1] A. Bouam, S. Aïssani, et R. Kadi, « Gas Turbine Performances Improvement using SteamInjection in the Combustion Chamber under Sahara Conditions », Oil & Gas Science andTechnology - Revue d’IFP Energies nouvelles, vol. 63, no 2, p. 251-261, mars 2008, doi:10.2516/ogst:2007076.

[2] « Avialogs: Aviation Library - T.O. 1C-135(K)A-1 KC135A Flight Manual ». Consulté le: 5août 2024. [En ligne]. Disponible sur: https://www.avialogs.com/aircraftb/boeing/item/55756-t-o-1c-135-k-a-1-kc135a-flight-manual

[3] O. Schmitz, H. Klingels, et P. Kufner, « Aero Engine Concepts Beyond 2030: Part 1—TheSteam Injecting and Recovering Aero Engine », Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbinesand Power, vol. 143, no 021001, janv. 2021, doi: 10.1115/1.4048985.

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