Session: Student Poster Competition

Submission Number: 187069

Study of an Ammonia Cracker for a Carbon-Free Turbofan 

     The aviation industry is responsible for around 5% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, so decarbonization strategies are vital.  Hydrogen is a clean fuel that can be safely and effectively stored using ammonia as a carrier.  A potential design for aircraft usage involves integrating the ammonia cracker into the combustor liner of the engine.  The cracker uses heat from the combustion flame to sustain the ammonia decomposition reaction and produce hydrogen, while simultaneously cooling the combustor. 

     This process introduces large temperature gradients, making it essential to analyze the mechanical consequences of thermal effects to ensure the durability and safety of the combustor.  This study was conducted through a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using a steady-state thermal model in Ansys Mechanical.  Material properties and boundary conditions for pressure, temperature, and symmetry were applied to the liner geometry, and thermal stresses were measured.  These values provide input for future fatigue and creep analysis.  While the tool was used to assess one prospective liner material, the approach can be extended to evaluate the durability of other materials and geometries subjected to large thermal gradients.  The results will inform the design of the combustor, cracker, and broader engine cycle, contributing to the development of low-emission aircraft systems that support decarbonization of the aviation industry. 

Presenting Author: Tatum Seaquist University of Central Florida

Presenting Author Biography: Tatum Seaquist is a mechanical engineering student in the Burnett Honors College at the University of Central Florida. She is an undergraduate research assistant for the Center for Advanced Turbomachinery and Energy Research.

Authors:

Tatum Seaquist University of Central Florida