Degradation assessment of industrial composites using thermography

Thermographic inspection is a relatively new technique for Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) which has been gathering increasing interest due to its relatively low cost hardware and extremely fast data acquisition properties. This technique is especially promising in the area of rapid automated damage detection and quantification. In collaboration with a major industry partner from the aerospace sector advanced thermography-based NDT software for impact damaged composites is introduced. The software is based on correlation analysis of time-temperature profiles in combination with an image enhancement process. The prototype software is aiming to a) better visualise the damages in a relatively easy-to-use way and b) automatically and quantitatively measure the properties of the degradation. Knowing that degradation properties play an important role in the identification of degradation types, tests and results on specimens which were artificially damaged have been performed and analyzed.EPSR

Turboelectric uncertainty quantification and error estimation in numerical modelling

Turboelectric systems can be considered complex systems that may comprise errors and uncertainty. Uncertainty quantification and error estimation processes can, therefore, be useful in achieving accurate system parameters. Uncertainty quantification and error estimation processes, however, entail some stages that provide results that are more positive. Since accurate approximation and power optimisation are crucial processes, it is essential to focus on higher accuracy levels. Integrating computational models with reliable algorithms into the computation processes leads to a higher accuracy level. Some of the current models, like Monte Carlo and Latin hypercube sampling, are reliable. This paper focuses on uncertainty quantification and error estimation processes in turboelectric numerical modelling. The current study integrates the current evidence with scholarly sources to ensure the incorporation of the most reliable evidence into the conclusions. It is evident that studies on the current subject began a long time ago, and there is sufficient scholarly evidence for analysis. The case study used to obtain this evidence is NASA N3-X, with three aircraft conditions: rolling to take off, cruising, and taking off. The results show that the electrical elements in turboelectric systems can have decent outcomes in statistical analysis. Moreover, the risk of having overload branches is up to 2% of the total aircraft operation lifecycle, and the enhancement of the turboelectric system through electrical power optimisation management could lead to higher performance

Key performance indicators for turboelectric distributed propulsion

Purpose Recent advancements in electrified transportation have been necessitated by the need to reduce environmentally harmful emissions. Accordingly, several aviation organisations and governments have introduced stringent emission reduction targets for 2050. One of the most promising technologies proposed for achieving these targets is turboelectric distributed propulsion (TeDP). The objective of this study was to explore and identify key indicators for enhancing the applicability of TeDP in air transportation. Design/methodology/approach An enhancement valuation method was proposed to overcome the challenges associated with TeDP in terms of technological, economic and environmental impacts. The result indicators (RIs) were determined; the associated performance indicators (PIs) were analysed and the key RIs and PIs for TeDP were identified. Quantitative measurements were acquired from a simulated TeDP case study model to estimate the established key PIs. Findings It was determined that real-world TeDP efficiency could be enhanced by up to 8% by optimising the identified key PIs. Originality/value This study is the first to identify the key PIs of TeDP and to include a techno-economic environmental risk analysis (TERA) based on the identified key PIs. The findings could guide developers and researchers towards potential focus areas to realise the adoption of TeDP

Economic and environmental viability assessment of NASA’s turboelectric distribution propulsion

The concept of turboelectric-distributed propulsion (TeDP) has become integral to engineering because of its ability to generate electricity. However, social science compels careful evaluations of TeDP’s environmental and economic impacts—out of caution, such elements must be taken up before TeDP is put into practice. Responding to this call, this research investigates TeDP’s economic and environmental viability with a case study of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) proposal for a TeDP aircraft, N3-X, using technical aspects and real data integration. The economic assessment measures NASA’s N3-X economic added value for aviation manufacturing, operations, and investors as well as net present value, internal rate of return, and payback period. Meanwhile, the environmental assessment looks at carbon monoxide and dioxide and oxides of nitrogen. The economic and environmental evaluation results establish the viability of TeDP

Gas turbine compressor washing economics and optimisation using genetic algorithm

Studies have shown that online compressor washing of gas turbine engines slows down the rate of fouling deterioration during operation. However, for most operators, there is a balancing between the performance improvements obtained and the investment (capital and recurring cost). Washing the engine more frequently to keep the capacity high is a consideration. However, this needs to be addressed with expenditure over the life of the washing equipment rather than a simple cost-benefit analysis. The work presented here is a viability study of online compressor washing for 17 gas turbine engines ranging from 5.3 to 307MW. It considers the nonlinear cost of the washing equipment related to size categories, as well as nonlinear washing liquid consumption related to the variations in engine mass flows. Importantly, the respective electricity break-even selling price of the respective engines was considered. The results show that for the largest engine, the return of investment is 520% and the dynamic payback time of 0.19 years when washing every 72 hours. When this is less frequent at a 480-hour interval, the investment return and payback are 462% and 0.22 years. The optimisation study using a multi-objective genetic algorithm shows that the optimal washing is rather a 95-hour interval. For the smallest engine, the investment was the least viable for this type of application.Petroleum Technology Development Fun

Real life augmented reality for maintenance

A major challenge for Augmented Reality (AR) in real life maintenance is varying lighting conditions. This research developed a novel registration technique to use AR effectively in real life lighting conditions, where registration is the accurate alignment of real and virtual images. The study has demonstrated that the registration technique can register shiny samples and implements image enhancements on dim samples within a Non-Destructive Testing environment. The experimental set-up included recognition efficiency testing on shiny and dim samples. A detailed aerospace maintenance case study has been used to validate the registration technique. The results show the duration of registration reduced and the accuracy improved for both shiny and dim samples