A Noise and Emissions Assessment of the N3-X Transport

Analytical predictions of certification noise and exhaust emissions for NASA’s N3-X – a notional, hybrid wingbody airplane – are presented in this paper. The N3-X is a 300passenger concept transport propelled by an array of fans distributed spanwise near the trailing edge of the wingbody. These fans are driven by electric motors deriving power from twin generators driven by turboshaft engines. Turboelectric distributed hybrid propulsion has the potential to dramatically increase the propulsive efficiency of aircraft. The noise and exhaust emission estimates presented here are generated using NASA’s conceptual design systems analysis tools with several key modifications to accommodate this unconventional architecture. These tools predict certification noise and the emissions of oxides of nitrogen by leveraging data generated from a recent analysis of the N3-X propulsion system.

[1]  Kenneth T. Moore,et al.  Standard Platform for Benchmarking Multidisciplinary Design Analysis and Optimization Architectures , 2013 .

[2]  Martin R. Fink.  Airframe Noise Prediction Method , 1977 .

[3]  Christian S. Perone,et al.  Pyevolve: a Python open-source framework for genetic algorithms , 2009, SEVO.

[4]  Lennart S. Hultgren,et al.  Full-Scale Turbofan-Engine Turbine-Transfer Function Determination Using Three Internal Sensors , 2013 .

[5]  Karen Bernadette Kontos,et al.  Improved NASA-ANOPP Noise Prediction Computer Code for Advanced Subsonic Propulsion Systems. Volume 2; Fan Suppression Model Development , 1996 .

[6]  Don Weir,et al.  Engine Validation of Noise and Emission Reduction Technology Phase I , 2008 .

[7]  James L. Felder,et al.  Sensitivity of Mission Energy Consumption to Turboelectric Distributed Propulsion Design Assumptions on the N3-X Hybrid Wing Body Aircraft , 2012 .

[8]  Edmane Envia,et al.  An Analytical Assessment of NASA's N+1 Subsonic Fixed Wing Project Noise Goal , 2009 .

[9]  James R. Stone,et al.  Jet Noise Modeling for Suppressed and Unsuppressed Aircraft in Simulated Flight , 2009 .

[10]  M. F. Heidmann,et al.  Interim prediction method for fan and compressor source noise , 1975 .

[11]  A. L. Evans,et al.  Numerical Propulsion System Simulation , 1991 .

[12]  A. H. Lefebvre,et al.  The influences of fuel composition and spray characteristics on nitric oxide formation , 1989 .

[13]  Zyun-iti Maekawa,et al.  Noise reduction by screens , 1968 .

[14]  David M. Elliott,et al.  Some Acoustic Results from the Pratt and Whitney Advanced Ducted Propulsor: Fan 1 , 1999 .

[15]  James E. Bridges.  Acoustic Measurements of Rectangular Nozzles with Bevel , 2013 .

[16]  Chen-Fu Chien,et al.  Sound propagation along an impedance plane , 1975 .

[17]  J. A. Mitchell,et al.  Computer program to predict noise of general aviation aircraft: User's guide , 1982 .

[18]  E. N. Bazley,et al.  Acoustical properties of fibrous absorbent materials , 1970 .

[19]  W. E. Zorumski.  Aircraft noise prediction program theoretical manual, part 1 , 1982 .

[20]  Gerald V. Brown,et al.  Turboelectric Distributed Propulsion Engine Cycle Analysis for Hybrid-Wing-Body Aircraft , 2009 .

[21]  Kalyanmoy Deb,et al.  Simulated Binary Crossover for Continuous Search Space , 1995, Complex Syst..

[22]  Gerald V. Brown,et al.  Turboelectric Distributed Propulsion in a Hybrid Wing Body Aircraft , 2011 .

[23]  Hyun Dae Kim,et al.  Distributed Propulsion Vehicles , 2010 .

[24]  J. E. Piercy,et al.  Effective flow resistivity of ground surfaces determined by acoustical measurements , 1983 .

[25]  R. E. Gillian,et al.  Aircraft noise prediction program user's manual , 1982 .

[26]  Donald S. Weir,et al.  Definition of 1992 Technology Aircraft Noise Levels and the Methodology for Assessing Airplane Noise Impact of Component Noise Reduction Concepts , 1996 .

[27]  W. E. Zorumski.  Rotorcraft noise prediction , 1982 .

[28]  Milo D. Dahl,et al.  Assessment of NASA's Aircraft Noise Prediction Capability , 2012 .

[29]  E. Onat,et al.  A method to estimate weight and dimensions of large and small gas turbine engines , 1979 .

[30]  P. Ho,et al.  Combustion noise prediction update , 1979 .

[31]  Kaushik Rajashekara,et al.  Trade Studies for NASA N3-X Turboelectric Distributed Propulsion System Electrical Power System Architecture , 2012 .

[32]  A. H. Lefebvre,et al.  Influence of Fuel Composition and Spray Characteristics on Nitric Oxide Formation , 1989 .

[33]  M. Powell.  A Direct Search Optimization Method That Models the Objective and Constraint Functions by Linear Interpolation , 1994 .

[34]  John C. Mankins,et al.  Technology Readiness Levels-A White Paper , 1995 .

[35]  Leo L. Beranek,et al.  Noise and vibration control , 1971 .