Demonstration of Inter-Turbine Burners for Part-Power Improvements

Conventional gas turbine engines are often optimized for a specific narrow range of the flight envelope and perform much less efficiently at off-design conditions. Introduction of an inter turbine burner (ITB) into a gas turbine design can add a level of adjustability to the engine performance that in turn provides improved operating efficiency over a wider range of the operating envelope. During the Phase I, we identified jet aircraft and missions that could benefit from part power fuel efficiency improvements brought about by incorporation of an ITB into the engine. The potential benefit was quantified for two applications with cycle analyses, and preliminary ITB design concepts were analyzed to evaluate projected combustion performance. In Phase II, the ITB and engine design concepts will be refined and analyzed. A detailed ITB design will be developed, fabricated, and tested within a complete engine to demonstrate the ITB performance. We will work with our industrial partners and potential future customers to define the necessary follow-on development that will be required to bring the ITB concept to a state that it can be reliably employed in an operational engine.