Work

How water injection affects high-pressure turbofan engine performance? A comprehensive energy, advanced exergy and exergy sustainability analyses

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study investigated the effects of water injection into a high-pressure turbofan engine operating under normal conditions on performance. The analysis focused on exergy, exergy sustainability and energy. The analyses were performed on the basis of the take-off altitude. Water injection was performed in a high-pressure compressor (HPC) in the range of 2–32 kg/s. Accordingly, the engine’s energy and thrust efficiency increase with increasing HPC water injection. These values were 65.90% and 53.38% at 32 kg/s which is accepted as the most efficient operating point of the water-injected engine. In addition, this application increased thrust efficiency by 15% compared with that of the engine operating under normal conditions. The specific fuel consumption (SFC) decreased as water was injected, provided a 13.07% gain to the engine at maximum performance. Injecting water into the HPC component reduced the compressor temperature and work consumption, increasing the overall thrust power of the turbofan engine from 59587.87 kW to 68537.09 kW.

Source: Thermal Science and Engineering Progress

DOI: 10.1016/j.tsep.2026.104544

Authors: Hamza Coşkun, Emine Oğur, Hüseyin Yağlı, İlker Mert

Institutions: DSI Genel Mudurlugu, Gaziantep University, İskenderun Technical University, Osmaniye Korkut Ata University

Language: English

Topic: Thermodynamic and Exergetic Analyses of Power and Cooling Systems

Subfield: Mechanical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,000