Helicopter Mission Analysis For a Regenerative Turboshaft Engine

A preliminary parametric study has been carried out for an existing multipurpose helicopter configuration employing conventional engines and advanced regenerative engines. A Twin Engine Light helicopter configuration has been notionally modified by incorporating a heat exchanger in its currently installed turboshaft engine. The results of the analyses suggest that the regenerative counterpart can substantially reduce the specific fuel consumption and has the potential to enhance the operational capability of the helicopter in terms of its mission range and the payload capacity. The obtained results suggest an increase in mission specific air range by 31.31% (at 1476ft, 216 km/hr) or 9.82% (at 196ft, 108km/hr), or a (15.6% approx.) increase in the payload capability of the helicopter under the investigated mission. Finally, the study also suggests that while regenerative engines improve mission range and payload, they may have a negative effect on the mission emissions inventory level, specifically for NOx (Nitrogen Oxides).