@Article{ee.2026.078752,
AUTHOR = {Cong Wang, Jiwei Fang, Yang Wang, Chengliang Zhao, Xinyan Xiu, Shuang Leng, Song Wang, Lei Lang, Jiang Qin, Jie Xu},
TITLE = {Thermodynamic Optimization of an Indirectly Precooled Engine Cycle Based on Cascade Utilization of Fuel Heat Sink},
JOURNAL = {Energy Engineering},
VOLUME = {},
YEAR = {},
NUMBER = {},
PAGES = {{pages}},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/energy/online/detail/28181},
ISSN = {1546-0118},
ABSTRACT = {Hypersonic vehicles serve as effective platforms for missions such as space transportation and space tourism, while precooled engines are among their key propulsion devices. However, the fuel consumption during the precooling process of precooled engine typically exceeds that required for combustion, thereby limiting engine performance. To address this, based on the concept of heat sink cascade utilization, this paper proposes a novel reheated indirectly precooled engine cycle configuration. By reusing expanded hydrogen for heat absorption, the aim is to reduce fuel consumption. Corresponding mathematical models are established based on this configuration. Studies indicate that the reheated indirectly precooled engine improves specific impulse by 8.43% to 19.23% because of the reduction in fuel consumption. Besides, increasing the reheating level enhances the heat transfer power of reheater (RH) while reducing that of regenerator (RG), causing the overall system heat transfer area to first decrease and then increase. Moreover, reusing the fuel heat sink can narrow the intake regulation range without compromising specific impulse, thus reducing design complexity. In summary, this research provides novel insights and theoretical support for the development of high-Mach-number aeroengines.},
DOI = {10.32604/ee.2026.078752}
}