The future of aviation is expected to be fossil-free, and many see electrification as a critical element in achieving this goal. However, electric aviation faces a dilemma – the more energy-efficient an electric aircraft becomes, the noisier it gets. Fortunately, researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden may have found a solution to this problem.
In recent years, there has been significant interest in using electric propeller planes to cover shorter distances. Propellers connected to electric motors are considered to be the most efficient propulsion system for regional and domestic flights. However, there is a trade-off between energy efficiency and noise emission. The more blades a propeller has, the lower the noise emissions, but propulsion becomes more efficient with fewer blades.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a propeller design optimization method that paves the way for efficient and quiet electric aviation. Associate Professor and researcher in fluid dynamics and marine technology at Chalmers University of Technology, Hua-Dong Yao, explains, “We can see that the more blades a propeller has, the lower the noise emissions. But with fewer blades, propulsion becomes more efficient and the electric aircraft can fly for longer. In that sense, there is a trade-off between energy efficiency and noise. This is something of an obstacle for electric aircraft that are both quiet and efficient.”
The researchers were able to isolate and explore the noise that occurs at the tip of the propeller blades, which is a known but less explored source of noise. By adjusting various propeller parameters, such as pitch angle, chord length, and the number of blades, the researchers found a way to optimize the propeller design and even out the trade-off effect between efficiency and noise. The method, which was published in the Aerospace journal, can now be used in the design process of quieter propellers for future electric aircraft.
This breakthrough is significant since electric aviation is essential to achieving the goal of reducing emissions from future aviation. The research team’s findings have enabled them to fully understand the role of tip vortices, the noise generated at the tip of propeller blades, in relation to other noise sources generated by propeller blades. They can now optimize propeller design, which is critical in the development of quieter and more efficient electric aircraft.
The researchers’ efforts to find a solution to the trade-off effect between efficiency and noise are a vital contribution to the development of fossil-free aviation. As electrification continues to be a focus in aviation, the team’s research provides hope for the possibility of quieter and more efficient electric aircraft in the future.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
