2025
Aerospace Propulsion
Name: Aerospace Propulsion
Code: EME14841L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Engenharia Aeroespacial
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
After concluding this course, the student should have had acquired the following competences:
- Understand how thrust is generated and the operating principle of most commonly used aircraft engines.
- Recognise the main components of aircraft engines.
- Analyse the thermodynamic working cycle of the main types of aircraft engines.
- Solve problems that involve combustion and turbomachines, namely axial and centrifugal compressors and axial turbines.
- Solve problems that involve combustion and reciprocating internal combustion engines, as well as to analyse the aerodynamic performance of propellers.
- Understand the operating principle of helicopters and the aerodynamics characteristics for different flight contexts.
- Understand the propulsion mechanism of rockets and their main operating principles.
- Write, present and discuss studies in the field, recurring to computational methods.
- Understand how thrust is generated and the operating principle of most commonly used aircraft engines.
- Recognise the main components of aircraft engines.
- Analyse the thermodynamic working cycle of the main types of aircraft engines.
- Solve problems that involve combustion and turbomachines, namely axial and centrifugal compressors and axial turbines.
- Solve problems that involve combustion and reciprocating internal combustion engines, as well as to analyse the aerodynamic performance of propellers.
- Understand the operating principle of helicopters and the aerodynamics characteristics for different flight contexts.
- Understand the propulsion mechanism of rockets and their main operating principles.
- Write, present and discuss studies in the field, recurring to computational methods.
Contents
1. Introduction to aircraft propulsion systems. Evaluation of thrust.
2. Turbomachines: Fundamental equations. Energy transfer and efficiency. Dimensional analysis. Axial, multistage and centrifugal compressors. Aerodynamic analysis of propellers. Design and operating parameters.
3. Aircraft gas turbines: Operating principle and main components. Analysis of ideal and real thermodynamic cycles. Combustion chamber.
4. Reciprocating internal combustion engines. Spark-ignition engines. Main components. Ignition and fuel metering systems. Supercharging.
5. Helicopters: Operating principle and fundamental equations. Vertical and hovered flight. Forward flight. Helicopter rotors. Aerodynamic analysis of rotors.
6. Rocket motors: Types of rocket motors. Propulsion mechanism and main operating parameters. Analysis of chemical propellants and the combustion process. Alternative propulsion systems.
2. Turbomachines: Fundamental equations. Energy transfer and efficiency. Dimensional analysis. Axial, multistage and centrifugal compressors. Aerodynamic analysis of propellers. Design and operating parameters.
3. Aircraft gas turbines: Operating principle and main components. Analysis of ideal and real thermodynamic cycles. Combustion chamber.
4. Reciprocating internal combustion engines. Spark-ignition engines. Main components. Ignition and fuel metering systems. Supercharging.
5. Helicopters: Operating principle and fundamental equations. Vertical and hovered flight. Forward flight. Helicopter rotors. Aerodynamic analysis of rotors.
6. Rocket motors: Types of rocket motors. Propulsion mechanism and main operating parameters. Analysis of chemical propellants and the combustion process. Alternative propulsion systems.
Teaching Methods
The course is based on theoretical and theoretical-practical classes where the topics covered in the course will be explained and discussed, with applied problems being solved as well. Some films will be projected and specific software used. Minimum two hour tutoring is weekly available outside classes. The learning process should be active and should stimulate students to research and learn more about the topics discussed in the classroom. The work of students, supported by the recommended bibliography is encouraged. Each student should be involved in a work where he/ she has to develop the capacity to work and study autonomously and to present and defend his/ her work. Additionally, students will receive assignments, on a weekly basis, that should write, present, and discuss in the classroom.
Assessment
The grades are within the interval [0,20].
Continuous assessment or by final exam, in accordance with the Academic Regulations of the University of Évora.
The assessment method consists of the following components:
• [WA] Weekly-based Assignments (20%).
• [T1] Test 1 (40%).
• [T2] Test 2 (40%).
• [E] Final Examination (80%)
The student can choose between 1 out of 2 possible assessment methods, where the Final Grade [NF] is calculated according to the following:
i) CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT: NF = WA*0.20 +T1*0.40 +T2*0.40
if NF> 9.5 ^ WA> 9.5 ^ T1> 8.0 ^ T2> 8.0 then Student Approved.
ii) FINAL ASSESSMENT: NF = WA*0.2 +Ex*0.80
if NF> 9.5 ^ WA> 9.5> 9.5 ^ E> 9.5 then Student Approved.
Continuous assessment or by final exam, in accordance with the Academic Regulations of the University of Évora.
The assessment method consists of the following components:
• [WA] Weekly-based Assignments (20%).
• [T1] Test 1 (40%).
• [T2] Test 2 (40%).
• [E] Final Examination (80%)
The student can choose between 1 out of 2 possible assessment methods, where the Final Grade [NF] is calculated according to the following:
i) CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT: NF = WA*0.20 +T1*0.40 +T2*0.40
if NF> 9.5 ^ WA> 9.5 ^ T1> 8.0 ^ T2> 8.0 then Student Approved.
ii) FINAL ASSESSMENT: NF = WA*0.2 +Ex*0.80
if NF> 9.5 ^ WA> 9.5> 9.5 ^ E> 9.5 then Student Approved.
Accreditations and Certifications
