MIT proposes to Reinvent the 737 for 70% greater fuel efficiency

Re:MIT proposes to Reinvent the 737 for 70% greater fuel eff... by edfrtghjkjh on Wednesday October 06, 2010 @06:17PM (#1766087)

5% saving with better aerodynamics - at huge cost in changing every runway, taxiway, jetbridge, hanger and terminal to handle the new shape/size/layout

65% saving from new engine design based on unobtanium

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:MIT proposes to Reinvent the 737 for 70% greater fuel eff... by jws on Wednesday October 06, 2010 @06:23PM (#1766103)

I don't think that is what they mean to say. The slide on page 128 of http://aviationweek.typepad.com/files/mit_n3_final_presentat... for instance breaks down the fuel savings by various changes:

  D8.1 configuration (double bubble)   49%
  Airframe Advanced Materials           8%
  High BPR Engines                      4%
  .. and a long tail that might be 8% more for the engines.

Now maybe the D8.1 configuration is only possible with impossible engines. I can not say.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:MIT proposes to Reinvent the 737 for 70% greater fuel eff... by hugh3 on Wednesday October 06, 2010 @06:19PM (#1766094)

Is that so? I'm struggling to understand how the 70% fuel usage reduction is supposed to occur just by feeding in slower-moving air. Anyone have any insight here?

[ Parent | on HN ]