Design and Integration of Distributed Propulsion in IZEA Blended Wing-Body Aircraft

The paper outlines the integration of a distributed propulsion system in the IZEA Light, a 112-passenger liquid-hydrogen-powered aircraft. It features hydrogen-burning turbogenerators that supply electric power to a distributed ducted fan array, supported by a superconducting system.

A computational fluid dynamics model was developed to analyze the airframe's performance, achieving a 9.1% reduction in the operating shaft power compared to the maximum power output of 8.13 MW during cruise conditions. The methodology employed includes multidisciplinary design analysis and design space exploration to enhance efficiency and minimize energy requirements. The implications of this design are significant for advancing zero-emission aviation technologies.