Ameer Randolph
Concorde was a marvel of engineering, with its delta wing design and moveable nose portion, but it was beset with problems throughout its lifecycle. One of these issues was its high fuel consumption, which was up to four times that of the Boeing 747. It is estimated that Concorde burned up to two tons of fuel during an average taxi, and used 32.5 liters per second during takeoff. While Concorde was fuel-efficient at Mach 2, consuming 4,800 US gallons per hour, the high fuel consumption during other stages of flight contributed to its high operating costs and limited range.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel consumption during takeoff | 32.5 liters per second |
| Fuel consumption rate | 5,638 Imperial gallons (25,629 liters) per hour |
| Fuel consumption compared to the Boeing 747 | Up to four times more |
| Fuel consumption compared to the Boeing 707 | Twice as much |
| Fuel consumption compared to the Boeing 747 | Twice as much |
| Fuel consumption compared to the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 | Almost twice as much |
| Fuel used during taxi | 2 tons |
| Cruising speed for optimum fuel consumption | Mach 2.02 (~2,154 km/h or ~1,338 mph) |
| Fuel consumption at Mach 2 and an altitude of 60,000 feet | 4,800 US gallons per hour (18,000 liters per hour) |
| Maximum cruising altitude | 18,300 meters (60,000 feet) |
| Average cruise speed | Mach 2.02 (2,150 km/h; 1,330 mph) |
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What You'll Learn
Concorde used up to 2 tons of fuel during taxi
Concorde was a groundbreaking aircraft and an engineering marvel. However, it faced numerous challenges throughout its lifecycle, including high operating costs and fuel inefficiency.
One notable aspect of Concorde's fuel consumption was its usage during taxiing. It is estimated that Concorde burned up to 2 tons of fuel during an average taxi to the runway. This significant fuel burn occurred even before takeoff, highlighting the aircraft's inefficient fuel usage in the early stages of flight.
The high fuel consumption during taxi can be attributed to the use of afterburners, which Concorde utilized during takeoff and when accelerating to break the sound barrier. This contributed to the aircraft's overall fuel inefficiency, especially when compared to other commercial aircraft like the Tupolev Tu-144.
Despite its fuel-guzzling reputation, Concorde had its advantages. It offered a unique selling point: speed. Concorde could cut travel time significantly, such as travelling from France to America in just 3 hours. This proposition of time-saving appealed to the ultra-wealthy, who were less concerned about the ticket price and more interested in rapid travel.
While Concorde's fuel efficiency improved dramatically once it reached Mach 2, the early-stage fuel burn remained a notable challenge. The high fuel consumption during taxi, combined with other factors, ultimately contributed to the aircraft's eventual retirement.
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It used afterburners for takeoff, consuming 32.5 liters per second
Concorde was a groundbreaking aircraft, but its high fuel consumption was a significant issue throughout its operational life. It is estimated that Concorde burned through half of its total fuel load just to reach its cruise speed of Mach 2.
Concorde's fuel consumption during takeoff was particularly notable. It used afterburners during this phase, consuming 32.5 litres per second. This was necessary to generate the thrust required to break the sound barrier. However, this level of fuel consumption was not sustained throughout the flight. Once the aircraft reached a height of 43,000 feet, the afterburners were engaged again for an additional 15 minutes to accelerate through the sound barrier. This process burned around 30 tons of fuel.
Concorde's afterburner use set it apart from other commercial supersonic aircraft like the Tupolev Tu-144. The Tu-144 used afterburners for a more significant portion of its flight, but it was still less fuel-efficient overall due to the use of bulky air conditioning units. Concorde, on the other hand, used fuel as a heat sink to cool the fuselage, which was a more efficient solution.
Despite its impressive engineering, Concorde's fuel consumption was a persistent challenge. It consumed up to four times more fuel than comparable aircraft like the Boeing 747. This inefficiency, combined with rising fuel prices in the 1970s, contributed to the high operating costs of Concorde. These costs, along with other factors like safety concerns and limited range, ultimately led to Concorde's retirement.
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Fuel consumption was 4 times higher than the Boeing 747
Concorde was a groundbreaking aircraft, but its high fuel consumption was a persistent issue throughout its operational life. It is estimated that Concorde burned up to two tons of fuel during a typical taxi, and its fuel consumption was four times that of the Boeing 747. This high fuel consumption was due in part to the use of afterburners during takeoff and when accelerating to break the sound barrier, which consumed 32.5 litres of fuel per second.
Concorde's fuel efficiency relative to its speed is a topic of debate. Some argue that Concorde's fuel consumption per hour per unit of thrust was poor. However, because Concorde flew at twice the speed of conventional aircraft, its fuel efficiency in terms of distance travelled in an hour was very good. Nevertheless, Concorde needed an airframe twice as heavy and engines six times more powerful than conventional aircraft, making it a "gas guzzler".
Concorde's fuel system was more complex than that of subsonic aircraft due to the need to manage temperatures and vapourisation. Fuel was transferred between tanks to maintain trim and balance during flight, and the fuel system included several subsystems with a high level of interdependence and interaction. This complexity was necessary to address the unique challenges of supersonic flight, such as the rearwards movement of the centre of lift, which required more complex fuel management than subsonic aircraft.
Concorde's high fuel consumption contributed to its high operating costs, which, along with other factors such as safety concerns, noise pollution restrictions, and competition from more efficient subsonic aircraft like the Boeing 747, ultimately led to its retirement. Despite its impressive engineering, Concorde's fuel consumption was a significant challenge that impacted its viability and contributed to its eventual discontinuation.
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Concorde used half its fuel before reaching cruise speed
Concorde was a groundbreaking aircraft and an engineering marvel. However, it faced several challenges throughout its lifecycle, including high operating costs and fuel inefficiency.
One notable aspect of Concorde's fuel consumption was its use of afterburners during takeoff and when accelerating to break the sound barrier, resulting in a significant fuel burn rate of 32.5 litres per second. This high fuel consumption continued during the early stages of flight, with Concorde using an estimated two tons of fuel during a typical taxi.
Despite its impressive speed, Concorde's fuel efficiency has been questioned. While it had a maximum cruising speed of Mach 2.02 (approximately 1,330-1,338 mph), it required a considerable amount of fuel to reach this speed. It is estimated that Concorde used half of its total fuel load between leaving the gate and reaching its cruise speed.
However, it's important to consider the total fuel consumption during flight for a comprehensive understanding of Concorde's fuel efficiency. British Airways, for example, quoted a total fuel consumption rate of 5,638 Imperial gallons (25,629 litres) per hour. At an altitude of 60,000 feet and a speed of Mach 2, the fuel consumption rate was 4,800 US gallons per hour (18,000 litres per hour).
In comparison to other aircraft, Concorde's fuel consumption was up to four times higher than the Boeing 747. The fuel efficiency debate around Concorde considered the trade-off between speed and fuel consumption, as Concorde flew at twice the speed of conventional aircraft.
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Concorde's fuel system was more complex than subsonic aircraft
Concorde's fuel consumption was a significant issue throughout its operational life. It burned up to two tons of fuel during taxiing, and its afterburners—used for takeoff and when accelerating to break the sound barrier—consumed 32.5 litres per second. Concorde's total fuel consumption rate was 5,638 Imperial gallons (25,629 litres) per hour, or 4,800 US gallons per hour at Mach 2 and an altitude of 60,000 feet. This was up to four times that of the Boeing 747.
The Concorde's fuel system was more complex than subsonic aircraft due to its additional functions and the need to use fuel in a specific way to minimise temperature issues. The aircraft's fuel was transferred between tanks during flight to maintain trim and balance, a feature not required in subsonic flights, which utilise a full tail plane. The fuel system's usage sequence was designed to minimise heat intake through the wing skin, and considerable research was conducted on fuel vapourisation and aeration characteristics. The development of the fuel tank pumps was particularly challenging due to the low inlet pressure and the fuel's proximity to its boiling point, as well as its high percentage of dissolved air.
The Concorde's unique design and high operating speeds presented distinct challenges for its fuel system. The aircraft's delta wing design and lack of a full tail plane required careful management of fuel distribution to maintain stability. Additionally, the fuselage heated up and expanded during flight, affecting the overall aerodynamics and further emphasising the importance of fuel distribution and balance.
To ensure the safety and efficiency of the fuel system, extensive testing was conducted. Over 3,000 hours of testing were performed on a representative rig at the Shell Thornton Laboratories to validate the system's performance. The total system was also tested using a full-scale test rig that simulated the attitudes, pressures, temperatures, and rates of temperature change experienced during flight. These tests were crucial in addressing the complexities and interactions of the various subsystems within the Concorde's fuel system.
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Frequently asked questions
Concorde consumed 5,638 Imperial gallons (25,629 liters) of fuel per hour. At its cruising speed of Mach 2 and an altitude of 60,000 feet, it burned 4,800 US gallons per hour (18,000 liters/hour).
Concorde's fuel consumption was up to four times that of the Boeing 747. While carrying a full load, Concorde achieved 15.8 passenger miles per gallon of fuel, while the Boeing 707 reached 33.3 pm/g, the Boeing 747 46.4 pm/g, and the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 53.6 pm/g.
Yes, Concorde burned up to 2 tons of fuel just to taxi to the runway.
