Technology Proving the Answer to Cutting Aircraft Emissions

In past fifty years fuel burn cut by 70% and NOx emissions by 50%. Aviation industry aiming for further 50% CO2 cut and 80% reduction in NOx by 2020.

(March 4, 2008) -- The Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) has launched the second in its series of eleven briefing papers looking at the technological progress being made by the aviation industry to reduce its impact on the environment.

This second briefing paper outlines the emissions produced by aero engines, the impacts that they have on the environment and the technology being developed to reduce the impacts of new aircraft. For example, the amount of CO2 emitted by the new Airbus A380 (75 grams/passenger km) is less than the amount that can be emitted by a vehicle exempt from the London congestion charge (77 grams/passenger km).

The technological advances discussed in the briefing paper include significantly increasing the temperature of the air leaving the combustor in the engine to cut fuel burn without losing thrust. However, this must be done without melting the engine parts. Present engine cooling techniques are equivalent to keeping a block of ice from melting in the hottest domestic oven. The aim is to increase this cooling power by a further 200 degrees Celsius.

The paper looks at initiatives such as the Environmentally Friendly Engine (EFE), NEWAC (NEW Aero engine core Concept), VITAL (enVIronmenTALly friendly aero engine) and the CLEAN SKY Joint Technology Initiative. These initiatives aim to develop and validate technologies that could provide reduced fuel burn and CO2 emissions and lower oxides of Nitrogen emissions. Over pound1.4 billion (EUR1.9 billion) is being invested in these programmes.

The previous briefing paper looked at aircraft noise and the seventy five per cent reduction achieved over the past 30 years. It also outlined the technology being developed by the aerospace industry that aims to achieve a further fifty per cent cut in aircraft noise by 2020.

Ian Godden, SBAC Chief Executive, said

"Aicraft engine emissions are a matter of concern in the battle against climate change. Over the past fifty years the aviation industry has achieved enormous reductions in fuel burn and emissions. But we are not stopping there. We are committed to further large reductions in future aircraft engine emissions.

"By 2020 we are aiming to cut CO2 emissions to 50% of their level in 2000. We are also aiming to reduce oxides of Nitrogen emissions by 80%. The Government's Stern report confirmed that we are on track to achieve these ambitious targets.

"Technology is fundamental to reducing aviation's impact on the environment. Increasing flying taxes or restricting flights is not the answer if our economy is to continue to prosper. Advances in engineering will deliver improved aircraft that will enable us to move towards aviation that is sustainable environmentally and economically."

Source : SBAC

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