NATS - National Aerospace Technology Strategy > ATVPs and AINs > Environmentally Friendly Engine (EFE) ATVP

The development of a competitive aero gas turbine engine is a long process, initiated by the acquisition of cutting-edge technology through research and technology programmes in many engineering and scientific disciplines. This unproven innovative technology needs to be developed to a sufficiently low risk before it can be included in the design of a marketable product. The mechanism used to establish that confidence is by the use of a representative demonstrator vehicle as part of the technology validation process. Only after the success of this technology validation can a specific product design and verification programme be considered, typically taking a further four years until the engine actually enters service.

The environmental effects of burning fossil fuels are clearly a significant issue and whilst alternative power generating systems are being developed for land and marine use there is little long-term alternative to oil based fuels for air travel. It is therefore vitally important that the most efficient and clean way of producing the power is developed. Noise produced by the engine is also a significant issue and is also being addressed in part by features contained within this programme.

The Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe (ACARE) is the body that specifies the environmental targets for the aerospace industry. It has decreed that by 2020 the following goals, using a year 2000 datum, must be achieved:

• A 50% reduction in Carbon Dioxide emissions, 20% reduction from engines alone.
• An 80% reduction in Nitrous Oxides emissions.
• Halve the perceived noise levels.

In response to these extremely challenging targets Rolls-Royce has embarked on a series of programmes using Private Venture, MoD, DTI and EU funding sources. The Environmentally Friendly Engine (EFE) programme being planned for 2006 to 2010 is a critical element in the overall technology acquisition and validation process to achieve these industry targets and in order to develop the UK aerospace industry funding for this programme is being sought entirely from within the UK.

The EFE programme is aimed at developing UK aerospace capabilities in the following fundamental technologies:

• High temperature materials.
• High efficiency turbine components.
• Low emissions combustion.
• Advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Engine controls and actuation technologies.
• Nacelle aerodynamic technologies.

A significant part of the programme will focus on the application of these technologies into specific components that then need to be integrated into a gas turbine engine
EFE will establish and operate two large validation platforms - a gas turbine core and a wind tunnel nacelle/power plant vehicle. The programme will start in 2006 and test vehicles will first run in 2008.

The core engine demonstrator vehicle will be tested at extremes of temperature and pressure, significantly in excess of current service design capability, in order to prove the technology and the improved efficiencies of the components and system. These improvements should lead to reduced fuel consumption, whist achieving significantly lower CO2 and NOX emissions at a lower engine-generated noise.
Although initially targeted at the aero engine products there will ultimately be environmental benefits as the technology migrates into the marine and energy gas turbine products.

Rolls-Royce as lead are partnering in this programme with, Bombardier Aerospace, Shorts (Northern Ireland), Goodrich Engine Control Systems (West Midlands), HS Marston (Wolverhampton) and Smiths (Burnley) as the industrial parties and the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Sheffield, Loughborough, Birmingham and Queens Belfast.

Tiered suppliers (including SME's) to the above partners will be a critical aspect to EFE and will join and collaborate to achieve the programme objective. This diversity will allow cross-sectoral knowledge transfer and innovation into sectors such as manufacturing, automotive, marine and energy as well as bring in societal benefits such as an affordable and sustainable air transport system.

EFE will address the engine technologies to deliver a 10% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and a 60% reduction in nitrous oxides emissions. It will also provide the opportunity to validate other technologies to address other customer requirements such as the high temperature materials.