NATS - National Aerospace Technology Strategy > ATVPs and AINs > Environmental Technology AIN (ETAIN)
print friendly pageEnvironmental Technology AIN (ETAIN)
Improving the environmental performance of aircraft is critical to the long term sustainability of the aerospace industry. The Aerospace Innovation Network for Environmental Technology will research advanced concepts, in the areas of:
- Technologies and design approaches which support achievement of the ACARE goals for 2020 for civil aircraft (baseline ? year 2000 operations)
- 50% reduction in CO2 emissions per passenger km
- Half current perceived average noise levels
- 80% reduction in NOx
- Technologies for minimising the effects of smoke and noise emissions from military aircraft including small-scale particulate emissions.
- Step change developments in both power plant (combustor temperature control, component / system efficiency) and airframe design (drag reduction, noise attenuation, turbulence control).
- Improving local air quality and noise near airports, for passengers and cabin crew within the aircraft and for support staff on the ground
- Reducing dependence on scarce minerals and compounds and increasing sustainability.
This AIN contributes to the AeIGT themes of aerodynamics and propulsion, advanced structures and materials and autonomous control and management systems. There will be interaction with other AINs in particular High Temperature Materials, Aerodynamics and CFD, Materials and Structures and Through Life Support.
Research Themes
The research themes have been identified as:
- Combustion : System cost reduction and durability improvement through improving lifing, materials and manufacturing. Understanding combustion instability and development of control mechanisms. Improved efficiency cooling technologies. Creation of design rules for lean burning systems including understanding of fuel / air mixing. Implementation of mechanisms for reliable altitude relight, pullaway and operability. Enhancing performance through improved aerodynamics
- Noise : Enhancement of design methods, structures and machinery to alleviate noise (eg; Powerplant : fans, turbines, exhaust system, acoustic liners. Airframes : nacelles, wings, high lift systems, undercarriage, engine installation). Development of novel active noise control technologies.
- Performance : Step change increase in efficiency / reduction in fuel consumption through improved engine operating cycle and improved aerodynamics / reduced drag on engine and airframe. Reducing dependency on rig testing by improving simulation and modelling (cost and lead-time benefits).
Benefits
The programme will engage industry, supply chain, universities and funding partners, such as EPSRC, DTI, RDAs and MOD. It will work closely with the other AINs and ATVP's, to exploit fully the emerging technologies and ensure they are pulled through from the science base and embedded in the supply chain. This is to be achieved by developing facilities and demonstration of capability at the leading edge of the global aerospace industry.
UK industry has the capability to harness and deliver on this investment by working together with the Government and the Regional Bodies to continue to develop an increasingly robust aerospace industry. Industrial partners can hope to develop their forward looking strategy and capability, with accompanying strengthening of local economies through this. In addition multiple cross-sectoral benefits can be achieved through exploitation of technology/ capability into other areas. The nominated industry lead company for this programme is Rolls-Royce plc.
Status
The programme is currently in the scoping stage, with industry seeking input from founding partners to confirm technology research themes, to align and support the projected future capability requirements for the Environmental Technology AIN. The research programme is expected to commence from early 2007.