Aircraft Design for Reduced Climate Impact

Aircraft Design for Reduced Climate Impact PDF Author: Emily Dallara
Publisher: Stanford University
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 174

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Book Description
Aircraft affect global climate through emissions of greenhouse gases and their precursors and by altering cirrus cloudiness. Changes in operations and design of future aircraft may be necessary to meet goals for limiting climate change. One method for reducing climate impacts involves designing aircraft to fly at altitudes where the impacts of NOx emissions are less severe and persistent contrail formation is less likely. By considering these altitude effects and additionally applying climate mitigation technologies, impacts can be reduced by 45-70% with simultaneous savings in total operating costs. Uncertainty is assessed, demonstrating that relative climate impact savings can be expected despite large scientific uncertainties. Strategies for improving climate performance of existing aircraft are also explored, revealing potential climate impact savings of 20-40%, traded for a 2% increase in total operating costs and reduced maximum range.

Aircraft Design for Reduced Climate Impact

Aircraft Design for Reduced Climate Impact PDF Author: Emily Dallara
Publisher: Stanford University
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 174

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Book Description
Aircraft affect global climate through emissions of greenhouse gases and their precursors and by altering cirrus cloudiness. Changes in operations and design of future aircraft may be necessary to meet goals for limiting climate change. One method for reducing climate impacts involves designing aircraft to fly at altitudes where the impacts of NOx emissions are less severe and persistent contrail formation is less likely. By considering these altitude effects and additionally applying climate mitigation technologies, impacts can be reduced by 45-70% with simultaneous savings in total operating costs. Uncertainty is assessed, demonstrating that relative climate impact savings can be expected despite large scientific uncertainties. Strategies for improving climate performance of existing aircraft are also explored, revealing potential climate impact savings of 20-40%, traded for a 2% increase in total operating costs and reduced maximum range.

Aircraft Design for Reduced Climate Impact

Aircraft Design for Reduced Climate Impact PDF Author: Emily Dallara
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

Get Book Here

Book Description
Aircraft affect global climate through emissions of greenhouse gases and their precursors and by altering cirrus cloudiness. Changes in operations and design of future aircraft may be necessary to meet goals for limiting climate change. One method for reducing climate impacts involves designing aircraft to fly at altitudes where the impacts of NOx emissions are less severe and persistent contrail formation is less likely. By considering these altitude effects and additionally applying climate mitigation technologies, impacts can be reduced by 45-70% with simultaneous savings in total operating costs. Uncertainty is assessed, demonstrating that relative climate impact savings can be expected despite large scientific uncertainties. Strategies for improving climate performance of existing aircraft are also explored, revealing potential climate impact savings of 20-40%, traded for a 2% increase in total operating costs and reduced maximum range.

Constraining Climate Impact Uncertainties from Future Aviation

Constraining Climate Impact Uncertainties from Future Aviation PDF Author: Inés Sanz-Morère
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Environmental impacts from the aviation sector are in continuous growth. The total sector contribution to anthropogenic climate forcing is approximately 3.5%, representing up to 9% of US greenhouse gas emissions from transportation in 2018. Despite the COVID-19 crisis, it is also expected to grow at a global rate of approximately 4% per year in the next 20 years, and a full sector recovery is expected by 2024. The total impacts of aviation emissions on the climate, however, are still uncertain. This is due to factors including (i) the uncertainty regarding the radiative effects of short- and long-term climate forcers; (ii) the difficulty of validating modeling tools e.g. contrail formation and persistence or stratospheric chemical response to emissions; and (iii) the growing interest in new air transportation technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles, supersonic aviation, or hydrogen and alternative fuels. These factors together require a persistent effort to improve the available tools assessing aviation environmental footprint. The objective of this thesis is to provide additional insights into aviation climate impacts, by improving current modeling capabilities. Specially, I aim to resolve elements that will be of increasing interest as the sector evolves. The work is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on improving climate impact estimates from contrails, ice clouds which form behind aircraft. Those are estimated to cause approximately half of the total climate forcing from aviation. The second part focuses on developing modeling tools for assessing climate impacts from future commercially viable supersonic fleets, as multiple companies are currently designing projects of that type (Aerion, Boom, Spike Aerospace, NASA, Lockheed Martin, etc.). In the first part, I develop a new contrail radiative forcing model with a new parameterization to model exchanges of radiation when multiple cloud layers overlap occur. My parameterization also reduces current uncertainties related to uncertainties in contrail microphysical structure. I find that, assuming maximum possible overlap, cloud-contrail overlap in 2015 increased the net radiative forcing from contrails. This effect was greatest in the North-Atlantic corridor. For 2015, contrail-contrail overlap results in a 3% net reduction in the estimated radiative forcing. Finally, using "in situ" measurements to constrain contrail microphysical evolution pathways, I find that the global net radiative forcing due to contrails in 2015 is between 8.6 and 10.7 mW/m2. Relative to the mid-point, this uncertainty range is less than one quarter of that previously reported in the literature. In the second part, I estimate the sensitivity of the global supersonic market and its climate impacts to factors such as design choice, regulations and economic assumptions. For this, I develop a detailed supersonic aircraft design model providing robust information on cruise altitude, fuel burn and emissions variation with aircraft design choice. I also, in order to address overland restrictions, develop a high-resolution routing algorithm, capable of assessing optimal routing for multiple regulatory options. I obtain that, in the absence of flight path restrictions, a fleet of 130-870 supersonic aircraft can be feasible, operating up to 2.5% of the seat-kilometers in the global aviation market. This will result in a net increase of fuel burn from commercial passenger aviation of up to 7%. However, between 78% and 100% of the global unrestricted market potentials cannot be addressed when supersonic flight is restricted over land or over areas with a population density of more than 50 inhabitants per square kilometer. When evaluating environmental impacts, aircraft design choice can change the sign of supersonic aviation impact on non-CO2 aviation climate forcing. In general, implementing supersonic aviation results in a global warming effect. However, if reducing fleet average NOx emission index by 58%, through an increase in fuel burn of 7%, climate forcing can change from positive (increase) to negative (reduction). Designs aiming to address high-value demand, at the upper bound of supersonic speeds (cruise Mach number = 2.2), are the most environmentally harmful because of their higher cruise altitude and fuel burn. While based on my results, we shouldn't expect any significant viable market from them, a 10% fleet substitution would be responsible of a doubling in global non-CO2 radiative forcing impact.

Commercial Aircraft Propulsion and Energy Systems Research

Commercial Aircraft Propulsion and Energy Systems Research PDF Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309440998
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 123

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Book Description
The primary human activities that release carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere are the combustion of fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and oil) to generate electricity, the provision of energy for transportation, and as a consequence of some industrial processes. Although aviation CO2 emissions only make up approximately 2.0 to 2.5 percent of total global annual CO2 emissions, research to reduce CO2 emissions is urgent because (1) such reductions may be legislated even as commercial air travel grows, (2) because it takes new technology a long time to propagate into and through the aviation fleet, and (3) because of the ongoing impact of global CO2 emissions. Commercial Aircraft Propulsion and Energy Systems Research develops a national research agenda for reducing CO2 emissions from commercial aviation. This report focuses on propulsion and energy technologies for reducing carbon emissions from large, commercial aircraftâ€" single-aisle and twin-aisle aircraft that carry 100 or more passengersâ€"because such aircraft account for more than 90 percent of global emissions from commercial aircraft. Moreover, while smaller aircraft also emit CO2, they make only a minor contribution to global emissions, and many technologies that reduce CO2 emissions for large aircraft also apply to smaller aircraft. As commercial aviation continues to grow in terms of revenue-passenger miles and cargo ton miles, CO2 emissions are expected to increase. To reduce the contribution of aviation to climate change, it is essential to improve the effectiveness of ongoing efforts to reduce emissions and initiate research into new approaches.

Environmental Impact of Aviation and Sustainable Solutions

Environmental Impact of Aviation and Sustainable Solutions PDF Author: Ramesh K. Agarwal
Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand
ISBN: 1839623578
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 222

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Book Description
Environmental Impact of Aviation and Sustainable Solutions is a compilation of review and research articles in the broad field of aviation and the environment. Over three sections and thirteen chapters, this book covers topics such as aircraft design and materials, combustor modeling, atomization, airport pollution, sonic boom and street noise pollution, emission mitigation strategies, and environmentally friendly contributions from a Russian aviation pioneer. This volume is a useful reference for both researchers and students interested in learning about various aspects of aviation and the environment

Green Aviation

Green Aviation PDF Author: Emily S. Nelson
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1136318194
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 493

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Book Description
Aircraft emissions currently account for ~3.5% of all greenhouse gas emissions. The number of passenger miles has increased by 5% annually despite 9/11, two wars and gloomy economic conditions. Since aircraft have no viable alternative to the internal combustion engine, improvements in aircraft efficiency and alternative fuel development become essential. This book comprehensively covers the relevant issues in green aviation. Environmental impacts, technology advances, public policy and economics are intricately linked to the pace of development that will be realized in the coming decades. Experts from NASA, industry and academia review current technology development in green aviation that will carry the industry through 2025 and beyond. This includes increased efficiency through better propulsion systems, reduced drag airframes, advanced materials and operational changes. Clean combustion and emission control of noise, exhaust gases and particulates are also addressed through combustor design and the use of alternative fuels. Economic imperatives from aircraft lifetime and maintenance logistics dictate the drive for "drop-in" fuels, blending jet-grade and biofuel. New certification standards for alternative fuels are outlined. Life Cycle Assessments are used to evaluate worldwide biofuel approaches, highlighting that there is no single rational approach for sustainable buildup. In fact, unless local conditions are considered, the use of biofuels can create a net increase in environmental impact as a result of biofuel manufacturing processes. Governmental experts evaluate current and future regulations and their impact on green aviation. Sustainable approaches to biofuel development are discussed for locations around the globe, including the US, EU, Brazil, China and India.

For Greener Skies

For Greener Skies PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309169631
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 71

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Book Description
Each new generation of commercial aircraft produces less noise and fewer emissions per passenger-kilometer (or ton-kilometer of cargo) than the previous generation. However, the demand for air transportation services grows so quickly that total aircraft noise and emissions continue to increase. Meanwhile, federal, state, and local noise and air quality standards in the United States and overseas have become more stringent. It is becoming more difficult to reconcile public demand for inexpensive, easily accessible air transportation services with concurrent desires to reduce noise, improve local air quality, and protect the global environment against climate change and depletion of stratospheric ozone. This situation calls for federal leadership and strong action from industry and government. U.S. government, industry, and universities conduct research and develop technology that could help reduce aircraft noise and emissions-but only if the results are used to improve operational systems or standards. For example, the (now terminated) Advanced Subsonic Technology Program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) generally brought new technology only to the point where a system, subsystem model, or prototype was demonstrated or could be validated in a relevant environment. Completing the maturation process-by fielding affordable, proven, commercially available systems for installation on new or modified aircraft-was left to industry and generally took place only if industry had an economic or regulatory incentive to make the necessary investment. In response to this situation, the Federal Aviation Administration, NASA, and the Environmental Protection Agency, asked the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board of the National Research Council to recommend research strategies and approaches that would further efforts to mitigate the environmental effects (i.e., noise and emissions) of aviation. The statement of task required the Committee on Aeronautics Research and Technology for Environmental Compatibility to assess whether existing research policies and programs are likely to foster the technological improvements needed to ensure that environmental constraints do not become a significant barrier to growth of the aviation sector.

Green Aviation

Green Aviation PDF Author: Ramesh Agarwal
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1118866509
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 536

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Book Description
Green Aviation is the first authoritative overview of both engineering and operational measures to mitigate the environmental impact of aviation. It addresses the current status of measures to reduce the environmental impact of air travel. The chapters cover such items as: Engineering and technology-related subjects (aerodynamics, engines, fuels, structures, etc.), Operations (air traffic management and infrastructure) Policy and regulatory aspects regarding atmospheric and noise pollution. With contributions from leading experts, this volume is intended to be a valuable addition, and useful resource, for aerospace manufacturers and suppliers, governmental and industrial aerospace research establishments, airline and aviation industries, university engineering and science departments, and industry analysts, consultants, and researchers.

Conceptual Aircraft Design for Environmental Impact

Conceptual Aircraft Design for Environmental Impact PDF Author: Daniel J. King (S.M.)
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 123

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Book Description
(Cont.) MDO with the new model enables exploration of a design space that includes operations along with design in evaluating tradeoffs between emissions, noise, and economics. In addition to the development and demonstration of the operations model, a detailed study of the effects of derated-thrust takeoffs on emissions and fuel burn for Boeing 777 flights is presented in this thesis. The emissions of airline flights are calculated from flight data and compared to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) assumptions for the engines used. The results show that NOx emissions are significantly less than the ICAO assumed values for takeoff and climb-out. A second analysis compares the emissions of derated thrust; takeoffs to the emissions that would have resulted if the same aircraft had flown with full-power on the same day. The results show a relationship between percent derate and a change in the emissions produced in takeoff, and a tradeoff of increased fuel burn for a decrease in NOx production.

Aircraft Design Driven by Climate Change

Aircraft Design Driven by Climate Change PDF Author: Regina Egelhofer
Publisher:
ISBN: 9783868530728
Category : Aeronautics
Languages : en
Pages : 161

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Book Description