Overview
Due to continuous efforts through past and ongoing European projects, lean combustion by means of internally staged injectors now appears to be the promising technology for obtaining the required emission reductions compatible with a sustainable growth of aviation transport. (cf ACARE 2020)
The TECC-AE objective was to address these issues and to develop staged lean combustion technologies with a proven viability to reach 80% reduction of NOx emissions.
Up to now, lean combustion has been realised by means of classical injection system and combustors mainly by changing the air flow split while the combustor architecture has been kept unchanged. The TECC-AE project addresses these issues.
Funding
Results
The project dealt with the development of innovative technologies. The final results (expected to be published in the Summer of 2013) will show a reduction of 80% NOx emissions generated by aero engine turbines. The research outcome concerns, among others, the development of injection systems and cooling systems, the enhancement of altitude relight capability and the development of innovative combustion chamber architecture.
One of the outcomes is the demonstration of an innovative combustor based on the concepts of the Trapped Vortex Combustor and the Ultra Compact Combustor. The first one provides a flame stabilization through the use of a pilot flame located into a cavity, and second one enhances combustion through the use of highly accelerated reacting flow.
Innovation aspects
Improvement of lean burn aero engines turbines, through the development of innovative combustor architecture.
Policy implications
As shown in ACARE 2020, a sustainable growth of aviation transport is expected for the next 20 years by respectively 3% for passengers and 9-10% for freight per year. Thus, it is becoming more and more urgent to reduce pollutant emissions.
Strategy targets
Innovating for the future (technology and behaviour): Promoting more sustainable development