Low-Pressure System Component Advancements and Its Influence on Future Turbofan Engine Emissions

Abstract

Within the European research project EnVIronmenTALly Friendly Aero Engines, VITAL, a number of low pressure system component technologies are being investigated. The emerging progress will allow the design of new power plants providing a step change in engine fuel burn and noise. As part of the VITAL project a Technoeconomic and Environmental Risk Assessment tool, the TERA2020, is being developed. Within this tool, means to assess the impact of component technology progress on the engine/aircraft system level has been implemented. Sensitivities relating parameters traditionally used to describe component performance, such as allowable shaft torque, low pressure turbine stage loading, fan blade weight and system level parameters have been established. This allows a direct assessment of the impact of component research progress on the VITAL power plant CO2 and noise emissions.