Achieving rotorcraft noise and emissions reduction for "clean sky" - The measurement of success

Abstract

This paper describes the work done and strong interaction between the Technology Evaluator (TE), Green Rotorcraft (GRC) Integrated Technology Demonstrator (ITD) and Sustainable and Green Engine (SAGE) ITD of the Clean Sky Joint Technology Initiative (JTI). The aim of Clean Sky is to develop and integrate new and innovative technologies that will help meeting the emission and noise reduction targets set by the Advisory Council for Aviation Research and Innovation in Europe (ACARE) for aircraft of next generation. The GRC and SAGE ITDs are responsible for developing new helicopter airframe and engine technologies respectively, whilst the TE has the distinctive role of assessing the environmental impact of these technologies at single flight (mission), airport and Air Transport System levels (ATS). The assessments reported herein have been performed by using a GRC-developed multi-disciplinary simulation framework called PhoeniX (Platform Hosting Operational and Environmental Investigations for Rotorcraft) that comprises various computational modules. These modules include a rotorcraft performance code (EUROPA), an engine performance and emissions simulation tool (GSP) and a noise prediction code (HELENA). PhoeniX can predict the performance of a helicopter along a prescribed 4D trajectory offering a complete helicopter mission analysis. In the context of the TE assessments reported herein, three helicopter classes are examined, namely a Twin Engine Light (TEL) configuration, for Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and Police missions, and a Single Engine Light (SEL) configuration for Passenger/Transport missions, and a Twin Engine Heavy (TEH) configuration for Oil & Gas missions. The different technologies assessed reflect three simulation points which are the ‘Baseline’ Year 2000 technology, ‘Reference’ Y2020 technology, without Clean Sky benefits, and finally the ‘Conceptual’, reflecting Y2020 technology with Clean Sky benefits. The results of this study illustrate the potential that incorporated technologies possess in terms of improving performance and gas emission metrics such as fuel burn, CO2, NOx as well as the noise footprint on the ground.