Rolls-Royce, ACARE and NOx reduction

Did you know?

NOx is a generic term for mono-nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2). These oxides are produced during combustion, especially combustion at high temperatures.
NO and NO2 (NOx) are not Kyoto Protocol greenhouse gases.
NOx impacts on atmosphere are complex, variable and poorly understood.
The Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe (ACARE) was launched at the Paris Airshow in June 2001.
ACARE has targeted an 80% reduction in NOx emissions from commercial aircraft by 2020.

What are we doing?

Through detailed design optimisation, Rolls-Royce has steadily reduced NOx emissions on every new engine. The Trent 900 has the lowest certificated NOx level of any large engine and Rolls-Royce expect to improve on this with the new Trent 1000.
Through their Research and Technology programme, Rolls-Royce are developing a new ultra-low NOx, 'lean burn' combustor which will be tested in the Environmentally Friendly Engine (EFE) programme and made available for their next generation of gas turbines.

What are the results?

Improvements in engine emissions technology are expected to deliver three quarters of the 80 per cent target set by ACARE, with the balance coming from reductions in overall fuel-burn as a result of improved efficiencies in engine, airframe and operations.