Theoretical Optimal Trajectories for Reducing the Environmental Impact of Commercial Aircraft Operations

Authors

  • Cesar Celis Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro Rua Marquês de São Vicente 225, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22453-900, Brazil
  • Vishal Sethi School of Engineering, Cranfield University Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
  • David Zammit-Mangion School of Engineering, Cranfield University Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
  • Riti Singh School of Engineering, Cranfield University Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
  • Pericles P. Pilidis School of Engineering, Cranfield University Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom

Keywords:

Trajectory optimization, Aircraft emissions, Environmental impact.

Abstract

This work describes initial results obtained from an ongoing research involving the development of optimization algorithms which are capable of performing multi-disciplinary aircraft trajectory optimization processes. A short description of both the rationale behind the initial selection of a suitable optimization technique and the status of the optimization algorithms is firstly presented. The optimization algorithms developed are subsequently utilized to analyze different case studies involving one or more flight phases present in actual aircraft flight profiles. Several optimization processes focusing on the minimization of total flight time, fuel burned and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions are carried out and their results are presented and discussed. When compared with others obtained using commercially available optimizers, results of these optimization processes show satisfactory level of accuracy (average discrepancies ~2%). It is expected that these optimization algorithms can be utilized in future to efficiently compute realistic, optimal and ‘greener’ aircraft trajectories, thereby minimizing the environmental impact of commercial aircraft operations.


Author Biographies

Cesar Celis, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro Rua Marquês de São Vicente 225, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22453-900, Brazil

Dr. Celis got a Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering from National University of Engineering, Peru, in 2002. During 2004-2006 he attended the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, PUC-Rio (Brazil), getting a MSc degree in Mechanical Engineering. In 2006/2007, he worked as a Research Engineer at the Institute of Energy of PUC-Rio performing gas turbines industry-relevant research. As a Doctoral Researcher at Cranfield University, from where he got his PhD degree, he focused his research on advanced aircraft propulsion systems. He currently works as Research Project Coordinator at PUC-Rio and his main research fields relate to Turbulent Combustion modelling.

Vishal Sethi, School of Engineering, Cranfield University Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom

Dr. Sethi is a Research Fellow in the Department of Power and Propulsion at Cranfield University, where he completed a PhD degree in 2008. His PhD project was part of the EU FP6 Collaborative Project “VIVACE” where his main contributions were towards the development of the PROOSIS gas turbine simulation software. Dr. Sethi leads the research and development activities of the Techno-Economic Environmental Risk Assessment (TERA) framework for civil aviation. Dr. Sethi’s current research activities also include investigating the potential of disruptive propulsion technologies and alternative fuels for civil aviation. In addition, Dr. Sethi lecturers in Gas Turbine Fluid Thermodynamics.

David Zammit-Mangion, School of Engineering, Cranfield University Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom

Dr. Zammit-Mangion graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Malta and with Master’s and Doctoral degrees from Cranfield University. He worked as a production engineer for ST Microelectronics before joining the University of Malta in 1992. In 2004 he joined Cranfield University to lecture in Avionics and now serves both universities teaching and leading research activities in Electronic Systems and Avionics. He is also Head of Department of Electronic Systems Engineering at the University of Malta. His research fields include flight guidance and flight management, aircraft performance, aviation safety, cockpit design and air traffic management.

Riti Singh, School of Engineering, Cranfield University Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom

Riti Singh is an Emeritus Professor of Cranfield University. Professor Singh has chaired many international conferences on gas turbine technology where he has frequently been the plenary/keynote speaker. He is a Board member (and Past Chair) of the Aerospace Industries Board, Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the International Society of Air Breathing Engines (ISABE) where he was previously Vice-President. Earlier he was a Director of the European Turbine Network. He has an interest in novel cycles for power and propulsion. He has over 40 years' experience in gas turbine research, design and development. He has held senior appointments within industry.

Pericles P. Pilidis, School of Engineering, Cranfield University Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom

Professor Pilidis completed a doctorate in Gas Turbine Engineering at Glasgow University. His first employment was with the British Caledonian group in the gas turbine overhaul business. Professor Pilidis joined Cranfield University in 1986 and is now the Head of the Power and Propulsion Department. Over the years he has applied performance modelling techniques to issues of relevance to operation, maintenance and control. He has organised and contributed to international teaching and applied research programmes in the gas, oil and aviation industries. He has acted as a consultant to several organisations and his contributions have resulted in many international honours.

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Published

2014-02-19

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Section

Original Papers