LEMCOTEC : a key project to tackle pollutant emissions by developing new core technologies.

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present the latest achievements in LEMCOTEC, an EC-funded project including 36 partners from all over Europe and coordinated by Rolls-Royce Deutschand. This paper will mainly focus on the improvements brought by the technologies developed by the project. An assessment is proving the achievement of the research objectives by application of three generic engine platforms (e.g. Regional Turbofan, Mid-size Open Rotor and Large Turbofan) using a whole engine system approach. LEMCOTEC is working to increase engines OPR to improve the thermal cycle efficiency. However, with conventional combustor, such high OPR would lead to a significant increase of NOx emission. The presentation will focus on the three combustors developed by the partners: MSFI (multi-staged fuel injection) from Safran Aircraft Engines, PERM-EV (partially evaporated rapid mixing) from GE Avio and LDI (Lean Direct Injection) from Rolls-Royce Deutschland. The mid-term assessment, based on detailed design activities, shows an outstanding improvement in terms of pollutant emission from combustion. Indeed, beyond state-of-the-art computations were realized by both academic and industrial partners using Large Eddy Simulation and Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes equations based methods to investigate the propagation of flames inside combustors. Ultimately, LEMCOTEC technologies allow reducing NOx emission up to 70.3% with regard to Year 2000 reference thanks to better combustors & improved thermal efficiency. Moreover, thermal efficiency leads to a reduction of CO2 emission up to 28.5% contributing to the objective of a bluer sky. Testing of innovative injectors was realized and allowed to select the best technologies to be implemented in the combustors. LEMCOTEC project will also measure the improvement with regards to other pollutants such as UHC, CO and Smoke by measuring such emissions when new and innovative combustors will be tested through Full Annular Tests (FANN). After those tests, the technology will reach a maturity of TRL 5. The conclusion is that LEMCOTEC technologies (engine alone) drive consumption towards 2 litres / PAX / 100 km.