The primary human activities that release carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere are the combustion of fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and oil) to generate electricity, the provision of energy for transportation, and as a consequence of some industrial processes. Although aviation CO2 emissions only make up approximately 2.0 to 2.5 percent of total global annual CO2 emissions, research to reduce CO2 emissions is urgent because (1) such reductions may be legislated even as commercial air travel grows, (2) because it takes new technology a long time to propagate into and through the aviation fleet, and (3) because of the ongoing impact of global CO2 emissions. Commercial Aircraft Propulsion and Energy Systems Research develops a national research agenda for reducing CO2 emissions from commercial aviation. This report focuses on propulsion and energy technologies for reducing carbon emissions from large, commercial aircraftâ€" single-aisle and twin-aisle aircraft that carry 100 or more passengersâ€"because such aircraft account for more than 90 percent of global emissions from commercial aircraft. Moreover, while smaller aircraft also emit CO2, they make only a minor contribution to global emissions, and many technologies that reduce CO2 emissions for large aircraft also apply to smaller aircraft. As commercial aviation continues to grow in terms of revenue-passenger miles and cargo ton miles, CO2 emissions are expected to increase. To reduce the contribution of aviation to climate change, it is essential to improve the effectiveness of ongoing efforts to reduce emissions and initiate research into new approaches.

A comprehensive review of the science and engineering behind future propulsion systems and energy sources in sustainable aviation Future Propulsion Systems and Energy Sources in Sustainable Aviation is a comprehensive reference that offers a review of the science and engineering principles that underpin the concepts of propulsion systems and energy sources in sustainable air transportation. The author, a noted expert in the field, examines the impact of air transportation on the environment and reviews alternative jet fuels, hybrid-electric and nuclear propulsion and power. He also explores modern propulsion for transonic and supersonic-hypersonic aircraft and the impact of propulsion on aircraft design. Climate change is the main driver for the new technology development in sustainable air transportation. The book contains critical review of gas turbine propulsion and aircraft aerodynamics; followed by an insightful presentation of the aviation impact on environment. Future fuels and energy sources are introduced in a separate chapter. Promising technologies in propulsion and energy sources are identified leading to pathways to sustainable aviation. To facilitate the utility of the subject, the book is accompanied by a website that contains illustrations, and equation files. This important book: Contains a comprehensive reference to the science and engineering behind propulsion and power in sustainable air transportation Examines the impact of air transportation on the environment Covers alternative jet fuels and hybrid-electric propulsion and power Discusses modern propulsion for transonic, supersonic and hypersonic aircraft Examines the impact of propulsion system integration on aircraft design Written for engineers, graduate and senior undergraduate students in mechanical and aerospace engineering, Future Propulsion Systems and Energy Sources in Sustainable Aviation explores the future of aviation with a guide to sustainable air transportation that includes alternative jet fuels, hybrid-electric propulsion, all-electric and nuclear propulsion.

The environmental impact of hydrocarbon-burning aircraft is one of the main motivations for the move to electric propulsion in aerospace. Also, cars, buses, and trucks are incorporating electric or hybrid-electric propulsion systems, reducing the pressure on hydrocarbons and lowering the costs of electrical components. The economies of scale necessitated by the automotive industry will help contain costs in the aviation sector as well. The use of electric propulsion in airplanes is not a new phenomenon. However, it is only recently that it has taken off in a concrete manner with a viable commercial future. The Electric Flight Technology: Unfolding of a New Future reviews the history of this field, discusses the key underlying technologies, and describes how the future for these technologies will likely unfold, distinguishing between all-electric (AE) and hybrid-electric (HE) architectures. Written by Dr. Ravi Rajamani, it covers the essential information needed to understand this new technology wave taking hold in the aerospace industry. The Electric Flight Technology: Unfolding of a New Future covers fundamental topics such as: • The history of electric propulsion, including its evolution from using traditional electricity, to solar power to batteries as sources to sustain propulsion and flight. • The various architectures being considered for electric aircraft, specifically small general aviation (GA) aircraft and larger business jets; single-aisle commercial aircraft; and larger twin-aisle commercial aircraft. • The various systems and subsystems of an electric aircraft, along with how various subsystems in the vehicle can be integrated in a more optimal manner. In the future, the existing tube-and-wing configuration will not be the only available architecture; instead we will be more likely to find an architecture where the propulsion system is embedded within the airframe. • The future trends in this arena and what we can expect to see in the next decade or so.

What are the benefits of electrified propulsion for large aircraft? What technology advancements are required to realize these benefits? How can the aerospace industry transition from today's technologies to state-of-the-art electrified systems? Learn the answers with this multidisciplinary text, combining expertise from leading researchers in electrified aircraft propulsion. The book includes broad coverage of electrification technologies – spanning power systems and power electronics, materials science, superconductivity and cryogenics, thermal management, battery chemistry, system design, and system optimization – and a clear-cut road map identifying remaining gaps between the current state-of-the-art and future performance technologies. Providing expert guidance on areas for future research and investment and an ideal introduction to cutting-edge advances and outstanding challenges in large electric aircraft design, this is a perfect resource for graduate students, researchers, electrical and aeronautical engineers, policymakers, and management professionals interested in next-generation commercial flight technologies.

The NACA and aircraft propulsion, 1915-1958 -- NASA gets to work, 1958-1975 -- The shift toward commercial aviation, 1966-1975 -- The quest for propulsive efficiency, 1976-1989 -- Propulsion control enters the computer era, 1976-1998 -- Transiting to a new century, 1990-2008 -- Toward the future

AIRCRAFT PROPULSION

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is currently developing advanced technologies to form the foundation for the next breakthrough in civil aviation: an economically viable, environmentally acceptable supersonic transport. NASA's High Speed Research Program works in conjunction with industry to identify and address critical technological challenges to initiating commercial development of a practical supersonic transport. The key technical areas investigated are engine emissions, fuel efficiency, service life, and weight; community noise; aircraft range and payload; and weight and service life of airframe structures. Areas of particular interest include the ability of technologies under development to meet program goals related to noise, emissions, service life, weight, range, and payload. This book examines aircraft design requirements, assesses the program's planning and progress, and recommends changes that will help the program achieve its overall objectives.