Internationally, NO x emission limits set by the ICAO could result in strategies to limit air traffic, such as per flight emissions fees and curfews. Environmental concerns together with the prediction that world air traffic will grow 5 percent annually for the next decade have made reducing aircraft NO x emissions a priority. NASA Glenn is investigating new combustion chamber designs with features that lower peak temperatures. Promising emissions reductions have been demonstrated with advanced fuel injector concepts at high operating pressures. Computer simulation of an advanced fuel mixer and combustor in operation.
Computer modeling is used to study how high temperatures and increased emissions are related.
This computer model will help find the best design for building and testing an actual combustor. The final result will be an advanced engine for subsonic and supersonic aircraft. How fuel is injected in an aircraft's engine is important for clean burning. Computer modeling and experiments using advanced laser diagnostics will help determine the best design of combustors for application to subsonic and supersonic aircraft. Low NO x combustors require materials that can withstand high combustion gas temperatures.