Aircraft Gas Turbine Emissions Challenge

The new generation of jet powered aircraft faces a significant challenge to reduce pollutant emissions while increasing fuel efficiency. Carbon monoxide (CO) and unburned hydrocarbon (HC) emissions are already very low and continued control of these pollutants is expected as engine temperatures and pressure ratios are increased. In contrast, significant system design improvements are needed to reduce oxides of nitrogen (NO_x) emissions because of their harmful effect on the earth’s ozone layer. This paper discusses the prospects and technical approaches for significant NO_x reductions in current and future subsonic and supersonic aircraft.