Member Article

Manchester university leads jet engine research

Academics at the University of Manchester will lead research to create a key component in reducing jet engine emissions.

The FLITES (Fibre-laser Imaging of Gas Turbine Exhaust Species) team aims to produce the first ever images of the distribution of chemicals in aero-engine exhaust plumes.

In partnership with the Universities of Southampton and Strathclyde, Rolls-Royce, Shell, Covesion, Fianium and OptoSci, the Manchester academics will spearhead the four-year study.

Their research will underpin a new phase of low-net-carbon development that is underway in aviation, based on bio derived fuels, and which entails extensive research in turbine engineering, turbine combustion, and fuel produce formulation.

Leading the project is Professor Hugh McCann, who said: “There has never been any research using turbine emissions data to determine the condition and behaviour of internal engine components, especially the combustor.

“FLITES will open a new door to penetrate the complex phenomena that dictate the performance and limitations of advanced aero-engines, and will help to really pin down the performance benefits of novel biofuels.”

The team has been awarded £1.8m by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, and will build on the existing research of fuel in engine combustion chambers.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .