CIDAR : combustion species imaging diagnostics for aero-engine research

Very high bypass ratio (VHBR) engines will realize significant environmental benefits as lower fuel consumption contributes to a reduction in CO2, NOx and non-volatile particulate matter (nvPM)/soot emission. VHBR engine performance tests will require representative CO2 measurement, and here we propose the use of a chemical species tomography (CST) measurement system to fully map the output CO2 from the engine core exhaust. In addition, we propose a technique allowing the 2D measurement of exhaust nvPM concentration that will provide an increased understanding of the complex injector-to-injector fuel flow variation, which impacts the temperature distribution through the turbine. This combined technological development in the CIDAR programme will produce an innovative step change in aircraft engine diagnostics, based on real-time, in-situ photonic technologies. This will increase the EU’s competitiveness in non-intrusive engine exhaust measurement systems for both engine performance evaluation and emissions quantification.