On Continuous NOx Reduction of Aero-propulsion Engines

A comprehensive assessment has been made of the ICAO Engine Emissions Data with special emphasis on the Low-Emissions and Rich-Quench-Lean Combustors, LEC/RQL. Since the middle to late 1970’s, more than 50% reduction has been achieved in NOx, CO and smoke along with 95% reduction in the unburned hydrocarbons. All the engine original equipment manufacturers (OEM’s) through their highly inventive approaches have produced similar results as summarized in this paper. This provides an incentive for the team to define a gas turbine Relevant Combustion Simulator, RCS to reproduce gaseous and particulate emissions characteristics of LEC/RQL combustors with potential to provide guidance for developing future-gen fuel-flex, ultra-clean energy efficient engines.