Aeronautics

KIAI (2009-20013)

The main objective of KIAI (Knowledge for Ignition, Acoustics and Instabilities) is to provide reliable methodologies to predict the stability of industrial low NOx combustors (LoNoMe) and their ignition process.
When used at an early stage in the conception cycle of low NOx combustors, KIAI CFD methodologies will play a key role and considerably accelerate the delivery process of lean combustion technology with a proven capability to reach 80% NOx emission reduction required for introduction into service before 2020 with the necessary reliability, safety and economical viability.
Low NOx technologies lead to crucial unsteady phenomena that are neither controlled nor predictable at the moment. The scientific objectives of KIAI are directly linked to a better understanding and prediction of these unsteady phenomena.
In the LES Modeling of spark ignition in a non-premixed 2phase flow environment, IFP Energies nouvelles contributes to:
- formulate a LES version of the ADF-PCM turbulent combustion model
- couple it with the ISSIM spark-ignition model used in piston engine simulations
- apply the model to the LES of the ignition phase in the MERCATO burner• validate the model by realizing with EM2C a LES of the MERCATO burner from spark-ignition up to stable operation and comparing with experimental data.

ALFA-BIRD (2008-2012)

ALFA-BIRD (Alternative Fuels and Biofuels for Aircraft Development) aims at developing the use of alternative fuels in aeronautics.
In a context where the price of oil is uncertain and with impact of fossil fuels on climate change, the sustainable growth of the civil aviation is conditioned by the respect of the environment. The ALFA-BIRD project is consequently dedicated to the selection and the evaluation of the most promising alternative fuels, at a middle, short and long term.
ALPHA-BIRD gathers a multi-disciplinary consortium with 23 key industrial partners from engine manufacturers, aircraft manufacturers, fuel industry and research organizations covering a large spectrum of expertise in fields of biochemistry, combustion as well as industrial safety.
IFP Energies nouvelles is involved in different tasks such as:
- the state of the art on the possible alternative fuels that can be used in aeronautics
- fuels characterization (standard, detailed chemical composition, thermodynamical characterization)
- material compatibility (polymers and metallic compounds)
- "Well to tank" and greenhouse gas emission studies (life cycle analysis).
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SWAFEA (2009-2011)

The project SWAFEA (Sustainable Way for Alternative Fuels and Energy for Aviation) is investigating the feasibility and the impact of the use of alternative fuels in aviation with the objective to identify and assess the most promising options.
The goal of SWAFEA is to build a vision and a possible roadmap for the deployment of alternative fuels in order to provide the policy makers with information and decision elements. The promising options studied in SWAFEA will be evaluated from the technical point of view, the environmental and also the economic aspect.
The SWAFEA team involves 20 European and international organizations, representing all players in alternative aviation fuels: aircraft and engine manufacturing, air transport, oil industry, research and consulting organizations, covering a large spectrum of expertise in the fields of fuel, combustion, environment as well as agriculture.
IFP Energies nouvelles takes part in different tasks such as:
- state of the art on the possible alternative fuels that can be used in aeronautics,
- fuels characterization and material compatibility (polymers and metallic compounds)
- Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and evaluation of the sustainability aspects
- organization of an international conference at the end of the project.
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TIMECOP-AE (2006-2010)

The aim of TIMECOP-AE is to develop predictive methods that will contribute to the development of the aircraft engine combustion systems of the future. They are faced with a need to meet increasingly stringent pollution abatement standards and at the same time consume less fuel.
The project gathers 23 european key industrial partners from engine manufacturers, aircraft manufacturers, research organizations and universities.
IFP Energies nouvelles's role in TIMECOP-AE involves developing an ignition model that will suit aircraft engines using an LES (Large Eddy Simulation) approach.