The cooperation between the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and Rolls-Royce Deutschland has achieved a new breakthrough in reducing pollutant emissions from aircraft engines . After three decades of collaborative work, the organizations have achieved substantial improvements in the combustion technology of the Pearl engine family, with a particular focus on reducing soot emissions during operation.
Optimized combustion reduces soot emissions
Thanks to funding from the LuFo program, promoted by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), the DLR has implemented advanced tests to better understand the soot formation process . Using laser techniques and endoscopic tools, researchers analyzed both fuel injection and gas and particle emissions .
Rolls-Royce validated its computational models under realistic conditions using the PRECISE-UNS code, while DLR developed and fine-tuned its own simulation system, ThetaCOM . These tools make it possible to predict how small variations in combustion affect particulate generation, a critical step in designing cleaner engines .
Sustainable fuels and next-generation atomization
The work doesn’t stop there. The institutions are already collaborating on new projects focused on evaluating soot behavior when using sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). This approach will allow fuel injectors to be tuned to improve atomization and, thus, reduce the formation of black carbon.
Our collaborative approach allows us to drive innovation from the early stages of development, reducing risks and improving the environmental performance of our products.
Florian Herbst, director of the DLR Institute for Propulsion Technology, stated:
Technical synergy for cleaner aviation
The significance of this collaboration lies in its ability to translate scientific research into solutions applied to the aeronautical industry. Combustion chamber optimization, combined with precise validation data, paves the way for the development of efficient and less polluting turbines.
The coordinated actions between DLR and Rolls-Royce consolidate a clear strategy: to drive a transition toward propulsion systems compatible with the climate objectives of future civil aviation.
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Source and photo: DLR
