Environmental impact assessment of aviation emission reduction through the implementation of composite materials

Timmis, Andrew; Hodzic, A.; Koh, Lenny; Bonner, Michael S.; Soutis, Constantinos; Schäfer, Andreas; Dray, Lynnette

doi:10.1007/s11367-014-0824-0

Cited by 189 publications

(120 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Environmental benefits are due to the reduced fuel consumption that allows a reduction of atmospheric emissions over the lifetime. This is especially relevant since in air transport emissions can be more environmentally damaging compared to those at ground level due to increased interaction with gases at high altitudes [7]. All composite materials currently used in aviation have one thing in common: they are synthetic.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental analysis of innovative sustainable composites with potential use in aviation sector—A life cycle assessment review

Bachmann

Hidalgo

Bricout

2017

Sci. China Technol. Sci.

161

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The forecast of growing air transport in the upcoming decades faces the challenge of an increasing environmental impact. Aviation industry is working on promising technologies to mitigate this environmental impact. Lightweight design is a strong lever to lower the fuel consumption and, consequently, with it the emissions of aviation. High performance composites are a key technology to help achieve these aims thanks to their favourable combination of mechanical properties and low weight in primary structures. However, mainly synthetic materials such as petrol based carbon fibres and epoxy resins are used nowadays to produce composite in aviation. Renewable materials like bio-based fibres and resin systems offer potential environmental advantages. However, they have not found their way into aviation, yet. The reasons are reduced mechanical properties and, especially for the use of natural fibres, their flammability. Improvements of these shortcomings are under investigation. Therefore the application of bio-based and recycled materials in certain areas of the aircraft could be possible in the future. Good examples for applications are furnishings and secondary structures. The motivation for this paper is to give an overview of potential environmental properties by using such eco-materials in aviation. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a tool to calculate environmental impacts during all life stages of a product. The main focus is laid on the bio-fibres flax and ramie, recycled carbon fibres and bio-based thermoset resin systems. Furthermore an overview of environmental aspects of existing composite materials used in aviation is given. Generally, a lack of LCA results for the substitution of synthetic materials by bio-based/recycled composite materials in aviation applications has been identified. Therefore, available information from other transport areas, such as automotive, has been summarized. More detailed LCA data for eco-composite materials and technologies to improve their properties is important to understand potential environmental effects in aviation. aviation, composite, natural fibre, recycled carbon fibre, bio-resin, cabin interior, secondary structure, life cycle assessment (LCA) Citation:Bachmann J, Hidalgo C, Bricout S. Environmental analysis of innovative sustainable composites with potential use in aviation sector-A life cycle assessment review.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental analysis of innovative sustainable composites with potential use in aviation sector—A life cycle assessment review

Bachmann

Hidalgo

Bricout

2017

Sci. China Technol. Sci.

161

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“…Prior studies specific to CFRP waste recycling include an evaluation of the energy consumption associated with mechanical recycling (Howarth et al, 2014). Witik et al (2013) conducted a life cycle study of a pyrolysis-based CFRP recycling process to assess environmental impacts; while this study lacked accurate data as to the energy requirements of the CFRP recycling process, it expanded on existing LCA studies investigating the production and use phases of CFRP products (Das, 2011;Timmis et al, 2015;Witik et al, 2011) to include CFRP end-of-life. However, to our knowledge no previous study has combined LCA and LCC methods to assess both the financial and environmental impacts of CFRP waste treatment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental and financial performance of mechanical recycling of carbon fibre reinforced polymers and comparison with conventional disposal routes

Bai

McKechnie

2016

Journal of Cleaner Production

179

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A note on versions:The version presented here may differ from the published version or from the version of record. If you wish to cite this item you are advised to consult the publisher's version. Please see the repository url above for details on accessing the published version and note that access may require a subscription. ABSTRACTRecovering value from carbon fibre reinforced polymers waste can help to address the high cost and environmental burden of producing carbon fibres, but there is limited understanding of the cost and environmental implications of potential recycling technologies. The objective of this study is to assess the environmental and financial viability of mechanical recycling of carbon fibre composite waste. Life cycle costing and environmental assessment models are developed to quantify the financial and environmental impacts of alternative composite waste treatment routes, comparing landfilling, incineration with energy recovery, and mechanical recycling in a UK context. Current Landfill Tax results in incineration becoming the lowest cost composite waste treatment option; however, incineration is associated with high greenhouse gas emissions as carbon released from composite waste during combustion exceeds CO2 emissions savings from displacing UK electricity and/or heat generation, resulting in a net greenhouse gas emissions source. Mechanical recycling and fibre reuse to displace virgin glass fibre can provide the greatest greenhouse gas emissions reductions of the treatment routes considered (378 kg CO2eq./t composite waste), provided residual recyclates are landfilled rather than incinerated. However, this pathway is found to be unfeasible due to its high cost, which exceeds £2,500/t composite waste ($3,750/t composite waste). The financial performance of mechanical recycling is impaired by the high costs of dismantling and recycling processes; low carbon fibre recovery rate; and low value of likely markets. To be viable, carbon fibre recycling processes must achieve near-100% fibre recover rates and minimise the degradation of fibre mechanical properties to enable higher-value applications (e.g., virgin carbon fibre displacement). Ongoing development of carbon fibre recovery technologies and composite manufacturing techniques using recycled carbon fibres leading to improved material properties is therefore critical to ensuring financial viability and environmental benefit of carbon fibre reinforced polymer recycling.

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“…Structural efficiencies were assessed in term of ratio of operating empty weight (OEW) to maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) [4,73]. The use of advanced composite material has reduced the structural weight of aircrafts [76]. Therefore, our construct include the TSFC, L/D ratio, OEW, and MTOW for the measurement of ATD dimension.…”

Section: Aircraft Technology and Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analyzing the moderating effects of respondent type and experience on the fuel efficiency improvement in air transport using structural equation modeling

Singh¹,

Sharma

2016

Eur. Transp. Res. Rev.

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Introduction The limited nature of oil, and hence aviation fuel is increasingly becoming a restraining factor for the air transport industry. Also, fuel efficiency is crucial for commercial air transport as fuel is one of the most costly operating parameters for an airline. Methodology This study employs structural equation modelling (SEM) approach to identify key dimensions influencing fuel efficiency in air transport (FEAT) and to explore the correlational relationships among constructs from the perspectives of fuel efficiency improvement. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from 375 aviation experts. Correlation, multi-group moderation analysis, and interaction using structural equation model were used to analyses these data.Results The results and applications of SEM evolve a variety of findings; aircraft technology & design, aviation operations infrastructure, socioeconomic & political measures, and alternative fuels & fuel properties, and aviation infrastructure are proved to be the five key influential dimensions affecting the fuel efficiency and have a positive effect on the FEAT. In addition, the moderating effect of industry type and experience were established. The results also showed that no significant interaction effect between dimensions of FEAT. ConclusionsThe findings of this research can provide air transport valuable information for designing appropriate strategy for fuel efficiency improvement.

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Environmental impact assessment of aviation emission reduction through the implementation of composite materials

Cited by 189 publications

References 10 publications

Environmental analysis of innovative sustainable composites with potential use in aviation sector—A life cycle assessment review

Environmental analysis of innovative sustainable composites with potential use in aviation sector—A life cycle assessment review

Environmental and financial performance of mechanical recycling of carbon fibre reinforced polymers and comparison with conventional disposal routes

Analyzing the moderating effects of respondent type and experience on the fuel efficiency improvement in air transport using structural equation modeling

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