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A change in the calculated impact of supersonic aircraft NOx emissions on the atmosphere

Part of: Sustainable Aerospace

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 February 2016

O. Dessens ,
H. L. Rogers  and
J. A. Pyle
O. Dessens
Affiliation:
Centre for Atmospheric Science, University of Cambridge Cambridge, UK
H. L. Rogers
Affiliation:
Centre for Atmospheric Science, University of Cambridge Cambridge, UK
J. A. Pyle
Affiliation:
Centre for Atmospheric Science, University of Cambridge Cambridge, UK
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Abstract

New model calculations suggest that the potential impact on the atmosphere of a future fleet of supersonic aircraft, for the year 2015, is highly dependent upon the amount of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emitted from the fleet. This result contrasts with the IPCC assessment which suggested that the impact of supersonic aircraft on the atmosphere was primarily through the role of water vapour emissions both on atmospheric ozone and climate change. These new findings are extremely important for atmospheric scientists, the aviation industry and policy makers, highlighting the importance of further development of low NOx combustors for supersonic aircraft, an aspect which has been largely ignored following the IPCC Special Report.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 111 , Issue 1119 , May 2007 , pp. 311 - 314
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2007 

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