Abatement of an aircraft exhaust plume using aerodynamic baffles

Environ Sci Technol. 2013 Mar 5;47(5):2346-52. doi: 10.1021/es303586x. Epub 2013 Feb 15.

Abstract

The exhaust jet from a departing commercial aircraft will eventually rise buoyantly away from the ground; given the high thrust/power (i.e., momentum/buoyancy) ratio of modern aero-engines, however, this is a slow process, perhaps requiring ∼ 1 min or more. Supported by theoretical and wind tunnel modeling, we have experimented with an array of aerodynamic baffles on the surface behind a set of turbofan engines of 124 kN thrust. Lidar and point sampler measurements show that, as long as the intervention takes place within the zone where the Coanda effect holds the jet to the surface (i.e., within about 70 m in this case), then quite modest surface-mounted baffles can rapidly lift the jet away from the ground. This is of potential benefit in abating both surface concentrations and jet blast downstream. There is also some modest acoustic benefit. By distributing the aerodynamic lift and drag across an array of baffles, each need only be a fraction of the height of a single blast fence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air Movements*
  • Air Pollutants*
  • Aircraft*
  • Airports / instrumentation*
  • Vehicle Emissions*

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Vehicle Emissions