Study of the AFC technology development: a case study application in the aeronautical industry
The world is going through a constant evolution, where the objectives are much more ambitious than before thanks to the new technologies. However, the focus is no longer on only improving existing services without considering anything else; nowadays, the benefit provided is just as important as the...
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| Formato: | tesis de maestría |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2022 |
| País: | España |
| Recursos: | Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) |
| Repositorio: | UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC |
| Idioma: | inglés |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/374990 |
| Acesso em linha: | https://hdl.handle.net/2117/374990 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palavra-chave: | Aircraft industry Aerodynamics Airbus aircraft Gas flow Fluid dynamics Active Flow Control Aerodynamic Aeronautical Industry Feasibility Study Cost Analysis Airbus A-320 Indústria aeronàutica Aerodinàmica Airbus (Avions) Gasos -- Flux Dinàmica de fluids Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Aeronàutica i espai::Aerodinàmica |
| Resumo: | The world is going through a constant evolution, where the objectives are much more ambitious than before thanks to the new technologies. However, the focus is no longer on only improving existing services without considering anything else; nowadays, the benefit provided is just as important as the way in which it is achieved, and the main efforts currently are focused on achieving a sustainable world, in which life continues to be as we know it and climatic catastrophes are eradicated, at least those in which human activity is the main cause. That is why this thesis is focused on the implementation in the aeronautical industry of a promising technology called Active Flow Control (AFC). To that end, an exhaustive state-of-the-art is conducted in which the AFC technology is described in general, to then deep dive in its aeronautical applications. Next, the technology required so as to implement the AFC in an aircraft is described, covering the main elements needed to influence the flow around the aircraft together with the power supply architectures necessary to feed the actuators. On the other hand, and based on the information previously gathered, a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is defined, in which AFC technology is to be implemented in an Airbus A-320 aircraft. In the MVP, both the technological elements that need to be installed together with the system infrastructure are established, thus defining the architecture of the product. In order to ensure the viability and profitability of the MVP, a feasibility study is conducted, analysing the installation of the product from an airline perspective considering three different casuistic: an aircraft that flies only at national level in Spain, an aircraft that flies at international level in Europe and a complete fleet of Airbus A-320 that flies at international level in Europe. The preliminary economic analysis covers the three cases mentioned, and the complete economic figures are presented for the third case, the one with more practical interest. On the other hand, the regulatory emissions framework currently in place in Europe is described, assessing whether the installation of the MVP in a European airline could influence the overall company strategy towards the 2050 zero net goal achievement. Due to the current situation, in which the global awareness of contaminant gases emissions has increased considerably, all the projects aiming to reduce this type of emissions have a great impact in the industry, and the AFC technology investigations are a good opportunity to improve aeronautical industry contaminant footprint in the world. |
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