Hydrocarbon emissions from a modern commercial airliner

We report selected carbon species emission indices (EIs) for a Rolls Royce RB211-535-E4 turbofan engine that were acquired during the NASA EXperiment to Characterize Aircraft Volatile Aerosol and Trace-species Emissions (EXCAVATE). Conducted during winter 2002, the mission focused upon characterizing the exhaust constituents of the NASA Boeing 757 aircraft during ground-based operation. Carbon species concentrations were determined by chromatographic analyses of whole air samples collected 10 m behind the engine exit plane as engine power was varied from ground idle to about 60% of maximum rated thrust. Ambient air samples were also collected and analyzed to facilitate correction of calculated EIs for background concentrations. Results are consistent with previous observations and indicate that, on a relative basis, turbine engines emit considerable amounts of light hydrocarbon species at idle, but significantly lesser amounts at higher engine powers.