Renewable Engineering Thesis

[beckyzammi]

Hey guys,

Im starting my final year of my engineering degree soon, specialising in renewable energy and power, and i wish to relate my thesis to the aviation industry. Ive got a few ideas regarding fuel cells for aircrafts but i was hoping you can provide me with some more ideas as i wish to view all my options. And by ideas i mean anything to do with aircrafts burning less fuel or consuming less power...just something to help decrease the damage to the environment.

If anyone can help it would be highly appreciated.

Thanks

[Genghis the Engineer]

Greener by Design - "Dedicated to Sustainable Aviation"

Sustainable Aviation » A strategy towards sustainable development of UK aviation

G

[WILCO.XMG]

Interesting topic.

Mine is one Aerodynamics of wind turbine blades. Cant say its been too interesting to date.

[beckyzammi]

thanks a lot for the links!

[beckyzammi]

@WILCO yea, i do find topics to do with the envornment interesting but when it comes to a thesis where i got to research the same subject for approximately a year...it REALLY needs to be interesting, or i'll just lose it :P

[WILCO.XMG]

Have you started your Lit Review yet Becky?

Snoozy time.

[beckyzammi]

Not yet, just trying to gather as many ideas as possible and see what i like. Uni's closed here for now so any contact with lecturers will resume by mid sept so...for now im quite lost!

[WILCO.XMG]

Well i can safely say that it is the most underwhelming thing you will come across.

Have you many ideas for your projects?

Lighter materials, More aerodynamic shapes are going to make the greatest difference to fuel consumption.

Unless you are going to make a whole new fuel yourself

[beckyzammi]

I looked into fuel cells, but this was only tested on the single engine diamond aircraft where they saved 5% of fuel consumption..i also looked into shark sythetic material which is currently being used on ships and they're trying to transfer it to aircrafts...same thing, it reduces fuel consumption because of less drag on the aircraft's body, by 5% too. With regards to the actual shape of the aircraft....i didn't look into that yet. I just need to make sure that whatever i choose has got to do with renewable stuff, but still related to engineering. Thats where the problem comes in as, once ive done research i need to test my theory, so...cant pick something in which i need millions to create a prototpe Ohhhh...this is going to be a horrid year :P

[spannersatKL]

You'll find that shark skin has been tried on an Airbus A340 on a long term test. May be some results from that now available?

[Genghis the Engineer]

Google Scholar will give you a fighting chance of making a good inroad on your literature review without needing access to the university facilities.

Also, use the UK's national aerospace libary at Farnborough - particularly if you are an RAeS student member (free for the first year, so no excuse not to) it can be a real godsend and a lot is accessible online.

G

[Genghis the Engineer]

Originally Posted by WILCO.XMG

Interesting topic.

Mine is one Aerodynamics of wind turbine blades. Cant say its been too interesting to date.

This book,

This book,

last chapter - takes helicopter theory, turns it inside out, and shows you how to use it all to analyse wind turbines.

G

[Genghis the Engineer]

Originally Posted by beckyzammi

I looked into fuel cells, but this was only tested on the single engine diamond aircraft where they saved 5% of fuel consumption..i also looked into shark sythetic material which is currently being used on ships and they're trying to transfer it to aircrafts...same thing, it reduces fuel consumption because of less drag on the aircraft's body, by 5% too. With regards to the actual shape of the aircraft....i didn't look into that yet. I just need to make sure that whatever i choose has got to do with renewable stuff, but still related to engineering. Thats where the problem comes in as, once ive done research i need to test my theory, so...cant pick something in which i need millions to create a prototpe Ohhhh...this is going to be a horrid year :P

The 'Silent' Aircraft Initiative

Continuous Descent Approach - Google Scholar

G

[WILCO.XMG]

Genghis,

You are a wealth of information.

Have just reserved that book with Uni.

[woptb]

Transport Canada worked with Air Transat on on fuel usage reduction.They didn't use particularly 'sexy' methods to do so, but still worth a read.

Aircraft Fuel Reduction Initiatives - Transport Canada

Take a look at the 787’s electrical architecture. Bleed air and hydraulic power sources replaced by electrically powered compressors and pumps. The 787's engines use electrical ‘bleedless’ systems, eliminating 'hot' air ducting .

[Genghis the Engineer]

Originally Posted by WILCO.XMG

Genghis,

You are a wealth of information.

Have just reserved that book with Uni.

The benefits of a good education, low boredom threshold, and getting well into my third decade in the aviation world. I just keep changing direction and learning about "new stuff", amazingly people often pay me to as well.

G