Rolls-Royce is investing in a programme of new technology to recycle rather than scrap used plane parts.
The aerospace giant is working with the Government-backed Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) to improve servicing technologies.
The deal will see its engineers work on 20 technologies that will hopefully cut disruption for airlines and lessen the environmental impact of parts failures, by repairing components rather than scrapping them.
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The nuclear and off-shore renewables industries will also benefit – for instance, with miniature chemical analysis tools used in nuclear power generation where human access is restricted.
Work has already started on the project – known as REINSTATE – in Derby, and will continue for more than three years.
Rolls Royce is working in conjunction with universities and SMEs including Roke Manor Research, BJR Systems, Clifton Photonics, the Manufacturing Technology Centre, the University of Nottingham, the University of Sheffield, and the University of the West of England.
The new tech could include:
– Snake robots which travel inside jet engines to access complex parts, enabling repairs which are not possible with today’s tools;
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– Engine sensors which send data down from the sky and allow engineers to better predict when engines need maintenance;
– Inspection and analysis tools to inspect parts buried deep within engines while they are being repaired;
– Advanced automated repair tech for parts which cannot currently be repaired, meaning they do not need to be scrapped.
– Miniature maintenance and inspection tools for use on existing Rolls Royce engines such as the Trent XWB
– High-tech cameras and algorithms that could will help to identify damage on components inside engines and in sectors as diverse as off-shore wind turbines.
As well as looking at improved maintenance of existing machinery, engineers will also explore how to repair and maintain materials and components for future low-carbon engines, including electric technology and fan technology, which reduces the weight of a jet engine and will be used in its next-generation engine design, the UltraFan.
Rolls Royce said the new technologies have the potential to avoid substantial amounts of CO2 every year by increasing the time engines can fly; avoiding unnecessary maintenance; reducing scrappage: and cutting people and parts movements by using more digital inspection techniques and key-hole surgery
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Dr Ian Mitchell, chief of technology – repair and services, Rolls-Royce, said: “Our latest engines are quieter and cleaner than ever before, substantially reducing CO2 emissions.
“This programme will take that one step further by improving how we service our engines, creating technologies which will reduce waste, avoid emissions and minimise disruption, while laying the foundations to service the gas turbine and hybrid-electric engines of the future.”
Backing the plans, business and industry minister Nadhim Zahawi said: “Our aerospace industry is leading the way in developing new technology to make air travel greener, backed by Government investment to spearhead new innovations.
“I am excited to see one of these projects go live today, which will see Rolls-Royce developing technologies to potentially slash thousands of tonnes of CO2 per year – a fantastic example of the how the industry can help us make strides towards our wider net zero ambitions.”
Mark Scully, head of technology for advanced systems and propulsion at the ATI, said: “Through-life services are a critical aspect of ensuring propulsion systems continue to perform efficiently and with minimum impact on the environment.
“The ATI welcomes this project to the ATI Programme portfolio and are pleased to see a wealth of expertise from the supply chain and academia supporting this important development.”
Ian Campbell, executive chair of Innovate 海角视频, which is the funding agency for the ATI Programme, said: “This project represents the coalescing of aerospace innovation excellence in the 海角视频 supply chain and academia, and is the culmination of research and development to deliver technologies that place the 海角视频 at the forefront of in-service engine performance.”