Prospect of Aero Engine Technology Based on "Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality"

With the proposal of the "Carbon peaking and carbon neutrality" goal, in order to actively respond to climate change issues, more than 140 countries and regions around the world have actively responded. In Oct. 2022, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) determined at the 41st General Assembly of the aviation industry its long-term climate goal: to achieve net-zero carbon emissions from international aviation operations by 2050. Aviation kerosene combustion accounts for 79% of the aviation industry's carbon emissions, so the innovative development of carbon reduction technologies in aviation power is the key point. Nine departments including the Ministry of Science and Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently issued the "Technology-Supported Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutral Implementation Plan (2022-2030)" (hereinafter referred to as the "Implementation Plan"). The Implementation Plan carries out scientific and technological innovation actions and guarantee measures supporting the carbon peaking goal before 2030, and make technology research and development reserves to achieve the carbon neutrality goal before 2060. By 2025, major breakthroughs will be made in key low-carbon core technologies in key industries and fields, supporting an 18% decrease in carbon dioxide emissions per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) compared with 2020, and a 13.5% decrease in energy consumption per unit of GDP compared with 2020. By 2030, further research will lead to breakthroughs in a number of carbon-neutral cutting-edge and disruptive technologies, forming a number of low-carbon technology solutions and comprehensive demonstration projects with significant influence, establishing a more complete green and low-carbon technology innovation system, and effectively supporting the ratio of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP. The emission level will drop by more than 65% of 2005, and energy consumption per unit of GDP will continue to decline significantly. Based on this, traditional aero-engine technology is facing huge impacts and challenges, and the structural form of aero-engines will undergo a qualitative leap. This article focuses on the development trends of aviation gas turbine engines driven by the " Carbon peaking and carbon neutrality" goal: modularization of the entire engine, miniaturization of the core engine, large-scale fans, structural integration, and lightweight design.