Low NOx Catalytic Combustor for Military Aircraft Engines

Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI) proposes to continue development of a novel gas turbine engine catalytic fuel injector design for reducing NOx emissions from Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) engines without compromising performance and operability. The systemoffers the potential to lower NOx emissions at maximum power and cruise conditions to less than emission index (EI) of 20 or and less than EI of 8 respectively from JSF engines, with spin-off potential to commercial engines. Having achieved proof ofconcept at atmospheric pressure with a small-scale prototype during Phase I, the proposed SBIR Phase II program will implement this innovative concept at full scale and full pressure by developing and fabricating a single catalytic injector module forengine condition test. The proposed technology targets gas turbine engine catalytic fuel nozzle design for reducing NOx from Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) engines. The system offers breakthrough technology for achieving lowered NOx emissions for aircraftengines with high levels of reliability. The Phase I project has demonstrated a potential for reducing NOx by 50% and 90% from the present level for the JSF engines at maximum power and cruise conditions respectively with a low lean blow out limit.The primary markets for the specific catalytic injector technology proposed will be for military and commercial aircraft engines driven by pollution regulations and policies to have continued high performance with low emissions. The commercial potential isfavorable for the application of this technology and the market size is substantial. Outfitting the Joint Strike Fighter fleet with the catalytic injector technology is worth in excess of $1 billion. A potential spin-off of this technology forapplication in both heavy commercial jet and regional jet engine businesses, has substantial market sizes of $2.4 billion and $2.2 billion respectively. PCI seeks to commercially supply the core catalytic injector technology while working with aircraftturbine manufacturers for engine integration requirements.