1) The document describes the design of an aircraft using Cradle to Cradle principles, with the goal of making it at least 90% recyclable.
2) Key aspects of the design include using ethanol as a biofuel, an aluminum structure and thermoplastic composites for secondary structures, and a disassembly process that allows for almost full recycling.
3) Analysis shows the Cradle to Cradle design meets performance requirements while having a lower operating cost than comparable aircraft, demonstrating the viability of applying these principles in aircraft design.
5. 5
Project Requirements
• General Requirements
• 2 passengers
• Take-off length of 500 m
• Range of 1 000 km
• Cruise speed of 200 km/h @ 3 050 m
• Noise level < 62 dB
• Life span of 30 years / 20 000 flight hours / 12 000 flights
• 500 units
• Ready in 2025
• $ 150 000
6. 6
Project Requirements
• Cradle to Cradle® Requirements
• At least 90% recyclable
• Reintegration through technical cycle or biological cycle
• End-of-life disposal plan
• < 50 kg/h CO2 emissions
• Current solar income shall be used
• Additional Requirements
• In-flight emergency solution
7. 7
Content
• Power & Propulsion
• Materials & Structures
• Life Cycle Context
• Lease Structure
• Conclusion
8. 8
Power & Propulsion
Power &
Propulsion
Materials &
Structures
Life Cycle
Context
Lease
Structure Conclusion
9. 9
Fuel Selection
• Biofuel vs. Hydrogen
• Lower initial system cost
• Lighter system
• Better availability
• Ethanol
• Low price
• High availability
• Proven concept
• Second generation biofuels
• Switchgrass
• Waste
Power &
Propulsion
Materials &
Structures
Life Cycle
Context
Lease
Structure Conclusion
10. 10
Fuel GWP
Power &
Propulsion
Materials &
Structures
Life Cycle
Context
Lease
Structure Conclusion
L. Luo, “Biomass Refining for Sustainable Development: Analysis and
Directions”, Master's thesis, University of Leiden, The Netherlands, 2010.
11. 11
Fuel Land Use
• Different sources for ethanol are considered
• Land use:
Source Land/aircraft/year
Stover (corn) 71 578 m2
Sugarcane 19 813 m2
Switchgrass 26 403 m2
Waste 0 m2
Power &
Propulsion
Materials &
Structures
Life Cycle
Context
Lease
Structure Conclusion
L. Luo, “Biomass Refining for Sustainable Development: Analysis and
Directions”, Master's thesis, University of Leiden, The Netherlands, 2010.
12. 12
Example
• Kempen airport, located in Budel
• 300 m3 of fuel per year
• Waste of 1 266 people needed
• Budel has 9 000 inhabitants
Power &
Propulsion
Materials &
Structures
Life Cycle
Context
Lease
Structure Conclusion
13. 13
Engine Selection
• Rotax 912 ULS
• Can run on ethanol (with conversion kit)
• 103 hp
• Noise
• 3 bladed propeller to lower the noise
• 60.4 dB at 610 m
Power &
Propulsion
Materials &
Structures
Life Cycle
Context
Lease
Structure Conclusion
14. 14
Aircraft Configuration
• Conventional design
• High wing
• Aluminium primary structure
• Allows for full C2C implementation
• Inspiration for aircraft manufacturers
• Cessna Skycatcher
Power &
Propulsion
Materials &
Structures
Life Cycle
Context
Lease
Structure Conclusion
15. 15
Emergency Solution
• Required by certification:
• Fire extinguishers
• Emergency locator transmitter
• Personal locator beacon
• Parachute recovery system
Power &
Propulsion
Materials &
Structures
Life Cycle
Context
Lease
Structure Conclusion
21. 21
Secondary Structures
Fuel tanks
Thermoplastic composites
Interior
Customer based C2C-materials
Doors & window
Polycarbonate
Transparent
Control surfaces & wing tip
Thermoplastic composites
Maintenance: 3D-printing
Power &
Propulsion
Materials &
Structures
Life Cycle
Context
Lease
Structure Conclusion
22. 22
Secondary Structures
Production: compression
moulding
Used for mass production
Cannot be done locally
Special & expensive tools
Maintenance: 3D-printing
Novel technique
Can be done locally
Time consuming nowadays
Power &
Propulsion
Materials &
Structures
Life Cycle
Context
Lease
Structure Conclusion
23. 23
• Friction Stir Welding
• No additional material required
• Attachments to fuselage
• Rivets
• Same Al-6022 alloy as primary structure
• Skin to primary structure
• Bolts
• Easy detachment
• Wing tips & Control surfaces
Joining Methods
Power &
Propulsion
Materials &
Structures
Life Cycle
Context
Lease
Structure Conclusion
24. 24
• Basic six
• Mobile devices as avionics systems
• Up-to-date software
• Change layout to user preferences
• No heavy on-board computers
• Anti-theft
• Wiring
• Aluminium
• Insulation based on Noryl
(modified polyethylene)
Avionics
Power &
Propulsion
Materials &
Structures
Life Cycle
Context
Lease
Structure Conclusion
25. 25
Life Cycle Context
Power &
Propulsion
Materials &
Structures
Life Cycle
Context
Lease
Structure Conclusion
51. 51
Noise Analysis
• 60.4 dB at 610 m
• 610 m needs to be achieved after 6500m
• Can be achieved with the climb rate
• 3 bladed propeller to lower the noise
52. 52
Coatings
• Electro-chemical reaction of the aluminium structure with the
environment (atmospheric corrosion)
⇒ Corrosion protection required
• Two possibilities: anodising and reactive coating
• Anodising: reduces the material’s fatigue resistance
⇒ Reactive coating will be used
53. 53
Reactive Anti-Corrosion Coating
• Insulates the aluminium to suppress electro-chemical reactions
• Today’s used inhibitors: Chromates
• Green alternative: Si/Zr/Ce
• Can be implemented within the aircraft’s paint
C.-C. Changa, C.-C. Wang, C.-W. Wuc, S.-C. Liuc, and F.-D. Maid, “Using ToF-SIMS and EIS to Evaluate Green Pretreatment Reagent: Corrosion
Protection of Aluminum Alloy by Silica/Zirconium/Cerium Hybrid Coating”, Applied Surface Science, vol. 255, pp. 1531-1533, 2008.
54. 54
Primary Structures
3 design options
- Monocoque: Low weight, good aerodynamic shape
Difficult replacability of components
- Truss structure: Easy manufacturing, maintenance and recycling
Heavy, aerodynamically inefficient structure
- Semi-monocoque: Low weight, better aerodynamic shape
More complex and less robust
Mostly used in today’s aircraft
55. 55
Wiring
• Comparison of copper and aluminium
• Lighter, cheaper alumiunium core wires
• Insulation based on Noryl (modified polyethylene)
• Fully recyclable
• No halogens nor pigments (meets WEEE* requirements)
*Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
59. 59
Verification & Validation
Design Requirements
ü 2 passengers
? $ 150 000
ü 500 units
ü Ready in 2025
? Life span of 30 years / 20 000 flight hours / 12 000 flights
Mission Requirements
ü Range of 1 000 km
ü Cruise speed of 200 km/h @ 3 050 m
ü Take-off length of 500 m
60. 60
Verification & Validation
Cradle to Cradle® Requirements
ü At least 90% recyclable
ü Reintegration through technical cycle or biological cycle
ü End-of-life disposal plan
ü < 50 kg/h CO2 emissions
ü Current solar energy shall be used
Additional Requirements
ü Noise level < 62 dB
ü In-flight emergency solution