A comparison of the environmental impact of turboprop and turbofan-powered aircraft

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine turboprop- and turbofan-powered aircraft, with the same seating capacity flying on the same route and trajectory, and investigate their environmental effects.

Design/methodology/approach

The integrated aircraft noise and emissions modeling platform developed by EUROCONTROL is used for the calculation of fuel burn, CO₂, H₂O and other gas emissions (NO_x, SO_x, CO, HC, soot and other trace compounds) for the per phase of flight.

Findings

The striking findings are that turboprop-powered aircraft offer lower required thrust, fuel consumption and total emissions for a short-haul flight, but turbofan-powered aircraft have lower particulate matter, CO and HC emissions than turboprop-powered aircraft. This study suggests that turboprop-powered aircraft are superior to turbofan-powered aircraft in terms of environmental impact for a short-haul flight.

Practical implications

The current research conducts comprehensively fuel consumption and amounts of emissions aspects of turboprop- and turbofan-powered aircraft for sustainable development of airlines by a versatile simulation approach and sheds light on airlines intending to create fleets.

Originality/value

The research offers a systematic aircraft selection for investigators, scientists, airline operators, policy analysts and legislators, by a comprehensive computer simulation method that acknowledges consistently the fuel consumption and detailed emissions analysis of turboprop- and turbofan-powered aircraft.

Citation

Kilic, U. (2023), "A comparison of the environmental impact of turboprop and turbofan-powered aircraft", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 95 No. 7, pp. 1092-1098. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-10-2022-0296