Missions

For several years now, the helicopter engines we invent and manufacture have been subject to development criteria including the reduction of fuel consumption – thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and noise levels – and the selection of more eco-friendly materials and manufacturing and maintenance processes. Engines currently developed give off far fewer atmospheric emissions than the standards require. Research and development spends 20% of its budget on programs to reduce atmospheric emissions and noise pollution and to reduce the use of harmful materials and processes. Environmental protection is of the utmost importance to our company. At Turbomeca, we value highly all our commitments, from compliance with regulations to ethical issues and the continuous improvement of our products and services.

Material, product and process choice

We choose non-polluting materials, products and processes for manufacturing, maintenance and repair, we research and select substitute solutions, we carry out risk analyses from the design of a product, a process or an installation and carry out an evaluation of these risks so as to make improvements where necessary.

Reducing atmospheric emissions

Turbomeca is involved in various European initiatives that aim, on one hand, to develop technological demonstrators of low pollution emission combustion chambers and, on the other hand, to acquire simulation equipment that is approved and appropriate for this type of research.

Turbomeca has always been fully committed to these projects. Take for example, our participation in the Low NOx III European research program that aimed to reduce Nitrogen Oxide emissions and exhaust fumes at the end of the 90s, and our current involvement in the INTELLECT D.M. program launched at the beginning of 2004 which aims to optimize this type of combustion chamber throughout the aeronautical engine operating envelope.

This research, and the significant investment involved, was carried out to find ways of reducing atmospheric emissions and to develop alternative processes.

Reducing noise pollution

Turbomeca’s 3 principle areas of research in this field are :

• Development To create a quieter engine, it is important to first master aeroacoustic phenomena. To do this, research is being carried out within the framework of both national (EGC) and European programs (TurboNoiseCFD).

• Interface Helicopter manufacturers are consulted as early as possible and we work with them to develop engines. Our combined efforts can help reduce noise pollution to a minimum. That is why a far-reaching investigation into acoustic propagation in air intake and exhaust ducts has been undertaken (European AROMA project)

• Acoustic treatments We need to use materials which reduce engine noise. These materials should, of course, be suitable for use on an engine, lightweight, capable of withstanding high temperatures (for the exhaust) and inexpensive … a difficult equation to balance! In this field, Turbomeca is involved in the SILENCER project, one of the Safran group’s most prestigious research projects.

Alternative Fuels

The issue of biofuels focuses on one key advantage: the partial offset of CO2 emissions from combustion via the stabilization of CO2 achieved during the growth cycle of the source crop. Turbomeca is a leading actor in the European program DREAM, which aims to demonstrate the viability and endurance of gas turbine engines running on alternative fuels of second generation (not from food crop) from 2010. Turbomeca is also keeping close tabs on the CALIN program coordinated by Snecma. In addition, studies are currently being conducted into the feasibility of using bio-gas (gas produced by sewage works) as a fuel to power turbo alternators (European AFTUR program).