IET AWARDS – PRESENT AROUND THE WORLD 1

The effects of volcanic ash on aviation and new methods of mitigating these effects

Kruti Joshi, Aerospace Systems Engineering, Coventry University

05/02/2023

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Overview

The Problem – Engineer’s perspective. The Problem – Economic perspective. What has been done? The AVOID system.

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The Problem – Engineering Perspective Engine malfunctioning:

Ash is ingested into the jet engine of the aircraft where it melts and coats onto the turbine blades. This in turn causes the turbine blades to stop running. Long term engine damage:The impact of volcanic ash can cause surface roughness inside the turbines which, whilst not affecting the continued normal operation, does reduce the specific fuel consumption significantly. The life of the affected engine is considerably reduced. External surface corrosion: Ash can cause significant damage to the exposed surfaces and the outermost ply of the aircraft windscreen.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8632572.stm

RADAR does not sense volcanic ash.

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Parts / Occupants

Cause Effect Response

Turbine engines fuel injection and combustor deposits of melted ash (glassy coatings)

surge, shut-down, difficult restart in flight

idle thrust, evasive maneuver

Turbine engines clogging the turbine cooling vents

overheating idle thrust, evasive maneuver

Pitot-static clogging the sensors unreliable air speed indications

attitude-based flying, indicated air speed deducted from ground speed and wind velocity

Turbine engines abrasion with hard particles

wear of fan, compressor, turbine, transmission

idle thrust, evasive maneuver

Pneumatic controls

clogging the vents failure evasive maneuver

Windshield, body, wings, empennage

cracks, abrasion with hard particles

wear, opaqueness evasive maneuver

Avionics, on-board instruments

clogging air-cooling vents, electrostatic discharges

overheating, malfunction

evasive maneuver

Human occupants

breathing contaminated air, eye cornea contact with ash/dust particles

respiratory problems, eye damage

nose breathing, replace contact lenses with eyeglasses

Turbine engines, body and instruments metallic parts

acidity, exposure to associated SO2 and sulfurous acid

corrosion (in time) maintenance check and replacement

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The Problem – Economic Perspective

Economic consequences of Volcanic ash clouds in the skies

Tens of millions of pounds lost by the airliners.

Economic costs multiply over days to such an extent that the economy can be pushing back into recession.

Affects holiday companies, businesses that depend on airlines to move freight around as well as the commuters.

In the Icelandic eruption in mid 2010: International Air Transport

Association(IATA) estimated that airlines lost £130m per day in

revenues. Travel companies like

Thomson lost between £5m and £6m a day.

International trade affected.

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What has been done? 1982 ICAO developed a set of interim guideline

to assist in circulation of information on volcanic ash to pilots and developed contingency arrangements.

1987 ICAO commenced the process to designate 9 regional volcanic ash advisory centres (VAACs).

ICAO – International civil aviation organization.MWO – Meteorological watch office.

VAAC MWO volcanic ash SIGMET

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The AVOID systemThe airborne volcanic object imaging detector (AVOID) system provides real-time imagery of hazards ahead of a jet aircraft.

Information is supplied to the cockpit from two fast-sampling, image IR cameras that are tuned to detect hazardous volcanic ash particles in the airspace up to 100km ahead of the aircraft during the day or night.

This will give 7 to 10 minutes warning about a potential dangerous encounter with an ash cloud to the pilot.

AVOID software is used to convert the image signal into ash concentrations, providing an indication of levels from less than 1 mg m-3 to over 50 mg m-3. When coupled with GPS and airspeed data, “ash dosages” can be quickly determined and displayed in real-time. The information can also be relayed back to air-traffic control centres or to other aircraft not equipped with the AVOID system. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3DmxQujg74

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Room for improvement

Engine design. Relocating pitot-static tube to a location which is less affected. Research into volcanic ash composition. Develop numerical models that track volcanic ash path.

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Referenceshttp://uk.reuters.com/article/us-iceland-volcano-factbox-idUSTRE63E3FL20100415

http://www.boeing.com/commercial/aeromagazine/aero_09/volcanic_story.html

http://www.airbus.com/fileadmin/media_gallery/files/safety_library_items/AirbusSafetyLib_-FLT_OPS-OPS_ENV-SEQ06.pdf

http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-04/why-cant-planes-fly-through-volcanic-ash-because-nasa-tried-once

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2010/apr/15/volcanic-ash-bad-for-planes

http://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Volcanic_Ash

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