2021/22 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
AVIA2080 Aviation Energy and Environment
10 creditsClass Size: 60
Module manager: Dr H Li
Email: h.li3@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2021/22
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
This module aims to provide students with the knowledge of energy demand, aviation fuels, powerplant and impacts of aviation on environment. The topics covered in the module include current and future aviation fuels, development of powerplant of aircraft, aircraft engine emissions including greenhouse gas (GHG) and pollutant emissions and their impacts on climate change and air pollution in the proximity of airports, airport noise monitoring and mitigation methods. The module is assessed by a final exam. A formative assessment will be conducted in the form of an on-line MCQ test in the middle of the term.Objectives
The module aims to equip students with the knowledge of the two key issues facing the aviation industry - energy supply and demand and environmental sustainability. On completion of this module, students should have developed and be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of both current and potential future aviation fuels, including alternative fuels and issues related to environmental performance, impacts and management, along with the relevant legislation.Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should:
1. Gain a thorough understanding of the specifications and properties of current aviation fuels.
2. Have developed the ability to analyse and determine the key requirement for future aviation fuels.
3. Have a good knowledge of future alternative aircraft powerplant.
4. Have developed a clear understanding of the environmental challenges facing the aviation industry.
5. Demonstrate familiarity with the relevant legislation on air pollutant emissions and other environmental issues.
6. Have acquired a basic knowledge of climate change and contribution of the aviation industry to greenhouse gas emissions.
7. Gain a solid understanding of airport noise monitoring techniques and control measures.
Skills outcomes
Students acquire the following competencies in the module. In each case, the means of acquiring the competency is shown. These competencies correspond with those specified in "The Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes", Third edition, Engineering Council, 2014. P = Practiced Actively, F = Formatively Assessed, S = Summatively Assessed. Discussions refer to in-class discussions of questions from broad to highly focused.
SKILL SM1: HOW MANIFESTED: P through in-class discussion topics on energy and environmental issues the aviation industry is facing, S by applying energy and environmental science to aircraft and airlines operations.
SKILL SM2: HOW MANIFESTED: P through in-class activities (discussions and interactive case studies) on the application of statistical methods to aviation energy and environment, which will be reflected in mathematical or calculation questions such as fuel consumption calculation in the exam (S).
SKILL SM3: HOW MANIFESTED: P aviation energy and environment involves knowledge of chemistry, physics, heat transfer, mechanical engineering and other engineering subjects. So in-class discussions will reflect the integration of these. The LO will be monitored and checked by on-line tests (F).
SKILL EA1: HOW MANIFESTED: P through in-class activities (discussions and interactive case studies) on the engineering aspects of energy and environment. S through application of engineering principles in the exam questions such as evaluation of alternative fuels.
SKILL EA3: HOW MANIFESTED: P through in-class activities e.g. emissions calculation and economic analysis. The LO will be examined by on-line quiz, test and questions (F) and in the exam (S), e.g. emissions from different aircraft engines using ICAO emission databank.
SKILL D2: HOW MANIFESTED: P, via in-class discussions. The challenge for low carbon clean energy and minimal impact on environment needs to be able define the issues and identify pros and cons for every possible measure. This can be addressed by on-line questions (F).
SKILL ELSEE 2: HOW MANIFESTED: Energy is directly linked to commercial and economic aspects of aviation. The environmental aspect has increasingly become an important factor affecting commercial, economic and social impacts. These will be reflected by P in-class discussions and on-line quiz (F) and questions in the exam (S).
SKILL ELSEE 4: HOW MANIFESTED: This is a key deliverable of the module by using sustainable fuels and minimising any adverse impacts on environment. The LO will be reflected by in-class on-line tests (F) and qualitative and quantitative questions in the exam (S).
SKILL ELSEE 5: HOW MANIFESTED: Relevant legislation and regulations are an important part of the module content (P, F, S).
SKILL ELSEE 6: HOW MANIFESTED: The health & safety issues of aviation fuels and aircraft powerplants are a key topic of the module. So are the environmental impacts of aviation. These will be reflected in-class discussions (P), the MCQ (F) and the major exam (S).
SKILL EP8: HOW MANIFESTED: examples like new fuels and powerplants will enable students to understand uncertainty. These will be learnt in class discussions (P), discussions around specific case studies (P), the MCQ (F) and the exam questions (S).
Syllabus
Topic 1: Introduction to aviation fuels and environmental challenges
Why do you need to know about aviation fuels?
What environmental challenges is the aviation industry facing?
Topic 2: Specifications and properties of aviation fuels?
Specifications of different aviation fuels
Key properties
Fuel production
Topic 3: Alternative aerofuels and powerplant
How much can be achieved with efficiency gain for existing aircraft powerplant and fuels?
Why drop-in fuels?
Fuels vs powerplant, which one is primary?
Electrification?
Topic 4: Energy usage on the ground
Fuel consumption for ground equipment and vehicles
Energy consumption for terminal buildings
Topic 5: Aircraft engine emissions
Air pollutant emissions from engines
Legislation
LTO cycle
Emission measurement techniques
Topic 6: Airport air quality
Air quality issues at large airports taking London Heathrow as an example
Airport air quality monitoring methods
Portioning of pollution sources
Topic 7: GHG emissions and climate change
Overview of latest science on climate change
Contribution of aviation to climate change
Policies that affect airlines and the aviation industry
Mitigation measures
Topic 8: Airport noise
Airport noise monitoring requirements, passenger and aircraft crew noise exposure levels
Noise monitoring techniques
Noise footprints around airports
Noise abatement techniques
Topic 9: Role of economics on environment in the context of aviation
How does economics affect the environmental aspects of aviation activities?
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 11 | 2.00 | 22.00 |
| Private study hours | 78.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 22.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 | ||
Private study
This module is taught by lectures and contains a wide range of topics. Students are expected to read a large amount of relevant materials including beyond lecture literature, which constitutes an important aspect of private study and is a key to the success of the formative and summative assessments.Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Formative feedback from the week 6 MCQ.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| In-course Assessment | Formative MCQ Assignment | 0.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 0.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2 hr | 100.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 100.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 14/12/2021
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