The aviation sector contributes to environmental problems like climate change, resource depletion, and air pollution. We perform a systematic literature review of life cycle assessment studies to map the environmental impacts in the sector and provide methodological recommendations. The sector is divided into cross-cutting systems, namely aircraft, fuel and propulsion systems, and airports. Our review results confirm the sector's focus on climate change impacts. The mitigation strategies rely mostly on reducing CO₂ emissions during aircraft operations, like implementing sustainable aviation fuels and prospective technologies or decreasing aircraft weight with lightweight components. We use review analyses to identify and discuss knowledge gaps, such as the assessment of noise impacts or non-CO₂ flight emissions. Finally, aviation-specific recommendations are provided to LCA practitioners and aviation stakeholders with respect to data transparency and harmonization of results. Research needs, such as the development of characterization factors, are recommended to developers of life cycle impact assessment methods.

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Autoclave curing is one of the most energy consuming processes in manufacturing carbon fibre reinforced polymers. In order to improve the energy efficiency, one needs to understand energy usage in an autoclave and factors that influence it. This work presents two thermodynamic based models for estimating energy consumption in an autoclave. The first model is an analytical approach based on simplified heat capacity equation. The second model combines the Multi-Relaxation-Time Lattice Boltzmann method (MRT LBM) with Fourier heat equation to simulate autoclave temperature flow and energy consumption. The output from the two models were compared to energy consumption data collected using a power meter. The estimated values from the MRT LBM method showed a better match with only 1% difference from the experimental value. Since the two models are parametric and scalable, a what-if analysis was carried out to investigate the influence of varying process parameters on autoclave energy consumption. Parameters including cure cycle, autoclave size and loading capacity.

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This work quantifies and compares the environmental impact of a thermoset CFRP aircraft skin panel to that of a thermoplastic CFRP panel. This comparison is done using a cradle to gate life cycle assessment including impacts from raw material extraction, manufacturing and end of life. In addition, a hotspot analysis was performed to identify processes with the highest contribution to environmental impacts of the panels. The results show that the thermoplastic panel performed better in three endpoint damage categories including damage to human health, ecosystem and resources. The results also identify carbon fibre production, electricity usage for curing/consolidation and prepreging as the major contributors to the life cycle impacts of both panels. This provides decision makers with insights on where to focus on for future improvement actions aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of CFRP structures. @en