In-flight measurement of aircraft non-methane hydrocarbon emission indices

Concentrations of non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) and CO were measured in exhaust plumes of the DLR experimental aircraft ATTAS equipped with Rolls Royce M 45H MK501 engines. The emission indices (EI) of individual light NMHC were determined from ratios of NMHC and CO concentration enhancements measured in grab samples and the concurrent in-flight measurements of EI of CO by FTIR emission spectroscopy. Alkenes and alkynes generated by cracking of larger NMHC molecules and aromatic compounds originating from unburnt fuel constituted a larger and a smaller fraction of the NMHC emissions, respectively.