Energy analysis of autoclave CFRP manufacturing using thermodynamics based models

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....

Environmental impacts in the civil aviation sector: Current state and guidance

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...

Comparative life cycle assessment of thermoplastic and thermosetting CFRP in aerospace applications

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...