Out of the Lab: A look at Boeing Eco Demonstrator

Boeing's ecoDemonstrator initiative has accelerated innovation by bringing cutting-edge technologies out of the lab and putting them to the test in a real-world setting to address problems facing the aviation industry including airlines, passengers, and the environment. Since the program's inception in 2012, nine aircraft have been used as flying test beds. The latest ecoDemonstrator is a Boeing-owned 777-200ER that will test about 30 projects that can make aviation safer and more sustainable.

Boeing has pledged that by 2030, all commercial aircraft it produces will be certified to be able to operate solely on sustainable aviation fuel. This action supports the civil aviation sector's goal of achieving net carbon neutrality by 2050. The ecoDemonstrator program's numerous successful flight tests have contributed to the company's confidence in its ability to accomplish these aims.

Projects include technologies that improve sustainability and safety for the aerospace industry, including a water conservation system and technologies to improve operational efficiency. Other projects focus on efficiency, additive manufacturing, sustainable aviation fuel and an enhanced vision system for pilots.

In 2022, the Boeing ecoDemonstrator program will leverage a 777-200ER to test 30 new technologies: They include

Reducing Fuel & Waste

In order to reduce weight on the airplane, which saves fuel, and reduce waste in manufacturing process, Boeing is testing an additively manufactured airplane and engine parts including an auxiliary power unit (APU) exhaust duct support panel and an engine bracket. The technology has been developed by the Boeing Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center.

Improving Fuel Efficiency & Lowering Carbon Emissions

The development of SMART vortex generators, which are tiny vertical vanes on the wing that increase aerodynamic efficiency during takeoff and landing, in collaboration with NASA continues. The vortex generators will be able to retract into the wing during cruise thanks to shape memory alloys that increasing fuel efficiency and lowering carbon emissions.

Enhanced Passenger Safety & Operational efficiency

The ecoDemonstrator pilots will assist in testing the state of the art head-up display (HUD) and enhanced vision system (EVS) camera in collaboration with Universal Avionics. A transparent screen called the SkyLens HUD puts important data in the pilot's line of sight. By combining this technology with EVS, an enhanced vision system is created that enables pilots to see in low-visibility situations, improves situational awareness, and lightens the load on the aircraft.

Boeing is testing a number of technologies to increase operational effectiveness, one of which is a feature that can give pilots better situational awareness while an aeroplane is taxiing. For single-engine taxi operations, this includes fusing airport data sources with Jeppesen airport maps to enable fuel-efficient operation.

Water Conservation Systems

The ecoDemonstrator will evaluate a water-saving solution that flushes restrooms with wastewater from hand washing. This will be carried out in association with Diehl Aviation. By conserving water, which could weigh more than 400 lbs (181 kg) per trip, the method lowers the amount of fuel used and the amount of carbon dioxide emitted.

Reducing Green House Gas emissions

Boeing and Meggitt are working together to determine the effectiveness of a new fire suppressant for the airplanes cargo compartment inflight. This initiative is a part of Boeing's pledge to end the use of Halon 1301 in all models of commercial aircraft. Due to the ozone-depleting characteristics of Halon 1301, the standard agent for putting out aeroplane flames, international environmental and aviation rules have established a phase out cutoff dates

Boeing is evaluating the performance of a brand-new air chiller that makes use of an environmentally friendly refrigerant in collaboration with Collins Aerospace. To keep food and drinks cool while flying, refrigerators are found in aeroplane galleys. Refrigerants frequently contain industrial chemicals that, like in consumer refrigerators, are powerful greenhouse gases if they leak.

Since 2012, Boeing ecoDemonstrator programme has been innovating and collaborating to create various sustainable solutions. Boeing has tested more than 200 technologies, and and that a third of those technologies have made it into their products and and services, helping to reduce noise, consume less fuel, produce cleaner emissions, improve passenger safety, and have a positive influence on the environment.