Analysis of an Integrated Approach for Aircraft Emissions Calculations: Combining BFFM2 and MEEM Methods

Abstract

Abstract. Estimation of aircraft emissions is essential for evaluating environmental impact and supporting sustainable aviation strategies. This study introduces an emissions integrated method (EIM) that combines Boeing fuel flow method 2 (BFFM2) and the mission emissions estimation methodology (MEEM) to estimate hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), NOx, and nvPM emissions along a flight trajectory above 3000 ft above sea level (ASL). Unlike conventional fuel flow-based approaches such as BFFM2 or Deutsches Zentrum für Luftund Raumfahrt fuel flow (DLR FFM), the EIM eliminates the need for in-flight fuel flow data by leveraging MEEM's thermodynamic equation-based calculation approach. Results show strong agreement with BFFM2 for NOx emissions during the cruise, with discrepancies emerging during climb and descent. However, HC and CO emissions at low thrust remain challenging, as their exponential behavior leads to larger deviations from BFFM2 estimates. The findings highlight the EIM as a viable alternative for NOx and nvPM emissions estimation, while refinements are needed for HC and CO predictions.