Insects and planes - a real economic issue

 Have you ever noticed the turmoil prevailing in these hives of activity called “airports”? Thousands of passengers hustling, hundreds of shops opened 24/7, and, above all, giant birds of steel rending the atmosphere with their jet engines. Proof of modernism or proof of decay, it is up to you. However, the environmental impact is a fact, and the figures speak for themselves – in 2013, air transport has produced 550 million tons of CO2, which means 3% of emissions produced by human beings. In other words, air transport pollutes more than France.

We will put ecology aside in order to focus on economy. In 2013, such air traffic has involved costs of hundreds of billions of euros, which are nearly spent in full – 95% – to purchase the 171 million tons of kerosene.

 

 

As the ton is around 600 Euros on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, it explains why planes manufacturers do their best to reduce fuel consumption. They resort to cuting the weight by using composite materials, and a bettering of the jet engines. At the same time as these fundamental areas of research, an odd solution is worth thinking about.

 Insects use millions tons of kerosene

Do not be fool - insects have no engine. But in fact, these creatures flying peacefully between 0 and 300 meters pile up on the planes’ wings. In addition to the disgusting aspect, this phenomenon modifies the aerodynamic coefficient of the plane, which is calculated in a wind tunnel (below), and so the consumption sometimes increases by 30%.

 

It means that 51 million tons of kerosene have been used in 2013 because of insects having an – endless – rest on the planes’ wings.

According to Nasa, the stuck insects and the slimy smears they produce can be prevented by using anti-adhesive skins. In order to achieve this, the scientists have conducted a two-step study. Firstly, they tested several skins in a very unusual wind tunnel called the “bug gun”. The principle could not be easier, for it consists in hurling thousands of innocent insects at the plane – it is a real slaughter, but you have got to crack a few eggs to make an omelette. Secondly, ten or so skins have been retained, and each has been laid on the wings of a Falcon which has taken off, flown in circles and touched down.

 

Compared to the conventional skin, applied as an experimental control, one has shown encouraging results with an adhesion reduced by 90%. The ensuing reduction in consumption would enable huge savings, having repercussions on the ticket price – keep on dreaming! – or on the stakeholders’ dividends. On the condition that this skin successfully takes the durability exam in extreme conditions, and turns out to have a sufficiently low price compared to the savings made. But that is another story.

 

Paul-Louis H.