GE Aerospace

Collecting Airborne Dust Samples from Various Airports across India

Airborne dust poses a significant threat to aircraft engine performance by affecting critical engine components. The cumulative impact of dust ingestion is increasingly recognized as a serious concern for modern aviation, particularly in regions such as India where ambient particulate concentrations are consistently high. As air traffic grows in dust-prone areas and modern jet engines are designed with tighter tolerances and operated at higher temperatures, their susceptibility to airborne contaminants has increased.

Despite the well-documented presence of dust in the Indian atmosphere, there remains a lack of systematic data on the size distribution, chemical composition, and concentration of airborne dust in the vicinity of Indian airports. Furthermore, there is limited research linking these particulate characteristics to engine degradation.

This study aims to address the above gap by conducting a comprehensive assessment of airborne dust at eight airports (Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow) across India, with a focus on understanding the implications for aircraft engine health.

Collection of airborne dust samples from eight airports representing diverse geographic and climatic conditions across India. a) Collection of airborne dust samples from eight airports b) Concentration of Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) and Coarse particulate matter (PM₁₀) c) Physio-chemical characterization of collected dust d) Assess the impact of airborne dust on aircraft engine performance and maintenance.

This study will generate vital characterisation on airborne dust particles at Indian airports, aiding in understanding its impact on engine performance. The outcomes will support the development of effective dust mitigation strategies and enlighten future engine design improvements.