The Aircraft nvPM Mission Emissions Estimation Methodology, Version 2 (MEEM2)

The nvPM Mission Emissions Estimation Methodology (MEEM) was previously developed to estimate nonvolatile particulate matter (nvPM) emissions from ground certification data using the publicly available data from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Aircraft Engine Emissions Databank (EEDB). In order to potentially improve the accuracy of nvPM emissions estimation and to enhance its usefulness to modelers, the method was revised to make use of fuel flow correlations and similar altitude corrections as used in the Boeing Fuel Flow Method 2 (BFFM2). The new fuel flow approach allows for improved trade-off-type assessments between nvPM and gaseous emissions—i.e., less relative uncertainties when assessing results from the two methods. Like the former MEEM, the new method, MEEM2, can be used with just publicly available data such as nvPM emissions indices (EI) from the EEDB as well as predicted fuel flows from publicly available aircraft performance models. MEEM2 has been validated against proprietary original equipment manufacturer (OEM) data and methods, helping to understand prediction uncertainties of nvPM emissions, thus supporting environmental impact assessments, including those related to climate impacts from commercial aviation’s non-CO₂ components as well as the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).