Near-future aviation fuels: Synthesis, testing, and GHG emissions

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The main drivers that will shape the future of aviation will be contributions to climate forcing due to carbon dioxide emissions and contrails formation. Currently, there seems to be no viable prime mover that will replace the gas turbine as the preferred engine for the medium to long range commercial aircraft. It is expected that for the near future these engines will be fueled by liquid hydrocarbons produced from sustainable sources. Today, civil aviation contributes about 3-5% of the anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions due to conventional aviation fuel use. Unless the impediments to replacing current aviation fuels by sustainable ones are removed, the negative impacts of aviation on the earth's climate will continue to intensify. Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) are defined as renewable or waste-derived aviation fuels that meet sustainability criteria. Technical analysis done at International Civil Aviation Organization shows that SAF has the greatest potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from International Aviation. However, there exist several knowledge gaps and barriers to adopting new fuels; some are technical and scientific, and some others are related to sustainability and logistics. The proposed project aims to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in (a) emissions characteristics of seven SAF, specified by the aviation industry organizations and produced by specified processes, under engine-relevant combustion conditions, and (b) production and combustion/emissions characteristics of a new class of potential aviation fuels Polyoxymethylene Dimethyl Ethers (PODE) and its blends. Our research efforts will include parallel experiments and numerical simulations. The deliverables of this research program will address the technical and scientific knowledge gaps in using new fuels in aviation by providing detailed information about the emissions characteristics under engine-relevant conditions. Results will help the Canadian gas turbine engine manufacturers to evaluate the impacts of engine exhaust on the environment, and facilitate the decision-making and strategies for the potential of future aviation fuels for a low-carbon path to zero-emission aviation.