Simulation-Based Analysis of the Potential of Alternative Fuels towards Reducing CO2 Emissions from Aviation

Abstract

Abstract:The mid-term framework of global aviation is shaped by air travel demand growth rates of 2-5% p.a. and ambitious targets to reduce aviation-related CO 2 emissions by up to 50% until 2050. Alternative jet fuels such as bio-or electrofuels can be considered as a potential means towards low-emission aviation. While these fuels offer significant emission reduction potential, their market success depends on manifold influencing factors like the maturity of the production technology or the development of the price of conventional jet fuel. To study the potential for adoption of alternative jet fuels in aviation and the extent to which alternative fuels can contribute to the reduction targets, we deploy a System Dynamics approach. The results indicate that the adoption of alternative fuels and therefore their potential towards low-emissions aviation is rather limited in most scenarios considered since current production processes do not allow for competitive prices compared to conventional jet fuel. This calls for the development of new production processes that allow for economic feasibility of converting biomass or hydrogen into drop-in fuels as well as political measures to promote the adoption of alternative fuels.

A Numerical Investigation of Emissions Generated by Alternative Aircraft Fuels Using Spice Transport Approach

“…Carbon dioxide is labeled as a main greenhouse gas, this gas plays a primary role in Earth's global warming [9]. The results demonstrate that great amounts of CO2 were produced after the combustion in relation to the other pollutants presented in this study, this is expected due to CO2 and H2O being a great part of exhaust gasses.…”

“…There is potential for the creation of aircrafts powered by alternatives to non conventional fuels but it is important that these operate with less natural resources and have a much smaller impact on the environment at the same time that are capable of performing the same missions as current aircrafts. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9] There have been numerous steps taken into the direction of reducing aircraft emissions such as the implementation of winglets that allow in the reduction of drag increasing fuel efficiency since less fuel is consumed less emissions are generated. In addition to this concept, there are new ideas being proposed to achieve flight efficiency in terms of fuel consumption such as the concept of blended wing bodies that airbus together with the university of TU Delft is working towards the implementation of, expected to reduce fuel consumption and thus reduce emissions, aside from other concept aircraft that Airbus is working on.…”

Climate Change Mitigation Pathways for the Aviation Sector

“…Therefore, the re-engining program could contribute to fuel and emissions reduction [92]. Additionally, modernization of the fleet by retrofitting fuel-efficient airframes and modern blended winglets on existing aircraft have been found to be effective in fuel and emissions reduction [93]. The angled extensions installed at the wingtips of an aircraft are known as blended winglets, which reduce airflow drag and thereby improve fuel efficiency and reduce GHG emissions.…”

Effect of Localized Temperature Difference on Hydrogen Fermentation

“…The development of hydrogen (H 2 ) production technology has gained significant attention due to its high energy content (142 kJ/g) and its cleaner nature on combustion [1][2][3]. At present, the commercial production of H 2 is achieved via coal gasification, gas reforming, etc., which are not sustainable and environmentally benign due to the depletion of the fossil fuels and the generation of greenhouse gaseous emissions [4,5].…”