Sustainable kerosene cuts aircraft particle emissions by up to 70 percent
A study by the DLR shows that using the bio-based fuel Hefa-SPK can reduce non-volatile particle emissions from jets by as much as 70 %.
A DLR research team led by Rebecca Dischl examined emissions from Airbus A319neo and A321neo aircraft equipped with engines capable of lean and rich combustion. Test flights over French coastal areas revealed that lean combustion produced non-volatile particles over 14 nm at a rate a thousand times lower than rich combustion. The study also compared conventional Jet A-1 kerosene with the sustainable synthetic fuel Hefa-SPK, derived from plant, used cooking, and animal oils.
Hefa-SPK reduced volatile and non-volatile particle output by 65-70 % regardless of combustion mode, a result linked to its minimal sulfur content. Older, worn engines generated ten times more volatile particles than newer ones, highlighting the importance of engine condition. The authors conclude that optimizing fuel composition and combustion technology can markedly improve air quality around airports and lessen the climate impact of contrail formation.
Why it matters
Reducing aircraft particulate emissions can improve air quality and mitigate aviation's contribution to climate change.
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