Alternative Fuels and Their Potential Impact on Aviation
by D. Daggett, O. Hadaller, R. Hendricks, and R. Walther
Published on 1 Oct 2006 - 15 pages
gltrs.grc.nasa.gov
Abstract
With a growing gap between the growth rate of petroleum production and demand, and with mounting environmental needs, the aircraft industry is investigating issues related to fuel availability, candidates for alternative fuels, and improved aircraft fuel efficiency.
Bio-derived fuels, methanol, ethanol, liquid natural gas, liquid hydrogen, and synthetic fuels are considered in this study for their potential to replace or supplement conventional jet fuels. Most of these fuels present the airplane designers with safety, logistical, and performance challenges.
Synthetic fuel made from coal, natural gas, or other hydrocarbon feedstock shows significant promise as a fuel that could be easily integrated into present and future aircraft with little or no modification to current aircraft designs.
Alternatives, such as biofuel, and in the longer term hydrogen, have good potential but presently appear to be better suited for use in ground transportation. With the increased use of these fuels, a greater portion of a barrel of crude oil can be used for producing jet fuel because aircraft are not as fuel-flexible as ground vehicles.
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Fischer-Tropsch fuels make the grade, Liquid hydrogen and ethanol flunk out, biodiesel is problematic. Pictures, charts, diagrams and more details in the pdf. |
