A promising study by scientists from the UK's National Center for Atmospheric Science (NCAS) and the University of Manchester suggests that sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) could significantly curb aircraft emissions Tech Times reports. The research focused on comparing emissions from standard jet fuels and various blends of SAFs. The results were impressive, with SAFs showing the potential to slash greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 80% compared to their conventional counterparts.
. . . it is important to understand what effects these alternative fuels have. This study is really important to understand these effects and to provide the UK with capability to make these assessments in the future as new fuels and technologies are developed - Dr Paul I Williams, NCAS research scientist based at The University of Manchester.
The Impact on Emissions and Air Quality
The study found that the use of SAFs could lead to an 80% reduction in emissions per kilogram of fuel consumed and a 45% decrease in ultrafine black carbon emissions during low thrust. This could have a notable impact on local air quality around airports. The results are particularly significant given the aviation sector's contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for over 2% in 2021.
The Future of Sustainable Aviation Fuels
SAFs, which are produced from renewable biomass and residual materials, could offer a viable alternative to standard jet fuel derived from crude oil. These biofuels are mixed with conventional jet fuels to ensure compatibility with existing aircraft. The end-game is a shift towards entirely synthetic jet fuels derived from non-fossil fuel sources by 2050. This research underlines the importance of understanding the effects of alternative fuels as the industry pivots towards carbon neutrality.
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