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A Study on Electrofuels in Aviation

Author

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  • Andreas Goldmann

    (Institute of Technical Combustion, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Welfengarten 1A, 30167 Hannover, Germany)

  • Waldemar Sauter

    (Institute of Environmental and Sustainable Chemistry, TU-Braunschweig, Hagenring 30, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany)

  • Marcel Oettinger

    (Institute of Turbomachinery and Fluid Dynamics, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Appelstraße 9, 30167 Hannover, Germany)

  • Tim Kluge

    (Institute of Turbomachinery and Fluid Dynamics, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Appelstraße 9, 30167 Hannover, Germany)

  • Uwe Schröder

    (Institute of Environmental and Sustainable Chemistry, TU-Braunschweig, Hagenring 30, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany)

  • Joerg R. Seume

    (Institute of Turbomachinery and Fluid Dynamics, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Appelstraße 9, 30167 Hannover, Germany)

  • Jens Friedrichs

    (Institute of Jet propulsion and Turbomachinery, TU-Braunschweig, Hermann-Blenk-Strasse 37, 38108 Braunschweig, Germany)

  • Friedrich Dinkelacker

    (Institute of Technical Combustion, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Welfengarten 1A, 30167 Hannover, Germany)

Abstract

With the growth of aviation traffic and the demand for emission reduction, alternative fuels like the so-called electrofuels could comprise a sustainable solution. Electrofuels are understood as those that use renewable energy for fuel synthesis and that are carbon-neutral with respect to greenhouse gas emission. In this study, five potential electrofuels are discussed with respect to the potential application as aviation fuels, being n-octane, methanol, methane, hydrogen and ammonia, and compared to conventional Jet A-1 fuel. Three important aspects are illuminated. Firstly, the synthesis process of the electrofuel is described with its technological paths, its energy efficiency and the maturity or research need of the production. Secondly, the physico-chemical properties are compared with respect to specific energy, energy density, as well as those properties relevant to the combustion of the fuels, i.e., autoignition delay time, adiabatic flame temperature, laminar flame speed and extinction strain rate. Results show that the physical and combustion properties significantly differ from jet fuel, except for n-octane. The results describe how the different electrofuels perform with respect to important aspects such as fuel and air mass flow rates. In addition, the results help determine mixture properties of the exhaust gas for each electrofuel. Thirdly, a turbine configuration is investigated at a constant operating point to further analyze the drop-in potential of electrofuels in aircraft engines. It is found that electrofuels can generally substitute conventional kerosene-based fuels, but have some downsides in the form of higher structural loads and potentially lower efficiencies. Finally, a preliminary comparative evaluation matrix is developed. It contains specifically those fields for the different proposed electrofuels where special challenges and problematic points are seen that need more research for potential application. Synthetically-produced n-octane is seen as a potential candidate for a future electrofuel where even a drop-in capability is given. For the other fuels, more issues need further research to allow the application as electrofuels in aviation. Specifically interesting could be the combination of hydrogen with ammonia in the far future; however, the research is just at the beginning stage.

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas Goldmann & Waldemar Sauter & Marcel Oettinger & Tim Kluge & Uwe Schröder & Joerg R. Seume & Jens Friedrichs & Friedrich Dinkelacker, 2018. "A Study on Electrofuels in Aviation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-23, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:2:p:392-:d:130864
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    8. Freire Ordóñez, Diego & Shah, Nilay & Guillén-Gosálbez, Gonzalo, 2021. "Economic and full environmental assessment of electrofuels via electrolysis and co-electrolysis considering externalities," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 286(C).
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    12. Li, Na & Cui, Xiaoti & Zhu, Jimin & Zhou, Mengfan & Liso, Vincenzo & Cinti, Giovanni & Sahlin, Simon Lennart & Araya, Samuel Simon, 2023. "A review of reformed methanol-high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    13. Lester, Mason Scott & Bramstoft, Rasmus & Münster, Marie, 2020. "Analysis on Electrofuels in Future Energy Systems: A 2050 Case Study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    14. Samuel Simon Araya & Vincenzo Liso & Xiaoti Cui & Na Li & Jimin Zhu & Simon Lennart Sahlin & Søren Højgaard Jensen & Mads Pagh Nielsen & Søren Knudsen Kær, 2020. "A Review of The Methanol Economy: The Fuel Cell Route," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-32, January.
    15. Sofia Pinheiro Melo & Alexander Barke & Felipe Cerdas & Christian Thies & Mark Mennenga & Thomas S. Spengler & Christoph Herrmann, 2020. "Sustainability Assessment and Engineering of Emerging Aircraft Technologies—Challenges, Methods and Tools," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-27, July.
    16. Dahal, Karna & Brynolf, Selma & Xisto, Carlos & Hansson, Julia & Grahn, Maria & Grönstedt, Tomas & Lehtveer, Mariliis, 2021. "Techno-economic review of alternative fuels and propulsion systems for the aviation sector," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    17. Emanuela Marzi & Mirko Morini & Agostino Gambarotta, 2022. "Analysis of the Status of Research and Innovation Actions on Electrofuels under Horizon 2020," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-35, January.
    18. Mikulčić, Hrvoje & Ridjan Skov, Iva & Dominković, Dominik Franjo & Wan Alwi, Sharifah Rafidah & Manan, Zainuddin Abdul & Tan, Raymond & Duić, Neven & Hidayah Mohamad, Siti Nur & Wang, Xuebin, 2019. "Flexible Carbon Capture and Utilization technologies in future energy systems and the utilization pathways of captured CO2," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 1-1.
    19. Simone Speizer & Jay Fuhrman & Laura Aldrete Lopez & Mel George & Page Kyle & Seth Monteith & Haewon McJeon, 2024. "Integrated assessment modeling of a zero-emissions global transportation sector," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.

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