The key areas to achieve reduced emissions from aviation have been identified and subsequently transformed into research areas. In CESTAP the following research areas will be considered:
WP1: Development and maintenance of the pre-certification test bed.
In WP1 we will develop a combined physical and virtual combustion test bed. The facilities will be used to analyze various fuels throughout the duration of the project. The testing sequence will include fuel characterization and laboratory flame studies using dedicated experiments and simulations before the final test in a full-scale jet engine.
WP2: Development of turbine fuels from sustainable feedstocks including ligno-cellulose.
WP2 is dedicated to fuel development processes and include development of lignin extraction and lignin separation, development of hydrotreatment and/or hydrocracking process of pyrolysis oil and different ligninsand studies of catalysis mechanisms, catalyst deactivation and consequences of catalyst recirculation.
WP3: Mutual adaptation of turbine fuel and engine technology.
In WP3 we will investigate adaptation of existing jet engine and gas turbine types for improved use of sustainable turbine fuels. Important safety-, reliability- and cost of ownership issues may arise as a consequence of new fuels. Potential problems are related to the fuel systems, such as tanks, fuel pumps, valves, fuel nozzles, and finally, the combustion process per se. Engine adaption technologies will be addressed for relevant fuel candidates.
WP4: Material Sciences
Within WP4 the technical feasibility and safety aspects related to material compatibility will be evaluated, a necesseity since integration of new fuels in existing fuel manifolds and engine systems is expected to require adaption since materials are optimized for present-day fossil fuels. Target properties will include lubrication properties, interactions with elastomers (e.g., gaskets), deposits, and corrosion.
WP5: Holistic techno-economic and sustainability analysis.
WP5 is dedicated to quantify differences in total cost for sustainable operation of aircraft with biofuel, with consideration of biofuel production costs, engine efficiency, and potential differences in aircraft/engine costs. We will also quantify environmental impact of aircraft operation with various biofuel alternatives from a life cycle perspective, perform high level benchmarking of biofuel alternatives against alternative technology options.
