Journals Proceedings

Abstract

This paper presents the work conducted as part of an effort in developing a multidisciplinary assessment framework for trade off study between technical, economic and environmental aspects of alternative jet fuels application specifically in commercial aircraft. At present, empirical prediction method has been explored so as to be the basis in predicting the amount of emissions that have a huge influence towards the environment. An emission prediction model based on Boeing Fuel Flow Method 2 (BFFM2) has been adopted and its accuracy and applicability has been tested on a specified engine model. The model was then used to evaluate and to compare the amount of emission emitted due to the combustion of alternative fuels, namely Camelina- and Jatropha- synthetic paraffinic kerosene (SPK) with the conventional jet fuel, Jet A. With emphasis on emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) at take-off and cruise conditions, the results indicate that the alternative fuels managed to reduce NOx emissions up to 3 percent but at an expense of increasing amounts of CO. The effects of alternative fuels usage compared to Jet A towards the amount of emissions as well as engine performance are also discussed in the paper. Overall, the model has proven acceptable to be incorporated within an assessment framework for a thorough evaluation of aviation alternative jet fuel to reduce dependency on the conventional fossil fuel.