Aerotraction with Biofuels

Introduction

As part of the Cooperation Agreement between the Ministry of the Environment and the CNR, ENEA and Aeronautica Militare bodies, on the production of biofuels and their use in the aviation sector, it is intended to acquire and process, also through experimental activities, data scientific and technical experts on the efficiency and environmental impact of the production and use of biofuel in the aviation sector.

Description

For the purposes of the Agreement, the collaboration of the parties in the following research and experimentation activities is as follows:

1. Alternative fuel sources that satisfy the need for suitable engine performance in the aviation sector in terms of efficiency and sustainability, also with reference to the evaluation of vegetable matrices suitable for the production of biofuels and the economic and environmental sustainability of the production of biofuels for aviation;
2. Technologies for verifying the correctness of the declared values ​​of the bio-fossil fractions, in order to discriminate with certainty the fossil fractions from the biogenic ones;
3. Analysis of the composition of aviation biofuels, in terms of comparing the performance and emissions produced by their combustion, also with reference to micropollutants;
4. Advanced technologies for converting biomass into sustainable products fit for the purpose of the aviation sector as biofuels;
5. Physico-chemical characterization of the biofuels identified;
6. Optimization of the injection parameters of biofuels for aviation (pressure, type of nozzle) during use;
7. Evaluation of the engine performance guaranteed by aviation biofuel compared to those guaranteed by fossil fuels;
8. Analysis of the correspondence of national and international specifications referring to aeronautical fuels;

Evaluation of the interaction between biofuels for aviation with metallic and polymeric materials present inside the engines, also with reference to any significant alterations that reduce the useful life of the engines themselves.

Aims

The main objective is the analysis of biofuels for aerospace in terms of composition, performance and pollution.

The characterization, from the point of view of the certification of the bio / fossil fraction, the evaluation of the efficiency and the study of the environmental impact, of biofuels for avionic use is essential to understand if the large-scale diffusion of this new type of fuel is advantageous and desirable for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The research team that will collaborate for the realization of this Project includes complementary synergistic skills for the achievement of this objective, through a series of sub-objectives, listed below.

• Development of a tool, based on optical radiocarbon detection (SCAR), for the analysis of the bio / fossil fraction in biofuels.
• Realization of a system for the preparation of the CO sample₂ to analyze.
• Analysis of the composition of biofuels for aerotraction
• Analysis of the pollution produced by combustion
• Identification of the biofuels to be characterized Characterization of the properties of the single drops of biofuels
• Characterization in isothermal conditions of the biofuel spray
• Characterization of biofuels in combustion
• Development of a system for the chemical characterization of biofuels in aerotraction
• Dissemination / promotion for the use and production of biofuels in Italy

Participants

• CNR-IIA
• CNR-INO
• CNR-IRC
• CNR-IM
• ENEA
• air Force

Working group