Study reveals SAF's role in reducing aircraft contrails
A new study shows that using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) significantly reduces aircraft contrails and soot particle emissions, mitigating aviation's climate impact. The findings highlight SAF's potential in decarbonizing air travel.
Photo by Jasmine Lee on Unsplash
The ‘Emission and Climate Impact of Alternative Fuels’ (ECLIF3) study, a collaboration between Airbus, Rolls-Royce, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and SAF producer Neste, has revealed that 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) can significantly reduce aircraft contrails and soot emissions. FLYING reports that the study's recent test flights using an Airbus A350 and DLR Falcon demonstrated a 56% reduction in ice crystal formation compared to conventional jet fuel, highlighting SAF's potential in mitigating aviation's climate impact.
Climate warming
According to the FLYING report, contrails, formed by supercooled water droplets around soot particles from aircraft engines, contribute to climate warming. Reducing soot emissions through SAF usage can decrease the number of ice crystals in contrails, thus lowering their climate-warming effect. The study underscores the importance of SAF in decarbonizing air transport, with experts like Markus Fischer from DLR and Mark Bentall from Airbus affirming its crucial role.
Lower aromatic compound, fewer soot particles
Currently, SAF is primarily derived from plant-based or waste-based renewable raw materials. Future developments may include e-fuels and renewable hydrogen produced with renewable energy. Neste emphasized that SAF's lower aromatic compound content leads to fewer soot particles, reducing ice crystal formation in contrails.
As aviation seeks sustainable solutions, SAF presents a viable option for reducing the industry's carbon footprint and addressing non-CO2 climate impacts. FLYING reports that the study's findings bolster the case for increased SAF adoption to achieve long-term environmental goals.
