NASA and DLR research biofuel-powered flights

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and the Canadian National Research Council (NRC) are researching the use of biofuels in their flights by undertaking a joint testing project under the ACCESS-II project (Alternative Fuel Effects on Contrails and Cruise Emissions).

The flight campaign, made up of over 100 scientists and technicians, are measuring the emissions of a biofuel-kerosene mixture and its effects on the formation and properties of condensation trails at typical commercial flight altitudes.

The four CFM56 engines on the DC-8 are alternately powered by regular JP-8 aviation fuel and a one-to-one mixture of HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) biofuel.

In measuring the biofuel exhaust gases, the DLR researchers are focusing on the emissions of soot particles and sulphur compounds and the properties of ice crystals in the condensation trails. The combustion of biofuels and a better carbon dioxide balance, are expected to reduce the number of soot and sulphur particles. This in turn may lead to bigger ice crystals in the condensation trails, lowering the amount of cloudiness and therefore, the impact on the aviation industry.