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A Review of Alternative Aviation Fuels

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  • Paula Kurzawska-Pietrowicz

    (Faculty of Civil and Transport Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, 60-965 Poznan, Poland)

  • Remigiusz Jasiński

    (Faculty of Civil and Transport Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, 60-965 Poznan, Poland)

Abstract

One of the most promising mid-term solutions for reducing GHG emissions from the aviation sector is alternative aviation fuels, especially sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). Regulations imposed by the Fit for 55 package to use 38% of SAFs until 2050 require a comprehensive analysis of SAFs and production pathway development with increased blending limits of alternative fuel. Within this review, a summary of key aspects of alternative aviation fuels is presented. The review contains a description of the certification process and certified production pathways with an analysis of feedstocks used for SAF production. SAF emissions also have been analyzed based on available research. SAFs reduce particulate matter emissions significantly, even by 70%, compared to fossil fuels. The emission of gaseous exhaust compounds, such as carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, also is discussed. Alternative aviation fuels have a lower LCA compared to conventional aviation fuel and the LCAs of specific feedstocks are presented.

Suggested Citation

  • Paula Kurzawska-Pietrowicz & Remigiusz Jasiński, 2024. "A Review of Alternative Aviation Fuels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-22, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:16:p:3890-:d:1451327
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Richard H. Moore & Kenneth L. Thornhill & Bernadett Weinzierl & Daniel Sauer & Eugenio D’Ascoli & Jin Kim & Michael Lichtenstern & Monika Scheibe & Brian Beaton & Andreas J. Beyersdorf & John Barrick , 2017. "Biofuel blending reduces particle emissions from aircraft engines at cruise conditions," Nature, Nature, vol. 543(7645), pages 411-415, March.
    2. Małgorzata Pawlak & Michał Kuźniar, 2022. "The Effects of the Use of Algae and Jatropha Biofuels on Aircraft Engine Exhaust Emissions in Cruise Phase," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-10, May.
    3. Yilmaz, Nadir & Atmanli, Alpaslan, 2017. "Sustainable alternative fuels in aviation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 140(P2), pages 1378-1386.
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    Cited by:

    1. Weronika Klimczyk & Remigiusz Jasiński & Jakub Niklas & Maciej Siedlecki & Andrzej Ziółkowski, 2025. "Sustainable Aviation Fuels: A Comprehensive Review of Production Pathways, Environmental Impacts, Lifecycle Assessment, and Certification Frameworks," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-35, July.
    2. Jorge Aburto & Elías Martínez-Hernández & Arick Castillo-Landero, 2025. "Is Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production Through Hydroprocessing of Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) and Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) Technologies Feasible in Mexico?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-15, February.
    3. Paula Kurzawska-Pietrowicz & Remigiusz Jasiński, 2025. "Characterization of Particle Emissions from GTM 400 Fueled with HEFA-SPK Blends," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-11, May.
    4. Łukasz Brodzik & Wojciech Prokopowicz & Bartosz Ciupek & Andrzej Frąckowiak, 2025. "Minimizing the Environmental Impact of Aircraft Engines with the Use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Hydrogen," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-21, January.

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