Engine Performance and Emission Characteristics of Cellulosic Jet Biofuel Blends

Aviation biofuels have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve engine performance. The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of various jet biofuel blends for use in a ZF850 jet engine. The effects of the blends on engine performance were assessed under various thrust output settings with respect to the thrust, thrust-specific fuel consumption, emission characteristics, exhaust gas temperature, acceleration and deceleration performance. Blending with catalytic hydrothermolysis jet (CHJ) fuel improved the combustion efficiency by reducing carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbon emissions and markedly reducing PM2.5 emissions. However, a slight reduction in thrust output was observed. Throughout the entire range of thrust output settings, the 10% CHJ fuel blend provided higher thrust, lower thrust specific fuel consumption, and lower exhaust gas temperature. The CHJ fuel blends exhibited no significant effects on the deceleration performance, while the 5% and 15% blends caused a 0.4 s delay in the time required for complete acceleration. Global sensitivity analysis was conducted to better understand the effects of the fuel blends on engine performance and emission characteristics. This analysis identified the critical parameters of engine performance as engine-influence and fuel influence parameters and engine-influence and fuel-less influence parameters. The overall engine efficiency benefit was non linearly related to the blend ratio and thrust output. The results indicate that the use of CHJ fuel blends can improve engine efficiency if they comply with the engine design and control regulations.