Session: 04-31 Emissions I

Paper Number: 128827

128827 - Advancements in Sustainable Aviation Fuels: Impact of Nano-Additives and Ammonia-Based Strategies on Emissions 

The pursuit of a more sustainable lifestyle has led to developments in the search for viable alternatives to address one of the major causes of atmospheric pollution, namely the emission of pollutants and greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen oxide (NO_x), into the atmosphere.

The aviation industry is known for emitting significant amounts of pollutants, contributing to climate change. According to ICAO, global emissions from the aviation sector represent approximately 2% of the world's total greenhouse gas emissions. This has created an urgent need to make aviation operations more environmentally friendly. Like many other industries, the aviation industry relies on the use of fossil fuels to power aircraft and related equipment.

In particular, one strategy to reduce NO_x emissions involves lowering the flame temperature by using fuel emulsified with nano-additives and/or based on ammonia.

This study analyzes the impact of ammonia-based particles and/or nanoscale additives on the emission characteristics of Jet-A1 aviation fuel. The experiment was conducted in a test stand equipped with a 300-kW liquid vortex combustor, consisting of a cylindrical combustion chamber with four optical windows and a set of high-precision pressure sensors, thermocouples, and an exhaust gas analyzer to record emissions. Tests were conducted at various global equivalence ratios (Φ).

Chemiluminescence images were captured to understand the effects of nano-additives on flame emissions, and spectral analysis was performed using the pressure sensor to assess instability. In conclusion, the analysis of gas emissions was conducted both with the use of nano-additives and without them under various tested Φ conditions, including the evaluation of NO_x, CO, CO₂, and O₂.

Presenting Author: Maria Grazia De Giorgi University of Salento

Presenting Author Biography: She is Associate Professor in the field of Aerospace Propulsion, at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Salento (Italy), Italy.

National Scientific Habilitation (art.16 della legge n 240/2010) for Full Professor in “Settore concorsuale INGEGNERIA AERONAUTICA, AEROSPAZIALE E NAVALE ING-IND/01 - ARCHITETTURA NAVALE ”

National Scientific Habilitation (art.16 della legge n 240/2010) for Full Professor in “Settore concorsuale 09/C1 - MACCHINE E SISTEMI PER L'ENERGIA E L'AMBIENTE

The main research and professional activities were carried out in the fields of Aerospace Propulsion, Energy,Environment. The main activities topics are Aerospace Propulsion, Combustion, Environmental Impact, Energy Saving.

In 2003 she took the University Doctorate in Energy System and Environment, with a thesis on "Two-phase flows for industrial applications", at University of Salento, Italy. In 2001 she took the Diploma Course in Industrial Fluid Dynamics, with honours, Von Karman Institute, Bruxelles, Belgium. In 2000 she took the University Degree in Material Engineering, thesis on "Fluid dynamic analysis of cavitation in machine", University of Salento, Italy.

She is scientific coordinator for University of Salento of the European Project CHAiRLIFT (Compact Helical Arranged combustoRs with lean LIFTed flames) – Progetto H2020 Clean Sky 2, finanziato dalla EU, Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), Call JTI-CS2-2018-CFP08, Topic JTI-CS2-2018-CFP08-THT-01 “Innovative NOx Reduction Technologies” (Gennaio 2019). Ruolo: Responsabile Scientifico. Partners: Universita’ Degli Studi Di Firenze, Karlsruhe Institute Of Technology Kit, Universita’ Del Salento, Universite De Rouen Normandie. The main aim is to reduce NOx emissions by using lifted flame plasma assisted.

She is scientific coordinator for University of Salento of the national project “Generazione E: Ricerca e sperimentazione di Materiali, sistemi Diagnostici e di Controllo ambientale per i veicoli di trasporto spaziale di generazione Evoluta.”, PON “Ricerca e Innovazione” 2014-2020in collaboration with DASS, CIRA, IM srl, UniCagliari, UniRoma1 CRAS, Distretto Energia

She has been scientific coordinator for University of Salento of the national project APULIA SPACE - PON03PE-0M67-6 (Start: 01 July 2013). Responsibilities: Project Leader. The general objective of this project is on one hand to support and ensure the use of EO based services at the regional level; and on the other hand to increase competitiveness of the Apulia Region in European and Global projects such as those for new Earth Observation space segments and for the Exploration of the Universe.

The activities of the research group have been focused on the investigation of lean non premixed and premixed methane/air flame with the application of plasma actuator for the flame stabilization. A microburner with plasma actuator device has been designed and tested.

She is technical Technical Team Member of the NATO STO Science and Technology Organization Technical Teams: AVT-254 on Assessment of Plasma Actuator Technologies for Internal Flows”,· AVT-320 Planning, Assessments of Numerical Simulation Methods for Turbulent Cavitating Flows,· AVT-ET-195 Distributed engine controls,AVT-357 on Technologies for future distributed engine control systems (DECS)

She was involved in several basic and applied research and development projects, in collaboration with the industries. The projects regard applied fluid dynamic for industrial design, especially in the field of multiphase flows, experiments and simulations of cavitating flows, simulations of hydrofoils performances, simulation of combustion processes, NOx reduction in coal burners, artificial neural networking for wind power prediction. She was involved in the research activities of a national research program, in collaboration with other Universities, regarding the improvement of Diesel engines control, performing multiple and early injections, to control combustion behavior. During the project, the effects on Diesel combustion of the formation of a partial premixed charges were investigated, as well as the possibilities to innovative application of sensors for engine control and monitoring.
She is author of more than 180 papers, published in international journals or presented at international and national congresses and symposia. The scientific activities were developed in the fields of active flow control, combustion of lean flame, unsteady and two-phase fluid-dynamic inside machines and apparatus, thermo and fluid dynamic applied to industrial processes simulation, cavitation in Diesel control valve, industrial energy applications and related environmental subjects, energy recovery from biomass, industrial processes. In the field of the aerospace propulsion, the research activities were developed in the fields of the use of the cryogenic fuels, with particular regard to the cavitation effects, and in the field of mixing and combustion in LOx/CH4 spray under supercritical conditions.

Authors:

Pasquale Di Gloria University of Salento
Maria Grazia De Giorgi University of Salento
Luciano Strafella University of Salento
Giuseppe Ciccarella University of Salento
Gregorio Grazio Castelluzzo University of Salento
Francesca Baldassarre University of Salento
Antonio Ficarella University of Salento