Alternative fuels and new engines could reduce aviation consumption.
The ASTM International Committee on Petroleum Products and Lubricants has approved Renewable Synthesized Iso-Paraffinic (SIP) for airlines internationally.
SIP, which is produced from hydroprocessed fermented sugars, can be blended at up to 10% by volume with conventional jet fuel for use on commercial aircraft.
Alternative fuels for airlines already include converted triacylglycerides from plant oils and animal processing waste and converted biomass and fossil fuel feedstocks through the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process.
Meanwhile geared turbofan and open rotor aircraft engine concepts have been shown to reduce aircraft fuel consumption by a potential 15%.
Open rotor aircraft engine concept Image: Chalmers University of Technology |
Linda Larsson at Sweden's Chalmers University of Technology says "the energy generated by the core engine can be efficiently converted into thrust."
This is good news for airlines whose biggest costs are in fuel.
The open rotor concept will be possible in a few years time, but geared turbofan applications are not that far away.
It's likely that the open rotor engine will also have an impact on lubricants as this, too, will require lube development because of contra-rotation and greater exposure to the elements than a fan in a nacelle.