LAPSE:2023.27557
Published Article
LAPSE:2023.27557
Liquefied Natural Gas for Civil Aviation
April 4, 2023
The growth in air transport and the ambitious targets in emission reductions set by advisory agencies are some of the driving factors behind research towards new fuels for aviation. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) could be both environmentally and economically beneficial. However, its implementation in aviation has technical challenges that needs to be quantified. This paper assesses the application of LNG in civil aviation using an integrated simulation and design framework, including Cranfield University’s aircraft performance tool, Orion, and engine performance simulation tool Turbomatch, integrated with an LNG tank sizing module and an aircraft weight estimation module. Changes in tank design, natural gas composition, airframe changes, and propulsion system performance are assessed. The performance benefits are quantified against a Boeing 737−800 aircraft. Overall, LNG conversion leads to a slightly heavier aircraft in terms of the operating weight empty (OWE) and maximum take-off weight (MTOW). The converted aircraft has a slightly reduced range compared to the conventional aircraft when the maximum payload is considered. Compared to a conventional aircraft, the results indicate that although the energy consumption is increased in the case of LNG, the mission fuel mass is decreased and CO2 emissions are reduced by more than 15%. These benefits come with a significant reduction in fuel cost per passenger, highlighting the potential benefits of adopting LNG for aviation.
Keywords
civil aviation, CO2 emission reduction, engine performance, liquefied natural gas, Liquified Natural Gas, mission analysis, short-range aircraft
Suggested Citation
Rompokos P, Kissoon S, Roumeliotis I, Nalianda D, Nikolaidis T, Rolt A. Liquefied Natural Gas for Civil Aviation. (2023). LAPSE:2023.27557
Author Affiliations
Rompokos P: Propulsion Engineering Center, School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing, Cranfield University, Building 52, College Rd, Cranfield, Wharley End, Bedford MK43 0AL, UK [ORCID]
Kissoon S: Propulsion Engineering Center, School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing, Cranfield University, Building 52, College Rd, Cranfield, Wharley End, Bedford MK43 0AL, UK [ORCID]
Roumeliotis I: Propulsion Engineering Center, School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing, Cranfield University, Building 52, College Rd, Cranfield, Wharley End, Bedford MK43 0AL, UK [ORCID]
Nalianda D: Propulsion Engineering Center, School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing, Cranfield University, Building 52, College Rd, Cranfield, Wharley End, Bedford MK43 0AL, UK
Nikolaidis T: Propulsion Engineering Center, School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing, Cranfield University, Building 52, College Rd, Cranfield, Wharley End, Bedford MK43 0AL, UK [ORCID]
Rolt A: Propulsion Engineering Center, School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing, Cranfield University, Building 52, College Rd, Cranfield, Wharley End, Bedford MK43 0AL, UK [ORCID]
Journal Name
Energies
Volume
13
Issue
22
Article Number
E5925
Year
2020
Publication Date
2020-11-13
Published Version
ISSN
1996-1073
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PII: en13225925, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2023.27557
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doi:10.3390/en13225925
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Apr 4, 2023
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