WPI researchers develop formula for cleaner jet fuel
Photo | Timothy Doyle
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute have created a formula for a new jet fuel to pull carbon dioxide out of the air and increase the range of aircraft.
The team, led by Jagannath Jayachandran, assistant professor of aerospace engineering, and Adam Powell, associate professor of mechanical and materials engineering, used computer modeling and analysis to develop a recipe for a slurry of a hydrocarbon fuel, which could be a biofuel, and magnesium hydroxide, according to a Wednesday press release from WPI.
The new fuel would release magnesium oxide and water, which would combine with carbon dioxide to form other compounds, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.
Airlines could see benefits beyond positive environmental impact.
“We found this fuel would have up to 8% more range than other today's jet fuel, and more than two to three times longer range than liquid hydrogen or ammonia, which other researchers have proposed as sustainable fuels,” Jayachandran said in the press release.
The research was funded by a WPI Transformative Research and Innovation, Accelerating Discovery seed grant. As the researchers look forward to physical experiments on the fuel, they are applying for federal grants as well.
The International Council on Clean Transportation says aviation accounts for 2.5% of all global greenhouse emissions, according to WPI’s press release.
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