The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to SAF Combustion and Contrail Formation Research

This DOE-funded project, 60% complete with $450k in FY24 funding, investigates Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) combustion and contrail formation, particularly linking soot to ice nucleation. Research shows aromatics produce 4-8 times more soot, with cyclo-alkane blends offering an 80% soot reduction compared to traditional jet fuel components. A desktop aero-engine reactor network provides rapid, accurate emissions evaluations in approximately 8 minutes. The altitude chamber facility is crucial for nucleation experiments.