Alternative fuels and their potential impact on climate mitigation aircraft and other forms of transport

Climate change and air quality are pressing global problems that threaten to change life on Earth. As we seek alternative energy sources, there must be a transition period where alternative fuels that have a smaller climate and air quality impact are used as clean energy capacity is increased and transportation fleets transition to using clean energy.

In this project we focus predominantly on aircraft but will also research surface transportation and how a variety of alternative fuels may impact on air quality and climate through changing emissions of CO2, nitrogen oxides (leading to ozone formation, itself a potent greenhouse gas) and particles. At the surface, particles can be deleterious to human health, in the upper troposphere, particles can seed contrail formation which can cause climate warming.

A PhD involves the student co-creating and co-owning the direction of the research and we are keen for students to take an active role in the direction of the PhD. The aims of the project are to explore the impact of alternative fuels (synthetic, natural, H2) used in aircraft but also in land vehicles, on air quality and climate using computer models and practical experiments to determine emission factors from engines at various thrust settings.

Combining experimental data with computer models we will explore what the influence on CO2 and non-CO2 climate impacts of aircraft will be using blends of alternative fuels and determine whether certain types of flight (geographic flight track and duration) benefit particularly from using certain fuel types. Conversely, are there fuel types that are detrimental to air quality and climate impacts from aircraft.

In addition, we will investigate the impact of alternative fuels on surface transportation and their impact on climate change and air quality.