Jet Engine Emissions and Toxicology Studies on Sustainable Aviation Fuels Aiming at Reduced Particle Emission and Climate Impact (JETSTREAM)

Description

The JETSTREAM project investigates current issues related to aviation emissions and provides essential data for the further development of sustainable aviation technologies. A key focus is on the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) with blending ratios of over 50 percent, with the aim of conducting emissions tests using 100 percent SAF whenever possible. To this end, the project is collaborating with Synhelion, a company that produces solar fuels, as well as Pilatus Aircraft, which will provide the test aircraft. This part of the project is accompanied by a detailed Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) to holistically evaluate the environmental footprint.

In addition, the project analyzes the organic emissions from aircraft engines, with the formation of volatile particles playing a central role. To this end, studies on the artificial aging of the aerosol are being conducted using the existing measurement infrastructure at SR Technics at Zurich Airport. Furthermore, the interaction of soot particles with organic compounds in the gas phase is being investigated in detail, with a particular focus on engine oils. To assess the health impacts of exhaust gases, toxicological studies are also being conducted in which human lung cells are exposed to these complex aerosols.

A third research focus is dedicated to non-CO2 emissions from aviation. Against the backdrop of current regulatory developments at the EU level, such as MRV and ETS, existing data is being used to validate existing models. This involves examining whether real-world emission scenarios can be meaningfully represented and whether non-CO2 effects can be effectively integrated into the assessments.
Comprehensive measurement campaigns are planned as part of the project to collect data. The findings will then be scientifically analyzed, presented at conferences, and published in relevant journals.

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