On Sunday it was revealed that, after a breakthrough at Oxford University, we could be close to seeing commercial aircraft powered by ammonia instead of kerosene. British technology would result in zero-emission aircraft, and airlines would be able to adapt their existing fleet instead of buying redesigned aircraft.
Environmentally friendly aircraft on the horizon
The Telegraph reported on Sunday that greener aircraft engine technology being developed at Oxford could mean emission-free air travel in a matter of years. Reaction Engines is working on systems to adapt existing aircraft to run with zero emissions using ammonia as fuel instead of kerosene.
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Ammonia is harder to burn, which makes it safer than kerosene, and when it burns, it does not produce CO2. The chemical has advantages over options for hydrogen and battery – it is cheaper and can be stored in the wings, because conventional fuel is currently available. Without having to create different fuel storage solutions, existing aircraft fleets could be customized instead of refurbished jets. This also means that rates do not have to increase significantly.
Reaction Engines is working on the project on Oxford University’s Harwell Campus with funding from the Government’s Council of Science and Technology Facilities. James Barth, who worked on the project, said:
“There’s no reason why, without the right funding, we can not test a small-scale demonstrator within a matter of years.”
Ammonia plane power
To power the engines, ammonia would have to be split into hydrogen and nitrogen with a heat exchanger and a catalyst. The chemical mix would then be ignited in the combustion chamber to create power. The only emissions would be harmless hydrogen, nitrogen, and possibly nitrogen oxides, which can be removed with more ammonia. Mr Barth says:
“The fuel could actually scrub its own emissions.”
Ammonia is currently a similar price as kerosene, although producing completely green ammonia would be more expensive. However, the higher production costs could be offset by low carbon taxes. One of the few disadvantages of ammonia over conventional fuel is the lower energy density, which would mean that aircraft have a somewhat shorter range.
Governments insist on lower carbon emissions
With the airlines of the world founded by the coronavirus pandemic, we have seen cleaner and clearer skies, bringing the realization that air travel needs to become more environmentally friendly. Because many governments have been forced to bail out their national carriers to keep their surface in the wake of the crisis, they have linked the loans to emission targets.
The UK government is committed to having net zero emissions by 2050 last year. Several strands of battery-powered aircraft have been carried out, and companies such as Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Siemens are researching the new technology.
Chief Executive of Reaction Engines, Mark Thomas said,
“The pandemic could help with the pressure on green travel. We have been living under clean skies for the past few months. ” He added, “It’s becoming clear that there’s going to be a real technological drive.”
It is possible that the cloud of COVID-19 brings the silver lining of much cleaner air travel.
What do you think of the pressure for greener flights? Let us know in the comments.
