Regan Brown
There is a common misconception that all aircraft engines run on the same fuel. However, different planes use different types of fuel. The type of fuel used in an aircraft depends on its engine type and purpose. Commercial planes use high-quality kerosene-based fuel, which is different from the gasoline used in cars. This fuel is designed to offer safety, efficiency, and stability for the safe movement of people and light freights. On the other hand, cars tend to use gasoline, with fuel consumption depending on driving style.
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What You'll Learn
Commercial planes use kerosene-based jet fuel
Kerosene-based jet fuel is a clear to straw-coloured liquid, with a high flash point, allowing it to withstand the heat and stress of high-speed, supersonic flights. It has low viscosity at low temperatures and limited density and calorific values, enabling it to burn clean and remain stable at high temperatures. These properties make it ideal for turbine engines, which generate rapid heat and require fuel that is combustion-efficient and anti-heating.
The process of refuelling commercial planes depends on their size. Smaller planes use overwing fuelling, similar to car fuelling, where one or more fuel ports are opened and fuel is pumped in. Larger planes, on the other hand, use underwing or single-point pressure refuelling, where a high-pressure hose is attached and fuel is pumped in at a higher pressure.
While kerosene-based jet fuel is currently the standard for commercial aviation, there is ongoing research into alternative fuels. Compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquified natural gas (LNG) are potential future options, although their low specific energy is a disadvantage. Hydrogen is another possibility, particularly if produced using renewable energy sources, as it can be used largely free of carbon emissions.
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Jet fuel is more expensive than car fuel
Jet fuel and car fuel are derived from the same source: crude oil. However, jet fuel is more expensive than car fuel for several reasons. Firstly, jet fuel is subject to different taxation rules than car fuel, which can affect its price. For example, a local aviation fuel tax could increase the overall fuel consumption of airlines, as they would carry extra fuel from low-tax jurisdictions, leading to increased weight and fuel burn. On the other hand, countries like Australia and the United States oppose a worldwide aviation fuel tax, which could result in lower prices for jet fuel relative to car fuel in these regions.
Secondly, jet fuel requires specialized refining and distribution processes that add to its cost. Jet fuel must be pressurized and heated to allow atomization before ignition, as it is not very flammable under normal temperatures. This high-temperature vapor form of jet fuel is highly flammable and suitable for jet engines designed for high-temperature, high-speed missions. Additionally, jet fuel contains performance-enhancing additives, such as metal deactivators, static dissipaters, and gum inhibitors, which contribute to its expense.
Moreover, jet fuel is purchased in large volumes by airlines, which leads to negotiated contracts with fuel suppliers and competitive pricing. The high demand for jet fuel allows refiners to optimize its production over other products, driving down costs. In contrast, car fuel may have higher retail prices due to local supply and demand dynamics and regional tax regimes.
Lastly, the environmental impact of jet fuel compared to car fuel can influence its price. Jet fuel has a higher carbon footprint than car fuel when considering the extraction process and fuel consumption during flight. This disparity has led to discussions about implementing a 100% environmental tax on airline tickets to offset the environmental costs.
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Jet fuel is taxed differently to car fuel
Commercial planes and cars use different types of fuel. Piston-engined aircraft use leaded gasoline, while diesel-engined aircraft may use jet fuel (kerosene). Cars, on the other hand, typically run on gasoline or diesel fuel.
While both jet fuel and car fuel are taxed, there are differences in how these taxes are levied and the rates applied. For instance, in the context of jet fuel, there is a specific aircraft jet fuel tax that is collected by dealers for each gallon of jet fuel sold, delivered into an aircraft's fuel tank, or stored for future use in an aircraft. This tax is generally owed by the person who owns the jet fuel when a taxable event occurs. On the other hand, car fuel taxes are typically levied as a government tax on the sale of fuels like gasoline and diesel used for transportation. These taxes are often included in the price of fuel at the pump, and the rate can vary from country to country. For example, in the EU, there is an average tax of $1.76 (€1.6) per gallon of diesel fuel for cars, while the US has a lower average tax of around $0.60 (€0.55) per gallon.
The taxation of jet fuel and car fuel has also been a subject of debate and proposed changes. In the aviation industry, there have been concerns about the potential for increased "tankering," where airlines carry extra fuel from low-tax jurisdictions, which can lead to increased fuel consumption. As a result, a worldwide aviation fuel tax has been proposed to avoid this practice. On the other hand, some countries, like the US and China, have opposed including international aviation in emission trading schemes or imposing taxes on aviation fuel, citing agreements like the Chicago Convention.
Additionally, there have been legislative efforts to address the tax discrepancy between private jets and commercial flights. For example, US Democratic politicians have proposed raising fuel taxes on private jets, which can pollute up to 14 times more per passenger than commercial flights. These discussions and proposals highlight the complex considerations and varying tax treatments for jet fuel and car fuel.
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Jet fuel is more complex than car fuel
Secondly, jet fuel has more stringent requirements than fuels used for ground transport. It contains additives to enhance and maintain properties that are crucial for fuel performance and handling. These additives prevent the fuel from freezing and absorbing water, which is essential for aircraft operating at high altitudes and in varying atmospheric conditions.
Thirdly, the process of refueling jet aircraft is more specialized than that of cars. Jet fuel is exclusively pumped into larger aircraft through underwing, or single-point, refueling. This method uses a high-pressure hose attached to a special nozzle, called a J spout or duckbill, with a rectangular opening larger than 60 mm diagonally. This design ensures that the jet fuel is not mistakenly pumped into the wrong type of aircraft, as the nozzle will not fit into avgas ports.
Additionally, jet fuel is sold in high volume to large aircraft operators, such as airlines and militaries, while avgas is sold in lower volumes to individual aircraft operators. The net energy content and performance of jet fuel are also carefully calculated and considered by airliner manufacturers, further highlighting the complexity of jet fuel compared to car fuel.
Overall, the differences in composition, requirements, refueling processes, and distribution networks between jet fuel and car fuel demonstrate that jet fuel is indeed more complex than car fuel. These complexities are necessary to ensure the safe and efficient operation of aircraft, which have unique performance requirements and operating environments compared to ground vehicles.
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Jet fuel is safer than car fuel
Jet fuel and car fuel are similar, and jet fuel can even be used in cars with diesel engines. However, jet fuel is safer than car fuel for several reasons. Firstly, jet fuel has a lower freezing point than car fuel, which is important as temperatures during flights can drop below -40˚ C, and normal gasoline would likely freeze at this temperature, causing combustion to stop. Jet fuel's lower freezing point gives aircraft a much safer operating range.
Secondly, jet fuel has a higher flash point (the point at which it catches fire) than car fuel, which makes it safer to prevent unplanned combustion. Kerosene, which is often used as jet fuel, has a higher flash point than gasoline. This, combined with its lower freezing point, makes it a safer option for aircraft.
Additionally, jet fuel contains additives that enhance its safety. Anti-static chemicals, de-icing agents, anticorrosive agents, and anti-bacterial agents are added to jet fuel to prevent unexpected issues during flight. These additives are not typically found in car fuel.
Finally, the aviation industry is heavily regulated by national and international bodies, such as ASTM International and the U.S. Department of Defense, which ensures that jet fuel meets stringent standards and is safe for aircraft use.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, commercial planes use kerosene-based jet fuel, which is of a higher quality than fuel used in cars.
Commercial planes use jet fuel that is either an unleaded kerosene blend (Jet A-1) or a naphtha-kerosene blend (Jet B). Jet A powers most modern commercial airliners.
Smaller planes use overwing fueling, where one or more fuel ports are opened and fuel is pumped in with a conventional pump. Larger planes use underwing fueling, also known as single-point or pressure refueling, where a high-pressure hose is attached and fuel is pumped in at 275-310 kPa.
