Rajan Wilcox
The aviation industry's impact on the environment is a growing concern. In 2019, aviation accounted for 2.5% of global CO2 emissions from fossil sources and land use. While this figure has fluctuated between 2% and 2.5% since the mid-1990s, it has increased noticeably since 2010. The fuel used by aircraft is primarily jet fuel, a highly refined form of kerosene, which has a high flash point and burns above 49°C. A Boeing 747, for example, burns approximately 5 gallons of jet fuel per mile, or 36,000 gallons over a 10-hour flight. The use of fossil fuels in aviation contributes to the emission of various gases and particulates, including CO2, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, hydrocarbons, and soot. While sustainable biofuels and blends of fossil and sustainably-sourced alternative fuels have the potential to reduce emissions, they face political, technological, and economic barriers to widespread adoption.
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What You'll Learn
- A Boeing 747 burns 36,000 gallons of fuel over a 10-hour flight
- Jet fuel is a mix of refined kerosene, burning at 49 °C or higher
- Sustainable aviation fuel yields lower emissions of particles and GHGs
- Aviation accounted for 2.5% of CO2 emissions from fossil sources in 2019
- CO2 is 70% of aircraft emissions, with a warming effect on the atmosphere
A Boeing 747 burns 36,000 gallons of fuel over a 10-hour flight
A Boeing 747 is a large plane that uses jet fuel, also known as kerosene. Kerosene-based fuels are used for large planes because the flash point of kerosene is higher than gasoline. This means that kerosene is more efficient and provides a higher level of power than gasoline.
A Boeing 747 burns approximately 36,000 gallons of fuel over a 10-hour flight. This equates to 1 gallon (approximately 4 liters) of fuel burned every second. Over a 5-hour flight, the aircraft would consume 18,000 gallons of fuel. During takeoff and ascent to cruising altitude, a Boeing 747 burns approximately 5,000 gallons of fuel.
The Boeing 747 can carry up to 568 people. Considering a flight with 500 passengers, the plane burns 0.01 gallons of fuel per person per mile. This means the plane gets 100 miles per gallon per person, while flying at 550 mph.
Aircraft emissions have a significant impact on the climate. CO2 is the largest component of aircraft emissions, accounting for approximately 70% of the exhaust. Aircraft ground and low-altitude operations below 3,000 feet contribute to local air quality issues due to emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, hydrocarbons, and soot particulates. To mitigate the environmental impact of aviation, sustainable biofuels blended with kerosene jet fuel have been introduced, which have a lower lifecycle greenhouse gas assessment and reduce soot content in the exhaust.
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Jet fuel is a mix of refined kerosene, burning at 49 °C or higher
Jet fuel is a mix of extremely refined kerosene that burns at temperatures of 49°C or higher. It is used to power modern commercial airliners and is defined as a performance specification rather than a chemical compound. This is due to the fact that the exact composition of jet fuel varies depending on the petroleum source. Kerosene-type jet fuel includes Jet A and Jet A-1, JP-5, and JP-8, and has a carbon number distribution of about 8 to 16 carbon atoms per molecule. Jet fuel is distinct from aviation gasoline (avgas), which is used by small aircraft, light helicopters, and vintage piston-engined aircraft.
The use of jet fuel in the aviation industry has raised concerns about its environmental impact. Aircraft emissions contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, with approximately 90% of these emissions occurring above 3,000 feet. CO2 is the largest component of aircraft emissions, accounting for about 70% of the exhaust. To address these concerns, scientists are exploring the use of sustainable biofuels blended with kerosene jet fuel, which can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions and soot content in the exhaust.
The demand for jet fuel has led to an increase in global fuel consumption by commercial airlines. In 2019, fuel consumption reached an all-time high of 95 billion gallons, and it is expected to continue rising in the coming years. The specific fuel consumption of an aircraft depends on various factors, including the type of aircraft and the duration of the flight. For example, a Boeing 747 can burn approximately 36,000 gallons of fuel during a 10-hour flight, while the Airbus A380, the largest jet airliner, burns an average of 4,600 gallons of fuel per hour.
The taxation of aviation fuel is also a topic of discussion. While the Convention on International Civil Aviation (ICAO) exempts air fuels loaded onto an aircraft from import taxes, there have been efforts to explore harmonized international measures for kerosene taxation in aviation. However, there are concerns that local aviation fuel taxes may lead to increased tankering, where airlines carry extra fuel from low-tax jurisdictions, ultimately resulting in higher overall fuel consumption.
To summarize, jet fuel, a refined kerosene-based product, has become essential for the aviation industry, powering modern commercial airliners. Its performance specifications and high flash point make it a suitable choice for large aircraft. However, its use has also raised environmental concerns, leading to the exploration of sustainable alternatives and the discussion of taxation policies to reduce emissions and fuel consumption.
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Sustainable aviation fuel yields lower emissions of particles and GHGs
The global aviation industry has been facing increasing demands for carbon reduction, which has led to a growing need for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). SAF is an alternative to traditional kerosene-based aviation fuel, which has a high sulphur content and is responsible for a large proportion of aircraft emissions. Aircraft emissions have a significant impact on the climate, with 90% of these emissions occurring higher than 3,000 feet above the ground. The remaining 10% is emitted during taxi, takeoff, initial climb, and during the approach and landing, impacting local air quality.
SAF is made from renewable biomass, carbon-rich waste gases, and non-petroleum feedstocks, which can deliver the performance of conventional jet fuel but with a much lower carbon footprint. SAF contains fewer aromatic components, which enables it to burn cleaner in aircraft engines, reducing local emissions of harmful compounds around airports. SAF can also be blended with conventional jet fuel, with blends of up to 50% SAF being used to power aircraft with similar properties to conventional jet fuel.
The use of SAF has the potential to dramatically reduce emissions from aviation. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, aviation makes up 9-12% of U.S. transportation emissions, and SAF can help to reduce these emissions. The U.S. Department of Energy has found that SAF can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 94% compared to conventional jet fuel, depending on feedstock and technology pathway.
The development and use of SAF present a significant opportunity to reduce emissions from aviation and contribute to the industry's goal of reaching net-zero carbon by 2050. The U.S. government is working to expand the production and consumption of SAF, aiming for a 50% reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. SAF is an important solution for reducing emissions and addressing the increasing demand for carbon reduction in the aviation industry.
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Aviation accounted for 2.5% of CO2 emissions from fossil sources in 2019
Aviation accounted for 2.5% of global CO2 emissions from fossil sources in 2019. This share has fluctuated between 2% and 2.5% since the mid-1990s but has increased since 2010. While aviation accounts for a relatively small proportion of global CO2 emissions, its overall contribution to climate change is higher. This is because, in addition to emitting CO2 from burning fuel, planes also affect the concentration of other atmospheric gases and pollutants.
Aircraft emissions at high altitudes have a more significant impact on the climate than emissions at lower altitudes. Approximately 90% of aircraft emissions occur above 3,000 feet, with the remaining 10% emitted during taxi, takeoff, initial climb, and landing. The gases and particulates emitted by burning jet fuel include CO2, water vapour, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, hydrocarbons, soot, and methane. CO2 accounts for about 70% of aircraft exhaust and has a long-term warming effect. Water vapour makes up about 30% of the exhaust but has minimal direct warming impact due to its short lifespan in the atmosphere.
Aircraft engine certification requirements address carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrous oxide, and smoke emissions. The United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) established CO2 emission standards for new aircraft in 2016, with more restrictive efficiency standards for designs certified after 2020. These efficiency requirements will apply to all new aircraft deliveries from 2028 and are expected to reduce cruise fuel consumption by 4% compared to 2015 performance.
The aviation industry's fuel consumption is a direct indicator of its CO2 emissions. Global fuel consumption by commercial airlines increased annually from 2009 to 2019, reaching 95 billion gallons. The fuel consumption dropped to 52 billion gallons in 2020 due to the pandemic but was forecast to rise to 92-99 billion gallons in 2023-2024. The use of sustainable biofuels blended with kerosene jet fuel is one potential mitigation strategy to reduce aviation's climate impact. Biofuels can have a lower lifecycle greenhouse gas assessment and reduce soot content, water vapour, and sulfates in the exhaust, leading to less contrail formation.
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CO2 is 70% of aircraft emissions, with a warming effect on the atmosphere
The burning of fossil fuels by jet aircraft emits various gases and particulates, with CO2 being the largest component, accounting for approximately 70% of aircraft emissions. The gas has a direct warming effect on the atmosphere, similar to when it is emitted from other fossil fuel combustion sources. This warming effect is caused by the difference between the incoming energy and the energy radiated back into space, resulting in the atmosphere becoming warmer if more energy is absorbed than radiated.
Jet fuel, primarily kerosene-based, is consumed during the different phases of flight, including taxi, takeoff, initial climb, cruise, and landing. The fuel consumption rate varies depending on the aircraft, with a Boeing 747 burning approximately 1 gallon (about 4 liters) of fuel per second during a 10-hour flight, amounting to 36,000 gallons (150,000 liters). On the other hand, the Airbus A380, the current largest jet airliner, burns an average of 4,600 gallons (11,400 liters) of fuel per hour.
The combustion of jet fuel produces CO2 at a defined ratio of 3.16 kilograms of CO2 per 1 kilogram of fuel consumed. This CO2 has an extended lifetime in the atmosphere, persisting for thousands of years and contributing to the greenhouse effect, the main driver of climate change. Additionally, non-CO2 emissions, such as water vapor, nitrous oxides, sulfur oxides, and soot particulates, also contribute to the warming effect. These emissions impact the physical and chemical properties of the atmosphere, leading to the formation of persistent contrail cirrus clouds that trap heat and further enhance global warming.
To address the environmental impact of aviation, sustainable biofuels blended with kerosene jet fuel have been introduced to reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions and soot content. Moreover, the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has established CO2 emission standards for new aircraft designs, aiming for improved fuel efficiency and reduced carbon emissions. These efforts are crucial in mitigating the warming effect of aircraft emissions on the atmosphere.
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Frequently asked questions
The amount of fossil fuel burned by an airplane varies depending on the model of the aircraft, the distance traveled, and the number of passengers on board. For example, a Boeing 747 burns approximately 5 gallons of fuel per mile (12 liters of fuel per kilometer). Over a 10-hour flight, this amounts to 36,000 gallons (150,000 liters) of fuel burned.
Most aviation fuels are kerosene-based, such as Jet A, Jet A-1, and JP-8. These fuels are used in turbine engine airplanes and have a higher flash point than gasoline-based fuels, making them safer and more efficient for aviation use.
According to estimates, airplanes burn approximately 740 million gallons of fuel per day globally, while automobiles burn about 1 billion gallons of fuel per day. However, when considering the number of passengers transported, airplanes can be more efficient. For example, a Honda Civic traveling 4,000 miles would require 133 gallons of fuel for two passengers, while a Boeing 747 would burn 20,000 gallons of fuel for 400 passengers over the same distance.
Aviation fuel consumption contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, with CO2 being the largest component, accounting for approximately 70% of aircraft exhaust. In 2019, aviation accounted for 2.5% of global CO2 emissions from fossil sources and land use. Aircraft emissions also include nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, hydrocarbons, and soot particulates, which impact local air quality and contribute to climate change.
