Exploring the effects of different fuel compositions
ECLIF-X is an Airbus-led flight test campaign at the forefront of researching aviation’s non-CO2 emissions. These emissions include contrails, the white lines behind aircraft at altitude. Contrails are a contributor to aviation’s overall climate impact, as they can trap heat in the atmosphere. ECLIF-X is studying how varying amounts of sulphur in jet fuel affect contrail properties and, more importantly, mitigation.
Standing for Emissions and Climate Impact of alternative Fuels, ECLIF-X is an important industry-led R&D project that puts Airbus’ commitment to reducing aviation’s climate impact in the spotlight. The project uses an A321XLR test aircraft flying with three different fuels to understand the effect of fuel composition on engine emissions, and resulting contrail formation and properties.
The ‘X’ in ECLIF-X refers to engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney’s TALON-X rich-burn combustor, which is designed to reduce gas turbine's soot emissions. These emissions include the small particles or ‘seeds’ involved in the formation of contrail ice crystals. The A321XLR’s Pratt PW1100G-JM engine is equipped with the combustor, and the powerplant’s emissions are the focus of the campaign. (....)