Thermodynamic evaluation of contrail formation from a conventional jet fuel and an ammonia-based aviation propulsion system.

ABSTRACT: Condensation trail (contrail) formation in an airplane's wake requires thermodynamics supersaturation and ice nucleation to form visible ice crystals. Here, using a thermodynamic analysis, we evaluate the potential for forming contrails in a carbon-free, ammonia-powered propulsion system compared to conventional planes powered by jet fuel. The analysis calculates the moisture released by fuel into the atmosphere for each one-degree increase in air temperature due to exhaust gas. It then determines if this moisture can saturate the initially undersaturated atmosphere, maintain saturation as temperature rises, and result in supersaturation with respect to ice while leaving enough moisture for a visible cloud to form. With ammonia increases the critical temperature required for supersaturatio

SUBMITTER: Cannon T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11555222 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature