GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

Much of the world still relies on fossil fuels for energy and transportation, particularly in aviation, where petroleum-based kerosene fuels dominate. The aviation industry is a major contributor to carbon emissions, driving efforts to develop Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) as cleaner alternatives.One such SAF is Fischer-Tropsch (FT) Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) S8 synthetic kerosene, a highly refined paraffinic fuel derived from natural gas. Produced through the Fischer-Tropsch process, S8 contains near-zero sulfur and aromatics, offering the potential for lower emissions than Jet-A. Autoignition characteristics were analyzed in a Constant Volume Combustion Chamber (CVCC), revealing that S8 had a 21.2% higher Derived Cetane Number (DCN) at 59.96. Ignition delay and combustion delay were shorter than Jet-A, while Low Temperature Heat Release (LTHR) energy was comparable. These findings demonstrate S8’s potential as a cleaner aviation fuel, offering reduced environmental impact without sacrificing engine performance.