Evaluation of safety, performance and emissions of synthetic fuel blends in a Cessna Citation II

Prior to being used in aviation, alternative fuels have to be tested thoroughly to ensure safe operation. At Delft University of Technology, a test programme was performed to evaluate the safety, performance and emissions of synthetic fuel blends. During test preparations, compatibility of the synthetic fuel with the aircraft, a Cessna Citation II equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-4 jet engines, was ensured by material and component testing. When safe operation was ensured, on-ground engine test runs were performed. Results indicated good engine operation and reduced fuel consumption with increasing synthetic fuel content. Emission measurements during the engine test runs showed significantly reduced soot and sulphur dioxide emissions and small reductions in carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides emission over a landing and take-off cycle.