ABSTRACT
This chapter presents basic concepts in the key areas of alternate-fuel production for green aviation and provides a foundation for critical thinking. It outlines the international standards for jet fuel, along with a description of the most important physical characteristics for aviation fuel. The chapter provides fuel composition and its corresponding effects on fuel properties. The hydrocarbon composition of any particular tank of jet fuel is dependent on the properties of the crude oil, refining operations, and the use of additives. The emissions from an airplane are a function of fuel properties, the amount of fuel used, operating conditions, and the combustion efficiency. There are three commonly used categories of biofuels that indicate their readiness for commercialization. The categories are first-generation, second-generation, and third-generation biofuels. The chapter considers alternative fuel feedstocks, biorefining techniques, and an introduction to life cycle analysis for aviation fuel. Processes such as transesterification and hydroprocessing are used to transform the molecular structure of the crude oils.
