Utilizing Radiocarbon and Thermo-optical Measurements to Quantify Source Contributions for Aircraft Engine Particulate Emissions

Recent technological advancements in aircraft engine technology and fuel sources have promising potential for reducing particulate emissions from aircraft engines. During the 2022 Boeing ecoDemonstrator ground-based field campaign, particle and trace gas emissions were sampled for four different fuels, including 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), petroleum-based Jet A fuel, petroleum-based Jet A low sulfur fuel, and a SAF blend. Particulate emissions were collected on quartz microfiber filters and analysed for their radiocarbon content and their elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC) concentrations. In addition, the radiocarbon content of Jet A fuel, SAF, and aircraft engine oil was also measured. We used the radiocarbon content of the particulate emissions samples and source end members to quantify the relative contribution from engine oil and fuel to carbonaceous aerosol emissions. The results from this study can be used to understand how the implementation of technological advancements in aircraft engine technology and fuel sources will likely impact future aircraft particulate emissions.