Propulsion

Combustion

Aircraft fuel system

Chemistry

Context (archaeology)

Engineering

Electrically powered spacecraft propulsion

Power (physics)

Physics

Aerospace engineering

Organic chemistry

Biology

Fuel efficiency

Quantum mechanics

Aviation

Combustion chamber

Automotive engineering

Electricity generation

Paleontology

Aeronautics

Takeoff

Vapor lock

Journal of Propulsion and Power

The reduction of aviation's emissions is a major objective of the aviation industry. About 98% of the world's aviation is produced by aircraft with gross takeoff mass above 25 metric tonnes, referred to herein as airliners. Propulsion of such aircraft can require power and energy levels of tens of megawatts and hundreds of thousands of kilowatt hours per flight. The challenges to electrically powering these airliners are examined in the context of reduction. Additional possible benefits such as noise and cost reduction are explored. All electric (battery), hybrid, and turboelectric approaches are considered. Technical issues including weight, efficiency, and heat rejection are examined. In addition, economic and policy implications of an industry conversion to electric propulsion are discussed. The conclusion of this study is that electric propulsion is not a promising path to significant reduction of aviation's in the first half of the 21st century.

Considerations for Reducing Aviation’s CO2 with Aircraft Electric Propulsion