Dutch Lab Tests Gas as Aviation Fuel

A consortium known as Clean Tech Aviation (CTA) has opened a laboratory in Groningen State University to test the feasibility of using methane as an aviation fuel.

Members include the Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen, the Technical University (TU) Eindhoven, gas transport system operator Gasunie, natural gas suppliers GasTerra and Engie and the National Centre for Aviation and Space Travel (NLR) in Lelystad. Their ambition is to have an operational prototype in 2018 and their hope is to cut CO₂ emissions from the sector by a quarter. They also foresee a cut in other emissions as well as in the fuel price.

The lab was opened as the result of seven years of preparatory efforts. The consortium has invested €1.3mn ($1.38mn) in it and there is a chance it will also receive €3.7mn from the European Union. The tests will involve engines adapted for the use of natural gas and small airplanes with one or two motors, which can carry up to ten passengers. They now use aviation gasoline as a fuel. The first tests involve three propeller engines and one jet engine.

Before the lab tests, every engine is reviewed theoretically at the Dutch Center for Aviation and Space Travel. In Brunswick in Germany, CTA will research the optimisation of the fuel tanks for CNG and LNG. This aspect will also be a promotion dissertation subject for TU Eindhoven students. After the lab tests, the fuel tanks and the engines will be assembled on airplanes in Brunswick followed by test flights in there and in Teuge in The Netherlands. If successful, the next step is an application for certification by the aviation authorities Easa (Europe) and FAA (USA).

Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen

As well as reducing emissions, successful tests could lead to another outlet developing for natural gas, following marine bunkering. Coincidentally, two of the consortium members, GasTerra and Engie, are disputing a gas contract, where the buyer, Engie, is seeking a reduction in the amount of gas that GasTerra wants to sell it, as Engie already has more than it can sell profitably. The gas is low-calorie gas from the nearby Groningen gas field.

Koen Mortelmans