Reporting live from the Dubai Air Show. Qatar Airways, Qatar Petroleum, Qatar Fuel Company, Airbus and Rolls Royce are signing a milestone agreement to study the use of synthetic jet fuel to power aircraft.
The goal is to make Qatar the GTL (gas to liquid) producing capitol of the world.
By converting natural gas to liquid jet fuel, aircraft will benefit from distinct advantages:
1. Higher energy density. (potentially 4-5%) Which means aircraft will be able to fly longer on the same amount of fuel. Or rather, less fuel for existing routes.
2. Cleaner burning: Sulfur and nitrate emissions are zero.
3. It is a "drop-in" fuel meaning that no modification or new engine technology is required. In addition, Airbus' new fuel initiative requires that there will be no change to airport infrastructure. An aircraft that can run GTL will be able to use traditional kersene and biofuel with existing technology.
Qatar Gas Ventures suggests that airlines should expect to pay a premium for the increased efficiency.
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