Challenges and Opportunities of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Future Aerospace Propulsion Systems
A Special Issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073) belonging to the section "I1: Fuel".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 27 November 2026 | Viewed by 1015
Editors
Interests: flow and heat transfer of supercritical hydrocarbon fuels; compact and lightweight heat exchanger for aerospace propulsion; reusable technology for hypersonic engines; measurement of thermophysical properties of hydrocarbon fuels
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: thermochemical conversion of biomass to biofuel; experimental and numerical investigation into ammonia utilisation as future energy storage medium, storage and combustion; integrated green ammonia production process
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: regenerative cooling technology for air-breathing engines; reusable technology for rocket ramjet combined cycle engines; digital twin technology for rocket ramjet combined cycle engines
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Next-generation aerospace propulsion systems face stringent decarbonization requirements and severe high thermal load challenges. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with its excellent infrastructure compatibility and significant emission reduction potential, has emerged as one of the most feasible low-carbon solutions for the aviation industry in the near term. This Special Issue focuses on the applications of sustainable aviation fuel in aerospace propulsion, aiming to gather cutting-edge research achievements and advance the transition of SAF from fundamental research to engineering applications.
SAF is produced through a variety of technical pathways with a wide range of feedstocks. Differences in its composition directly affect key fuel properties such as combustion, emissions, and material compatibility. Its low aromatic content provides distinct advantages in reducing particulate emissions and mitigating climate impacts, while also posing technical challenges related to sealing material compatibility and system integration. Looking ahead, the large-scale application of 100% SAF requires the coordinated optimization of fuel formulations, material systems, and engine systems.
In terms of performance evaluation, SAF research is shifting from traditional empirical methods toward a multi-scale prediction system that combines molecular simulation, data-driven modeling, and uncertainty analysis. Meanwhile, SAF demonstrates significant value in thermal management for high thermal load propulsion systems, particularly in regenerative cooling. Its excellent thermal stability and coking resistance offer a new approach for thermal protection in advanced propulsion systems.
The topics of interest for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to:
- SAF production pathways, feedstock optimization, and life cycle assessment.
- Aero-engine compatibility, spray combustion, and emission characteristics of SAF.
- Non-CO₂ climate impacts and mitigation mechanisms of SAF combustion.
- SAF blending strategies and evolution of airworthiness standards for future propulsion fuels.
- Certification, standardization, and techno-economic analysis of SAF applications.
- Fuel property prediction, molecular simulation, and data-driven modeling of SAF.
- Thermal management potential and regenerative cooling performance of SAF.
- Experiments and simulations of SAF application in aviation piston engines/general aviation propulsion systems.
- Synergistic optimization of SAF with hybrid-electric/hydrogen propulsion systems.
Dr. Yinlong Liu
Dr. Wai Siong Chai
Prof. Dr. Xing Sun
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
- aerospace propulsion
- aero-engine compatibility
- thermal management
- low-carbon aviation
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