14.07.2010

TsAGI suggests making dual-fuel air vehicles operational

29 June, 2010. The Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute named after prof. N. E. Zhukovsky took part in parliamentary hearings on «Problems of legal regulation of gas-engine fuel» that was held by the State Duma of the Russian Federation.

Vyacheslav Saitsev, chief design engineer of TsAGI’s department of strategic planning, complex research and targeted development of aerospace engineering and his colleagues from CIAM (Cetral Istitute of Aviation Motors), GosNIIGA (The State Scientifically Research Institute of Civil Aircraft) and NIPI on gas-processing (Research and Development and Project Institute on gas processing) jointly made a comprehensive presentation on adapting air vehicles to gaseous fuel. Rational was given for the feasibility, prospects and relatively low costs for the creation and exploitation of dual-fuel air vehicles. Said vehicles may use aviation condensed propane and butane fuel — ASKT, aviation kerosene or mixes of the fuels in various proportions.

The presentation caused great interest among participants. In particular, Guennadiy Shmal, the President of Alliance of oil and gas manufacturers of Russia, said that it was more practical to exploit these vehicles in northern, Siberian and Far Eastern regions, where aviation kerosene must be delivered from distant industrially developed areas. The remote regions are rich in gas resources and the gas could be used to produce the ASKT rather than being burned off.

Various issues regarding legal regulation of gas-engine fuel usage were considered during the hearing. It was emphasized that specialists were highly experienced in the use of condensed and liquefied fuel for use in automotive, rail and aeronautical traffic. Gas-engine fuel is ecologically cleaner and economically cheaper (two to five times) compared to conventional engine fuel manufactured from oil (gasoline, diesel fuel and kerosene).