Evolution of the Quality of Jet Fuels: Ukrainian Comparative Review from Traditional to Sustainable Aviation Fuels

This chapter describes the production of aviation fuels, a critical sector within the global oil refining industry and a highly knowledge-intensive field. Modern aviation significantly relies on petroleum resources, particularly aviation gasoline and jet fuel. However, the connectivity provided by aviation has notable climate impacts. Although aviation is not directly included in the Paris Agreement, the sector set three goals in 2009 to address greenhouse gas emissions: improving fuel efficiency by 1.5% annually, achieving carbon–neutral growth from 2020 onwards, and halving 2005 emissions levels by 2050 Jet fuel quality is influenced by the nature of the crude oil and the distillation process. Different purification methods are used depending on the crude oil composition and fuel quality requirements. The catalytic processing mode significantly impacts fuel quality, which is crucial given the depletion of traditional raw materials and environmental concerns. High-quality jet fuels are essential for the reliability and safety of aircraft operations. Environmental requirements also affect fuel quality. European Parliament and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) emphasize the use of biofuels to mitigate aviation’s climate impact. By 2050, low-carbon aviation fuels should constitute 40% of the total, with IATA aiming to reduce CO2 emissions by 50%. In conclusion, the article highlights the importance of high-quality aviation fuels, the evolving regulatory landscape, and the shift towards sustainable aviation fuels to achieve long-term environmental goals.