High-resolution modeling of early contrail evolution from hydrogen-powered aircraft
<p>In this study, we investigate the properties of young contrails formed behind hydrogen-powered aircraft, particularly compared to contrails from conventional kerosene combustion. High-resolution simulations of individual contrails are performed using the EULAG-LCM model, a large-eddy simula...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| Online Access: | https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/25/7903/2025/acp-25-7903-2025.pdf |
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| Summary: | <p>In this study, we investigate the properties of young contrails formed behind hydrogen-powered aircraft, particularly compared to contrails from conventional kerosene combustion. High-resolution simulations of individual contrails are performed using the EULAG-LCM model, a large-eddy simulation model with fully coupled particle-based ice microphysics.</p>
<p>Previous studies on early contrail evolution during the vortex phase have explored a range of meteorological and aircraft-related parameters, but they have focused on contrails with ice crystal numbers and water vapor emissions typical of kerosene combustion.</p>
<p>This study examines the early H<span class="inline-formula"><sub>2</sub></span>-contrail evolution, starting at a state where ice crystal formation and wake vortex roll-up are complete. Two key parameters are adjusted: the emitted water vapor mass and the number of ice crystals formed during the initial stage. The emitted water vapor varies between 3.7 and 38.6 g per flight meter, depending on the fuel and aircraft type. The initial ice crystal number spans 4 orders of magnitude, from approximately 10<span class="inline-formula"><sup>10</sup></span> to 10<span class="inline-formula"><sup>14</sup></span> ice crystals per flight meter. Additionally, we extend our atmospheric scenarios to ambient temperatures up to 235 K, as H<span class="inline-formula"><sub>2</sub></span> contrails can form under warmer conditions where kerosene plumes typically cannot.</p>
<p>Our results show that vortex phase processes reduce the 4-order-of-magnitude difference in ice crystal number to 2 orders of magnitude. Moreover, relative ice crystal loss increases with increasing ambient temperatures and decreasing relative humidity levels.</p>
<p>Finally, we extend the parameterization of ice crystal loss from a previous study to include scenarios of contrails from hydrogen propulsion systems.</p> |
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| ISSN: | 1680-7316 1680-7324 |