High-resolution simulations of contrails from hydrogen-powered aircraft

Abstract

The transition to climate-friendly aviation includes exploring hydrogen propulsion as an alternative to conventional kerosene engines, making it important to assess the climate impact of contrails forming behind hydrogen-powered aircraft. Using high-resolution simulations with the EULAG-LCM large-eddy simulation model and particle-based ice microphysics, this study analyzes the full lifecycle of individual contrails, from their interaction with wake vortices to their evolution into contrail-cirrus. By increasing water vapor emissions and varying the initial number of ice crystals, the simulations show that contrail evolution is mainly controlled by initial ice crystal number, ambient temperature, and relative humidity, while the additional water vapor from hydrogen combustion has a smaller influence. The results help evaluate the potential climate impact of hydrogen-powered aviation.