Eco-Aviation Channel

Biofuels get green light

By Geoffrey Thomas
Eco-Aviation Today, July 10, 2009, p.3

Boeing and its industry partners released high-level elements at the Paris Air Show of a study that proves sustainable biofuels analyzed in a series of pioneering test flights over the past six months performed favorably in comparison to petroleum-based fuel. According to the study, "Evaluation of Bio-Derived Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (Bio-SPK)," a series of laboratory, ground and flight tests conducted between 2006 and 2009 indicated the test fuels performed as well as or better than typical petroleum-based Jet A.

The study showed that the Bio-SPK fuel blends used in the test flight program met or exceeded all technical parameters for commercial jet aviation fuel including freezing point, flash point, fuel density and viscosity and that they had no adverse effects on the engines or their components. Importantly, the tests also showed that the fuels have greater energy content by mass than typical petroleum-derived jet fuel, which potentially could lower fuel consumption.

"These are very gratifying results," said Boeing MD-Environmental Strategy Billy Glover. "Everyone on the team--and across the industry--is working hard to make sustainable biofuels a real solution for reducing the carbon footprint of aviation, and these results move us closer to that goal."

The report is endorsed by Boeing, fuel technology developer UOP--a Honeywell company--GE Aviation, CFM International, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, Honeywell, Air New Zealand, Continental Airlines, Japan Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.

Boeing, in cooperation with UOP and the USAF Research Laboratory, is preparing a comprehensive research report for submission to the American Society for Testing and Materials International Aviation Fuel Committee later this year. It will support efforts to gain approval to use Bio-SPK fuel at up to a 50% blend. Glover told Eco-Aviation Today that the first goal is a 50% blend, and "once that is established, a higher content biofuel will be sought." In a related event, an ASTM fuels subcommittee recently approved a new specification for alternative jet fuel derived from the Fischer-Tropsch method (see item below).

Boeing remains very upbeat on the future of biofuels despite suggestions there will be difficulty producing enough feedstocks. While not wanting to be specific, Glover said he is confident that by 2025 biofuels "will make up a significant amount of fuel used in aviation." He conceded, however, that "a lot of pieces need to fall into place" and there are still serious challenges. He emphasized that it is important that governments get involved to assist biofuel companies that will be competing with established petroleum-based fuel producers. "Investors need greater certainty and the biofuel industry needs to know what price they are competing with," he said.

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