Eco-Aviation Channel

New alternative fuel specification sets stage for renewable aviation energy

By Perry Flint
Eco-Aviation Today, October 12, 2009, p.3

Approval of the first alternative fuel specification for aviation jet fuel in 20 years has set the stage for approval of sustainable aviation biofuel blends by the end of 2010, according to FAA Aviation Fuels Specialist Mark Rumizen.

Speaking at the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative General Meeting in Washington on Sept. 30, Rumizen, who is the CAAFI certification team leader, said the alternative fuel specification, D7566, covers synthetic hydrocarbons produced from coal, gas and biomass using the Fischer-Tropsch method for up to a 50% blend with conventional jet fuel. Until ATSM International approved the specification, only one fuel provider in the world (in South Africa) was certified to produce synthetic jet fuel using the F-T method.

According to Rumizen, the next step is a research report due out by year end on the testing of hydro-processed renewable jet fuel (also known as bio-synthesized paraffinic kerosene) from bio feedstock. It is expected that this will be followed in late 2010 with an annex to Specification D7566 covering a 50% blend of HRJ fuels. In 2011, certification is expected for 100% F-T fuel, followed by 100% HRJ in 2013. Each certification will be handled as an annex to D7566.

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