Boeing: Bio Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (Bio-SPK) OK as Jet Fuel
June 23, 2009 // Published as a news service by IHS
Boeing and other aviation industry companies released a study, Evaluation of Bio-Derived Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (Bio-SPK), demonstrating that biofuels analyzed in a series of test flights performed favorably compared to petroleum-based fuel.
Renewable jet fuels from bio-derived sources are being considered by the aviation industry to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, according to Boeing.
The study used laboratory, ground and flight tests conducted between 2006 and 2009 and found that test fuels performed as well as or better than typical petroleum-based Jet A.
Testing included several commercial airplane engine types using blends of up to 50% petroleum-based Jet A/Jet A-1 fuel and 50% biofuels.
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, said Boeing.
Additionally, the study found that the Bio-SPK fuel blends had no adverse effects on the engines or their components. Tests also showed that the fuels have greater energy content by mass than typical petroleum-derived jet fuel - which could lower fuel consumption per mile.
Test flights involved an Air New Zealand 747-400 powered by Rolls-Royce engines, a Continental Airlines 737-800 powered by CFM International engines and a Japan Airlines 747-300 powered by Pratt & Whitney engines. GE Aviation conducted static testing at its Ohio facility and Virgin Atlantic proved the technical viability of biofuels at high altitude with its test flight in early 2008.
The test flights each used a different blend of biofuel sources:
- The Air New Zealand flight used fuel derived from jatropha.
- The Continental flight used a blend of jatropha and algae-based fuels.
- The Japan Airlines flight used a blend of jatropha, algae and camelina-based fuels.
Boeing, together with UOP LLC and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, is preparing a research report for submission to the ASTM International Aviation Fuel Committee later this year. The report will support efforts to gain approval to use Bio-SPK fuel at up to a 50% blend to accelerate availability and use.
The aviation industry, said Boeing, is working to improve the environmental performance of all aspects of flight and ground operations, including driving sustainability practices into the fuel supply chain through the Sustainable Aviation Fuel User Group.
Evaluation of Bio-Derived Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (Bio-SPK) may be viewed on the Boeing web site.
Source: Boeing.