Biofuel Powers Jet Engine

CFM International has successfully tested a commercial jet engine using fuel made from biomass, making the point that the value of environmentally-positive biofuels isn't limited to just surface transportation. The ester-type biofuel that successfully powered the company's CFM56-7B turbofan engine is comprised of 30 percent vegetable oil methyl ester blended with 70 percent conventional Jet-A1 fuel. CFM's goal is a net 20 percent reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions compared with current fuels.

 

The company points out that major technology challenges must still be met for alternative fuels to be used in the aviation industry, including energy density, thermal stability, use at very low or high temperatures, lubricating effect with materials used, and the availability of mass production facilities worldwide. CFM is jointly owned by Snecma (SAFRAN Group) and General Electric Company.

 

On another front, UOP LLC, a Honeywell company, is accelerating its research and development activities that focus on converting vegetable and algal oils to military jet fuels to be used by U.S. and NATO forces. UOP is working with Honeywell Aerospace, Cargill, Arizona State University, Sandia National Laboratories, and the Southwest Research Institute. Fuel produced by the new process must meet military specs and is expected to achieve 90 percent energy efficiency for maximum conversion of feed to fuel, reduced waste, and reduced production costs. The dual-use program, which has received $6.7 million funding from the Department of Defense and is expected to be completed by the end of 2008, also aims at developing this biofuel for commercial jets.

 

UOP and its European partner Eni have previously developed a process to convert vegetable oils and waste into a high-cetane green diesel fuel with low emissions and high efficiency. The UOP/Eni Ecofining process, which uses existing refinery infrastructure and technology, will be employed first in an Ecofining facility in Italy to be completed in 2009.