Thu, Jun 18, 2009
Tests Show Blends Compatible With Jet A
Pratt & Whitney signed the
executive summary released today by Boeing highlighting the
positive results of a pioneering industry flight test and research
program that should lead to future certification of sustainable
biojet fuels.
The results indicate sustainable sources of bio-derived oils and
processing methods can produce a Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene
(Bio-SPK) jet fuel. Bio-SPK fuel was tested in current commercial
aircraft at a blend ratio of up to 50 percent with normal jet fuel
(Jet A or Jet A-1).
The flight tests of Bio-SPK fuels were conducted by an industry
team. In 2009, Pratt & Whitney, Japan Airlines and Boeing
completed a successful flight test of a second-generation biojet
fuel on a Pratt & Whitney-powered 747 aircraft. The flight test
used a biofuel primarily refined from the sustainable crop,
camelina.
"The flight test and research
program generated valuable data to support certification of Bio-SPK
at a 50 percent blend ratio," said Alan Epstein, Pratt &
Whitney vice president, Technology & Environment. "These flight
tests provide further evidence that biojet fuels are technically
viable and represent a promising path to reducing aviation
greenhouse gas emissions."
Pratt & Whitney is a leader in the testing and certification
of alternative jet fuels and has been working with industry groups,
customers and aircraft manufacturers to explore alternative fuel
options that improve fuel supplies and reduce environmental
emissions. Pratt & Whitney Canada is also working with industry
experts to develop and test alternative fuels for general aviation,
business jets and the Virgin Galactic spaceship program.
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