Hydrotreated Renewable Jet Fuel Being Tested On A NASA
DC-8
Researchers are testing an "eco-friendly" biofuel on a NASA DC-8
to measure its performance and emissions as part of the Alternative
Aviation Fuel Experiment II, or AAFEX II. The fuel is called
Hydrotreated Renewable Jet Fuel, and the tests are being conducted
at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center in California.
NASA DC-8 File Photo
"It's made out of chicken fat, actually," said Langley's Bruce
Anderson, AAFEX II project scientist. "The Air Force bought many
thousands of gallons of this to burn in some of their jets and
provided about 8,000 gallons to NASA for this experiment."
Anderson and his team will test a 50-50 mix of biofuel and
regular jet fuel, biofuel only, and jet fuel only. The jet fuel is
Jet Propellant 8, or JP-8, a kerosene-like mix of hydrocarbons. Two
of the team members from Langly in Virginia headed west in a
specially equipped 32-foot van on loan from Langley's Aviation
Safety Program. It's been dubbed "EM-50" by researchers, after the
"urban assault vehicle" used in the 1981 comedy "Stripes".
Three more researchers from Langley flew to the experiment, and
researchers from Dryden and NASA's Glenn Research Center in Ohio
have key roles as well. The effort includes investigators and
consultants from private industry, other federal organizations, and
academia. In all, 17 organizations are participating in AAFEX
II.
"AAFEX II will provide essential gaseous and particulate
emissions data as well as engine and aircraft systems performance
data from operation of the DC-8 on a fuel produced from a renewable
resource," said Glenn's Dan Bulzan, who leads clean energy and
emissions research in NASA's Subsonic Fixed Wing Project.
"NASA Dryden is excited to continue contributing to the study of
alternative fuels for aviation use," said Frank Cutler, NASA's DC-8
flying laboratory project manager. "These tests will assess exhaust
emissions generated by modern turbine aircraft engines using
man-made fuels."
In 2009, researchers in the AAFEX I project tested two synthetic
fuels derived from petroleum-based coal and natural gas. Testing is
being done at a time when the U.S. military has set a goal of
eventually flying its aircraft using 50 percent biofuel. The Air
Force is currently engaged in certifying its fleet to operate on a
50-percent blend of the same fuel being tested in AAFEX II. Some
military cargo and fighter planes already use alternative
fuels.
"The use of alternative fuels, including biofuels, in aircraft
is a key element for substantially reducing the impact of aviation
on the environment and for reducing the dependency on foreign
petroleum," said Glenn's Ruben Del Rosario, manager of NASA's
Subsonic Fixed Wing Project, which is conducting the tests.
The tests are funded and managed by the Fundamental Aeronautics
Program of NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate in
Washington.