Boeing and Air New Zealand to Test Biofuels

Boeing and Air New Zealand to Test Biofuels

On December 3^rd, Boeing and Air New Zealand will take a major step in biofuel development by testing a biofuel in one of the four engines of a 747.  Because of the strict safety regulations for aircrafts, the use of biofuels must be examined very carefully before it can be widely used.  The particular biofuel used for the December 3^rd test is made from the seeds produced by a tropical shrub called jatropha.  The seeds contain inedible oil that can be converted into jet fuel.  For safety reasons, the fuel will be used in only one of the 747’s 4 engines. 

Richard Branson made headlines earlier this year when his airline, Virgin, flew an aircraft with a mixture of fuel and coconut oil.  But jatropha has significant advantages over coconut oil.  Its seeds are already used in the Philippines and India to produce biofuel.  The plant is native to Central America but has spread to warm weather climates around the globe.  It can grow on land that is otherwise non-arable.  The use of the seeds to make biofuel will have no effect on global food prices. 

Lab tests have shown that the fuel is usable in aircraft.  It has a low freezing point and an energy density similarto traditional jet fuel.  For these reasons, the jatropha-based fuel meets or exceeds all requirements set out by aviation safety associations.

The next step is for Boeing to gather test data to take to the American Society for Testing and Materials.  The ASTM currently does not have any standards for fuels from plant sources.  In order to achieve widespread use, proponents of jatropha-fuel will need to get their product approved through proper channels.