First US commercial passenger flight to use green jet fuel takes off
On November 7, the first U.S. passenger flight using aviation biofuel made by Honeywell’s UOP will departed from Houston’s IAH airport. United Airlines operatde flight 1403, a Boeing 737-824 with 189 passengers, using a blend of petroleum-based jet fuel and aviation biofuel made from algal-oil. The algal oil, provided by Solazyme, was refined into biofuel using process technology from Honeywell’s UOP.
“We’re seeing growing interest from both commercial and military aviation for alternatives that will diversify our current fuel supply and offer improved environmental performance,” said Jim Rekoske, vice president and general manager for Renewable Energy and Chemicals at Honeywell UOP’s. “With our proven technology and the commitment of companies like United and Solazyme, sustainable biofuels for aviation are a viable near-term option.”
The fuel for the flight was produced using process technology developed by Honeywell’s UOP. The process converts inedible natural oils and wastes into Green Jet Fuel. At a 40/60 blend, the fuel meets or exceeds all specifications for flight and requires no changes to the aircraft or engine. Made from sustainable sources, like the algae used today, Green Jet Fuel also offers as much as an 85 percent net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to petroleum-based jet fuel.
Green Jet Fuel made with the Honeywell UOP process has powered 24 commercial and military biofuel flights to date including the first transatlantic biofuel flight on a Honeywell-operated G 450 business aircraft and the first super-sonic biofuel flight on a Navy F/A-18 Hornet. Green Jet Fuel in up to a 50/50 blend was certified for use on commercial passenger flights by ASTM International on July 1, 2011.
11/08/2011