NewNergy

Virgin Atlantic and its partners Boeing, GE Aviation and Imperium Renewables Inc. have demonstrated that a commercial airliner using renewable fuel can fly. On Feb. 24, a Boeing 747 jumbo jet flew from London to Amsterdam, burning a mix of 20 percent biofuel containing babassu and coconut oils, and 80 percent standard jet fuel in one of its four engines without any modifications to the aircraft. Technical advisors were on board, collecting and recording flight data for analysis, which will be used in future research and the development of next-generation biofuels. Boeing will also use the findings in another demonstration flight later this year.

Seattle-based biodiesel producers Imperium Renewables prepared the biofuel, which must stay liquid in frigid, high-altitude temperatures.

Prior to the flight, extensive laboratory and static-engine testing was conducted to evaluate the energy and performance properties of the biofuel.

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Labels: airlines, biofuels