Biofuels Digest Special Report on Aviation Biofuels: Producers

To date, UOP, Terra Sol, Sapphire Energy and Sustainable Oils have been among the companies supplying biofuels. For the Continental flight test in December, biofuels were created by UOP, from jatropha provided by Terra Sol Biofuels, and algae provided by Sapphire Energy. The fuel mix included 50 percent Jet A, 47 percent jatropha and 3 percent algae.

Last September, UOP Honeywell and Ensyn announced a joint venture to commercialize Ensyn’s fast pyrolysis process for converting crop and forest residues to energy. Ensyn’s “rapid thermal-processing” technology, which heats biomass to more than 900ºF and converts it to bio-oil, a tar-like substance that can be used for home heating oil. Through development, the companies aim to refine the resulting oils to biomass-based gasoline, diesel and jet fuels.

The Ensyn process, according to the company, takes less than two seconds to convert biomass to liquid in what they refer to as a “tornado of hot sand”. UOP, which is developing biomass-based jet fuel under a contract with DARPA, said that it would contribute technology and equipment to the JV.

Jennifer Holmgren, general manager for UOP’s Renewable Energy unit, said at the time of the Continental test flight that  “we are united by a common vision,” and said that UOP and all the partners had been searching for fuels that were a drop-in replacement for current aviation fuel (requiring no engine or aircraft modifications, or additional infrastructure), and economically, environmentally and socially sustainable. “We now have a fuel that meets that criteria”, she said.

Meanwhile, Solazyme has announced that they have produced the first algae-based aviation kerosene, and that the fuel has passed the 11 tests to meet the ASTM D1655 jet fuel standard, according to a fuel report by the Southwest Research Association.

In addition, AP Moller-Maersk, the oil group and shipping company, revealed that it has commenced discussions with Boeing to develop a biofuel supply for aviation as well as shipping. The company said that it is exploring the potential for synergies between the aviation and shipping industries, and confirmed that their intention is to convert their fleet ultimately to biofuels.

A proposal under discussion is to develop a research project that would produce a renewable jet fuel that would be utilized by Boeing and a heavier fuel suitable for Maersk tankers and containers.

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