A Biobased Fuel for the Future of Aviation
Additional Funding Sources
The project described was supported by a student grant from the UI Office of Undergraduate Research.
Presentation Date
7-2019
Abstract
Utilizing biofuels in the aviation industry is critical because current jet fuels are derived from petroleum sources. These petroleum fuels are consumed at a rate that is unsustainable and produce carbon emissions that accelerate climate change. Biofuels are a renewable fuel source that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create economic prosperity through feedstock and process operations. Yet, the aviation industry is apprehensive of implementing biofuels due to their likelihood to freeze at higher temperatures. Cloud point and pour point are significant fuel properties for this reason, as they determine if a fuel will gel or freeze at the lower temperatures. The feedstock employed in this research was vegetable oil distillates consisting of a specific carbon length. This oil was reacted with methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and isobutanol to produce four different biofuels and each was tested for a distinct cloud point and pour point. Preliminary results show that the cloud points of methanol and isobutanol based fuels are near or surpass the freezing point of current aviation fuels, such as Jet A. These results illustrate promise for these fuels and encourage future research into the energy density, economic feasibility, and sustainability of each fuel.
A Biobased Fuel for the Future of Aviation
Utilizing biofuels in the aviation industry is critical because current jet fuels are derived from petroleum sources. These petroleum fuels are consumed at a rate that is unsustainable and produce carbon emissions that accelerate climate change. Biofuels are a renewable fuel source that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create economic prosperity through feedstock and process operations. Yet, the aviation industry is apprehensive of implementing biofuels due to their likelihood to freeze at higher temperatures. Cloud point and pour point are significant fuel properties for this reason, as they determine if a fuel will gel or freeze at the lower temperatures. The feedstock employed in this research was vegetable oil distillates consisting of a specific carbon length. This oil was reacted with methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and isobutanol to produce four different biofuels and each was tested for a distinct cloud point and pour point. Preliminary results show that the cloud points of methanol and isobutanol based fuels are near or surpass the freezing point of current aviation fuels, such as Jet A. These results illustrate promise for these fuels and encourage future research into the energy density, economic feasibility, and sustainability of each fuel.
Comments
W14