NASA Studies Chicken Fat Derived Fuel as an Eco-friendly Jet Fuel Alternative

Last year homemade biofuel for diesel cars made from left over cooking oil was news for many folks trying to save money on fuel. While that homemade diesel fuel was not something that most folks were interested in, Biofuels made from things like old cooking oil that we would throw away are an area of intense study all around the world.

NASA is currently studying the use of something that most of us would never think could make jet fuel - chicken fat. That is something I always cut off and toss in the trash. A team of researchers at NASA loaded up an RV at the Langley Research Center and made a cross-country trip to run an experiment with the new eco friendly fuel. The team drove 2,600 miles to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center. The fuel the team was there to test is called the Hydrotreated Renewable Jet Fuel on a NASA DC-8 test aircraft to measure performance and emissions. The testing on the new fuel is part of the AAFEX II or Alternative Aviation Fuel Experiment II program.

"It's made out of chicken fat, actually," said Langley's Bruce Anderson, AAFEX II project scientist. "The Air Force bought many thousands of gallons of this to burn in some of their jets and provided about 8,000 gallons (30,283 liters) to NASA for this experiment."

The team of researchers is measuring the performance of the aircraft with a 50-50 mix of the biofuel and regular jet fuel, biofuel only, and jet fuel only. The jet fuel being used is standard JP-8. The chicken fat-based biofuel was provided to NASA by the air force. The USAF purchased "thousands and thousands" of gallons of the fuel to burn in their jets.

"NASA Dryden is excited to continue contributing to the study of alternative fuels for aviation use," said Frank Cutler, NASA's DC-8 flying laboratory project manager. "These tests will assess exhaust emissions generated by modern turbine aircraft engines using man-made fuels."

Updates

House passes Conaway's amendments on military alternative fuel purchases

Source: Abilene Reporter News

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway successfully pushed measures to put a lid on alternative-fuel programs in the Pentagon. Two somewhat controversial amendments offered by the Republican from Midland are part of the House-p ...
Full article at: Abilene Reporter News  More like this  1 day ago, 6:25pm CDT

COLUMN-Will US federal fleet help alternative fuel switch? Kemp

Source: Reuters Mobile

LONDON, May 25 (Reuters) - Widespread use of alternative motor fuels has been hampered by lack of fuel distribution infrastructure, despite strongly favourable economics for alternatives to gasoline and diesel, and a range of financial incent ...
Full article at: Reuters Mobile  More like this  1 day ago, 10:19am CDT

DT Debates: Is electricity really the best alternative fuel option for the future of cars?

Source: Digital Trends

The automobile is ready for a revolution, and so are its drivers. In this week’s edition of DT Debate, our own Amir Illiaifar and Nick Mokey go head-to-head over the fuel that’s going to power this revolution. Will the E ...
Full article at: Digital Trends  More like this  1 day ago, 6:15am CDT

Don't miss ...

• More Technology News Stories
• I4U News Homepage