Can Biodiesel Turbine Fuel Kerosene Be Used in Airplanes?
http://homemadebiodieselinfo.com/articles/34/1/Can-Biodiesel-Turbine-Fuel-Kerosene-Be-Used-in-Airplanes/Page1.html
Heath Allison
By Heath Allison
Published on 05/28/2008
With airfare on the rise because of high petroleum based fuel prices skyrocketing, how will the travel industry survive? Engineers have been successful with using biodiesel turbine fuel kerosene in small planes. Can they make it work for larger commercial airplanes?
Can you take an aircraft and fuel it with biodiesel turbine fuel kerosene? So far, biodiesel has proven to have real potential in air flight with lightweight planes. Heavier planes have been more problematic.
There is still talk about using biodiesel based on kerosene on airplanes. Larger planes like 747s use kerosene. Gasoline and diesel are not highly stable and the last thing anyone needs is an unstable fuel causing problems thousands of feet in the air. For this reason, kerosene-based fuel is more commonly used.
The use of kerosene-based fuels needs changing. First, the exhausts from kerosene are harmful to the environment. In addition, kerosene is a petroleum-based product and therefore becoming extremely expensive.
We've all see how high fuel prices have climbed. As a result, airfares have also skyrocketed. People are not traveling as much, and it's hurting today's economy. The only place money is going is into the oil companies' pockets.
Turbine engines need kerosene to operate. A biodiesel based on kerosene's chemical make up would go a long way to protecting the environment. Carbon dioxide emissions would be cut drastically helping to repair the ozone layer.
Biodiesel fuel and biodiesel kerosene for turbines really lead to a long list of positives and very few negatives. While the production of biodiesel could potentially deplete many food sources (soy, corn, peanuts, etc.,) in the long run it helps the environment out.
The discussion of using algae to create biodiesel is being researched. Algae are an oil-rich substance that grows readily if the temperatures and lighting conditions are right. Algae farms can produce up to 20,000 gallons of algae per acre. It is highly possible that algae could be the best source for biodiesel and kerosene fuels in the future.
Jet fuel uses a mixture of unleaded kerosene and some have antifreeze additives mixed in. It is extremely flammable. This has been the sticking point for fueling turbines with biodiesel. Biodiesel simply doesn't get the power than jet fuel does.
It is also important to remember that biodiesel must be kept warm. Higher altitudes are much cooler, so aircraft manufacturers cannot take risks with passenger safety. If there is the slightest possibility that the biodiesel might freeze up, it is not safe to use in airplanes.
Advancements in science mean that biodiesel turbine fuel kerosene is a possibility. It is definitely years or decades down the road. If a biodiesel based on kerosene does become a possibility, it will change air flight forever!
If you own or are thinking of buying a diesel vehicle and you are concerned about the rising costs of diesel, you might consider saving money by making your own biodiesel. It is surprisingly easy if you know how. For a step by step guide I highly recommend the Encyclopaedia of Making Biodiesel at Home.
There is still talk about using biodiesel based on kerosene on airplanes. Larger planes like 747s use kerosene. Gasoline and diesel are not highly stable and the last thing anyone needs is an unstable fuel causing problems thousands of feet in the air. For this reason, kerosene-based fuel is more commonly used.
The use of kerosene-based fuels needs changing. First, the exhausts from kerosene are harmful to the environment. In addition, kerosene is a petroleum-based product and therefore becoming extremely expensive.
We've all see how high fuel prices have climbed. As a result, airfares have also skyrocketed. People are not traveling as much, and it's hurting today's economy. The only place money is going is into the oil companies' pockets.
Turbine engines need kerosene to operate. A biodiesel based on kerosene's chemical make up would go a long way to protecting the environment. Carbon dioxide emissions would be cut drastically helping to repair the ozone layer.
Biodiesel fuel and biodiesel kerosene for turbines really lead to a long list of positives and very few negatives. While the production of biodiesel could potentially deplete many food sources (soy, corn, peanuts, etc.,) in the long run it helps the environment out.
The discussion of using algae to create biodiesel is being researched. Algae are an oil-rich substance that grows readily if the temperatures and lighting conditions are right. Algae farms can produce up to 20,000 gallons of algae per acre. It is highly possible that algae could be the best source for biodiesel and kerosene fuels in the future.
Jet fuel uses a mixture of unleaded kerosene and some have antifreeze additives mixed in. It is extremely flammable. This has been the sticking point for fueling turbines with biodiesel. Biodiesel simply doesn't get the power than jet fuel does.
It is also important to remember that biodiesel must be kept warm. Higher altitudes are much cooler, so aircraft manufacturers cannot take risks with passenger safety. If there is the slightest possibility that the biodiesel might freeze up, it is not safe to use in airplanes.
Advancements in science mean that biodiesel turbine fuel kerosene is a possibility. It is definitely years or decades down the road. If a biodiesel based on kerosene does become a possibility, it will change air flight forever!
If you own or are thinking of buying a diesel vehicle and you are concerned about the rising costs of diesel, you might consider saving money by making your own biodiesel. It is surprisingly easy if you know how. For a step by step guide I highly recommend the Encyclopaedia of Making Biodiesel at Home.