Eco Factor: Apache powered by blend of sustainable biofuel and jet fuel.
The Royal Netherlands Air Force has recently conducted a successful flight test of the Apache helicopter, during which one of the helicopter’s two engines was powered by an alternative biofuel. Assisted by the National Aerospace Laboratory (NRL), the Royal Air Force used a blend of sustainable bio-kerosene and standard aviation jet fuel to meet requirements for airworthiness.
During the flight tests, one of the Apache’s engines was powered by a 50/50 bio-kerosene and a traditional jet fuel blend, which was produced using algae-based biomass (5 percent) and used cooking oil (45 percent) – a world’s first and milestone in rotorcraft aviation.
Algae are regarded as the most promising and sustainable “feedstock” for producing alternative biofuels, as it is a feedstock that offers a high return of bio-oil per production volume. In order to further improve the sustainability of bio-fuels, CO2 and waste water can also be used in the production process of the algae.
Via: National Aerospace Laboratory [Press Release]
