Abu Dhabi biojet fuel project step closer

An agricultural project in Abu Dhabi, with the view of producing sustainable jet fuel, is getting closer to fruition.

A demonstration farm required by scientists at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) is closer to finding a home. In collaboration with both the Abu Dhabi Urban Council and the Western Region Municipality, MIST is evaluating several options to acquire a necessary 200 hectares of land by the end of this year.

Sustainable jet fuel will then be produced using sea water pumped into agricultural ponds that contain local shrimps and sea bream. The waste water from those ponds will then be used to irrigate fields of plants like salicornia and local halophytes.

 ‘Halophytes produce an oilseed, like soyabean or canola, that can be used to produce jet fuel,’ project director Jonathan Jed was quoted as saying. ‘In addition, biomass, which are plants left over after we take the seed out, can be converted to energy by a different pathway.’

This research is being supported by Etihad Airways, Honeywell, Safran and Boeing while the demonstration farm will be funded by the Abu Dhabi Government.