Bio-based components included in ASTM aviation fuel standard

A revised version of the ASTM D7566-11, Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuel Containing Synthesized Hydrocarbons, was approved on 1 July 2011.

The new specification means that up to 50% renewable fuels can now be blended with traditional fossil jet fuel. These renewable fuel components are derived from vegetable oil-containing feedstocks, including algae, camelina and jatropha, or tallow. The standard already has criteria for fuel produced from coal, natural gas or biomass using Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.

The standard was revised by subcommittee D02.J0 on Aviation Fuels in ASTM International Committee D02 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants.

'The revision of D7566 reflects an industry cooperative effort to accomplish this task,' says Mark Rumizen, head of the certification-qualification group for the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI). 'Because of the great emphasis on safety when you're dealing with aviation fuel, the passage of this ballot required a collaborative and cooperative effort between the members of the aviations fuels community.'

'The approval of HEFA as a blending component in jet fuel builds on the great efforts expended by ASTM on approving Fischer-Tropsch components in 2009 and shows that, as a consensus group, ASTM can make great strikes whilst maintaining the safety levels demanded by the aviation sector,' comments Rob Midgley, technology manager, aviation fuels, Shell Aviation.