US Navy seeks biodiesel blend
The fuels team of Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), the organisation responsible for certifying fuels suitable for use in US Navy ships and aircraft, is planning to test a biodiesel blend in the engine of an F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter aircraft by Q2 2010.
At the same time, the team is seeking a biodiesel blend suitable for use as marine diesel. The tests are part of the US Navy’s drive to increase energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
NAVAIR has placed an order for the Defense Energy Support Center, which is responsible for sourcing the US Navy’s fuel, to purchase 40,000 gallons of renewable diesel from second-generation feedstocks such as camelina, jatropha and algae.
Commercially produced biodiesel is unsuitable for use at sea because the hydrophilic nature of esters can be dangerous in the presence of water. The blending of biodiesel into marine fuel is therefore illegal.
The fuel purchased will be blended with 50% petroleum diesel to add aromatic hydrocarbons, which are essential in military aircraft fuel because they lubricate the gaskets and seals. NAVAIR believes it is essential to find a drop-in replacement for the standard petroleum diesel: ‘The field won’t know the difference,’ says Rick Kamin, the leader of the fuels team.
The Navy plans to complete testing and certification of the most promising candidates by 2013. Actual usage in the fleet will then depend on industrial production capacity.
At the same time, the team is seeking a biodiesel blend suitable for use as marine diesel. The tests are part of the US Navy’s drive to increase energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
NAVAIR has placed an order for the Defense Energy Support Center, which is responsible for sourcing the US Navy’s fuel, to purchase 40,000 gallons of renewable diesel from second-generation feedstocks such as camelina, jatropha and algae.
Commercially produced biodiesel is unsuitable for use at sea because the hydrophilic nature of esters can be dangerous in the presence of water. The blending of biodiesel into marine fuel is therefore illegal.
The fuel purchased will be blended with 50% petroleum diesel to add aromatic hydrocarbons, which are essential in military aircraft fuel because they lubricate the gaskets and seals. NAVAIR believes it is essential to find a drop-in replacement for the standard petroleum diesel: ‘The field won’t know the difference,’ says Rick Kamin, the leader of the fuels team.
The Navy plans to complete testing and certification of the most promising candidates by 2013. Actual usage in the fleet will then depend on industrial production capacity.
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