Purdue to Open Biofuel Research Facility

(12/10/09 Flying Magazine e-newsletter) Late next year or early in 2011, the National Test Facility for Fuels and Propulsion is scheduled to open at Purdue University. Funded by a $1.35 million Air Force grant, the facility will be located at the Niswonger Aviation Technology Building at Purdue Airport in Indiana. Its focus will be on testing aircraft engine and airframe components for biofuel sustainability and emissions, as well as deriving data on economics of operation. Most of the work will involve turbine engines, though some of the research will involve piston engines as well, according to Purdue.

US Gives $100 Million In Jet Biofuel Grants.

Air Transport Intelligence News (12/11, Kuhn) reported four alternative jet fuel biorefinery projects will receive $100 million in grant money from the US Energy Department. UOP, Sapphire Energy, Elevance Renewable Sciences, and ClearFuel Technology will use their grants to "validate refining technologies and help lay the foundation for full commercial-scale development of a biomass industry in the United States." Each of the companies will focus on a different aspect of alternative biofuel production.

Fourteen Airlines On Board To Use Alternate Fuel.

The AP (12/15) reported Seattle-based AltAir Fuels has secured agreements with 14 airlines to purchase an alternative fuel derived from the oil of camelina plant seeds. AltAir said it will blend camelina oils from Sustainable Oils and blend them with petroleum-based jet fuel and diesel at the Tesoro refinery at Anacortes. This new mixture could replace 10 percent of the petroleum fuel used each year at Sea-Tac Airport. Production is expected to begin in 2012.