Japan Airlines (JAL), Boeing and Pratt & Whitney are teaming up to accelerate current research and development into the creation of a second-generation biofuel, the trio said in a statement.
A second-generation, but as yet undetermined, biofuel will be blended with jet fuel and tested in one of the four engines of a JAL Boeing 747-300 aircraft equipped with Pratt & WhitneyJT9D engines.
JAL will provide the aircraft and staff for the approximately one hour demonstration flight out of an airport in Japan scheduled for the end of FY2008, ending 31 March 2009. The flight will be the first biofuel demonstration by an Asian carrier, and the first using Pratt & Whitney engines.
JAL, Boeing and Pratt & Whitney said they have specifically opted to use a second-generation biofuel that isexponentially more efficient and sustainable energy than first-generationcounterparts.
Importantly, second-generation biofuels do not compete with natural food or water resources and do not contribute to deforestation practices. First-generation biofuel sources, such as corn and soybean derivatives, typically require large areas of landmass and are food crops predominately grown for human consumption.
Second-generation biofuels avoid the situation in which a food and fuel directly compete for the same natural resources.
The flight demonstration will contribute significantly to current research and development into the creation of a second-generation biofuel tailored to the specifications of existing modern jet aircraft and engines, the three major aviation players said.
The goal is to find an alternative fuel that will help reduce the impact of carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) generated by the aviation industry, while also reducing the industry’s reliance on traditional petroleum-based fuels.