Alaska Airlines made history recently, flying the first commercial flight using the world’s first renewable, alternative jet fuel made from the remains of logging and thinning in sustainably managed forests.
Aviation biofuel is made from forest residuals, the limbs and branches that are left after the harvesting of managed forests. The renewable, clean jet fuel was produced during five years of research and testing conducted by the Washington State University-led Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance.
Producing a new generation of modern, clean jet fuels made from renewable woody material from sustainably managed forests will be a critical element of the broader effort to combat climate change. One dry ton of woody biomass is treated to accelerate fermentation to make approximately 45.6 gallons of biofuel for airplanes.
A recent study led by NASA indicates that using biofuels in jet engines reduces particle emissions in their exhaust by as much as 50 percent to 70 percent.
“The beauty of this fuel is that we’re using the forest residue not used in other wood products,” says Michael Wolcott, Director, Institute for Sustainable Design, Washington State University, co-project manager for the NARA project. “We’re taking a waste byproduct and turning it into something highly useful and valuable.”
From The Seattle Times: http://www.seattletimes.com/sponsored/biofuel-from-forests-lightens-jetliner-carbon-footprint/
