DLR and Lufthansa Technik Produce Study on Aviation Biofuels

(Biofuels International) Biofuels have the potential to improve the carbon footprint of the aviation industry and make the sector more environmentally friendly, according to a new study from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and Lufthansa Technik.

The DLR and Lufthansa investigated the chemical and physical properties of “promising” biofuels. The European Union-funded High Biofuel Blends in Aviation (HBBA) study focused on blends, i.e. mixtures of conventional kerosene with biofuels.

The study analysed particularly promising biofuels, according to source, production process and approval status.

"This large-scale test showed that the use of blends can improve the carbon footprint in the field of aviation without causing any problems in the engine," said Köhler (DLR researcher Markus Köhler). "Furthermore, with biofuels, we see the potential to reduce the emissions of pollutants in the future."

For this reason, the subject is increasingly attracting interest from airlines, aircraft manufacturers, airport operators and local residents.

“They are also an important step toward so-called designer fuels. Such fuels are composed in such a way that their properties are as optimal as possible in terms of environmental friendliness and technical characteristics. Research in this field is a major focus for the DLR Institute of Combustion Technology.” READ MORE and MORE (Biomass Magazine) Access study