Revised ASTM Aviation Fuel Standard Paves the Way for Biojet

(ASTM International/Biomass Magazine) Renewable Synthesized Iso-Paraffinic fuel has now been included in ASTM International standard D7566, Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuel Containing Synthesized Hydrocarbons. A recently approved revision that adds SIP fuel to the ASTM D7566 annex will facilitate use of the fuels in all airlines internationally.
“The introduction of renewable fuel into the aviation industry enables a meaningful reduction of greenhouse gas emissions without compromising fuel performance,” says ASTM member Fernando Garcia, senior director of scientific and regulatory affairs at Amyris Inc. “Independent analysis indicates that renewable farnesane hydrocarbon produced from sugarcane can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50 percent when compared to conventional Jet A/A1 fuel.”
Garcia says that Brazilian green initiatives will encourage international flights to use renewable fuels during and after these international events. “Even at a 10 percent blend of renewable fuel into the fossil fuels used by airlines, we anticipate greenhouse gas emissions to be reduced up to 3 percent,” says Garcia.
First approved in 2009, ASTM D7566 covers an end-to-end evaluation program to verify and ensure that products covered by the standard are fully compatible with all engine parts and all material and equipment used in the supply chain. The standard has recently been revised to incorporate international material specifications for SIP, or low carbon aviation fuel, ensuring fuel quality equal or superior to petroleum-derived aviation turbine fuels. READ MORE