Scientists Create Aviation Biofuel from Jatropha Grown in Wastewater

Scientists at the National Research Centre in Egypt have developed a biofuel suitable for aviation from jatropha plants. The plants are grown in the desert using sewage water.

The NRC was commissioned by the Civil Aviation Ministry to find a local source for the biofuel as part of the International Air Transport Association plan to halve carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.

The use of jatropha oil for jet fuel is not a novel idea and in fact, Air New Zealand conducted a flight test successfully using a 50-50 blend of oil from jatropha plants and standard A1 jet fuel as far back as 2008.

One issue with the use of the plant for fuel was discussed in The National Review in 2013. It stated. “Seventy million gallons of jatropha-based jet fuel from 250,000 acres per year is equal to 280 gallons per acre per year, or 6.66 barrels per acre per year… It would take roughly 285 million acres — 445,000 square miles — of jatropha to satisfy our annual demand for jet fuel. That’s a land area about the size of Texas, Colorado, New York, and Ohio combined.”

http://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/biofuels/scientists-in-egypt-develop-aviation-biofuel-from-20170301

Emma Cooper

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