NORFOLK, VA: A new fuel specification that will enable use of synthetic fuels in commercial aviation was formally voted upon and passed June 24 by the ASTM International Aviation Fuels Subcommittee. The action took place during a meeting of the subcommittee in Norfolk, Va.
Synthetic fuels must be included in existing and new aviation fuel specifications before these fuels can be used on commercial aircraft and to enable their distribution via the current aviation infrastructure. ASTM International established the Synthetic Fuels Task Force, chaired by Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) Steering Committee member and Certification Team leader Mark Rumizen of the FAA, to develop a synthetic fuel specification. The task force is composed of stakeholders from the aviation fuel supply chain including equipment manufacturers, fuel producers, airlines and the U.S. Air Force. Many of the task force members are CAAFI sponsors and stakeholders.
At its meeting, the ASTM International Aviation Fuels Subcommittee reviewed and discussed return ballots and comments submitted in regard to a new specification for alternative aviation fuels containing synthesized hydrocarbons. The proposed specification describes the fuel properties and criteria necessary to control the manufacture and quality of these fuels for aviation use.
This new specification, which will be referred to as "DXXXX" until final issuance, constructs a framework to enable the use of multiple alternative fuels (including both non-renewable and renewable blends) for aviation, and targets complete interchangeability with conventional fuels produced to specification D1655. This specification is being structured, via annexes, to accommodate different classes of alternative fuels. The initial issue of the specification will enable use of fuels from the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process up to a 50 percent blend with conventional Jet A.
FT fuels can be generated from a variety of feedstocks, including biomass (biomass to liquid) and natural gas to liquid, in addition to coal to liquid and combinations thereof. It is expected that the FT approval will be followed by approvals for hydrotreated renewable jet (HRJ) blends and other alternatives as data from technical evaluations is obtained. An ASTM-required research report on the HRJ fuels is expected by year-end. This will support incorporation of HRJ fuels into the new D-XXXX specification by the end of 2010, pending favorable evaluation of the research report.
At the June 24 meeting, after review of comments to the draft specification, the Aviation Fuels Subcommittee voted to approve the specification and to proceed with a ballot to the top-level Petroleum Products and Lubricants Committee of ASTM International within the next two weeks. If negative votes are not cast in the committee-level ballot round, then it is anticipated that the specification will be issued with its official ASTM numerical designation by the fall.
Summing up the sentiments of candidate buyers for aviation alternative fuels, Nancy Young, Vice President of Environmental Affairs for the Air Transport Association of America, which represents U.S. passenger and cargo airlines, characterized the outcome as "extremely positive," noting that "this is a giant step toward adoption of the first of what promises to be several generic alternative jet fuel blends that will offer commercial aviation a sustainable new fuel dynamic. The airline industry is prepared to be an enthusiastic buyer."
Los Angeles-based Rentech, Inc. welcomed the announcement. The new jet fuel specification, once issued, will permit Rentech to market its FT process fuel to the aviation market. Rentech produces synthetic jet fuel under the trademark "RenJet."
D. Hunt Ramsbottom, president and CEO of Rentech, noted that Rentech was the only U.S.-based producer of Fischer-Tropsch fuels to participate in the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) team that expedited subcommittee approval.
