Virent was chosen to participate in the initial Rolls-Royce Laboratory Test program, and was then selected by Rolls-Royce to proceed to the more advanced Rig Testing portion of the program. Virent’s SAK fuel blend met all test requirements and the report concluded that the fuel “…offers the potential to be [a] drop-in fuel and hence achieve approval for use for the aviation industry”.
BioForm SAK fuel, produced by Virent in its pilot demonstration plant in Madison, Wisconsin, is a unique jet fuel-blending component produced by Virent’s BioForming® process, a catalytic route that converts plant-derived feedstocks to hydrocarbons. Virent’s SAK fuel contains aromatics that are cleaner-burning than those found in conventional, refined crude oil based jet fuel. The Rolls-Royce testing of the SAK fuel blends demonstrated this capability with a 50% to 80% reduction in particulate matter emissions depending on engine operating conditions.
“We believe Virent’s bio-derived SAK fuel has the potential to provide the aviation industry with a cost effective solution to reduce jet engine particulate matter and greenhouse gas emissions without impacting engine performance. I want to express my appreciation for FAA’s role in sponsoring the testing, and to the Rolls-Royce team for their support and expertise in delivering these important results,” said Lee Edwards, Virent CEO.
Bio-jet emissions testing by Rolls-Royce and supported by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions, and Noise (CLEEN) program, confirmed that jet fuels containing Virent’s BioForm® Synthesized Aromatic Kerosene (SAK) fuel blend produced a greater than 50% reduction in particulate matter emissions compared to conventional jet fuel. The emissions data and other successfully completed test results have been summarized in a report released by Rolls-Royce, British Airways, and the FAA.
The testing verified the potential for the SAK fuel to reduce the adverse environmental impact and health effects resulting from jet fuel combustion. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a specialized agency within the United Nations, is leading international policy making efforts to control particulate matter and greenhouse gas emissions. Virent’s SAK fuel can reduce both particulate matter and greenhouse gas emissions without compromising engine performance, and when fully commercialized will support the growth of the aviation industry while addressing anticipated ICAO regulations.
IL BIOECONOMISTA 