Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced flier, knowing what an International Jet is important. There are a variety of ways to get the information you need. This article will cover two of them.
ASTM International Standard D7566
Using the ASTM International Standard D7566, renewable jet fuel can be produced in a demonstration plant and transported in commercial aircraft.
This is considered a viable alternative to conventional petroleum-derived International Jet fuel. It does not require infrastructure changes and can be used with existing fuel supply equipment.
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a blend of traditional jet fuel and microalgae. It is produced using proprietary biofuel production technology developed jointly by Chevron Lummus Global and Applied Research Associates in the U.S. The resulting fuel can be blended at up to 50% concentration with conventional jet fuel. It is approved as a blending component in standard Jet A-1 for commercial airline use in the U.S. The biofuel is produced using a catalytic hydrothermolysis jet process.
The ASTM International Aviation Fuel Subcommittee developed a process to determine if new nonpetroleum jet fuels can be used as drop-in fuels. The method enables aviation fuel producers and refineries to ensure the quality and performance of new fuels.
ASTM International Subcommittee
Originally known as the American Society for Testing and Materials, ASTM International is one of the world’s largest voluntary standards development organizations. It has a Board of Directors and approximately 32,000 volunteers from 125 countries. ASTM International is governed by the World Trade Organization’s principles for international standards development.
ASTM International is composed of a number of subcommittees, each of which addresses a specific segment within a general subject area. These committees comprise manufacturers, consumers, government regulators, and other organizations. They work to develop standards that meet the needs of the global marketplace.
The ASTM International Aviation Fuel Subcommittee comprises industry stakeholders from the aviation fuel supply chain. These organizations include airlines, aircraft manufacturers, and major petroleum refiners. The group coordinates data collection and evaluation. It also works with third-party certifiers.
The subcommittee is tasked with approving a ballot to add a candidate alternative jet fuel to the existing ASTM D7566 standard. The proposed fuels are reviewed by both aircraft and engine manufacturers. The results are then submitted to ASTM International.
Drop-in Jet Fuel
Several studies have shown that several different approaches can produce drop-in jet fuel. These methods include biochemical conversion processes and thermochemical conversion processes. They can make jet fuel with a lower life cycle carbon footprint than conventional petroleum-based jet fuel.
The aviation fuel community has a collaborative approach to developing alternative jet fuels. A public-private partnership includes a broad range of organizations in the United States and internationally. This includes several companies and federal agencies. They are working to establish a framework for bringing SAJF into the marketplace.
Alternative jet fuels are intended to reduce emissions by using nonpetroleum sources of hydrocarbons. They are also intended to lower greenhouse gas emissions by reducing CO2 emissions. They can be mixed with conventional jet fuels in the same manner as they are used today.
Sustainable alternative jet fuels can reduce emissions by up to 80 percent compared to conventional jet fuel. Sustainable aviation fuels can be made from feedstocks, including used cooking oil, green hydrogen, and agricultural and forestry wastes. These fuels do not require modifications to aircraft or infrastructure.
A Two-step Approach to International Jet Fuel
ICAO, the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization, has developed an alternative jet fuel strategy that includes certification, financial assistance, technology transfer, and R&D. It identifies the increasing contribution of international aviation to climate change, technological limitations, and uncertainties surrounding future jet fuel availability. It supports the consolidation of alternative jet fuel supply chains for international aviation.
Alternative jet fuels can be produced using various processes, including hydrogen fuel, thermochemical, and biological. These processes have the potential to convert the hydrocarbon and carbon content of feedstocks. However, these processes are not yet industrially scaled.
For example, converting hydrogen to fuel requires additional work in infrastructure and technology. However, it may offer a way to create sustainable jet fuel. The power can be blended with conventional jet fuel up to 50%.
Alternative jet fuels can be produced through several certified conversion pathways. These include the power-to-liquid process and the hydrogen fuel process. The power-to-liquid process has a power based on hydrocarbon and carbon atoms that can be blended with conventional jet fuel. These processes can be refined using laboratory-scale equipment.
