Boeing completes flight using 5% US green diesel

Under the latest stage of its ecoDemonstrator 757 programme, US aerospace group Boeing Co (NYSE:BA) successfully completed on June 17 the first flight with a fuel blend containing US-made green diesel.

The 757 flew from Seattle to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Langley research center in Hampton, Virginia state. It used a mix of 95% petroleum jet fuel and 5% sustainable green diesel, made from waste animal fats, inedible corn oil and cooking oil. The green fuel was produced by Diamond Green Diesel LLC, a renewable fuels joint venture (JV) between US refiner Valero Energy Corp and recycling firm Darling International.

Boeing is working with the aviation industry to approve green diesel for commercial use. The type of biodiesel used in the 757 flight reduces lifecycle carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 80% as compared to petroleum jet fuel, it noted.

The ecoDemonstrator 757 currently uses over 15 special technologies. One of the most recent upgrades involves the use of solar- and thermal-powered electronic windows to reduce wiring, weight, fuel use and carbon emissions. Also, Boeing is using on the 757's flight deck a 3D-printed aisle stand made from excess carbon fiber from aircraft production, thus reducing airplane weight and factory waste.

“With the ecoDemonstrator, Boeing looks to reduce environmental impact through the airplane's lifecycle, from improving fuel efficiency and cutting carbon emissions to recycling production materials,” product development Boeing commercial airplanes vice president, Mike Sinnett, noted. Its partners in the project include NASA and integrated tourism major TUI Group among others, according to the press release on Thursday.

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