EADS demonstrated an all-algae-powered flight at the ILA 2010 Berlin Air Show this month using a Diamond DA42 New Generation powered by two Austro Engine AE300s.
According to EADS, the higher energy content of the algae biofuel meant that the fuel consumption of the aircraft was 1.5 litres per hr. lower compared to conventional jet fuel while maintaining equal performance.
Only "relatively minor modifications and adjustments" had to be made to the engines to qualify the biofuel from algae for the demonstration flights, the company said.
"Our pure biofuel flight from algae is a world first and an exciting milestone in our research at EADS," said CTO Jean Botti. "This opens up the feasibility of carbon-neutral flights and we will continue to focus our research in this exciting area. Third-generation biofuels are more than just a replacement for fossil petroleum--they push the possibilities of future propulsion."
The exhaust gas quality measurements indicate that biofuel from algae contains eight times less hydrocarbons than kerosene derived from crude oil. In addition, nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxide emissions will be reduced up to 40% owing to the very low nitrogen and sulfur content of the biofuel compared to fossil fuel.
Source: Air Transport World