Dynamic Fuels in Initial Commercial Flights

US – The first commercial airline flights in the US to use biofuel produced by Dynamic Fuels LLC, a joint venture of Tyson Foods and Syntroleum Corporation began last week in Seattle.
calendar icon 16 November 2011
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The flights build on Dynamic Fuels’ involvement in the world’s first commercial flights using biofuel conducted earlier this year by several European airlines.

Alaska Airlines is initiating two flights Wednesday using a 20 percent blend of renewable jet fuel from Dynamic Fuels’ Geismar, Louisiana, plant.

One flight involves a Boeing 737 Alaska Airlines flight to Washington, D.C. while the other is a Bombardier Q400 trip to Portland operated by sister carrier Horizon Air. The flights have been selected to demonstrate the use of biofuel on a transcontinental route as well as a short route.

This week’s trips are the first of 75 regularly scheduled flights Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air have scheduled in November using the biofuel blend. It is part of an effort to raise awareness of alternative commercial aviation fuel.

The renewable jet fuel used on the flights is made from used cooking oil. Dynamic Fuels representatives say the fuel is chemically identical to traditional jet fuel but offers the benefits of higher energy content; better cold flow properties, enabling it to function effectively in cold weather; and reduced carbon dioxide emissions.

“These flights give us another opportunity to demonstrate the performance and environmental advantages of our renewable fuels,” said Bob Ames, vice president of Renewable Energy for Tyson Foods and a member of the Dynamic Fuels management team.

“The next generation of high performance biofuel technology is here and we’re hopeful others will join the efforts of Alaska Airlines and other airlines to generate more public support for biofuel production.

In June 2011, KLM became the first airline in the world to operate a commercial flight on biofuel, using 50/50 blend of conventional jet fuel and renewable jet fuel produced by Dynamic Fuels. The airline subsequently scheduled more than 200 similar commercial flights between Amsterdam and Paris in September 2011. Finnair and Thomson Airways also initiated commercial flights using renewable jet fuel produced by Dynamic Fuels. Finnair’s first flight was in July and Thomson’s was in October.

Dynamic Fuels’ Geismar plant is designed to convert non-food feedstocks such as animal fats, greases, and used cooking oils into renewable fuels. The facility, which has the capacity to produce up to 75 million gallons of fuel per year, currently employs 75 people and generates an annual payroll of more than $6 million.

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