The National Research Council of Canada is preparing for the first-ever test flights of a civil jet powered by 100-percent unblended biofuel. Most testing to date has been flown with a 50-50 blend of biofuel and regular jet fuel.
Created from mustard oilseeds, the ReadiJet fuel the NRC plans to use in its Falcon 20 test airplane is made by Applied Research Associates and Chevron Lummus Global. The fuel is made under contract to the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory using a catalyst-based isoconversion process that converts biomass into petroleum crude.
The test team will be able to switch back and forth in flight between biofuel and regular jet fuel, allowing them to run either engine on 100-percent biofuel. A T-33 chase plane will follow close behind the Falcon 20 to measure and compare emissions of both fuel types in flight.
