Air Force wants alternative fuel for planes
It's not the formula you would prefer, but the military is testing an alternative fuel for B-52 bombers and other jet-powered aircraft.
The main goal is improving domestic sources for fuel and lowering costs, not helping the environment. The Air Force uses up to 3.2 billion gallons of aviation fuel a year, paying $3.50 per gallon. A B-52 from Minot AFB in
The alternative formula is based on a 50-50 blend of traditional petroleum JP-8 and synthetic JP-8 fuel made from gasifying coal. Tests in engines on the ground have already been completed. The first flights will have the synthetic cocktail in just two engines, eventually firing all eight with the mixture.
Although an engineer said that biomass could be gasified, there was no mention of testing the jet engines with a non-fossil-fuel formula.
[Source: Minot Daily News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1985 Gripen 4:17PM (9/08/2006)
Maybe they can convert to Richard Branson's "Virgin Fuels" when it comes on-line.
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/business2_archive/2006/08/01/8382250/index.htm
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SpinDaddy 7:18AM (9/13/2006)
Smart move, as we are the Saudi Arabia of coal reserves.
If this test prgram works out it would ensure our ability to continue fueling our fighting forces regardless of the world oil supply situation. -Spin
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