Solazyme Inc. announced that it has produced algal-derived aviation fuel that passed the eleven "most challenging" testing specification needed to develop a commercial and military jet fuel.
According to a release, the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), tested the fuel for density, thermal oxidative stability, flashpoint, freezing point, distillation and viscosity among other specifications.
Solazyme said the SwRI report stated: "Of the eleven tested parameters, the Solazyme aviation fuel passed the ASTM D1655 requirements for every measurement. Therefore, the Solazyme algae-based aviation kerosene has passed the biggest hurdles needed to successfully develop a commercial and military jet fuel fully consistent with existing engines and infrastructure."
"We are excited to be the first advanced biofuel company to
successfully make jet fuel from algal oil that passes the most critical
ASTM D1655 (Jet A) standards. Producing a low carbon jet fuel and
putting it through biofuel testing with SwRI further solidifies
Solazyme’s position as a leader in the green fuels space," said
Jonathan Wolfson, CEO of Solazyme.
In the U.S. alone, 1.6 billion gallons of jet fuel are used every month resulting in significant greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the EU is widely expected to require airlines flying into and out of airports in the EU to participate in the Emissions Trading System beginning in 2011. As a result, the need for environmentally friendly and sustainable alternatives is growing rapidly.
Solazyme also produces a algal-based biodiesel that passes ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) specifications.
Solazyme implements a algal conversion process that allows algae to produce oil in large tanks quickly, efficiently and without sunlight. The process can employ a variety of non-food feedstocks, including cellulosic materials such as agricultural residues and high-productivity grasses including bagasse and switchgrass as well as industrial byproducts such as crude glycerol.
Last month Solazyme raised $45 million in series C funding, and Wolfson said he expects the company to break ground on a commercial-scale plant within two years.
In related news, Arizona State University last week announced a collaboration aimed at commercializing a technology developed by its faculty to make kerosene-based jet fuel from algae.
About Solazyme:
Solazyme, Inc. is a renewable oil production company and a leader in algal synthetic biology. Solazyme’s unique microbial conversion technology process allows algae to produce oil in standard industrial facilities quickly, efficiently and at large scale. These oils are tailored not only for advanced biofuel production, but also as replacements for fossil petroleum and plant oils in a diverse range of products running from green household cleaning supplies to cosmetics and foods. The company was founded in 2003 and has its headquarters in South San Francisco,
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