Bio-jet Fuel Manufactured from Microalgae Receives ASTM International Standard Certification -Contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions from aircraft-
IHI Corporation
NewEnergy and Industrial Technology Development Organization
IHI Corporation (HQ: Tokyo, Japan, CEO: Tsugio Mitsuoka, hereinafter referred to as “IHI”) and New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (“NEDO”) are proceeding with the development project*1 of technology for stable production of bio-jet fuel from microalgae. Utilizing the biojet fuel production technology established in this project, IHI has acquired the international standard “ASTM D7566 Annex 7”.*2
As a result, the bio-jet fuel produced by this technology can be mixed with existing jet fuel at a specified ratio and used for the operation of commercial aircraft, which can be expected to further reduce CO2 emissions. Later this year, a demonstration flight with a commercial aircraft using this bio-jet fuel on a domestic route is planned.
1．Overview
Among the global greenhouse gas reduction activities, ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization of the United Nations), which is in charge of reducing CO2 emissions from the international aviation sector, has established targets to control the increase in CO2 emissions. The social implementation of technologies to reduce CO2 emissions related to air transportation, including the production of renewable alternative aviation fuels, is an urgent issue.
With regard to bio jet fuel production technology, the development of next-generation technologies*3 is drawing attention, and under the consignment of NEDO, IHI is developing microalgae (Hyper-Growth Botryococcus Braunii *4 )and engaged in the next-generation technology development project for mass-culturing fast-growing microalgae and producing fuel from algal oil produced by the microalgae consistently.
This project, which started in FY2017, has seen the progression of algal culture tests in Kagoshima and Thailand (Saraburi Province), as well as the production of bio-jet fuel using microalgae as a raw material, and now the approval of this bio-jet fuel in the international standard ASTM D7566 Annex 7.
２．About ASTM D7566 Annex 7
The ASTM D7566 standard approved this time is a standard related to the production of bio-jet fuel defined by ASTM International, an international standardization and standard setting organization. Fuel that conforms to this standard has the same properties as existing jet fuel (kerosene), and even if it is mixed with existing fuel, it does not require modification of existing infrastructure or aircraft materials such as engines or fuel supply facilities. As a drop in-fuel, it can be used in the operation of commercial aircraft around the world as well as in Japan.*5
Furthermore, Annex 7 is a new Annex regarding bio-jet fuel produced by hydrotreating crude oil (mainly composed of hydrocarbons) derived from the microalga Botryococcus braunii. Specified as a raw material, it is a standard for producing jet fuel by large-scale culture of inedible plants. Also, this is the first time that a Japanese corporation as an applicant has obtained ASTM D7566 standardization.
The proposal of this standard has been made possible by the cooperation from Honeywell UOP (US) and University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI, US).
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| <About the acquired ASTM D7566> | ||
| ・Standard issuance | : | May 2020 |
| ・Standard number | : | ASTM D7566 Annex7 HC-HEFA SPK*6 (Standard application company: IHI) |
| ・Standards organization | : | ASTM International |
３．Future plans
Based on the results of this technological development, we aim to commercialize bio-jet fuel production as soon as possible. In addition, we will continue to study the construction of a supply chain for fuel production and supply, and through the expansion and diffusion of bio-jet fuel production we will further reduce CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation field.Later this year, bio-jet fuel produced by this project is scheduled to be supplied to domestic regular airline routes for commercial demonstration flights.
Based on the results of this technological development, we aim to commercialize bio-jet fuel production as soon as possible. In addition, we will continue to study the construction of a supply chain for fuel production and supply, and through the expansion and diffusion of bio-jet fuel production we will further reduce CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation field.Later this year, bio-jet fuel produced by this project is scheduled to be supplied to domestic regular airline routes for commercial demonstration flights.
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| [Notes] | |||
| *1 NEDO Project | : | Project name | Development of Production Technologies for Bio jet fuels / Pilot scale test on once through production process using Hyper-Growth Botryococcus Braunii |
| Project participant | IHI (FY2017-FY2020) National University Corporation Kobe University (FY2017-FY2018 period) |
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| *2 ASTM D7566 | : | Standard for alternative jet fuel for aviation defined by ASTM International (formerly American Society for Testing and Materials) | |
| *3 Next-generation technology | : | Fuelproduction technology derived from raw materials such as non-edible plants thatdo not compete with food. | |
| *4 Hyper-Growth Botryococcus Braunii (HGBb) | : | Hyper-Growth Botryococcus Braunii (HGBb) : Oilymicroalgae that has been improved to improve the culture rate. | |
| *5 | : | Accordingto the Civil Aviation Bureau Circular (National Exchange No. 1718) issued bythe Japanese authority, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport andTourism, ASTM D7566 applied fuel is recognized as usable for aircraft in Japan. | |
| *6 HC-HEFA | : | Hydroprocessed Hydrocarbon, esters and fatty acids | |
| SPK | : | SynthesizedParaffinic Kerosene | |