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How about some good news on fuel

robert ruggles

Active Member
If you haven't seen this.

"Not only can our fuel seamlessly replace the aviation industry's standard petroleum fuel [100LL], it can outperform it," says John Rusek, a professor at Purdue University and co-founder of Swift Enterprises. The company recently unveiled a new general aviation fuel that it says will be less expensive, more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendlier than any on the market. Unlike other alternative fuels, Rusek said, SwiftFuel is made of synthetic hydrocarbons that are derived from biomass, and it can provide an effective range greater than 100LL, while costing about half as much to produce. "Our fuel should not be confused with first-generation biofuels like E-85 [85 percent ethanol], which don't compete well right now with petroleum," Rusek said. Patented technology can produce the 1.8 million gallons per day of fuel used by GA in the U.S. by using just 5 percent of the existing biofuel plant infrastructure, the company said.


The synthetic fuel is 15 to 20 percent more fuel-efficient, has no sulfur emissions, requires no stabilizers, has a 30-degree lower freezing point than 100LL, introduces no new carbon emissions, and is lead-free, Rusek said. In addition, he said, the components of the fuel can be formulated into a replacement for jet/turbine fuels. The company now is working with the FAA to evaluate the fuel.

Have a great day!
Robert Ruggles RV3A
Surprise AZ.
 
Fuel

Hope this isn't a case of "if it sounds too good to be true etc." This would be wonderful. Thanks for the heads up. Bill
 
More Chemical Bond Energy

I have always thought that they could engineer a spark ignited fuel that carried more energy, I love the idea of more range for the same number of gallons...
 
The problem with av fuel is its special distribution requirements. Seems this new fuel would retain that problem. That is, whatever is used to transport av fuel can't be used for any other purpose.

Instead, why not retrofit existing dispensers (100LL pumps) to optionally mix in the octane booster chemical for those engines that need it. So here's the scenario:

Gasoline for autos is refined and sent to major distribution points via pipeline. No ethanol added yet.

At the distribution point, ethanol is mixed in. But for aircraft, it's not mixed in. Those tanker trucks get straight gasoline. Those trucks also refill their special leaded octane booster tanks on the truck.

They then drive to airports filling them with straight gasoline and topping off they octane booster tank, retrofitted on the pump.

When a pilot taxis up for refueling, they select if they want to octane boost or not. If so, it's mixed in while pumping the gasoline. They never touch it themselves.

Who pays for this? I'd say put all the cost on the octane boost, because they're the ones who need it and they're the ones contaminating with a toxic (leaded) substance.
 
Whatever happened to those guys that supposedly figured out how to make an engine run on water:D??????:D

Chuck Olsen
RV-7A
TSP
 
FWIW, according to a guy who drives a fuel truck in Canada for a major USA brand, they drain the tank, flush with 25 gallons & fill it up with whatever fuel, so distribution from the wholesaler is not a problem. Says the company is US based & they clean the tanks the same ways on both sides of the border.
 
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