Isobuta-what? Alaska partners with Gevo to bring biofuel to commercial flights June 7, 2016 Samantha Lund, Staff Writer 3 min read Share Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) Alaska Airlines today operated the first commercial flights using a 20 percent blend of renewable alcohol-to-jet biofuel produced by Gevo, a renewable chemical and biofuel company. The two flights originated in Seattle with destinations of San Francisco and Washington D.C. Alcohol-to-jet biofuel was just approved for use by ASTM International in March 2016 and is the first aviation biofuel to be certified and approved since 2011. Fuel made of isobuta-what? To make renewable jet fuel, Gevo starts with a non-edible field corn. First, Gevo’s process captures the protein and fiber in the corn to produce a high value animal feed product. Then, the starch (or sugars) in the corn kernels is fermented into isobutanol. This fermentation process is similar to that used to make ethanol – the type of alcohol used in alcoholic beverages. Isobutanol is then chemically converted through a Gevo-patented process into a renewable jet fuel. What they’ve created is the first carbohydrate-based, sugar-fermented fuel. “The amazing part about this is that you can make something like a carbohydrate into jet fuel and not have to change the plane at all,” said Glenn Johnston, Gevo’s executive vice president of regulatory affairs. “We use carbohydrates – the most plentiful sugar source on earth – and we can use a variety of them.” With its current corn-based process, Gevo produces 11 pounds of high protein animal feed for every gallon of jet fuel produced. What makes a fuel “renewable”? Gevo’s sustainable corn grain supply and fuel production process can achieve 50 percent less greenhouse gas emissions compared to petroleum jet fuel (using the US EPA Life Cycle emission methods). Gevo uses renewable biomass (such as plants) as a fuel feedstock, which can be grown and harvested annually. “What the point here is, we want to shorten the carbon dioxide cycle,” Johnston said. “So the carbon dioxide we’re emitting today, we’re putting back into the ground tomorrow.” This is accomplished as the plants (grown for both fuel and animal feed) absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen through photosynthesis. This is the key to reducing our carbon dioxide emissions both now and in the future. Gevo’s goal is to create a renewable fuel source. The feedstock used can be replenished through planting and harvesting into the future. More about the project The Gevo team of about 30 has been working since 2007 with various stakeholders throughout the aviation community to test the fuel and make sure it is safe for flight. So far, the fuel has been tested by GE, Rolls Royce, Pratt & Whitney, Honeywell and several others in the aviation industry. “For those wondering ‘Is this fuel safe to fly?’” Johnston said. “I’ll be on that flight. So, yes.” Eventually, Gevo plans to build a commercial plant to build and produce large commercial volumes. For now, Alaska Airlines flights 388 from Seattle to San Francisco and 2 from Seattle to Washington, D.C. are the first to run on the new fuel. Learn more about Alaska’s sustainability efforts at alaskaair.com/sustainability. Alaska Airlines flight 388 from Seattle to San Francisco waits to be fueled up with the first alcohol-to-jet fuel made from sustainable U.S. corn on June 7, 2016. An Alaska Airlines jet is fueled with renewable Gevo biofuel on Tuesday June 7, 2016, in advance of two demonstration flights powered by the first alcohol-to-jet fuel made from sustainable U.S. corn. An Alaska Airlines jet is fueled with renewable Gevo biofuel on Tuesday June 7, 2016, in advance of two demonstration flights powered by the first alcohol-to-jet fuel made from sustainable U.S. corn. Chemically and visually, the biofuel blended fuel and standard Jet A are indistinguishable. The Gevo fuel meets the strict and rigorous ASTM International standards. South Dakota farmer David Kolsrud addresses media and passengers waiting to board Alaska Airlines flight 388 from Seattle to San Francisco, fueled by the first alcohol-to-jet fuel made from sustainable U.S. corn on Tuesday, July 7, 2016. An Alaska Airlines jet is fueled with renewable Gevo biofuel on Tuesday June 7, 2016, in advance of two demonstration flights powered by the first alcohol-to-jet fuel made from sustainable U.S. corn. An Alaska Airlines jet is fueled with renewable Gevo biofuel on Tuesday June 7, 2016, in advance of two demonstration flights powered by the first alcohol-to-jet fuel made from sustainable U.S. corn. Alaska Airlines flight 388 takes off on its way from Seattle to San Francisco on June 7, 2016, powered by the first alcohol-to-jet fuel made from sustainable U.S. corn. An Alaska Airlines jet is fueled with renewable Gevo biofuel on Tuesday June 7, 2016, in advance of two demonstration flights powered by the first alcohol-to-jet fuel made from sustainable U.S. corn. Sustainably grown U.S. corn is converted into renewable alcohol-to-jet fuel by Gevo, Inc. Gevo CEO Pat Gruber addresses media and passengers waiting to board Alaska Airlines flight 388 from Seattle to San Francisco, fueled by the first alcohol-to-jet fuel made from sustainable U.S. corn on Tuesday, June 7, 2016. An Alaska Airlines jet is fueled with renewable Gevo biofuel on Tuesday June 7, 2016, in advance of two demonstration flights powered by the first alcohol-to-jet fuel made from sustainable U.S. corn. An Alaska Airlines jet is fueled with renewable Gevo biofuel on Tuesday June 7, 2016, in advance of two demonstration flights powered by the first alcohol-to-jet fuel made from sustainable U.S. corn. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) Related