Aviation biofuel facts for kids

Refueling an Airbus A320 with biofuel in 2011

An aviation biofuel (also known as bio-jet fuel, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) or bio-aviation fuel (BAF)) is a biofuel used to power aircraft. Traditional jet fuel comes from oil, which is a natural resource found deep underground. Burning oil to power airplanes releases gases into the air, which contributes to climate change. That's why scientists and engineers are working hard to find cleaner ways to power airplanes – and that’s where aviation biofuel comes in!

What is aviation biofuel?

Aviation biofuel is a type of fuel made from plants and other biological materials, instead of oil. Think of it like this: instead of using oil from the ground, we use plants that grow above the ground! This fuel can be used in the same airplane engines as traditional jet fuel, often mixed with it. This blend is sometimes called a "sustainable aviation fuel" or SAF. The key is that it reduces the amount of oil-based fuel needed.

How is it made?

Making aviation biofuel involves several steps, and the specific process can differ depending on the source material used. Here are some common examples:

• Algae: Tiny plants called algae can be grown in large tanks or ponds. After they grow, they are harvested and processed to extract oils. These oils are then refined to produce biofuel that's suitable for airplanes. This process has been actively researched since at least the early 2000s, with significant advancements in algae cultivation and oil extraction techniques being made in the past decade. Estimates suggest that one acre of algae could produce roughly the same amount of fuel as several acres of other biofuel sources.

• Cooking oil: Did you know that used cooking oil from restaurants can be recycled into biofuel? This is a great way to reuse something that would otherwise be thrown away. The oil is cleaned and processed to remove impurities, then converted into a fuel suitable for airplanes. Commercial-scale production using this method started seeing significant growth in the mid-2010s.

• Other plants: Many other plants can be used, including things like jatropha (a type of shrub), soybeans, and even waste from forestry operations. The process usually involves extracting oils from these plants and then refining them into biofuel.

Research into the most efficient and environmentally friendly plants for biofuel production continues.

Advantages

• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions: Although biofuel production, processing, and transport release greenhouse gases, biofuels still have benefits over traditional jet fuel. As they grow, plants absorb carbon dioxide, so emissions savings associated with plant-based biofuels mainly come from the amount of greenhouse gases they had absorbed while still a plant.

• Improved air quality: Burning biofuel can also produce less harmful pollutants, contributing to cleaner air near airports and along flight paths.

• Renewable resource: Unlike oil, which is a finite resource, many of the raw materials used to make aviation biofuel can be regrown, making it a more sustainable option. This is particularly important considering the increasing demand for air travel.

• Energy security: By reducing our reliance on oil, aviation biofuel can contribute to greater energy security and lessen dependence on foreign oil sources.

Challenges

Despite the benefits, there are challenges associated with widespread adoption of aviation biofuel:

• Production Costs: Currently, producing aviation biofuel is often more expensive than producing traditional jet fuel. Researchers are working on making the production process more efficient and cost-effective to bring prices down.

• Land Use: Some biofuel production methods require significant amounts of land, which could potentially impact food production or natural habitats. Scientists are constantly seeking more efficient ways to maximize yield while minimizing the environmental footprint. This includes exploration of techniques like vertical farming and precision agriculture.

• Sustainability Concerns: It's crucial that biofuel production is sustainable and doesn’t negatively impact ecosystems. This means carefully choosing the source materials and ensuring the production process is environmentally sound. The use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the impact of pesticides and fertilizers are topics of ongoing discussions in this area.

• Scalability: Producing enough biofuel to meet the huge demand of the global aviation industry is a major challenge. Significant investment and technological advancements are needed to increase production capacity.

Future

Despite these challenges, the future of aviation biofuel looks promising. Many airlines and governments are investing heavily in research and development, and the technology is rapidly improving. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has set ambitious goals for the industry to reduce its carbon footprint, with a heavy reliance on biofuels as a key solution. Several major airlines have committed to using a significant percentage of biofuel in their operations within the next few decades.

Interesting facts about aviation biofuel

• In 2008, a Boeing 747-400 successfully completed a flight using a blend of traditional jet fuel and biofuel derived from algae and other sources. This demonstrated the feasibility of using biofuel in large commercial airplanes.

• Some biofuels can be made from things you might find in your kitchen – like used vegetable oil! This is an example of how waste materials can be turned into something useful.

• Biofuels with the most emission savings are those derived from photosynthetic algae (98% savings) although the technology is not developed, and those from non-food crops and forest residues (91–95% savings).

• The use of biofuels for aviation is expected to grow substantially in the coming years, reflecting a growing global commitment to reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector. Many experts believe that biofuels will become a much more significant part of the aviation fuel mix within the next several decades.

See also

In Spanish: Biocombustibles para la aviación para niños

• Biodiesel
• Fossil fuel phase-out
• List of emerging technologies
• Vegetable oil fuel