AVIATION BIOFUEL

SUSTAINABLE

AVIATIO

50 Percent Lower by 2050The aviation industry is committed to achieving carbon-neutral growth by 2020 and aims to reduce carbon levels by 50 percent by 2050 relative to 2005. Boeing is contributing to this goal by investing in technology to improve the environmental performance of aircraft, providing services to improve fl ight operations, and supporting development and use of sustainable aviation biofuel to decrease carbon emissions.Today’s aircraft are 70 percent more effi cient than models built 50 years ago. The 787 Dreamliner exemplifi es this with its lighter weight and improved fuel effi ciency. Boeing’s Required Navigation Performance services also help reduce carbon emissions. 

Positive Socioeconomic ImpactA sustainable aviation fuel meets or exceeds jet fuel standards, produces lower carbon emissions over its lifecycle - production through use, does not displace food crops, and creates a positive socioeconomic impact where feed stocks are grown. To be deemed sustainable a biofuel will need to be certifi ed as sustainable. The certifi cation process considers items such as social and economic factors and land, water, and energy use. As a global business, aviation needs a harmonized global standard to ensure that sustainability criteria are enforceable and equally applied across the industry. A patchwork of standards would inhibit the effective development of a sustainable biofuel market.

CARBON-NEUTRAL GRO

SUSTAINABLE AVIATION BIOFUEL
2

Biofuel – Sustainameeting objective transportsuch as fuels. Cobiofuel wregional energy sParity wGovernmimportanregulatorstocks acomprehThey can for sustasources policies. standardrelated p

WILL HELP GROW LOCAL ECON

A NATIONAL FARM-TO-FLY POLICY

4

WITH NO NEW INFRASTRUCT

REDUCED CARBON FOOTPRINT

Biofuel: Aviation meets or specifi caof not reqfuel systefacilities. approval kerosene drop-in apractical additionaA series demonstbiofuel. TNew ZeaAirlines in Pratt & W

An Elegant SolutionAviation biofuel presents an elegant solution to reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Ideally it presents an almost closed-loop system. Plants and algae absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and separate the carbon and oxygen for use in growth and metabolism.The biomass is harvested and sent to a biofuel refi nery where it is processed into aviation biofuel and other products. The resulting fuel meets or exceeds the requirements for jet fuel. A jet engine operating solely on sustainable aviation biofuel releases only the carbon absorbed by the feedstock plants, resulting in better life cycle environmental performance. 
60,795 Tonnes Less Carbon DioxideA 747-8 fueled with a 50 percent blend of sustainable aviation biofuel fl ying 470 trips per year, London to Singapore, releases 60,795 tonnes less CO2 than if it were using only 

conventional petroleum fuel. This assumes a 70 percent credit for biofuel and European longrange operating cost rules.
6

AlgaeAlgae are simple photosynthetic organisms, some capable of producing 30 times more oil per acre than current feedstock crops. However, commercialization for aviation biofuel may take several years. Boeing helped form the Algal Biomass Organization in 2008 to advocate and commercialize algal biofuels.JatrophaJatropha is a nonedible plant resistant to drought and produces seeds with 27 to 40 percent oil content. The plant grows well on non-arable land and can potentially fi ght desertifi cation in arid regions. When grown sustainably it can add economic value to developing economies. Commercial supplies should be available in two to three years. 

HalophytesThese plants grow naturally in saline habitats. One variety, Salicornia, has seeds with an oil content near 30 percent. These plants can be fed with waste from seafood farms as part of a program to reduce the farms’ environmental impact. Commercial viability is expected in three to four years.CamelinaThis conventionally farmed annual plant tolerates low rainfall, low nitrogen, and cold and is suitable for growing on marginal agricultural lands. It is often used as a rotational crop to restore and stabilize soil. Commercial levels of feedstocks are available today.

NEXT GENERATION ALTERNAT

CANDIDATE FEEDSTOCK EXAMPLES

8
Refi ning for Minimal Environmental ImpactBoeing is encouraging refi ners to produce a drop-in aviation fuel using processes that minimize environmental impact, support sustainability, are economically viable, and meet local and regional needs.Hydroprocessing of Bio-Derived Oil and FatsUsing advanced hydroprocessing methods, bio-derived oils and fats can be converted into the same molecules contained in jet fuel, which is produced using traditional petroleum-based feedstocks. Hydroprocessing offers great potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of jet fuel production because of the ability of plants, algae, and other biological sources to convert atmospheric carbon dioxide to bio-derived oils and fats. 

CHOICE FOR CARBON-NEU

HYDROPROCESSING IS A GOOD

Boeing views this process as one of the most promising options for approaching carbonneutralityConversion of Biomass to Jet Fuel Utilizing the Fischer-Tropsch ReactionConverting biomass to biojet fuel can also be done using the Fischer-Tropsch process. Biomass is converted to synthesis gas, a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The synthesis gas is then converted to hydrocarbons by the Fischer-Tropsch reaction. Finally, the products of this reaction undergo additional hydroprocessing to produce the same molecules found in petroleum-based jet fuel. The extra steps (producing the synthesis gas and the Fischer-Tropsch reaction) add cost and complexity and require more energy than the hydroprocessing of bio-derived oils and fats.

ConversAlcohols converteprocesseand hydrconvertinstages. A process produce cost.
10

300,000 The US Dsingle usReplacinbiofuel pcarbon dsecurity.
Use of Biofuel Reduces Oil ImportsAdoption of biofuel lowers life cycle greenhouse gas emissions, helps increase a country’s energy self-suffi ciency, and reduces price volatility. Biofuel feedstocks are a regional source of alternative energy and can signifi cantly decrease oil imports. Boeing is working with defense agencies in the United States, Europe, and Australia to advance the integration of biofuel into military fl ight operations. We are helping defense agencies research, test, and certify biofuel, as well as integrate biofuel into the aviation fuel infrastructure.Boeing is working with U.S. defense agencies on testing and gaining approval for biofuel on the F/A-18 Super Hornet, F-15 Eagle, and C-17 Globemaster. These are the fi rst steps leading to the Navy and the Air Force meeting a signifi cant amount of their fuel needs from renewable sources by 2016.A Royal Netherlands Air Force Boeing AH-64D Apache became the fi rst rotorcraft in the world to fl y using a blend of sustainable bio-kerosene and standard aviation jet fuel on June 16, 2010.

U.S. NAVY’S FIRST FLIGHT OF A BOEING F/A-18 SUPER 

IMPROVED ENERGY SEC

LOWER CARBON EMISSIONS
12

Sustainable Biofuels Research ProjectsBoeing is involved in a number of joint biofuel and life cycle assessment research projects worldwide. One study is the Sustainable Bioenergy Research Project with the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Etihad Airways, and UOP – A Honeywell Company. The goal is to perfect sustainable, integrated seafood farming.Waste water from seafood farming, which might otherwise pollute waterways, is used to fertilize saltwater plants like halophyte grasses and mangroves. The plants are harvested and converted to biofuel. The results of this project will help reduce the environmental impact of seafood farming, increase biodiversity, and generate sustainable aviation biofuel.

SustainaBoeing is SAFUG, carbon-nthe devesustainabSAFUG mcoordinainformatibe found SustainaBoeing is Spokane Universiton develassessmthe Pacifi biofuel. 

ACCELERATING 

INVESTING IN RESEARCH

The statements contained herein are based on good faith 

assumptions and provided for general information purposes only. These statements do not constitute an offer, promise, warranty or guarantee of performance. Actual results may vary depending on certain events or conditions. This document should not be used or relied upon for any purpose other than that intended by Boeing.

Boeing Commercial AirplanesEnvironmental StrategyP.O. Box 3707Seattle, WA 98124-2207For more information visit:www.newairplane.com/environment

BOEING is a trademark of Boeing Management Company.Copyright © 2010 Boeing. All rights reserved.