This news is classified in: Traditional Energy Oil and Gas
Jun 7, 2016
EPIC Fuels, a leading fuel supplier to the general and commercial aviation industries, provided expertise in fuel blending as well as technical and logistical support to Alaska and Gevo, Inc., a next generation biofuels company, to enable the first-ever commercial flights using a unique blend of petroleum based fuel and Gevo's alcohol-to-jet fuel (ATJ).
Alaska Airlines selected EPIC Fuels as a partner to ensure project success based on EPIC's extensive experience in renewable fuel operations. EPIC provided transportation, logistic support, aircraft refueling equipment, on-site quality control at both the Gevo facility and Alaska Airlines fuel operations at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and consultant support in the blending and testing process.
After blending traditional jet fuel with Gevo's patented ATJ, the 20 percent fuel mix was rigorously tested at an ASTM-approved laboratory. EPIC also worked with Swissport Refueling at Sea-Tac to ensure all requirements were met for both ASTM testing and on airport operations for this fuel.
The results met the required specifications for ASTM 1655 jet fuel and were cleared for use on two Boeing 737s in Alaska's fleet. The two flights were Alaska Airlines flight 2 from Seattle (SEA) to Washington DC (IAD) and flight 388 from Seattle to San Francisco (SFO), both on June 7.
While this is the first use of the Gevo alcohol-to-jet fuel product, EPIC expects these flights will clearly demonstrate the advantages of using a biofuel blends such as Gevo's to improve the aviation industry's environmental sustainability.
EPIC Fuels has been playing an ever-increasing role in growing acceptance of sustainable biofuels and biofuel blends used in jet aviation. Through this and other similar programs, EPIC has gained unique experience and insight of how biofuels interact with fossil jet fuels. The company has amassed significant experience in these projects including blending data, logistics, transportation and the rigorous testing required to ensure the fuels meet or exceed industry safety standards.
"As a fuel provider, EPIC Fuels recognizes the need to find alternatives to petroleum-only based jet fuel," said Kai Sorenson, Director of Commercial Sales for EPIC Fuels. "We've participated in multiple demonstration flights to identify and fast track technologies that can improve the environmental performance of aviation and gained unmatched experience with blending fuels. We are looking forward to playing a key role more programs in the future to help the aviation industry address a critical need in securing alternative fuels."
Over the last several years EPIC has provided both technical and logistic expertise in programs for sustainable fuel alternatives including the Boeing ecoDemonstrator 757 flight with U.S.-made "green diesel" biofuel in June, 2015 and Boeing's first-ever flights using a green diesel blend during the ecoDemonstrator 787 flight test program in December, 2014.
