ecoDemonstrator

Boeing has expanded the ecoDemonstrator testing programme that will trial the use of green diesel, as well as several environmental technologies.

Among the technologies, the ecoDemonstrator Boeing 757 airplane started testing solar and thermal ‘energy harvesting’ system to supply power to electronic windows.

The energy system will help minimise the use of wiring, as well as reducing the weight, fuel usage and carbon emissions.

As part of the test on 17 June, the ecoDemonstrator flew from Seattle to Nasa’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, using green diesel, which is a blend of 95% jet fuel and 5% biofuel used in ground transportation.

The biofuel mix has been produced from waste animal fats, inedible corn oil and used cooking oil, that are claimed to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80% more than petroleum jet fuel.

Boeing has also installed a 3D-printed aisle stand using the excess carbon fibre from 787 production, at the deck of the aircraft in an effort to lower the aircraft’s weight and also reuse the remaining material cut factory waste.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes Product Development vice-president Mike Sinnett said: "With the ecoDemonstrator, Boeing looks to reduce environmental impact through the airplane’s lifecycle, from improving fuel efficiency and cutting carbon emissions to recycling production materials.

"In addition to our new technologies, flying the ecoDemonstrator 757 with US-made green diesel is another positive step toward reducing our industry’s use of fossil fuel."

Nasa and tourism group TUI Group collaborated with Boeing on the ecoDemonstrator 757 tests.

Nasa’s Integrated Aviation Systems Program director Ed Waggoner said: "We have been thrilled with the data we were able to obtain from our experiments during the ecoDemonstrator 757 flight campaign, and are excited about the impact these Nasa-developed technologies will have on the US air transportation industry."

"[We] are excited about the impact these Nasa-developed technologies will have on the US air transportation industry."

TUI Group executive committee member Thomas Ellerbeck said: "Sustainable fuels, like green diesel, also have a potential to reduce aviation’s carbon emissions significantly, and they require the policy and investment framework that will support our investments."

Diamond Green Diesel, a joint venture between Valero Energy and Darling Ingredients, provided the green diesel for the flight while EPIC Aviation blended the fuel.

The flight was completed in coordination with the US Federal Aviation Administration, Pratt & Whitney and Honeywell, among others.

Launched in 2011, the ecoDemonstrator has tested more than 50 technologies using Boeing 737 in 2012 and Boeing 787 in 2014, while the Boeing 757 model is being tested this year with more than 15 technologies.

In April, Nasa said the ecoDemonstrator will test two systems that reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

It is planned for the Boeing 757 to be outfitted with 31 small devices that will blow strong jets of air on the vertical tail, while another technology uses non-stick coatings to remove bugs from the edge of wings.

Image: Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator aircraft fuelling up with green diesel. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.