Honeywell has completed the initial testing of renewable jet fuel on the TPE331 turboprop engine, the TFE731 engine and a commercial auxiliary power unit.

The biofuel used on the engines is a blend of 50% Jatropha and an algae-based biofuel, and a 50% petroleum-based fuel.

The algae and Jatropha are sustainable, second-generation sources that do not interfere with food, land or water resources, and the fuel meets all critical specifications for flight.

Honeywell states that test results are comparable in performance and fuel economy to typical aviation fuels.

Honeywell aerospace advanced technology director Ron Rich said that exhaust smoke or organic particulate emissions were reduced 15% to 50%, depending on the engine and power setting, due to the lower aromatic content of the biofuel blend.

“Test results indicate that biofuel blends can be used safely for aviation, including business aircraft powered by Honeywell engines and APUs, with no effect on engine performance or operation,” he said.

“Biofuels can lower life-cycle carbon dioxide emissions relative to conventional petroleum-derived jet fuels, lowering the carbon footprint of aviation, and improving local air quality around airports.”

Honeywell is part of a consortium of aviation companies, major airlines and engine manufacturers that have been testing bio-based jet fuels and Honeywell has been testing a biofuel blend developed by UOP for a number of months.