Updated By: LatestGKGS Desk
India’s first Biofuel flight was propelled by jatropha seeds: details, features
India’s first Biofuel flight was propelled by jatropha seeds: details, features, highlights
India's first first-ever environment-friendly biofuel-powered flight between Dehradun and Delhi was propelled by the blend of oil from jatropha seeds and aviation turbine fuel.
The 43-minute flight was operated by SpiceJet’s Bombardier Q-400 aircraft, with 20 officials and five crew members on board and was landed on IGI Airport, Delhi.
This Spicejet plane had carried a blend of 25% of bio jet fuel (derived from jatropha seeds) and 75% of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) in one of the two engines of the plane, while other carried only ATF.
This biofuel flight was the technology demonstration that bio jet fuel can be used in flights. International standards permit a blended rate of up to 50% biofuel with ATF. The blend of bio jet fuel and ATF has the potential to reduce fuel costs by 15-20%.
Bio-jet fuel is greenhouse gas (GHG) neutral, carbon neutral, reduces air pollution. Capping its blending with aviation turbine fuel will help to bring down import bill on crude oil. Moreover, commercialization of aviation biofuel promises large-scale employment avenues both in a formal and informal sector,
The use of bio jet fuel will help in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by about 15% and sulfur oxides (SOx) emissions by over 99%. It is expected to provide indigenous jet fuel supply security. Its usage also offers superior engine performance and reduced maintenance cost for the airline operators.
