Japanese engineers have developed an eco-friendly aviation fuel based on coconut oil, which has shown high efficiency in tests, according to infohub.kz.
Researchers at Osaka City University have created a biofuel that can be blended with traditional Jet A-1 aviation kerosene without loss of engine power. The additive is produced using a co-solvent method at room temperature and normal pressure, reducing energy consumption in production.
Tests on a small turbojet engine showed that the thermal efficiency of the blend remains at the level of conventional fuel. Meanwhile, the coconut additive significantly reduces hydrocarbon emissions and does not increase carbon dioxide or nitrogen oxide emissions. Due to lower calorific value, biofuel consumption is slightly higher, but turbine performance does not deteriorate.
For production, it is proposed to use defective coconuts that are not suitable for sale in Southeast Asia. This would avoid deforestation for new plantations. In the future, researchers plan to test blends with 100% biofuel content and study its storage durability.