Coal as a Jet A1 replacement

[Myriad]

New fuel for the next generation of military aircraft is the goal of a team of Penn State researchers who are demonstrating that jet fuel can be made from bituminous coal. "On a pilot scale, we have produced thermally stable coal-based jet fuel," says Dr. Harold H. Schobert, professor of fuel science and director of Penn State's Energy Institute. "This coal-based fuel can absorb significant amounts of heat and remain stable to 900 degrees Fahrenheit". The fuel will be provisionally designated jet propulsion 900 or JP900 because of this high temperature stability. "We do not have much doubt now that we can do this," says Schobert. "We have a lot more to do and it will be expensive, but there is not much doubt that it will work."

Go Penn State...

Its interesting to read the future for a possible replacement for Jet A1, Oil supplies are decreasing and will only get lower...

What do you think about this type of possible fuel alternate...?

[ACman]

Go Penn State...

Its interesting to read the future for a possible replacement for Jet A1, Oil supplies are decreasing and will only get lower...

What do you think about this type of possible fuel alternate...?

Steam power aircraft, wicked.

[Myriad]

Steam power aircraft, wicked.
It is a liquid fuel, burn just like Jet A1... ;) I dont think steam has anything to do with it... Unless you're pro 18th centuary...! ;)

[JordanD]

Coal is waaaay too dirty to use in airliners.

[Myriad]

Coal is waaaay too dirty to use in airliners.
Apparently Not...

The article goes on to explain that by processing the coal with hydrogen, they reduce the sulphur content and its just as clean if not cleaner than Jet A1

[Greg Wilson]

March 2004.

http://live.psu.edu/story/6191

[bloodhound96]

An interesting idea. Still, not a renewable energy source. But at least they are making progress on alternative fuels.

[screaming_emu]

Coal is waaaay too dirty to use in airliners.

Jet A isn't exactly clean either. I used to live on an air force base and everything outside after about a month would get this real nice sticky black soot residue on it. Would take the power washer to get it off our patio and side walks.

[Crunk415balla]

Jet A isn't exactly clean either. I used to live on an air force base and everything outside after about a month would get this real nice sticky black soot residue on it. Would take the power washer to get it off our patio and side walks.
Ya, I see that all the time in the neighborhoods around Travis AFB. Not to mention half the people there have cancer.

[screaming_emu]

Not to mention half the people there have cancer.

well at least I know what to look forward to ;-)

[ExpressJet145]

I worked in the jet fuel bizznass...its not "healthy" by any means and causes cancer. Glad I only spent a year in it....although Ive taken my fare shares of bath's in it ;).

[Myriad]

Jet A isn't exactly clean either. I used to live on an air force base and everything outside after about a month would get this real nice sticky black soot residue on it. Would take the power washer to get it off our patio and side walks.
They dont use Jet A in the majority of military jets, they use a wider cut gasoline called JP-4 as it contains extra additives and meets the required specifications for the Navy/Airforce of both the US and UK forces...

Its a little dirtier because of this. Although yes, Jet A-1 isnt a clean fuel by a long shot.

although Ive taken my fare shares of bath's in it
Me too, draining an engine of fuel can be a pain in the proverbial starfish... It itches my skin as well...

[screaming_emu]

Me too, draining an engine of fuel can be a pain in the proverbial starfish... It itches my skin as well...

Sumping fuel form some GA planes can suck real bad too. Though that is usually 100 Low lead. Especially when its windy. And the piper seminole has the worst fuel drains ever designed. Every time I would get way more fuel on my hands than in the cup.

[Myriad]

Sampling an aircraft fuel is a similar process to a cessna or piper etc, its a little poppet valve which essentially you push up to drain the fuel.

The difference being an aircraft valve is about 20ft above your head. Create a makeshift drainage device using a funnel. so that when you push the drain tool upwards, the rim of the funnel sits flush to the wing. allowing you to drain fuel without the fuel going everywhere... ;)

-Myriad

[screaming_emu]

Sampling an aircraft fuel is a similar process to a cessna or piper etc, its a little poppet valve which essentially you push up to drain the fuel.

The difference being an aircraft valve is about 20ft above your head. Create a makeshift drainage device using a funnel. so that when you push the drain tool upwards, the rim of the funnel sits flush to the wing. allowing you to drain fuel without the fuel going everywhere... ;)

-Myriad

yeah, the thing about the seminole is that the two sump valves are actually on the side of the fuselage, facing out instead of down. so you have to stick the little pin into the valve to open it, but yet somehow make that fuel fall into the cup. You'd think for a $500,000 airplane they'd figure out that it isn't the best way to do it :-P

[Myriad]

yeah, the thing about the seminole is that the two sump valves are actually on the side of the fuselage, facing out instead of down. so you have to stick the little pin into the valve to open it, but yet somehow make that fuel fall into the cup. You'd think for a $500,000 airplane they'd figure out that it isn't the best way to do it :-P

I'll have a think... there has to be a good way to drain the fuel from your silly aircraft ;) :lol:

:clap:

[RobinB]

Sasol - one of my customers - have been producing fuel from coal for the last 30 plus years. The interesting bit about the article is a "serious" look at the alternatives to oil. In my opinion, the only viable alternative to oil based, (fossil) fuels is to "go electric" and use cold fusion as the energy to produce such power. There is a very interesting web site called Infinate Energy (Google it) which shows current research and progress into "cracking" the elusive bit. The articles expound on what this would do for the planet in general. "Aviation will never be the same again" and "Intergalactical manned space travel would be a "reality"". And the byproduct of cold fusion is water and Oxygen.

[FlyingPhotog]

Let's make those engines into hydro-electric turbines and they can just fill the planes with water! :lol:

[Excalibur2004]

Let's make those engines into hydro-electric turbines and they can just fill the planes with water! :lol:


imagine that.... makes a lot of sense since 75% of the planet is friggin water! that would definatly redefine "potable water service" :razz:

[uy707]

Whichever the replacement, designing aerodynamically clean airliners will be a new frontier to reach. First challenge will surely be to accomodate the energy source to efficiently replace JetA1 in terms of bulk and space ...
Alain