Continental is reportedly the first major US carrier to announce plans to highlight technological advancements in sustainable biofuels that can help to further reduce carbon emissions.
The biofuel flight will use a Boeing Next-Generation 737 equipped with CFM International CFM56-7B engines. In the months leading up to the flight, Continental, Boeing and GE will work together and with an undisclosed fuel provider to identify sustainable fuel sources that do not impact food crops, water resources or contribute to deforestation.
The project partners said that the biofuel should be be produced in sufficient quantities to support a pre-flight test schedule that includes laboratory and ground-based jet engine performance testing to ensure compliance with stringent aviation fuel performance and safety requirements.
The companies said that sustainable biofuels for aviation incorporate second-generation methodologies relative to fuel source selection and processing, which are said to be suited for aerospace use. These biofuels can then be blended with Jet-A kerosene fuel to reduce dependency on fossil fuels.
