Indian Bio-Jet Fuel Technology Receives Formal Military Certification

What is the News?

The Indian Bio-jet fuel has been formally approved for use on military aircraft of the Indian Air Force(IAF).

This approval will enable Indian armed forces to use bio-jet fuel produced using indigenous technology across all its operational aircraft. 

What is Indian Biojet Fuel Technology?

Developed by: The Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP), a constituent laboratory of the CSIR.

Sources of Production: Bo-jet fuel can be produced from used cooking oil, tree-borne oils, short gestation oilseed crops grown off-season by farmers and waste extracts from edible oil processing units.

When was the aircraft with Bio jet fuel tested?

In 2019, an aircraft filled with blended bio-jet fuel flew over RajPath at New Delhi during the Republic Day celebrations. 

Further, in 2020 another aircraft, filled with blended bio-jet fuel safely landed and took off from Leh airport at high altitudes under severe winter conditions.

The Bio jet fuel was also used on a civil, commercial demonstration flight operated by SpiceJet in 2018 from Dehradun to Delhi.

What are the benefits of Biojet Fuel Technology?

Firstly, it will reduce air pollution by virtue of its ultra-low sulphur content compared with conventional jet fuel and contribute to India’s Net-Zero greenhouse gas emissions targets.

Secondly, it will also enhance the livelihoods of farmers and tribals engaged in producing, collecting, and extracting non-edible oils.

Source: This post is based on the article “Indian Bio-Jet Fuel Technology Receives Formal Military Certification” published in PIB on 29th November 2021.