Creating new NAVY fuels from biobutanol

FUEL 120

Michael E. Wright, Benjamin Harvey, and Roxanne L. Quintana. Research Department, Chemistry Division, NAVAIR-NAWCWD, China Lake, CA 93555
The NAVY is interested in developing fuel sources that are fully renewable and sustainable. Biobutanol is an emerging source of fuel that can made from a variety of waste products and/or non-food stock. Our research effort at China Lake is focused on exploring and creating new fuels based on biobutanol. The fuels we have developed can be used as drop-in replacements for military applications that require JP-8 and diesel. Our program has focused on, and been successful in, developing both diesel and jet fuels based on biobutanol. In addition, we have developed subsequent chemistries used to convert butanol to full performance JP-8 equivalents. Characterization and test data for the fuels will be presented.