Eucalyptus Oil identified as potential Jet Fuel
Q. Which of the following is considered a potentially suitable Jet fuel?- Published on 21 Sep 16a. Eucalyptus Oil
b. Bio-diesel
c. Ethanol
d. None of the above
ANSWER: Eucalyptus Oil
- Renewable ethanol and biodiesel might be okay for the family SUV, but they don't have a high enough energy density to be used in the aviation industry.
- Eucalyptus oil contains compounds called monoterpenes that can be converted into a very high energy fuel, and this high energy fuel can actually fly jets and even tactical missiles.
- A study examined how to boost production of monoterpenes to obtain industrial scales of jet fuel from plants.
- Certain monoterpenes commonly found in eucalyptus oils such as pinene and limonene, can be refined through a catalytic process, resulting in a fuel with energy densities suitable for jet fuel.
- Turpentine from pine trees is another potential source of these monoterpenes, but pines grow more slowly than eucalyptus.
- Jet fuel derived from eucalyptus oils would be close to carbon neutral.
