Refinery tech company UOP targets renewable JP-8

On the heels of its announcement last week of a new green diesel process (see the Cleantech Group's Refinery supplier UOP intros green diesel) UOP, a Honeywell (NYSE: HON) company, announced today it will accelerate research and development on making military jet fuel out of vegetable and algal oils.

The goal of the project, which is backed by $6.7 million in funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), is to develop and commercialize a process to produce Jet Propellant 8 (JP-8).

“The focus of our renewable energy efforts has been to develop technologies that align with today’s standard refinery practices, but allow a broader range of feedstock options,”’ said Jennifer Holmgren, director of UOP's Renewable Energy and Chemicals business unit.

UOP will work with Honeywell Aerospace, Cargill, Arizona State University, Sandia National Laboratories and Southwest Research Institute on the project, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2008.

UOP expects the technology will be viable for future use in the production of jet fuel for commercial jets.

Approximately 4.5 billion gallons of JP-8 fuel are used by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army and NATO every year. The kerosene-based fuel is less flammable and less hazardous than other fuel options, allowing for better safety and combat survivability.

JP-8 is also used to fuel heaters, stoves, tanks, and other vehicles in military service. Commercial airliners use Jet A and Jet A-1, which is also kerosene-based.

UOP is a leader in developing process technology for the refining and petrochemical industries. The hundred year-old company formed a Renewable Energy & Chemicals business unit in late 2006.

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