14 DAY TRIAL // The U. S. Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) has developed a new type of fuel that has the same performances as the Air Forces' own JP-8, which is currently used to power up most of the vehicles the United States military has. According to scientists at EERC, pilots and drivers couldn't tell the difference between the two, which only serves to emphasize the quality of their product.
As the Department of Defense is the largest petroleum consumer in the country, it has long tried to create a substitute for the expensive, and now in short supplies, regular fuel it uses. As a result, the new propellant is made up of agricultural products and waste oils, which can be found in sufficiently large quantities to earn their investment. According to EERC Director Gerald Groenewold, “The EERC is now uniquely positioned to provide drop-in-compatible JP-8 fuel from both fossil and renewable feedstocks, providing critical strategic opportunities for the U.S. military as well as commercial aviation.”
Officials with the Center say that talks with waste oil providers are ongoing, as EERC attempts to create a large enough fuel sample for tests late this fall. The organization is also discussing with private-sector suppliers and companies regarding the possibility of creating an Advanced Tactical Fuels Production Complex.
The kerosene-based JP-8 jet fuel is the backbone of the American aviation, fueling almost all aircrafts, including those stationed on carriers across the oceans. It's enhanced with icing and corrosion inhibitors, alongside lubricants and anti-static agents, to prevent any damage to engines and electrical parts. While it may not be the most efficient type of fuel out there, U.S. officials say it certainly gets the job done. It remains to be seen if the yet-untitled new class of fuel will ever be produced in sufficient amounts to replace JP-8 entirely.