SEATTLE — The surge in oil prices has prompted plenty of drivers to consider biodiesel-powered or hybrid cars for their daily commute, but what about that gas guzzler we use to fly across country?
Government and corporate researchers are looking into ways to power commercial jet engines with alternative fuels, although many caution that widespread use could be years or even decades away.
Scientists face myriad obstacles, including the difficulty of producing, transporting and using massive amounts of these fuels under harsh conditions such as extreme cold. And for now at least, experts say many alternative jet fuels are more expensive than traditional ones.
"It's just so much easier to develop a fuel for automobile applications than for airplane applications," said Billy Glover, director of environmental performance for Boeing Co.
Still, rising oil prices are prompting increased interest, giving some researchers hope that their preliminary efforts will someday pay off.
Boeing researchers say the practical concerns go beyond just the rising cost of jet fuel.
"We are interested in alternative fuels because we want to make sure that there's fuel available for the future," Glover said.
Today, most commercial airplanes use a fuel similar to light kerosene. It's heavier than the gasoline in most cars but not as heavy as diesel fuel, and is designed for the particular rigors of plane travel, such as cold conditions.
One alternative that researchers are studying is biodiesel, which can be made from soybeans, corn and other products, and is used in some cars and trucks today.
A big problem, though, is that biodiesel freezes at a much higher temperature than traditional fuel, which could spell trouble in the frigid air at 35,000 feet.
Scientists are working on ways to keep the fuel from freezing so readily. But even if such efforts are successful, another big issue is supply. Scientists say there just isn't enough U.S. farmland to produce the crops needed to power jetliners, in addition to feeding people.
Robert Dunn, an Agriculture Department chemical engineer who is studying biodiesel jet fuel, said he doubted airlines would be interested until it got cheaper.
"The main challenge right now is economics," Dunn said. "Even though the price of petroleum is going up, biodiesel is still at a disadvantage economically. It simply costs more to produce."
