First flights with biofuel from algae

[03.06.10]  At the IL A 2010 in Berlin, the EADS biofuel project is showcasing the world’s first flights of an aircraft powered by pure biofuel made from algae. A Diamond Aircraft DA42 New Generation powered by two Austro Engine AE300 engines takes part in the daily airshow flight demonstrations, following engine test stand runs and test flights at Diamond’s home base in Wiener Neustadt, Austria.

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EADS is working with partners towards a pilot project to develop the necessary industrial infrastructure.

The project is carried out in partnership with IG V GmbH of Potsdam, Diamond Aircraft and Austro Engines of Austria. The algae oil for flight testing and demonstration flights was delivered by Biocombustibles del Chubut S.A. in Argentina and refined into biofuel by VTS Verfahrenstechnik Schwedt, Germany.

Series-production photobioreactors from IGV GmbH are used to reproduce and grow microalgae.

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