Al Gore III Charged With Drug Possession

[xoxoxoBruce]

Seattle Times 07/22/2007

Brazilian scientist Expedito Parente, the man known as the father of biodiesel, told us he visited Seattle recently to further his collaboration with Boeing on a project to create biofuel for jets as an alternative to petroleum-based fuel.

Parente, founder of biodiesel producer TecBio, has been working with NASA and Boeing to develop vegetable-based fuels from palm oil crops to use as aviation-grade fuel, which he calls biokerosene. Ethanol made from sugarcane powers a third of the cars in Brazil, which has become a world leader in alternative fuels; even Brazilian regional-jet maker Embraer has built an ethanol-powered plane.

Aircraft fuel is a major expense for airlines. U.S. airlines use an average of 1.6 billion gallons of fuel each month, according to the Air Transport Association. The price per gallon has jumped from $1.208 in 2004 to $1.968 last year to $2.081 in May; each extra penny per gallon costs the industry almost $200 million per year.

Meanwhile Air New Zealand also is working with Boeing and New Zealand-based biofuel developer Aquaflow Bionomic, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. What's the source of the jets' new secret sauce? Wild algae, also known as pond scum. Guess this stuff won't smell quite as good as French fries.

Pond scum? There are people I know that could finally be of value to humanity.

[tw]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Brazilian scientist Expedito Parente, the man known as the father of biodiesel, told us he visited Seattle recently to further his collaboration with Boeing on a project to create biofuel for jets as an alternative to petroleum-based fuel.

Generally, when such press releases occur, that means the project is mostly spin; already being rejected.

I recall a new tire design from Michelin that did not use air. A prototype was demonstrated. That meant the tire would never be marketed. Eventually its faults were reported - too much vibration.

If biofuel was viable, then it would not be reported. Boeing is simply doing what any engineering company would do. Look at everything. If they see something worthy, then the Seattle Times will not report it until it is ready for market. But such stories are good for those who judge by emotion. "Boeing is an environmentally friendly company. They use pond scum."

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by tw

Generally, when such press releases occur, that means the project is mostly spin; already being rejected.

This was reported by Expedito Parente, not Boeing.

Your assumption that it came from a press release shows you don't understand the relationship between Boeing and the Seattle Times. The Times is constantly publishing in depth reports about Boeing, without permission or help from the company, often to Boeing's chagrin.

Boeing doesn't manufacture the engines, which would be the primary consideration for any move to biofuels. They do, however, have to consider the fuel storage and handling. This would be especially true of Boeing Business jets that compete with Embraer.

Boeing also frequently funds, and lends technical support, to start-ups that would enhance/support the airline industry.