Swift Fuel

[David-aviator]

Originally Posted by Ted Johns

The devil is in the details in all endeavors such as this, but several bio-fuels are being investigated for gasoline replacement. Dimethylfuran, (or DMF) for one has the potential to be a good aviation fuel. I don't think this is the one that Swift is talking about, since DMF is the same BTU per volume as gasoline, not 15% better. Still, equal to av-gas is a lot better than ethanol at -30%.

Making a new synthetic fuel refinery / factory is enormously capital intensive. Probably best to start small, like with the GA marketplace.

Pundits are saying we may see oil at $200 barrel soon. Some very good alternative fuels could emerge as a result. They won't be cheap but neither will 100LL.

[SHIPCHIEF]

A 'lift' from the EAA webpage:
February 25, 2010 ? Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University announced plans this week to phase in lead-free biofuel produced by Swift Enterprises for use in its training aircraft, the nation?s largest (95 aircraft) collegiate fleet. Swift fuel is a renewable biofuel synthesized from sorghum that has been successfully tested by the FAA Technical ...
It's real and it's comming to an Embry-Riddle near you.
100LL is the highest priced gasoline in the US, the consumption of which SWIFT believes can be met by their planned output.
Now that ethanol is in virtually all mogas, I'd pay full 100LL price for a no lead fuel that has more power or more range, wouldn't you?
Soon we will find out how well it stores, how fuel systems tolerate it, if it causes skin rash, or smells bad.

[glenn654]

IIRC, the original sales pitch claimed a fairly lower price than 100LL...
That's what gets my motor going. I would love to be able to fly more.
Hope this stuff works.

Glenn Wilkinson

[dmaib]

David Perme, the CEO of Swift Fuels spoke at the EAA Chapter 288 monthly meeting last month. He gave a pretty good picture of where the company is at this time. They have signed the agreement with Embry Riddle and also have test programs going with Cessna, Cirrus, and Lycoming, IIRC. He seems confidant that they will be able to ramp up production utilizing existing facilities, when the product is ready to market. He was cautious about retail cost, but said that they were confident that it will be competitive with 100LL.
The fuel is a bit heavier than 100LL, but puts out more BTU's per gallon. So far, testing has shown no adverse affects on existing engine components, seals, o-rings, etc.

[Scott Hersha]

Somebody in this thread mentioned that it hadn't flown yet. It has actually. There was an RV (-4 I think?) at Oshkosh last summer that flew in with it. They also flew a bonanza and a couple others in tests. Their formal test program hasn't begun yet. To be a 100LL replacement, the formal test program has to be approved by someone other than Swift - like ASTM or FAA maybe? Don't know for sure, but I get email updates from them occassionally. I am on the list as possible test aircraft when the time comes. I think one way it can be viable as a business is that it should cost less to distribute. It can go through the same underground lines as automotive gasoline. 100LL cannot. They also say they only need about 400 square miles of farmland to produce the biomass necessary for full 100LL replacement. The plant product may be either flax seed oil, or sorghum. Flax was their original crop mentioned in their posts, but I've read that the Canadian flax has been contaminated with some rogue seeds from Europe that have affected production. I also read about another 100LL replacement experimental fuel on the AOPA or EAA website (don't remember) that shows promise, so there's competition. Anyway, until Swift or anybody comes up with a formal test program and a business plan for production/distribution, we don't need to get too excited. What we do need to get nervous about is what will happen if nothing is found.
Scott

[ajay]

400 sqnm is only 20nm by 20nm. Just a point of reference, Rhode island our smallest state is 1600 sqnm. This is hardly going to make a dint in our food production capacity. Which is why 100LL makes for an attractive market for alternative bio-fuels. Mogas on the other hand is not.

ajay

[Neal@F14]

Is this "Swift Fuel" just biobutanol, or perhaps some butanol blend?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butanol_fuel

[dmaib]

Originally Posted by Neal@F14

Is this "Swift Fuel" just biobutanol, or perhaps some butanol blend?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butanol_fuel

Here is a link to their website that will answer most questions. http://www.swiftenterprises.net/Swift%20Fuel.html

No ethanol and no petroleum in the product.